What you should know about children’s dentistry Essex

If you are a parent, you will know how important it is for your children to have healthy teeth. As our dental health can affect our overall health and wellbeing, it is encouraged that parents take their children to see a dentist regularly to ensure they have good oral health. childrens-dentistry-essex

Dentistry is important for children to prevent tooth decay and oral diseases, which is why children need to have regular checkups as they may not be aware of their oral hygiene habits.

If you are based in Essex, you will be happy to know that there are high-quality dental practices that offer children’s dentistry Essex, including our own, Crofts Dental Practice based in Epping, Essex.

About our practice

Crofts Dental Practice is a family dental practice that has been providing patients with high-quality treatments within modern dentistry for over 30 years. Our dentists offer all our patients a high level of patient care and are skilled in providing dental treatments within various areas of dentistry, such as general, cosmetic and restorative dentistry. We also offer free six monthly checkups for the children of our adult patients who are registered with us to encourage them to bring their children to our practice from an early age.

Why children need to see a dentist

Children’s dentistry Essex is different from that of adults because children have many baby teeth, which leaves them more susceptible to cavities, gum disease or, even worse, tooth loss. So through regular appointments at our dental practice, our dentist can help in the prevention of all these issues by carefully monitoring your child’s dental health.

At Crofts Dental Practice, we provide a number of preventive dental treatments to our child patients, with one being fluoride applications.

Fluoride applications

Fluoride applications can reduce the risk of dental cavities and strengthen your child’s teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that is found in both water and soil and can make enamel harder. Such treatments can be used either as preventives or to repair any damaged areas in a child’s mouth.

At Crofts Dental Practice, if we have offered fluoride application for your child, our dentist will paint the fluoride on the surface of your child’s teeth to help mineralise them. This is a safe and effective treatment that can achieve an effective level of fluoride in the saliva. If needed, our dentist will also apply fissure sealants, which are tooth-coloured plastic coatings that can be applied to the biting surfaces of your child’s teeth to prevent bacteria and food debris from getting stuck in the teeth. Fissure sealants can also reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Bringing your child to our dental team at Crofts Dental Practice regularly can also allow our dentist to spot whether there are other issues with your child’s teeth such as the development of an underbite, overbite or crossbite. The sooner these issues are identified by our dentist, the quicker you will be able to treat and correct these issues and guarantee better dental health in your child’s future.

Missing a tooth?

Losing a tooth or several teeth is never a pleasant experience. Whether it is by accident, injury or even due to natural causes, having missing teeth can not only knock your confidence, but have a negative impact on your overall health if not treated. denture-essex

This is why dental practices like our own, offer dental treatments within restorative dentistry that are able to repair and replace damaged or missing teeth, and restore your smile to what it once was.

So if you are someone who is currently dealing with a dental issue such as a cracked or broken tooth, or you have lost either a tooth or several teeth, you may want to book an appointment to visit our practice, where an experienced member of our team will be able to provide you with advice and information on the best restorative dental treatment for your dental concern.

Restorative dentistry at Crofts Dental Practice

Based in Epping Essex, our surgery is a private family practice that offers dental treatments within cosmetic, general and restorative dentistry. We understand how important it is to have a smile and teeth you are happy with, which is why our team of dentists and dental professionals work hard to ensure that they provide the highest quality dental treatments for our patients.

Restorative dentistry at our practice is something we are passionate about, and we offer a wide range of dental treatments to repair and restore your smile. Over the years, with the aid of dental research and dental technology, restorative dental treatments are now more advanced and beneficial than ever before.

So if you are someone who has recently lost your teeth and you are looking for a way to replace them and restore your smile, you may want to consider one of the restorative dental treatments we offer at our practice, which is dentures Essex.

Dentures Essex

Dentures are a popular and beneficial restorative dental treatment for those who are missing several or all of their teeth. They can be either removable or fixed, and can be made from a number of materials such as plastic, acrylic resin, or porcelain.

