A great prize up for grabs, worth over £130!
Be one of the first 100 people to ‘like’ us on Facebook or ‘follow’ us on Twitter and you will be entered into our free prize draw.
The prize winner will be given 1 years free subscription
to our Practice Plan, usually costing over £130 per year.
Along with being entered into our competition our
Facebook and Twitter fans will also be the first to hear about our news, views,
exclusive offers and future competitions.
It’s easy;
Follow us on Twitter by searching for; @Alexandradenta1
Like us on Facebook by searching for; Alexandra Dental Care
Open wide, it’ll help save your heart.
Regular trips to the dentist could cut your risk of a heart attack by a quarter!
A recent study found that people who had their teeth professionally cleaned and polished at least once a year considerably reduced the risk of having a heart attack.
The study also found that they are 13% less likely to suffer a stroke compared to those who never had the treatment.
Scientists have thought for years that the condition and health of your gums and teeth is strongly linked to the likelihood of heart problems.
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. Bacteria in the plaque can enter the blood stream via the gums and it is thought that this causes artery walls to become inflamed, this can trigger heart attacks and strokes.
The same bacteria may also contribute to the build-up of fatty deposits in the bloodstream making the chances of heart problems greater.
This research shows that along with looking after your general health it is so important that good oral hygiene forms a part of your lifestyle.
Here at Alexandra Dental Care we have 2 Dental Hygienists and 2 Oral Health Educators. Our hygienists help patients keep their gums in top condition with regular scaling and polishing.
Our scale and polishes are £31.50 per visit and if you are a member of our Preventative Care Plan the cost is covered by your monthly budgeting payments.
Our 2 Oral Health Educators are at hand to help out our younger patients. Regular sessions are held to show children brushing techniques and how a healthy diet can help keep your teeth for a lifetime.
Our Oral Health Educators regularly get out and about into the community to spread the message wider. We often visit schools, colleges and nurseries promoting the message of good dental health.
To book an appointment with our hygienists or to arrange a visit for your children to see our Dental Health Educators please call reception on; 01283 216347 or fill out a contact form.
1st – 30th November 2011 is Mouth Cancer Action Month.
Although it is a bleak and serious subject, the good news is that spotting the disease early increases chances of survival up to more than 90%.
Play your part through self-examination, looking for early warning signs of mouth cancer and being aware of the risk factors.
This year’s strap line is ‘if in doubt get it checked out’
Here at Alexandra Dental Care we strongly agree with that statement, when you attend for your routine examination it’s not just your teeth that we check.
Your dentist will carry out a soft tissue examination, checking your gums, lips and around the tongue. Records are kept of the findings so that we can make a comparison every 6 months, looking for any changes. This is one of the many reasons why it is so important to attend regularly for check-ups. Even if you have full dentures or just a few teeth it is still important to schedule a check-up into your diary, it could save your life!
So, what does mouth cancer look like? While there aren’t any signs for some people, others can detect early signs like bleeding in the mouth, red or white patches and a constant soreness are some symptoms.
What are the Risk Factors?
Smoking.
The habit is still considered the leading cause of mouth cancer. Smoking helps to transform saliva into a deadly cocktail that damages cells in the mouth and can cause them to turn cancerous.
Alcohol.
Drinking to excess can increase the risk of mouth cancer by up to four times. Alcohol aids absorption of tobacco into the mouth, those who smoke and drink to excess are up to 30 times more likely to develop the disease.
Poor Diet.
Around a third of oral cancer cases are thought to be linked to an unhealthy diet. It is recommended that people eat a healthy, balanced diet including 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Omega 3 which can be found in fish and eggs can help lower the risk as can high fibre foods such as seeds, whole-wheat pasta and brown rice.
Chewing tobacco or smokeless tobacco.
Smokeless tobacco is normally described as any tobacco that is placed in the mouth or nose and not burned. Although chewing tobacco or smokeless tobacco can be thought by some people to be safer than smoking it is in fact more dangerous!
