Straight teeth in ten weeks : The Inman Aligner

Is this you?

• You've got crooked top or bottom front teeth.

• You had a brace when you were younger, but things have relapsed.

And you want to do something about it?

Inman Aligner could be the answer for you...

At York Place Dental we're delighted to be the first Practice in Carlisle to become a certified Inman Aligner provider.

Using hi tech removable braces, you could have the straight upper or lower front teeth that you've always wanted. Easy to wear, cheaper than clear aligners, in as little as six to sixteen weeks you could have straight front teeth. 

And for the first few cases we're throwing in tooth whitening for nothing :-)

No NHS waiting list, you could be starting your treatment in the NewYear.

Why not give us a call on 01228 533431 or check us out on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/yorkplacedental 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Mouth Cancer Awareness : Reduce the Risk

Preventive Dental Care is what it says on the can.

The dental team assess the risk of you developing dental diseases, and then work with you to keep you healthy. This could be tooth decay, it could be gum infection, it could be tooth wear. All diseases.

As I said yesterday, another one of those diseases is in fact a group of diseases that we refer to as mouth cancer - affecting the tissues in and around the mouth. In November the dental profession are working to raise awareness of mouth cancer in the community.

Here's a list of the things that increase the risk of developing mouth cancer:

• Smoking. Tobacco causes most Oral cancers. 75% of oral cancer sufferers have used alcohol, tobacco or both.
• Alcohol Consumption. Heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk. Obviously, reduction is the name of the game, as with smoking
• HPV Infection. A viral infection caused by sexual contact, affects younger people.
• Sun. Especially on the lower lip - I have a friend who has recently had an operation to remove a cancerous lesion - he spends a lot of time out of doors. Use of sunscreens, hats, avoiding the midday sun (when we get it..) will help.
• Previous Oral cancer. Mouth cancer sufferers are more likely to get it again, especially if they continue to smoke...
• Diet. Some studies indicate that not eating enough fruit and vegetables increases the risk.
• Gender. Studies show that men are twice as likely to develop mouth cancer as women.
• Immune Suppression. People on drugs to stop their immune system rejected grafted organs are more likely to develop mouth cancer.
• Betel Nut Quid. Commonly chewed in Asian communities - a mix of nut, lime and betel leaf with some tobacco.

Its not all doom and gloom - the positive side is that we know a lot more about prevention and campaigns such as this one are raising awareness.

So when you fill in your medical update on arrival at your dental practice, or when your dentist is looking at your face and neck and getting you stick your tongue out, you'll hopefully understand a little more what it is that we all doing for you. We're quietly looking and assessing...

If you're concerned about mouth cancer or any of the issues raised, please get in touch - we'd be glad to help.

Mouth Cancer Awareness : Know the Signs

Each year in November dental practices throughout the UK try to raise public awareness of mouth cancer, and the time is with us once again to beat the drum.


Cancer can occur in any part of the mouth, the tongue and lips, throat, salivary glands, and any of the surrounding tissues and organs. 


These "Mouth Cancers" have a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer or skin melanoma - and yet there is no formal national screening program.


Sadly of the in excess of 6000 cases a year diagnosed in the UK, in excess of 50% of patients don't make it - often because of late diagnosis. 


So, what can you do about it?


Know the signs - and my thanks to the Mouth Cancer Foundation for this information:


It is important to have a self-awareness and to perform regular self-examinations to help in the early identification of these symptoms: 

1. A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal within three weeks

2. A lump or overgrowth of tissue anywhere in the mouth

3. A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth

4. Difficulty in swallowing

5. Difficulty in chewing or moving the jaw or tongue

6. Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth

7. A feeling that something is caught in the throat

8. A chronic sore throat or voice change (hoarseness) that persists more than six weeks, particularly smokers over 50 years old and heavy drinkers

9. Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable

10. Neck swelling present for more than three weeks

11. Unexplained tooth mobility persisting for  more than three weeks - see a dentist urgently

12. Persistent nasal (especially unilateral)l nasal obstruction, particularly associated with mucus (clear, purulent or bloody) discharge causing difficulty breathing through nose

13. Unexplained persistent earache

So - you want teeth for life then?

When I ask my patients if they want to keep their teeth for life, they'll usually smile and say yes. It's not that it's funny, it's just that most people assume that dental health is a given.

Along with stuff like space flight, stem cell technology and the ability to make more telephones than you could ever imagine being necessary, surely the human race can sort a thing as simple as teeth - right?

Well, as with a lot of things, it's not a given.

Some of us are prone to diseases of the gums and tissues that hold our teeth in place - we call this periodontal or gum disease. In simple terms it's caused by harmful bacteria, growing in the bits of chewed up food that we leave behind on our teeth after eating and cleaning. Superb cleaning certainly helps, as does stopping smoking, controlling diabetes and having a healthy diet.