Dentures come in different forms. For those who have lost a few teeth, partial dentures or implant-supported dentures may be recommended. For others who have lost all of their teeth, full dentures Essex will be the more suitable option given there are no healthy remaining teeth in the mouth. Whether full or partial, the dentures will be made to fit snugly in your mouth and will be custom made for each patient once impressions are taken of their mouth.

The advantages of having dentures

Replacing your teeth with dentures comes with a number of benefits. Firstly they are made to look just like your natural teeth, so this is ideal for those who may be worried about their new smile not looking as natural as possible. Dentures will also allow you to eat and speak with confidence again, without the fear of your teeth shifting or falling out unexpectedly.

Getting the most out of orthodontics

If you are considering orthodontics Essex treatment, you may feel like you have limited options. It is often thought that the only way to get a good result is by wearing metal braces for months or even years. However, this is not the case; at Crofts Dental Practice, we offer a wide range of discreet orthodontic products, each of which can give great results in a relatively short time frame. We are not affiliated with one particular company and will always put our patient’s interests first when considering treatment. orthodontics-essex

What are the different types of orthodontic treatment available at Crofts Dental Practice?

The different types of orthodontics Essex that we offer include:

Dental braces

This is the most common type of orthodontic treatment. Dental braces apply pressure to your teeth in order to move them into the correct positions.

Retainers

These are usually made from metal or plastic and are used to keep your teeth in place after you have completed orthodontic treatment.

Invisalign clear aligners

These are clear, plastic trays that can straighten your teeth without using metal brackets or wires. You will need to wear them for at least 22 hours a day, and they should be removed before you eat, drink or brush your teeth.

Fixed space maintainers

These are devices that are cemented into place to help maintain the spacing between your teeth.

How do I know which type of treatment is right for me?

Unfortunately, we cannot guide you without an assessment. The first step is to schedule a consultation with our dental team. During the consultation, we will evaluate your teeth and bite to determine which type of treatment is right for you. We will also discuss the different options available and help you choose the one that’s right for you.

What are the benefits of discreet braces?

Discreet orthodontics Essex can offer many benefits for patients. First, discreet braces and aligners can be significantly less expensive, depending on the severity of the misalignment being corrected. Second, discreet braces can be a much more comfortable option for patients as they are less likely to cause irritation to the gums and cheeks. Finally, discreet tools do not have the same impact on your life as traditional treatment.

How long will my treatment take?

The average adult can complete their orthodontic treatment within 18 months to 3 years.

During your initial consultation, our dental team will be able to give you a more accurate estimate of how long your treatment will take.

The length of time you need to wear braces or aligners also depends on the severity of your misalignment. Patients with more severe misalignments will generally need to wear their braces or aligners for a longer time than patients with milder forms of misalignment.

What should I expect during treatment?

The level of discomfort you experience during treatment will depend on you and how well you adjust to wearing braces or aligners. Some patients may experience mild discomfort, while others may experience more significant issues and soreness. In general, however, most patients find that they quickly get used to wearing their aligners.

What you need to know about dental veneers

Dental veneers Essex are a great way to improve your smile. They are thin, porcelain shells that can be placed over your teeth to cover gaps, stains, or chips. If you are considering dental veneers, here is what you need to know. veneers-essex

What are dental veneers, and what do they do?

Dental veneers Essex are thin, porcelain shells that can be placed over your teeth to cover gaps, stains, or chips. They can improve the appearance of your smile by making your teeth look whiter and more even. Dental veneers are a great option if you are not happy with the appearance of your teeth.

How long do dental veneers last?

Dental veneers are a permanent solution to your smile. Once they are placed, they will last for many years. With the proper care, your veneers can last a lifetime. Debonding is where the veneer comes away from the tooth; this is the most common long-term issue, but if the veneer is undamaged, it can easily be reattached.

Who is a candidate for dental veneers

If you are considering dental veneers Essex, you may be wondering whether you are a candidate. Most people with healthy teeth are good candidates, but it is important to assess tooth health, fill any cavities and stop progressive decay. There are three main types of dental veneers: traditional, no-prep, and min-prep.

