Brite Dental – National Smile Month
Tuesday, May 16th, 2017
Here at Brite Dental, we are passionate about great oral health, and that’s why we are happy to support National Smile Month. From the 15th May-15th June 2017 dentists and orthodontists around the country, along with various other organisations, are placing a focus on the importance of oral hygiene and of taking great care of your teeth. It is the longest-running and largest campaign of its type in the UK.
The campaign has been running since 1977, and since that time is has continued to grow and gain more support. It was designed to improve communication between dentists and their patients, and to improve the oral health of the nation. The campaign has also expanded to the USA and makes a huge impact on social media. Over 60 million people took part worldwide in 2016.
Great dental health should always be a priority. Not only does it keep your smile looking great but it keeps your mouth healthy which can also affect your overall health. The campaign does vital work in encouraging people to keep up-to-date with regular dentist appointments. The old phrase ‘prevention is better than a cure’ is still true, and regular dentist visits can flag up any issues with your teeth and gums, so that they can be treated before progressing and causing further issues. The friendly and professional Brite team are on hand to book you an appointment to kick-start your National Smile Month.
As well as encouraging patients to see their dentist more often, the campaign also focuses on all-round dental health. One element of this is inspiring everyone to brush their teeth twice a day with a fluoride-based toothpaste, to fight tooth decay and minimise the need for dental treatments such as fillings. They encourage everyone to floss, and to try to stop smoking. Another element of the campaign is to get people to cut down on the amount of sugary foods and drinks they consume, a leading cause of tooth problems, and even tooth loss. The Brite group can help to give you other great tips, such as information about sugar-free options, when and how to brush your teeth, and what acidic foods to avoid.
National Smile Week also wants to educate the nation about good gum health. The campaign provides lots of information about how the health of your mouth and gums can affect your overall health, such as the link between unhealthy gums and strokes, heart disease, and diabetes. It is important to see your dentist if you notice any tell-tale symptoms such as inflammation, loose teeth, bad breath, or blood when you brush your teeth.
At Brite Dental, our friendly care team are always at hand to care for your dental needs, don’t wait until a problem arises, make your next dental check- up today and let us do what we can to identify and prevent any dental issues.
Signs You Should See Your Dentist
Monday, May 8th, 2017
Regular dental check-ups are vital for maintaining the best oral health. Your smile is one of the first things anyone notices, and keeping it healthy and beautiful is important. Small aches and pains may not appear serious, but with time they can progress, leading to serious problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. So, when you notice something wrong with your teeth or gums, make sure to book an appointment at the Brite group as soon as possible.
Another reason to see your dentist may be more psychological than physical. The appearance of your teeth, such as their colour or if they are uneven or crooked, may make you feel unhappy with how you look. The Brite team is on-hand to offer a range of cosmetic treatments that can help you to feel confident again. These include teeth whitening, dental implants, invisible braces and many more.
Even if you don’t have any current issues, regular check-ups are still really important. If you visit as much as your dentist thinks is necessary (this can vary from person to person, depending on your oral health) they can spot any potential problems early on, and can offer treatment to stop tooth decay or gum disease from progressing.
Tooth decay and gum disease can lead to serious issues if not treated. Without help from a dentist, these conditions will progress and worsen over time, until teeth become weak and loose. They may also cause you severe pain which can be eased with a dental visit. Acute conditions such as infections also need immediate treatment in order to keep your mouth in the best condition. Dental hygiene is important for staying in good health.
If you think you may have a cavity or a loose tooth filling, but you’re nervous about going to the dentist, don’t panic! Brite Dental has a friendly, qualified team that will help you to relax and make it through your appointment in a pain-free, calming environment. The Brite team will take time to evaluate your needs and will take into consideration the bigger picture, addressing any worries before treatment starts. Our experienced team will then put together an individualised treatment plan. So contact us today to book your next appointment.
How To Maintain Your Kid’s Oral Health
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017
As you get older you begin to realise how important your oral health is and often wish that you had taken better care of your teeth when you were younger. That is why it is important for you to be aware of how to provide your children with good dental care.
Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there! Many people are unaware that teeth are fully developed in your baby’s jaw at birth, which is why your focus should be on your baby’s gums for the first 6 months. You can look after your baby’s gums by using a clean, lukewarm washcloth to wipe bacteria off the gums a few times a day. When your baby’s first little teeth begin to appear, use a soft- bristled toothbrush and water to clean your baby’s teeth. By the time your child turns 2, you should begin teaching them how to spit after brushing to avoid them swallowing any plaque and to prepare them for spitting out their toothpaste. Ask your dentist when to introduce toothpaste to your child, this is normally when they are around two years old. You should use a pea sized amount of toothpaste that is low in fluoride.
