Helping to improve dental hygiene

In February 2022 the United Kingdom was ranked in twelfth place in Europe when it comes to oral hygiene according to Dental Nursing UK. At Meadowbank Dental we want to change that by providing our patients with the education and treatment they need to maintain their dental hygiene Edinburgh.

An international team

We have assembled a dedicated dynamic team of staff from all over the world, providing our patients with the expertise required to maintain their teeth and gums. All of our staff are trained to deliver a high level of dental service.

It all starts with you

A simple dental hygiene Edinburgh programme can be the difference between keeping your teeth or losing your teeth. If a proper oral hygiene regime is instilled from a very young age the chances are that your teeth will stay with you for your whole life. The best time to start taking care of your teeth is while you still have your baby teeth. If you have children bring them in with you when you have an appointment. Our friendly, welcoming staff will look after them while you receive your treatment. The more you bring them in, the more they will feel at home in our dental surgery. This familiarity with the surroundings and staff will help to reduce any dental anxiety that they may otherwise develop. When their time comes to have a dental examination they will see it as a natural event because mummy and daddy do it. We also get the opportunity to see if there are any dental problems that may come to the fore in their later years. Education is another vital aspect of dental hygiene Edinburgh and we will take the time to explain the correct way to brush and floss teeth. The right toothbrush to suit your teeth and gums is also extremely important. A thorough oral hygiene routine which includes regular, at least twice a day, brushing and twice yearly dentist visits will go a long way to maintaining your teeth and gums.

Your teeth and your diet

Our hygienists are an important part of our preventive dentistry programme and they will ensure that your teeth stay clean and free of plaque. They will also provide guidance on how diet affects your teeth and gums, especially sugar. Lifestyle can also cause dental damage and activities such as smoking don’t help your teeth or your mouth. This is why it is important to make sure that you have twice yearly dental check-ups, so that we can monitor the health of your teeth and gums.

The importance of your mouth

Your mouth is far more important than your car and deserves better treatment as well. You use your mouth for a vast array of activities and the need to keep it healthy cannot be emphasised enough. When you speak you don’t want people to recoil because your breath is foul. Bad breath is usually caused by a build-up of bacteria, which can be extremely embarrassing. But bad breath, or halitosis as it is called, can indicate a serious oral condition. Proper regular oral hygiene can help you avoid the embarrassment caused by bad breath. We will play our part in maintaining your oral hygiene and if you play yours we can help get the UK into the top ten of good dental hygiene countries.

What is periodontics in Edinburgh?

Periodontics in Edinburgh is a field of dentistry that involves keeping the gums healthy and treating issues that cause them to become inflamed or diseased. It is important because the gums are the foundation of the teeth, and act as essential supports for them. Here at Meadowbank Dental, we offer specialist help with the gums as well as giving our patients treatment within other areas of expertise such as general and preventive dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and implant and surgical options.

periodontics-in-edinburgh

Periodontics

Periodontics in Edinburgh is about resolving difficulties with the gums and the bones that surround them. We help our patients to take the necessary steps to keep their gums healthy so that gum disease does not occur. We also treat inflammation of the gums and work to prevent it from progressing into gum disease. When gum disease is present, we offer treatment options to resolve it and return the patient’s oral health.

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by an infection in the areas that surround the teeth which results in them becoming swollen and sometimes sore. This inflammation is brought on by bacteria that produces plaque. The plaque accumulates on the teeth over time before descending to reach the inside of the gums.

What are the types of gum disease?

The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. This is usually relatively easy to control and resolve. There are two steps for resolution. Firstly, the patient keeps their mouth scrupulously clean at home with a strict oral care routine. Secondly, they visit us with some regularity for professional cleaning and checks on the condition of the gums.

The second stage of gum disease requires treatment with periodontics in Edinburgh. It occurs when the inflammation has been allowed to progress and simple cleaning is not enough to shift the plaque and related infection.

How is gum disease treated?

