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Even if you are very busy, a good oral care routine will only take a few minutes each day and you only need to put aside approximately one hour every six months for regular checkups and cleans. This simple routine will save you time and money in the longer term, preventing many common dental diseases.

If you are overdue for a checkup, why not get your dental health back on track this month by booking an appointment with us here at One Smile? We would love to see you and our dental team has some great tips on how to make your brushing and flossing routine quick and effective.

Dental implants are an advanced way to restore missing teeth, consisting of a small titanium post that artificially replaces a tooth root. The post is surgically inserted into the jaw where it bonds with the bone. During the second stage of treatment, an abutment is attached to the post and is used to support the replacement tooth. Dental implants are excellent for replacing single or multiple teeth with implant supported crowns, bridges and even full dentures. Often a full arch of teeth can be supported with as few as four dental implants using an advanced implant technique called All-on-Four.

Why Choose One Smile for This Treatment?

This is an extremely skilled procedure that requires meticulous planning to ensure you receive implant-supported teeth that not only look and feel good, but which are fully functional. One Smile is equipped with all the technology required to plan and place dental implants. We use computer-guided surgery to ensure each dental implant is optimally placed for long-term success. Using computer-guided surgery also ensures treatment is smoother and more comfortable for our patients. Our technology and skills allow us to carry out sophisticated treatments including bone grafting and sinus lifts that are frequently required for implant surgery.

Comfortable Dental Implant Treatment with Sedation Dentistry

Our custom-designed treatment rooms have built-in sedation equipment, ensuring even the most nervous person can comfortably receive dental implant treatment. Our compassionate and caring dental team will be there to look after you right throughout this treatment.

To find out more about dental implant treatment, why not book a consultation? You will learn everything you need to know about this treatment and how it could help you.

Tooth sensitivity is a common problem, but did you know winter weather can make it worse? Sometimes even breathing in the colder air can be painful. This is because your teeth contract when exposed to cold and which can eventually cause microfractures in your teeth, creating the same sensations you feel when eating ice cream. These tiny microfractures can expose the inner part of your tooth, just underneath your tooth enamel and which is called dentine. Dentine is actually quite porous because it consists of microscopic tubes that transmit sensations from the tooth surface to the nerve.

It’s important to discover why your tooth enamel may have become thinner and worn. Sometimes it’s due to drinking beverages that are extremely acidic and which can erode your enamel. Have you recently begun whitening your teeth? When used improperly tooth whitening agents can damage tooth enamel. Another cause of tooth sensitivity is clenching and grinding your teeth, a nocturnal habit that can cause terrific damage to your pearly whites.

Please come and visit us if you do experience tooth sensitivity.

Provided you have looked after your dental health your teeth should remain in great shape as you age. However, some dental conditions are more likely to occur with age, and which include the following:

Discoloured Teeth

Teeth naturally darken as you age, often because tooth enamel begins to thin, exposing more of the dentine underneath and which is naturally a darker colour. The process may be accelerated if you eat lots of highly acidic or sugary foods which can cause acid erosion.

Tooth Decay

Acid erosion and diet can also increase your risk of tooth decay, and as you get older, gum recession is more likely. Any exposed tooth roots are more prone to decay than your teeth because they lack a protective covering of enamel.

Gum Disease

Gum disease can occur at any age but is more prevalent as we get older. It can be caused or worsened by diseases including anaemia and diabetes, or by tobacco use.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, a condition called xerostomia can reduce saliva which has a protective effect on your dental health. It’s a frequent side-effect of medical treatments including chemotherapy or can be caused by medications.

Even if you do develop dental problems as you age, there are still plenty of things we can do to minimise the effects. Fluoride treatments and more frequent cleanings can help, or you might need to modify your lifestyle habits, for example quitting smoking or adjusting your diet.

of fresh fruits and vegetables and sugar-free dairy products like cheese and natural yoghurt that are high in calcium.

If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, then you can still indulge without harming your teeth. There are plenty of natural and artificial sugar substitutes.

Saccharin

Saccharin is between 300 and 400 times sweeter than table sugar and is added to products like chewing gum, drinks, sweets and jam. One disadvantage of saccharin is that it can leave a metallic aftertaste when used in high concentrations. There’s also the risk of allergic reactions in people with allergies to sulfa-derived drugs.

Polyols

These are sugar alcohols occurring naturally in foods like apples and berries and are considered a healthy source of sugar. However, when eaten in large amounts they can have a laxative effect.

Aspartame

Aspartame is approximately 200 times as sweet as table sugar and is often found in yoghurts, soft drinks and foods. It’s broken down entirely by the body into amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, and is generally safe for use. It’s not suitable for anyone with phenylketonuria, a condition that prevents the breakdown of phenylalanine.

In an uncertain world, there is one thing that you can control, and that is your preventative dental care routine. Practising good oral care is key to avoid emergency dental appointments for toothaches and other problems.

Tooth Brushing and Flossing

Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time, using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a head is small enough to reach right to the back of your mouth. Use dental floss or interdental brushes or a water pik to floss between your teeth every day.