Traditional veneers require the removal of a thin layer of enamel from your tooth before they can be placed. This type of veneer is suitable for those who have highly misshapen teeth or significant staining or crowding. No-prep veneers do not require the removal of any enamel from your teeth; the veneers can be placed directly on top of your teeth. No-prep veneers are suitable for patients with minor dental imperfections.

Min-prep veneers only require the removal of a small amount of enamel from your tooth. They are a good option for patients who have minor dental imperfections and want to avoid the removal of a large amount of enamel.

If you are considering dental veneers, talk to our dentist at Crofts Dental Practice to see whether you are a candidate.

What are the risks associated with dental veneers?

The risks associated with dental veneers are minimal, but they do exist. Dental veneers can chip or crack, and they may not be the best option for people with sensitive teeth. If you already have thin enamel, then any form of tooth prepping is unwise.

There are also hazards like encroaching cavities, which start at the edge of the veneer and develop underneath it; however, this can be managed with regular checkups and good oral hygiene.

In-brief

If you are considering dental veneers, it is important to know what they are and what they can do for your smile. Dental veneers are thin, porcelain shells that can cover gaps, stains, or chips on your teeth. They can improve the appearance of your smile by making your teeth look whiter and more even. Dental veneers are a great option if you are not happy with the appearance of your teeth. With proper care, your veneers can last a lifetime. Talk to our dentist to see whether you are a candidate for dental veneers.

How adult orthodontic treatment in Essex can be fast and efficient

Do you feel self-conscious about your smile? Are you too embarrassed to laugh or grin in front of others? If so, adult orthodontic treatment may be the perfect solution for you. Six Month Smiles Essex can help straighten your teeth and give you the confident sparkle you deserve in just a few short months! six-month-smiles-essex

At Crofts Dental Practice we have found adult orthodontic treatment is very successful, especially when using compound treatment. This type of care is designed to correct common problems such as overcrowding, gaps, and misalignment.

The best part about this kind of adult orthodontic treatment is that it can be completed in a shorter amount of time than using traditional braces. In fact, most of our patients only need to wear the system for six months before seeing results. This revolutionary orthodontic system uses clear braces and tooth-coloured wires to quickly and efficiently straighten your teeth. The average treatment time is just a matter of months, which means you can achieve your dream of a smile in less time than you might first expect.

Not only is it fast, it is also more comfortable than using traditional braces. The clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires are much less noticeable than metal braces, so you can feel confident about your appearance during treatment. And because Six Month Smiles Essex targets only the teeth that show when you smile, you won’t have to worry about discomfort or irritation from brackets and wires rubbing against the inside of your mouth.

If you are interested in Six Month Smiles Essex, contact our practice to see if you are a candidate for treatment.  If you’re ready to improve your smile and dental aesthetics, you could be well on your way to a straighter more confident beam in no time!

This is an affordable, fast, and comfortable orthodontic solution that can give you the smile you have been looking for. If you live in Essex and are interested in orthodontic treatment, contact our clinic. You could be smiling confidently in just six short months.

Adult orthodontic treatment can be just as successful as that for children, if not more so. The main difference is that adult patients are usually more compliant with their treatment plan and follow the dentist’s instructions to a tee. This means that they tend to see results much faster than their younger counterparts.

If you’re considering orthodontic care, don’t hesitate to book a consultation with our dentist. They will be able to assess your individual needs and give you an estimate of how long treatment will take. In most cases, you can expect to see noticeable results within a few short months. So what are you waiting for? There’s no time like the present to start achieving.

Remember, we can help straighten your teeth and give you the confident smile you deserve for any special occasion which might be on the horizon, when cameras could be flashing. So, call our team at our practice today for more information about the options available to you.

The top 5 benefits of dental implants

Dental implants Essex, with our dentist at Crofts Dental Practice, are a popular choice for patients with missing teeth, as they offer a number of benefits over other solutions such as dentures or dental bridges. Here we talk about the top 5 benefits. dental-implants-essex

Oral implants look and feel like natural teeth

This is because they are made to match the colour and shape of your existing teeth by our dentist. Dental implants Essex are also designed to fuse with the bone in your jaw, giving them a secure and stable base. This means that they won’t slip or move when you’re eating or talking, which can be a common problem with dentures.

