Category: Dentists

Children are naturally not fond of dental chairs or appointments so, many parents believe that it won’t do any harm to skip a couple of checkups. And there are plenty of myths out there that support this reasoning relating to childhood dental care.

Our team at Aura Dental believes that prevention is better than cure, and our dentist St John’s Wood is always eager to see younger patients to ensure that their teeth and gums are healthy.

Here, our dentist St John’s Wood debunks some of the most common myths that surround children’s dentistry so that you can be better equipped to help your kids get on the path to better oral health.

Myth 1 – Baby teeth aren’t important

This is one of the most common myths that, frankly, drives our dentist St John’s Wood, a bit mad!

Baby teeth are important for many reasons. They help your child to speak and eat correctly. They also allow your child to develop their tongue muscles, so they are less likely to develop a speech impediment. And finally, baby teeth are important because they act as place markers for adult teeth. If they are removed too early due to decay, this can cause the adult teeth to erupt in a crooked position. So, take care of your children’s baby teeth!

Myth 2 – Dummies or pacifiers can cause issues with alignment

Babies and toddlers suck their thumbs or pacifiers as a form of self-soothing behaviour. Prenatal scans have even found that babies suck their fingers and thumbs in the womb. In short, it is normal behaviour that calms them down when they are stressed.

Dental research has found that sucking on dummies, pacifiers or thumbs does not equate to misaligned teeth, provided that this behaviour does not continue past the age of 4; most children naturally stop this habit between the ages of 2 and 4. If your child continues to suck their thumb past this age, you should contact our team for advice.

Myth 3 – Children don’t need a fluoride toothpaste

Tooth decay can occur when the first of your child’s teeth erupt. So, it is best to invest in an age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste to prevent those newly erupting teeth from cavities.

For children under the age of 3, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and an electric toothbrush; this will prevent them from swallowing the toothpaste and help to get the best clean.

Myth 4 – Only sugar causes cavities

It is something of gospel truth in dentistry that sugar causes cavities.

But starchy, high-carbohydrate foods like crackers, bread and chips can also increase the chance of cavities developing. So, to keep your child’s teeth healthy, remind them to brush and floss them every day.

Myth 5 – Chewing gum can create cavities

Chewing sugar-free gum can be beneficial for your children’s teeth. It helps to increase saliva production, which reduces the likelihood of plaque and debris affixing to your child’s teeth, hence, reducing cavities. It can also help to remove debris simply by being sticky, so, provided that it is sugar-free, let them chew away!

Despite having a good dental hygiene routine and visiting the dentist on a regular basis some of us are still unhappy with the appearance of our smiles. Thanks to advances in dental technology there is now a range of cosmetic dental treatments available at our dentist St John’s Wood to help address the individual issues which affect your smile. Each smile is unique and therefore we are happy to be able to present you with many different treatment options for addressing your individual dental requirements and your personal preferences.

Cosmetic dentistry continues to grow in popularity and with much research and development being carried out in this field, cosmetic dental techniques have become more effective, more convenient and more discreet than ever before.

Here at Aura Dental you need to visit our dentist St John’s Wood for a smile assessment and an examination of your teeth and gums, to talk about the aesthetic issues which are affecting their appearance. Learn how these can be addressed to help you achieve a more beautiful smile and promote better dental health.

How do smile makeovers work?

If you have multiple factors which are affecting the appearance and health of your teeth then here at our practice our dentist St John’s Wood can put together an individually tailored treatment plan or smile makeover for you. Smile makeovers can either be made up of a group of cosmetic dental treatments and procedures which will help to correct the aesthetic issues which are affecting the appearance of your smile, or you may opt for a standalone procedure which transforms your smile completely. Our dentist St. John’s Wood will use the results from the smile assessment and the examination of your teeth and gums to decide which treatments are safe and suitable for you.

