The Problems Caused by Malocclusion

How well do your teeth fit together? There are many different kinds of malocclusion, ranging in severity from almost imperceptible to severely misaligned bites and crowded teeth. Braces can usually fix it, but surgery might be required for the most extreme cases.

BracesMalocclusion can greatly affect your self-confidence because of how much it alters your smile. However, what many people do not realise is that it causes multiple other problems as well.

  1. Appearance – The most obvious consequence of malocclusion is the way it affects your Not only does it make your smile noticeably less attractive, significant overbites or underbites can affect the profile of your face. This is why many people look different after getting braces.
  1. Poor hygiene – Having crooked teeth and an abnormal bite makes it much harder to properly clean your Food particles can get trapped in hard to reach spaces, leading to bacteria growth and plaque build-up. This increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
  1. Chewing issues – When your teeth do not properly fit together, you will likely find chewing or biting to be more You might also experience pain and discomfort, especially over extended periods of chewing, or when eating harder food.
  1. Speech difficulties – Some people develop lisps and other speech difficulties because of severe Teeth play a crucial role in speech production, which is why their position and form can sometimes affect how clear your voice sounds.
  1. Jaw strain – Malocclusion can strain your jaw and temporomandibular joint. You may notice severe jaw joint pain, headaches, or even a clicking noise when opening and closing your In some cases, the uneven pressure applied on your teeth can also make some more vulnerable to damage.

Having imperfect teeth is much more than just an aesthetic issue. We have the solutions that can help secure your oral health, and give you the smile you have always wanted. For a complimentary consultation, contact us at your convenience.

Early Orthodontic Care: When to Take Your Child to the Orthodontist

You may notice that people getting braces and other orthodontic care seem to get younger and younger. There was, in fact, a time, about a decade or two ago, when older teenagers were the only ones that used braces—but that is beginning to change.

Weybridge OrthodonticsThis is because many parents are realising that orthodontic conditions are simply easier to correct while a child is younger. Early intervention provides orthodontists the opportunity to have control over where the permanent teeth come out by addressing the structure of the teeth while the primary ones are still in the mouth.

When to Go to the Orthodontist

Many dentists recommend that children see an orthodontist for the first time between the ages of 7 and 9. It is during this age that permanent teeth begin to emerge; issues on tooth alignment generally start to appear at this time.

Early orthodontic intervention allows for a proactive response to emerging problems and makes it easier to straighten crooked, misaligned, or even rotated teeth. It also helps guide, preserve, or create space for permanent teeth, as well as correct bite and speech problems by guiding the growth of the jaw.

There is a decreased need for extraction of permanent teeth in children that undergo orthodontic intervention. It also helps address the orthodontic issues immediately, and allows the orthodontist to follow up with another round of treatment when the child has all adult teeth in place.

Early Warning Signs of Orthodontic Issues

It is important to be cautious if your child’s permanent front teeth came in very early, or if your child has a crowded set of permanent teeth coming out. These, along with open bites, deep bites, cross bites, and over-jets, are the early signs of trouble in adult teeth. It is important for your child to see an orthodontist right away if these signs are evident.

If you are curious about whether your child needs early orthodontic treatment, feel free to contact Weybridge Orthodontics, the sought after orthodontists in Weybridge and one of the largest orthodontic practices in South East England. We are more than ready and happy to discuss your child’s case.

When You Have Bruxism

Bruxism is a misunderstood dental condition. It is characterised by unnecessary clenching and grinding of teeth, which can cause some dental repercussions. Things become more problematic if your teeth are fragile and sensitive.

Weybridge OrthodonticsHere at Weybridge Orthodontics, we aim to educate you about the things that will improve your dental health. This post focuses on the causes and effects of bruxism. We have listed down some tips that will help you prevent it and reduce its effects.

More on Bruxism

Dentists agree that the main cause of bruxism is not exactly clear, but the most common trigger is stress. Some believe it is caused by an incorrectly aligned bite. Other possible causes include your posture, the way you respond to external strains, and your sleeping routines. In most cases, people clench and grind their teeth while they are asleep.

Its Negative Effects

Bruxism can easily wear down your teeth. The application of constant force can cause the teeth to flatten or chip. The teeth may even become loose in extreme cases. Grinding affects the enamel make-up of your teeth. Once the enamel erodes, the layers of the tooth underneath it will become exposed to external elements, such as fluctuating temperature and bacteria. This may lead to tooth sensitivity and decay.

Some Solutions

Many blame stress for bruxism, meaning you can develop your coping mechanisms. Modify the way you respond to emotional tension and anxiety. Get braces to push your teeth into their right positions. These devices will correct your bite, reducing the likelihood of teeth grinding. To prevent damage to teeth, wear a mouth guard when sleeping.

These are only some of the things you need to know about bruxism. Treat bruxism first before getting dentures or implants. Clenching and grinding can also wear down artificial teeth. Contact us today if you want to discuss your plan to get orthodontic devices or have your mouth guard fitted.

Preventing Playground Related Dental Injuries

National Smile Month is our largest and longest-running oral health campaign. It promotes brushing the teeth at night, cutting down on sugar, and regular visits to your trusted dental clinics. In celebration of this fantastic event, Weybridge Orthodontics shares some tips to protect your child’s teeth from sports and playground related injuries.

