We are constantly investing in our knowledge, equipment and the building to ensure that you get the best from your dental care here at Paramount Dentistry. Recent developments in the last 6 months.
- Digital x-rays Significantly reduced x-ray dosages and at the same time enhanced imaging services for diagnosis.
- Dental laser Enhanced overall patient experience: rapid healing, healthier treatment.
- Updated website Designed with a fresh innovative appearance, a plethora of features, user-friendly navigation, updated with the latest information about our services and dental health advice.
- Advancing our knowledge We are proud to have a team who are keen to improve their knowledge of dentistry.
Whitening newsletter
Teeth vary greatly in how white they are naturally. Some perfectly healthy teeth can look yellow and teeth get gradually darker over the years. Now you can have whiter teeth in only a few weeks, with straightforward, simple processes, which are completely safe for you and your teeth.
The whitening gel acts on the enamel, releasing oxygen molecules which travel through microscopic tubules in the structure of the teeth to reach the inner dentine. The action of the oxygen bleaches out the colour, and the result is a lightening of the colour of the teeth.
Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth, and very thin trays will be made which will fit your teeth closely. On the next visit, the trays are checked for fit, and the starting shade of your teeth is noted. You take the trays home with the whitening gel and full instructions. Following these instructions, you use the trays with the gel inside, either at night, or for a few hours once a day. You carry on until you have achieved the shade you want, or until your teeth don’t whiten any further. This usually takes about three weeks, with daily use. You should achieve a natural, brighter, lighter smile, which research shows leads others to think you look ten years younger! If you want a faster result, or if you want to get your teeth “Hollywood” white, there are other methods we can use. Ask us about them.
Some people find that their teeth are more sensitive than usual during the whitening process. This is not normally a problem, and there are ways of overcoming it, if troublesome. This extra sensitivity will disappear once the whitening process is completed.
The whitening process does not change the colour of crowns, bridges or veneers, and does not change the colour of existing fillings.
It may be necessary to change fillings for a lighter colour once the whitening has been completed. You can “top up” with gel for a few nights if the colour darkens again, or you can use the trays and gel for one or two nights each month to maintain the whiter appearance, avoiding the risk of your teeth getting darker again.
Implants newsletter
Solutions to missing teeth
Have you got one or more missing teeth?
Do you avoid eating certain food when wearing your denture? Are you embarrassed by your smile or your loose denture?
Come and see Dr. Van for a free no obligation consultation about dental implants.
What are some of the benefits of dental implants?
- Replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth.
- Improved taste, appetite and cosmetic appearance.
- The ability to chew without pain or gum irritation.
- Improved quality of life.
- Reduction or elimination of bone shrinkage associated with loss of teeth.
- Effective, safe and predictable alternative to dentures.
Smoking newsletter
How can smoking affect my oral health? Smoking can cause many different medical problems and, in some cases, fatal diseases.
It can lead to tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss, and in more severe cases mouth cancer.
One of the effects of smoking is staining on the teeth due to the nicotine and tar in the tobacco. It can make your teeth yellow in a very short time, and heavy smokers often complain that their teeth are almost brown after years of smoking. How will smoking affect my gums and teeth? Smoking can also lead to gum disease. People who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial or plaque, which leads to gum disease. The gums are affected because smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, so the infected gums don’t heal. Smoking causes people to have more dental plaque and causes gum disease to get worse more quickly than in non-smokers. Gum disease is still the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.
Smoking can cause lung and throat cancer and it is one of the main causes of mouth cancer too. Every year thousands of people die from mouth cancer brought on by smoking.
It is important that you visit your dentist regularly for a normal check-up and a full mouth examination so that any other conditions can be spotted early. Your dentist will also examine your cheeks, tongue and throat for any signs of other conditions that may need more investigation. They may also be able to put you in touch with organisations and self-help groups who will have the latest information to help you stop smoking. People who smoke are more likely to have stained teeth, and therefore may need appointments more often with the dental hygienist for extra treatment, thorough cleaning and to keep a closer check on the health of your mouth.
TMJ Newsletter
Do you suffer from headaches, earache, jaw joint problems or facial muscle ache?
You could be suffering from symptoms of teeth grinding and clenching, known medically as bruxism. Most cases of bruxism occur unconsciously whilst sleeping and are associated with lifestyle factors such as stress and anxiety or high use of psychoactive substances such as tobacco, alcohol and caffeine. Dentists can check for signs of bruxism on the teeth: abnormal tooth wear, teeth continually fracturing and shiny wear facets are all signs of bruxism. If you are concerned that you may suffer with bruxism, speak to Kam or Ailsa, who’ll be able to assist you in treating your symptoms and preventing tooth damage.
Alcohol newsletter
Increases Disease-Causing Mouth Bacteria
Drinking alcohol can throw off the balance of good and bad bacteria in the mouth and raise your risk for a variety of diseases, according to new research. In a study published April 23, 2018, in the journal Microbiome, scientists at NYU School of Medicine found that people who consume one or more alcoholic beverages daily disrupt a healthy combination of oral microbes, which can lead to gum infection, cancer, or cardiovascular disease.
More than 700 different species of bacteria and some species of fungi live in the mouth. Many of these microorganisms can play an important role in factors that help maintain wellness, including immune response, nutrient digestion, and possible cancer prevention. The heavy drinkers in the study had higher levels of harmful Bacteroidales, Actinomyces, and Neisseria bacteria; and they had lower levels of Lactobacillales, commonly found in probiotic food supplements and thought to prevent sickness.
Jiyoung Ahn, PhD demonstrated that oral bacteria composition can influence the development of oral and upper digestive track cancers, including cancers of the oral cavity, aesophagus, and pancreas. Changes to bacterial composition from heavy drinking potentially can contribute to periodontal disease, heart disease, and head and neck cancer as well, according to the authors.
How to brush your teeth newsletter:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste not only helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease, it can also prevent bad breath.
- Use a medium bristled toothbrush – to prevent damage to the enamel, only use a medium bristle toothbrush.
- Brush at a 45-degree angle – the angle of the brush is important; the toothbrush should be placed against the teeth at a 45-degree angle to the gum line.
- Use an electric Oral-B toothbrush. Hold it on your gums and do not sweep with it.
- Motion correctly – using short gentle back, forth, and small circular motions, all tooth surfaces will be gently brushed, avoid a sawing or scrubbing motion.
- Brush the tongue – use your toothbrush to clean your tongue or better still, a dedicated tongue cleaner.
- Keep the mouth clean after brushing – avoid eating for 30 minutes after brushing.
- Replace your toothbrush – at least every 3 months, as well as after any illness.
- Your dentist or hygienist can show you how best to brush your teeth and give you advice and support on having a good oral hygiene routine.
- If you are a parent, it is really important to start teaching your child oral hygiene habits as soon as their first baby teeth come through (usually around 6 months old).
- Children need to be supervised when they brush until the age of seven, to make sure they are brushing correctly, and for long enough
