If you are looking into dental implants in Stevenage then come and see us at Hydean Dental Practice.

Missing teeth can affect not only your smile, but other aspects of your life as well – such as your self-confidence. Dental implants at Hydean Dental Practice have made a huge difference to our patients’ lives. We have seen many success stories with patients who have been suffering with missing teeth or uncomfortable dentures. For them, having dental implants is like getting their natural teeth back.

Problems that arise from missing teeth

A single gap in your teeth may have an impact on how the rest of your teeth bite down and work together.

You may find that you suffer from ‘drifting’, where the neighbouring teeth lean or tilt over into the missing space. Our teeth tend to naturally move toward the front of our mouths without the presence of surrounding teeth to keep them in place. Drifting increases the likelihood of food getting trapped in the spaces, which can lead to gum disease. It can also affect your bite, allowing your opposing teeth to move causing them to bite down in areas they did not used to.

In addition to this, once teeth are removed from your jaw, the supporting bone has the tendency to shrink. This process begins as soon as the tooth is lost and progresses over time, meaning that both the height and width of your bone will be compromised. In time, this bone loss becomes visually apparent and can have an impact on your appearance.

What you can do about your missing teeth

There are a number of ways to replace lost teeth, but over the years dental implants have become dentistry’s best overall option. They continue to be in very high demand for a variety of reasons. Implants are very strong, stable and long-lived, as long as you take good care of them.

They are also the most natural-looking alternative. All this is possible because the titanium implants have the remarkable ability to fuse to your jaw.

Dental implants also have the highest success rate of any tooth-replacement option. Here, at Hydean Dental Practice, we use Biohorizon’s Implant system. BioHorizons dental implants are clinically proven through some of the most thorough and in-depth research in the industry.

Are you worried about having dental Implants?

Dental implants are a surgical procedure, and as such, there are concerns and questions that patients like to have resolved before pressing forward. The main concern is the thought it may be painful. The entire procedure is conducted under anaesthesia, meaning that you will be numb throughout. You might feel a vibrating sensation while the work is being done, and though this might feel slightly odd, it will not be painful or uncomfortable in the slightest.

Are dental implants right for you?

If you are interested in dental implants and are in good general health and have healthy gums, then chances are dental implants are a suitable treatment for you. We can give you a definitive answer when you come in to see us.

The first step is to come for a consultation so we can take x-rays of your jaw and check the condition of the bone.

If you would like to book an appointment, please call us on 01438351548 or email reception@hydeandental.com.

Further information can be found here, or through the Oral Health Foundation.

If you are looking for composite bonding in Stevenage, then we can help. Come and see one of our dentists for a free consultation.

Composite bonding is a cosmetic treatment where composite resin (white filling material), is shaped and moulded onto your teeth to give the appearance of a straighter, whiter smile. It can be used as a cosmetic solution for chipped teeth, gapped teeth and discolouration in teeth.

It also doesn’t involve damage or drilling down of the teeth. The bonding treatment is completed in a single appointment.

Who can have Composite Bonding?

Composite bonding is not for everyone. If your smile is crooked as the result of an over or underbite, this treatment will not serve to correct it. In these cases, straightening the teeth before can give a better result. Bonding is primarily for those who seek a cosmetic solution for teeth that are otherwise healthy and well aligned. A common treatment is to have Invisalign prior to bonding to straighten the teeth first.

What is involved?

At the initial cosmetic consultation, we discuss what alterations you wish to make and we can carry out a direct mock up on your teeth to show you what the new shapes would look like. This is a great way to see what the final result would look like. Our Dentist may also take pictures of your teeth to help plan the treatment.

During the bonding appointment we carefully handcraft and layer the composite to mimic the shapes and textures of your natural teeth as closely as possible. Bonding is a pain free treatment and you will not need any injections.

What Aftercare is Needed?

Composite bonding requires maintenance so you’ll need to see your dentist for regular check-ups and hygiene visits. The surface may need re-polishing to maintain the lustre and shine.

How Long does composite bonding last for?

It generally lasts for 5-7 years before it needs to be replaced. For people who grind their teeth, it will have a shorter lifespan. Composite bonding is easy to repair if it chips and straightforward to replace if required.

Further information can be found here.

If you are interested in having composite bonding in Stevenage you can book in with one of our Dentists by calling 01438351548.

How to choose the right toothbrush

We highly recommend good dental hygiene to our patients. Not only do healthy teeth and gums prevent oral problems appearing, they are also crucial for our wellbeing, since gum disease is linked to all kinds of issues such as diabetes and heart disease.

Choosing the right toothbrush plays a vital role in keeping your teeth and gums in good condition. However, with so many types for sale these days, many people who come to us mention that it can be difficult to decide which one is the most suitable.

Below are a few tips to help you decide:

Bristles

Toothbrushes, whether manual or electric, are made of nylon bristles than come in a range of soft, medium and hard bristles. The hard variety can tend to cause your gums to shrink if too much pressure is applied. There is also the risk that if you brush over-enthusiastically, you could damage your teeth enamel. On the other hand, very soft bristles might not tackle plaque effectively, so it is recommended to usually to go for medium.

