I am unhappy with my smile

Do you wish your smile looked and felt cleaner? Do you wish your smile looked like the ones you see in magazines and on TV? Do you simply wish you were happier with your smile? Many people are unhappy with the appearance of their smile and wished that it looked brighter and cleaner. We can sometimes become stalled with our smile and wonder what we can do to improve it. As we age our smiles can become dull and stained, we can become increasingly unhappy with the appearance of their smile. Our smiles can be one of our most redeeming features so if it doesn’t look its best then it can wreak havoc on your own self confidence. If this sounds like you, then you should read onto the rest of this article where we will discuss how you can improve your dental hygiene Essex as well as what you can do if you think that we might be the practice for you.dental-hygiene-essex

What can I do about it?

We understand how important your smile is to you and that is why we want to offer you services to improve your dental hygiene Essex. We deliver services through our dental hygienist who will help to carefully remove any plaque from your teeth. Plaque can build up on your teeth but can be removed. We can offer you the treatment of having your teeth professionally cleaned. We use a series of special equipment and pastes in order to have your smile looking and feeling as clean as possible. If you think that scaling and polishing could be for you then we might be the practice for you. We will also advise you on the best way to care for your smile, we will show you the most efficient way to brush and look after your teeth. Our help can help fend on bad breath as well as issues such as gum disease. We do recommend that you come in for regular hygiene appointments to ensure that your mouth stays as clean and healthy as possible. You should read on to the next section to see how you can get in contact with us.

What should I do next?

If you think that we here at Crofts Dental Practice could be the one to provide treatments for your dental hygiene Essex then we recommend that you get in touch with us here at our practice. We can offer you a free consultation so we can determine how to best help you and your smile look its best. You can check up on how the process works on our website as well as reading about the other treatments we offer. If you do have any questions then you could contact a member of our friendly team directly by giving us a call. We always look forward to meeting new patients and being able to help them get the smile that they always wished that they had. We hope you do get in contact with us soon so we can begin to help you and your smile look and feel like its best.

Do you know if you have healthy gums?

There are some visible and physical signs that help you to identify whether you are caring for your gums enough or if they are in need of some extra attention in order to maintain appropriate oral health for your general wellbeing. By having regular checkups, we are able to inform you as to whether you have healthy gums Essex, or if you are in need of some treatment and care to heal this very important feature of your smile that is extremely underrated.healthy-gums-essex

Your gums are the cushions that protect and support your teeth in your jaw. This is a very important role and it is critical that you care for them as much as you care for your teeth. You can do this by brushing regularly (but not over-brushing or brushing too hard), flossing and rinsing often. This all helps to remove harmful food debris from between your teeth, bad bacteria that can multiply and cause infection and plaque, which sticks to both teeth and gums.

Signs of unhealthy gums

There are a few visible signs that will indicate to you and your dentist that you do not have those healthy gums Essex that we would like to expect. These include having red and swollen gums, having gums that bleed when you push on them or blood when you spit after brushing your teeth.

Some physical signs that you should be aware of include pain of any kind in your gums, excessive heat associated with that redness, swelling and other indicators of infection.

Unfortunately, these visible and physical signs are not all that common in helping you and your dentist to identify whether you have healthy gums Essex because you may not present with any of these symptoms before your condition can deteriorate. It is therefore imperative that you seek professional guidance and allow frequent examinations to ensure that your smile is as healthy as can be at all times.

What can happen if your gums are unhealthy?

Gingivitis is a disease of the gums which can be identified by bleeding of the gums among other signs. If gingivitis is left untreated, then this can lead to a more serious condition called periodontitis, which affects more than the gum it concerns the entire area surrounding the tooth.

These infections can lead to loss of your teeth and are therefore vital that you avoid them, especially because with appropriate care, it is relatively easy to keep your gums healthy.

How do I keep my gums clean and healthy?

By attending regular appointments with your dentist as well as having professional cleaning consultations with a hygienist, you will be able to maintain good oral hygiene and the subsequent health of your gums.

We recommend that you visit both a professional who can clean your teeth as well as a dentist to provide you with regular check-ups twice a year, to ensure that we do not miss any subtle changes between appointments.

If you want to ensure that your mouth is as healthy as it can be, book an appointment with us so that we can help you achieve your oral health and hygiene goals.

