Absolute Dental Centre

Online DIY braces are a "bad idea"!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 15:23:00 +0000

There are now websites that offer people the opportunity to carry out their own tooth straightening in the comfort of their own home....

The websites encourage you to take a series of "selfies" and these are used to carry out an assessment and based on this, a person is deemed suitable (or not) for the treatment.

The British Orthodontic Society (the branch of dentistry specialising in improving the appearance, placement and function of teeth) have warned people of the dangers of this treatment.

"When it comes to the health of your teeth and gums, cutting corners is a really bad idea." says Richard George (their director of external relations).

He goes on to say that the aligners that you would purchase online for this treatment, and then actually carrying out this treatment unsupervised, could actually end up causing permanent damage to your teeth.

Taking selfies and uploading them to a website in order to purchase DIY aligners cannot match the level of care and skill of a qualified clinician trained in the clinical diagnosis and treatment planning of such specialist treatment.

People need to be aware that these websites are not regulated and are run by non-dentists (sometimes even business operating from abroad) and there is absolutely no protection for those undertaking the DIY procedure.

"The cost of treatment may be lower but the risks to health and wellbeing are far greater".

So, the message is, if you want to know more about tooth straightening, speak to your dentist!

Don't let too much festive cheer ruin your Christmas teeth!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 16:56:00 +0000

Christmas is nearly upon us and regardless of whether or not you’re excited about it, there’s no doubt you will be indulging in plenty of delicious food over the coming weeks. Buffets, Christmas parties, Boxing Day leftovers, various tins and boxes of chocolates, shortbread biscuits, cakes – the list is endless. Whilst all this food is fabulous for our tastebuds, our teeth really aren’t such big fans.

At such an exciting time of the year with presents, music, socialising and generally having a good time it really is no surprise that all aspects of our health are neglected. Oral care in particular is something most people don’t think about at all over the holidays, usually because there’s often no obvious quick consequence like there is with overeating or drinking.

We love to help you care for your teeth, so it’s important we gently encourage you to protect your beautiful smile over Christmas so you don’t end up suffering in the New Year.

Here are some festive treats to be aware of in relation to your oral health:

Food That Cracks Your Teeth

We get a lot of cracked teeth to treat over the Christmas period, which some people may find surprising. However, when you think about the many different types of food we indulge in, it becomes more obvious why so many people’s enthusiastic eating has caused them this dental injury. Toffee is a common culprit for cracking teeth, especially as many people don’t eat it often and forget that it can be rock solid, unfortunately something they only remember once the damage is done. Whole nuts are another common cause of cracked teeth, with people either biting into a particularly hard nut, or failing to see a bit of the shell still attached to the nut and biting down on it.

Food That Actively Damages Your Teeth

There’s a lot of sugary and acidic food around at Christmas – exactly what your teeth hates. All the sweets, cakes and chocolates can damage your tooth enamel. Red wine, coffee and strong coloured foods can stain your teeth, and all the acid in the fruits and alcohol can provide a hefty acid attack that leads to tooth erosion. Basically, all of the popular Christmas treats combined make for a pretty terrifying few weeks for your teeth.

Neglecting Your Oral Care

Unfortunately, this is the time of year when we most commonly put the least effort into our dental care. The amount of patients who have told us they have fallen asleep without brushing (at least once), or they have simply not had time to even think about flossing or paying any attention to their teeth over Christmas is high.

What To Do About It

We completely understand that Christmas is a really hectic time of year.  It is important to be kind to yourself, relax and accept that not everyone is perfect and you will eat more treats than usual, and you might well forget to floss once or twice. However, your oral health does still need to be considered so you don’t end up regretting this after a few weeks indulgence, in the New Year. Consider your oral health part of your general health; that way, it won’t seem like you’re having to make any extra effort.

●     Only treat yourself to the nicest, most special foods when you do have something naughty, don’t waste your indulgence on any old treats!

●     Stick to government guidelines when it comes to drinking (you can find out more about government alcohol guidelines on-line easily enough)

●     Chew on sugar free chewing gum after eating to increase saliva production which helps combat decay

●     Leave your toothbrush and toothpaste out if you’re going out and think you might forget to brush – if it is right there in front of you, you might be more likely to remember

●     Drink lots of water in between eating

Talk To Absolute Dental Dental About Festive Dental Care

Avoid starting the New Year with toothache, cracked teeth, missing fillings or stained teeth and care for your teeth over Christmas so you can keep grinning through all the festivities.
If you’re due for a visit to us in the next few weeks, please ask us about caring for your teeth over Christmas – we want to help you go into 2017 smiling!

A quarter of men want straighter teeth.

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 10:30:00 +0000

A new survey has revealed that 26% of men would like to straighten their teeth.

The survey was taken to find out more about men’s confidence in their appearance and showed that those aged 18-24 were most likely to have looked into treatments to change something, despite being the most likely age group to say they thought it wrong for a man to try to change his appearance.

Issues surrounding tooth appearance ranked highly as a concern, with statistics showing just over a quarter of men surveyed admitting they would straighten their teeth if they were given the chance to change one thing.

The survey taken in October 2016 by Align Technology, asked men of all age ranges, socio-economic groups and geographical regions asked men what they were most likely to change about themselves, and although they said they would like to change their appearance, many were reluctant to take the plunge.

The survey also showed interesting regional variations:

· Those from the South West and West Midlands were least likely to consider themselves happy with their appearance (only 57% and 56% respectively saying they were happy)

· Only 2% of those surveyed from Yorkshire and Humber were confident about their teeth

· Those most likely to be confident about their teeth were from Scotland

We carry out short term orthodontics here at Absolute, if you want to know more, call us on 01548 852165 or email us info@absolute-dental.co.uk today!

Imperfect teeth – "One of the biggest turn offs’"

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 09:00:00 +0000

A new survey from Iwhite Instant has found that imperfect teeth are one of the biggest turn offs.

The research shows that the top five turn offs for Brits as being:

1. A cheesy chat up line – 77%

2. Imperfect teeth – 65%

3. If they pay too much attention to their mobile – 64%

4. Arrogance – 53%

5. Lack of hygiene – 52%

Carien Veldhuis, marketing manager at Iwhite Instant said "’It’s interesting to see what Britons consider to be the top turnoffs when meeting new people, and that cheesy chat up lines are considered to be the worst."

