Contact Info
New Road Dental Practice
119 New Road,
119 New Road,
Croxley Green,
WD3 3EN
Opening hours
Mon: 8:00 – 17:00
Tue: 8:00 – 17:00
Wed: 8:00 – 17:00
Thu: 8:00 – 17:00
Fri: 8:00 – 17:00
Sat: 8:00 – 14:00
Mon: 8:00 – 17:00
Tue: 8:00 – 17:00
Wed: 8:00 – 17:00
Thu: 8:00 – 17:00
Fri: 8:00 – 17:00
Sat: 8:00 – 14:00
Early preventive dental care for children is so important, here is why
/in Uncategorized /by New Road DentalAs part of our dental health programme for the local people of Rickmansworth and Watford we thought we would write a blog post about the importance of early preventive care for children, why it is important, what the potential risks are not looking after their teeth and how you can go about ensuring that your children’s health stays as good as possible.
A recent study in to children’s dental health
A recent report in The dentistry section of Medical News Today Highlighted a problem with children not receiving the early preventive care that they should. Of the 2505 children that were in the study conducted by Dr Jonathan Maguire a paediatrician and researcher at St Michael’s Hospital, 39% of those children had never been to a dentist. The research programme followed children from birth through to the early years at the age of around four years old.
He found that there were links with lower family income and prolonged bottle use which led to a highly daily intake of sweetened drinks such as juice, unbelievably with each one Increase in the amount of sweetened drinks that those children drank daily, the odds of never visiting the dentist increased by 20% and nearly a quarter of all the children do had visited the dentist had at least one cavity.
Other studies by the Adult Dental Health survey and National Dental Health survey revealed that cavities can lead to dental fillings which are unfortunately very common in the UK, The studies showed that 84% of adults have at least one or more fillings and each of those adults have on average 7 fillings. This is a direct result of only 42% of adults using a toothbrush and toothpaste for their oral care and only 21% of adults visiting the dentist annually. These factors combine to mean that dental decay is more likely to occur and less likely to be detected and prevented. This means that the likelihood of having dental fillings is increased in the long-term.
Dr Maguire goes on to say:
One of the simplest ways of ensuring that your children’s teeth stay healthy is firstly to visit the dentist and secondly to cut down on the amount of sugar they consume. But how much sugar is too much?
How much sugar is too much sugar?
The Journal of Dental Research recently carried out a systematic review to inform WHO guidelines on the effects of restricting sugar intakes in various age groups. The research looked at % of sugar in a daily diet and its relationship to the onset of decay. One of the problems with this research is that various publications have taken different views as to what it means, some of them have taken the step of converting this % of sugar into a spoonful amount, On the one hand this makes it easier to work out how much sugar you should be having, but is not strictly true to the research.
These Papers have converted this into between 5 and 7 teaspoons per day. Unfortunately doing this leads people to assume that they can have 5 or 7 teaspoons per day on their cereal, coffee , tea or anywhere else they add sugar.
The biggest problem is they forget that most of the sugar we eat daily is hidden within foods, not added by us afterwards. If we only count the spoonfuls of sugar we add to our food then we will be dramatically exceeding the recommended amounts!
The research reported the following results in their abstract:
So it seems that the research is suggesting if we keep our sugar intake below 10% of calorie intake then there is ‘moderate quality’ evidence to show a lower risk of dental decay.
Summary
Our dental practice in Watford is dedicated to helping the local people with their oral health. Our dental hygienists can work with you and your children to ensure that they stay as healthy as possible and keep their teeth for life.
We urge you to help your children clean their teeth well at home, at least twice per day with a fluoride toothpaste, cut down on the amount of sugar that they consume and also make regular visits to the dentist where we can keep an eye on their dental health and let you know of any potential problems and keep current problems under control.
What Are Clear Braces And How Do They Work?
