Dental Blog - Crofts Dental Practice

Straighten your smile with Six Month Smiles Braces in Essex

We all know what metal braces look like and the negative effect they can have on a person’s appearance and psychology. Despite their modern design which is more discreet and lightweight than it used to be and their overall effectiveness, adults are often reluctant to wear them, due to aesthetic and practical concerns.

Modern dentistry has evolved a lot over the years and now offers more options than ever for image-aware adults who want to straighten their teeth discreetly. At Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, we use Six Month Smiles to fit patients with accelerated braces that gently reshape and reposition their teeth in an average of six months. Six Month Smiles braces are a great treatment option for teenagers and adults who prefer a straighter smile without the hassle of metal braces.

Is it possible to straighten my teeth in only six months?

Six Month Smiles works just like regular braces but instead uses white tooth-colored or clear brackets and wires that are barely visible when you smile. However, unlike regular braces which generally require more time to help move your teeth into their position, Six Month Smiles braces focus only on the teeth that show when you smile and do not make any significant changes to your bite.

Moreover, the use of special titanium wires accelerates the process of teeth straightening considerably. Each patient is different, but in general, Six Month Smiles can give you a straighter smile in six months (or even less!).

Are Six Month Smiles more comfortable than metal braces?

Six Month Smiles is a low-force, teeth straightening system. Many people think that the accelerated treatment time means more pain, but that is far from the truth. Six Month Smiles gives an emphasis on the cosmetic appearance of teeth rather than bite position, therefore is not ideal for people who want to correct bite problems.

Who is eligible for Six Month Smiles braces?

If you can have metal braces, chances are that you are eligible for Six Month Smiles braces as well. The teeth straightening treatment is available for older teenagers and adults (15 years or older) who are looking to correct slightly crooked or spaced front teeth.

Smoking cessation in Essex

In the UK, the number of smokers has decreased in recent years but the prevalence is still high in some parts of the country. Smoking is largely responsible for a considerable loss in quantity and quality of life. Given its role as a major risk factor for heart disease and in various types of cancers, it is really important for dentists to intervene and educate their patients on how to control, reduce and eventually quit smoking.

Smoking Cessation in Essex At Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, we are aware of how bad smoking is for your oral health and overall health. Use of tobacco has been linked to the development of oral diseases including cancer and gum disease. Other consequences of smoking include bad breath, yellowed teeth, jawbone deterioration, receding gums, mouth sores, decreased senses of taste and smell and poor healing of mouth sores. In addition to that, smokers have higher levels of dental plaque and suffer from cavities and tooth decay more frequently than non-smokers. For all these reasons, we support our patients in smoking cessation.

As dental professionals, we understand the importance of proper education on the risks of smoking. Quitting smoking can have an immediate effect on your oral and general health. However, we understand that this can be quite challenging for many people, therefore, we encourage you to visit us regularly. This way we can help you maintain good oral health and offer you advice and encouragement.

If you have decided to quit smoking, our experienced dentists will discuss your goals, educate you on various smoking cessation methods and help you decide which the right treatment for you. Nicotine gum, patches, inhalers and sprays are only some nicotine replacement therapies are only some of your options. These treatments work by giving you controlled amounts of nicotine without the use of tobacco. Your dentist may also prescribe medication to help you with smoking cravings and symptoms from withdrawal. Generally, using a combination of smoking cessation methods may prove more effective in the long-run.

No matter which method you choose, we are here to influence you to reduce or quit smoking and other tobacco-related behaviours. If you are concerned about aesthetic problems associated with smoking, we are happy to help you improve the appearance of your smile with professional teeth whitening, porcelain veneers or crowns.

How to look younger without surgery – facial aesthetics in Essex

Just like many things in life, skin ageing is an unavoidable process. As we grow older, our skin becomes thinner, gets drier, takes longer to heal when injured, gets wrinkles and fine lines, and is less hydrated and elastic. These changes are due to many factors including age, smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, harmful UV rays, environmental pollution and poor maintenance of the skin. Luckily, these effects are reversible with non-surgical facial treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers.

At Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, we offer facial aesthetics treatments to help you look your best. We only use high-quality injectable treatments which are designed to make you feel younger, fresher and more relaxed. After all, what could better accompany a beautiful smile than healthy, youthful skin?

Our services

Our lead dentist, Dr Jazz Battu, has extensive training and experience in facial aesthetics including Botox and dermal fillers. We take patient safety seriously into consideration, therefore Dr Battu will assess your suitability for facial aesthetics treatment during your initial, free consultation appointment. This is because, in some cases – for instance, if you are pregnant or suffer from certain medical conditions – using Botox and dermal fillers is not recommended.