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
The Human Papilloma virus Is increasingly being linked to mouth cancer. Younger people are particularly at risk. Experts suggest that it may rival tobacco and alcohol as a key risk factor within 10 years from now.
Some Shocking Statistics.
- 1’822 people died from mouth cancer in 2008.
- Early detection transfers survival chances to more than 90%.
- Mouth cancer kills more people than cervical cancer and testicular cancer combined
- 87% of cases in the UK occur in people aged 50 or over.
- Too many people have mouth cancer spotted too late as they have not kept up regular dental checks.
Do you have your next check-up booked? If not call our friendly reception to make an appointment.
Budgeting for your dental treatment.
BDA spokesperson Eddie Crouch has
recently spoken about the subject of dentistry and the recession.
He discussed recent research that
suggested that people were cutting down on visits to the dentist as a result of
financial pressure.
He warned that this was not advisable as
dentists use the regular examinations to carry out essential checks for
conditions such as oral cancer.
Also leaving problems untreated can
prove to be false economy as it could make it more difficult to treat the
problem in the future, turning what could be a small bill for a simple filling
into a far more costly and lengthy treatment plan.
Hidden Decay
It can take a long time for your tooth
to tell you that there is something wrong.
Nerve fibres, the way pain is sent
through the body, aren’t present in tooth enamel. While acid is attacking the
enamel you can’t feel a thing.
Once the acid has begun to create a
cavity and starts to attack the dentin under the enamel the nerve fibres
present in enamel start to send out a message that something is wrong. By this
time you have tooth decay.
This is another reason why you should
keep your check-ups regular and not waiting until it hurts.
Budgeting.
Here at Alexandra Dental Care we offer a way of budgeting
for your dental treatment. We believe that the best way of making treatment
affordable, without compromising our quality of care is to offer you membership
to our own Preventative Care Plan.
You can benefit from convenient monthly
payments for just £10.70 per month.
For more information please speak to one
of our team.
Don’t let fear get in the way of visiting the dentist.
Fear of visiting the dentist has always been a major factor in keeping people who require treatment away from the dentist. One such case lead to the tragic death of a young woman after she neglected an infected tooth.
The 23 year old from Burley, Herts ignored the infected tooth for 3 weeks, all because she was too afraid to go to the dentist an inquest heard last week.
Tragically septicaemia set in and in this case proved to be fatal.
This sad story proves that even in our modern era neglecting your teeth can have devastating effects.
There is no reason to fear the dentist as we have shown many patients over the years with our techniques of calming people and using painless treatments.
Our practice is set in a relaxing environment and our whole team is trained to care for our patients in the same way that they would want their own families to be treated.
We can provide you with the support and care you need and with a sympathetic approach we can help you take the first steps in overcoming your fear.
If you are an anxious or nervous patient take the brave first steps by contacting us, even if it’s just for a chat to discuss your worries.
Our detailed examinations.
There has recently been some alarming news reported recently involving the care some dentists provide.
A recent survey suggested that some dental practices were failing to offer their patients essential checks and treatments.
Research found that some of the surgeries involved were failing to carry out adequate checks during the examination process and were not providing patient’s with appropriate treatment plans.
The study also showed that some practices failed to take x-rays on new patient’s teeth, rushed appointments and failed to check the soft tissues inside the mouth, which are necessary to screen for oral cancer.
Here at Alexandra Dental Care we believe that your examination appointments are vitally important and much care and attention goes into them.
We routinely carry out an 11 point examination. You may not always understand the dental terms that are used in discussions between your dentist and his nurse but they are relaying important information regarding the 11 point check.
The checks are;
- Update your medical history.
- Check the health of your soft tissues.
- Check the health of your teeth.
- Check the health of any restorations.
- Measure the health of your gums.
- Check plaque levels and oral hygiene.
- Check the health of your TMJ joints.
- Issue treatment plans and quotations.
- Give dental health advice when necessary.