"That being said, it’s no surprise that imperfect teeth came second on the top turnoffs either; this is one of those evolutionary things we look for in a mate."

"That’s not to say people have to have the kind of perfect pearly whites we see in a magazine, but make sure you take good care of your teeth!’’

If you aren't happy about any aspect of your smile, come and see us at Absolute Dental for a consultation and we may have a simple fix that could make your teeth less imperfect and make you smile more!

The pictures above are before and after pictures of a patient who came to see our clinical director Rhodri John, as they were unhappy about their smile.

After a course of tooth whitening and composite build ups (where the teeth are added tooth with a tooth coloured material and no natural tooth removed) the results are amazing, and this patient went away VERY happy.

How Can Mouth Cancer Be Detected Early?

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:32:00 +0000

Last weeks blog looked at the risk factors of Mouth Cancer, and we know that early detection can save lives - so exactly HOW can it be detected early?

Mouth cancer can often be spotted in its early stages by your dentist during a thorough dental health assessment. If mouth cancer is recognised early, then the chances of a cure are good. Many people with mouth cancer go to their dentist or doctor too late.

The dentist examines the inside of your mouth and your tongue with the help of a small mirror. Remember, your dentist is able to see parts of your mouth that you cannot see easily yourself.

If your dentist finds something unusual they will refer you to a consultant at the local hospital, who will carry out a thorough examination of your mouth and throat. A small sample of the cells may be gathered from the area (a biopsy), and these cells will be examined under the microscope to see what is wrong.

If the cells are cancerous, more tests will be carried out. These may include overall health checks, blood tests, x-rays or scans. These tests will decide what course of treatment is needed.

If mouth cancer is spotted early, the chances of a complete cure are good, and the smaller the area or ulcer the better the chance of a cure.

However, too many people come forward too late, because they do not visit their dentist for regular examinations.

HOW CAN I KEEP MY MOUTH HEALTHY ?

It is important to visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend, even if you wear dentures. This is especially important if you smoke and drink alcohol.

When brushing your teeth, look out for any changes in your mouth, and report any red or white patches, or ulcers, that have not cleared up within three weeks.

When exposed to the sun, be sure to use a good protective sun cream, and put the correct type of barrier cream on your lips.

A good diet, rich in vitamins A, C and E, provides protection against the development of mouth cancer. Plenty of fruit and vegetables help the body to protect itself, in general, from most cancers.

Cut down on your smoking and drinking.

The message is always: "If in doubt, get it checked out".

November is Mouth Cancer action month!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 16:22:00 +0000

Did you know that in the UK more than 7000 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer annually, and more than 2000 people die from this from of cancer every year?

To put this in perspective, when the mortality rates of both testicular and cervical cancers are combined they still amount to less than those of mouth cancer.

These awful numbers are only expected to increase and that is why this years campaign is all about ensuring early diagnosis and reducing risk factors.

Here at Absolute all our patients are regularly screened for mouth cancer by our dentists at Dental Health Assessments and our hygienists are also trained to recognise any abnormalities. It is important however, that we make also make our patients aware of the signs and symptoms to enable them to recognise any oral changes, as early diagnosis saves lives.

Mouth cancer can affect anyone although approximately 91% of cases are related to lifestyle. This is good news, and means that making some small changes can dramatically reduce the likelihood of developing mouth cancer.

Risk factors include:

Smoking - 2 out of 3 cases of oral cancer in the UK, are diagnosed in smokers.

Alcohol consumption - This is a major risk factor, particularly when combined with smoking

Diet - A healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables reduces your risk of developing moth cancer

HPV virus - This can cause abnormal cell growth which can result in a cancerous growth

Environmental Factors - Passive smoking puts you at higher risk of mouth cancer

Signs and Symptoms

Mouth cancers’ high mortality rate is largely due to late detection with many being discovered at stage 4 at which point little can be done. If detected quickly 9 in 10 of those diagnosed survive. This means it is important that you pay attention to the inside of your mouth and keep an eye out for any changes. Ensure to check lips, palate, tongue and floor of the mouth.

Do not ignore

- Ulcers anywhere in the mouth that do not heal within 3 weeks

- Any lumps or swellings in the mouth or neck area

- Red or white patches in the mouth

Remember early detection is the key, so, “If in doubt, get checked out”.

Information and images have been taken from the www.mouthcancer.org website, please visit this site for more information or speak to one of the team at Absolute who will be happy to help.

10 super foods - for your teeth!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 09:33:00 +0000

During recent years, health food has become somewhat of an eating trend; it seems everyone’s juicing, or eating more super salads and soups, or ‘eating clean’. Whilst this diet revamp is doing wonders for many, some of these ‘healthier’ lifestyle switch ups can be both good and bad for you, especially when it comes to the health of your teeth and increased intake of fruits, for example, which can lead to increased enamel damage and decay, as they are generally high in sugar and acidic.

Here’s a list of the ten foods you could incorporate into your diet more to ensure that you’re protecting the precious tools that help you eat in the first place!

1. Almonds

Almonds are a fantastic source of protein and calcium, whilst being low in sugar. Add them to your granola or porridge, or sprinkled on salads, or have a handful as a mid morning snack

2. Yoghurt

Yoghurt, a good source of essential calcium, helps strengthen the teeth. Be sure to pick a product with no added sugar (so avoid any that are marketed as "low fat" or "fat free" as these are HIGH is sugar!). The probiotics in yoghurt benefit your gums and keep them healthy by replacing the bad acid producing bacteria.

3. Celery

A good source of vitamins A and C which aid the health of gums, and acts as a natural toothbrush, scraping food particles away from the nooks and crannies of your teeth - nature’s floss!

4. Black tea and green tea

These teas contain Polyphenols, which are understood to reduce toxins and fight bacteria in he mouth, as well as being rich in fluoride which is essential for healthy teeth. Just avoid adding sugar!