Having regular dental check-ups will not only help identify any problems early but will also prevent the fear associated with dental visits. You can also help your infants learn that the dentist is not a figure to be afraid of by reading them child friendly dental books as this will give them a more positive view of going to the dentist. Parents can play a vital role in encouraging their child’s overall oral health.
When your child turns 3, you should teach them proper brushing techniques, we have all seen both children and adults vigorously brushing their teeth as quickly as they can. This is not a constructive method of brushing and can often lead to more damage than good. The toothbrush should be moved in a back- and- forth motion with short strokes along the teeth and gums. It is important to teach your child the correct brushing technique so that they can protect their gums and target the most bacteria as possible. Whilst brushing for 2 minutes is the recommended amount, this is not realistic for young children, so put emphasis on this to prolong the brushing process as much as possible.
Flossing is one of the most neglected components of oral hygiene, despite it being one of the most important. To set a good example for your child, you should adopt flossing in to your daily routine as this will prepare them for when their tooth surfaces are next to each other and they can start flossing themselves. Flossing should be adopted as a consistent dental care routine as using dental floss removes plaque and excess food particles that you may not be able to target with just your toothbrush.
Providing your children with good oral care will kick them off to a good start and increase their likeliness to establish the best dental habits. Thus, keeping them as healthy and happy as possible. At Brite Dental, we are part of the Childsmile programme, so register your little ones today!
Remove Your Wrinkles With Facial Aesthetics
Friday, March 24th, 2017
After you’ve attained a pearly white smile, why not continue your course of rejuvenation with first-rate facial aesthetics. Brite Dental offers an incredible range of facial aesthetic treatments to complement your dental makeover, with some of the quickest and most effective anti-wrinkle injections and dermal filler treatments around. Our treatments are performed by our highly-experienced practitioners utilising the best technology and tried and tested techniques. Our bespoke treatment options give you plenty of choice, whether you’re looking to smooth out lines and wrinkles, or add volume to more depressed areas of your face.
The tissues of your face are subject to daily stresses from a whole host of factors. Simple ageing effects can cause a build-up of lines and wrinkles, while sun exposure, poor nutrition decisions and smoking can exacerbate things further. Even simple things like smiling can cause lines and wrinkles to develop on the face prematurely. If you’re noticing your face is ageing faster than you’d like, facial aesthetic treatments are a great way of combating these effects in a fast, efficient and non-invasive way.
One of the most popular facial aesthetic treatments available at Brite Dental is anti-wrinkle injections. Millions of people across the world choose this non-invasive, non-surgical treatment every year to help reduce the visible signs of ageing. These gentle injections help reduce the severity of lines, creases and wrinkles caused by facial muscles. Each injection blocks nerve impulses, reducing overactive movement in the muscles that tend to cause these wrinkles. Treatments can take as little as 30 minutes, with quick and instant results that provide dramatic rejuvenation after your first course.
Lip fillers are becoming more and more popular with both men and women. Lips are some of the most prominent features of the face, so it pays to invest in their appearance. Lip fillers can enhance the natural shape and volume of the tissue, giving your face an instant lift. The process simple. One of our expert practitioners will inject dermal filler to the target area, then gently smooth out the material to provide your lips with natural plumpness and volume. Again, the treatment process is quick and easy, with most individual treatments taking as little as 30 minutes. An ideal choice if you’re looking for quick, easy and noticeable results with no downtime to your schedule.
Ready to discuss facial aesthetic treatments? Get in touch with the team at Brite Dental today to arrange your consultation. What’s more, our complimentary consultations provide you with plenty of insight when it comes to discussing what treatments are best suited to you and your individual needs. To speak to the team, call your nearest branch direct or drop us a message via the online enquiry form with your query.
Top Tips For Caring For Your Teeth
Monday, March 20th, 2017
Today is World Oral Health Day and Brite Dental have put together some useful tips to help you maintain good oral health.
It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least two times a day. Ideally do this first thing in the morning to eliminate bad breath, and then brush at night time before bed. This is particularly important as you produce less saliva during the night, leaving the mouth more at risk from decay. To ensure you do a thorough clean and remove plaque, you should brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. Make sure not to brush your teeth right after consuming sugary or acidic foods as sugar and acids weaken the enamel on your teeth, therefore brushing straight after can cause tiny particles of enamel to be brushed away. So, it is best to brush your teeth at least one hour after eating.