Botox injections are very popular and can be used to treat a wide range of skin problems including but not limited to brow lines, smokers’ lines and crows’ feet. Our dentist will ensure that you receive accurate treatment that targets the right facial muscles. Botox is a popular treatment because it is cost-effective compared to plastic surgery and its effects last for three to four months.

While Botox smooths out the appearance of wrinkles by preventing muscle movements, dermal fillers, as their name suggests, actually fill the lines and wrinkles. Most dermal fillers contain synthetic hyaluronic acid and they replace lost collagen, elastin, fat and other natural moisturising substances in the skin that prevent it from becoming less plump. Injections with dermal fillers only take a few minutes, but the results can last for up to a year depending on the quality and density of the fillers.

As a thank-you to all of our patients, we offer a £10 reduction on facial aesthetic treatments for patients who refer a friend for our treatments.

Oral health – why your gums are important too

Healthy gums are a prerequisite for healthy teeth. Not only do they provide the support needed for your teeth to function as they should, but they also act as a barrier that covers and protects the bones of your teeth from harmful bacteria. Unhealthy gums provide an environment for these bacteria to reproduce in, multiply and eventually compromise your teeth.

At Crofts Dental Practice, we understand that healthy teeth and gums not only give you a beautiful smile, but also indicate good oral health and hygiene. Our experienced dentists will help you avoid or reverse gum disease with thorough preventive care that allows us to identify gum issues early and treat them accordingly. Even, if you are diagnosed with gum disease, our dentists will help you overcome it in order to maintain your healthy smile for longer.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a condition that affects the soft tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Gum disease is usually the result of plaque build-up above or below the gum line. Common causes of gum disease include poor oral hygiene, smoking, crooked and misaligned teeth which are hard to clean, pregnancy, diabetes, certain medications as well as genetic predisposition. Gum disease causes the gums to swell and bleed. If left untreated, a serious gum disease known as periodontitis can infect your gums and the bone underneath your teeth causing them to loosen and eventually fall out.

Healthy gums in Essex

Fortunately, gum disease is easily avoided by taking care of your teeth and gums at home as well as with regular dental check-ups. Basic oral hygiene practices like brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, rinsing with an antiseptic mouth wash and staying in good physical health, are all great ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a deep cleaning, including scaling and polishing, is also important, since no matter how diligently you brush and floss your teeth at home, plaque tends to build up on your teeth over time.

Protect your smile

Keeping your gums strong and healthy is a great way to maintain your overall health. If you suffer swollen of bleeding gums, please contact us today.

Transform your face with a smile makeover in Essex

Achieving the best smile possible goes beyond just cleaning your teeth and avoiding cavities. Fixing cosmetic flaws such as misaligned teeth, discolourations and fractures, is the first step to a great smile. Smile makeovers can have a profound impact on the signs of ageing and on your overall appearance in general.

At Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, smile makeovers are the ideal treatment for patients who want to transform their smile entirely. After performing a comprehensive analysis of your smile, our experienced dentists, can advise you on the best cosmetic dentistry treatment or series of treatments for your individual needs. The exact type of treatment as well as the length and cost of treatment, will be personalised for each patient.

Smile Makeovers in Essex A common cosmetic treatment used in our smile makeovers are dental veneers. These are custom-made, thin shells made of porcelain or composite, which are bonded in front of your teeth. Dental veneers are minimally invasive compared to other cosmetic procedures and are widely used to restore chipped, misaligned or discoloured teeth and cosmetically alter your smile. Unlike dental implants and bridges, dental veneers require minimal preparation of the teeth. At Crofts Dental Practice we offer a special type of veneers, Lumineers, which are ultra-thin, durable veneers that require no tooth preparation at all.

Yellow and discoloured teeth can take away from an otherwise healthy smile. Professional teeth whitening can safely brighten your teeth by many shades. Tooth colour and shading can also be fixed with veneers, dental crowns or even composite cosmetic bonding.

If you require a more extensive smile makeover, we can include crowns, bridges, teeth straightening or even dental implants to completely rejuvenate your smile. Dental implants not only look and feel natural, but also fuse with your jawbone to provide maximum support and resilience.

Some of these treatments are instant and can be completed in one visit, while others may take more than one visit and can be completed over the course of a few months. All of our cosmetic dentistry treatments are carried out to the highest standard using only high-quality materials and trusted techniques.

