20 June 2019

Our blog has now moved to a new site.

Please access our blog via our website.  https://www.cosmeticdentistmk.co.uk/blog/
Thank you.


To transform your smile, contact Appledore Dental Clinic Milton Keynes and you will start smiling more

Milton Keynes dentists moves to a new blog site

20 March 2019

Invisalign for Teens in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes

Appledore will beat any invisalign quote you have had in the last 3 months from
another dentist in Milton Keynes 😀

Call 01908 230 209 for t's & c's and to book your FREE invisalign consultation 👈👍

No quote? 
If you don't have a quote you can have £500 off the usual price of your aligners,  
free whitening and free retainers 😀

invisalign offers are valid up to the end of May 2019 💖

Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes
Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes
  
Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes

Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes

Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes


Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes



Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes

Treatment up to 2x faster*? No wonder teens are smiling. ⏰👍 
*With weekly aligner changes vs. 2-week wear.

Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes
  
To transform your smile, contact Appledore Dental Clinic Milton Keynes and you will start smiling more

Milton Keynes dentists straighten teens teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes

Does It Matter What Toothpaste I Use?

Some of the age-old questions, put to every dentist at least a dozen times a week.

‘Am I using the right toothpaste?’
‘Should I be using something different?’
‘Does it matter which brand I buy?’

It’s no surprise really. You only get one set of adult teeth in your life, and you want to take care of them. Especially if you’re taking all that time to go to the dentist for regular check-ups. But while the dentist is important, we all know that the real maintenance work is done at home. Toothpaste is one of the most basic and important safeguards you have against plaque, cavities and tooth decay. So, how do you make sure you’re using the right one?

The Basics
Let’s go right back to the basics here. Toothpaste really is a means to an end when it comes to tooth care. You could buy the most expensive, all singing, all dancing brands out there, but if you’re lazy about brushing your teeth regularly then it won’t make a single bit of difference. Experts recommend brushing your teeth once a day at a minimum, and after every meal if you can. This is because brushing reduces the amount of harmful bacteria and plaque that build up in your mouth after you eat, keeping your mouth healthy and happy.

What Toothpaste Is Made Of
Before you go off and decide on a brand, you should understand some of the basic science behind toothpaste. The main ingredients of toothpaste include:

  • Abrasive Agents: Abrasive agents are the things that create the scratchy, abrasive sensation when you brush. They are what creates friction and helps get rid of the plaque on your teeth. They are usually made up of silicates like hydrated silica, calcium carbonate, hydrated alumina or even sand (which sounds weird, but is more common than you would think. 
  • Detergent: The foaming when you brush is caused by detergents and cleansers in the toothpaste getting to work. They work very similarly to facial cleansers and even washing up liquid, breaking down undesirable substances that water alone won’t get, loosening any insoluble materials and cutting through any grease to reveal the clean, shiny surface beneath.
  • Fluoride: The subject of fluoride was the cause of huge debates a few years ago, particularly in the US. Fluoride is a chemical that’s added to water and toothpaste to help strengthen tooth enamel and reverse the process of tooth decay. While fluoride does occur naturally, we need to artificially boost the levels to see the benefits. Around 1.6 billion people receive fluoride in their water in the UK – it’s the reason cavities and tooth decay have gone down so much in the last 50 years.
  • Sweeteners: Of course, all this stuff might be good for your teeth, but it doesn’t always taste great. So toothpaste manufacturers will add sweeteners and flavourings to their mix to make it taste better. After all, if it tasted bad, you probably wouldn’t brush your teeth as often as you should. The traditional option is mint, but there are more exotic options out there for both adults and children.