Every one’s mouth is different, at Brite Dental our care team can recommend the best toothbrush and toothpaste for you to use, as well as the best way to target the tricky areas between your teeth. Dental floss is an essential product that can help do just that. Flossing should be done once a day as it helps rid food particles that get trapped between your teeth. We also recommend that you use a fluoride toothpaste as fluoride can help your dental hygiene by strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay.
The most important way of controlling bad breath is with good brushing and flossing. Sugar free chewing gum and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash can also help eliminate bad breath. Chewing sugarless gum will not only keep your breath smelling fresh but it also promotes the production of salvia which acts as a natural defence against acid.
However, long term bad breath could be a potential symptom of a dental problem such as gum disease, so if you are concerned about this, you should ask the Brite Dental team for advice.
Diet can have a big impact on your oral health, there is no escaping the damage a poor diet can have on your teeth. Cutting down on sugary or acidic foods or drinks will decrease your chances of tooth decay and discolouration.
Our dentists are committed to the health and longevity of your teeth. We encourage you to pay close attention to your oral health and practice excellent maintenance habits to prevent future problems and address any existing damage. Get in touch today with your local Brite practice and our professional team will take good care of you and help you maintain optimal oral hygiene.
Wisdom Tooth Pain: Are Your Wisdom Teeth Causing You Bother?
Wednesday, January 18th, 2017
Unfortunately, for many teens and adults across the UK, wisdom teeth can cause a lot of pain and discomfort to every day life.
If you’re one the unlucky souls experiencing wisdom tooth pain, you should make an appointment with your dentist to get the issue solved quickly and effectively.
Upon booking an consultation with the Brite Dental team for any wisdom tooth pain you are experiencing, your appointed dentist will check the condition of your wisdom teeth and advise you on the best course of action to get the problem solved.
In most cases, a quick X-ray of your mouth will give a clear idea of which wisdom teeth need to be removed and which teeth can be attended to with more everyday remedies, like antibacterial mouthwashes and advanced teeth and gum cleaning.
To find out more about wisdom tooth extraction and the common issues that wisdom teeth can cause, please read the helpful information laid out below.
Wisdom teeth don’t always cause problems, as sometimes there will be enough space for them to come through in a convenient position.
However, for many, wisdom teeth can cause a lot of discomfort and they can cause severe dental problems further down the line. If a wisdom tooth is impacted and hasn’t fully broken through the gum, more serious complaints can fester. These include
Tooth decay
Gum disease
Pericoronitis (wisdom tooth infection)
Severe gum pain
In more extreme cases, a problematic wisdom tooth can trigger bacterial infections of the tongue, throat or cheek, while abscesses can form due to infection. In the rare case that a wisdom tooth hasn’t properly broken through the gum, cysts can form.
Avoid these painful risks by going for a regular dental check ups or contacting your dentist if any pain or swelling becomes apparent.
If you experiencing wisdom tooth pain, there are a few at-home steps you can take to minmise the discomfort.
Rinsing your mouth with warm water and a teaspoonful of salt will help ease gum soreness and inflammation. Rinsing with salt water several times a day will help target areas you cannot reach with your toothbrush.
To relieve pain you can also take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel this is necessary.
However, if the pain is on-going and only getting worse, it is highly recommended that you speak to your dentist and have the issue of wisdom tooth pain dealt with by a professional. One common treatment for alleviating wisdom tooth pain is wisdom tooth extraction.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a very common procedure that does not pose any significant health or safety risks. It is the process of removing the wisdom tooth (or teeth) that are causing you pain, freeing up space in your mouth for all of your teeth to sit comfortably and in-line with one another.
In most instances of wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will apply a local anaesthetic before moving on to the procedure itself.
If you’re having multiple or all your wisdom teeth removed, your dentist may use a stronger anaesthetic to ensure as little discomfort as possible during the procedure. For more anxious and nervous patients a sedative can be used to relax you.
Often, a small cut needs to be made into the gum tissue itself, freeing up the problem wisdom teeth for extraction. Particularly troublesome teeth may need to be broken up in to smaller pieces to ensure a total extraction.
Rest assured that your Brite Dental dentist will handle this procedure with as much care as possible and the long-term relieve will far outweigh any short term pain or fear.
Although many patients are reluctant to turn to their dentist for wisdom tooth extraction, the procedure is essential for ensuring optimum dental health.
When trapped or impacted teeth are removed, you’ll be able to chew more easily and alleviate yourself of the swelling and discomfort caused by erupting teeth.
What’s more, when wisdom teeth are left unchecked, they can damage the teeth immediately around them. These changes to your molars can become more noticeable over time and can lead to even more costly cosmetic procedures down the line.