/in Uncategorized /by New Road DentalIn today’s modern world where aesthetics and the way things look is so important people are looking for alternatives to the classic train track braces in order to have straighter teeth. This is where clear braces clearly step into their own (please excuse the pun!).
Clear orthodontic braces provide adults in the local Rickmansworth and Watford area the ideal way to have straighter teeth without anyone else knowing, let us explain why, how and what exactly this revolutionary style of orthodontics can offer you.
How do clear braces work?
When a small amount of pressure is applied to a tooth, it will naturally move in the direction of that pressure. The process of tooth movement is well understood by science and the bone around your tooth is quite capable of making way to tooth movement and re-forming behind it.
Conventional train track braces apply pressure to the tooth by joining them altogether and using certain teeth as anchors. These anchored teeth are able to pull the other teeth into the correct alignment.
Clear braces work by using a series of clear aligners. Each aligner puts a small amount of pressure on to the teeth in the direction of the movement required. Naturally, as the tooth moves the pressure will reduce and it is at this point that you will need to replace the aligner with a new one.
The Invisalign orthodontic system we use plans how many aligners you need using computer software right at the beginning of your treatment. The computer will then decide how many aligners you need in order to move the teeth in the direction required.
When you have your Invisalign braces you will be provided with two or three aligners, you will then need to come back to the practice to have your progress monitored where we can provide you with further aligners.
Typical treatment takes around 12 months with an aligner lasting approximately 2 weeks.
How do I know what I will look like after orthodontics?
This is one of the most amazing things about Invisalign clear braces, they offer something called a Clincheck™. This Is where we take records of your teeth as they are now, these are then digitised onto a computer screen and the software can then be used to move your teeth virtually.
The new arrangement of your teeth after braces can then be seen on the computer screen and you can make fine adjustments to the exact way you want to look.
The computer program also allows for a video movie of your actual teeth moving into their new position, this will not be a pre-programmed movie of the previous patient, it will actually be your own teeth, which you will be able to see move from the current position today new position.
Here is an example of an Invisalign Clincheck:
Clear braces versus metal braces.
This photograph shows the difference between patients wearing clear braces and metal braces.
You can clearly see that the metal braces in the further picture are much more pronounced an obvious than the clear braces worn by the person in the closest photograph.
There are however some disadvantages with clear braces. The biggest disadvantage is that the Invisalign © system is normally only used to move the teeth in the aesthetic zone, these are typically the front six teeth on the top and bottom jaw.
If you have more complex orthodontic requirements, such as rearranging your bite, or moving back teeth. Then conventional braces may be the option required to you.
It is worth noting, however, that tooth coloured braces may be used in place of the conventional metal braces.
How much are clear braces?
We know cost is an important consideration for you. There is no way to accurately answer this question without first coming in for a consultation.
At that initial meeting the dentist will examine you and take xrays etc. From this he/she will be able to give you an accurate guide to the cost of these clear braces.
In our practice the average investment is in the region of £2500 – this will include all necessary impressions, records, radiographs, all aligners, any refinements needed and retainers.
There are many factors that determine the cost of your Orthodontic treatment: how extensive the issues you want corrected, how long your treatment plan will last, where you live, and the specific treatment details prescribed by your dentist or orthodontist.
Cost comparisons of specific treatments
These prices are for illustrative purposes only and individual prices may vary.
Summary
Clear orthodontic braces provide an excellent way to achieve straighter teeth with no one else knowing, they are an affordable option for many patients living in the Rickmansworth, Chorleywood and Watford area of Hertfordshire. New Road Dental practice in Croxley green are proud to offer Invisalign to all of their patients.
The options for replacing missing teeth
/in Uncategorized /by New Road DentalThe first thing to consider about replacing missing teeth is what are the implications of leaving a gap in your mouth?
When a tooth is lost either by surgery or by accident there is a space left in your jawbone where the tooth used to be. This space, or socket, will naturally be filled as the bone surrounding it collapses into the gap.