Enjoy lasting results with smile makeovers Essex

If you haven’t heard of smile makeovers in Essex, then perhaps it is time that you found out more about this innovative technique that many celebrities enjoy the benefits of. For those individuals who are looking for that Instagram perfect smile, then look no further than smile makeovers Essex as your one-stop treatment option to disguise any issues that you might have regarding the appearance of your smile.smile-makeovers-essex

This treatment provides fast results, especially for the dramatic change that you can expect. We can usually finalise and present your full smile makeovers Essex treatment plan within a couple of appointments, allowing for a week or two to create your bespoke veneers. Our professionals have mastered that balance between perfection and expectations with the appearance of a smile and honouring your natural beauty so that the result that you can expect will always be an outstanding one. In other words, we hold true to your unique beauty whilst perfecting, whitening, straightening and, in general, beautifying your teeth so that you can feel confident with having picture-perfect teeth that rival the stars’.

How do we do this?

We use porcelain veneers to achieve this look, a long-lasting and durable solution to many of your cosmetic dental issues. These veneers are extremely thin shells made from very tough material then cemented on to the outer surface of your teeth using a special dental glue. We first need to roughen up the surface of your natural teeth by removing an extremely fine layer of enamel before applying the cement and positioning the veneers on top of this.

Because of this, it is important that you understand the commitment to using this style of treatment. Although your veneers are expected to last many years, once they chip or break off, you do need to replace them quickly to protect the integrity of your teeth. This cosmetic solution is not for the budget-minded, but if you are willing to commit to this expense, then you can enjoy beautiful teeth that might otherwise not be possible without lengthy treatment plans.

What can they protect and cover?

Your dental veneers can be used to cover and protect chipped teeth, broken teeth, slightly misaligned teeth, stained teeth, short teeth and much more. Although we have specific solutions for these issues, we might not be able to achieve the result that we could otherwise provide for you when using a veneer in a quick and effective way.

You can choose to use a single veneer to cover a problem tooth, but should you opt for a more dramatic and life-changing result, then using a full set will enable you to push the boundaries and create a brilliantly white smile, larger teeth or some other feature that you feel compliments your personality in the best possible way.

If you’re interested in seeing the change that this treatment can offer and discuss in more detail some specific features of the process, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us to find out more.

Wondering why our team is offering you white fillings? 5 advantages they offer over metal ones

If you were someone who grew up in either the ’70s or the ’80s, chances are that if you required a filling of any kind, it would have been made from metal.white-fillings-essex

Of course, making fillings from metal was commonplace for centuries; metal is hardy, durable and can handle the pressure which your teeth undertake every day without altering the taste of food.

But if you have ever needed restorative work or a filling placed on your front teeth, chances are that your dentist would have chosen either a composite or porcelain filling. Aside from the aesthetic appeal, are these filling types any different from metal ones?

At Crofts Dental, our dentist has fitted thousands of white fillings in Essex and can attest to the advantages that these alternative restoratives offer to patients. Aside from being able to more accurately control the colour to blend it with the surrounding tooth, we now almost exclusively fit either porcelain or composite fillings for our patients, using metal options in rare cases.

So, why do we prefer to fit white fillings in Essex as opposed to metal ones? Read on to find out!

Durable

As mentioned earlier, one of the main reasons metal was used for centuries in relation to fillings was its durability. It can withstand excessive amounts of pressure which no other material could, making it ideal for this purpose.

However, the materials used to make white fillings in Essex (composite or porcelain) are also able to withstand these pressures and won’t draw stares when you throw your head back laughing. They blend right in!

Temperature resistant

We all know that metal contracts in the cold and expands with heat.

Well, when you have fillings made from metal, they do the same thing! If you regularly consume hot drinks like tea, your metal fillings will expand, causing cracks in the surrounding tooth. And as they cool, they will shrink which, due to the cracks, can cause them to come loose.

Porcelain and enamel do not have this issue, and remain the same size they were when they were put in, regardless of what you eat or drink. Great!

Cosmetic

In modern dental care, we have all the tools to make your teeth function so now, we focus a lot of our efforts onto the cosmetics.

And as mentioned earlier, porcelain or composite fillings can be colour matched to your surrounding tooth, allowing them to blend in.

Protective

Composite fillings are often used to protect or strengthen your teeth after procedures such as root canals.

As they are chip and crack resistant, they offer superior protection against bacteria. So, should any stains accumulate on them indicating less than adequate hygiene, it is easily spotted by our team and removed.

Long lasting

Composite and porcelain fillings offer you a superior lifespan when compared to metal ones.

As they rarely crack or chip, they are unlikely to need replacing and due to their lack of response to temperatures, they will not damage the surrounding tooth.

Is your kid reluctant to see our team? How we help nervous patients at Crofts Dental

When it comes to dental visits and check-ups, many people can spot when they are feeling a bit apprehensive about the whole process.nervous-patients-in-essex

But if you have children, what are some of the signs that they may be struggling with their biannual trip to see our team?