If you’re suffering from on-going wisdom tooth pain, get in touch with the Brite Dental team today to discuss your options and book an appointment with our first-class clinical team.
Essential Dental Hygiene Tips For The Festive Period
Monday, December 12th, 2016
Even for those that maintain the most meticulous of dental hygiene routines, Christmas and the festive period can be a real challenge. You might be more concerned about what all those mince pies, turkey sandwiches and sugary sweets will be doing to your waistline, but one of your key concerns when it comes to your festive diet is in the impact it can have on your teeth. As you kick back and relax, your usual oral hygiene routine can fall behind schedule too, making those festive feasts all the more of a risk to a healthy smile.
The high-risk period between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day can really take its toll on your teeth and can leave lasting damage, from encouraging cavity formation, to contributing to tooth decay. Worse still, the height of the party season is one of the trickiest of times to track down a dentist should something more serious occur and you need emergency treatment pronto. To help safeguard your teeth against immediate and long-term dental problems, the Brite Team have put together an essential checklist for the Christmas break.
Any break from the usual routine can be an excuse to slack, but you should never cut corners when it comes to dental hygiene. Throughout the Christmas period, people tend to indulge. Although many expect to pile on a few pounds due to festive feasting, most overlook what that constant exposure to sugary and acidic foods is doing to their teeth. If you brush regularly after eating, bear in mind that you’ll need to work around mealtimes that are different from the usual. It’s also worth remembering that many of us celebrate the big day itself away from our own homes. If you’re heading to friends or family for your Christmas Day dinner, make sure you’re packing your toothbrush to fit in an essential bit of brushing maintenance after you’ve eaten your own body weight in turkey, sprouts and stuffing.
Our sugar intake shoots right up during the festive period due to all those sweet sauces, desserts and puddings. Even if you go easy on the pudding, the traditional main course itself is loaded up with things like cranberry sauce and other sugary condiments. Even the most harmless looking of ingredients can be seriously bad for your teeth. Don’t overlook how much sugar is packed into that dried fruit in your Christmas pudding, and keep an eye on the amount of sweetened soft drinks and alcoholic beverages you’re consuming.
Sometimes, the draw of a delicious trifle, pudding or mince pie is too much to resist. It’s fine to treat yourself during your Christmas break, but if you’re looking to cut out a few risk factors to your teeth, consider swapping out some of the sugar for other delicious alternatives. The humble cheese board is a stalwart of Christmas dinner tables and it’s a great go-to if you’re looking to indulge a little, without the worry of what you’re doing to your teeth.
Just a few little changes will ensure that your teeth emerge from December and into January with as clean a bill of health as possible. If you wish to discuss arranging a consultation with one of our dentists, or require more information about available dental treatments and plans, you can drop us a message via our online enquiry form. Prefer to speak to someone in person? Find the phone number of your nearest Brite Dental branch on our Contact page.
Straight Teeth Solutions At Brite Dental
Thursday, November 24th, 2016
Unlike what many people think, straightening teeth is not just about having a great, pearly white smile but also about ensuring your overall health and well-being. With the advancement in orthodontic treatment, technology and expertise as provided by Brite Dental you now have the option to enjoy straight teeth within a very short duration like 6 months or at an affordable cost but over a longer period.
If you’ve got gaps in your teeth, an overbite, underbite, crooked teeth, deep bite, crowded teeth or any other type of misaligned teeth, you may want to consider straightening your teeth. Crowded teeth can cause difficulty in brushing and flossing your teeth, leading to plaque build-up, which can eventually result in tooth decay. Also, a wide gap between your teeth can cause red and swollen gums that can lead to periodontal disease. Straightening your teeth ensures that your gum fits nicely around your teeth, creating a good defence against any type of periodontal disease.
Having straighter teeth comes with many advantages. When teeth are well aligned, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing a stronger defence thus, lessening the risks of acquiring various serious diseases or health issues. One of the major benefits associated with orthodontic treatment is the overall improvement in your appearance. A straighter smile can give you a more youthful appearance and help you gain self-confidence. Chewing your food and cleaning your teeth will also become easier.
Metal braces, which mainly comprise of wire and brackets is the traditional teeth straightening solution. More advanced options are Six Month Smiles, Inman Aligners and Invisalign Clear braces.
To choose the best solution for you, some of the key things to consider are pricing, visibility and duration of dental treatment. Metal braces are generally the cheaper option but it will be clear to all that you’re wearing braces since they are made of stainless steel and other metal components.