There are several options for treating gum disease, and the most appropriate for the patient is dependent on their medical and dental history as well as the condition of their gums.

Treatments that do not involve surgery can be the best option for patients who have gum disease that is not significantly advanced. This can include scaling and root planing. These are a means of getting rid of plaque and tartar that is embedded underneath the gum line. Some patients benefit from combining this with medicines such as antibiotics and antimicrobials.

Having gum disease can result in gum recession. This is where the gums pull back from the teeth, and in some cases, this can cause the roots of the teeth to become exposed and vulnerable. When this happens, the patient can feel discomfort and find that their teeth are very sensitive. The appearance of the smile is also affected. We can help to return the gum line to good health by grafting tissue from another part of the mouth (often the roof) and using it to cover the areas that have receded.

There are other surgical options that can be used for the resolution of gum disease. These include laser, crown and implant treatments.

Will Dental Implants Cause Me Lots Of Pain?

If you’re one of our lovely patients who’s considering dental implants Edinburgh then it’s likely that you’ll have spent some time considering the pain aspect of them. Any Google search will likely have brought you face to face with contrasting experiences, and some of which we’re sure will have been tainted with discomfort.

dental-implants-edinburgh

It would be unfair and wrong of us to begin claiming that you won’t experience any of these uncomfortable symptoms because of course there’s a chance the process of fitting your implants will be an uncomfortable time for you, but we hope we can today address some of the other factors involved in implants that can make the overall experience of them better or worse.

What Are Dental Implants Edinburgh?

Dental implants Edinburgh are a tooth replacement system that offer a potentially life long solution to tooth loss. They work through a two part system that is first drilled into the jaw bone then left to heel and followed up with an appointment to fix the crown (false tooth) into place. Through this super solid connection implants have the potential to last an entire lifetime if correctly cared for and looked after.

What causes the discomfort?

For this we’re going to break dental implants down into bite size chunks.

Firstly it could be that you’re in need of a bone graft prior to any dental implant surgery. If this is the case then you’ll undergo a harvesting and placement process. This is likely the stage that would cause the most discomfort but if you follow the advice from your dentist at Meadowbank any uncomfortability can be addressed with pain relief and good aftercare.

The second process would be the drilling of the jaw, now even the word drilling will bring to the mind images of pain. Let’s focus on two things here. Firstly the area is anesthetized and second it sounds worse than it’s reality.  If you set yourself up for pain and discomfort you’re going to more than likely experience those two things. How much your dental implants will impact you will be greatly influenced by how you want to address the situation mentally – a positive attitude going into the process is likely to produce positive results.

The final stage is the fitting of the crown. The crown itself should be a straightforward process and not cause much discomfort, having said that there are no guarantees and it’s worth taking into account how many teeth you’d have replaced with implants. The more teeth is going to cause more pressure for your mouth and so when comparing what could be your experience to other people’s it’s worth taking note of how many teeth they have or haven’t had replaced.

What You Can Do To Help Yourself

When thinking about dental implants you should always be thinking about what you can do to make the experience as good as it can be. Through following the advice of the practitioners here at Meadowbank Dental you’re enabling yourself to have a good experience.

How to take care of your Invisalign

We’re so pleased that you’ve decided to go on your Invisalign Edinburgh journey with the team here at Meadowbank Dental. Invisalign in an amazing system that offers incredible results with minimal effects to your lifestyle and we can’t wait for you to experience how amazing it is first hand. In the meantime let’s mill over all the things you can be doing at home to make sure you’re taking really good care of your aligners.

Cleaning aligners

When it comes to cleaning Invisalign Edinburgh it’s recommended that you use a manual soft bristle toothbrush, the smaller the head the better so you’re able to get into the aligner. You want to be careful about the type of soap or toothpaste you use to clean with. You don’t want to be using anything with a colour or anything containing strong chemicals, as this could stain or damage the surface of the aligners. Though this isn’t likely to happen it’s best you do all you can to keep your Invisalign safe.