At York Place Dental we've been screening all of you for years, matching your personal dental hygiene program to the risk of you getting gum and other dental diseases. Kim and Michelle train and mentor you in how best to reduce the risk of tooth loss through gum disease, and they check your progress over time at review visits.

The big news this month is that we're trialling a computer program called Previser to help us to be even more confident that we are getting your care program absolutely right - at no additional cost to you.

At your next Dental Health Assessment, we'll be entering a few more readings than usual into the computer and getting an immediate online assessment of the risk of you suffering from periodontal disease, courtesy of Previser. We'll explain it to you, give you the correct care and advice , and you get a copy of your report to keep. The key is that Previser have gone to great lengths to match our observations to the latest in international thinking on how best to help you.

The benefit to you? The confidence that we are checking against the best knowledge to make sure that  we are getting your preventive dental care right. As long as you follow our advice, you're even more likely to have those teeth for life....

After your next visit we'll be asking you for your comments on this new system - and what we're hearing so far is extremely positive.

Do you have bleeding gums, loose teeth or bad breath? Is there a question you'd like us to answer? Contact us here and we'll help!

Do you feel like you are being ignored?

How many times have you been in a place where you've got a problem and you've gone for some advice?

Lets imagine the scenario. You've plucked up the courage to do something about an issue, perhaps an embarrassing one, and booked an appointment.

You arrive on the day at your destination, you exchange pleasantries with the person greeting you, and wait.

And then you wait some more...

And some more as well.

You check your watch, and accept that things must be busy, but are painfully aware that its getting toward the end of the working day and that maybe you're going to be shall we say - rushed along?

And then it happens - you're called into the office (or surgery, or room, or whatever) - and The Expert is sat there writing notes about the last person on the computer with their back to you, but its OK they can write and talk at the same time whilst facing the wall  - "Now what seems to be the problem Mr Smith..."

Not a good start - your name is Mrs Jones.

You find talking to the floor easier because there's no eye contact, no attempt at friendliness, and you feel faintly ridiculous and a bit stupid because your problem now seems to have been a bit of an ego trip, and hey, The Expert has obviously got a lot of other bigger things to worry about.

You're just floundering through your explanation with a mouth as parched as Death Valley when you find yourself cut off and handed a ...prescription  / excuse / another appointment / fobbed off.....

I dont think I need to go on do I.....

Its Friday afternoon, and we've had a lovely week and the privilege of meeting some genuine, often scared and occasionally traumatised people for the first time...because they've come to see us for some help.

And why do we keep hearing stories like the one above, over and over again. 

Dentistry is a people profession. Most of us have two eyes, two ears and one mouth - and they should be used in exactly that order.

Has this ever happened to you? Why don't you get in touch and let us know about it....

Its Your Choice

Great to welcome some new members to the Tribe at YPD today. Welcome!

Dental Care is a people job and we love it. As you'd expect, today brought a complete mix of unique people (aren't we all?), all with their own story to tell. Some long stories, some short, some of them had problems, others didn't...and as a team we've done our level best to give the best possible advice, explained in the most easy to understand way.

The common thread from all these stories is that until we can gain your respect and above all your trust, we're no use to anyone.

And gaining your trust takes time - lots of it. 

Time to listen to you, time to ask questions, time to think and plan, time to show you, time (we hope) to excel.

Which is why we think Slow is Okay - in a good way. 

• As much time as you like for your complimentary New Patient Assessment.
• At least an hour for your New Patient Consultation. 
• At least  at least 30 minutes with your hygienist. 
• No crammed waiting rooms.

So that you have the best possible advice, the time to ask your questions - and the time to make your choices.

We're here to advise and to care, with your permission.

At the end of the day, its your choice...

Unsung Heroes no.2: Your Dental Hygienist

Here's a guessing game with a massive clue in the title:

Who, in the Dental Health Team

• Renews their acquaintance with you on a regular basis.
• Puts you at ease, discusses your life, your kids, your holidays, what you've been doing since your last visit.
• ...and possibly spends more time with you than your dentist...so that you know them as a person and they gain your trust.

Who, in the Dental Health team:

• Has studied for at least two years full time at University to gain their qualification.
• Assesses your progress against your personalised treatment plan - which they have designed.
• Takes the right clinical readings and works with your dentist on your progress.
• Reinforces your pathway toward optimum dental health.
• ...and mentors you when things have perhaps gone a little awry (we know it happens - it's okay).

Who, in the Dental Health Team can:

• Discuss your healthy diet.
• Take your x rays.
• Whiten your teeth.
• Apply protective coatings to keep your teeth strong.
• Recommend the right home techniques to better your dental health - and find out with you really works and what doesn't?

And above all, who is it that teams up with you to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy for life?

I think most of you should have it by now. 

A big Hi to all the Dental Hygienists out there  - couldn't do it without them :-)