While very young children may be a bit fearful of seeing a dentist, this is usually due to unfamiliarity and can usually be overcome with a few visits. But if your child is a bit older and still irritable whenever you remind them that it is time for a check-up, it is likely that they may be developing anxiety around dental care.

At Crofts Dental Practice, we are extremely sympathetic to all of our nervous patients in Essex and aim to help them overcome their anxiety or phobias, regardless of their age. We will take the time to listen to your child’s concerns and help them to see our team as caring professionals, who only want them to be happy and healthy!

But what are some of the signs that your child may be developing anxieties around dental check-ups? Read on to find out.

Irritability

We have already mentioned irritability and while you could be forgiven for assuming that this is limited to toddlers, we see many nervous patients in Essex of all ages who display irritability when they come to see us.

This is easy to spot; if you mention to your child that it is time to go to a check-up and they react with tutting or irritation, it may be worth coming to see our team for a more compassionate approach to a check-up.

Procrastination

While younger children cannot procrastinate their way out of a dental check-up, many nervous patients in Essex in their teenage years will delay attending our surgery, saying they will do so next week or when they have time.

As you know, delayed treatment can result in minor issues becoming more severe, so talk to your child about their worries and if necessary, come to our surgery with them.

Distraction

The day before a check-up is scheduled, does your child seem distracted?

This can be a sign that they are worried and while it never hurts to ask what their concerns are, try to do so in a way that doesn’t put them on the spot.

Remember, our team at Crofts Dental are dedicated to helping patients who have anxieties, so if you have worries that your child is developing anxiety around attending the dentist, our team can help.

Physical responses

In the waiting room, is your child fidgeting? Shaking?

Please talk to our team before they come in to see us; such signs of anxiety are quite serious and we will aim to alleviate their concerns before they get into the surgery chair.

Emotional responses

Does your kid have outbursts on the morning of their check-up?

This is a sign of intense distress so talk to our team about how both you and us can manage this issue.

The advantages of dental implants in Essex

Have you considered dental implants Essex as a long-lasting solution to your missing teeth? If you haven’t perhaps it is time to understand some of the advantages you will benefit from should you wish to embark on this rewarding journey with us.

dental-implants-essex

Some 98% of implant treatments are deemed successful and because they last so long, several decades in fact, chances are you will not need to worry yourself again about the condition of the  tooth replacement. You can carry on with life knowing that your implanted tooth will remain intact, strong and support your surrounding teeth; or if you have dentures, will help them stay in place when you want them to.

Who is this treatment for?

Dental implants Essex provides a wonderful solution for many, because the ways in which we can utilise the procedure to benefit a wide range of different patients is vast. Younger patients, as long as they have all of their adult teeth and their jawbone has ceased growing and moving, can benefit from the long-term gains of replacing a missing tooth that they might have lost during an accident or fall.

This can be devastating, especially if the tooth is visible, with the patient generally facing many different procedures over the course of their lives to restore that tooth to full functionality again. But with dental implants Essex, a single implant procedure is all it takes and they can confidently know that that tooth will remain in place for many years.

Older individuals are also warmly invited to discuss their options regarding this style of treatment, either for those with several missing teeth or even those looking to stabilise their dentures.

Single implants and bridges can be secured with a single implant and with four strategically placed rods, two on the upper arch and two on the lower arch, a complete set of teeth can be held in place, with this all being done in a single day!

What is denture stabilisation?

This is a term used for holding dentures in place that are otherwise rubbing, slipping and even falling out unexpectedly; a great cause of distress and embarrassment for the individual.

Dentures begin to shift after extended periods when the jawbone begins to lose its density over time. This is a natural occurrence, but is an unfortunate side effect of teeth replacement systems that are positioned only on the gums and not deeper into the jaw. The jawbone is simply not stimulated as it normally is with natural teeth and as a result, begins to deteriorate and recede.

When this happens, an individual’s dentures no longer fit as they once did. With denture stabilisation, we can offer you a chance to feel confident and comfortable again, even eating foods that you haven’t been able to eat for many years.

We would be more than happy to discuss the personal advantages that you will benefit from having used this treatment for yourself. It is important to gain a complete understanding, so an in-depth and bespoke treatment plan will be discussed giving you the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.

Exploring your teeth whitening options in Essex

Teeth whitening Essex is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments that we have available in our practice. It is quickly completed by a competent and experienced professional to provide you with a smile that is several shades lighter in just a single appointment.

teeth-whitening-essexWe use safe, tried and tested products to ensure that your teeth and gums are not damaged by the experience, nor will you need to worry about your teeth looking ‘too white’ after a treatment and simply not natural. We avoid harsh abrasive products and examine the reason behind your dental discolouration, to ensure that we work on rectifying these issues in order to bring the appearance of your teeth back to a bright and more youthful appearance.

