There was a decent period of history in which there was widespread misinformation about smoking and its effects. If we take a look at some of the posters and advertisements designed by cigarette and tobacco companies from the early 1900s, we can see that smoking was often encouraged as if it were beneficial to a smoker’s health. Of course, those advertisements were made a long time ago, before researchers were able to determine with certainty that smoking actually can lead to a plethora of nasty and dangerous health conditions. Because of this research, there is far less misinformation about smoking today than there used to be years ago. However, this does not mean that everybody is entirely well informed about smoking and its effects. Indeed, many people still underestimate the risks of smoking and don’t know about many of the different areas of the body that it can damage. For example, many think that smoking can only really cause damage to a smoker’s lungs, however it can actually cause a lot of damage to a smoker’s mouth and be extremely detrimental to their overall oral health. This is why many dental professionals nowadays will advise their patients against smoking. In fact if a patient asks a dentist in Banbury, the dentist can tell them all about the risks of smoking and can offer them help and support to quit. Another good reason to talk to a dentist in Banbury about smoking is that they will be knowledgeable about how smoking is linked to mouth cancer and can potentially offer patients a screening to help detect the early signs of it. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the specific advice and help that a dentist in Banbury can give about quitting smoking and why it is worth seeking them out.

While looking for a dentist in Banbury for any purpose, we invite you to consider our practice, Amsel & Wilkins. At Amsel and Wilkins we are incredibly proud and passionate about all the dental services that we offer. This is demonstrated by our friendly and professional dental team who are always keeping up to date with the latest developments in modern dental care. This means that we can always offer our patients the highest quality treatments and advice and ensures we always put them first.

Smoking cessation and Mouth Cancer screenings

As mentioned earlier, smoking can cause a lot of damage to your mouth, including mouth cancer and many other gum and periodontal diseases. However it is also important to note that smoking has a lot of other negative effects such as bad breath, jawbone loss and a decreased sense of taste and smell.

For mouth cancer specifically, having a screening can dramatically increase a patient’s chances of recovery given that it can lead to early detection. The screening is a short procedure that thoroughly examines the patient’s entire mouth to check for any risk factors so that patients can be treated as soon as possible. It is recommended that patients come for screening once a year, however you should come as quickly as possible if you detect any sores, lumps or long-term ulcers in your mouth.

It is a well-known fact that if you wake up at 4 am with a throbbing pain under one of your teeth, you need to see a dental team as soon as possible.

While many people may feel embarrassed about attending their dental surgery with an emergency, urgent dental treatment is so commonly seen across dental surgeries that many dedicate slots each day to dental emergencies, meaning you won’t have to be in discomfort too long!

But, what about dental emergencies that are not necessarily uncomfortable? Unfortunately, pain is not the sole indicator of a dental emergency, meaning that you may be overlooking several conditions that actually require urgent treatment. Yikes!

At Amsel and Wilkins, if you have a dental emergency, we will always aim to see you within 24 hours. We will endeavour to get you out of pain as quickly as possible, allowing you to get on with your day as planned. While we cannot guarantee that you will see your regular dentist in Banbury, we will always make sure that you are treated with TLC and that you leave our surgery in a more comfortable state.

But what are some of the dental emergencies that our dentist in Banbury sees on a regular basis?

Discomfort

A universal indicator that you require an urgent appointment with our dentist in Banbury is discomfort. Depending on the severity of the discomfort, it could indicate a variety of issues, such as abscesses, injuries or even damaged teeth. Regardless of the underlying cause, if you are experiencing dental pain that is impacting on your ability to function, call our team for an urgent appointment.

Chipped or cracked teeth

Often overlooked as a minor inconvenience, if you have a crack or chip in any of your teeth, you need to see our team promptly. Although these issues are not always painful, they can cause issues with sensitivity and may allow bacteria to get underneath your enamel, where abscesses or decay can begin to form. So, if you lost a bit of your tooth playing rugby last week, come and see our team to have it fixed!

