Update | Ashford Dental

Telegraph article on tooth decay

Below is a summary of an article recently published in the telegraph. There have been several reports across the times, and the daily mail relating to this. The telegraph report is as follows.

“Almost 26,000 primary school children were treated for tooth decay in the past year, making it the most common reason youngsters are admitted to hospital, research shows.Nearly 500 children aged five to nine were hospitalised due to rotten teeth each week in 2013-14.”

This leads to many children having as many as 10 or more deciduous (baby) teeth removed at a time and in some cases having to undergo general anaesthetic. These reports have called for a reduction of sugary drinks and fruit juice being given to children. Some have called for a ban on sugary drinks in schools to reduce these numbers.

“The number of hospital admissions for five to nine-year-olds with dental problems increased by more than 3000 in the just three years, from 22,574 in 2010-11 to 25,812 in 2013-14, according to the Health and Social Care Information Centre”.

This of course is quite a startling figure, as fillings in smaller children can be quite traumatic and the last o a dental phobia. Decay is caused by a high frequency of sugar intake. It is not the amount but the frequency, when you eat sugar you put your mouth in an acid state. Therefore demineralisation occurs, when this occurs regulary this causes more and more damage to the enamel. A comparison thats easy to understand is the effect of acid rain on statues and buildings. Over time as more and more rain permeates into the stone more and more is eroded off. This is similar in the structures of the teeth.

Once decay has progressed past the enamel into the soften dentine layer then we need to act before the tooth becomes sensitive and painful. Decay if untreated will eventually reach the pulp of the tooth, and aggrivate the nerve tissues within the tooth. This will then lead to infection, the options are then either Root Canal treatment or extraction of the tooth. We would all like to prevent the loss of a tooth or root canal treatment as it can be uncomfortable and costly. Tooth structures can be replaced but nothing is quite as well designed as your natural tooth.

This has led to a lot of debate to whether dentists should carry out more fillings during a patients childhood. However there is a line between what is clinically necessary and prevention. More information abouts the patients background itself may be needed to assess this. Every child should be assessed individually and treatment plans should be adapted to the childs circumstances and dental history, taking into account siblings and family members treatment history.

The full news story is here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10964323/Tooth-decay-is-the-biggest-cause-of-primary-school-children-being-hospitalised.html

Get Walking this Summer in Kent

East Kent Health trust are currently promoting walking to ensure a healthier life.

They state that research shows that walking could reduce your risk of getting heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Exercising regulary can help maintain a healthly weight and lower your blood pressure.

It can help reduce tension and stress, you get to meet new people and most importantly it is completely free.

There is no need to call and book, you simply just turn up and enjoy the fun.

For more information click here

or alternatively call

0800 8494000

and choose option 6

The below images highlight walks in the Ashford and Shepway areas.

Ashford borough council has also got involved as part of the change 4 life scheme offering useful advice into acheiving a healthier lifestyle.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay

Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or a cavity, is a disease where bacterial processes change carbohydrate like sugar in food left on teeth to acid that demineralises hard tooth structure (enamel,dentin, and cementum).[1] If demineralisation exceeds saliva and other remineralisation like from fluoride, these tissues progressively break down, producing dental caries (cavities, holes in the teeth). Two groups of bacteria are responsible for initiating caries: Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. If left untreated, the disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, infection, and, in severe cases, death.[2] Today, caries remains one of the most common diseases throughout the world. Cariology is the study of dental caries.

Below is a video showing decay progression in the teeth.

The presentation of caries is highly variable; however, the risk factors and stages of development are similar. Initially, it may appear as a small chalky area that may eventually develop into a large cavitation. Sometimes caries may be directly visible, however other methods of detection such as radiographs are used for less visible areas of teeth and to judge the extent of destruction. Lasers for detecting caries allow detection without radiation and now are being used for detection of interproximal decay (between the teeth). Disclosing solutions are also available that are used during tooth restoration to minimize the chance of the recurrence.