Our word of caution

One of the only things we do caution our patients on when they are considering teeth whitening Essex is that they get the treatment done by a professional, rather than looking into cheaper at-home kits that they can purchase online. These kits are not designed specifically for you and are usually extremely harsh, meaning that you can damage the enamel of your teeth, causing permanent sensitivity.

Furthermore, one of the reasons behind teeth yellowing as we age is that the enamel is wearing down. When you use a whitening product that is too harsh, you can strip some of the enamel and cause your teeth to yellow further once the initial bleaching has worn away.

We simply recommend that you take advantage of the experience that our dentists have to offer, so that you can easily, safely and confidently brighten your smile without needing to worry about any potentially nasty side effects.

What does the treatment look like?

Upon requesting a teeth whitening Essex treatment, we will examine your teeth prior to ensuring that your smile is healthy without the need for fillings or other restorative work. We will also examine your teeth to identify the kind of staining that you have, whether it is caused by medication, age or simply through the extensive consumption of foods and drinks that stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, red wine or curry.

You can choose to have your teeth whitened just prior to a special occasion, such as a wedding, photo shoot, party or special date. During the whitening procedure, we apply a specifically formulated hydrogen peroxide gel directly on to your teeth and activate this with a special light, to speed up the process and to provide you with better results.

By using a combination of treatments that we can provide you with, such as this in-practice solution, as well as home kits that come from your local dentist, and also by using teeth whitening toothpastes and brushes in between treatments, you can ensure that your smile is always looking its best.

Make sure that you frequently visit us for regular check-ups so that we can monitor the health of your smile, even though you are using products recommended by us. Results vary and bodies all react in different ways, so we need to ensure that a bespoke treatment solution is offered to you.

When should I be worried about sensitive teeth?

It is not uncommon to have sensitive teeth; we’ve found sensitive teeth Essex are more common for 20 to 40 year-olds, but we’ve seen teens to 70 year-olds reporting sensitive teeth for the first time, with a bias towards women. If you’ve tried treating your sensitivity at home for 2 or more weeks without improvement is time to book an appointment with us. If not let’s go through some at-home treatments and probable causes.sensitive-teeth-essex

Common causes

The outer layer of the teeth is the enamel, its whitish and almost opaque; it’s the hard shell defending the softer porous dentine beneath. If and when the dentine is exposed, the tooth can become sensitive. This usually starts at the base of the tooth where it meets the gum line where it is the thinnest. But how could the enamel have been damaged or why is the dentine exposure resulting in sensitive teeth Essex?

  • Tooth whitening; the two methods used in tooth whitening are abrasive, which could remove layers of enamel if poorly performed and bleaching can chemically alter the enamel and make it porous.
  • A cracked tooth or filling; if the sensitivity has come on suddenly and is very severe this is probably the cause.
  • Tooth grinding; this where the enamel on the top of the teeth is gradually eroded; if the tips of your teeth are sensitive this could be why.
  • Gum recession; the root of the teeth have no enamel and as the gum recedes with age they can become exposed. If your dentist discovers it at the base of most of your teeth and you are beyond middle-age this is likely to be the culprit.
  • Brushing too hard; too much of a good thing, brush erosion results in the loss of enamel due to overly enthusiastic brushing causing the enamel to thin.
  • Dental erosion; the calcium-based enamel is vulnerable to acid damage which can come from acidic foods or acid reflux. If you have regular heartburn or drink soda often this could be the source of the problem.

Home treatment

Prevention is always better than cure, but if you are past that point, look for a high fluoride toothpaste; at least 1350ppm. There are several brands targeted at treating tooth sensitivity and make all the lifestyle changes you can to stop it from getting worse.

If you have your teeth whitened talk to your provider about your sensitivity. If you have been whitening your teeth at home, consider stopping.

If you also wake in the morning with jaw stiffness, you could be grinding your teeth as you sleep. For night time grinding a mouthguard can be helpful to protect your teeth.

Brush twice a day with a soft to medium-soft toothbrush using small circular movements. Don’t brush your teeth immediately after eating, as acidic food softens enamel which could be easily eroded off by brushing. Dab the toothpaste on the affected areas and let it sit; do not rinse it off and once again, if there is not an improvement in 2 weeks come to see us about your sensitive teeth Essex.

What happens during a root canal?