Mouthwash

You don’t need to use mouthwash if you have a good brushing and flossing routine. However, if you want to use one, make sure it is alcohol-free and perhaps look for a brand that contains fluoride for additional protection.

Mouth Ulcers

Many people develop mouth ulcers and especially when under stress. Make a saltwater rinse by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and regularly use to help your mouth ulcers heal and to relieve discomfort. If your mouth ulcers persist for more than two weeks, contact us for help and information.

Snacking

Snacking can harm your dental health. Try to eat regular, balanced meals and if you do want a snack, enjoy it as part of your main meal. Good hydration is essential for oral health so make sure you drink plenty of water.

For decades it was thought that diseases affecting the mouth were completely separate from those affecting the body. However, we now know that oral health and particularly periodontal disease is closely connected to systemic health. Periodontal disease or gum disease is now linked to serious systemic conditions including Type II diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease amongst others. It can also adversely affect pregnancy.

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition affecting the tissues surrounding teeth and which occurs when bacteria in the mouth build up in dental plaque, usually because of poor oral hygiene. The body’s inflammatory response to this bacterial buildup can destroy the tissues around your teeth, eventually leading to tooth loss. There are several stages of periodontal disease, ranging from reversible gingivitis to chronic periodontitis.

One of the most common symptoms of periodontal disease is bleeding gums, and these open wounds allow bacteria in the mouth to enter the body. Once these bacteria get into the bloodstream, they can travel virtually anywhere, and oral bacteria have been found in arteries of patients with cardiovascular disease. Periodontal disease can make conditions like diabetes harder to control and may increase the chances of developing Type II diabetes.

The good news is that periodontal disease is avoidable with good oral hygiene to reduce plaque buildup. Regular dental visits allow us to detect signs of this disease early when it is still reversible.

We know dental emergencies can be painful and often frightening, but we are here to help and make every effort to see people in discomfort or pain quickly. Some situations are more urgent than others, for example:

• Severe toothache
• Gum or facial swelling near the affected tooth
• Jaw injuries
• Knocking out or loosening a permanent tooth
• Bleeding that fails to stop after applying gentle pressure for fifteen minutes

If you do lose a tooth, store it in a little milk and come and see us immediately as we might be able to save the tooth. Swelling affecting your mouth or face can be relieved using a warm saltwater rinse made by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a mug of water. However, you must still see a dentist urgently as you could have a severe infection that may even become life-threatening. If you are stuck and in need please visit Dentist Midland.

Other situations might be unpleasant, but may not need emergency dental care and include:

• Losing a filling or crown
• Cracking or breaking a tooth where there isn’t severe pain
• Food trapped between teeth
• Damaging or breaking braces, a retainer or nightguard

We are still open for dental emergencies. Contact us for more detailed advice over the phone, and we can get you booked in to see our dentist.

Every March the world celebrates Oral Health Day and this March it falls on the 20^th. We think it’s an excellent opportunity for all of our lovely patients to think about their oral health for a moment and to consider if it could be improved. During this month, our dental team here at One Smile have all pledged to inspire our patients to take the best possible care of their oral health, although this is something we strive to do year-round!

Why is Good Dental Health Important?

Every day your mouth must do amazing things, letting you bite and chew a variety of foods comfortably, allowing you to talk and smile with others, hopefully with the confidence of knowing your teeth look their best. Unfortunately, many people do not enjoy good oral health and have problems like gum disease and tooth decay which can be easily avoided with the proper oral care. Having excellent oral health also protects your overall health, reducing your risk of developing serious health problems that include diabetes and heart disease.

We’d like to encourage you to book your dental checkup and hygiene appointment with us here at One Smile, whether you need to visit us this month or later in the year. Our caring dental team can help you manage your oral health effectively so you can maintain a healthy smile more easily year-round.

An Easter egg hunt is a very traditional part of any Easter celebration, but planning the perfect hunt takes a bit of thought.

Hide Craft Eggs or Chocolate Eggs?

Instead of hiding chocolate eggs this year that are quickly melted or squished or eaten by the family dog, why not hide colourful craft eggs or Easter themed knickknacks? These can always be swapped later for chocolate eggs or other Easter goodies.

Decorating Real Eggs

Get the kids involved with decorating real eggs. First, prepare the eggs by making a tiny hole either end to drain out the white and yolk. Real eggs can be decorated in numerous ways by being painted, dyed or with wax.

Making Age-Appropriate Clues

When planning your Easter egg hunt, make sure any clues are age-appropriate, for example, a picture of the hiding place is all that’s needed for little bunnies while older children can cope with more challenging clues.

Make a Note of Where You’ve Hidden the Eggs

It’s worth making a note of where you have hidden the eggs to make sure they are all retrieved. It’s surprisingly easy to forget!

Set Boundaries

Before beginning your Easter egg hunt, make sure your children know where they can go and which areas are out of bounds, so everyone stays safe.