Practice News

Brightenup yoursummer!

Little known fact... More people use blue toothbrushes than red ones.

One of our most popular treatments, ToothWhitening, is a quick and easy way to brighten yoursmile - a perfect summer treat.Bright, white teeth can take years off your appearance and give you

an easy confidence boost, so what better time to show off a sparklingsummer smile?Power Whitening is safe, effective and very fast, and performed

within the practice. It is an easy and non-invasive system which canlighten your teeth up to eight shades, giving you a natural, beautiful,younger looking smile in only one hour.For those of you who would prefer to whiten your teeth at home, we

can provide comfortable custom-made trays (similar to a light-weightgumshield) and special whitening gel. A little gel is placed into the trayswhich are then worn for a few hours every other day or night over atwo to three week period, until the required shade is attained.The ageing process alone can result in our teeth losing their whiteness,

as can many of the things we do on a regular basis: coffee, tea, cola,red wine and smoking being well known culprits. But stained, yellow ordarkened teeth can easily be a thing of the past with today’s advancedwhitening techniques which are convenient, quick and affordable.

an easyconfidence

boost

Welcome to our Spring | Summer Newsletter.If you have always secretly wanted

straighter teeth, we thought you’d like tohear that our range of adult orthodontictreatment options now includes the invisibleClearstep™ and fast acting InmanAligner™; putting us at the forefront of thelatest orthodontic techniques.Clearstep™ uses a series of clear,

customised, comfortable positioners whichmove your teeth in small increments, graduallyreaching your desired beautiful smile.Inman Aligner™ works differently in

that it uses small powerful springs that canhave your front teeth straight in as little as6–16 weeks. It is a very quick and efficientway of straightening front teeth, particularlyin adults.If the originally successful orthodontic

treatment you had as a child has over theintervening years regressed (which is quitecommon) leaving your front teeth againuneven, then this is the ideal solution for you!If you would like to know more, please askand we will arrange a free consultation.Best wishes from all the team.

7 Bancroft Court, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1LH Tel 01462 451167 info@bancroftdental.co.uk www.bancroftdental.co.uk

Bancroft Dental Practice Spring | Summer 2010

Nowadays, regular dental check-ups and hygiene visits, combinedwith the right home care, mean itis possible to keep your teeth forlife. However, older people mayexperience some tricky issuesand we are here to help.Gums tend to recede with age, and you

may find your teeth may become a little moresensitive as a result. We can show you thebest brushing methods to keep any gumproblems under control, and may suggest amouthwash to deal with sensitivity. Gumdisease can affect the bone that supports thetooth roots, leading to tooth loss. Commonsigns are: gums that bleed when brushed;teeth that are loose; receding gums and badbreath. Do let us know if you have any ofthese symptoms.If you have lost some teeth in the past and

have a bridge or dentures, you may haveparticular cleaning needs and difficultieswhich we can help with. Similarly, normalcleaning may become rather more difficult ifyou have problems with your hands or arms,or if your eyesight is less than perfect. Amagnifying mirror and a good light are often

helpful and we can offer advice on the bestaids to use.Some elderly people take regular medication

which can make their mouth more dry thanusual. Saliva helps to protect teeth againstdecay, so if you find you have less saliva thanusual, do let us know. Special products toalleviate dry mouth symptoms are alsoavailable over the counter in most chemists.The same dental plaque which causes gum

inflammation can cause decay, particularlywhen combined with sugary foods anddrinks. Gum disease and tooth decay can beprevented by ensuring you thoroughlyremove plaque from your teeth (and denturesif you have them) at least twice a day.To clean your teeth properly you need a

small-headed, medium–textured toothbrushand a fluoride toothpaste. To help cleanbetween your teeth you could use aninterspace brush, tape, woodsticks or floss. Ifyou have arthritis you may find it difficult togrip a toothbrush handle, but handle adaptersare available. Electric toothbrushes are alsoideal for people with limited movement. Thehandles are thicker and easier to hold and theoscillating head does most of the work.

Cleaning yourbaby’s teeth

Babies are obviously not able toclean their own teeth and as soon asthe first baby teeth begin to appearyou should start to clean them. Atfirst you may find it easier to use apiece of clean gauze or clothwrapped around your forefinger.As more teeth appear, you will

need to use a baby toothbrush. Usea smear of fluoride toothpaste andgently massage it around the teethand gums.This may be easier tomanage if you cradle your baby'shead in your arms in front of you. Asthe child gets older it may bedifficult to use this technique, butyou can gradually give moreresponsibility for cleaning their teethto the child. It is important to cleanteeth twice a day with a toothpastecontaining fluoride.

The articles featured in this newsletter are intended for information only and, as such, should not be interpreted as recommendation for any particular dental procedure or treatment.Your dentist will advise on the best course of treatment for you as an individual. Design & Production: www.cathyjohnsondesign.com © Cathy Johnson Design Limited.

Can you helpBen find histoothpaste?

A lit t lebit of history... Commercial f loss was first manufactured in 1882 and was made of si lk.

We want to meet your needs and are here to help with all the following issues. Please� any that concern you and let us know your findings. We look forward to helping youachieve the feeling of well-being that comes when you know that your mouth ishealthy, your smile is attractive, and that you are well equipped to keep it that way.

I am self-conscious about my teeth when I smile.

I wish my teeth were brighter and whiter.

I would like to feel more confident about the colour of my crowns/fillings.

Some of my teeth are dark, chipped or misshapen.

I have some missing teeth which affect my smile.

My gums bleed when I brush my teeth and I get a bad taste in my mouth.

I wish my teeth were less sensitive.

I wish my dentures were more comfortable.

I am worried about the cost of treatment and how to pay for it.

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being best), I would rate my smile

��Smile wish list

Dental carefor the elderly