Before you undergo a smile makeover we will address any dental conditions that you may have using our range of restorative treatments and procedures. We may begin with a hygienist appointment to make sure that your teeth are free of plaque and tartar. Not only will this clean your teeth, but it will also help improve their appearance before any cosmetic treatments have even begun.

Teeth straightening

Most people suffer from a certain degree of misalignment with their teeth. We have a range of orthodontic treatment options to help correct the alignment of your teeth for a straight and symmetrical smile. Not only will this improve the appearance of your smile, but it will have a significant positive impact on your overall oral health. Depending on the extent of misalignment that you begin with it may take as little as 4 weeks or up to 18 months to help correct the alignment of your teeth. However, once you have done so, using the help of a retainer, you will be able to maintain a neatly aligned smile for life. Once this is complete you can talk about further cosmetic dental treatments to enhance the appearance of your smile. Speak to our dentist today and find out more.

At Aura Dental, we offer a range of treatments for the whole family. Whether you require general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry or restorative treatments, we have a wide range to suit all requirements – you shouldn’t need to go anywhere else. As such, we hope to get to know you well over the years, but our focus is on preventive treatments, so if there is a way that we can help you to look after your teeth and gums to prevent issues from occurring, then that is what we will happily do.

For our younger patients, we particularly focus on advising how to take care of the teeth and gums as good habits built in the younger years will pay dividends in the future years of adulthood. Our team is friendly, caring and professional. We understand that not everyone relishes the thought of visiting the dentist, and for some, it can cause genuine anxiety, and may even be a phobia. We will always take treatments at your own pace and aim to make your experience as relaxing as possible.

One of our treatments that can improve the appearance of your smile and reduce anxiety is Invisalign.

What is Invisalign?

For patients who have mild to moderate alignment issues such as underbites or overbites, crossed teeth, gapped teeth or crowded teeth, we can offer a discreet treatment with Invisalign aligners. These are made of plastic and may be removed. They must be worn over the teeth and gently apply pressure to the teeth to move them into the desired position. Treatment can take around 6 to 18 months and consists of the aligners being changed on a weekly basis. You will only have to come and see your dentist St John’s Wood here at Aura Dental every 6 weeks for a checkup and receive the next batch of aligners.

What are the benefits of Invisalign?

Invisalign offers flexibility for the patient because the aligners may be removed for up to 2 hours a day. This means that you can remove them when you are eating and drinking, so you won’t need to worry about cleaning masticated food off them! Also, you can remove them when you are playing sports, attending a social event or just feeling like having a break – the choice is all yours!

The aligners can also be custom-made for your mouth using iTero technology, which is what we use to scan your mouth to get the measurements for your aligners to be made. The scan can also be used to generate a 3D animation of what your teeth will look like after treatment, which can be a really motivating experience at the start of your Invisalign journey (cue X-Factor music!). Joking aside, your smile will certainly be improved with Invisalign, and this can improve your self-esteem once you have completed your treatment.

What next?

If you would like to know more about what our dentist St John’s Wood can do for you here at Aura Dental, simply book in for an initial consultation, and we will explore the treatment options with you after examining your mouth thoroughly. Once you’ve been to see our dentist St John’s Wood, you won’t want to look anywhere else.

At Aura Dental, we are proud to offer excellent care to all of our patients. Our core values centre upon upholding our integrity and professionalism in all of our treatments, as well as empathising and understanding all of our patients’ needs, including those who have dental phobias or are nervous. We have an extensive range of treatments to cater for various issues in general dentistry, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency care. We understand, however, that preventive dentistry is really important and educating patients in how to care for their teeth and gums is also crucial in reducing the need for more treatment. For our younger patients, encouraging good habits from an early age can have major benefits for them as adults. However, for those who need our help, our dentist St John’s Wood is here to help. One treatment we offer for those with missing teeth is dental implants.

What are dental implants?

If you have one or more missing teeth, it is advisable to have them replaced because not doing so can lead to other teeth and the gums being overexposed to bacteria, which can cause further problems. Also, when you have missing teeth, it can cause issues with speech and the face can shrink as the structure has been lost that was provided by your teeth, causing you to look more aged. Thankfully, there is a way that this can be addressed with dental implants.

