In-house oral hygiene expertise
If you fail to maintain healthy teeth and gums you run the risk of a catalogue of problems that can have devastating consequences to your appearance, your emotional well-being and most importantly your physical health. And when you have invested in orthodontic treatment it is vital to ‘keep it clean’ not only to maximise the results but to ensure you get to enjoy your confident new smile for a very long time to come.
At Wells Orthodontics we are delighted to offer patients our orthodontic hygienist service. Richard Gregory, our hygienist/orthodontic therapist, offers a full scale and polish to all patients whilst in treatment. As an orthodontic therapist he is trained to be able to remove the wires for a complete scale and polish. We welcome anyone who would like to attend the practice for a scale and polish or oral health advice.
Preventing gum disease
Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms: gingivitis (very red and swollen gums that often bleed easily) and periodontal disease (progression of gingivitis which can lead to bone deterioration and lost teeth). The cause of all gum disease is plaque, the bacteria that forms a film on the teeth and which can be removed by daily brushing and flossing. Smoking can make gum disease worse as due to the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream the gums fail to heal. If you think you may be at risk or are showing signs of gum disease then call your dentist or hygienist. Here at Wells Orthodontists our hygiene team can assess the situation, even x-ray if necessary and prescribe the correct treatment for you.
Mouth cancer detection
Most commonly we think of cancer affecting the lungs or breasts; however cancer can occur in the mouth affecting the lips, tongue, cheeks and throat. It claims nearly 1700 lives in the UK every year, yet many of these deaths could be prevented if detected early enough. Tobacco and alcohol are the most common causes, and the lips are particularly at risk if overexposed to the sun. Cancer can appear as a painless mouth ulcer that is slow to heal, or a white or red patch in the mouth. Spotted early enough the chances of a cure are good, so if in any doubt contact your dentist immediately. If you have any further questions or concerns we will also be happy to help.
