Gum disease affects the structures supporting your teeth and it causes inflammation and swelling of the gums. In severe cases it causes damage to the bone and ligaments that hold your teeth in place and lead to loss of teeth.

Types of Gum Disease

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is most commonly caused by plaque build-up on your teeth. This occurs when plaque has not been regularly cleared from your teeth. This can irritate your gums and cause them to become red, swollen and can bleed when you brush your teeth. Over time the plaque will become harder and turns into tartar which can cause further irritation and possibly infection.

Regular cleaning can clear the problem, but if untreated it can lead to more serious problems.

Periodontitis

This is the next stage on from gingivitis, the inflammation can spread to the ligaments and bones holding your teeth in place. The gums may begin to pull away from the teeth leaving exposed pockets into which more plaque forms which then cannot be reached with brushing alone. It can expose the roots of the teeth making them extremely sensitive and eventually this can lead to tooth loss.

Caught early enough it can be treated however it can often not be fully cured. You will then be in the maintenance phase.

Symptoms of gum disease

Gum disease is not always painful meaning you may not know you have it. Therefore it is important to attend regular check-ups with your dentist and maintain good oral hygiene at all times.

The first signs of gingivitis are:

• Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth
• Red and swollen gums

If this has progressed on to periodontitis then you may have:

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• A bad taste in your mouth
• Gum recession and sensitivity
• Wobbly or loose teeth
• Gum abscesses

Treatment of gum disease

The treatment you receive will depend upon the severity of the gum disease you are experiencing. At Hydean Dental Practice we have an in-house Hygienist who will help treat any gum disease.

Plaque and tartar will be cleared from your teeth and gums often using an ultrasonic cleaning device which cleans your teeth far more effectively than any toothbrush could.

Remember prevention is the key

Here at Hydean Dental Practice we focus on promoting good oral hygiene to help prevent the onset of gum disease.

Teeth whitening has become very popular in recent years and is an effective way to lighten your teeth.

The benefits of teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is a relatively cheap and time-efficient way of obtaining a new look and boosting your self-confidence. It is a painless procedure and it can bring back the natural, lighter colour of your teeth without causing any structural changes. It is entirely safe and legal as long as it is provided by a dentist.

Please bear in mind

When whitening your teeth, be warned that fillings and crowns will not be whitened.

How does teeth whitening work?

Whitening substances usually use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to penetrate your enamel and access the discoloured molecules in your teeth. Done correctly, and if the you take proper care of your teeth, the effects can last several years.

Whitening your teeth at home

Here at Hydean Dental Practice we use home teeth whitening, where the gel is placed in a custom-made tray. You wear this tray for several weeks, which will whiten your teeth over time. You wear the trays for anything between 60 minutes to overnight. Before using tray-based whitening, we will examine your teeth to see if they are healthy and ready for teeth whitening.

Eating and drinking

Whilst whitening your teeth, good oral hygiene is clearly important, watching what you eat or drink is just as critical. Red wine, sports drinks, tea and coffee, soft drinks and curries are just some of the foods that can cause staining of your teeth and diminish the effects of teeth whitening.

For further advice on teeth whitening, contact us here at Hydean Dental Practice and we can see you for a free consultation. We are now also able to offer this virtually.

Here at Hydean Dental Practice we have an Orthodontist who caries out teeth straightening. If you have ever wondered the difference between an Orthodontist and Dentist then please read on.

Dentistry is a broad speciality which deals with teeth, gums, nerves and the jaw while orthodontics is a speciality within dentistry that looks at correcting bites and the alignment of teeth.

Similarities?

The main similarity is they both focus on oral care an they are both fully qualified to provide you oral healthcare at an equally high standard.

Differences?

All orthodontists are qualified dentists first. It then takes at least another three years of training after dentistry to become an orthodontist. Special training is required to learn the skills to manage tooth movement (orthodontics) and guide facial development.

Orthodontists limit their scope of work only to orthodontics since they are uniquely qualified in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tooth alignment problems. They dedicate their professional lives to creating healthy, beautiful smiles in children, teens and adults. Orthodontists use a variety of “appliances,” including fixed metal braces, clear aligners (such as Invisalign), functional appliances and retainers, to move teeth or hold them in their new positions.

What can an orthodontist help me with that a dentist can’t?

If you have crooked teeth, it is usually advisable to go see your dentist first but they will usually refer you to an orthodontist. Orthodontists have experience in misaligned teeth. They use their knowledge and skills to help you achieve the best results possible.

They can help with underbites, overbites, crossbites, gaps in your teeth, and overcrowded teeth.

Further information can be found on the British Orthodontic Society.

What do I do if I want to see an orthodontist?

You can call us here at Hydean Dental Practice and arrange a private consultation with you and our specialist orthodontist as soon as possible.
He will discuss your concerns, your possible treatment and decide on the best course of action for you.

If you wish to see an Orthodontist in Stevenage, please call us on 01438351548 or email reception@hydeandental.com.

Further Information regarding Orthodontic treatment using Invisalign can be found here.

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.