Bad breath is often something even our best friends daren’t mention for fear of upsetting us, yet if we know about it and seek some simple advice, we can avoid it. The problem is that it is often down to some bad habits we have as individuals, says a Colchester dentist. There isn’t a cure as such; it is just a matter in most cases of changing our eating and lifestyle habits. The liver is a vital organ that gets rid of toxins in the body; it also produces chemicals that are responsible for bad breath. Bad breath in some cases is just a matter of what we eat, foods such as spicy curries can leave an odour on the breath that lingers and dries the saliva that we produce to neutralise bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria is good for us in the first instance, but after it has done its job in breaking down our food, it needs to be got rid of. Flossing and mouth washing are a start, but just a simple routine like drinking water throughout the day will also help. Alcohol is a major cause of bad breath, it makes the liver work overtime and is a warning to us that our intake is above safety levels; the liver gives us bad breath for this reason. A lax attitude in oral care is also a major cause, as well as certain conditions like diabetes. Seeing a dental hygienist or your doctor is a good place to start, brushing your teeth after every meal will also stop the build up of bacteria that cause the problem. Make sure that you use a good mouthwash, and taking care to avoid gum diseases like Gingivitis will also bring bad breath to an end, giving up smoking can also help. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

One of the first things we notice about people when we meet them is their smile. It is one of the most important ways of communicating that humans have and so it is important that you have a good one. A lack of confidence in smiling because of self-confidence issues caused by your teeth can have a real impact on your life so it is important that you are comfortable and happy with your teeth.

Patients who do not have naturally straight teeth can regain this self-confidence by using orthodontic straightening devices, more commonly known as braces. Braces have been used for decades to straighten teeth but have previously been uncomfortable and ugly metal brackets that can result in a further loss of confidence. Although the teeth would eventually be straight, the procedure involved wearing the unseemly braces for up to two years, which did little to restore patient’s confidence, especially those in their difficult teenage years.

However, with the recent advances in dental technology there are finally more pragmatic solutions to misaligned teeth. One of the most recent and effective braces to emerge is the Inman aligner. A discreet and incredibly fast-acting brace that can achieve visibly straighter teeth in as little as six-months, a reduction of 75 per cent on previous treatment times.

The aligner achieves these incredible results by utilizing the force of a coiled spring. The spring sits on the tongue side of the teeth and gradually moves the lateral teeth out creating room for the front teeth to move into. These are then aligned using a straightening bar that runs along the front of the teeth. This bar is the only visible part of the brace.

The aligner may cause some initial discomfort when fitted but this will usually fade after the first week, but this is common to all orthodontic appliances. Other than this the treatment is relatively free of discomfort. Another benefit of the Inman aligner over traditional fixed braces is that it can be removed for important social or professional occasions.

If you are suffering from overcrowded teeth or lacking the confidence that comes with a beautiful smile, ask a dentist about the Inman aligner and see whether it could bring the smile back to your face. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

It is common today that a visit to the dentist may also involve an appointment with the dental hygienist. A hygienist’s role is to professionally clean the teeth for a patient using techniques known as scaling and polishing. This specifically involves removing plaque build up and solidified plaque known as tartar which cannot be removed by brushing.

A dental hygienist works in tandem with the dentist by offering advice and cleaning demonstrations on the best way to prevent plaque build up and dental decay at home. They can also develop individually tailored cleaning plans for each patient reducing the risk of future dental concerns.

More and more dental surgeries are using dental hygienists and noticing the overall improvement for patient’s teeth. Professionally qualified, a hygienist will often be able to spend longer with you than a dentist and it is often possible to book their services by the hour. Also, because they don’t have the same caseload as the dentist they can offer a more focused treatment session.

Dental hygienists have recently been approved and trained to take x-rays which enables them to diagnose problems and suggest possible treatments. They are also fully trained to apply fluoride treatments and offer smoking cessation advice. They can also offer smokers the best advice on how to effectively clean teeth to prevent tobacco staining.

Dental hygienists are a relatively new adition to the dental health canon but they are a very valuable one. As well as reducing waiting times for all patients, they are an invaluable weapon in the war against dental decay and gum disease. At your next visit to a dentist enquire about making an appointment with the dental hygienist and you could leave the surgery with a thoroughly cleaned and healthy set of teeth. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Apart from tooth decay the most common and damaging form of dental concern is gum disease. It is a problem that affects most people at some point to varying degrees, with few people ever even realising they are suffering from gum disease. The mild form of the disease is known as gingivitis and can be easily treated with increased cleaning and regular dental check ups. More serious forms of gum disease may require more thorough treatment with antibiotics and even a gingivectomy, which is the removal of gum tissue. This more serious form of the disease is called periodontitis and requires treatment from the dentist to prevent the further spread of infection. Gum disease has even been linked to causing heart problems. This is because the infection is able to spread into the blood stream in the mouth and can directly attack the heart and other areas of the body.