When cleaning the aligners you only need a little bit of cleaning product on your brush and then to clean along the top and bottom using very gentle scrubbing motions. This should be done every day, the best time being when you take them out in the morning and then if you can again before you put them back in to sleep. Alternatively you could invest in some cleaning crystals or denture/retainer cleaner. These products are designed to remove 99.9% of bacteria and give back appliances their lovely clear shine. We still recommend cleaning with a brush once a day, but for your second clean you could choose to soak them in one of these solutions or even brush twice and leave in the cleaning solution, the choice is yours.

Cleaning teeth

Another thing you need to seriously watch out for is that you’re still keeping up on your oral hygiene routine. It’s very common for people to start wearing Invisalign Edinburgh and slowly start to take less care and time over how they clean their teeth. If we don’t pay the proper attention needed to our teeth and gums during this time we can very easily fall victim to gum disease or even decay, neither of which would we want for any of our patients.

Basic good oral hygiene looks like brushing twice daily for a minimum of two minutes, paying attention to spending an equal amount of time on each segment of the mouth. Flossing between teeth and gums every day to make sure you are removing plaque and bacteria daily and not allowing a slow build-up. Finally attending regular six-monthly appointments with us here at the practice.

If you keep on top of all of these you should be in for a wonderful smooth Invisalign journey. If you’d like to learn more about Invisalign and why we think it’s such a fantastic option then get in contact with the practice today – one of the team is ready and waiting to get started on any questions you have.

How putting your dental hygiene first now can save you pennies later

Prevention is better than cure. At Meadowbank Dental, we think these are words to clean your teeth by. We see hundreds of patients every year, and the main recurring theme we see is that the issues they have could have been prevented through better dental hygiene Edinburgh. Better oral hygiene does not need to be complicated or time-consuming; you just need to make practical, affordable steps to adapt key tools to part of your oral health routine. Here is all you need to know to take oral hygiene to the next level.

What you can do at home

Is your current oral health routine up to scratch? We see so many patients who have been sticking to the same morning cleaning routine for years. And sure, some people manage to get the germs and bacteria out from the gum line, but more frequently, we see patients who just are not getting down into the pockets where plaque and tartar can build up. So, here are a few essential tips for brushing the bad bugs away.

Brushing technique

How do you brush your teeth? Often in movies and TV shows, we see how people just pop a brush in, do a quick back and forth and spit, moving on to the next task. But this is not the best practice. When you brush your teeth, you should be using a variety of different motions, including circular, back and forth and varying pressures to help clean the areas of buildup. Furthermore, a 360-degree clean of your teeth along with paying attention to the gum line and the back of your teeth will all help your dental hygiene Edinburgh improve.

Flossing

Flossing is probably the most underrated preventive dental hygiene Edinburgh tool in your kit. Flossing is an accessible, super affordable way to get into the deep lines of your gums. When you build flossing into your daily oral health routine, you can help protect your teeth against the fatal build-up of plaque that turns to tartar, which is the leading cause of both decay and gum disease.

In the beginning, flossing can feel arduous and time-consuming, but once you have got the technique sorted, it can become a really quick and easy process. If you are unsure of how to floss, there are lots of tutorials online; alternatively, you can speak to a member of our dental team here at Meadowbank Dental for advice.

How does this save you money

As already mentioned, plaque and tartar build-up are the two leading causes of gum disease and decay, and both of these if left untreated, will require lots of trips to your dentist to fix. In most cases of decay, some type of filling or, in the worst case scenario, tooth removal will be required to prevent further decay. Having teeth removed is stressful for patients emotionally, but this does also come with a financial burden, so act today and work with us to get a fantastic oral hygiene routine in place now.

Protect yourself from gum disease with periodontics Edinburgh

Here at Meadowbank Dental, we are passionate about dentistry and care deeply about our patients. As a result, we strive to offer the latest and most effective treatments in dental care and look forward to serving the community.