When you have implants, there are no food restrictions. Implants allow you to eat whatever you wish to without worrying about your teeth slipping or moving. Our patients find this can make mealtimes much more enjoyable.

Implants can also be used to support dental bridges by our dentist if you have more than one tooth missing.

Oral implants are strong and durable

They are made from titanium, which is an extremely strong and durable material. Oral implants can last for many years with the proper care, and they’re much more resistant to wear and tear than other teeth replacement options such as dentures.

Oral implants don’t require special care

You can brush and floss your oral implants just like you would your natural teeth. There’s no need for special cleaning solutions or products. Oral implants are also resistant to tooth decay and gum disease, so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your new teeth are less susceptible.

Implants are also less likely to develop  decay; they are impervious to cavities as they don’t have tooth enamel. However, we would advise that it’s still important to practise good oral hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing regularly.

Oral implants can help to preserve your facial structure

When you lose teeth, the bone in your jaw starts to deteriorate; the calcium is recycled from the bone and its mass reduces. This can cause your face to look sunken or aged. Oral implants help to preserve the bone in your jaw, giving you a more youthful appearance.

Oral implants can improve your overall oral health

Implants don’t just look and feel like natural teeth – they also function like them. This means that they can help to improve your bite and make it easier to eat and speak. They can also close gaps in your mouth which may have acted as areas for harmful plaque and bacteria to accumulate which would normally be problematic for your teeth and gums.

Our dental implants Essex comprise a high-quality option for replacing teeth at an affordable price. We offer a free consultation so that we can assess your individual needs and devise a treatment plan that is right for you.

While the upfront cost of implants can be higher than other tooth replacement options, it’s important to consider the long-term costs. They are a lifetime investment, and with proper care, they can last for many years. In comparison, dentures need to be replaced every few years and dental bridges also need to be replaced. Contact us today to book an appointment if you would like to learn more.

Smoking Cessation- how we can help

Tobacco can have a very significant effect on your oral health. Lets look into what we’re doing to help our patients with smoking cessation Essex, and what restoration options are available. smoking-cessation-essex

Dental impact of smoking

There are very well established links between poor oral health and long-term smoking, which have become a key part of anti-smoking imagery on tobacco products today. Nicotine and many of the other products of combustion encourage vasoconstriction, the tightening of the blood vessels. Both nicotine and various forms of tar are absorbed through the tissues of the mouth and throat, not just in cigarettes but this is actually more so with cigar smokers, who hold the smoke in their mouth for extended periods of time. The tightening of the blood vessels in gum tissue reduces  blood flow and oxygen too. Over time, gum tissue begins to die and recedes exposing more of the vulnerable cementing (the outer coating of the roots).

This then exposes nerves to damage and can cause sensitivity to hot and cold. But this usually affects the front teeth significantly more than the edges of the mouth, which has a significant impact on your overall appearance.

Dental staining is the first sign of dental damage. There is variety in the extent of the staining depending on how you hold the cigarette when smoking. Most of the surface stains can be brushed off, but over time it will become ingrained, tartar will more often pick up, staining far quicker than enamel.

Whitening treatments

There are chemical and abrasion methods that can significantly reduce the signs of tobacco use as part of smoking cessation Essex,  but it’s best to start with a thorough scale and polish. This allows any stains and tartar to be removed, which could make up the majority of the darkening.  After this, calcified plaque is removed and your teeth have a smooth surface. Traditional gel whitening techniques can be used to achieve the desired shade. Bringing your pearly whites back to pearly white.

Restoring gum health

Gum tissue can be recovered. Depending on the scale of the recession, it will be very challenging to recover gum tissue if the patient continues to smoke. We therefore highly recommend that those who have the start of gum disease, quit smoking or at least move to non-tobacco sources of nicotine.