5. Pears

Unlike other fruits, raw pears actually neutralize acids in your mouth, instead of adding to the acid levels

6. Apples

The act of chewing an apple produces saliva, and the fibre of the apple stimulates the gums, giving you mouth a good scrub, and clearing away some stuck food particles. Just make sure you’re brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, which will help protect the enamel on your teeth from the sugars and acids that occur naturally in fruits. Although it is recommended not to consume too many sugary fruits, apples are high in fibre and water content.

7. Water

Ok, not technically food, but this is one people often don’t think about - water washes away food particles and keeps the levels of saliva in your mouth high, protecting your teeth from acids and sugars, and also contains naturally minerals and proteins that combat plaque

8. Garlic

A real superfood, Garlic fights periodontal disease and tooth decay, due to its antimicrobial properties

9. Gum

Sugar free gum boosts production of saliva, which protects our mouth. Just make sure you pick the sugar free variety (and don’t actually eat it either, it’s not so good for your intestines!)

10. Carrots

Crunchy and full of fibre, carrots, like apples and celery, can help scrub out stuck food particles, and are packed full of vitamins when eaten raw

What is tooth wear and how to avoid it.

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:26:00 +0000

My husband has today had his Dental Health Assessment with Rhodri John and been told that he has signs of wear on the left hand side of his teeth. As with many patients suffering the same condition, he was unaware of the problem as he has no symptoms.

A large proportion of the population suffer with wear on their teeth, and many don't understand how it happens, so I thought this weeks blog should look at the causes of accelerated tooth wear in healthy patients - you might be able to identify with one or more of the risk factors:

Teeth are naturally strong and durable — if we can prevent or control dental disease like tooth decay or gum disease, they can last a lifetime. Still, teeth do wear gradually as we age, a fact we must factor into our dental care as we grow older.

Sometimes, though, the wear rate can accelerate and lead to problems much earlier — even tooth loss. There are generally four ways this abnormal wear can occur.

Tooth to tooth contact. Attrition usually results from habitual teeth grinding or clenching that are well beyond normal tooth contact. Also known as bruxism, these habits may occur unconsciously, often while you sleep. Treatments for bruxism include an occlusal guard worn to prevent tooth to tooth contact, orthodontic treatment, medication, biofeedback or psychological counseling to improve stress coping skills.

Teeth and hard material contact. Bruxism causes abrasion when our teeth regularly bite on hard materials such as pencils, nails, or bobby pins. The constant contact with these and other abrasive surfaces will cause the enamel to erode. Again, learning to cope with stress and breaking the bruxism habit will help preserve the remaining enamel.

Chronic acid. A high level of acid from foods we eat or drink can erode tooth enamel. Saliva naturally neutralizes this acid and restores the mouth to a neutral pH, usually within thirty minutes to an hour after eating. But if you’re constantly snacking on acidic foods and beverages, saliva’s buffering ability can’t keep up. To avoid this situation, refrain from constant snacking and limit acidic beverages like sodas or sports drinks to mealtimes. Extreme cases of gastric reflux disease may also disrupt your mouth’s pH — seek treatment from your medical doctor if you’re having related symptoms.

Enamel loss at the gumline. Also known as abfraction, this enamel loss is often caused by receding gums that expose more of the tooth below the enamel, which can lead to its erosion. Preventing and treating gum disease (the leading cause of receding gums) and proper oral hygiene will lower your risks of receding gums and protect tooth enamel.

If you would like more information on tooth wear, please contact us for a consultation.

The epidemic of childhood tooth decay

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 11:57:00 +0000

Tooth decay is now considered an epidemic by many. We strive on a daily basis to pass on the very best help and advice we can, often sounding repetitive, however, professionally we feel it our duty to continue.

The number of children in England having their teeth removed because of tooth decay has risen for the fourth year in a row.

The BBC released figures earlier this year that 33,781 cases of extractions due to decay in children under 10.

Children in England drink more sugary drink than anywhere else in Europe, this sugar diet is to blame for the rise in decay. Every day I pass children starting or finishing their school day carrying cups belonging to high street coffee chains. More than a third of the drinks these companies produce contain the same amount of sugar as a can of coke. Whilst I consider the decay implications, I also remind myself of the increased heart rate these young people get after the huge hit of sugar, and the possible future problems from diabetes (another "epidemic" that is all of our own making).

If we cannot get the message across now in an era when communication is at the forefront of every teenagers agenda, will we ever be able to?

Will the sugar tax help? We are told this tax will raise £520 million that will be put back into sports facilities in schools. I suppose we will all have to wait and see. I personally feel the fight will continue.....

Global Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Winners - here in Kingsbridge!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 11:10:00 +0000

Global Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Announces Winners of the 2016 Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards… and they are in Kingsbridge

Global Healthcare and Pharmaceutical has announced the winners of the 2016 Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards and Absolute Dental of Kingsbridge won not only one but two of these coveted awards.

The healthcare and pharmaceuticals industry is as diverse as the individuals and organisations operating within it, and as such documenting and rewarding those who are striving to deliver excellence is a daunting task.

As such the 2016 Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals Awards seek to chronical the individuals, departments and organisations, both corporate and public that are working tirelessly throughout the industry.

This year Absolute Dental won both the titles of Best Dental Healthcare Practice 2016 - Devon & Recognised Leaders in Dental Implants - West Country

Speaking about the awards, Coordinator Naomi Douglas commented: “The healthcare and pharmaceuticals market is the lifeblood of our society, and therefore it is a true honour to put the spotlight on our deserving winners and I would like to wish them every success in the future.”

GHP prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.

Rhodri John, clinical director at Absolute described the wins as “ a true team effort” He explained “ Much of the care and treatment we deliver in the practice goes much further than the provision of clinical dentistry, therefore acknowledgement of this from the leaders in the healthcare industry is always very positive for all concerned”. “It keeps Kingsbridge very much on the map as we, like many others in the town are also a small business and the care and treatment we deliver brings people to our town from far and wide”

Turning back the clock at Absolute Dental!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 08:56:00 +0000

Botox might do more than simply paralyze facial muscles to create a more youthful appearance.

New research suggests the anti-aging treatments may also turn back the clock on facial skin itself, aiding its ability to stretch and recoil.