Lost crown or filling

Like the chips and cracks, the loss of a filling or crown is not always uncomfortable. The moment you feel your filling loosening or notice that your crown has come off, contact our team to have it replaced as soon as possible. Just like the unattended chips in teeth, delaying treatment can lead to more serious issues.

Swelling

Painful or painless swelling anywhere the mouth or under the jaw requires urgent addressing.

Indicative of everything from an abscess to an impacted wisdom tooth, it is best to have any swelling examined by your dental team, to prevent more dangerous developments from occurring, such as breathing issues.

Lost or loose braces

Of course, if your braces come loose, you will need to contact your orthodontist, but an emergency trip to our team can help to secure any loose brackets or wires with dental cement.

If you have just discovered that you or your partner are pregnant, congratulations! The next few months will be full of medical appointments to ensure that both you and your baby are healthy, and of course, you will want to reduce any stress as much as possible. However, while you may be planning your meeting with your midwife and GP, it is also important to book an appointment with your dental team as soon as possible.

As odd as it may sound, dental care is an important aspect of prenatal medicine, as issues with the teeth and gums can cause problems during and after pregnancy. Of course, with all the seemingly more relevant appointments you will have to attend, it is easy to overlook your dental health but for the benefit of you and your baby, it is important to book a dental check-up as soon as you discover you are pregnant.

At Amsel and Wilkins, our dental team has helped thousands of women keep their dental health in top shape during pregnancy, allowing for both a healthier pregnancy and healthier birth. Our dentist in Banbury can provide prescription-strength toothpaste and mouthwash to help you tackle the inevitable dental changes that will occur during those all-important 9 months. Perfect!

So, what are some of the common dental problems that our dentist in Banbury has seen in pregnant women? Read on to find out!

Gum disease

While gum disease can obviously occur without pregnancy, during those 9 months, you are more likely to experience swelling, bleeding and sensitivity around the gums. Due to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, the surface of the gums can become more porous and inflamed, leading to periodontal issues like gingivitis. Our dentist in Banbury will be able to reduce the inflammation and discomfort associated with these conditions by offering you a scale and polish clean, while also prescribing a medicated toothpaste and mouthwash.

Cavities

Pregnancy can also cause enamel to become thinner, meaning that you are more likely to develop cavities. Once again, our team can help by applying fluoride sealants to your teeth to protect them, while also providing you with medicated washes to remove any lingering bacteria.

Tumours

While it may sound odd to say ‘don’t panic’ when the word tumour is involved, gum tumours are a common occurrence in pregnancy. Often resolving once you have given birth, these tumours are typically benign but, if they get too large, they can cause issues with both eating and breathing. If you are concerned about any growths in your mouth, talk to our dental team at Amsel and Wilkins about your treatment options.

Acid damage

With morning sickness and unusual cravings, it is likely that during your pregnancy your teeth will succumb to acid damage. Once again, our team at Amsel and Wilkins can help by providing you with a medicated mouthwash aimed at neutralising any acid. We can also apply fluoride sealants to the surface of your teeth, to strengthen the enamel against acid damage.

Many people have felt it and cringed, that shooting sensation when you eat or drink something too hot or cold. The pain of tooth sensitivity is no joke and we at Amsel & Wilkins know how unenjoyable life can get when you have to avoid certain foods. If you are struggling with this issue we advise that you see your local dentist in Banbury to consult on your tooth sensitivity issues and help you get back to more pleasant eating and drinking experiences.

The cause and treatment of tooth sensitivity

Feeling pain in a tooth seemingly out of the blue can be an indication of a cavity which is a separate issue from tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity can affect one or all of your teeth and is caused by the complete erosion or thinning of tooth enamel. This hard enamel covers the sensitive area of the tooth and protects it but if you’ve been brushing your teeth too hard or have a very hard toothbrush or grind your teeth at night, this enamel can wear down. Acidic food as well as gastrointestinal acids can also wear down tooth enamel and need to be eliminated in order to protect the teeth.