So you want to know what to expect from endodontics? Well, that is not as straightforward as it may seem. Although most procedures can be performed at our clinic, particularly complex cases may be referred on to an endodontic specialist. For the more common treatment of root canals Essex let’s look at the normal steps and likely outcomes.Root Canals Essex

It is very unlikely that an endodontic treatment will be completed in a single visit, but more likely over two. If there is an active infection, there will be a further pause in treatment and antibiotics will be given to resolve the infection before dental work can begin.

The preparation

Endodontics is by definition under the tooth. Our dentist will start with a set of X-rays, so they can see the scope of the problem and prepare accordingly. Most of the time, an anaesthetic is administered unless the infection has destroyed the nerve, leaving the tooth painless.

An oral dam will be created; the rubber barrier isolates the affected tooth and prevents the patient from swallowing debris generated during the procedure.

Cleaning and pulp extraction

The top of the tooth is opened to expose the pulp. From this, the infected pulp is removed via gentle scraping. If any of the abscess beneath the tooth remains it will be drained.

The root bit of the root canal

With the tooth de-pulped, the canal would be visible in a normal tooth; the canal is very narrow, far too narrow to clean and fill.

So a set of files is used to progressively widen the canal. This is not a quick process, it can take two hours and is therefore done in two sessions.

Not all teeth have the same number of roots, but in general, the front teeth have one, molars have two or three and some wisdom teeth have five. The number of roots varies on ethnicity, and the more roots a tooth has, the longer the root canals Essex will take.

To pause any root canals Essex our dentist will place a sterilising solution into the tooth canal and seal the top with a temporary filling. If at any point the signs of an infection reoccur, like a discoloured swelling or a raised temperature, the treatment will be stopped and a course of antibiotics will be prescribed.

Once the tooth is re-sized and fully cleaned, the filling can begin by replacing the removed pulp.

There is a higher risk of breaking a root-filled tooth than an untreated tooth, so depending on how much of your tooth remains our dentist may suggest a crown. If the tooth was very damaged there may not be enough remaining to support a crown; if so, a peg can be placed in the filled root to support a crown.

You should expect the lifespan of a filled tooth to be shorter than natural teeth, but with good oral hygiene eight to ten years is normal.

A filled tooth may darken after filling, this is normal, but you may wish to consider tooth whitening if a front tooth is affected.

Restoring broken teeth with dental crowns in Essex

If you have a chipped or broken tooth, don’t panic, it is not the end of the world and it is very possible that we can save the tooth and not have to pull it out thanks to the clever use of dental crowns Essex. Crowns are commonly used to cap off a tooth after root canal therapy but they can also be used to reshape and hide a chipped tooth or even hold together a broken tooth that has been cracked, at Crofts Dental Practice we want to preserve as much of your natural teeth as possible, because extracting a tooth could mean needing dental implant surgery whereas fixing a crown to your tooth can be done in 1 – 2 appointments.dental-crown-in-essex

What is a crown?

A crown is a cap or covering that is placed over a tooth in order to restore it. It can be made from metal (as often seen in those with gold teeth), porcelain fused stainless steel, resin or ceramic. It provides a necessary restoration where the tooth would otherwise have to be removed.

For cracked, broken or chipped teeth

Cracked teeth – if a tooth becomes damaged due to facial trauma and is cracked all the way down the centre, particularly but not limited to the case of this happening to a molar. Then it is possible to hold that tooth together with a dental crown, by capping the top of the tooth with the right crown, dentists are able to save the tooth.

Broken and chipped teeth – teeth with large chips or breaks in them can be restored with dental crowns Essex in order to still keep their function. Nowadays these restorative crowns are either made from tooth-coloured resin which is filed and shaped to form the shape of the tooth before being hardened with light or they are made of tooth coloured ceramic which is bonded to the tooth. Both make convincing and seamless coverups that are not noticeable when smiling.

After root canal

In order to perform a root canal properly, dentists need to file and drill away much of the top of the tooth in order to get inside and clear out the infection, a crown needs to be placed on top of the remainder of the tooth in order to reshape it and make biting and chewing possible once more. At first, you will receive a temporary crown that can be removed in order for the dentist to make sure the infection is completely gone before fitting you with a more permanent one.

A cover job

Old amalgam and metal fillings can be unsightly when you laugh and dental crowns Essex are able to cover them up easily in order to restore the proper colour of one’s teeth, this is a more cosmetic use of crowns but is very effective none the less. Crowns are also used to hold a bridge of teeth in place when someone has two or more missing teeth in a row, a crown is fitted to each side of the bridge of false teeth and each crown is fixed to the teeth on either side of the gap for a seamless fit.