In a recent study Dr. James Bonaparte, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa in Canada wrote that Botox treatment seems to promote production of elastin and collagen, a pair of proteins that make young skin tight, firm and flexible,

"We found if we treat people with Botox using standard techniques, we see an increase in elasticity, which is what you'd see in people with more youthful skin," Bonaparte said. "We're actually seeing evidence that we, for some reason, are getting more elastin and collagen in the skin."
As people age, repeated facial expressions wrinkle the face. At the same time, levels of elastin and collagen decline in the skin, causing it to sag. These two factors contribute to facial ageing.

Bonaparte and his colleagues gave 48 women, average age 55, their first-ever Botox injections, treating the skin between the eyebrows and around the eyes. They then followed the women for four months to see how the injections affected the skin.

They found that the Botox increased the stretchiness and elastic recoil of the women's faces, causing changes in composition that mimicked more youthful skin

"It's temporary, but it's not a byproduct of swelling, and it's not a byproduct of muscle contraction. It's something that's intrinsic to the skin itself," said Dr. Catherine Winslow, an Indianapolis plastic surgeon who wrote an editorial accompanying the new study.

There's no clear reason why Botox has this effect. Bonaparte believes that the cells that produce elastin and collagen may contain a receptor that somehow responds to Botox. If that's the case, future drugs could target that receptor with even better results than those produced by Botox.

"We may be able to develop some medications that don't require injection, that you can apply topically and get the same skin rejuvenation effect as Botox," he said.

Botox might have an antioxidant effect on skin tissue. The muscles of the face produce waste products as they move . These toxins may damage the skin's elastin and collagen. By paralyzing the facial muscles, she suspects Botox gives the skin a chance to heal itself from this damage.

There could be a simpler answer . Paralysis caused by Botox simply gives collagen and elastin a chance to recover from constant motion and settle back into position.

The research team will next investigate whether extended use of Botox can have long-term benefits for the face, Bonaparte said. Prior studies have shown that people who frequently use Botox are able to get by with lower doses over time, and can go longer periods between injections.

If you would like to turn back the hands of time, call us today on 01548 852165 for your facial aesthetics consultation.

It's a string thing

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:57:00 +0000

Following an investigation by the Associated Press, the world’s media has been awash with stories questioning the medical value of flossing in recent weeks.

For the investigation, the AP looked at ‘the most rigorous research’ conducted over the last decade, focusing on 25 studies that compared the use of a toothbrush with the combination of toothbrush and floss.

The investigation found that the evidence of flossing is ‘weak, very unreliable’, of ‘very low quality’, and carries ‘a moderate to large potential for bias’.

However as Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific advisor to the British Dental Association (BDA) points out: ‘the difficulty is trying to get good evidence. People are different and studies are costly to do.’

In light of the news that there’s a lack of evidence supporting the benefits of using dental floss, key opinion leaders and health organisations have been highlighting the importance of regular interdental cleaning.

So what do the experts say?

"Small interdental brushes are preferable for cleaning the area in between teeth, where there is space to do so. Floss is of very little value unless the spaces between your teeth are too tight for the interdental brushes to fit without causing harm or hurting."
Professor Damien Walmsley

"Evidence supports the use of small interdental brushes for cleaning between teeth, where there is space, in preference to flossing. Floss is not a waste of time – it is a viable alternative to interdental brushing where appropriate. Public England Health makes a similar recommendation’’ - Philip Ower BSP President

Dental professionals have a duty to ensure patients understand the difference between flossing and interdental cleaning and recognise the importance of using interdental brushes as part of their oral hygiene routine at home.

from the magazine Oral Health Vol No 4

Beauty Blogging and the rise of DIY teeth whitening

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 10:29:00 +0000

Straight, white, glowing teeth have always been a signifier of both glowing health and radiant beauty, something that the majority of us will invest time and money in achieving. In recent years, with the rise of online video gurus and beauty blogs becoming the faces and flagships of whats in and on trend, fashion and beauty is now governed by women and men writing and filming from often the comfort of their own bedrooms, often broadcasting their personal thoughts to audiences all over the world in their vast numbers. So, its no surprise that ‘how-to-achieve-a-bleach-white-smile’ in its many forms has been an issue much discussed online, with thousands of ‘DIY whitening’ kits and products being tested, reviewed, purchased, and almost as many ‘homemade’ teeth whitening techniques being tried and deliberated.

So what’s the issue here? Mainly, the risks to your teeth and oral health that come with advice given by someone whom is not a medical professional, and products available to the public that have not been clinically tested. Already, countless chemical teeth whitening products have been recalled and banned for containing potentially harmful, toxic substances, as it is very easy to sell a non tested product on the internet.

Many of these DIY home remedies, that can bee seen on blogs that often have one million plus subscribers, such as ‘brushing your teeth with a little bicarbonate of soda’ to achieve pearly whites, are so corrosive, and detrimental to the external surface of your teeth, the unsuspecting reader may end up permanently damaging their teeth all together!

Now, this is not to say and information of teeth whitening not given to you by a dentist is wrong. For example, the method of ‘coconut pulling’, placing a marble sized amount of coconut butter in your mouth and chewing, is a method currently being studied by medical professionals, not yet given the green light (the benefits and risks are not yet fully known or understood), but not condemned either - it appears that this is a perfectly harmless way of naturally whitening the teeth.

So, if you’re looking for a brighter smile, what you should be doing, is asking your dentist before trying anything at home - or purchasing something dodgy!

Paige

Microbeads and Toothpaste

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 12:03:00 +0000

There has been much talk in the news recently about "microbeads" and how some organisations, such as Greenpeace, are campaigning and petitioning the Prime Minister to ban the unnecessary use of these plastics in our cosmetics.

They slip down the plug hole and end up in our oceans, polluting the waters and ending up in the stomachs of sea birds, fish, whales and other marine life.

As the public become more aware of this, at Absolute Dental we are being more frequently asked to recommend toothpastes that do NOT contain microbeads, and so we thought we would share the information with all of you who read our blog! Please feel free to share these links with anyone else you know who has an interest in preserving our oceans!