What’s The Best?
All toothpaste brands out there will include all of those basic components, so when it comes to making a buying decision, it’s difficult to make a bad choice. However, in some cases there are certain things you should look for:
  • If you smoke, or drink a lot of high-stain drinks (like tea, coffee or red wine), you’ll want to go for something with bicarbonate of soda in it to help fluoride in it to reduce staining, along with fluoride to make your teeth more resistant to the acids in those drinks that can decay your teeth.
  • If you have yellower teeth, you’ll want something with a whitening additive to slowly break way the yellow and turn the tooth colour back to white. Abrasive toothpastes can help initially, but if you use them for too long they will actually start to turn your teeth darker and damage them, so be careful with them.
  • If you have sensitive teeth, look for something with a low abrasion level to avoid pain when brushing. Added fluoride will help here as well, since tooth sensitivity is caused by thinning enamel, and fluoride toothpaste will help build this back up. If the sensitivity is a real issues, there are also specialist toothpastes out there for sensitive teeth that can actively reduce the sensitivity in your teeth – just ask your dentist what they recommend.
There are hundreds of brands out there, with lots of products designed to help people with specific teeth problems. But ultimately it doesn’t matter you use – it’s about how often you brush your teeth. Without regular brushing, toothpaste is just a bathroom ornament. So go for what you prefer, and make sure you use it.

At Appledore, we’re always happy to offer advice and suggestions on your at-home oral hygiene routine. Our expert hygienists and dentists are on hand to help you work out what kind of toothpaste is right for your teeth, and how to improve your daily brushing routine. For more information, book your smile consultation with us today.

To transform your smile, contact Appledore Dental Clinic Milton Keynes and you will start smiling more

Milton Keynes dentists what toothpaste ?

4 February 2019

Could Cold And Flu Medicines Be Damaging Your Teeth?

It’s that time of year again. You’re feeling a bit under the weather, with a cough, a stuffy head and a running nose, or just a case of the sniffles, making you look like Rudolph even though the festive season is over and done with. But the cold weather persists, and the bugs keep spreading. To relieve your symptoms and get you through the day, you might want to reach for your favourite remedy. But while these ‘miracle cures’ (or just get-me-to-work cures) might be good for your health, most of them aren’t so great for your teeth. So if you’re aiming for good dental health, there are a few things you need to keep an eye on.

Decongestants 
The whole idea of decongestants is that they dry out all that mucus and nasty stuff that tends to clog your airways when you’re ill. The problem is, it dries everything else out as well. Dry mouth is a very common side effect of decongestants, and the reduced saliva makes your mouth a perfect breeding ground for bacterial growth. Fortunately, this is easily remedied by drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated. Decongestants are a temporary medicine, so you don’t have to worry about it for long.

Throat Lozenges 
Milton Keynes dentist could cold and flu medicines be damaging your teeth
Quick, easy and convenient, when you have a sore throat, a lozenge or cough drop is the best solution. But their effectiveness is also their biggest problem. They are designed to dissolve slowly in your mouth – meaning you hold them in your mouth for a long time. You rattle them around your teeth, suck on them and generally spread the flavourings and high-sugar ingredients around your mouth. While a lot of the ingredients in these lozenges are medicinal, a lot of them are purely for flavour and sweetness – meaning they are full of sugar. So if you need throat lozenges to beat that tickly cough, try to opt for sugar-free ones instead.  

Liquid Cold Medicine 
These are the real culprits. Those thick, sticky, sweet liquids are great for soothing sore throats, but they contain an awful lot of sugar. They’re also incredibly sticky, which means you will end up with a coating of almost pure sugar on your teeth for hours afterwards. This can lead to bad breath and tooth decay. Some of these medicines also include alcohol (to sterilise germs), which reduces the amount of saliva you produce. This makes it even more difficult to wash away that coating. If you can, switch to pills or gel-capsules to completely eliminate the threat to your teeth. Where you can’t, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and brush your teeth after taking it when you can.

