Anti-Snoring Devices

It is possible for us to construct an anti-snoring device for you, if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). These devices position your lower jaw forwards, with a minimal increase in your jaw opening. This helps to keep your airway open during sleep, preventing its collapse from loss of muscle tone.

If you would like us to provide an appliance, we will need a signed letter from a doctor with experience in sleep and breathing disorders.

Our current fee for construction and fitting of a sleep appliance is from £200 (August 2003).

Cosmetic Dentistry

Modern dentistry can often greatly improve the appearance of your teeth. Please let us know if you are at all concerned about your dental appearance.
The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry web site has a very nice smile gallery which gives before and after photos of the excellent results that can be achieved by modern cosmetic dentistry.

If you are unhappy with the colour of your teeth then it may be possible to have a home tooth whitening treatment. This can improve the colour of your teeth by up to 6 shades. It is only possible to whiten natural teeth by this method. The colour of crowns, bridges and veneers is unaffected by the whitening treatment, although they can be changed for a lighter colour.

Dental Implants

follow this link

Dummy and digit sucking
(acknowledgement to British Orthodontic Society, for the information on this topic)

80-90% of children in the Western world have sucking habits. Most habits begin in the first 3 months, and are so common as to be considered normal. Dummy-sucking phases out much earlier than digit-sucking, and virtually always stops, by the time the second teeth start erupting.

Digit-sucking tends to decline at a slower rate, and more habits persist into the permanent dentition. This can give significant effects on the teeth, but normally only if the habit exceeds 6 hours a day. Unwanted effects on the teeth are production of an anterior open bite (front teeth do not meet), upper incisors are proclined (pushed forward) and lower incisors are retroclined (pushed backwards).

Prevention of Habits

If a dummy is provided, there appear to be fewer problems in the long-term, because the majority of dummy-sucking habits are self limiting and stop before eruption of the permanent teeth. Any persistent dummy-sucking habits are easily broken by removal of the dummy.

It has been suggested that if a digit-sucking habit is noticed, a dummy should be given to your child. If a dummy is used, it should not be sweetened in any way. After the age of 2, to prevent problems with speech development, it should be used as little as possible during the day.

Breaking a Digit-sucking Habit

Your child must want to stop, otherwise any approach is likely to be unsuccessful.
Habits should be broken by the age of 6, to prevent unwanted effects on the permanent dentition.

Mouth Cancer

Mouth Cancer is one of the UK's most vicious cancers. It has a higher mortality rate than cancers such as cervical and even breast cancer, but awareness of the disease and how to combat it is dangerously low. Of the 3500 people who are diagnosed with mouth cancer every year, almost 1800 will die from the very aggressive disease.
It is dentists rather than doctors who are most specifically trained to pick up the signs of mouth cancer. Early detection is the key, caught in the early stages survival rates are as high as 75%, but these plummet to only 18% if the cancer gets past the early stages.
At Moorlands Road Dental Practice we check for the early signs of mouth cancer as part of our routine check up. This soft tissue examination is a quick and painless process. The dentist inspects the patient's gums, cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth and neck for any telltale signs of the disease. If we pick up anything suspicious, we will recommend further tests, or refer the patient for further investigation immediately. See this site for further information.
(Based on a Press Release by Denplan Ltd)

Mouthguards

Mouthguards are an important dental health measure for those participating in active sports. In the USA it has been reported that participants in active sports had up to 10% chance of oral injury each season and 33-56% chance of an injury during their playing lifetime.

We recommend Custom Formed mouthguards.

Oral Health Tips

1. Brush twice daily. Being thorough is far better than several short ineffective sessions.
2. Brush and floss properly. Brush your teeth on the outside and inside surfaces, and floss between all of your teeth. Ask your dentist for advice.
3. Use fluoride. Use fluoride toothpaste twice a day because it protects you teeth. Leave a trace of fluoride on your teeth by not rinsing with water after brushing.
4. Deal with bleeding gums. If you improve your tooth cleaning technique, you may find you get bleeding from your gums. Usually after a week or two the bleeding will cease. If it persists, see your dentist.
5. Stop snacking. Sugary snacks especially increase plaque activity. Plaque activity continues up to an hour after a meal.
6. Drink Fewer fizzy drinks and juices. The acids in these drinks can erode tooth surfaces. However, fruit juices and fruit are a healthy part of our diet so we need them. After drinking, leave brushing your teeth for an hour to give saliva time to overcome the erosion.
7. Avoid food or drink at Night. Saliva production nearly stops at night, so harmful effects of food may continue all night long.
8. End your meals sensibly. Cheese, nuts, and a swish of water all help counter the effects of sugar, and are an ideal way of ending a meal.
9. Chew Gum. Chewing gum helps stimulate saliva flow, and is beneficial after a meal.
10. Stop Smoking. Smoking is harmful in respect of gum disease and more serious oral conditions.

These tips are by Professor Richard Elderton and are taken from the Denplan newsletter Smile 2003.

Smoking and Dental Health

The detrimental effects of smoking and tobacco use on oral health are well recognised. Oral cancers and pre-cancers, periodontal diseases and poor wound healing are the most significant and serious effects of smoking on the mouth. In addition, staining of the teeth, soft tissue changes and halitosis are aesthetic and social impacts of smoking directly related to oral health. At Moorlands Road Dental Practice we respect patients right to smoke if they wish. However if you would like support from us to stop smoking, we are happy to give it.

Tooth-Coloured Fillings

Using the latest materials - no-one need know you have any fillings.
Choose Tooth Coloured Fillings or metal-free Crowns
Key Benefits
Blend in with existing teeth
No metal in your mouth
Bonded to the tooth for extra strength