It not only gives minor recession the opportunity to recover but allows gum transplants to be considered, which are more likely to succeed if you are not smoking.

Cancer screening

Cancer screening is a standard part of a 6-month dental check-up and our smoking cessation Essex. This is particularly useful for smokers, as mouth cancers are one of the most common forms of smoking-related tumours, with dentists usually being the first practitioners to notice.

If an area of suspicious tissue is noted during your examination, you’ll be informed to follow up with your regular physician; this should not be considered a diagnosis, just an indication that looking into it further is required. This permits early intervention and maximises the chances of full recovery.

Hitting your facial aesthetics goals

We understand the significant value behind facial aesthetics Essex. And no, it’s not what you might think. There will always be a place for the glamorous side of cosmetic treatments but the vast majority of what we perform in the clinic is about minimising the signs of ageing and returning confidence to our valued patients. Allowing them to regain a past vigour and confidence and becoming a more productive and generally happier person. facial-aesthetics-in-essex

With our facial aesthetics in Essex, you do not have to accept the passage of time, limitation of genetics and some of the long-term drawbacks of lifestyle. Let’s find out more about how we can help.

What accelerates the appearance of ageing

Plenty of things in life can accelerate the signs of ageing. Unfortunately, most of them are quite tempting like sunbathing, smoking and alcohol use. Others, we have limited control over, like daily reducing stress, staying hydrated and improving sleep will help reduce wrinkles but only to a point.

Treatment options with injectables

Injectable cosmetics are primarily carried out by applying treatment with a syringe.

Reversible and so much less invasive than permanent surgical options, so they can be a great first step for somebody who is considering cosmetic procedures. They also have very rapid results, so aesthetic goals can be reached for a major event like a wedding.

Our facial aesthetics in Essex team has the right combination of excellent clinical skills and aesthetic appreciation to provide treatments safely and effectively. With far more culpability and legislation than salon based providers.

Botox treatment

Botox injections are used to semi-permanently relax muscle groups. By doing so, they strategically reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles; these can be completely removed, significantly reducing the signs of ageing. Giving you a more youthful fresher look. Botox is performed using extremely fine needles and injecting very small volumes into the tissue, making them largely painless. The treatment does not show its full effect immediately but becomes more significant over time. Two weeks is the typical settling in time with the treatment lasting 6 to 12 months.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers work in a different way to other cosmetic procedures. Rather than removing tissue volume, they increased tissue volume. But by doing so, cleverly it can give the appearance of a thinner face or smoother skin.

The effectiveness of dermal fillers is heavily based on the practitioner at. We focus on lifting and plumping techniques by applying filler above a problem site in order to increase the tension in the skin beneath it, altering any undesirable features without disturbing the natural attractiveness of our patients. Or causing radical changes in appearance.

Dermal fillers can be removed early but will naturally fade as the primary ingredient is hyaluronic acid. This does occur in tissue and the body will eventually recycle it. Treatments usually last for 6 months, with many patients choosing to have their dermal fillers reapplied every 4 months in a shorter top-up treatment. Dermal fillers can also be used to alter the shape and plumping of the lips. So, please feel free to ask more about lip filling.

Invisible braces: How treatment impacts the everyday

Orthodontic treatment is a procedure that extends far beyond our clinic; the long-term nature requires treatment to occur in parallel with everyday life. Let’s look into what options there are to minimise the impact of treatment, like our invisible braces Essex. invisible-braces-essex

Daily challenges of orthodontic care

There are issues that come with the daily use of orthodontic tools, and these have encouraged us to make them more convenient and practical, with a big emphasis on getting the right sort of care for your particular misalignment. If an orthodontic issue can be corrected using a clear aligner, a brace would be an unnecessarily inconvenient but still effective solution, and it would be sensible to reserve things like headgear only for the most severe misalignments where they are truly required. Using Inman aligners to correct crossbites instead of surgically pinned braces is another example of prioritising the minimum necessary treatment with the maximum quantity of convenience.

