The effects of smoking on your teeth and mouth
While we are all aware of the negative impacts smoking can have on our health – how it can affect our teeth is not always common knowledge.
- Smoking can cause the teeth to become discoloured and stained due to the nicotine and tar found in cigarettes. Not only does this staining not look very nice, but the rough surface of the staining can encourage plaque which can damage the teeth.
- Gum disease. Studies have shown that smoking is one of the biggest risk factors in developing periodontal disease. Not only do smokers develop more plaque and tartar, they have a lack of oxygen in their blood stream meaning the periodontal tissues are more likely to be destructed.
- Tooth loss. Periodontal disease is a progressive disease that eventually leads to tooth loss. On average, smokers lose between 2-3 teeth every 10 years.
- Lack of healing. Another affect caused by a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream is reduced healing following dental procedures. The chemicals found in tobacco interfere with the healing process.
- Oral cancer. It is a well known fact that smoking increases the risk of developing oral cancer (as well as other cancers). Smoking is the main avoidable risk factor for head and neck cancers.
Giving up smoking is the best way to slow the progression of gum disease. Giving up is not easy and many people try and fail to do so. If you are struggling, then there are smoking cessation clinics which help you to kick the habit. Secondly, an effective oral hygiene routine is essential to slow the progression. Thirdly, regular check ups are important to make sure your teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks and throat are healthy.
To book an appointment, please call us on 01844 343381 or visit our dental practice in Princes Risborough, Bucks.
- We will always be honest. We believe that to give the best dental care we must always be honest to our patients. This has helped us to build a good level of trust with our patients as we always give realistic expectations and don’t promise outcomes that are not possible.
- We will always act in your best interests. We never do any treatment on our patients if we feel it is not in their best interests. This means that we will always put the health of the teeth first and will not propose treatment plans that will be detrimental to the teeth.
- We will always keep you involved in the decision making. We feel that our patients should be put first and have a right to make their own decisions.
- We will always listen and understand. We know that some of our patients are nervous and find coming to the dentist a big challenge. We are always here to listen to any concerns and proceed at a pace that suits them and makes them feel comfortable.
- We will always have a desire to learn. In an industry that is forever growing and changing we believe it is important to keep up to date with the latest techniques and keep moving forward.
Should I use Corsodyl mouthwash every day?
Corsodyl is a brand name for a range of products including toothpastes and mouthwashes. The adverts show the range of products that they offer and advise daily use to stop bleeding gums.
It is important, however, to be aware of the differences between the products in the Corsodyl range and be aware of how and when to use them. The two ranges are outlined below:
The ‘daily’ range – This range consists of the toothpastes and of the ‘daily’ mouthwash. These are designed for frequent/daily use. The toothpastes contain fluoride alongside other ingredients and are similar to other toothpaste brands. The mouthwash contains fluoride and a small amount of chlorhexidine digluconate (0.06%). These products are safe for everyday use.
The treatment range – this range consists of the original Corsodyl mouthwash (0.2%), and the Corsodyl gel (1%) which both contain a much higher percentage of chlorhexidine digluconate. These products are excellent treatments but are designed only for short term use. They can be used after extractions and surgical procedures, for mouth ulcers, or for gum conditions but only on your dentist’s recommendation. Prolonged use of these products can cause staining and discolouration of the teeth and tongue, and temporarily affect your sense of taste so we do not recommend daily use.
If you have already used the treatment products for a long time and are noticing staining, this can only be removed with a scale and polish from the hygienist.
To book an appointment, please call us on 01844 343381 or visit or dental centre in Princes Risborough, Bucks.
Seeing a dentist regularly is very important, we don’t just check your teeth! There are many things that we look for in your dental check up and the most important one is oral cancer. Oral cancer includes cancer of the tongue, floor of the mouth, throat lips & cheeks. It can be life threatening if not diagnosed early.
There are many different signs and symptoms of oral cancer including: swellings, red or white patches in the mouth, ulcers that don’t heal, difficulty chewing and swallowing and unexplained numbness. Oral cancer does not always give you pain or discomfort in the early stages, so it might be something that you are not aware of.
You are more likely to get oral cancer if you have a family history of it, if you smoke, drink or if you have excessive sun exposure. With that being said, 25% of oral cancers appear in people who do not smoke or drink alcohol, so it is still important to get checked.
