Fresh Breath Clinic

 This appointment has been designed

will include:

• Assessment of your general health

• Assessment of factors that may

contribute towards halitosis

 (bad breath)

• Advice and recommendations on

your home care routine to promote

fresh breath

For more information, or to book an

 appointment

please contact the practice on 

01296 624163

Hygiene Polish

This appointment has been designed for anyone

who is concerned about unsightly tartar

(calculus) or staining on their teeth or those who

wish to have a ‘cosmetic’ scale and polish for a

special occasion; a wedding, holiday or just a

personal treat.

The Hygiene Polish Appointment Will Include:

§  Assessment of your general health

§  Scaling and/or polishing to remove unsightly

tartar (calculus) and staining from the tooth surface

§  Before and after photographs

§  You will also be advised of any concerns

identified during your appointment in relation to

dental diseases

For more information, or to book an appointment

contact the practice

on

01296 624163

NEW PATIENT/REGISTRATION APPOINTMENT 

                          USUAL PRICE               OFFER PRICE  

ADULT                   £130                                            £110

CHILD                      £50                                               £45

Valid until end of May 2010

TEETH WHITENING

                     USUAL PRICE                OFFER PRICE

INSURGERY           £450                                        £349

HOME KIT               £250                                          £199

DUAL KIT                £700                                        £548

 Valid until end of March 2010

 FREE GUM HEALTH SCREENING AND ADVICE 

A 30 minute appointment

For people who may be worried that they have gum disease

For a limited time only!

 For more information

contact us on 01296 624163

We Are Now Pleased To Offer Two New Hygiene Clinics At

Smile Design Dental Practice

FRESH BREATH CLINIC

Designed for people who have concerns or are seeking advice on good oral health and hygiene:    

Introductory Price                £45 for 30 minute appointment

HYGIENE POLISH     

Designed for those who would just like tartar and staining removed from their teeth.

Introductory Price           £45 for 30 minute appointment

for more information or to book an appointment

contact the practice 

on 01296 624163

Bacteria causing gum disease has been implemented in heart disease, diabetes, premature and low birth weight babies and miscarriage.  These are all serious conditions, which should obviously be prevented if possible.

Gum (periodontal) disease often goes undetected and many people don’t realise they are sufferers.

Periodontal Disease usually occurs in individuals that are susceptible to the bacteria, not as is commonly thought, in individuals that don’t look after their teeth.  Many people care for their teeth but unfortunately can still develop signs of gum disease.

We understand the gravity of the consequences of this disease and therefore are offering:

FREE GUM SCREENING APPOINTMENTS

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!

During these appointments the gum tissues will be checked advice given on how to treat the problem.  You will not be under any obligation to register as a patient at Smile Design Dental Practice.

Please contact the practice on 01296 624163 to make an appointment.

Clinical guidelines recently released by the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) emphasise the importance of periodontal health for people with diabetes, which affects about 246 million people worldwide.

World Diabetes Day (WDD) on November 14 shone a spotlight on the condition, with iconic buildings such as the London Eye, lit up with the blue WDD circle logo.

Founded by the IDF and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991, WDD aims to raise awareness of diabetes.  This year sees the first of a five year campaign addressing the growing need for diabetes education and prevention programmes.

The new IDF oral health clinical guidelines support research which suggests that the management of periodontal disease which affects the gums and other supporting tissues around the teeth can help reduce the risk of a person developing diabetes and can also help those with diabetes control their blood sugar levels.

The IDF guideline contains clinical recommendations on periodontal care, written in collaboration with the World Dental Federation (FDI).  These encourage health professionals to look out for symptoms of periodontal disease such as swollen or red gums, bleeding during tooth brushing and to educate patients with diabetes about the implications of the condition on oral health.

“Educating people about the risk factors of diabetes and promoting action to encourage early diagnosis, is vital in tackling the worldwide diabetes epidemic,” said Sir Michael Hirst, president elect of the IDF.

Samuel Low, associate dean and professor of periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, also emphasised prevention.

He said: “Everyone should maintain healthy teeth and gums to avoid periodontal disease, but people with diabetes should pay extra attention.”