Hot Tea 
Hot, lemony tea is something a lot of British people love as their ‘home remedy’ for coughs and colds. For some, a drop of brandy makes it even better! And while there are few things more soothing for a sore throat than a nice hot drink (and some of the compounds in tea can do wonders for an upset stomach), it can contribute significantly to tooth erosion. This is particularly true if you drink your tea black, since black tea has been proven to have a significantly higher impact on tooth erosion. If you’re a big tea drinker when you have a cold, you might want to consider drinking it through a straw to minimise contact with your teeth, or use less sweetener. You don’t have to ditch the tea – but you should brush your teeth more often.

Orange Juice 
Milton Keynes dentist could cold and flu medicines be damaging your teethBecause you’re told to keep hydrated and up your vitamin C intake (to boost your immune system) when you have a cold, people tend to drown themselves in orange juice several times a day when they are ill. And while it is good to drink it for all those benefits and more, it’s not good in large quantities. Orange juice is a form of citric acid, and drinking a lot of it can soften the enamel on your teeth, making it easier to wear away and cause damage. But because it is beneficial, we aren’t going to tell you to stop drinking it altogether. Instead, we’re going to recommend that you drink all of your orange juice for the day in one sitting. This way, you can brush your teeth afterwards and get rid of all the harmful citric acid that will cling on/ during the day, sip water, and reserve your juice and sugary drinks for meal times.

Dental health is a year-round commitment, and it’s especially important when you’re not well. It might feel like the last thing you want to do, but when your immune system is low and you are already battling infections or viruses, you need to stay on top of your dental hygiene. Drink lots of water, and make sure you ditch the toothbrush when you’re better for a nice, sparkly new one (that isn’t housing all of your sickness germs).

To transform your smile, contact Appledore Dental Clinic Milton Keynes and you will start smiling more

Milton Keynes dentists can cold and flu medicines be damaging your teeth

31 January 2019

Invisalign offer- Appledore will beat any MK quote

Do you already have a written quote from another dentist in Milton Keynes? 
Book in asap to see Dr Teresa our Clinical Director and she will beat that quote! 
Offer extended until end of May 2019 !!!  
(please note we may not be able to extend for much longer)
Call now on 01908 230 209 or email smilesmk@appledore.co.uk
You must remember to bring your existing written quote to your appointment.
And don't worry if you don't have an existing quote as you'll receive £500 off your aligners, free whitening and free retainers :) 

Did you know ?
No need for yukky impressions at Appledore, we have an Itero scanner, its fabulous!
Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign , Itero scanner means no yukky impressions


Appledore can straighten your teeth with Invisalign, a series of invisible aligners.  It's suitable for teenagers and adults.  This option is used by celebrities. 

  • As you cannot see the aligners being worn
  • As you can use whitening gel and have a fantastic white smile as your teeth are being straightened

 Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes


The person on the far left is wearing Invisalign  
Can you see them ? ‘No’ Because they are virtually invisible – Fantastic! 

Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes

“The most modern and almost invisible way to straighten your teeth”

The Invisalign system is a series of clear aligners, which are worn to gently move your teeth into their new positions.  You will need to wear them all the time, except for eating and cleaning.

Sam before Invisalign treatment at Appledore Dental Clinic Milton Keynes
Sam Before Appledore Invisalign Treatment
Sam's straight teeth treatment at Appledore Dental Clinic Milton Keynes
Sam After Appledore Invisalign Treatment
 “Wow!  I can't believe my before photo. I’d forgotten how crooked/gappy they were.  
Invisalign at Appledore is the BEST thing I have ever done 
It’s given me so much more confidence. Wish I’d done it earlier! ” 
 Says Sam from Milton Keynes.  


 Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes

5 Reasons Why So Many People Love Invisalign
1.  No unsightly or uncomfortable braces ! 
2. Invisalign Aligners are almost invisible, no-one knows you are wearing them (unless you tell them)
3.  You can brush & floss your teeth properly
4.  Removable, so you can still eat all your favourite foods
5.  Invisalign is suitable for a large age range, from 13 - 80

  
Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes
  
To transform your smile, contact Appledore Dental Clinic Milton Keynes and you will start smiling more

Milton Keynes dentists straight teeth with invisalign and beats other MK quotes

24 January 2019

Myth Busting: Flossing Edition

Floss, various types are available
Did you know that only 31% of people in the UK floss between their teeth, and only 5% of people do it regularly? It’s a startling figure, we know, especially since it’s pretty likely that your dentist tells you to floss at every appointment. As they should – the NHS suggests that everyone over the age of 12 should floss (or use interdental brushes if they prefer) every day as part of their oral health routine. So why is it that so many people avoid the minty-tasting white string? Well, it turns out that there are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation out there about flossing. And you know how much we like to bust a good myth, especially if it’s around oral hygiene. So today, we thought we’d bring you the truth and the lies around flossing.

Myth 1: Flossing Is Painful
Flossing shouldn’t hurt. If you’re using the right type of floss and your mouth is healthy, then you shouldn’t experience any pain at all. True, if you have gum disease then flossing can feel a little uncomfortable when you first start, but after a while it will feel more normal. If you’re experiencing pain when flossing, you should make an appointment to see your dentist.

Myth 2: I Should Only Floss When I Have Something Stuck In My Teeth
A lot of people will only break out the dental floss when they have something stuck between their teeth and it’s driving them crazy. And flossing is a great way to remove trapped particles from in-between your teeth, that much is true. But it’s not the only reason you should floss. For one, you are more likely to get things stuck between your teeth if you have built up plaque blocking the gaps and causing tightness. Flossing removes the plaque and prevents tooth decay (and things getting stuck).

Myth 3: Flossing Will Make My Receding Gums Worse
You can also use Interdental Brushes
If you have receding gums, you might be too scared to floss in case it makes them worse. This is the last thing you want, and we completely understand this fear. But thankfully there is no truth to that myth at all. In fact, regular flossing can actually prevent your gums from receding further, since it helps clear out food particles and bacteria from below the gumline. So if you have gingivitis, gum disease or receding gums, flossing is actually a more crucial part of your oral health routine than most.

Myth 4: I Shouldn’t Floss Because I Have Braces
Braces make flossing a challenging task, and a lot of people end up giving up and just not flossing while they have braces. But this is a really bad idea. Giving up on flossing for months or even years can lead to some nasty discoveries when you have the braces off. Just imagine all the food particles and bacteria in-between your teeth when you have them taken off! Or, look at it another way – there is no point in straightening your teeth if they’re not going to be healthy when your braces are removed.

Myth 5: My Teeth Are Too Tight To Floss Properly
This is something we hear a lot. If you have tight teeth with very little space in-between, the flossing can be a bit more of a challenge. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it at all. Instead, you just need to change your technique a little. A good tip for flossing tight teeth is to use a see-sawing motion to get the floss between your teeth. You could also try a waxed floss, which will slide between your teeth easier, and opting for a thinner floss will help too.

Truth!
Flossing is an important part of your oral hygiene routine, and we dentists recommend it for a reason. It helps remove bacteria from your mouth and keeps plaque from building up between your teeth, causing problems. It can also help treat some dental conditions, like receding gums and gingivitis, and can prevent bad breath and even tonsil stones. If you’re not sure how to floss properly, or you’re struggling to find a way that works for you, talk to your dentist or hygienist. They will be happy to demonstrate the techniques to you and even recommend products that will help. 

If you’d like some support on your flossing journey, just get in touch with us at Appledore and book your appointment.


To transform your smile, contact Appledore Dental Clinic Milton Keynes and you will start smiling more

Milton Keynes dentists why you should floss

20 December 2018

5 Holiday Foods That Could Be Damaging Your Teeth

With Christmas celebrations already well underway, it’s time for all of us to eat, drink and be merry. It’s the time of year when reckless amounts of cake, sweets and other holiday goodies are consumed, and everyone feels very content about it. Except for dentists. Because we know that over the Christmas period we will see a lot of people with damaged teeth, toothache and other problems, and in January we will be filling an awful lot of cavities. And since very few people actually enjoy going to the dentist to have work done, we thought we would share with you some of the festive foods to avoid this year if you want to protect your teeth.