If you’re looking to register with a new dentist or find yourself in need of periodontics Edinburgh, we are happy to welcome new patients.

Our modern dental practice consists of a friendly team of highly qualified and professional dental practitioners who are able to assist from general checkups to orthodontics to porcelain veneers.

We also offer periodontics Edinburgh, which specifically focuses on diagnosing and treating several types of gum disease. This specialised treatment also focuses on diseases that may present themselves in the supporting structures of your teeth.

Did you know that gum disease is common in patients?

Gum disease is a common dental condition and has been experienced by patients from all over the world. Did you know that most adult patients in the UK have been known to be diagnosed with one form of gum disease or another at least once in their life? The good news is that it can be easily treated with the help of periodontics Edinburgh.

If you feel that you may be at risk of gum disease or are experiencing any signs of an infection, we recommend attending an appointment with us as soon as possible.

Gingivitis is an example of a common gum disease experienced by a vast majority of patients across the UK. It is primarily caused by plaque build-up on the teeth, but it can be easily treated with the right dental care. We advise patients to seek treatment as soon as possible since ignoring the symptoms could lead to the infection worsening, tooth loss or even the formation of an abscess.

We recommend looking out for any visible signs of an infection, which may include painful or sore gums, signs of blood that appear after you have brushed your teeth or even bad breath.

Contact our friendly receptionist to arrange your first appointment with us

If you’d like to have Meadowbank Dental as your dental clinic of choice, simply reach out to our receptionist to arrange your first consultation. Our professional team members are dedicated to offering the best care possible and are all invested in the wellbeing and happiness of our patients.

Our modern practice is easily located close to the city centre in Earlston Place. Our clinic is fully wheelchair accessible to accommodate all patients, and our dental team members are multilingual, so we can converse with patients of all nations.

We offer dental treatments for both adults and children under the NHS, so you’re welcome to sign up with us as your family dentist. In addition, we have a full range of private dental services. Simply reach out to us to find out more about the variety of options we have available for you.

For those patients who are new to our practice, we ask that you complete a medical history form and a new patient questionnaire, which will help us to determine your dental history as well as highlight any concerns or allergies we need to be aware of.

All your questions answered about dental implants

If you’re considering dental implants Edinburgh as a treatment option for missing teeth, it is likely that you have a lot of questions. That is completely normal and we understand that in order for our patients to feel comfortable and safe with us, they need to have all the information before moving forward. Here at Meadowbank Dental, we want the best for everyone that comes to see us. It is important to us that you feel comfortable within our practice and for that reason, we’re dedicated to quality patient care. Dental implants Edinburgh are a great option for those who have lost just one or potentially multiple teeth, however, we will always assess on an individual basis and only make recommendations with your health in mind.

dental-implants-edinburgh

If you’re someone that is thinking about dental implants Edinburgh, be sure to read ahead as our experienced team covers all your most asked questions on the treatment, as well as listing the benefits.

Does it matter how I lost my teeth?

There are a long list of varying reasons as to why someone might have lost their teeth. Perhaps you have experienced trauma to your mouth as a result of a recent injury, or it could have been natural as you started to age. There is also a chance that gum disease or a decay has led to you losing your teeth. Whatever the reason is, implants could be a great option for you. We will be sure to examine your mouth and site area or areas thoroughly during your first consultation with us, before recommending a treatment.

What are implants?

The implant part of this treatment is a small titanium screw. The artificial tooth, however, that is placed on top of the metal screw, is attached by an abutment. It is the artificial prosthetic that will give you the natural look you desire, with the implant offering stability, just as your natural root would do.

What is the process?

The initial process will always begin with a consultation, as mentioned. It is important that we get a full dental history and any further information we need, as well as scans and X-rays of your mouth and jaw. The last thing we want to do is instal an implant into an infected area, or an area that might not take well to the titanium screw. Once the initial appointment has passed, we will instal the screw into your jaw. With some patients, there may be a healing period before the next part of the process. This healing time ensures that the bone and surrounding tissue are fusing correctly with the implant. From here, we will place the prosthetic crown or similar replacement device on top, providing you with a full smile once again.