Implants are titanium screws that are attached to the jawbone. These screws fuse with the body’s tissues and become embedded into the jaw. Once they have healed, they shouldn’t be going anywhere. Depending on how many teeth you need to replace, you can then have crowns, bridges or dentures attached to them.

Why should I choose dental implants?

The results of having dental implants fitted are wonderful! Nobody should be able to tell that you don’t have a full set of natural teeth and they won’t give the game away when you are eating, drinking and socialising. You shouldn’t have to suffer the embarrassment of them loosening while you’re chatting and you won’t need to adapt your diet to avoid them breaking either. Our dentist St John’s Wood will tell you that this is the next best thing to having your natural teeth, both aesthetically and functionally. In fact, if your face had shrunk when you lost your natural teeth, dental implants should solve this issue too and you could even look more fresh-faced and youthful. If you did have issues with speech, this should also be rectified too.

What do I need to do next?

If you would like to find out more about dental implants or any of our other treatments, simply book in for an initial consultation with us. We will be able to discuss your concerns and goals for your teeth. We will examine your mouth thoroughly and we will then be able to advise you about the right treatment for you. With an extensive range, you can be sure that we will be able to help you – just come and see our dentist St John’s Wood to find out how!

Far more patients are aware of the importance of visiting a dentist St John’s Wood when they experience a dental issue, but few place the same importance on routine dental appointments. Dental practitioners find this a worrying trend indeed.

At Aura Dental, we know first-hand the adverse consequences that follow when patients suffer from pain and discomfort resulting from dental diseases. There is nothing so distracting as pain and discomfort to interfere with concentrating on tasks. Not seeking timely professional dental care from a dentist St John’s Wood and a patient may spend a longer period of time away from work and school. Even play and leisure activities can be disrupted, not to mention eating and sleeping. It is for all the above reasons and more that we encourage patients to take a more active approach in taking care of their oral health by making routine appointments with our capable and friendly dentist St John’s Wood to check on or clean their teeth and gums.

The critical importance of taking care of your teeth

To best understand why strong and healthy dentition is important, consider the various functions we rely on teeth to perform. The first obvious function is the grinding of food into easily digestible bits without which we would not be able to sustain our bodies.

The presence of natural teeth also influences how clearly we are able to speak and a strong dental arch gives shape and structure to the face. Then there is the irreplaceable aesthetic value of healthy teeth and gums on the confidence to smile a stunning smile.

What would happen if one cannot speak clearly or smile one’s best smile? When one’s confidence takes a knock, it is the quality of life that suffers. A drop in confidence leads to the increased likelihood of living life on the periphery – minimum social engagement.

There is another worrying concern about poor dental health – the greater possibility of complications with medical conditions. There are well-established links that show how poor oral health relates to problems with overall health and wellbeing.

Problems are first caused when the presence of bad bacteria in the mouth overwhelm the good ones, leading to chronic gum inflammation and tooth decay. These harmful microbes do not just wreak havoc in the mouth, but because the mouth stands as the entry point to the deeper and more vulnerable parts of the body, these destructive microorganisms can threaten vital life organs such as the heart and lungs. For example, advanced stages of gum disease have been found to contribute to cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, certain cancers and stroke.

Best ways to protect oral health

Taking care of natural teeth and gums is simple and easy but it does take consistency to keep one’s teeth for life. We encourage patients to implement a strict practise of brushing twice a day and flossing at least once. It is also important to make sure one is using correct brushing and flossing techniques like holding the toothbrush correctly and not using too much force when brushing.

In addition to best at-home oral hygiene practices is the absolute necessity of professional dental checkups – the only guaranteed way of knowing for sure if all is well with one’s dental health.

Dental appointments are not for only those times you experience a tooth or gum problem but also to gain peace of mind that there are no oral health problems that need attention. For a positive dental experience, choose a reputable dental practice. At Aura Dental we offer top-quality patient-centred dental care.