“Periodontal disease triggers the body’s inflammatory responses, which can affect insulin sensitivity and ultimately lead to unhealthy blood sugar levels.  Establishing routine periodontal care is one way to help keep diabetes under control.”

He added: “I know that these clinical recommendations will be helpful for those professionals who work with and treat people with diabetes.  I also encourage the medical and dental communities to work together to provide the best possible care for our patients.”

In the UK alone, diabetic diagnosis has increased from 1.4 million in 1996, to 2.5 million in 2008.  By 2025, there are predicted to be more than four million people with diabetes in the UK.  It also is estimated that there are around half a million people currently living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in the UK.

Viggo Mortensen is UK and Ireland vice president of global healthcare company, Novo Nordisk, which help sponsor WDD.  He said “As a world leader in diabetes care, we are truly committed to defeating this disease.  Promoting greater awareness of the risk factors for diabetes and encouraging best practice sharing in diabetes prevention and management is key to achieving this.”

Article from the Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition November 30 – December 6, 2009

GUM DISEASE

It has long been known that the bacteria that cause gum disease are extremely potent and pathogenic. It is also known that the bacteria can be passed from person to person via contact and sharing food and drink. This does not mean that if bacteria are passed on that the recipient would then develop the disease.

There needs to be the correct oral environment coupled with susceptibility to the disease. Progression and treatment of the disease is then further affected by modifying factors such as smoking, type 1 and 2 diabetes, other immunosuppressive conditions, conditions and/or medications which interfere with a person’s ability to perform acceptable plaque control or reduce their body defences against infection.

Gingivitis (gum inflammation) is the first response of the gum tissue to plaque and aggravating factors. This can be simply treated by removing the plaque and giving oral hygiene instruction to ensure that the condition does not occur again. The presence of gingivitis does not mean that the person will necessarily develop gum disease, there needs to be susceptibility, the correct bacteria and the above modifying factors.

Gum disease is mainly characterised by loss of attachment of gum tissue, loss of bone and eventually loss of teeth.

Gum disease can be present without the presence of gingivitis. Treatment of gum disease therefore differs greatly from a general scale and polish. Those of you that have undergone treatment for gum disease at the practice will be aware of this.

In order that we may be able to be more accurate in predicting progression of the disease and specific bacteria in the oral environment and treatment we now have diagnostic tools available to us.

DENTALYSE

PATHOGEN TESTING - we can now identify specific bacteria in the mouth that cause gum disease and treat them according to their pathogenicity. Antibiotics specific to these bacteria can be used alongside the correct treatment modalities. The test is carried out before and after treatment. The test after treatment will determine whether all of the harmful bacteria have been removed. The test can be site specific or can be carried for the whole mouth.

This test will be suggested for those people that have localised deep gum pockets or gum pockets that are not resolving with conventional treatments.

GENOTYPE TESTING- Everyone’s immune system is different; some people are more susceptible to bone loss that others. The immune system of susceptible people typically shows higher levels of inflammation leading to destruction of gum and bone tissues. We are now able to identify susceptible people by detecting the differences in their immune system before any other signs are visible. The effects of these immune differences are dramatically increased in high risk people such as smokers and those with particular medical conditions.

We will be using the genotype test on all potential implant patients to give an idea of healing capacity, healing time and to determine whether they will be at risk of losing the implant. It may also be used if patients with gum disease want to find out about susceptibility for their children or partners.

INFORM DENTAL

This is a process by which we can refer patients in the red category, high risk zone for gum disease to a specialist. There is a shortage of gum specialists in this country and the general dental council (GDC) states that all patients in the above category need to be assessed by a gum specialist. This means that patients may need to travel far and pay large sums of money to a specialist for this service. A typical consultation charge for a periodontist is £250 and treatment sessions can range from £250- £500.

Smile Design Dental Practice is one of the pilot practices for Inform Dental, an on-line referral site which gives us access to the expertise of a gum specialist, Dr Richard Snoad. Inform Dental has been approved by the GDC and Dental Protection. Carole Brennan and Dr Komal Suri have had specific training by Dr Snoad so that gum measurements taken at the practice are calibrated with him and are accurate.