What are the benefits?

The stability from the titanium screw offers more benefits than you can think of. The implant can last for years to come with the correct care, but it will also offer support to the rest of your jaw and even your facial features, which may have started to appear sunken from the gaps in your smile. It is unlikely that your surrounding teeth will face any damage from this treatment, as we don’t have to use them to secure it. It is important to us that you gain as much confidence as possible from this treatment, so we will always match the artificial tooth in shape, size and colour.

You can gain perfectly straight teeth with Invisalign Edinburgh

One of the most common dental issues that adults are living with in the UK is that of misaligned teeth, which can cause people to have to live with other complications within their oral health and hygiene. If you are someone who is living with the issues and discomfort that having crooked teeth can cause then we would like you to know that there is absolutely no need for you to carry on doing so, as there are tooth alignment treatments available for adults that are discreet and can help to bring about the results you want.

We understand that you may have chosen not to engage with tooth alignment treatment earlier in your life, normally in your early teenage years, for very personal reasons that would have made complete sense to you are that stage of your life but later you came to regret your decision. Maybe you also came to believe that the window of opportunity to receive treatment has passed you by, which is not the case.

At Meadowbank Dental we now offer our patients a tooth alignment treatment, that is suitable for treating adult teeth, in the form of Invisalign Edinburgh.

A revolution within tooth alignment treatment

In recent years there has been recognition of the need to provide an aligner that would be able to meet the demands of reluctant patients, as they had very specific reasons for walking away from the treatments of the past. What these patients are looking for is a treatment that can provide great results and that will not attract any attention from others when worn in place within the mouth.

Due to the design and materials of Invisalign Edinburgh, you can now receive the treatment you feel you need in a way that respects your privacy.

Made from two layers of strong, durable, and clear plastic this new breed of the aligner is designed to fit over your teeth and hide in the plain sight of those around, meaning you can now receive treatment while continuing your life as normal and without other being aware that you are receiving tooth alignment treatment.

Book a consultation

If you are considering undergoing tooth alignment treatment you will need to attend a consultation with your dentist to have your need fully assessed. At this appointment your dental professional will examine your teeth and gums, they may also take scans or x-rays, and they will be happy to take you through your treatment options.

Should you decide to go ahead, the scans or x-rays will be used to help create a series of aligners for you, each of which serves its own role within your treatment. Each aligner is worn for around two weeks and then is exchanged with the next in the series.

To achieve great results with tooth alignment treatment you may have to commit to a treatment period of twelve to eighteen months, but we are sure you will be happy with the results.

Invisalign Edinburgh really does represent aligners that are suitable for the twenty-first century and should be given some serious consideration. Whatever your dental needs are, at Meadowbank you will be well looked after every step of the way.

How can I improve my dental hygiene?

Taking care of your dental hygiene Edinburgh has never been easier. However, here at Meadowbank Dental, we understand it isn’t always that simple. Busy schedules and simply forgetting can wreak havoc on your teeth, but you can rest easy knowing that there are quick and simple ways for you to keep on top of your oral hygiene. It might help you to set a reminder to keep you on that strict dental hygiene Edinburgh regime, or buying a new and exciting toothbrush could make you more enthused to take the time!

dental-hygiene-edinburgh

Whatever your reason for losing touch with your dental hygiene Edinburgh, we can help. In this short article, we’ll discuss all the ways to keep on top of your oral hygiene and the things you can do to improve it.

Brushing

When you’ve had a busy day out or at work, it is really easy to forget to brush your teeth. This is actually one of the more important times to brush them. After a day of eating and talking, your teeth require a much needed clean, ready for the following day. Be certain to take your time when cleaning your teeth, making sure that you’ve covered your entire mouth and be gentle with your circular motions. Brushing hard may cause you other problems, so it is important that you take care of them and don’t add too much pressure! Remember, your tongue can get just as dirty as your teeth and can even harbour germs that can transfer to your teeth as you sleep. Adding your tongue into your regular teeth cleaning schedule can even reduce potential bad breath! Using fluoride toothpaste will really make your teeth feel like they’re experiencing a spa day.