Get in touch

Looking for high-quality, affordable smile makeovers in Essex? Get in touch with Crofts Dental Practice to book a consultation today.

Dental anxiety

There are several reasons why people may be nervous about visiting the dentist. It may be something as simple as the clinical smell of a dental practice that puts people off, or a previous bad experience that could have stayed with them for life.

nervous-dental-patients There are many millions of people that suffer from dental phobia. With 29% of us suffering from regular dental pain, it is important to face your anxieties, so these pains can be remedied before they become more serious.

Nervous patients at Crofts Dental Practice

Many patients feel nervous when they visit the dentist. All our dentists are qualified to treat patients who do not feel totally comfortable about the experience of a dental appointment.

All of the staff at Crofts Dental Practice are sensitive to the concerns of nervous patients and those with dental phobias. However, we understand that in certain circumstances, sedation may be a helpful option for those who are worried about their treatments.

Sedation can be used to assist in the process of several treatments and there are a number of different sedation options.

RA and IV sedation

For RA sedation, a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen is adjusted to suit each patient. Different people need a different mix of these gases to achieve a feeling of being warm, cosy and far away. We use a small soft sterile nosepiece for you to breathe through.

IV sedation will require an injection in the back of the hand. If you dislike needles, we can use the happy air first to relax you and reduce sensations and then the injection is quickly over without you noticing too much. Many people find this a great way to do it.

How does it feel?

You will certainly feel very calm. Most people also feel some other sensations, which can include warm and heavy feeling arms and legs, mild tingling in fingers and toes and a sense of feeling far away.

A lot of patients also recall voices and music appearing to become distant, combined with a sense of not minding being at the dentist anymore.

The sedation is just for relaxation. If you are having a treatment such as a filling, you will also require local anesthetic to numb the area being worked on.

How can cognitive behavioral therapy help at the dentist?

People with dental phobia tend to avoid visiting the dentist. They are therefore at risk of suffering more dental pain, poor oral health and a detrimental effect to their quality of life.Estimates from a recent Adult Dental Health Survey suggest that around one in 10 people experience extreme anxiety about seeing their dentist.

nervous-dental-patients-in-essex Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term therapy that typically lasts 5— 10 sessions. The therapy has been shown to help with a range of psychological issues, such as depression and anxiety disorders and seems to be especially effective within dentistry. CBT interventions have been shown to be successful in reducing dental anxiety and increasing regular dental attendance.

People suffering with dental phobia are most commonly given sedation to allow them to become relaxed enough for a short period of time to have their dental treatment performed. CBT aims to make patients overcome their fears in the long term, rather than just as a temporary measure.

The primary aim of CBT at Crofts Dental Practice is to enable patients to receive dental treatment without the need for sedation, by working with each individual patient to set goals according to their priorities.

How does it work?

CBT is a form of talking therapy that directs patients to identify and evaluate thoughts and feelings. This approach is based on the underlying idea that dysfunctional thoughts, emotions and behaviors are the foundation of many psychiatric issues.

Treatment tends to be short-term, with the therapist training and instructing the patient on how to identify patterns of ‘automatic’ thoughts that cause distressing or unhelpful emotions like dental anxiety.

King’s College London Dental Institute did a survey about the success of dental CBT with99 women and 31 men.The researchers said that of all patients referred for a course of CBT, 79% went on to have dental treatment without the need for sedation and 6% had their dental treatment under sedation.

The survey found that the average number of CBT appointments required before a patient received dental treatment without sedation was just five.

Crofts Dental Practice in Essex could help you conquer your dental fear, so, why not give us a go?

A professional touch for clean and healthy teeth

It can be hard to find the time to prioritise your dental health. However carving out a little time to visit a dental hygienist can actually save you time in the long run. Your dental hygiene lies at the heart of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. With our friendly and skilled dental hygienist at Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, your teeth and gums can receive the care and attention they need to stay in good condition.

Prevention: the best line of defence

When is comes to fending off dental diseases, prevention is the best way to keep them at bay. Battling bacterial build-up with regular visits to our dental hygienist in Essex means you can avoid a host of dental problems. Using the latest equipment and materials, you teeth will be thoroughly cleaned, scaled and polished. This will remove accumulated bacteria, plaque and tartar, which brushing and flossing alone can’t achieve.

By taking care of your dental hygiene with the help of Crofts Dental Practice, you can reduce the chances of your teeth suffering from decay and your gums becoming inflamed. Red and swollen gums can be sensitive to touch and can lead to infection of the areas surrounding your teeth. Needless to say this is not a comfortable experience. So to avoid dental pain and discomfort, take advantage of the professional cleaning services offered by our dental hygienist.