While your dentist in Banbury will beagle to discuss a new oral care regime with you to help lessen the sensitivity, there are other things that can be done to lessen your discomfort:

Desensitizing toothpaste – while this doesn’t treat the problem of thinning tooth enamel, it does numb and blocks the pain of sensitivity after brushing. There are a number of these products available over the counter and your dentist can recommend which one is best for you.

Fluoride – this can be applied to your teeth by your dentist to strengthen the enamel you have left, thus allowing for a less sensitive feeling on the teeth. You may also receive a fluoride treatment to do yourself at home where you apply the product to a special tray and place it over the teeth.

Bonding – in some cases where the enamel has eroded and exposed the root, a bonding resin can be applied to the area that is prone to sensitivity and this will close it off and protect it from further damage.

Surgical Gum Graft – a piece of gum can be taken from anywhere inside the mouth and attach to another area of gum that has receded and exposed the roots of the tooth making it sensitive to biting and extreme temperatures. This is a procedure that can take place under anesthetic.

Depending on the severity of your enamel loss, your dentist in Banbury will provide you with a course of action that best suits your needs but in order to avoid damage to the teeth, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and be gentle when brushing. In the case of tooth grinding at night, you can speak to us about a mouth guard or appliance to protect the teeth. Using fluoride toothpaste can help too and avoiding acidic drinks like alcohol and fizzy juices will help prevent erosion.

Gone are the days where you have to set aside a massive amount of your time to get an invasive and dangerous facelift surgery or spend a fortune on skincare only to barely see anti-aging results. At Amsel & Wilkins, we know how busy you are, so we are here to take care of the little things while you get on with life. Facial aesthetics have never been easier than simply stepping into the practice of your dentist in Banbury during your lunch hour and getting a few tweaks here and there.

Why the dentist?

It may seem like a bit of a strange place to receive antiaging treatments but dentists actually have a very thorough medical knowledge of facial anatomy and understand that your wrinkles and sagging are not only skin deep but are due to a loss in the molecular structure deep within and beneath the skin. They know where your facial muscles sit and how to best enhance your natural features in the most flattering way.

What we offer

Wrinkle treatments – known as “botox” injections, can soften the expression lines in different areas on your face giving you a rejuvenated look that has a more youthful and fresh appearance; by using botulinum toxin which is injected in small amounts into the tiny facial muscles that cause areas of expression like frown lines or laugh lines to deepen, the product is able to relax those targeted areas by blocking the nerve impulses to them thus softening the lines and creating a smoother appearance to the skin.

This treatment at your dentist in Banbury is very quick, taking only about 5-10 minutes and is virtually painless in treating frown lines, forehead lines, eyebrows, crows feet, lines around the mouth, and the “smokers lines” on the top lip. Results can be seen is as little as 4-7 days and for optimum long-lasting effects, we recommend going for a top-up every 3 months to keep a youthful appearance.

Dermal fillers – while botox relaxes the muscles to soften your age lines, dermal fillers plump them up to give you a fuller, more youthful look. Dermal fillers usually use some form of sterile hyaluronic acid which the body produces naturally. This substance can be injected into areas on the face where wrinkles have become apparent and can also be used to contour the face and neck to a more youthful and desirable appearance like filling out the cheekbones, filling in the tear trough which appears more sunken with age plumping up the lips and even shaping the jaw.

This treatment is performed under a local anesthetic allowing you to feel no pain while the injectables are administered and the results of dermal fillers at your dentist in Banbury are immediately allowing you to walk away with the enhanced features you’ve always wanted. The fillers can last 6-12 months and a top-up is required when they eventually dissolve, to maintain your fresh, plump appearance.

It takes some effort to look young and fresh but not nearly as much as it used to with the different injectables we have on offer to best suit your antiaging needs.