Design

We generally recommend a smaller head for your toothbrush, since it will be able to get to hard to reach places in your mouth more easily.

When it comes to the handle, you want to make sure the handle fits comfortably in your hand so you can get a good grip to brush your teeth effectively. It should be easy to manoeuvre and preferably have a non-slip surface.

Manual vs Electric

Both types are acceptable provided they are used effectively.

The good thing about the manual toothbrush is that it comes in a larger variety than many of the electric toothbrushes and you get more options including large, standard or small heads with soft, medium or hard bristles along with a handy tongue cleaning option.

Electric toothbrushes are useful if you have limited movement or find cleaning particularly difficult. These toothbrushes usually have heads which either rotate and oscillate, or pulsate. Also, one of the best features of an electric toothbrush is the timer. Most people do not brush for the recommended two minutes. An electric brush will help you get the optimum brushing time. Some modern electric toothbrushes also have built-in sensors, which will flash red or stop working, if you impart too much force, which is useful.

Further information can be found here.

Ultimately though, the right choice between the two will come down to what you feel most comfortable with, providing you are thorough with your dental hygiene.

One final point to know is that whether you choose a manual or electric toothbrush, it is important to replace them (the electric ones you can buy new heads to fit onto the handle) at least every three months. This is important to ensure the toothbrush remains effective at cleaning your teeth.

If you are still unsure as to what would be the perfect toothbrush for you as an individual, why not make an appointment at Hydean Dental Practice and we can advised what is best for you.

To help stop the spread of coronavirus, we are following government guidance and delaying all non-urgent dental treatment. 

This includes:  

• Dental check-ups. 

• Preventive treatments such as scale and polish and fluoride varnishes. 

• Examinations and x-rays.

• Appointments for Invisilalign.

• Cosmetic dental treatment.

• Routine denture treatment.

• Treatments on teeth that are not painful e.g. fillings

These measures have been put in place to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus and the risk of cross-infection.

If required, we can be reached on the phone for telephone emergency appointments with one of our dentists. If you are in pain, bleeding, swelling, or have had an accident and need urgent dental care, please call us on 01438 351548.

For out of hours emergency dental care you can call NHS 111.

To help prevent dental problems from happening during coronavirus:

1. Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
2. Cut down on how much sugar you have and how often you have it.
3. Keep sugar consumption to mealtimes. This will reduce the time your teeth are under attack.
4. Use interdental brushes or floss to clean in between the teeth.
5. Use mouthwash daily to remove bad bacteria. It is best to use mouthwash at a different time to brushing your teeth.

Further information can be found here.

If you have an appointment at the practice then please read the instructions for visiting the practice.

If you have outstanding routine treatment, please bear with us as we help all patients that require emergency dental treatment.

When to start brushing baby teeth

Baby teeth tend to come through at around four to six months – as soon as the first one appears, it needs gentle brushing because plaque is a problem no matter what the age.

You might want to also softly clean your baby’s gums with a clean wet cloth after feedings. This gets them used to dental hygiene from the earliest age and creates the ideal clean environment for their new teeth to appear.

You need to supervise children’s brushing until they are 7 years old.

Also advise them to spit but not to rinse after brushing. This will help keep fluoride around there teeth during the day.

How to brush baby teeth

Here are the steps that have been proven to work best:

1. Buy an ultra soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste that’s designed for young children i.e. fluoride is necessary as it helps prevent tooth decay, but the typical brands used by adults are too strong for your little one.
2. The easiest position is to sit your baby upright and facing away from as this allows more control when it comes to keeping their head still.
3. Brush gently in small circular motions for about two minutes, with your main focus on where the gum meets the tooth. This should be done twice a day – in the morning and after their last feed before you put them to bed at night.
4. When your child starts teething, be ultra gentle as their gums will be very sore.

A great tip is to brush your teeth in front of your baby as often as possible. Since children learn by copying, this will teach them to perceive brushing as a normal part of daily routine.

Teething

Teething generally starts occurring in babies at around six months. The common signs of teething include swollen gums, increased chewing and dribbling, irritability and flushed cheeks.

Here are the best ways to help your little one through this trying time:

• Do your best to keep them distracted with fun activities.
• Be vigilant about wiping away excessive drooling or your baby may develop skin irritations.
• Chilled teething rings are a great help as they sooth irritated gums.
• If your baby is in pain, good solutions are to gently apply teething gel directly to their gums.

Further information can be found at https://www.dentalhealth.org/dental-care-for-mother-and-baby

Dummies

Dummies were once a staple for babies and might seem like a good idea to help with teething problems, but we recommend not making dummies a habit. The reason for this is that dummies place pressure on your baby’s mouth and can cause their teeth to move out of alignment.

Further information can be found at nhs.uk.

When to bring your baby to the dentist

The first time to book your little one in for a baby dental check-up is usually just before 12 months. This allows them to become familiar with the sounds and smells of a dental surgery.

If you wish to make an appointment you can call us on 01438 351548, or email us at reception@hydeandental.com.