Helpful tips to give you back control

Our dental hygienist can advise you on how to take care of your teeth at home. While this may seem as straightforward as simply brushing and flossing, sometimes a slight change in technique can enhance the cleaning of your teeth. This gives you the power to improve your dental hygiene and health.

When you have braces, dentures, bridges or dental implants, you may also need particular guidance on how best to clean your teeth. Our dental hygienist can give you the information you need to maintain your dental hygiene in these cases.

Find out more

To experience the feel of professional cleaned teeth and enjoy the dental health benefits, call or email Crofts Dental Practice today. Our dental hygienist is here to help you.

Keep smiling with Crofts Dental Practice

Taking care of your teeth and gums takes more than daily brushing and flossing. The best way to beat bacterial build-up and ward off tooth decay and gum disease, is to seek help from a dental professional. At Crofts Dental Practice in Essex, your dental hygiene is our top priority. With our skilled dental hygienist, your teeth and gums will have the best chance of staying in tiptop condition.

Why dental hygiene is so important

From a purely aesthetic point of view, healthy teeth and gums look good. Whenever you smile, your teeth are put on display for all to see. Keeping them healthy means you can smile with confidence.

Good dental hygiene also means you are less likely to experience the discomfort of tooth decay and gum disease. The latter is associated with higher risks of developing diabetes, stroke and heart disease. So taking good care of your teeth and gums means safeguarding your general health too.

Daily brushing and flossing is a great first step to maintaining good dental hygiene in Essex. Unfortunately this is not enough. Bacteria are persistent and will find the smallest nooks and crannies to take hold in your mouth. A build-up of bacteria can cause inflammation, gum disease and tooth decay. However there’s no need to worry, our dental hygienist has the skills and experience to help you avoid these unsavoury consequences.

Visiting our hygienist

Using special equipment and pastes, our dental hygienist will clean, scale and polish your teeth. This will significantly reduce the accumulation of bacteria. You will also receive advise on the best techniques for brushing and flossing your teeth at home. A small change in your approach can make a significant difference to your daily dental hygiene routine.

If you wear braces, have a bridge, dentures or dental implants, you may need some extra help to keep on top of your dental hygiene. Our friendly dental hygienist can give you a hand with this too.

Get in touch

Your dental health and wellbeing is of utmost importance to us. Using the latest dental technology, our dedicated staff strive to ensure your dental treatment leaves you smiling. So make your dental hygiene a priority and call or email us today.

Why Crofts Dental Practice?

Crofts Dental practice has been maintaining healthy teeth and healthy gums in Essex for over 30 years. Our friendly, experienced and professional team are always on hand to ensure that your experience at Crofts Dental Practice is top class.

Every member of our staff is highly trained to ensure you have a seamless and stress-free journey through the dental treatment process. That could be for cosmetic procedures, such as dental implants or preventative treatments, such as ensuring healthy gums in Essex.

healthy-gums-in-essex Recent renovations and upgrades to our surgery offer comfortable and safe surroundings, keeping Crofts Dental Practice firmly in touch with all modern advances and techniques in dentistry. The practice now uses fully computerized systems to aid with diagnosis and treatment planning. This could mean that you may be able to see what results you can expect before treatment is started. Whether you require cosmetic improvements or healthy gums in Essex, you can look forward to a warm welcome at Crofts Dental Practice.

Dental hygiene

Dental hygiene treatment at Crofts Dental is delivered by a dental hygienist who will help to remove any plaque from your teeth that may have built up in certain areas, as well as specialising in ensuring our patients keep healthy gums in Essex.

Healthy gums are essential to keeping your oral hygiene standard high. Dental hygiene at Crofts Dental Practice also forms part of treating gum disease and bad breath. If you have a bridge, denture or a dental implant you will have specific hygiene needs that our hygienists will be able to help you with.

Gum disease

There is a proven relationship between gum disease and health complications such as a stroke and heart disease. Studies have shown women with gum disease also show higher incidences of pre-term, low birth-weight babies.

Other research has shown more than 90% of all systemic diseases have oral manifestations, which can include swollen gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth and excessive gum problems. Such diseases can include diabetes, leukemia, various cancers, heart disease and kidney disease. Your dental hygienist appointment at Crofts Dental Practice can help you, not only with your healthy gums in Essex, but also with spotting potential life-threatening illnesses as early as possible.