Firstly, if you check the "ingredients" for many cosmetics, microbeads are often listed as

Polyethylene

There are now hundreds of cosmetic producers who do NOT use microbeads in their products, toothpaste producers included.

Here is a link for you to click on and find out if your preferred cosmetic provider and toothpaste manufacturer use microbeads. This is a list of all products that currently do NOT contain microbeads - toothpaste manufacturers start on page 26.

http://beatthemicrobead.org/images/pdf/greenUK.pdf

This is what oral care giant Colgate have to say about microbeads:

"Colgate used microbeads in a limited number of oral care and personal care products to enhance aesthetics and aid in cleaning. However, some groups raised concerns regarding the potential contribution of microbeads to pollution of the world’s oceans. Recognizing that consumers have questions, as of year-end 2014 we are no longer using microbeads. More recently, consumer questions have extended beyond microbeads to some polymer-based materials, many of which dissolve in water and biodegrade. Colgate continues to monitor the science and evaluate our use of polymer-based ingredients to ensure continued improvements in the environmental profile of our products”

We hope you find this information useful, and if you want to know more about the harmful effects of microbeads, please visit the Greenpeace website.

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/oceans/what-are-plastic-microbeads-and-why-should-we-ban-them-20160114

Confusion in the savoury snacks aisle in Tesco!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 09:44:00 +0000

We like to keep everything current here at Absolute Dental and so Christina and Ruth decided to update the "Healthy Snacks" leaflet we give out to our younger patients last week.

Christina our very talented dental therapist, loves a challenge and took to the internet to do her research and looked to ways to jazz up the leaflet.

We came across one surprise and thought we should share it with you.....

Plain breadsticks (often a common lunch box favourite of mums and considered a good healthy snack and an alternative to sweet biscuits) left us all scratching our heads.

We checked the ingredients of Tesco Plain Breadsticks, and NO sugar - result!

We looked at the mini alternatives too - better for little eaters! Once again, NO sugar - perfect!

However, the problem comes when we looked at the more convenient "lunch box" alternative, the same Original Mini Breadsticks but in handy individual packs........

.....In these, the third ingredients on the list (in other words, the 3rd largest ingredients in the product) is SUGAR!!!!!

Christina quickly emailed Tesco to highlight this to them, and raised her concern that in her effort to promote "healthy snacks" to patients to reduce tooth decay, the message can easily become confused by inconsistencies such as these - and went on to ask them when they would be removing sugar from their recipe!

The response from Tesco was swift, and is as follows:

Dear Christina

Thanks for emailing me.

I’m sorry to learn that you’re unhappy with the sugar content found within our own brand breadstick; after reading through your email I can understand your concern with this.

I’m unable to make a decision as to changing any part of a products recipe but I’ve now spoken to my Business Support Team and have advised them of your concerns with the sugar content; they’ve taken this as feedback that we can give to our suppliers as a suggestion.

Thank you for taking the time to email me; if I can be of any further assistance please feel free to contact me.

Kind regards,

Aaron Watson

Tesco Customer Service

Tesco Customer Engagement Centre

We are sharing this with you as we feel many people would examine food labels as closely as we were able to on this occasion - and want to raise awareness that even the healthiest seeming snacks are not all that they seem.

Maybe some of you will be motivated by this to read labels more closely - or even do as Christina has done and drop an email to a high street shop.....we need to take action on this, either on a personal level or on a larger scale to try and change the health of a nation an their teeth.

Please share this to raise awareness - and maybe a few back to school pack lunches will look a bit different next week.....

So many things to smile about from Brazil!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 15:32:00 +0000

If you, like us, are missing the Olympic Games already and eagerly awaiting the Paralympic Games, here is a great blog from Ruthie about Brazilians and their smiles!

Brazilians take cleanliness extremely seriously. Showering twice a day is standard and even the most basic restaurant has an outside sink with soap and paper towels so you can wash your hands before you eat.

What may come as a surprise is what can be found in a cafe "rest room":

Push the soap dispenser and instead of fragrant foam, some minty liquid will land on your hands. This is mouthwash. Look around the bathroom and spot dental floss too!

"We smile a lot. Every time we ask something, we smile, we apologise smiling, people see their smile as their calling card," says Ronaldo Art, marketing manager for Oral Care at Johnson & Johnson in Brazil.

The company puts its Listerine mouthwash in public toilets for free so they can try the product. One of the latest tactical moves by a global company to take a slice of Brazil's massive oral hygiene market, and it seems to be working.

Research for the BBC carried out by international brand consultancy Millward Brown reveals that out of the top twenty most powerful foreign brands, three are for toothpaste - Colgate, Oral B, and Close-Up.

"Historically in Brazil if you had a nice smile, it would show you were a wealthy person," said Eduardo Campanella, brand director for oral care for Unilever in Brazil.

"Everybody in Brazil will have their toothbrush and their toothpaste in their purse .There is even a joke, if you see someone in the UK brushing their teeth in the toilet, no doubt he's Brazilian," he says.

It is estimated Brazil has the highest number of dentists in the world - more than 240,000. That is equivalent to 15% of the dentists in the entire world.

Overall, the dental market is number three in the world after the US and China.And a Brazilian household would spend nearly the same amount on oral care as a US household, even though economic productivity, or wealth, in Brazil is a fifth of that in the United States.

The dental market is healthy and not without its surprises

Unilever launched a range of stain removers, the company had an idea of how well it would sell. "It was double," says Marcos Angelini, the homecare vice-president at Unilever Brazil.

So check out those beautiful Brazilian smiles . They are gold medal winners !

Tooth Enamel and Acid Wear - Start Protecting Today!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:23:00 +0000

Erosive Tooth Wear, also known as Acid Wear, Acid Erosion, Enamel Erosion or Tooth Erosion, is of growing concern and could quickly become the next big threat to the long-term health of our teeth – it’s a real challenge for the 21^st century. Yet few people have heard of it.

This ground-breaking research has revealed that an acid-rich modern diet can result in Acid Wear, one of the main components of Tooth Wear.

Tooth Wear is known to get worse over time, so this study is even more revealing as it shows that as many as 30% of young adults (18-35 year olds) are showing some signs already.