For a more discrete option, you can opt for braces that have brackets the colour of your teeth.
If it is just your front teeth that need to be aligned and you would like this done quickly then our Inman Aligner may be for you. This is a simple removable appliance that can fix your teeth straightening issue in a matter of weeks.
However, if you are looking for a non- invasive approach to transform your smile, then Invisalign could be your solution. Invisalign refers to a clear kind of brace that is easily removable for eating, flossing, drinking and brushing your teeth purposes. It is the best option if you desire complete invisibility of your braces and a truly short dental treatment that ranges from 6 to 12 months. Also, you enjoy comfort – there are no wires, no brackets and other fixed components to make you feel conscious of wearing braces or uncomfortable while talking.
To help you choose the best option based on your budget, needs and desires, speak to our professional care team at Brite Dental. We will listen to your needs and concerns to find out the best option for you. Simply give your local Brite practice a call or contact us via our online form.
How To Avoid Cavities
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016
Cavities are the most common problems dentists see. Left untreated they lead to tooth decay, gum disease or even health problems. At Brite Dental, we care that you have healthy teeth and a healthy smile so we’ve put together a few tips about cavities and how to avoid or treat them.
Tooth cavities simply mean holes in teeth. Our mouths are full of harmless bacteria but sometimes these attach themselves to the hard enamel surfaces of teeth and multiply rapidly. Once mixed with proteins in saliva, bacteria become the whitish plaque that we see around our teeth. If this isn’t removed the acid in it causes tooth decay, tooth cavities and gum disease as it dissolves your tooth enamel. Once tooth cavities have allowed bacteria access to the dentin inside your tooth, pain sets in and you will need a tooth filling to prevent further tooth decay or gum disease.
Gentle, but thorough brushing of your teeth and gums twice a day is your first line of defence against developing a tooth cavity or gum disease. Use gentle back and forth movements, remembering to brush your tongue as well. Daily flossing adds an extra level of defence against developing a cavity, letting you remove food particles your toothbrush couldn’t reach. Finish your dental routine with an antibacterial mouthwash. Designed to fight bacteria they also leave you with fresh smelling breath. Limiting your intake of sweet food and drink is also very important as sugars react with the bacteria in plaque producing the harmful acids that lead to tooth cavities. If you do indulge in a treat remember to brush afterwards. Finally, regular check-ups at Brite dental enable our team to deal with small problems before you need a tooth filling or suffer more serious damage to your teeth and gums.
There are four main stages to cavity treatment with the aim of dealing with it before further tooth decay and gum disease sets in. When a cavity first appears we offer advice on diet and a fluoride covering may be applied to the area. A tooth filling may be needed to remove the decay and the cavity left behind filled with a safe substance. Don’t worry, a tooth filling is always carried out under local anaesthetic. If your tooth cavities have spread into the pulp or centre of the tooth then this may need to be removed. This root canal treatment prevents further tooth decay and the risk of gum disease. If the damage is too severe for a tooth filling, then teeth may need to be removed. Our Brite team will advise on this and how missing teeth can be replaced with partial dentures, bridges or implants.
Remember regular check-ups at Brite Dental will ensure we get to problems before the pain starts, a tooth filling is needed or gum disease sets in. So what are you waiting for? Contact your local Brite Dental today and we can help you look after your smile.
Brite Futures – Action for Children
Friday, July 15th, 2016
Action for Children charity – has been supporting the UK’s most vulnerable and neglected children for over 145 years. This charity helps children and young people by providing successful fundraising events, running children’s centres and helping young people into education, training and employment. This is only a fraction of the fantastic work they do.
Annually they host a Woman of Influence award ceremony and this year this was held at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel where over 300 guests attended. The Brite Dental team were fortunate enough to be part of this year’s illustrious event, where influential women in Scotland are recognised for their outstanding contribution to our society.
Over £62,000 was raised at this year’s event with Brite Dental being one of the headline sponsors. Moreover, Brite Dental donated money for a trip to take 100 children and 53 parents from Clackmannanshire family centre to Auchingarrich. The trip is a great experience for the children to share with their family and for many, it will be their summer holiday. The outing will include a fun-filled day at Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre where there are a number of activities to keep the children amused and entertained. These include mini golf, indoor and outdoor play parks, tractors circuit and animal feeding. This gives these inner- city children a chance to experience life in the countryside and learn more about animals.
Team members from each of our practices will benefit from this experience as they will also be attending. Brite Dental would like to thank everyone for their support and involvement in making this possible for this honourable cause. The generosity of this donation will give the children the opportunity to create fond memories they will cherish forever.