Improvements That Straight Teeth Can Give You

Nearly no one is naturally gifted with straight teeth without the help of a dental intervention. This drives people to seek for orthodontic treatments that would transform the way they look and feel about their speech and smile.

orthodontic treatmentsVery few people are aware that straight teeth are more than just an aesthetic advantage. As much as they improve many physical aspects, they also help you attain better overall oral health. Here are some of the best dental rewards you will get after an orthodontic treatment.

A cleaner mouth

Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, driving people towards an improved oral hygiene. Most oral problems are consequences of bacteria accumulation that damages the tooth’s enamel and the neighbouring gums.

Healthier gums

Straight teeth help gums fit securely and correctly around the teeth, providing the best defence against the development of periodontal disease.

In contrast, overcrowded teeth or those that are spaced too far apart are susceptible to irritation and inflammation due to the abnormal orientation.

Minimised risk of pain and wear

Malocclusions, such as overbites and under-bites, can cause the teeth to wear unevenly. Consequently, a few teeth will suffer from excessive force involved in chewing and biting, which should have been distributed evenly among all the teeth.

The undue pressure and uneven wear can result in pain and alter the position of the mouth when chewing, leading to other problems, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. In other cases, the misalignment can also cause the (bone supporting the teeth) and the jaw to suffer from unnecessary stress.

With straight teeth, you can minimise and altogether avoid all these complications.

Improved self-esteem and cognition

In addition to a number of physical and physiological improvements, having straighter teeth also improves your mental health. Studies have shown people with appealing teeth tend to smile more. And the more you smile, the better you cope with anxiety, stress and other mental challenges.

Weybridge Orthodontics can fix crooked teeth with a range of treatments. As one of the biggest dental offices in South England, we will find the best solution to give you straighter, healthier-looking teeth. Contact us today for more information about the services we offer.

Better Smile = Better Quality of Life

Your smile is the first thing people see. Possessing an ideal set of pearly whites can affect an individual’s confidence and self-esteem, especially when dealing with others. An attractive set of teeth translates to a great smile while less than perfect teeth reveal otherwise.

orthodontic treatmentA number of patients with crooked, stained or crowned teeth visit the nearest dental clinic to seek help. Apart from health issues, they simply do not like what they see. While these are cosmetic issues, the underlying effects reach a deeper scale.

Lower self-esteem results in a poor image of oneself. This often results in cases of depression, which leads to a decline in your physical health and mental well-being.

Long-term effects of crooked teeth and poor oral health

Children with poor oral health experience teasing at school. The continuous teasing encourages children to avoid socialising with others due to their imperfect teeth. Some pupils refuse to attend school so as not to experience embarrassment, which affects their educational performance. The negative association with poor oral health follows them into adulthood.

Even adults experience embarrassment, refusing to smile with their crooked teeth. Low self-esteem triggers signs of depression because of isolation and self-hate due to an individual’s fear of ridicule.

The role of a good smile for better life quality

A great smile is essential for success through higher self-esteem. People with straighter and whiter teeth do not fear smiling more often due to their confidence. The boost in confidence that comes with a great smile increases your attractiveness to other people. With a great smile, you will not fear meeting other people or seek new business opportunities.

Increased confidence also opens numerous doors for you. Great teeth improve your chance of achieving financial and socialisation success.

Seeking help for your teeth

Fortunately, hope is not lost for those who wish for a straighter set of pearly whites. Seeking orthodontic treatment improves your physical and mental health. Dental clinics offer affordable and quality procedures to help you achieve the smile you have always wanted. In some circumstances, consider cosmetic dental treatments for whiter and brighter smiles.

Weybridge Orthodontics considers it a pleasure to help you achieve the perfect smile. Browse through our services and get in touch with us now.

Brace Face No More: Understanding the Invisalign Process

Invisalign paves the way towards dental modernisation through subtle teeth straightening without the obvious appearance of braces. While there are other options available for straightening needs, only Invisalign offers an unmatched level of convenience and comfort for users.

bracesThese transparent alignment trays are made from smooth invisible plastic users wear over their teeth. Once worn, these retainers will gradually shift teeth into place according to your Invisalign dental treatment plan. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign requires no metal brackets and twisted wires—just a clear mouthpiece over your teeth.

Hesitant to undergo the procedure? Here is what you need to know about the Invisalign process:

Specialised treatment for you

The first step towards a successful Invisalign journey begins at an examination in the dental clinic. The exams determine whether a patient is a good candidate for the procedure or not. Once the exam qualifies you, your dentist will take records of your teeth and face, including dental impressions and X-rays, and send the results to Invisalign. The company creates custom aligners designed according to your teeth’s structure.