The oral cavity stands as the point of access to the digestive and respiratory tracts yet few patients really consider the connection between oral health and that of their overall health. This connection is one of the foremost reasons why maintaining optimal oral health should be a topmost priority for patients. This priority is best managed through proactive pro-dental habits like visiting a dentist St John’s Wood for routine professional dental care.

At Aura Dental, our dentist St John’s Wood offers a high standard of patient care backed by a philosophy of patient-centred dentistry. It is this forward-thinking approach that allows for positive patient experiences that is indispensable in helping inspire patients, both young and old, to continue to look after their oral health. Why is oral health so important to achieve and maintain? In this post, we take a look at all those enriching rewards of ensuring one’s teeth and gums are healthy.

The benefits of a dentist St John’s Wood protecting dental health

Just as with other parts of the body, the mouth should also be properly cared for to enjoy the full function of healthy teeth and gums. For as long as you live, you will require your teeth to help your body obtain required nutrition through foods you eat, to talk clearly, to give your face shape and to smile so that you form positive first impressions on others.

It is for all these reasons and more that proper dental care becomes indispensable to live a good quality of life.

Avoid debilitating dental pain and other problems that affect quality of life. The one undesirable event that can easily derail you from daily obligatory tasks like no other is suffering from dental pain and discomfort. When you are in pain, it is exceedingly difficult to eat, talk, work, sleep or play. Not looking after your oral hygiene as recommended by dentists, or avoiding the dental chair altogether, are sure-fire ways, to seeing all sorts of problems develop with teeth and gums –problems that manifest in pain, sensitivity, swelling and discomfort.

Lower the risk of other medical complications. Dental problems do not exist in isolation but are linked to various other chronic medical conditions. Harmful oral microbiome in the mouth can spread throughout the bloodstream and aggravate other medical conditions that affect the heart and lungs: cardiovascular disease, endocarditis, pneumonia and other respiratory infections, osteoporosis and diabetes. Poor oral health has also been linked to some types of cancers, eating disorders, an immune system disorder and arthritis (rheumatoid).

Protecting oral health requires patients to follow a few simple guidelines. At home, brushing and flossing teeth every day using best practice techniques is non-negotiable. Then there is the other non-negotiable which is eating a wholesome diet and making sure you limit the frequent consumption of sugar-rich foods and beverages.

Patients who recognise the absolute necessity of good dental health will make a note of their next dental check-up as attending these appointments is a guaranteed way of knowing that they won’t be caught unawares by poor oral health problems.

Don’t let dental problems get in the way of living your life. Protect the mouth and the rest of your body from bad oral bacteria, schedule your oral health check with our friendly and highly capable dentist at Aura Dental today.

Cosmetic dentistry is now more accessible and convenient than ever before and with different payment plans available here at our dentist St John’s Wood, it is no longer only celebrities who can flash their dazzling white smiles on screen, but you can also achieve a smile that you are proud to show off to the world!

Speak to us at Aura Dental today to book an appointment with our dentist St John’s Wood and find out how we can help you improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile, whilst promoting better dental health at the same time.

Factors affecting the aesthetics of your smile

Misaligned teeth, crooked and wonky teeth, gaps in your mouth, overcrowding and missing teeth can all impact the way you feel about your smile and also cause an array of dental health issues. Each smile is unique so it is important that you book an appointment with your dentist St John’s Wood to find out which treatments are most suitable for you. You will first need to undergo a thorough examination of your mouth to assess that your teeth are clean and that there are no signs of disease. If you are suffering from problems with your teeth or gums then you may require restorative dental treatment before you can undergo cosmetic dentistry. Here, at our practice, we are pleased to provide a full range of restorative dental treatments to meet all your dental requirements and personal preferences.

What is a smile makeover?

