Month: March 2016

Bring your child to the dentist from an early age for better oral health

Children in the UK have a shockingly high amount of tooth decay. This is starting to improve but there is still a long way to go. At Amsel & Wilkins dental practice in Banbury, we believe that children should be brought into the dental practice from an early age to help combat this, and to familiarise themselves with the practice environment. We’re so keen to see young patients to help prevent decay developing that we offer free children’s dentistry up to the age of five for practice plan members.

dental-check-up-banbury

Studies have shown that children who visit the dentist from an early age are far less likely to experience dental phobia in later life. Fear of the dentist is often caused by a bad childhood experience, and our experienced dentists are keen to be seen as a friendly face by young patients. Early intervention, with treatments including fissure sealants and fluoride varnish to help strengthen teeth and combat decay, help to avoid the need for more invasive (and distressing) treatments such as extractions.

Children should start to visit the dentist as soon as their first teeth appear. By coming into the practice with their parents or siblings, they can observe and copy what they see – sitting in the chair and opening their mouth to let the dentist examine their teeth. Your dentist will make this a welcoming, positive experience for your child, and they will quickly learn that dental appointments are nothing to be frightened of.

Should your child already be suffering from tooth decay, they will be treated gently and painlessly. Treating a child from an early age also enables the dentist to spot early signs of underbites, cross bites or overbites developing. As with most things, the sooner you can start to treat it, the quicker it can be resolved.

How your dentist can help you to stop snoring

Are you a chronic snorer, or do you live with a chronic snorer? Everybody snores sometimes, with colds and flu, allergies such as hay fever and drinking too much alcohol being common culprits for occasional snoring. However, some people experience chronic snoring, which as well as causing problems for anyone who shares a room with a snorer can also be indicative of a more serious underlying health condition.

Invisalign in Banbury

In the simplest of terms, snoring is caused by an obstruction of the airway – so, for example, a stuffy nose when you have a cold. A bad sleeping position, being overweight and being a smoker can also increase your chances of snoring.

Sometimes, however, snoring can be caused by sleep apnoea. This condition affects about 4% of the UK population and involves the airway being completely blocked during sleep, which means that the sufferer stops breathing for short periods whilst sleeping. The natural reaction of the body is to wake you up, which means you will never be able to enjoy a good night’s sleep and will feel tired and irritable in the morning, even if you don’t remember you are frequently waking up.

The first port of call for patients with suspected sleep apnoea should be a sleep clinic, to confirm your diagnosis and discuss treatment options. However, few people realise that dentists are often able to provide an effective treatment for snoring, leading to a better night’s sleep for everyone and improved general health for the sufferer.

Amsel & Wilkins dentist John Adams has a special interest in snoring treatment. If you are a moderate to heavy snorer, he can fit you with a device called a mandibular advancement appliance, which is worn in the mouth overnight and holds the lower jaw in a forward position to keep your airway open, reducing or preventing snoring.

These devices can sometimes be useful in cases of sleep apnoea, too, although you should always consult a sleep clinic first.