The most effective form of treatment for gum disease is of course prevention. Maintaining a high standard of oral hygiene will help to prevent gum disease and the associated problems. This can be achieved by brushing correctly for three minutes twice a day. This helps to stop plaque building up. Plaque is a filmy substance made of bacteria and other debris that coats the teeth and attacks the enamel and gum tissue and is one of the primary sources for oral infection. Flossing at least once a day helps to remove trapped food particles from between then teeth that brushing cannot remove. This helps to keep the levels of dangerous bacteria in the mouth low. Flossing also cleans the teeth below the gum line, which again is an area hard to reach with regular brushing. Dentists also advise cleaning your tongue with a specially designed tongue cleaner to remove bacteria. Lastly and most importantly is to keep up six-monthly appointments with a dentist who will be able to spot the first signs of gum disease. They can also offer hygiene advice and carry out a thorough deep clean of the teeth and gums.

If you are concerned about gum disease or are experiencing irritable or even bleeding gums, then make an appointment to see a dentist as soon as possible. Catching and treating gum disease early can make treatment easier and prevent any further health complications. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Gingivitis, more commonly known as gum disease, is an oral infection that affects the gums caused by bacterial growth in the mouth. If not properly treated gingivitis can become the more serious periodontitis resulting in tooth loss and the destruction of soft gingival tissue in the mouth. Gum disease has also been linked to various other infections in the body including heart disease. It is believed that bacterial infection in the mouth can infiltrate the bloodstream and cause wider health problems if not treated successfully.

Gingivitis is initially caused by plaque build up. Plaque is a filmy substance made up of bacteria and other debris that covers the tooth enamel and gum tissue and erodes it. This causes irritation of the gums which may bleed when brushed firmly. This kind of irritation is easily treated and combated by more effective cleaning. However, if left untreated, gingivitis can become peridontitis where the infection creates pockets between the teeth and gums which can spread the infection below the gum line. This is very hard to clean with conventional brushes and may need some antibiotic treatment. In sever cases some tissue may need to be removed if beyond treatment in a process called a gingivectomy.

Although gum disease my be caused by more wide ranging health issues such as hormonal changes and illness it is most often caused by poor standards of oral hygiene. An improvement in brushing and flossing and making regular six-month check up appointments with a Basildon dentist is usually enough to keep gum disease at bay.

Even if you think you have healthy gums and are experiencing no irritation or symptoms of gum disease it is still necessary to see a dentist on a regular basis. Some gum disease shows little or no sign of obvious infection but a dentist will be able to spot the warning signs. As previously mentioned, gum disease can be the underlying cause of a more systematic infection that becomes very hard to treat, so it really is worth making a few small efforts to prevent it. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at at Advance Dental Clinic  in chelmsford.

Everyone knows that by staying healthy we can keep ourselves looking young. By avoiding damaging substances like tobacco, alcohol and greasy foods and exercising and eating a well balanced diet we can stay healthy on the inside and the outside. However, no matter how healthy our lifestyle we can never hold back the effects of time and ultimately the aging process will cause hair to turn grey, teeth to lose their whiteness and skin to wrinkle and sag. But just as there are products to restore natural hair and teeth colour there is now an option to artificially keep skin looking firm and healthy.

This process is called facial rejuvenation and is increasingly becoming available to more and more people in the UK. Including treatments such as Botox, facial rejuvenation started in America about fifteen years ago and was initially prohibitively expensive and therefore the preserve of the rich and famous. But in recent years as the procedure has become more socially acceptable the treatments have become much more affordable. Having a facial rejuvenation treatment now is no more unusual than having a haircut.

Treatments like Botox utilise a bacterial toxin not harmful to the human body to relax facial muscles and reduce the appearance of wrinkles when injected into the facial tissue. Safe and simple, the effects of Botox last up to four months before requiring a top up.

These procedures are increasingly being used by dentists as a non-surgical alternative to facelifts. Because of the relationship of the facial muscles, including the lips, to the mouth and smile, dentists are using the treatments as part of a wider smile makeover treatment. Facial rejuvenation can also be used as a reconstructive measure to repair facial tissues damaged by sinking due to lost teeth.

With results appearing after as little as two days, facial rejuvenation is becoming increasingly popular with over 90 per cent of women noticing a marked improvement in their skin after treatment. Consult a Chelmsford dentist about the non-surgical treatment for facial rejuvenation.