Weybridge OrthodonticsDays are getting longer and the outdoors are looking more inviting. Kids are heading out parks and playgrounds for a round of fun outdoor sports and activities. Reports identify traumatic dental injuries as most prevalent in skateboarding, rollerblading and biking, as well as sports such as football, hockey, and basketball.

The Dangers of Play

Weybridge Orthodontics wants your child to be able to play safe every day without the risk of traumatic dental injuries. The variety of dental injuries from play ranges from chipped teeth, dislodged or avulsed teeth. Children may even lose one or two of their front teeth, which may psychologically affect language acquisition and self-esteem.

Dental injuries might require them to go through aesthetic restoration, root canal treatment or replantation of a knocked-out tooth. Even after healing, the discomfort and pain will take even longer to go away. It can also leave your child with long-term consequences in such an aesthetically important area of the mouth.

The Power of Mouth Guards

Managing teeth injury can end up costing quite a lot. Prevention is the best solution when it comes to helping your child dodge major damage and trauma. It is important that children who are into outdoor sports that tend to develop into aggressive and competitive games wear mouth guards along with other essential protective gear. Weybridge Orthodontics believes a mouth guard is important to protect children during play or activities.

There are three types of mouth guards: ready-made, the boil-and-bite, and the custom-made mouth guard made by your dentist. We would like to stress that a well-fitting and efficient mouth guard should be sturdy while being comfortable. It should not restrict speech or breathing. Visit us today for more information about which type fits you best.

We want only the best for you and your children. Let them have the best time when out on the playground, minus the risks and dangers that come with the greatest childhood memories.

Why Retainers are an Important Part of Post-Braces Care

Orthodontic solutions, such as braces and Invisalign, aim to help you achieve that stunning and fantastic smile. Initially, wearing metals in your mouth or tight trays can be burdensome. Nevertheless, you will love them the moment you see some progress.

Weybridge OrthodonticsThe orthodontic treatment, however, does not end once the braces are removed. The dentist may prescribe the wearing of retainers. You may flinch about the idea and may even come up with some retorts. Let Weybridge Orthodontics explain why retainers are a crucial part of your treatment.

The Possibility of Shifting

Retainers are a small and customised dental device that you should wear after the brackets and the wire are removed. The purpose of wearing a retainer is to strengthen the new position of the teeth.

The positions of your teeth move as you get old. Even small amounts of pressure from activities, such as licking and biting can undo the work of braces.

Period of Wearing

After the removal of the braces, we will assess your smile and bone structure. The period of wearing the retainer will depend on the evaluation. Usually, we recommend patients to wear them full-time (all day long) at first. Eventually, we may put some limitations on wearing it. Whilst you may use some breaks when wearing your retainer, it is important that you keep it consistent.

Your Options

At Weybridge Orthodontics, we provide a number of options on retainers. We have bonded wire retainers, which are fixed behind the incisors. We have Essix retainers, which are clear trays that you may remove when eating and cleaning your teeth.

If you are currently on an orthodontic treatment and are planning your post-braces care, get in touch with us today. Our team includes trained Treatment Coordinators who will guide you through the various treatment options in a friendly environment.

The Importance of Keeping Up with the Dental Industry

The importance of patient consent in dentistry is an aspect of the business that needs more attention because of its legal and moral implications. Dentists should not be allowed to conduct any operation without the permission of the patient, even if it is for the betterment of their oral health. But simply not asking permission is not the only danger young dental professionals should be made aware of.

Staying Out of Trouble

Weybridge OrthodonticsWeybridge Orthodontics highlights two things that can give young dentists problems with their patients and the law if left unobserved. These two factors are failing to take into account what is and what is not available in the National Health Service (NHS), and working beyond their competence. It is quite easy even for experienced dentists to do these two things, making it imperative to instil the correct attitudes in dental professionals while they are young.

New dentists can keep themselves out of trouble by adopting a series of professional habits that will serve them well even as their careers advance. One of the most important of these habits is keeping abreast of the latest news from the NHS. Dentists will also do well for themselves if they begin listening to authoritative voices in the industry such as the British Dental Association (BDA) and the British Dental Journal (BDJ).

Staying Ahead

Fortunately, dentists in Weybridge do their best to always be first to know everything about news within the industry. It is a habit that not only allows us to stay out of trouble, but one that keeps us ahead of other clinics in terms of new techniques and technology in oral care. Our patients have the benefit of enjoying the best and latest the dental industry has to offer – with their express consent, of course.

Dental care is more about giving patients healthy teeth and mouths. It is about making them comfortable with who they are and what they have, and that feeling should start in the dentist’s chair. If you are looking for a quality experience along with excellent care, contact us today. Our teams are ready to make every visit feel like it was better than the last.

Tommy D Group cake sale

Fred and George Dixon are raising funds for the Tommy D Group*

We at Weybridge Orthodontic are having a cake sale on Thursday the 18th December ’14 to raise money for the Tommy D Group. Come and join us on the day for some delicious cakes and biscuits.

In August 2015 the two brothers will be going abroad to visit and volunteer at an orphanage

*The Tommy D Group supports young people, under the age of 18 who have been bereaved. The group finds comfort in the support of their peers and take part in social activities such as bowling, outdoor survival and meals out.