We can’t see the early signs ourselves but when a dentist is checking for tooth decay or tooth pain, they will also be looking for Tooth Wear, including these 5 signs of Acid Wear: weak, thin, transparent or see-through, yellowing and dull enamel.

A modern acid-rich diet could be putting your teeth more at risk than you might think.

As few as four acidic ‘moments’ throughout the day can put enamel at risk from Acid Wear also know as Acid Erosion. http://www.pronamel.co.uk/how-acid-wear-affects-you.html

It’s not just the fizzy drinks, coffee or wine; surprisingly it can even be our healthier choices: fruit, fruit juices, sparkling water with lemon and even salad dressings can count towards our daily acidic ‘moments’.

Revealing how today’s diet can affect our teeth. That’s The Acid Truth.

Enamel and Acid Wear

Enamel is the white, mineral-rich protective outer layer of our teeth. It’s not just strong, it’s the hardest substance in our bodies. Surprisingly though, enamel can be weakened or softened just by the acids found in our everyday food and drink. If weakened, our enamel can then be more easily worn away. Over time, it can get gradually thinner, duller and see-through – eventually revealing the yellow layer underneath. These are just some of the effects of Acid Wear.

Tooth Wear can be described as the loss of tooth substance (i.e. enamel) and is different from Tooth Decay. Tooth wear can be caused by either mechanical (e.g. grinding) or chemical (e.g. dietary acids) challenges. Erosive Tooth Wear, also known as Acid Wear, is the wearing away of enamel often due to dietary acids.

We believe that everyone, young or old, should have strong, healthy and beautiful teeth whilst still being able to enjoy delicious, healthy food and drinks – for a lifetime.

Every day protection is everything when it comes to Acid Wear prevention

Acids in our daily diet can weaken teeth, dissolving essential minerals and making the enamel surface easier to wear away.

Once enamel’s gone, it’s gone forever.

Speak to us today about your concerns and our team of dentists and hygienists can help identify areas in your diet to make changes and suggest toothpastes that can strengthen weakened enamel.

Pre-Season Training? Have you got your new Mouthguard?

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 10:10:00 +0000

Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one or two of your front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating—everything would suddenly be affected. Knowing how to prevent injuries to your mouth and face is especially important if you participate in any sporting activity.

Summer holidays have only just started, but we are already getting calls from organised parents who want mouth-guards made for children ready for the new school term in September - or even pre-season training.

Mouthguards help cushion a blow to the face, minimising the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. Your top teeth take the brunt of any potential trauma because they stick out slightly further, your bottom teeth are a little more protected because they are further back.

When Should You Wear a Mouthguard?

When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of sports equipment that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age.

Types of Mouthguards

The best mouthguard is one that has been custom made for your mouth by your dentist.

These are made by your dentist for you personally. They are individually created for fit and comfort. Call us today on 01548852165 to make an short appointment for impressions - it's so simple but could prevent nasty injuries....

Protecting Your Braces

A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks.

Talk to your dentist or orthodontist about selecting a mouthguard that will provide the right protection. Although some mouthguards only cover the upper teeth, your dentist or orthodontist may suggest that you use a mouthguard on the lower teeth if you have braces on these teeth.

If you have a retainer or other removable appliance, do not wear it during any contact sports.

Mouthguard Care and Replacement

Talk to your dentist about when is the right time to replace your mouthguard, but replace it immediately if it shows sign of wear, is damaged or ill fitting. Teens and children may need to replace their mouthguards more often because their mouths are still growing and changing.

Between games, it’s important to keep your mouthguard clean and dry. Here are some tips for making sure your mouthguard is always ready to go:

Rinse before and after each use or brush with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Regularly clean the mouthguard in cool, soapy water. Then, rinse it thoroughly.
During your regular dental checkups, bring your mouthguard for an evaluation. Your dentist may also be able to give it a thorough cleaning.
Store and transport the mouthguard in a sturdy container that has vents so it can dry and keep bacteria from growing.
Never leave the mouthguard in the sun or in hot water.
Check fit and for signs of wear and tear to see if it needs replacing.
Some mouthguards have fallen victim to family pets, who see them as chew toys. Store your mouthguard and case somewhere your pet cannot get to it!

Pretty Muddy 5k - The Absolute Angels' tale of mud, sweat and the odd tear!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 08:05:00 +0000

The sun was shining on the morning of Saturday July 23rd, as the team of Absolute Angels set off to Westpoint in Exeter to take part in the Cancer Research UKs "Pretty Muddy 5k".

The strap line for the event is "Cancer plays dirty, but so can we!" and so we knew we weren't going to stay dry and clean on this particular event!

As with all these events, it started with an enthusiastic warm up led by a military PT instructor (the highlight of my day!!!), where it was clear that some of our team were going to be running to their own beat today!

As our wave assembled on the start line we were all encouraged to crouch down and to take a moments silence to remember why we were all taking part in the event this year...this part is always hard.

When we, as a team, signed up for this event at the end of last year, our dear friend and colleague Maureen (Mo) was battling this horrible disease. We knew Mo wouldn't be able to run with us, but we could all imagine her there on the side-lines cheering us on. Sadly, Mo lost her battle with cancer in April of this year, and we all still miss her terribly. This gave us all the incentive to do our best on the day, raise lots of money to beat this disease and we all felt she was with us on the day, smiling down at our efforts to get around the course!

The course was made up of obstacles that involved us climbing over, under and through various inflatables....all of which were surrounded with mud and water!! And if that didn't get us wet enough, the cheery marshals had industrial water pistols to ensure we were thoroughly soaked!

Cargo nets, space hoppers, slides and tunnels all made the course very entertaining, and there were many laugh out load moments on the way round! We crossed the line as a team, and the first thing we did was seek out Rhod (who couldn't run with us in this ladies only event) and gave him a huge, wet, muddy hug!!!

We raised over £1500 for the charity and hope Mo would have been very proud of us.

Di

The dental and health benefits of Xylitol

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 14:15:00 +0000

Have you heard about this amazing sugar substitute?

Xylitol is frequently found in chewing gum and mints and can be used in place of sugar in baking an everyday cooking, it can also be added to tea and coffee. More and more shops and supermarket are now stocking it in granulated, cube and tablet form; it is no longer a health-food-shop-only item and is easy to introduce to our kitchens.