- Check to see that you are happy with the appearance of your teeth.
- Take x-rays if necessary.
If you are due an examination then please do not hesitate to contact us to book in. If you are a new patient wishing to register or have any questions then please feel free to contact us either by telephone 01283 216347 or by completing an online contact form.
Smile and eat with confidence.
Dental Implants combine both form and function- they look great and natural and they offer unbeatable comfort, you won’t be able to tell or feel the difference between your own teeth and the implant.
If your smile is affecting your confidence and how you feel about yourself because of missing teeth or mobile dentures then dental implants could be the solution you are looking for.
Dental implants can replace a single tooth or large spaces where multiple teeth are missing. They can support a bridge and remove the need for partial dentures and they can even provide support for a full denture, making it more secure and comfortable.
Whilst high-tech, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridge work as they do not rely on neighbouring teeth to be cut down for support.
Both George Savva and Yogi Savania have undertaken extensive training in implant care and here at Alexandra Dental Care we have a dedicated implant team who can provide you with all stages of implant treatment.
If you would like to discuss dental implants then please speak to one of our team who will be happy to assist you.
One visit Crowns, inlays and veneers.
With the use of our CEREC machine you can, with only one visit walk away with a permanent ceramic crown, inlay or veneer.
This means that there are fewer injections, less drilling, no messy impressions and less time out of your busy diary.
Most dental crowns, inlays or veneers require two appointments with the dentist. On the first visit you will have your local anaesthetic, your tooth prepared and an impression taken. You would then have a temporary restoration fitted to your tooth.
You would then visit the dentist a few weeks later once the technicians in a dental laboratory have constructed the restoration. Another local anaesthetic would be given and the temporary restoration removed. Your new and permanent restoration would then be fitted.
With CEREC we require only one appointment to do all of the above. The CEREC uses the latest computer assisted technology including 3D photography and CAD/CAM.
The dentist takes a series of pictures with the CEREC camera, creating an optical impression. This information is then sent to the on-site milling machine which then mills the restoration in roughly around 20 minutes. After this time your local anaesthetic is still effective and your permanent new restoration is fitted.
As you can see there are several advantages to having treatment with CEREC.
Speak to one of our team who will be happy to advise you on CEREC treatment.
It was all smiles yesterday (Sunday 9th October 2011) at the Bliss wedding Fair held at the Pavilion, Branston Golf Club.
Our team were at hand to help the future brides and grooms ensure that there best wedding photo smiles will be ready for the big day.
Many brides had lists of Flowers, napkins, name places and balloons but how many had spared a thought for the things that last forever-their smiles on their wedding photos.
Lots of people we spoke to had either a small imperfection that concerned them or they were interested in making their smiles whiter and brighter for that all important big day. All we spoke to found our information informative and they were surprised at the cosmetic treatments that are available these days.
Many took advantage of the special wedding packages we put together, saving themselves pounds from the all important budget.
For details on our next Wedding show keep visiting our blog for announcements of dates.
Don’t forget to pencil in a visit to our stand this Sunday!
Our team are attending the Bliss Wedding fair this Sunday (9th October 2011), the venue being The Pavilion at Branston Golf club Burton on Trent between 12 and 4pm.
Most brides are busy choosing a venue, and then the dress, colour schemes and flowers but spare a thought to those all important wedding photos.
Long after the flowers have wilted and the cake has been eaten your wedding photos will still be on your wall reminding you of your special day. Will you be happy with your smile or will you be wishing that it could have been a little whiter, straighter or those dark fillings replaced with more natural white ones?
Our expert team are at hand to give advice and demonstrate the latest and most advanced cosmetic treatments that our dental practice has to offer.
We have attended previous wedding fairs where we have helped many different members of the bridal party achieve a smile that they are confident with.
Weather it is teeth straightening, broken teeth, unsightly gaps or that you want a whiter smile our team can advise you on how to achieve it.
We have special wedding offers too where all your bridal party can benefit.
We hope to see you there!