Flossing and mouthwash

We only want what is best for your mouth and teeth, just like you. Adding flossing and mouthwash can further keep on top of your oral hygiene and get rid of any food that may be hiding between your teeth in places that your toothbrush might not be able to fit. If you’re unsure on how to floss or which mouthwash to use, simply ask us! We have many recommendations just waiting to be used.

Cleaning

Having your teeth professionally cleaned by a member of the team will allow you to rest easy knowing that your mouth is being taken care of and any plaque is being removed in a safe way. One of the most rewarding parts of these appointments with us is feeling and seeing just how clean your teeth can be. We’ll also give you many tips and tricks during and after the appointment that will guide you in the best way to keep your mouth clean and prevent any potential problems that can come from not taking care of your teeth. We usually warm water to wash away any plaque building, so the overall experience can be quite relaxing and even fun!

Bad breath

If you’ve been following all our guidance and you still find that there is an unpleasant odour coming from your mouth, it is important that you make the time to visit us. More often than not, there may be another reason that you’re suffering from bad breath, especially if you know you’ve been keeping on top of your oral hygiene!

Combat the early signs of gum disease with periodontics Edinburgh

At Meadowbank Dental we believe in caring for our patients and offering the latest and most effective dentistry. If you’re looking to sign up with a local dental practitioner or need periodontics Edinburgh, you will be looked after every step of the way at our surgery

Our award-winning team of professionals understand the importance of a healthy, glowing smile and are on hand to provide you with the best quality that dentistry has available today, from routine check-ups and orthodontics to porcelain veneers and dental implants.

Did you know that with periodontics Edinburgh our team focuses their expertise on identifying and treating all kinds of gum disease?

Book your first appointment at our dental practice

At the surgery, our team is invested in the wellbeing of our patients, and they are at the centre of everything we do. Visiting the practice for the very first time is easy, as our friendly receptionist is on hand to assist you during the process.

We are conveniently located close to Edinburgh city centre in a state-of-the-art modern practice in Earlston Place. Our dental practice is wheelchair accessible to accommodate all patients’ needs, and our dental team are multilingual and are able to converse in a variety of languages so you can feel at home. We offer dental treatment for both adults and children under the NHS bracket and our dental practice also offers a full range of private dental services which you are welcome to consider. Simply contact us to find out more about the various options available to you.

For first-time visitors we ask that you simply fill out a medical history form and a patient questionnaire on arrival. This will help our team to determine your dental history as well as establish what your goals are for your dental care.

Gum disease is common for many patients all across the world

If you fear you are alone in suffering from a gum disease, fear not, as many patients worldwide have experienced a similar condition to you. In fact, many adults in the UK are also known to have been diagnosed with one form of gum disease or another and most people will experience it at least once during their lifetime.

Gingivitis is a common condition and this is primarily caused by a build-up of plaque bacteria that attaches onto your teeth. If the plaque is not removed and is left untreated, it may cause irritation in patients resulting in bleeding gums and feelings of discomfort and pain.

Early signs that you are experiencing gingivitis include swollen or painful gums, visible signs of blood after brushing your teeth, bad breath and even loose teeth.

Preventing the risk of experiencing gum disease is easy with the right care

It’s important to follow a strict oral hygiene routine as this goes a long way in reducing the risk of disease.

A few ways this can be achieved is by brushing your teeth both in the morning when you wake up and at night before bed. We highly recommend regular flossing as well to all our patients.

It’s important to seek out treatment as soon as you notice any of these unwanted symptoms. Book a visit with our dental hygienist who is happy to help remove plaque and treat gingivitis. Our periodontics Edinburgh expertise is on hand to assist you with treatment before it develops into something more serious.