How the treatment progresses

Once your treatment begins, you will wear a set of Invisalign trays for two weeks at a time. Each aligner is straighter than the previous tray, moving 1/10mm per tray. During each stage, only a particular set of teeth will move due to controlled force.

As you progress through a series of trays, your teeth move little by little. Every new tray puts additional pressure on your teeth to match the current mould of each new aligner.

During the process, your dentist will recommend occasional check-ups to monitor your progress and provide additional adjustments.

How long and How often FAQs

The treatment process depends on your case as determined by your Invisalign provider. An average Invisalign treatment takes about 12 months for adults; length of time for teenage patients varies per case.

Most dentists recommend wearing the aligners 20 to 22 hours per day for more effective results. Patients can only remove the aligners during meals, brushing and flossing. Dentists will schedule regular appointments to ensure treatment is progressing.

With Invisalign, you need not struggle with metal brackets and further twisting. Weybridge Orthodontics offers the Invisalign procedure to help you achieve that straight smile you have always wanted. Get in touch with us now.

Adult Orthodontics: Why It Is Never Too Late To Get Braces

“Metal teeth” and “silver smile” – these were just some of the associations people attached to braces. Over the last decade, however, dental brackets have considerably evolved.

metal bracesIn the past, adults with crooked teeth were under one of life’s worst predicaments. The emotional burden that accompanied defective dental appearance could not be solved by simply getting metal braces, because those, too, made a lot of people feel self-conscious about their smiles.

So people had two choices: to get treatment and endure the emotional discomfort that came with it, or to not get any at all and suffer from the humiliation for good.

But thankfully, technology has come through for mankind once again. With the advent of Incognito lingual braces, adults feel braver to finally receive the treatment they need.

How do they work?

Incognito braces are virtually invisible. This is due to their position, which is on the backside of your teeth. On the upper teeth, our orthodontics position them very high so as not to touch your tongue, and on the lower teeth, we set them very low, avoiding the tongue as well.

Although the procedure may sound extremely painful, patients feel little to no discomfort. The mouth gets used to feeling only a few weeks after the placement.

What makes them special?

In addition to being hidden, Incognito braces are custom-made to find a specific solution to one dental misalignment. Before manufacturing the actual braces, we will place a custom bracket on the tooth to identify and determine their ideal position.

What makes them the best choice for adults?

With Incognito braces and other advanced straighteners, being too old for braces have quickly become an outdated notion. Due to increased confidence from the braces’ invisible nature, adults feel more proactive about getting treatment for their teeth. As we know, an improved smile will bring physical and psychosocial benefits.

If you have been living with crooked teeth or a wrong bite, it is time to take a step towards a healthier better-looking smile. Contact Surrey Braces today and discover how our orthodontic treatments can transform your life.

Crooked Teeth Leads to More Serious Problems

Some people brush off their crooked teeth, thinking that it is better than having none at all. Contrary to popular opinion, having misaligned teeth may lead to more serious health problems if left alone. Here are some effects of having misaligned teeth:

Serious dental problems

gum diseasesCrooked teeth may lead to serious dental problems, such as plaque, tooth decay and gum diseases. As it is hard to brush and floss your teeth, bacteria may build up in areas that you cannot reach. Given that your teeth are not in their best position, constant chewing may build pressure on the wrong areas. These areas may wear out early and lead to cracked tooth or weak enamel, as well. Instead of paying for teeth alignment, you may end up spending more for restoring your teeth.

Trouble sleeping

Serious cases of teeth misalignment may lead to the development of sleep apnoea. It is a condition where a person experiences trouble in breathing whilst asleep. Your uneven teeth may block the airway, cut off your air supply and possibly threaten your life.

Eating problems

Misaligned teeth will make it hard for you to chew and digest food properly. They tend to produce unpleasant grating sounds while eating, which may be embarrassing and uncomfortable for you. Jaw pains due to crooked teeth will make you eat less and lose weight.

Speech impediments

One of the signs of misaligned teeth is having noticeable lisps or whistles when talking. Teeth play an important role in proper articulation of words. Misaligned teeth may affect the way you pronounce words and cause people to misunderstand or even ridicule you.

Headaches

Crooked teeth may give you headaches, as well. Uneven bites prevent your jaws from relaxing, which tightens the muscles up to the head. Excess lactic acid accumulates and goes up, thus causing pains in the head and shoulders.