A dentist in Banbury is not just for when things go wrong with your teeth. A good relationship with a dentist can lead to the best smile and dental health available for yourself. Everyone should have access to a happy smile. A good smile is often a window into a person having a better opinion of their body image. Working with your dentist towards a brighter, whiter and overall more healthy smile could have a major impact on your self-confidence. Being honest with your dentist could also ensure that problems are spotted early and prevented from getting to the point where the only option is to remove a tooth, something that nobody wants. This article will run through all the treatments that are on offer at Amsel & Wilkins, as well as giving you a few pointers on how best to look after your teeth before you get a chance to have your selected treatment. 

What treatments are on offer?

Your dentist in Banbury offers a variety of different services. These services can be split off into five main strands; preventive, general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, and facial aesthetics. All these treatments are available to our patients who are looking to improve the state of their oral health and other areas of the face.

Preventive dentistry work includes working towards healthy gums and fresher breath with an emphasis on dental hygiene. This can also be achieved through cutting down or stopping smoking. Work can also be completed on sensitive teeth, and specialist work is done for children’s teeth. Other elements of health are also considered, such as screening for mouth cancer.

General dentistry can help with issues such as jaw problems and snoring. Specific treatments such as root canal therapy, emergency dental care, and extractions are also available. The oral health of pregnant women is also cared for in this field.

Cosmetic dentistry often involves moving the teeth into a more desirable position, and this includes orthodontics in general and Invisalign specifically, inlays, overlays, and CEREC. Other aesthetic based treatments also include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and white fillings. Missing teeth can be taken care of through crowns, dentures, dental implants, bridges, and denture stabilisers. Finally, facial aesthetics are also a treatment available here at Amsel & Wilkins. Wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers are available for our patients.

What should I do next?

A dentist in Banbury is available to help you address all of your dental needs. If one of these treatments could benefit you, then why not consider getting in contact with us here at Amsel & Wilkins to discuss your options for dental treatment? You could also browse the website to discover what your options are when considering dental treatment. In the meantime, you can improve your overall oral health by regular brushing, flossing and the use of mouthwash. It is important to maintain a good state of oral health, as this can have a positive impact on your overall health. It is even more important to maintain a good level of oral hygiene if you are considering one of the dental treatments that was mentioned in this article. Everyone deserves a chance to have the healthiest smile possible and here at Amsel & Wilkins we want to give you that chance.

Many people are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth, but don’t know what to do about it. Here at Amsel & Wilkins we can offer you an array of services that could help you love your smile again. Many people have a variety of different problems with their teeth, this could be a whole host of things, from bad breath to missing teeth. Misaligned teeth are a common problem, alongside issues such as snoring that can be linked to the position of the teeth in the mouth. Everyone should be able to smile and laugh with confidence and the right dental treatment can help with this.

Why should I see a dentist?

Building up a good relationship with a dentist in Banbury can be very beneficial to improve the level of oral health you maintain. Issues with your teeth can be caught early and prevent outcomes such as tooth loss. Gum disease and other health issues such as mouth cancer can be caught in good time. Your dentist will advise you on how to best look after your teeth and this can have a positive impact on your overall health, for example, a mouth with teeth that are better aligned can often lead to better digestion. Your dentist will always be on hand to answer any questions that you may have about the health of your teeth and mouth.

What treatments could you offer?

A dentist in Banbury can offer you a whole host of different dental treatments and some treatments that are not dental at all, this includes wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers. Work can be done as a preventive measure, such as dental hygiene treatments and specific work on children’s teeth such as sealants. General dentistry can include emergency dental care which is available for patients who need to see a dentist fast. Cosmetic dentistry is used by our patients to make their teeth more aesthetically pleasing, this can include services such as teeth whitening and orthodontic treatment to move teeth into a more desirable position. Specialist care is available for missing teeth using treatments such as crowns, dental implants, bridges, and dentures.

What should I do next?