Once all your dental problems have been addressed you can undergo a specialised scan to help create a three-dimensional image of your mouth, from which you and our dentist St John’s Wood can decide which treatment options can help correct the aesthetic issues of your teeth. If you suffer from multiple aesthetic issues concerning your mouth then our dentist can create a bespoke smile makeover for you here with us. A smile makeover can help address misalignment of your teeth, it can correct teeth staining or yellow teeth and restore the natural shine of your enamel. For those with chipped, cracked or broken teeth you may wish to speak to our dentist and find out about composite bonding or dental veneers to transform your smile completely.

If you suffer from crooked or wonky teeth, to begin your smile makeover we are pleased to offer Invisalign to help correct the misalignment of your teeth. Depending on the extent of misalignment to begin with, treatment with Invisalign may take as little as 12 weeks to create a neatly aligned smile or up to a year depending on your dental requirements. Once your teeth are neatly aligned, you can undergo a teeth whitening procedure to help boost the aesthetics of your smile. If you have addressed the alignment of your smile, but require further dental treatment then you can complete your smile makeover with composite bonding to mask the surface imperfections of your teeth and create a beautiful white smile. If you are looking for a more permanent solution then you may choose porcelain veneers, they will also completely mask the imperfections of your teeth so that you have a brand-new smile.

It is important to visit our dentist St John’s Wood, here at Aura Dental, on a regular basis to ensure good oral health, a beautiful smile and better overall wellbeing. We recommend that you visit the dentist at least once every six months and more frequently if you suffer from dental issues. Routine appointments at our dentist St John’s Wood consist of a thorough examination of your teeth and gums, and X-rays where necessary, to help detect any dental problems. Our dentist will discuss your oral hygiene routine and provide you with specialist advice where necessary.

Dental hygiene

Here at your dentist St John’s Wood we also recommend that you visit the hygienist on a regular basis, similarly once every six months, for a professional clean of your teeth to remove plaque and tartar, helping to promote better dental health and a more beautiful smile too. We offer hygienist appointments for children, which are very important, especially for children who are brushing their teeth by themselves. A significant percentage of young children suffer from dental caries and can therefore benefit from regular appointments with the hygienist. Your dentist St John’s Wood may recommend a periodontal deep clean and this is important for helping to prevent and treat gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth loss. We are also pleased to present airflow, a popular and modern hygiene treatment which helps break up stain molecules on your teeth for a beautiful white smile.

Visiting the dentist and hygienist in combination on a regular basis will help prevent dental issues and gum disease. If any problems present themselves they will be detected early on and therefore can be treated effectively and successfully before they cause further complications.

Here, at our practice, we are passionate about promoting good oral health for life, therefore we want you to bring your whole family, from the very young to the elderly, for regular check-ups, so that we can help you enjoy a happy healthy smile and to retain your natural teeth for as long as possible in life. Our dentist is able to offer a full range of restorative dental treatments for those who are suffering from dental concerns. The majority of dental health issues are caused by poor oral hygiene and avoiding the dentist. By maintaining a good, daily dental hygiene routine at home and visiting the dentist regularly, such issues and complications can be prevented.

Mouth cancer screening

At our practice we are also pleased to offer you oral cancer screening. We want you to book an appointment each year for a mouth cancer screen. We will carry out a full history of your oral health and a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and mouth to help detect any abnormalities which may be indicative of mouth cancer. Unfortunately many lifestyle choices such as smoking and drug abuse can also result in mouth cancer, therefore it is important to carry out regular screening so that any abnormalities can be detected from the outset and treated effectively and successfully.

It is important to regularly visit your dentist St John’s Wood to make sure that you have good dental health and that your teeth are strong and healthy enough to last the rest of your life. Unfortunately, throughout life, many adults lose some of their teeth.

Here in the UK, research has shown that almost 75% of adults have lost a tooth or had a tooth extracted for whatever reason. Thanks to advances in dental technology, tooth replacement therapy has become more effective and convenient than ever before. So, if you have lost a tooth or had to undergo a tooth extraction, then speak to our dentist St John’s Wood to find out about the different treatment options available for you.