Do not underestimate misaligned teeth. They may affect not only your health, but your finances, lifestyle, and confidence, as well. At Weybridge Orthodontics, we aim to treat teeth misalignments. Our array of products includes metal braces, mouthguards, removable aligners and retainers to accommodate people with different dental problems. Visit our office for more information on our products and services.

Bad Dental Habits You Have to Break

Good habits can be powerless under the stress of bad dental habits. They are harmful and can worsen your dental condition or even cause irreparable damage.

We want to help you dodge the damage. Ditch these bad dental habits for good teeth and optimal oral hygiene:

Not Brushing or Flossing Properly

Weybridge OrthodonticsYou may be brushing your teeth regularly, but you are probably not doing it right. You might also be ignoring flossing simply because it does not seem to be doing you any good. It is about time you take these two aspects of proper dental hygiene seriously to avoid plaque, tartar, and gum disease. It is important to brush twice a day (at the very least) and to floss as well.

Using a Hard-Bristled Toothbrush

Brushing too much and too hard can harm the teeth, especially for those with sensitive teeth and gums. Aggressive brushing using a hard-bristled toothbrush can increase sensitivity, and can expose the roots of the teeth, damage the enamel, and even push the gums back.

Using Teeth as Tools

Admit it, you have used your teeth to open a bag of crisps, to open a fizzy drink, to rip a price tag off, to uncap a jar, and even to straighten a bent fork tine. This can be traumatizing to your teeth and can even cause the edge to chip off or fracture. Avoid doing this and let tools to the dirty work instead.

Crunching and Sucking Ice

There is an odd satisfaction in sucking and crunching ice, but this odd habit can do your teeth harm. The cold and brittleness of the ice can fracture the teeth and crack the surface of the enamel. While crushed ice is less harmful, it can still trigger sensitivity and may eventually lead to bigger dental problems.

Grinding Your Teeth

Teeth grinding is a difficult habit to break. Usually caused by stress and anxiety, prolonged teeth grinding can cause an abnormal bite or crooked teeth. There are several ways out of this habit, but the most effective one, a solution our dentists also recommend, is using mouth guards at night.

Mouth guards protect your teeth from the damage that comes with bruxism, or teeth grinding. Athletes involved in extreme sports also use these for teeth and gum protection. Weybridge Orthodontics provides custom-made mouth guards especially fitted for you for maximum comfort and protection.

Book an appointment today and we will give you a solution that fits you best.

A Brief Description of Mouthguards

It is safe to assume that most sports people would love to play involve some form of contact. Nonetheless, physical activities always pose bodily harm and those who participate in such events must wear protection.

Surrey MouthguardsBoxers and others involved in fighting sports were the ones who wore mouthguards first, as these involved a lot of face hitting. Today, rugby, football and basketball players all use it to protect their mouth from damage through contact.

So, what do you actually avoid when you wear mouthguards?

  • Fracture – Dental fractures could be either a root fracture, broken tooth or a chipped Without protection, your teeth could chip due to continual impact and lead to bleeding.
  • Avulsion – If you will wear a mouthguard for one reason, it is avulsion. It means your tooth, including its root, from its position.
  • Luxation – When your tooth is still in its respective socket but feels that it out of place, which is luxation. It falls under two categories, extruded tooth and lateral displacement. The former means one of your teeth is longer because it is slightly out of its socket. The latter occurs when a tooth is pushed out of position.

Choosing a Mouthguard

Every dentist worth his or her salt will recommend you use a mouthguard when playing contact sport. It is just good sense to protect yourself from harm and costs of cosmetic dentistry if your oral state is compromised.

  • Stock Mouthguards – The most economical choice, but these offer the least amount of protection.
  • Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards – You are going to have to soak this mouthguard in hot water to make sure that it fits in your mouth snugly. These are a bit pricier because of their improved protective qualities.
  • Custom-Fit Mouthguards – Only dentists may provide custom-fit mouthguards.

Surrey Mouthguards are made in a professional laboratory based on our instructions. Contact us if you need a custom-fit mouthguard. Our staff can make an accurate impression of your teeth, making sure it fits on you and only you. We offer custom made mouthguards for Reeds Rugby club for £40-00, as well. It features your name and comes in Reeds Rugby colours.

Aesthetic Braces: 3 Alternatives to Metal Brackets

One of the most successful innovations in dentistry is the creation of cosmetic braces. For decades, people had no choice but to rely on unattractive braces with metal brackets and wires to correct their teeth. This significantly affected their self-confidence, and even prompted many to skip braces entirely.

Weybridge OrthodonticsNow, patients actually have a range of much more appealing orthodontic treatments at their disposal. While there are many kinds, you can generally sort them into three categories.