If you would like to book an appointment, please call us on 01844343381 or visit our dental practice in Princes Risborough, Bucks. We see patients from Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Thame and the surrounding areas.
A big thank you to our patient who wrote about their smile journey with us.
“I just wanted to say thank you to everybody at Bank House Dental centre, especially Sanjay who has transformed my smile. I wanted to write about my journey to help others know what to expect if they are thinking about straightening their teeth.
I’d always been unhappy with my teeth, I had braces as a teenager but never wore my retainer and over the years my teeth moved back into their starting position – in fact I think they were even worse than before. I had always wanted to have them straightened again but was worried about the cost and felt too embarrassed to have braces in my 40’s so I kept putting it off. One day I was looking at the photos from my brothers wedding and thought enough is enough, I hated my smile and I had to get this problem sorted.
I contacted the Bank House Dental centre to enquire about tooth straightening and was pleased to hear they offered a free consultation. My consultation was very informative, and I quickly realised that orthodontics had changed since I was at school! Sanjay was not pushy and went through my options. There were a few options available to me, and I decided my preference was Invisalign – clear removable braces.
My second appointment was a more thorough check of my teeth. Sanjay had to make sure my teeth were healthy enough to be moved so he took X-rays, and some photos and impressions of the teeth. It was explained to me that this would be sent to the lab and my next appointment would be for a visualisation of my treatment plan.
My visualisation appointment was very helpful because I was able to see the way the braces would straighten my teeth step by step and even got to see the final result. I wasn’t expecting the result to be so good as I knew they would never be perfect, I just wanted to get started!
My next appointment was to fit the aligner. I had to have small tooth coloured bumps placed on the teeth, so the aligner could ‘hang on’ to something to enable it to guide the teeth into position. These felt a bit strange at first but were quite discreet and I got used to them quickly. I was told to wear the aligner all day except for eating and cleaning my teeth.
During the straightening journey I had to come in for checks every two weeks, so Sanjay make sure everything was on the right track and I was given new aligners each time. These appointments are quite short, and I was able to come in the evening, so my work wasn’t affected. I couldn’t believe it, but Sanjay was able to straighten my teeth in 12 weeks!
My final appointments – To finish the treatment, I needed to have a retainer made to keep my teeth in place – I’d learnt my lesson with this one! I had to have impressions and the retainer was fitted a few days later.
I am so glad I decided to straighten my teeth, it couldn’t have been easier, and I can’t believe I put it off for all those years. Most of my friends and family had no idea I was even wearing a brace – the aligners were completely clear and discreet. I would urge anybody considering straightening to go for a free consultation, you won’t regret it! It has been a month since I finished the treatment and I still can’t stop smiling! “
They may have fit when you first got them, but over time dentures can become unstable and uncomfortable. This is because our gums and bone structures change shape and shrink away which leads to the denture becoming loose.
Not only can this cause gum soreness and oral discomfort, but it has a big impact on the function of the teeth making eating a difficult task.
Sometimes the movement is so severe that the teeth can drop down when talking which can be obvious to others and cause embarrassment. They can also have a big effect on speech, causing lisping and whistling.
The good news is that a simple and safe procedure can stabilise them and help them stay put. The procedure involves placing some dental implants into the bone under local anaesthetic which once healed, will provide a sturdy base for the denture to ‘click’ into. You will then be able to eat comfortably again and smile with confidence.
We offer free consultations for dental implants and the procedure is carried out at our dental centre by our implant specialist, Dr. Sanjay Narda. If you are interested, please call on 01844 343381 to book an appointment or visit our dental centre in Princes Risborough. We see patients from Prince Risborough, High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Thame and the surrounding areas.
While pregnancy itself does not cause damage to your teeth, there are lots of factors that may have negative effects to your oral health. During pregnancy, the change in hormones changes the way your body reacts to plaque. This means you are more likely to experience gingivitis (bleeding gums) and have an increased risk of tooth decay.
Studies have also shown a link between periodontal disease and an increased chance of the baby being born prematurely with a low birth rate. There is an estimate that out of 100 premature births, 18 are triggered by periodontal disease.
Other ways pregnancy can affect your oral health:
- Morning sickness. Vomiting will increase the levels of acid in your mouth, and retching can put you off doing a thorough job with your toothbrush.
- Food cravings. If you are craving sugary foods during pregnancy, this will increase the probability of dental decay.