Tooth decay is caused by specific types of acid-producing bacteria that cause damage in the presence of fermentable carbohydrates such as sucrose, fructose, and glucose. The mineral content of teeth is sensitive to increases in acidity from the production of lactic acid. Specifically, a tooth (which is primarily mineral in content) is in a constant state of back-and-forth demineralization andremineralization between the tooth and surrounding saliva. For people who have little saliva, there also exists remineralization gel, especially due to radiation therapies which may destroy the salivary glands. These patients are particularly susceptible to dental caries. When the pH at the surface of the tooth drops below 5.5, demineralization proceeds faster than remineralization (meaning that there is a net loss of mineral structure on the tooth’s surface). Most foods are in this acidic range and without remineralization, this results in the ensuing decay. Depending on the extent of tooth destruction, various treatments can be used to restore teeth to proper form, function, and aesthetics, but there is no known method to regenerate large amounts of tooth structure, though stem cell related research suggests one possibility. Instead, dental health organizations advocate preventive and prophylactic measures, such as regular oral hygiene and dietary modifications, to avoid dental caries.

New Home Whitening Products Launched

Introducing Opalescence Go PF Hydrogen Peroxide 6%

A new product that we are currently stocking in our surgery is the Opalescence go home whitening kit. The trays are pre-lined with 6% PF Hydrogen Peroxide which is EU compliant.

They boast an UltraFit tray that shapes to the mouth and molds to the teeth. The tray is activated by heat and can be molded to the teeth in a matter of minutes. They believe it to be a more comfortable tooth whitening experience. This is especially true for those of us who hate the process of taking impressions of our teeth. Once the tray is molded to the teeth the gel starts working on whitening the teeth.
Therefore if you are interested book an appointment to discuss home whitening with us. Unfortunately these items are prescription only and you would need to be seen by a dentist first.

We are currently selling these at the introductory price of £90.00 per kit to our patients. (While stocks last)

The contents of each pack are as follows, you can use one daily or as needed but you should always consult your Dentist prior undergoing any form of Whitening.
10 x Upper Prefilled Trays
10 x Lower Prefilled Trays

The Opalescence leaflet used to promote this product states 10 good reasons to use their product:

They boast quick predictable results using their 6% hydrogen peroxide patented gel.
That to product is easy to use, with a short 30-90 minute application time.
Soft Ultrafit tray for a snug and comfortable fit.
The Opalescence gel contains potassium nitrate and fluoride. Potassium Nitrate has been shown in studies to reduce sensitivity whereas Fluoride has been shown in studies to reduce caries and strengthen enamel. Opalescence states that they help to improve the overall health of the teeth.
Boast a delicious mint flavor.
A box of 10 upper and 10 lower individually sealed trays giving flexibility of when you wish to whiten.
Single use and disposable, therefore more hygienic.
Ideal for travelling and topping up already bleached teeth.
No impression needed.
Opalescence state that they are a world leader in tooth whitening systems and they believe they are a professional and trusted brand that we can have confidence in.

How to use:
Please follow these simple instructions when using this Home Whitening systems.

Gingivitis to Periodontitis

The Progression of Gum Disease
In its earliest stages, gum disease is referred to as gingivitis inflammation of the gums. Every day a clear sticky film called plaque builds up on the surface of the tooth. Plaque is made up of bacteria and their secretions, and it is easily removed by proper brushing and flossing. However, if plaque is allowed to build up, then eventually the gum tissue in contact with the plaque becomes red and inflamed. You may have observed that sometimes your gums bleed when you brush your teeth. This is because of the inflammation, and is often the first sign that you have the earliest stages of periodontal disease. In most cases, a thorough professional cleaning from your dental professional, and more attention to brushing and flossing can reverse the inflammation and bleeding associated with gingivitis.

Treatment
Oral hygiene instruction brushing and flossing advise and the use of single tufted brushes
Disclosing to help you visualize
Routine visits with the hygienist or periodontist for scaling cleaning root debridement and maintenance.
The use of medication including antibiotic s both short and long term.
And regenerative surgical procedures.
Below is a video explaining Gingivitis.

What is Periodontitis? Periodontitis is the most serious of the periodontal diseases, commonly referred to as gum diseases. It is remarkably common in adults over the age of 35, with some sources estimating that up to one third of American adults (more than 50 million people) suffer from some form of periodontitis. Periodontitis is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults, and is particularly prevalent in smokers and those with complicating diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis. There are also some individuals who are genetically predisposed to developing this disease. Below are the stages of periodontal disease.