Aesthetics

Braces can be worn well with self-confidence and pride, but when given the option, most of our patients would prefer treatment without them. The options that have the least impact on your appearance are clear aligners, with our invisible braces Essex or lingual braces. Clear aligners are thin, translucent plastic forms that can fit over the teeth. Lingual braces can be mounted behind your teeth, meaning they can only be spotted if you open your jaw as wide as possible.

Maintenance

Cleaning is the biggest part of maintenance; repair jobs from trauma are a possibility but we don’t see them often in the surgery . Cleaning your invisible braces Essex or orthodontic tool must be carried out every day and usually after every meal. Any orthodontic tool that is permanently fixed into the mouth will have more cleaning requirements than one that can be removed before eating. Even for tools that can be removed, it is strongly recommended that you brush your teeth or use mouthwash before returning the device, as the disruption of the natural flow of saliva around your teeth can result in food particles being held in contact with the enamel surface, increasing cavity risks.

Seeing the results

Orthodontic treatment is not without its challenges and being able to see results can make a big difference to compliance. With our patients who are completing their treatment with traditional braces, the progression of their teeth into new positions is obscured by the brace itself. Using clear aligners or less intrusive orthodontic tools allows you to see your teeth taking on their new positions. You might lose the big reveal moment from brace removal, but you gain constant reassurance every time you look in the mirror that your teeth are taking on a more aesthetically pleasing form and your smile is gradually improving.

This makes the challenges that come along with removable braces maintenance (cleaning and using them regularly) far easier than those with a standard brace, where you have to delay the gratification till the end of treatment. This is particularly important with removable orthodontic tools as patients can stop their treatment at any time.

Maintaining your dental hygiene

Oral hygiene is one of the least glamorous parts of dentistry. It certainly does not have the cutting edge glimmer of aligners or dental implants, but pound-for-pound, oral hygiene has saved more teeth and improved more lives than any other procedure. Let’s see how you can get the most from your teeth as we endeavour to help with maintaining your dental hygiene Essex. dental-hygiene-essex

Checkups and screening

Checkups can be seen by most of us as an inconvenience for a few who have significant dental apathy. They can be a genuine challenge for nervous patients, but either way, their value is often forgotten. The power of checkups is early intervention, and almost all dental procedures that exist without them are trivial. Whereas if left to extremes, it can be expensive, life-changing and often debilitating. The window of opportunity where treatment is most effective does not always line up with the first few symptoms, which are usually not apparent to the patient; it’s very possible for you to require intervention but have no symptoms. This is where dental checkups come in. In the same way that cervical screening allows the early intervention of cancers, dental screening permits the early detection of cavities that, if left untreated, can result in tooth loss.

The hygienist

The professional in prevention and dental hygiene Essex is the clinic’s hygienist. Hygienists are sometimes left in the shadows but only by those who undervalue their role in the management of gum disease or the scale-and-polish, both of which help with both general oral health and aesthetics.

Art of flossing

Flossing is often not in the everyday routine of many of our patients, as they may find it intimidating. You should never be concerned about asking us about flossing techniques or advice regardless. It is one of the primary roles of our clinic and hygienist to help you maintain your dental hygiene Essex in the long term.

High fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride can provide excellent protection for teeth. However, it has a therapeutic dose that can increase risks and side effects like fluorosis, which is when the enamel begins to show brown stains caused by an excessive buildup of fluoride. This is why over-the-counter toothpastes have restricted concentrations of fluoride and instructions on avoiding swallowing.

One of the normal steps in stabilising an active infection is using toothpaste high in fluoride. These are only available by prescription and are only appropriate for adults since ingestion can be harmful. But they are excellent in rapidly recovering and strengthening teeth before reconstruction work.

Brushing up on brushing

Education that is based on brushing and dental hygiene is not restricted to our youngest patients. In our busy world, it can be easy to ineffectively brush and perform other dental maintenance in an everyday fashion. This can cause plaque to build up in awkward locations in the mouth and be spotted during a checkup. When you come to us at Crofts Dental Practice, we will direct you towards better techniques of brushing – something useful at any age!