- Calcium and vitamin D deficiency. These are important for your growing baby’s teeth as well as yours. Some people can experience deficiencies while pregnant so eating a balanced diet containing these is recommended.
- Not keeping to dental appointments. Pregnancy can be a busy time as you prepare everything for the baby to arrive, you also have other medical appointments to attend and dental appointments can fall down the list. It is important to maintain regular check ups to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Be sure to let your dentist know if you are pregnant and keep up with your regular appointments. To book an appointment, please call on 01844 343381 or visit our dental practice in Princes Risborough. We see patients from High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Princes Risborough, Thame and the surrounding areas.
Many people are nervous of the dentist and there are many reasons why this may be. Sometimes it is due to a bad experience in the past, sometimes it is the fear of the unknown and other times it is just the smells and noises of a dental practice. Many people haven’t been to see a dentist for a long time and are afraid of what we might find!
Putting off going to the dentist will only make things worse. We are used to seeing nervous patients and pride ourselves on being a calm and patient dental practice where we truly understand all your needs.
Booking an appointment is the first step! We see many nervous patients so when you come for your first appointment, let us know and we can proceed at a pace that suits you. The first appointment is just an examination, so you don’t need to worry about any treatment at this stage. We can discuss any concerns that you have and give you a treatment plan, so you know exactly what to expect from each appointment.
If you are extremely anxious and need any big treatments, we can arrange an anaesthetist to come in and provide you with sedation. This can also be discussed at your first check-up appointment.
If you would like to book an appointment, please call us on 01844 343381. You can also visit our dental practice in Princes Risborough and speak to a member of our dental team about your fears. We see patients from Princes Risborough, High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Thame and the surrounding areas.
How would straighter teeth improve my oral health?
When your teeth are crooked or out of alignment, they are much harder for you to keep clean. The crowded areas are full of lots of little nooks where plaque and bacteria can hide, causing tartar build up and gum irritation. When this plaque and bacteria hang around for a while, the gums become red and start to bleed when brushed and over time can recede leaving your roots exposed.
Crooked teeth are also much more prone to staining. This is because you can’t reach into the difficult areas with your toothbrush. The staining is a problem, not only because of how it looks but because it creates a rough surface for plaque to stick to.
Short term orthodontics is a safe way to straighten teeth and is more affordable than long term orthodontics. We offer many different types of short term orthodontics from fixed tooth coloured braces, to the removable Inman Aligner, to something completely clear like Invisalign. The type you choose is dependant on price and suitability. For your peace of mind, we offer a free consultation for anybody wishing to discuss short term orthodontic treatments and have a smile gallery on our website showing a few of the treatments we have carried out.
To book an appointment, please call us on 01844 343381 or visit our dental centre in Princes Risborough. We see patients from Princes Risborough, Thame, Aylesbury, Wendover, High Wycombe and the surrounding areas.
Of course, there are some great NHS practices and for some, these are a good option. But the demand for private dentistry is increasing and there are many reasons why this is the case.
- Over the many years we have been here, we often have positive feedback about the longer treatment times in private dentistry. We don’t like to rush our treatments and we book as much time as we feel we need to do the best job. Another way that time is on our side is we have less of a wait for appointment times. The NHS is under a lot of strain which often leads to long waiting lists and appointments get very spread out. We like to ensure that you have the choice of appointment time and get you booked in as soon as possible.
- The NHS is quite limited with treatment options and work under three different price brackets. Sometimes this can mean that the treatment you want is unavailable to you or will come at an extra cost. We have a wide array of treatment options available to suit your requirements. We also offer dental implants, orthodontic treatments and cosmetic dentistry, so whatever you need for your perfect smile, we can offer it to you!
- At our dental practice, we only have one dentist, Dr. Sanjay Narda, and he has been here for over 12 years. This means you will have the same dentist each time you visit which gives you continuity and peace of mind.
- While there is no doubt that private dentistry can cost more than NHS dentistry, we offer payment plans to help you with the cost. We offer different dental monthly plans, such as Denplan and Smilecare, which cover you for anything from just your check ups and hygienist visits, right up to covering extractions and fillings. With orthodontic treatments, we allow you to pay a deposit and then pay as you go so you can pay an agreed amount each visit helping you spread the cost.
To book an appointment, please call us on 01844 343381 or visit our dental practice in Princes Risborough. We see patients from Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Thame, Wendover and the surrounding areas.