Periodontitis is the end result of a complex interaction between the bacteria (or plaque) that accumulates on tooth surfaces and your own body’s efforts to fight this bacterial infection. Everyone has bacteria in their mouth; if you follow normal oral hygiene procedures (brushing and flossing) and see your dentist regularly, under most circumstances these bacteria live in balance with your body’s defense mechanisms. However, if the bacteria build up on the tooth near the gums, and particularly if your body’s defense mechanisms are compromised, then an imbalance can arise and your gums will become red and inflamed. This inflammation, if left untreated, eventually results in damage to the ligaments and bone which hold your teeth in place, and in the worst cases can cause the teeth to become loose or to be lost.

We believe that prevention is better than cure. We hope to prevent our patients losing teeth if we can help it. Therefore we like to educate via our blog and in surgery so that our patients are aware that help is at hand.

Turning back the years..

Give yourself a treat this Easter with our Anti- Wrinkle Therapy

For a booking of 1 person the cost is £220.00 per vial for as many areas as possible.

We can reduce this fee for a party of 3 or more people to £150 per person.

Our resident dentist Roma Patel is fully qualified and registered to perform cosmetic anti-aging treatments. We like to provide a safe, comfortable environment for our patients so that you are in control of your treatment.

Roma conducted her training at the International Academy of Advanced Facial Aesthetics and regularly updates herself on the current procedures and trends.

http://www.iaafa.net/welcome.htm

She simply freezes the skin with a topical cream to minimize discomfort, and using the finest needles as well as a gentle technique, places injections.
Areas targeted are Frown lines, Crows feet, worry lines, High lip lines, chin area. The process is extremely relaxed, and providing you follow the aftercare advice you can resume your daily activities afterwards.

What is anti-wrinkle treatment?

We currently use Botulinum Toxin Type A for our anti-wrinkle therapy. This is a naturally occurring bacterial protein produced by Clostridium botulinum.

This is because the toxin blocks the junction between the nerves and muscle to prevent the release of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine. This temporarily prevents the muscles from contracting, This effect gradually wears off over time.

See the below diagram for further explanation.

The effects can start to take effect within 2 to 3 days, and can last about 4 months and sometimes more. It is recommended that re-treatment is not performed more often than every 3 months.

Other uses for botulinum within the dental surgery are as follows.

Migraine and other headache disorders, although the evidence is conflicting in this indication.
Grinding/Clenching (bruxism): by injecting the toxin into the muscles of mastication, such as the masseter
Temporal Mandibular joint (Jaw) pain disorders
Excessive salivation.
Reduction of the masseter muscle for decreasing the apparent size of the lower jaw.

What aftercare advice should I follow?

We recommend that following patients follow this aftercare advice.

For at least 4 hours after treatment:

Keep upright and do not bend excessively.

For 12 hours after treatment:

Avoid extreme expressions, alcohol and wearing make-up.

For 2 days after treatment:

Don’t rub or massage treated area. Gently pat skin dry with a soft towel after washing.

For 2 weeks after treatment:

Avoid strong sunlight and saunas.

Don’t have facials

What are the risks and possible side effects?

However unlikely all medicines come with a certain amount of risks and side effects so it is important information for us to provide our patients should the worst happen. If you are unsure or experience any problems then please also call the surgery.

You should seek urgent medical help if:

You have difficulties breathing, swallowing or speaking.
Your face swells or skin goes red or you get an itchy lumpy rash. This may mean you are having an allergic reaction to the product.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:

Very Common (affects more than 1 user in 10)

Redness,swelling, irritation, rash, itching, tingling , pain, discomfort, stinging or bruising at the site of the injection.
Headache.

Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100)

Tired eyes or dim vision, drooping of the upper eyelid, swelling of the eyelid, swelling of the eyelid, watering eyes, dry eye, twitching of muscles around the eye.
Facial paralysis.

Uncommon (affects 1 in 10 users in 1000)

Disturbed, blurred or double vision.
Dizziness.
Itching, rash.
Allergic reactions, see above.

Rare (affects 1 to 10 users in 10,000)

Itchy and lumpy rash
eye movement disorder.

This guidance states that usually the side effects occur within the first week and do not last long. If you experience these side effects for longer or completely different side effects than state then please consult your doctor and our practice.

The risk of side effects is increased with patients with swallowing disorders, certain neuromuscular disorders, pre- existing pulmonary problems or patients taking medications that can amplify the effect of the botulinum toxin . It is important to disclose all medical information to the clinician performing the treatment so that the risk can be assessed.

The clinician may wish the contact your doctor prior to treatment.