Information gathered in an appointment at the practice, measurements, plaster models of the teeth, photos and x-rays, will be sent to Dr Snoad who will be responsible for creating the correct treatment plan for that patient. Treatment will be carried out at the practice by Carole Brennan and will be overseen by Dr Snoad. The patient will get a pack unique to their condition and treatment. You will also be able to access your own diagnosis, treatment plan and home care instructions on the Inform Dental website by using your patient number which will be assigned to you. All correspondence is confidential and cannot be accessed by anyone else.

Patients that we find are in the red high risk zone or the amber zone with modifying factors will be referred by this method to Richard Snoad in accordance with GDC guidelines. The price for the referral will be £150. Treatment session prices will not vary from our current periodontal therapy prices which are £145 per session.

Please contact the practice on 01296 624163 if you would like more information or to book an appointment.

Cavities are the de-mineralized areas, or holes, that form in teeth as a result of a bacterial infection, this decay is also known as dental caries. The infection takes place when acid-producing bacteria replace the normal healthy bacteria in the mouth. 

Two main things are responsible for this shift in bacteria:

1.         Prolonged acidic (low pH) environment in the mouth: made worse by a lack of saliva, or a sugary/acidic diet that favors acid-producing bacteria

2.         Transmission: dental decay can be passed from person to person through exchange of saliva.

PREVENTION VS REPAIR

‘Drilling and filling’ has been the traditional method of treating cavities, but it doesn’t treat the bacterial infection, just the symptoms.  Brushing and flossing have been the usual method of prevention, but they do not change the pH (acidity) of the mouth or treat the infection once it is there.

Here at Smile Design Dental Practice we try to be at the forefront of dental technology and have made available several products that treat the cause of decay rather than wait until the damage is done – preventing rather than repairing tooth decay. So for less than the cost of one new filling you can reduce your risk of needing more fillings in the future.

What can you do to stop getting decay?

If you have a high risk of getting further decay there are several things you can do and several treatments we can offer:

1.         Try to limit both your intake of sugary/carbohydrate containing items in your diet, also reduce non-sugar containing acidic beverages (i.e. fizzy drinks, coffee, tea, sparkling water, and alcohol) especially between meals.

2.         Consider the acidity (pH) of the dental products you are using. The latest mouth rinses now available at reception can neutralize the acid (decay) causing bacteria.

3.         Fluoride in toothpaste is important, to remineralize (repair the damage done by decay) your enamel and make it stronger. Toothpastes with a higher concentration of fluoride are available at reception for anyone over 10 years of age.

4.         Chew Xylitol chewing gum (or use Xylitol containing gums, mints, rinses, or toothpastes) after and between meals. Xylitol is a very effective at limiting the acid produced by bacteria, and it makes fluoride more effective.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a 5-carbon sugar that is commonly found in birch tree sap and naturally occurs in some fruits and vegetables.  Xylitol works to prevent cavities in a number of ways:

·         Bacteria cannot break down Xylitol into acid as they do from all other sugars

·         Xylitol helps prevent the bacteria from sticking to the tooth enamel, which prevents them from breeding.

·         Xylitol, used with fluoride, can be more effective at repairing the damage done to teeth from decay than fluoride alone.

·                    Xylitol actually works to control the number of acid-producing bacteria in the mouth, which can in turn prevent cavities, and is available in many forms; from gums and mints to toothpastes and mouth rinses.

What treatments can we offer to stop you getting decay

      ·         Remove decay and fill the affected teeth

·         Apply fissure sealants (clear plastic coatings) on vulnerable teeth

·         Apply Fluoride Varnish where indicated (this is especially effective for children)

The CariFree Treatment System

      ·         CariFree Treatment Rinse (twice a day for 1 month)

·         CariFree Maintenance Rinse, higher concentration Fluoride Toothpaste, CariFree Toothpaste, Xylitol chewing gum

What is the CariFree Treatment Rinse?