If you think our dentist in Banbury could be the right fit for you, why not get in contact to see how you could move forward to a brighter, healthier smile? You could also look at our website to look at the treatments that we offer in more detail. On the website, you will find more information about different kinds of procedures we can conduct and how you could access these treatments. Your dentist will ensure that the treatment you wish to have is the right choice for both you and your mouth.

What should I do in the meantime?

In the meantime, it is important to look after your dental health and hygiene. This can be done through regular brushing of your teeth, flossing and the use of mouthwash. This is important anyway, as you should maintain a good level of oral health to ensure the continuing functionality of your mouth and teeth, which can also link to other areas of your general health. It becomes even more important to have a good level of oral health if you are considering a dental treatment, as some treatments cannot go ahead if conditions pe-exist such as gum disease.

If you’re reading this, you’re either considering braces or have been told by an orthodontist that you need them. So who are the people that are considered viable candidates for braces, and what could happen if you choose not to straighten your teeth?

If you’re considering braces or think you need them, come and have a chat with our dentist in Banbury at our prestigious dental clinic, Amsel & Wilkins.

Is it ever too late to get braces?

Orthodontists recommend that children aged seven should have their teeth checked by an orthodontist. Some might argue that seven is too young an age for acquiring a straightening aid. However, these consultations are merely pre-screenings to assess the teeth and recommend preventative measures to keep severe dental problems that require braces at bay.

Being an adult who is well over the age of seven doesn’t mean you’re too old for braces. Straighter teeth are possible at any age. If you suspect your teeth need re-aligning, come to our dentist in Banbury for a consultation. During this time, we will assess your teeth and facial structure, and take diagnostic records of your teeth if necessary.

What are the principal reasons people need braces?

Occlusion refers to the position of your upper and lower jaw when you bring them together. Ideally, your teeth should fit together perfectly, without any pearly whites protruding or appearing overcrowded.

A deviation occurs when the above doesn’t happen, resulting in malocclusions. The three types of malocclusions that braces treat include the following:

With a class one malocclusion, the relationship with your upper and lower jaw is in perfect alignment. However, there is overcrowding present. Overcrowding is an issue in and of itself. It’s typically caused when there are too many teeth for a dental arch that is too small. Having overcrowded teeth is problematic because it’s difficult to brush and floss your teeth properly.

A class two malocclusion is referred to as an overbite, which occurs when the lower jaw is underdeveloped. This results in your upper front teeth overlapping your lower front teeth.

A class three malocclusion or an underbite is the hardest to diagnose and treat, occurring when the lower jaw juts out. As a result, your lower front teeth overlap your upper front teeth.

Getting braces: it’s more than just straight teeth

Having a dazzling smile may be the main reason that you want to get braces. However the straightening device, as outlined by our dentist in Banbury, will tell you about its multiple perks for your health and wellbeing.

The malocclusion mentioned above can severely restrict your lifestyle, affecting how you bite and chew your food and may prevent you from eating certain foods entirely. On top of that, you could see your oral health deteriorating as brushing and flossing your teeth effectively is challenging with misaligned teeth.

Not being able to brush your teeth properly can result in gum disease and tooth decay, which is why it is important to consider getting braces if you think you need them. Other restrictions that are caused by malocclusions include speech impediments, jaw pain and sleep apnea.

It’s important to remember that teeth straightening is more than a cosmetic treatment, but could very well improve your physical health as well.

Losing teeth can be a traumatic experience, but that shouldn’t mean you have to live without them. Prostheses for tooth replacement have been around for a while, but the ones we’ve become accustomed to, such as dentures, are not ideal for every patient. In the last 30 years, dental implants have taken tooth replacement to new heights, and it’s a product our dental practice, Amsel & Wilkins, can recommend. So what is it about tooth implants that makes them so popular? Read on to find out.

Why makes tooth implants so desirable?

To answer this question, we first have to explain what implants are. Implants replace knocked out or decaying teeth using three different components. The first part is the metal piece, made from titanium, which is drilled into your jawbone. The titanium is an incredibly durable material that can withstand the test of time, and can also fuse with your bone in a process called osseointegration.