World Oral Health Day 20th March

World Oral Health Day on the 20th March

This day promotes Oral Health and serves to Celebrate the benefits that are involved with having good oral hygiene. This day reaches out to all: old, young, rich, poor and whichever race or religion you are. Poor oral health and oral disease is a global problem.
It is reported that 90% of people will suffer from some kind of oral health disease within their lifetime. Most of this can be prevented by early detection, screening, good oral health.
The WOHD website states that it is a day to do the activities that make you laugh sing and smile and We are not ones to disagree with tradition!!
Why not book in a check up or clean with your dentist today and celebrate with us?
http://www.worldoralhealthday.com/about-wohd/

There has also been a lot of publicity recently on how oral health can effect your general health. The British Dental Health Foundation has recently published this image.

They suggest problems could arise or made worse by poor dental health. The examples are heart disease, strokes, diabetes, giving birth to premature babies and lung disease, which is generally quite a frightening thought. They suggest these three simple methods to keeping your mouth healthy in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle.
http://www.dentalhealth.org

Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste
Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks
Visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend

We also have access to this education video through our guru software.

Fresher Breath This Valentines day

As Friday the 14th February rapidly approaches we at Ashford Dental Care would like to offer some advice how to make you extra kissable to your partner.

Bad breath can be caused by diabetes, bronchitis and other medical conditions. However the main cause of bad breath is the micro-organisms within the mouth. Once we have eaten and have a full stomach we never really consider what remnants of dinner and lunch are left behind in between our teeth.

Regular brushing and flossing can tackle most of the problem as well as a regular scale and polish. Here is a video link for flosssing instruction.

However many of us forget to clean something very obvious within the mouth, The Tongue.

The tongue is covered in many tiny bumps and pits, these provide the perfect habitat for all those nasty smelling micro-organisms to live in. One example is a fungus named Candida Albicans. This fungus species is also associated with Thrush so as you can imagine it is not something you want to be cultivating within your mouth.

These microorganisms produce sulphur compound gases such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide . Sulphur gases often smell like rotten eggs. If you can keep these pesky bugs to a minimum then this should improve your breathe.

Now to remove these bugs it might be worth investing in a tongue scraper. They are small and feature a plastic handle and a curved loop on the end. This curve allows the device to fit to the shape of your tongue, so that when you pull the scraper down the tongue it will scrape off the germs and bacteria. Alternatively you could use a wet toothbrush with no toothpaste however the shape of the brush and bristles are not designed for the texture and shape of the tongue, and you may only have a limited amount of success. Below is an image of a tongue scraper and how to use it. If your tongue is cut or sore, it is not wise to use the scraper until it is healed. There is no set amount of time for cleaning your tongue, just simply clean until you are satisfied.

Source: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/products/tongue-scrapers-really-help.htm

However if this makes no difference to your breathe it could be related to gum disease, cavities or a health condition. Therefore is it important to discuss this with your Dentist and Doctor and to have regular check ups.

Technology at Ashford Dental Care

State of the Art Equipment and Technology The Cerec SystemAn advanced CAD/CAM computerized system for the in-office fabrication of all dental restorations in a single visit.With the Cerec system we can create a permanent porcelain crowns, onlays and veneers in one office visit! Fewer office visits, less drilling, fewer injections and less time out of your hectic schedule. The Biolase Dental Laser; is used by us for a variety of treatment procedures. Many types of patient care are more patient friendly with a laser than with alternative traditional methods. We have devoted training time and expense to be able to bring you the many advantages of this exciting new technology. The dental laser uses a beam of light in place of a scalpel to perform delicate gum surgery. Benefits of the laser include less discomfort after surgery, virtually no bleeding and reduced risk of infection. Some minor procedures can actually be performed without anesthesia. Among other uses, laser surgery offers a patient- friendly approach to enhancing a smile by reshaping the gum lines. Lasers are also being used to speed up the bonding process. Digital OPG Ortho Pathopgraph An important tool to help us diagnose complicated oral health problems. Digital OPG technology generates a wide range of images of the head, teeth and airways in under one minute and also reduces radiation exposure to 20% of conventional imaging systems. The images allow us to detect oral abnormalities such as oral cysts and buried teeth. The Digital OPG images are also a perfect tool for treatment planning of other dental procedures such as dental implants and diagnosis of TMD. IntraOral Cameras Allow us the ability to share with you a tooth-by-tooth view of your dental health. This allows you to see problems such as worn-out, defective fillings, fractured teeth, decay, bleeding gums and plaque. . Computer imaging improves communication between you and your dentist by allowing both of you to visualize, evaluate and agree on treatment before you invest your time or money. By having the opportunity to see what we sees you can better discuss the treatment plan for restoring your mouth to optimal health The CASEY and GURU Patient Education System Interactive patient education systems specifically designed for the modern dental practice. Featuring full-motion video, 3-D graphics, computer animation and easily understandable narration Both the CASEY and GURU systems allows you to fully visualize our treatment plan and how you can obtain that healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. T Scan One of our newest and most exciting technologies is the T-Scan Computerized Occlusal Analysis System. This powerful diagnostic tool allows Dr. Patel to accurately measure occlusal timing and force. The T-Scan occlusal analyzer has met this challenge, and we are now able to effectively reduce the risk of:

Implant failure
Traumatized teeth
Severe gum recession
Tooth notching
TMJ discomfort
Unstable splints
Porcelain failure
Fractured teethThe heart of T-Scan technology is a disposable, extremely thin, flexible sensor. By biting and chewing against the sensor, a three dimensional view of your bite is displayed on our computer screen. We can then easily adjust the bite and check our work with the sensor. The process is repeated until the biting forces are equalized.Is an important tool to help us diagnose complicated oral health problems. Digital OPG technology generates a wide range of images of the head, teeth anActiveFolder

Air abrasion Air abrasion can help the dentist provide better care while providing you greater comfort during your visit. If the whine of the drill sets your nerves on edge, you may be an excellent candidate for air abrasion. This advanced new technique painlessly removes microscopic amounts of tooth decay, sparing healthy tooth structure in the process. A thin direct stream of aluminum oxide particles driven by compressed air at high velocity “blasts” away decay with virtually no loss of healthy tooth material.

Parking in Ashford Town – Ashford Dental Care

We all know that sometimes parking can be a problem, especially when you have somewhere to be.

We at Ashford Dental Care would like to help our patients as much as possible and reduce the headache and worry involved with finding us. Click our postcode to find us TN23 1JJ. In the event that Satellite navigation fails and cannot seem to find our road try TN23 1YB instead which is the postcode of County square the main shopping center.

We are located centrally on the upper high street next to the The Music shop, diagonally opposite Argos and opposite to The Royal Bank of Scotland and Ashford Sewing shop and in easy walking distance from most of the local car parks around and within the Town Center.

In an effort to make life easier for our patients and those visiting our practice, below is a map of the stores in Ashford in relation to parking and our practice. We have conducted our own research so that you can plan your visit. A map has been included below showing the nearest car parking opportunity available. We recommend you allocate more than your appointment time so you do not incur any charges in the unlikely event that the surgery is running unexpectedly late.

Below are the postcodes and the approximate rates, however I would suggest taking more change just in case the parking has increased since the time of this blog. The postcodes have been included so that satellite navigation systems can be used. However I cannot guarantee the accuracy of Sat Nav.

Your can also pay online or via your mobile. There are two different apps for this which can be downloaded to your mobile from the app store.

The first app is Parkmobile and this operates in the below locations in association with Ashford Borough Council . You can register your card and pay via the app or by calling the number and registering. The phone number is 020 3003 2523. They have locations both within car parks and on the road. However there is a no guarantee a space will be available.

There is also Ringo on 02030460010, an app is also available.

This only operates in the Park Mall Car Park, this is location 9232

Appointment lengths are approximately as follows-

Examination – 30- 40mins

Scale and Polish- 30- 40 mins.

Periodontal Consultation- 1 hour

Fillings and Restorative appointments- 1 hour and over depending on how much treatment is required this will be explained to you at your examination appointment.

The above all serves as a guideline so that you can plan your visit to us.

This information was correct on the 4/02/2014 however prices and time restrictions are subject to change,

Ashford Dental Care is not responsible for vehicles left in parking areas, and are left at your own risk.

Please check all signage, we would not want you to incur any penalty charges.

All information is provided by Ashford Borough Council or the NCP website and can be viewed on the links below.

http://www.ashford.gov.uk/ashford-town-parking

http://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park/car-parks/ashford-park-mall

http://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park/car-parks/ashford-county-square/