Xylitol is a naturally present substance found in the fibres of many fruits and vegetables. It can be sourced from carbohydrate molecules in the cell walls of birch and beech trees, rice, oat and wheat but the main source of this substance for commercial use is corn cobs. Not only does it look like sugar but it also contains the same sweetness and is much more similar in taste than a lot of other sweeteners; believe me, I have tried them all!.

Xylitol is seen to have significant dental benefits.

We know that diet plays a major role in dental health and that too much sugar causes tooth decay and periodontal disease (gum disease). Eating sugar causes tooth decay by creating a highly acidic condition in the mouth. Acidity strips teeth of enamel, causing them to weaken and making them more vulnerable to attack by bacteria. Ordinarily, saliva bathes the mouth with an alkaline solution that neutralises all acidity, helping the process of digestion. When saliva turns acidic because of too much sugar, bacteria in the mouth have a feeding frenzy, eating away at enamel. Xylitol can help to prevent this by raising the pH to a more alkaline state, greatly reducing the growth of bacteria that cause cavities.

Xylitol may be better for dental health compared to consuming large amounts of sugar, however, it is still a sweetener and as with other sugar substitutes, too much is not recommended. The best way to control dental caries is a balanced diet.

I have recently watch a documentary about "superfoods". Whilst watching I learnt that the Finnish government has put in place dental aid program in most primary schools. All primary school age children receive free xylitol tablets to chew after each meal. The presenter disclosed her teeth after a sugary drink; this would show plaque in pink, and was very surprised to find that her teeth were covered in plaque; whilst the child who had her xylitol tablet did not show any significant amount of plaque.

Not just good for your teeth:

Xylitol has a low GI value of 7, meaning it has little effect on blood sugar levels and insulin. It is therefore seen as a useful alternative for diabetics.

It contains only 2.4 calories per gram and is slowly absorbed, unlike ordinary sugar; therefore it does not cause any spikes in blood sugar levels and is helpful in reducing sugar cravings.

It is still early days for Xylitol in our country and we cannot claim that it is a miracle product.

However it is a product which allows us to make small but beneficial changes in our everyday diet.

As they say, the proof is in the pudding, why don't you try it for yourself?

You might just love it!

Getting by with a little help from my friends!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 10:54:00 +0000

"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything". Muhammad Ali

Many of you may have younger children who are breaking up from primary school this week, this can be a very emotional time for everyone, but especially for the children, many of whom may be going on to different secondary schools to their friends.

This got me thinking about the types of friendship that exist and which ones are essential to our sanity and well-being and maybe livelihood. So, of course, I made a list. Because that’s what the internet tells us to do these days. So, without further ado, here are 7 friends every woman needs.

The Hustler
This is your girlfriend who is just killing it professionally. She inspires you to keep going after what you want. Not only does she own her own business and hustle with the best of ‘em, she will help you think through what you're doing in your own career. She will be the one asking you “So if you are doing exactly what you’re doing in 5 years, will you be happy?” She will wake you up and make you gasp, and then make you make a plan for the future.

The No-Nonsense Gal
This is the "cruel to be kind" friend. This one is always hard for me because I have the ego of a peach (bruises easily.) But, after I stop crying, I’m always appreciative of friends like these because sometimes you really need to hear the truth. This is the friend who asks the tough question, or helps point out that your boyfriend/boss/flatmate actually has a good point. They’re not rude or malicious (of course, people like that don’t quite deserve the title of ‘friend,’ now do they?) but they are not there to blow smoke up your bum. This friend is great because they keep you humble, help you to see a different perspective, and encourage you to keep growing and changing (which ultimately helps you as a human.....I promise!)

The Nurturer
If the No-Nonsense Gal is for when you need the truth, the Nurturer is for when you can’t handle the truth. Every woman needs a friend like this who will bake you brownies and listen to you whine about That One Guy for the 19th time. She tells you what you want to hear in the best way. She’s the soft pillow you sometimes need to land on when the world has stuck out its foot and tripped you. Again. This is your champion, your cheerleader, the empathetic angel who truly is down with you when you’re down, and ecstatic with you when you’re ecstatic.

The Bad Influence
I love this friend because she’s the pal who gets you out of your comfort zone and encourages you to lighten up and take risks. She’s gonna be the type to say things like “We might as well just get another pitcher of margaritas,” “Who cares, call him!” and “Quit your job what’s the worst that can happen?” Sure, you don’t always listen to her, and maybe your parents don’t particularly want you spending all your time with her, but she reminds you that life is short and well, what’s the worst that can happen?

The Opposite Life Stage-r
If you’re married, she’s single. If you have kids, she doesn’t. If you’re selling all your stuff and traveling for a year, she just bought a house. You get the picture. This friend sheds important light on what’s going on in other parts of the life-stage world. We have much to learn from women who are in different life stages than we are, and even though it can be a little tough to find time to hang out (chances are your schedules could not be more opposite,) you will always walk away enlightened.

The Social Butterfly
This friend gets you out of your PJs and on the VIP list. She is well-connected, tapped-in, and the ultimate connector. She will not only teach you the importance of remembering people’s names, but she’ll show you how to work a room. Oh, and she’s probably the best person on the planet to get you that gig, open that door, or set you up. And this friendship doesn’t just go one way, either. Since she’s always invited somewhere, you get to provide her with a much-needed plus one!

The Historian
Everyone needs a friend who’s been around for the long haul. She might be a childhood friend or a secondary school friend, or if you’re in your 30s, even a college friend counts as historian. You two may not talk as much as some of your current besties, but this friend can tell you the who/what/where/why of most of your major life moments. You can call her the memory keeper because she remembers everything, and for better or worse, will recall my life facts and history with ease. This friend offers the comfort of someone who has seen you through thick and thin and is not going anywhere.

Do any of these sound familiar?! I hope so - isn't it great to have friends!

"Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles" (but if you choose this option, we at Absolute can help you with our wrinkle relaxing treatments!)

