Do you suffer from a dry mouth or are about to commence a treatment which is known to cause dryness? Or perhaps you wear dentures and find that throughout the day the become increasingly dry and therefore uncomfortable? Here are some tips which could make your mouth more comfortable.

* Drink plain water frequently throughout the day and chew on sugarfree gum- preferably citrus flavour.

* Suck on sugarfree sweets- the Peppersmith brand is widely available and contains Xylitol which is good for the teeth. Ice/sugarfree ice lollies are useful for severe conditions.

* Eat food that is moist and not too hot, broths are very good for maintaining hydration.

* Some food and drinks best avoided are: high salt, high sugar, alcohol and caffeinated.

* Avoid mouthwashes which contain alcohol.

* Use a humidifier in your home at night time.

* Quit smoking

Here at Progressive Dentistry, we also recommend a sugarfree, pH neutral product called GC Dry Mouth Gel to our patients which provides further relief to dry mouth sufferers and those who wear dentures.

Written by Jenny Wiggins EDT EDH.

One of the most popular cosmetic treatments in 2013 is the Social 6 lingual brace. This is a brace that is fitted to the INSIDE of the teeth, making it truly invisible. As it is fixed, there are no compliance issues and the technology of the system means that a wide variety of movements can be achieved. 
 

FEATURES OF THE SOCIAL 6 BRACE

1. As the name suggests, it is placed on the front 6 teeth only. 

2. The aim is to correct the front 4 teeth, the canine teeth act as the anchors. 

3. The usual time frame is very quick, from 6-24 weeks. 

4. It is completely invisible to the eye. 

5. The technology of the wires means that very light but constant forces are applied, which means LESS pain. 

6. The treatment is a complex and skilled procedure and not readily available at most dental practices.
 

CASE STUDY

Below is a recent example of a case treated by Dr Nissit Patel at Progressive Dentistry using the lingual braces:
 

Our case of the month for June involves dental implants and ceramic crowns. Dental implants are without question, the very best option to replace teeth. Whether you are missing one tooth, several teeth or all of your teeth, dental implants should be considered as the first line option. In the past, replacing teeth with implants was a long, drawn out procedure and costly too. However, with the advances in modern dentistry and techniques, the treatment can be delivered quickly, with minimum fuss and is affordable. Our case involves replacing a missing molar with an Astra Tech dental implant and placing an Empress E-max crown on the adjacent tooth. Please view the before and after photos to see what can be achieved: