Researchers are finding possible links between periodontal (gum) infections and other diseases. Current studies suggest that there may be a link between gum disease and cardiovascular disease, even going so far as to suggest that gum disease may be a more serious risk factor for heart disease than high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, gender and age. Your oral health affects your overall health, but studies that will find exactly why these problems are linked are still underway.

Research shows that your risk of developing cardiovascular disease varies according to the severity of gum infection. Bacteria is present in infected gums and can loosen and spread throughout the body to your arteries. The worse the infection, the more likely the bacteria are to become blood-borne. Infected gums bleed, making it easier for bacteria to enter your bloodstream. If bacteria become dislodged, the bacteria can enter through cuts or sores in your mouth and can travel to other parts of the body. It has been suggested that bacteria can be dislodged and enter the bloodstream during tasks as simple as brushing, flossing or even chewing.

If bacteria reach the arteries, they can irritate them in the same way that they irritate gum tissue. This could cause arterial plaque to accumulate, which can cause hardening of the arteries and decreased or blocked blood flow. Compromised blood flow to your heart can cause a heart attack. Also, arterial plaque can come loose and travel to other parts of the body. If a blockage occurs in the brain, it can cause a stroke.

Oral hygiene is now more important than ever! Gum disease is a serious gum infection that should always be taken seriously. Although gum disease can often show few or no symptoms at all, watch for gums that are red and irritated or bleed easily. There are many new treatments available to control and help reverse gum disease. Schedule an oral cleaning today!

Article taken from the MIAMI Institute.

Q. What is Invisalign?

Invisalign can give you the beautiful straight teeth you’ve always wanted. It works through a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you’re wearing.

So you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Thousands of adults have already benefited from treatment in America where over 3000 orthodontists have treated their patients with Invisalign

• Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.

• Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.

• Invisalign has been proven effective in clinical research and in orthodontic practices throughout America.

Q. How does it work?

You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush and floss.

As you replace each aligner with the next series, your teeth will move little by little, week by week until they have straightened to the final position your orthodontist or dentist has prescribed.

You’ll visit your orthodontist about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.

Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

Invisible braces – Invisalign is one of the most popular treatments at Tracey Bell.

This revolutionary system from the USA allows children, teens and adults teeth to be straightened – closing gaps between teeth and aligning teeth.

The Invisalign system uses the latest in computerised orthodontic technology and at Tracey Bell we are proud to be listed as a Platinum Practitioner

Benefits of Invisalign

• Results – The results are pre-determined before treatment with Invisalign begins. The use of 3D technology allows your result to be viewed immediately.

• Aesthetics/Cosmetics – the use of Invisalign makes the aligners virtually invisible to anyone. This is one of the main reasons why thousands of adults have completed Invisalign treatment.

• Convenience – the ability for you to remove Invisalign allows eating, maintenance of good oral hygiene and greatly improved in social circumstances. The aligners can be removed if necessary.

Here is one of our patients Caroline who has undergone treatment for dental implants and ceramic crowns.

Why I started
All of my life I had hated the dentist, only ever attended in pain and yes, I’d been stupid and always asked to just ‘pull it out’.

How would I regret it later? At the age of 45, I had a high power job, socially I had a very demanding job and had the added problem of a denture and teeth that just didn’t match my personality.

The Procedure
After lots of market research, I shopped around but as soon as I walked into the APT office, I knew this would be the place I was going to receive my treatment. The dentist was so competent, confident that I decided after two thorough visits, consultants and discussion I was ready to proceed.

The procedure I did choose to have was sedation. A procedure where I simply felt tired, relaxed and all by placing a small injection into the back of my hand- pure bliss.

The overall treatment was to last 6 months – I was to have dental implants in my lower jaw and replace my crown work on the upper.

Implant Replacement
I have to admit this was the treatment I was most apprehensive about even after sedation. After the procedure I did feel tender, had swelling but after two days I was back to work.

The dentist had simply placed four small titanium screws into my lower jaw and onto these to these he would place my new teeth. Simply they replaced the roots. Whilst the bone was to stick to the implants he started on the upper ones which had been placed years ago

The procedure involved drilling of my old crowns which was so much more simpler than I had ever expected. 

The Results

My temporaries looked beautiful as Dr Broughton had already added length which gave me a beautiful full lip and two weeks later the results were even better.

Take a look at the photographs – I can’t believe it and I have the before and after pictures on my desk for everyone to see. I simply can’t believe it.

I left it far too long. Yes, I have sedation for my treatment but I enjoy visiting now. My smile has transformed my face, I have a much fuller lip, my jowls have disappeared and I’ve got a much different outlook on dentists thanks to Dr Broughton, APt and his staff.

APT says
Dental implants are the idea solution to replace missing teeth. With advancements in technology, same day teeth are now available that can completely transform peoples lives. Implants can be used to replace single teeth, full dentures or even partial dentures.

It is important that a thorough assessment of bone levels, medical history and past dental history is obtained. The procedure is a surgical procedure but is forever evolving with minimal discomfort to the patient.

With Caroline, combining implants, crowns and bridgework completely rejuvenated her smile, her facial appearance and changed her whole outlook on dentistry. Dentistry is changing – advances in technique enlighten the whole experience and yes most of our patients smile!

Dental problems are never any fun but the good news is that they can either be prevented or fixed for you.

We at Tracey Bell aim to provide you with a healthy, beautiful smile, allowing you to smile with confidence all day every day!

Tracey Bell provides a solution for all smiles where choice, education and information is of the upmost importance when choosing the correct treatment for you.

Our dental treatments include:

-Teeth Whitening
-Veneers
-Crowns
-Clear braces (Invisalign)
-Porcelain Bridges
-Fillings and Endodontics and much more…

At Tracey Bell a beautiful smile can be created having the greatest benefits of emotive beauty, increased self confidence, improved self-esteem and most of all a smile that you can and will be proud of.

Visit the Tracey Bell website to find out more about our Dental treatments and what we have to offer…

http://www.traceybell.co.uk/smilescription/smilescription.html

If you would like to know any more information visit our website:

http://www.traceybell.co.uk/smilescription/smilescription.html