Clear Aligners

Aligners are the perfect blend of practicality and style, as you can remove them whenever you want. Invisalign is the most famous in this category, and countless people all over the world have experienced just how wonderful it is. Besides the almost undetectable appearance, a removable aligner also has a few other significant benefits:

  • Better oral hygiene – You can remove the aligner to brush your teeth and floss easily
  • Convenient eating – Meals are much more convenient, and there are no food restrictions
  • Flexibility – You can also take the aligner off when going to a social event or taking pictures

Not every orthodontic case is suitable for Invisalign or other clear aligner, but we can evaluate your condition to see if this is an option for you.

Tooth Coloured Brackets

The closest one to conventional braces on this list, options like Damon Clear have tooth-coloured brackets and wires that are difficult to see from a distance, giving you a more beautiful smile. An added bonus of the Damon System is that it is much more comfortable; the “passive” slide mechanism reduces friction, and allows your teeth to move more quickly – thereby reducing the treatment time.

Lingual Braces

Arguably the most discreet option, lingual braces are located directly behind your teeth, making it almost impossible for casual observers to see them. The Incognito™ Lingual Bracket System we offer is fully customised for each patient’s dental needs. It is suitable for all ages, so you can benefit from it, whether you are a working professional or a high school senior.

Weybridge Orthodontics is dedicated to giving you a beautiful, flawless smile through our state-of-the- art solutions. Do you want to learn more about the treatments we offer? Give us a call or email at any time, and let us schedule your free consultation.

Celebrate National Smile Month 2015

National Smile Month is upon us once more, and though we all had a great time celebrating it last year, we are looking to double efforts on spreading dental awareness for 2015. Just to provide a small recap, National Smile is the largest and longest running oral health campaign in the UK and attracts thousands of people every year.

Three Simple Points

dentistThe message of the campaign is simple and only has three main points; cut down on sugary food, brush twice a day, and visit your dentist regularly. Three simple things to remember that can do wonders for the improvement or maintenance of anyone’s oral health. So, why even bother with something like this if it is something anyone can do on their own?

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that these three things are never forgotten and continuously improve the nation’s dental health. Persistence is the name of the game in health educational campaigns and the hope is that constant lessons eventually turn into habits that parents pass onto their children.

Spread the Smile

The official duration of the campaign is from May 18 until June 18. We are encouraging everyone who knows about this effort to spread the word and apply the three messages into their own routine. This may be an initiative that only comes around once a year, but its effects can last a lifetime if practiced every day.

Even though everyone is more than happy to let people apply the message of National Smile Month in their lives, there are still so many things people can do to help the cause during this thirty-day period. There are posters, T-shirts, and CDs available that can help people learn about the importance of oral health and spread the information to their family and friends.

If you want to learn more about how to improve your own dental health, but cannot wait for the official start of National Smile Month to come around, contact us today. We dedicate all of our time to not only improving the oral health of our patients, but in educating them on how to maintain it as well.

The Culprits behind Crooked Teeth

Braces exist for one reason – and that is to correct the structure of a person’s teeth. In most cases, the need for orthodontics stems from crooked teeth. Once you notice misalignment, a visit to your orthodontist in Weybridge becomes necessary. But still, some people remain curious: what causes crooked teeth in the first place? It is time to find out here.

The Root Causes

orthodontist in WeybridgeIf we were to lump together the factors that cause teeth to look crooked, we will end up with two major categories: genetics and oral care habits. To further understand why this happens, it’s important to take a look at the two.

Genetics do have a role in the appearance of your teeth. Some people have naturally large teeth paired with a small jaw. Crowded teeth and incorrect jaw development may also prompt the need for orthodontic solutions later on. These hereditary factors are half of the reason you may have to wear braces.

The second category, oral care habits, is something you can address early on. Incorrect habits such as thumb sucking, reverse swallowing, and tongue thrusting could all affect the development of your teeth. These actions may gradually move some of your teeth. This shift from their supposed position prompts the other teeth to adjust, thus creating that crooked look.

The Solution

Having crooked teeth could lead to a series of serious health problems. Cleaning is more difficult with crooked teeth, thus making you prone to plaque and tartar buildup. Infections may also happen more easily in this case. As such, it is important to visit an orthodontist to know your options in correcting alignment.

At Weybridge Orthodontics, we straighten crooked teeth with the right solution. As one of the largest orthodontic practices in South England, we provide a wide range of treatments to crooked teeth. Whether through a removable appliance or Invisalign, our orthodontist in Weybridge will find a way to correct your dental problem. Contact us today for more information about what we offer.