CariFree Treatment Rinse is designed to treat the cavity-causing plaque bacteria biofilm, reduce the overpopulation of cavity-causing bacteria, and neutralize decay-causing acids. It contains both Xylitol and Fluoride. It also freshens breath. It can be used by anyone over 10 for 1 month.

What is the CariFree Maintenance Rinse?

CariFree Maintenance Rinse is designed to be used following the Treatment Rinse. It promotes healthy bacterial growth and limits the growth of decay-causing strains.  It is alcohol free and again combines fluoride and xylitol to neutralize cavity-causing acids. It is non-staining, does not alter taste and contains green tea and cranberry extracts.

                                            For more information contact the practice on 01296 624163

                                                                 or go to: www.carifree.com

Traditionally mouth cancer has been associated with older males who use tobacco and alcohol, but an increasing number of people developing this deadly and disfiguring disease are younger males and females who do not use tobacco and alcohol. One reason for this trend is that mouth cancer is now known to be caused by exposure to the sexually-transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV). This means that anyone who is sexually active is at risk from mouth cancer.

You can reduce the risk of developing oral cancer by:

1. Not using tobacco. Not using tobacco is the single most important thing you can do to avoid oral cancer

2. Reduce excessive consumption of alcohol.  More than 15 alcoholic beverages a week may put you at greater risk of developing mouth cancer. If you must drink, do so in moderation.

3.  Reduce or stop the combined use of tobacco and alcohol. Using both tobacco and alcohol significantly increases the risk of developing oral cancer.

4. Excessive exposure to the sun. Unprotected exposure to the sun increases your risk of developing lip cancer. Use at least SPF30 sun block for your lips

5. Avoid the use of betel nut and bedis. Betel nut and bedis are causative agents for  oral cancer when chewed of smoked.

6. Eat a healthy well balanced diet. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables contains protective nutrients, reducing the risks of developing a variety of diseases including oral cancer.

The key to controlling mouth cancer is early detection.

Until recently, the primary method of detecting oral cancer has been by visual screening that relies on the naked eye of the clinician. Unfortunately, mouth cancer is often only apparent under these conditions at the later stages of the development of the disease. However, with new breakthroughs in technology, there is now a product called the VELscope Oral Cancer Screening System.    

Smile Design Dental Practice are the proud owners of the VELscope Oral Cancer Screening System

Through the use of light shining through the tissues Velscope assists in the detection of abnormal areas, including pre cancerous lesions that may not be apparent to the naked eye.

All patients attending Smile Design Dental Practice benefit from having the VELscope Oral Cancer Screening System incorporated into their Comprehensive Care appointments. 

The screening examination involves shining a safe blue light into the mouth. When viewed through special filters, abnormal tissue will appear as an irregular, dark area that stands out against the otherwise fluorescent green of the surrounding healthy tissue. In most cases the VELscope exam will indicate that there is nothing to worry about.

 If there is an area of potential concern, patient can be referred to the appropriate specialist for an accurate diagnosis at a considerably earlier moment in time.

Fortunately, the survival rate for oral cancer discovered in the early stages is extremely high.

That is why it is recommended that people should have an oral cancer screening once a year, or twice a year if you smoke or chew tobacco, and it is for this reason that we at Smile Design Dental Practice have invested in this technology. 

By promoting the early detection of oral cancer, it is hoped that the current mortality rate of this dreadful disease can be considerably improved.

Want to know more, then visit:

www.canceradvice,.co.uk

www.MouthCancerFoundation.org

www.rdoc.org.uk

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/oral-cancer

www.info.cancerresearch./org

The new guidance, arrived at following a comprehensive analysis and review of all published evidence, now states that antimicrobial prophylaxis is no longer considered necessary for any patients at risk of developing infective endocarditis when undergoing dental procedures.

This means that for patients that have heart murmurs, antibiotics are no longer necessary. However I fully understand if those patients who have taken antibiotics in the past want to continue. Dr Suri will be more than happy to discuss this with you when you attend the practice again.

The only cases that antibiotic prophylaxis is still necessary are within six months of a joint replacement.