Archives for February, 2011

X-rays in Fleet

February 22nd, 2011

When you visit the dentist, it is sometimes necessary to have x-rays taken.  Exactly how often this happens depends on your medical history and current dental condition.  Some people may need X-rays as often as every six months, whereas as others may only need them every other routine examination.  Often people question why x-rays are needed, and the answer is simply because they enable your dentist to examine between the teeth and below the gum line for any hidden or underlying issues.

Here at Time Dental we pride ourselves with providing our patients with the most up to date technology, and are x-rays are no exception.  When taking x-rays, we use the digital method.  Digital radiographs are one of the newest x-ray techniques around, and can reduce radiation by as much as 80 percent.  Instead of the traditional x-rays film being used, a small sensor is placed into the mouth and the x-ray is taken with the click of a button.  This transfers the image instantly to the computer screen for the dentist to examine.  No more waiting around for x-rays to develop!   

These x-rays are part of the Time Dental preventative dentistry philosophy.  One of the great advantages of this process is that radiographs can be digitally compared so that any changes in the teeth that are undetectable to the human eye can be picked up by the computer instead, ensuring any changes in your dental health, no matter how small, can be found.

Call us for a comprehensive examination on 01252 723 008

Hygiene services for Fleet, Hampshire

February 15th, 2011

You visit the dentist every 6 months for an examination like you’re supposed to, as that is all you need to do to look after your teeth, right?  Wrong!  Gum health is so important, and is often underestimated by people.  Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a disorder that damages the gums.  Gums protect the roots of the tooth.  Gum disease contributes to a receding gum line that can cause the weakening of teeth and eventually tooth loss.  Many people aren’t aware that they have it, but the signs and symptoms can be quite easy to detect.  Gum disease is diagnosed by bleeding, swollen and tender gums, loose teeth, receding gums and changes to the way permanent teeth or dentures fit together when biting.

Did you know…….

  • Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss.
  • 30% of people may be genetically susceptible to gum disease
  • Emerging reports have linked gum disease to other medical conditions such as heart disease
  • Gum disease affects all races and ethnicities equally.
  • Millions of people have gum disease; they just don’t know it yet.
  • The mass of tissue in the oral cavity is equivalent to the skin on your arm that extends from the wrist to the elbow, that’s a lot of tissue that needs to be kept healthy!

Routine appointments with the hygienist are so important at maintaining a healthy mouth, and at Time Dental we are very lucky to have a resident expert who provides are hygiene services.  Patricia has had rave reviews from all our clients, and as a result her appointment book fills up fast!  In her sessions, as well as giving your mouth a full clean, scale and polish, Patricia will also guide you through correct brushing techniques specifically for you so you can continue to care for your mouth properly at home.

So call 01252 723008 and book in today for an initial consultation and start the journey towards a healthier mouth.

Nervous in Aldershot

February 7th, 2011

Are you nervous when going to see the dentist?

Many people are nervous about going to the dentist and it’s understandable why.  A common reason is a bad experience in the past.  “I’ve seen a number of clients not only from Farnham but the surrounding towns like Fleet, Alton and Aldershot where they have had a negative experience which can really stay with you unless its dealt with,” says Dr Rashid of Time Dental in Surrey, “that’s why I talk through client concerns first to try and find out what it is that makes them nervous.  Once I’ve identified the reason for the worry I take them through relaxation exercises and then I will be able to provide gentle dentistry.  The best and proven technique to help relaxation is controlled breathing.” 

When you get nervous your shoulders hunch up, your breathing shallows and becomes very rapid. It’s your body’s way of preparing for what is termed “fight or flight”.  To help relax in the dental chair place your hands on your tummy and start breathing slowly and deeply through the nose, focusing on the movement of the hands. As you breathe in your hands should be rising on top of your tummy as it rises, and when you breathe out you should feel your hands moving down with your tummy.  You should also let your shoulders drop down as you breathe out.  What this is doing is getting you to breathe with your diaphragm in a slow and controlled manner which helps you to relax as well as providing a distraction technique for what is going on in the mouth. 

“Having soothing music through headphones also helps, sometimes my clients choose a DVD to watch during treatment.  This again is a distraction technique which works well.  Other options for relaxing clients are using medication or sedation, “says Dr Rashid.

Call us on 01252 723 008 to see how we can help you.

Erosion in Farnborough, Hampshire

February 4th, 2011

Acid erosion is the process where tooth enamel is destroyed and worn away by a high acidic content around the teeth.  Enamel is the hard, protective layer of tooth which protects the sensitive dentine underneath. When the enamel is worn away, the dentist underneath is exposed, which may lead to pain, sensitivity and decay.

A client came to see us at Time Dental for a routine examination.  She mentioned that she used to drink lots of water with fresh lemon squeezed in.  She was told by her previous dentist that this had caused a huge amount of acid erosion which had resulted in her teeth becoming more sensitive.  The tooth destruction had become so extensive that she required multiple white composite fillings in her teeth to help protect the softer dentine layer.  She had since then stopped the lemon water drink

On inspection we found further areas of acid erosion occurring near the gum line of her teeth which had in fact exposed further areas of sensitive dentine.  On further discussion about her lifestyle and diet we found that she daily dissolved a vitamin c tablet in water and drank it.  Vitamin C is also known as Ascorbic acid, so what she didn’t know was that she was still sloshing acid on her teeth which was causing the erosion!  If you are going to drink these types of drinks, the best thing to do is drink it through a straw.  This by passes the teeth and will not cause the acid erosion.  If your teeth are already sensitive try using a toothpaste such as Sensodyne or Colgate pro relief toothpaste.  It would be a good idea to also visit your dentist as the damage may be significant and so the susceptible teeth may need extra protection such as a fluoride varnish or white composite fillings. 

Preventative dentistry is far better than cure.  Visit your dentist regularly so that they can give you the appropriate advice to look after your dental health”, says Dr Rashid of Time Dental in Farnham, Surrey.

Call Time Dental on 01252 723 008

Gentle dentistry in Farnham, Surrey

February 1st, 2011

If you were to do a survey on a person’s favourite things to do, visiting the dentist probably wouldn’t be in the top 5, or even top 10! Millions of people everyday suffer from odontophobia (the irrational fear of dental surgery), so if this is you then you are definitely not alone!  But the fact cannot be avoided that visiting the dentist is so important, so at Time Dental we strive to make our clients feel as at ease as we possibly can.  Local anaesthetic is in most cases essential when treating patients, although the thought of having it is what most of our clients fear. But they soon discover that after they have settled into our comfy chair, put the headphones on started listening to their favourite radio station or watching a DVD, their attention is diverted elsewhere.  Combine this with the bubble gum flavoured numbing gel we use on the gum before administering the anaesthetic, the outcome is that they didn’t feel a thing!

At Time Dental we understand dental anxiety and want more than anything for our clients to feel they are in control of their treatment, so everything is taken at a pace at which is comfortable. We want to provide gentle dentistry and we must be doing something right, as some of our patients have told us they actually look forward to their visit! 

“I no longer fear my dental appointments. Thankyou Dr Rashid and the team.”

S. Wardell