Candy Canes
sugary impact of candy on your teethThese iconic Christmas treats are often used as tree decorations, or given out as a festive treat to children, and even crushed up and baked into holiday foods. But just like other hard candies, they are notoriously bad for your teeth and mouth. Not only do they represent a huge injection of sugar (that’s basically all they’re made of), which sticks to the teeth and encourages decay, they are also a leading cause of chipped teeth from people biting down on them. They can also cause abscesses or ulcers, where people suck on the ends and make them sharp, and then cut the inside of their mouths with them. So while candy canes look great, be careful when you eat them, and always rinse your mouth with water afterwards (or better, brush your teeth).  

Dried Fruits and Fruitcake
If you were looking for an excuse to avoid eating fruitcake this Christmas, here it is. While dried fruit might seem a better option for a snack than a cookie or cupcake, they can actually increase the risk of you getting a cavity. This ‘healthy’ alternative is actually packed with sugar, and the sticky nature means it’s harder to shift off your teeth afterwards, making them a breeding ground for bacteria. Fruitcake has a similar problem, but with an added risk. If you happen to have weak teeth, crowns or fillings, these super-sticky cakes could actually pull them apart, leading to some pretty intense pain, not to mention the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply and cause cavities.

Hot Chocolate
dairy impact of hot chocolate, smelly breath
Is there anything more Christmassy than a steaming mug of hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream and marshmallows? Mulled wine maybe, but generally hot chocolate sales soar at this time of year, with chains like Costa seeing a 200% increase in the number ordered compared to other times of year.  But cocoa has an extraordinarily high sugar content, which can lead to tooth decay, and all that extra dairy can lead to bad breath – which isn’t great when you’re supposed to be hugging a lot of people!

EggNog
This is a pretty new introduction to the UK, but it’s gaining popularity quickly. But for a dentist, Eggnog is one of the worst holiday drinks you can consume for 2 reasons. The first is the fact that it includes alcohol – usually bourbon or some other spirit, which can wreak havoc on your mouth. Alcohol can make the mouth very dry, which creates an environment primed for gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath. To add to that, Eggnog is mainly made of milk, cream and other dairy products. But dairy proteins are easily converted into odorous sulphur compounds by the bacteria that live in your mouth. In other words, Eggnog will give you some killer eggy breath!

Anything With Caramel Or Fudge 
We know it’s an absolute festive staple, but that box of Quality Street could cause a lot more problems than you think. Caramel and fudge are particularly bad for your teeth, not only because they contain higher levels of sugar than other sweets, but because they are sticky, hard and gooey. This means that you’re a risk of pulling out fillings, crowns or even teeth as you try to prise your jaws apart. And the fact that you’re often picking it out of (or sucking it off) your teeth for hours after you ate it shows that the sugar content sticks to your teeth like glue, giving the bacteria in your mouth all of the food they need to multiply and cause cavities. So if you don’t want to kick off your 2019 having cavities filled, we’d advise avoiding too much caramel.

All that said, we know how much fun Christmas can be, and that for many it’s the one time of the year they indulge. So we’re not saying you should avoid eating or drinking these things completely. If you want to, have them! Just be sure to take care of your teeth if you do. That means drinking plenty of water to flush the bacteria off your teeth, and making sure you brush your teeth, floss and use mouthwash at least twice a day (no matter how much you don’t feel like it on Christmas Day! If you want to find out more about keeping your teeth healthy over Christmas, or to book your check-up, just get in touch with us today.


To transform your smile, contact Appledore Dental Clinic Milton Keynes and you will start smiling more

Milton Keynes dentists why your tongue is burning