Once healing concludes, the titanium will act as the new root to your tooth. The abutment is dubbed the connector piece that links the metal post to the crown, which we will discuss later. The crown is the part of the prosthesis that is visible. This is custom fabricated in a laboratory and is created to look and function like a natural tooth. Together, these three parts form a secure implant.

What benefits can I look forward to with an implant?

Our dentist in Banbury will go into more detail about the perks of opting for tooth implants. However, these are some of the principal benefits you can look forward to.

An improved appearance

Having gaps between your teeth impacts the way you look, to the point where you might feel self-conscious. A tooth implant fills in those empty spaces and improves upon your pearly whites, giving you a reason to smile again.

Improved Speech

Have your dentures been letting you down lately by sliding around your mouth and interrupting your speech? Dentures may become less reliable after they’ve been worn for a long period of time. An implant remains firmly in place over the years, and can only be professionally removed by your dentist in Banbury.

Maintain your diet

If the fragility of your device leads you to cut out your favourite food, it’s time you made a change to a more superior prosthesis. You can eat what you like within reason, and not have to worry about cracking or breaking your fake tooth.

Tooth implants are pretty low maintenance

Owning dentures comes with the need to keep them ultra-clean, using specialised solvents. You don’t need to implement new steps into your cleaning regime. That said, you must prioritise your oral health and hygiene, as the dentist in Banbury will tell you.

Despite your new tooth not being natural and impervious to decay, your surrounding gums are still vulnerable to a plethora of illness. Failing to take proper care of your new tooth might result in you losing it as your implant may feel loose if your gums aren’t healthy.

Despite common misconception, a dental check-up, which is recommended by our dentists biannually, not only consists of a dental assessment. Many other standard dental procedures such as oral X-rays can be administered at this time and an oral examination, as well as including detection of cavities or gum disease, is always administered with the addition of general health and lifestyle advice.

How can lifestyle factors affect your health?

Many patients may be unaware that certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking and the frequent consumption of red wine, can affect the health of their teeth. Aside from bad habits, the consumption of fizzy drinks and highly sugary foods can cause tooth decay. Patients who are suffering from tooth decay may also wish to avoid drinking red wine and coffee, all of which can cause intrinsic and extrinsic staining, also referred to as yellowing of the teeth.

Why do some patients avoid their local dentist in Banbury?

Despite the importance of a regular dental appointment, many patients may overlook them. Patients who are over eighteen years of age and not in full-time education may have to pay certain NHS banded costs for dental appointments, which can cause them to be reluctant to attend. Our dental team sympathises with all of our patients’ financial situations, which is why we strive to promote flexible payment plans for all of our patients. Aside from financial concerns, many patients may feel anxious in a dental environment.

What causes patient anxiety?

Many of our patients may feel nervous when visiting our clinic, whether this be for general, restorative, or even cosmetic dental treatments, which can be caused by negative childhood experiences. Our highly skilled and empathetic dental healthcare professionals at Amsel & Wilkins have a great deal of experience working with nervous patients, meaning we can ensure even our most anxious patients achieve their hoped-for smile.

Why choose us?

Our dentist in Banbury offers our patients a wide range of high quality dental treatments, all of which are delivered within a modern and clean dental environment. Our clinic promotes a patient centred approach, meaning you are always our top priority.

How do I start my treatment journey?

If you are considering receiving general dentistry at our clinic, such as routine appointments, you may be wondering how to begin your initial enquiry. Located on our website we offer many contact options, one of which is our online appointment form.

How it works

Our modern online booking system allows our patients to select their reason for their desired appointment, as well as their patient status, and their preferred appointment time. Our appointment booking system has proven extremely popular within recent years, however many of our patients may prefer a more traditional contact approach.

Back to basics

Many of our patients may prefer a more direct approach, which is why we also display our telephone number on our website. If you are a patient with any queries or concerns or may simply wish to book an appointment over the phone, feel free to give us a call.