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A chipped tooth can cause problems and especially if it is highly visible or is causing sensitivity. When you damage a tooth, it is essential to see a dentist and to have it professionally treated even if the damage seems minor because otherwise, it could cause issues later on. Usually, your tooth is protected by a tough outer layer of enamel, but any damage allows mouth bacteria to get into the softer, inner part of the tooth where they can cause infection and decay.

How Are Chipped Teeth Mended?

Often, mending a chipped tooth is very quick and easy and will eliminate any problems with tooth sensitivity. Small chips and cracks are mended with tooth-coloured composite resin that is bonded directly to the tooth surface and which is shaped and polished, so it looks just like your real tooth. If the damage is more substantial, you might need a dental crown that covers up the tooth entirely, protecting it and restoring its appearance and function.

It’s true as your dental needs change over time. For example, when treating children, we focus on preventative care because it’s important to make sure children grow up knowing how to care for their teeth and why good dental care is so important. This preventative theme continues when they are teenagers, focusing on protecting their teeth as they grow into adulthood. During their teenage years, we can also assess them to see if orthodontics is appropriate.

When treating adult patients aged 18 to 65, we still focus on preventative dentistry but also check for issues such as gum disease, tooth sensitivity and problems like teeth grinding and sleep apnoea. Also, any restorations are carefully inspected at every appointment to make sure they are still in good condition. As adults get older, good dental care becomes even more crucial and can help avoid common problems such as tooth loss.

Here at One Smile, we work with all age groups and will devise a treatment plan based on your specific dental needs. The treatment plan considers various factors including your age, dental health and medical health. We aim to ensure you enjoy optimal oral health for life.

You want your teeth to look their sparkling best but how often do you consider your gum health? In fact, healthy gums are essential for protecting your dental health. A common problem is gum disease.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection that occurs when you fail to remove plaque through proper brushing and flossing. The bacteria in plaque will gradually infect and inflame your gums, and without treatment can eventually cause tooth loss. The early stages of gum disease, called gingivitis, often create few if any symptoms and little pain, so you may be unaware you have this problem. One of the first signs is bleeding gums when you brush or floss.

The good news is that you can improve your gum health by ensuring you brush each day thoroughly. When brushing your teeth, hold your toothbrush at a 45° angle towards your gum line and use short strokes to clean all tooth surfaces gently. Don’t forget to floss once a day because your toothbrush cannot reach all tooth surfaces.

Lastly, regular check-ups and hygiene appointments are essential for maintaining healthy gums. If you do have any early signs of gum disease, we can use the very best periodontal or gum treatments to improve and restore your oral health.

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.