Why are dental implants so popular?

Dental implants are a popular form of tooth replacement therapy here at your dentist St John’s Wood and have become firmly established over the last few decades as the gold standard in replacing missing teeth. Although they have been around for many years now, dental implants have seen a rise in popularity only over the last two decades, and they continue to be the choice of treatment for missing teeth amongst dentists and patients alike.

If you have missing teeth, whether as a result of poor oral hygiene or injury, then speak to your dentist St John’s Wood to find out how dental implants here at Aura Dental could help you. If you have one missing tooth, multiple missing teeth or you need to replace all your teeth, speak to us about dental implants, and we can discuss the different options that are available for you.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants work to replace the root of your missing tooth. They consist of small titanium screws that can be placed into the bone socket of your missing tooth to enable a natural process known as osseointegration to help embed the screw firmly in place. The screw then becomes fused to the bone, providing a solid foundation for the prosthetic of your choice. The process of the titanium screw becoming successfully embedded in your mouth can take several months and varies between patients depending on the overall well-being and the body’s ability to heal itself. Once your dentist is certain that successful osseointegration has occurred and the screw is firmly in place. you will need to visit your dentist again.

The next part of the procedure involves attaching an abutment or a connector post to the head of the screw, on which your dentist will fix the crown, bridge or denture depending on your dental requirements and personal choice.

Although the process can take up to 6 months or more to be completed, dental implants are a permanent solution to replacing your missing teeth. Tooth loss can have a negative impact on the rest of your teeth; it can affect your diet, your speech and the appearance of your smile. With the advice of your dentist and regular visits to us at Aura Dental, you can maintain better oral health and smile happily again.

One of the first things we notice when we meet someone is the appearance of their smile. Neatly aligned, white smiles are attractive to look at and memorable too. A healthy and beautiful smile not only helps you feel better about yourself but also promotes overall well-being and boosts the way other people see you. Here at Aura Dental, we want everyone to be happy with their teeth and smile. So, if you feel that your teeth could be improved, then speak to our dentist St John’s Wood today and find out about the different treatments that we offer to help improve the aesthetics of your smile. Cosmetic dentistry has become increasingly popular over the last two decades, and visiting the dentist has become an important part of self-grooming.

Teeth straightening

Here at Aura Dental, there are many different treatment options for addressing the misalignment issues of your teeth. Whether you are looking to correct extensive misalignment or simply improve your smile, we have many different options available for you. Traditional orthodontics is carried out using metal dental braces, and to this day, it remains the most effective form of teeth straightening. The braces consist of metal wires and brackets that can be fixed to the surface of your teeth and pull your teeth into position. If you are reluctant to undergo traditional orthodontic treatment, you may wish to consider clear braces or invisible orthodontics as they work in the same way but also provide discretion. If you are looking to carry out a minor realignment of your teeth, then you could find out about the use of aligners rather than fixed braces. Speak to our dentist St John’s Wood to find out more today.

Teeth whitening

Yellow teeth is another issue that can affect the appearance of your smile and impact your self-confidence. Teeth whitening procedures at our dentist are both safe and effective. If you are looking to whiten your teeth gradually in the comfort of your own home, then you can find out about home whitening kits from our dentist St John’s Wood. If you are looking for a more dramatic transformation, then you may wish to find out about having your teeth professionally whitened by our dentist at the clinic. Speak to us at Aura Dental today and find out about teeth whitening at our dentist St John’s Wood.

Here at Aura Dental, we proudly recommend the Enlighten teeth whitening system, which has a 98% success rate. This system works using a combination of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide that makes up the teeth whitening gels. The gel can be worn in individually tailored dental trays for either a short time during the day or overnight whilst you sleep. This is a two-week process that can be completed within a 40-minute whitening session at our dentist. Speak to us to find out more about Enlighten and other teeth whitening procedures here at Aura Dental. Together we can help you achieve a smile that you are proud to show off to the world.