Preparing to leave the navy

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 08:17:00 +0000

So..... after many years service in the Royal Navy I had decided to leave. Not because I disliked my job, far from it, but because the demands of service life were no longer compatible with my life as the mother of a young son.

I submitted my 12 months notice and immediately began my preparations to leave.

The Navy provides a comprehensive resettlement package for all service leavers, and I was determined you use all that was on offer. I began with the standard courses offered to everyone which provide advice on essential topics such as CV writing and job hunting as well as advice on accounting and starting up your own business.

I then began looking at what courses I could attend to make myself a better Dental Hygienist. When treating my patients in the past a common barrier to providing treatment has been the fear many people have of dental treatment, so I decided to look into how hypnosis could be used in dentistry to calm nervous patients. I had read articles on how hypnosis could be used to relax patients enough that implants could be placed without using any anaesthetic! I wondered if it might help me calm my nervous patients enough to effectively clean their teeth. I promptly booked myself on the course, where I learned some amazing if somewhat time consuming techniques to put patients into a state of relaxation. I also booked myself on a "Cleaner, brighter, whiter" course where I learned the theory and practice of tooth whitening, a purely cosmetic procedure not carried out within the military, allowing me to whiten teeth to the prescription of a dentist.

I had worked as a Hygienist for many years and as a Dental Nurse before that, so had a wealth of experience interacting with and treating patients. I was also aware, however, that my treatment had mainly been provided to service personnel, and I felt that it would be beneficial to gain some more experience working with a more varied patient base. As part of my resettlement package I was offered the option to use some of my leave to complete a civilian work attachment. I felt this would be the perfect opportunity to enhance my breadth of experience.

Throughout my time as a hygienist in the Navy I had been able to provide excellent and ethical treatment to my patients and I was determined not to compromise on this. I began looking for dental practices which I felt put patients first and subscribed to this ethos. Absolute Dental was one of the first on my list, having a very good reputation amongst dental professionals. I spoke to Emma at Absolute Dental, and was over the moon to be offered the chance to complete a civilian work attachment at this most prestigious practice.

And now?

Well, I will complete my civilian work attachment at Absolute Dental this month and am pleased to have been offered a permanent position at the practice. The attachment has been a fabulous experience for me and has given me an insight into the workings of a successful dental practice and allowed me to work with some truly lovely fellow dental professionals.

After 16 years service in the Royal Navy, leaving the military was an initially daunting prospect and I began with trepidation. However with preparation, planning and enthusiasm I have found that far from embarking upon my new life with nervousness I am excited for what exciting opportunities the future holds........

Janie

Privilege Membership at Absolute Dental - Providing our Patients with a Choice of Payment Options for their Dental Care

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 10:31:00 +0000

We believe in providing our patients with choice, and one of those choices concerns how they choose to pay for their dental care at Absolute Dental.

We have an excellent membership scheme in place that allows our patients to maintain their oral health, whilst enabling them to spread the cost of their routine dental care.

As a reward for their loyalty in joining our practice membership, patients also benefit from:

Discount on most dental treatments
Insurance for dental trauma at home or abroad
A saving on the cost routine appointments (ie cheaper than "pay as you go" for Dental Health Assessments and Hygienist visits)
Redundancy cover
Less dental treatment required (on average, a patient on our membership who attends the practice regularly, needs 30% less treatment than those who don't)
The opportunity to budget for routine care though a convenient monthly direct debit.

Membership starts from £14.55 and we have programmes of hygienist visits to suit all clients.

Call us today on 01548 852165 to discuss of our membership would be suitable for you, or to ask the team for any further details on our popular Privilege Membership.

Football, football, football!

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:53:00 +0000

You cannot escape the passion and excitement shown by those supporting the football currently, and as I write this we are doing reasonably well so I am informed by those that have some understanding of it.

There are some however that are more sceptical of those professionals playing the game. Players are often regarded as excessively high earners who receive celebrity status and become role models for many despite not always behaving in a manner worthy of the adoration of fans both young and old.

There are also many who would regard these professional footballers as talented sportsmen, who are in the best of physical health, demonstrating fitness and endurance.

Let’s look a little further at their dental health. Recent research examined 187 footballers dental health. 37% of players examined had tooth decay, 80% had gingivitis and 5% had severs irreversible periodontal disease.

Thankfully as a result of this research dental screening is now to become mandatory for professional players. It has also been decided that more awareness is required to educate how poor oral health can impact overall health and sports performance.

Are these professional footballers any different to so many others? So many still do not connect dental health to their general health. Those professionals may look fit and healthy but the impact of what is going on in their mouths is will longer term have an impact. Conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease are all connected to oral health. Any infection in the mouth makes the body susceptible to other disorders, and can be so easily addressed with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits.

So we need the message to come from the sportsmen and women. If they can promote the importance of maintain a healthy mouth it may filter down to those that see them as heros, and benefit the next generation of rising stars

Short Term Orthodontics at Absolute Dental, Kingsbridge

noreply@blogger.com (Absolute Dental) — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 11:00:00 +0000

Adult patients with crooked teeth are usually left in "cosmetic limbo" when they refuse conventional orthodontic treatment. The long time period usually associated with conventional orthodontics, combined with the appearance of metal brackets and wires, result in a low rate of uptake. Short-term orthodontics, or STO, is an effective, conservative, and reasonable treatment option for adult patients with misaligned teeth. The basic mindset behind STO is to give adult patients smiles that are aesthetic, and to do it in a reasonable amount of time — around six months.

Two tried and tested options for STO are available at Absolute Dental are Six Month Smiles and Inman Aligner

Here are some facts about Six Month Smiles:

1. 6 Month Smiles braces work at a much quicker rate than traditional braces treatments, which can often take 2-3 years to accomplish the same cosmetic results.

2. They are ideal for anyone who needs to straighten their teeth quickly in time for a particular event, such as a wedding.

3. The tooth-coloured brackets and wires enable the procedure to be completed with the utmost subtlety and they are discreet at a social distance

4. The cost of 6 Month Smiles is less than longer brace treatments because fewer visits to your dentist are required.

So if you want to make a life enhancing change and achieve a more beautiful smile why not consider Short Term Orthodontics.

Call us today on 01548 852165 for your initial consultation!