As the bone collapses into this socket/gap volume of bone is lost, and as the volume of bone is lost so is the gum which covers it. This results in a reduction in the amount of soft tissue surrounding your adjacent teeth, which can have quite dramatic affects on how your overall smile looks.
Some people report on seeing black triangles between their teeth appear as they lose this gum.
Your teeth are also in a fine balance with one another, if you lose a tooth, then the teeth either side of it may have a tendency to drift into the gap. Teeth opposing the one that is lost will also have an inclination to drift into the space.
This tipping and drifting can result in problems with your bite and could make filling the gap in years to come difficult or sometimes even impossible.
When it comes to dealing with missing teeth, we normally have four options:
Let’s look at each of these options in turn.
What happens if you leave a gap and don’t replace the tooth.
As we mentioned above the bone will change around where you have lost a tooth which could make restoring your smile more difficult in the future, however, in many instances, leaving a tooth is a perfectly viable option, so long as you know the risks and what is likely to happen later on in life.
Many people live many years very happily with teeth missing, so long as they understand that they could be a compromise in the long term to their bite along with the obvious cosmetic disadvantages of having missing teeth.
Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge.
A dental bridge is made by gently reducing the teeth either side of the gap to accept a new Crown (or commonly called a ‘cap’). With a new crown on the teeth either side of the gap we can suspend a new tooth and join it to these two new crowns, creating a dental bridge made of three components all joined together – the new Crown on either side and the false tooth suspended in the middle.
Dental bridges have been made for many years and are an exceptionally reliable treatment option to replace missing teeth, their biggest drawback is the fact that potentially healthy teeth either side of the space has to be drilled down to accept the new supporting crowns or ‘caps’.
From a financial or cost point of view we also end up having to provide three new teeth, one for each side of space and the tooth to replace the missing one. This can have a cost implication which you may want to consider.
What about dentures to replace missing teeth?
Often these are the least preferred option for patients as they are removable and you need to be careful when you are eating. They are however an extremely good solution to the problem of missing teeth. Dentures tend to be the most cost-effective option and with modern alternatives can be made to look exceptionally good, most people would never know that you are wearing dentures!
On the subject of dentures to replace missing teeth we recommend that when you clean them you always do this over a sink half filled with water. One of the most common causes of broken dentures is when people drop them into the sink whilst cleaning, if you half fill the sink then this is less likely to happen.
When you have dentures made it is important to opt for a quality dental practice. One of the common causes of problems with dentures is where they do not fit quite as well as they should, they then slip and press on the gum. This results in what is known as ‘gum stripping’ and can result in a loss of the gum around the teeth.
As a patient it is very difficult to know whether this would happen to you, so we recommend you ask your dentist about how they can prevent this problem and support your denture to prevent it slipping.
Replacing missing teeth with dental implants.
Generally speaking these are often considered as one of the best alternatives to replace missing teeth. Here are a few reasons why:
How many dental implants will I need?
There are no hard and fast rules about the number of implants that are required, however . Here is a general guide.
One tooth missing.
Replacing one tooth will normally only require one implant.
Replacing two teeth.
This will usually require the placement of two implants although in some situations only one implant is required.
Replacing between three and four teeth.
As odd as it may seem, you may only need to have two implants to replace three or four teeth, this is because an implant can be placed at either end of the space and the gap can be bridged and supported on the implants at either end.
Five teeth or more.
This is where it gets very complicated and it’s not possible to give any further advice on a blog post. There are techniques for replacing a full jaw of teeth on only for dental implants, this is an advanced procedure and is not always available for clinical reasons, depending on what your own unique situation is.
Is it safe to have dental implants abroad?
Because implants are a complex procedure, albeit a routine one, we recommend that you visit a dentist that you are able to see often. The dental implant procedure will involve several appointments during the planning phase.
Once your dental implants are placed you will also be required to visit the dentist up to 4 additional times. If this is a broad this could become a rather expensive treatment if you have to pay for air fairs and hotels.
The other thing to consider with going abroad is emergencies. What happens if you have something go wrong or break with your dental implant?
Seeing a dentist in the UK, particularly a local one, like our Watford dental implant practice is the best way to ensure that you have good quality care by dental professionals who are on hand to help you in the event of an emergency.
National Heart Month!
/in Uncategorized /by New Road DentalFebruary is National Heart month, which is supported by the British Heart Foundation. We at New Road Dental thought that this would be a good opportunity to let you know about the links between oral health and heart disease.
The billions of bacteria and other microscopic critters that live in the mouth unquestionably influence the health of teeth and gums, but do they also cause problems for the heart and blood vessels?
The answer is yes. Gum disease has been linked to a variety of other health problems, including:
But it isn’t all doom and gloom! The good news is that brushing your teeth properly and looking after your gums can prevent and treat gum disease, improve your overall health and help reduce your risk of health problems, such as heart disease. All you need to do is:
It really is beneficial to maintain a good level of oral health, and not just to prevent bad breath!
For more information or if you have any queries please don’t hesitate to visit us at
119 New Road, Croxley Green, WD33EN
Or give us a call on 01923 776 270 and one of our friendly Customer Service Advisors will be more than happy to help.
Happy flossing!
Happy New Year!
/in Uncategorized /by New Road DentalFrom your New Road Dental team, we would like to wish all our patients and friends a very happy and healthy 2014.
Your team at New Road Dental are back refreshed following our Christmas break and hope that all our lovely readers and patients are too!
We have all been discussing our New Year’s Resolutions for 2014 and a lot of them have been about being fitter and healthier, which got us thinking about an important resolution which is often overlooked- maintaining a high standard of oral health! Here are some resolution ideas that you can apply to your new year to keep that dental drill at bay;
*See Your Dentist and Oral Hygienist for Regular Checkups and Cleans
*Brush at Least Twice a Day and Floss at Least Once a day
*Limit Your Alcohol Intake
*Drink More Water and Less Juices or Fizzy Drinks
*Eat Plenty of Fruit and Vegetables as Part of a Balanced Diet
*Quit Smoking or Using Other Tobacco Products
*Have Less Sugar in You Tea & Coffee, Maybe Switch to a Natural Sweetener Like Stevia
As for our Team’s New Year’s Resolution, we are here ready to listen to our customer’s wants and needs. Do you have any suggestions that you would like us to put in place in 2014? If so please call our Practice Manager Sarah Marshall on 01923 776270 or email Sarah@newroaddental.co.uk.
This Practice at New Road is as much our patients as ours and feedback from patients is necessary for improving our customer service and satisfaction. We not only want patients to leave smiling, we want them to come in confident and happy knowing they are going to receive the best care possible.
We are a General Dental Practice who are delighted that we have the skills and experience to offer extras that many other practices are unable to offer. This includes;
Please see on the following link for information on these treatments.
“Biggest Coffee Morning”
/in Uncategorized /by New Road DentalFriday 27th September 2013 is Macmillan’s Cancer Support ‘World’s Biggest Coffee morning’. This is their biggest fundraising event and we at New Road Dental are very excited to be holding a coffee morning where donations on the day are made to Macmillan. This is such a wonderful cause which is very close to a lot of people’s hearts. In 2012 115,000 people signed up to coffee morning, raising a record £15 million. This year we want to help raise even more money to help change the lives of people affected by cancer.
During our practice meeting this Thursday 26th September, we thought we would do things a bit differently and hold our own coffee morning that day instead! All proceeds still obviously going towards McMillan Cancer Support.
The idea is to bake (or buy…as most of our staff will just buy!) some cakes and have them in the staff room during the meeting. All of our staff will try and bake a cake (or two!!) and after making a donation, they can then help themselves to the treats.
It should be great…eating cake (as part of a balanced sugar diet!) and giving to charity.
Are you planning anything for the “Biggest Coffee Morning”?