Author Archives: Smilecraft Dental Care

How many shades?

One sure fire way to give your smile a great big lift out of the doldrums is to brighten it up with teeth whitening. If you have never had your teeth whitened, you will be surprised at what a difference getting the staining removed can make.

Enlighten Teeth Whitening in StevenageWhere does all that staining come from?

Even though they look pretty solid, the enamel on your teeth is porous, which means that traces of colour can get down into it when you eat or drink certain highly pigmented foods. Tea, red wine and coffee are particular culprits, as are dark berries and also those fabulous red curries. And of course, tobacco can really stain your teeth.

Even though you may be a diligent brusher and flosser and go to get your teeth cleaned by the hygienist twice a year, over the years that staining can build up to take away that pearly white gleam that we associate with youth and health. And, of course, the years too affect your teeth. Brushing slowly thins the enamel and then the yellower dentin below it can be seen through it, and this makes teeth look less white too.

Bring your teeth back to life

At Smilecraft, Enlighten teeth whitening in Stevenage is a take-home whitening system that doesn’t just slightly lighten your teeth, it can do so until your teeth reach a shade called B1, which is the whitest shade of white there is for natural-looking teeth. This could mean lightening your teeth by as much as 16 shades. That’s quite a transformation.

Your choice of venue

You have a choice of where you get your teeth whitened, and how. We can do it for you in the clinic or you can buy one of our take-home kits and do it for yourself at home at your own convenience and in a way that is more gradual, which many people who don’t want to draw undue attention to themselves prefer.

In the clinic, the treatment takes about an hour because we can use a stronger gel to whiten your teeth. You just sit back and relax and let us do the work for you.

Welcome to Smilecraft

If you have just moved to the Stevenage area and are on the hunt for a dentist in Stevenage who can take care of your general and cosmetic dental needs, then why not come in and pay us a visit at Smilecraft?

Smilecraft has been established in the centre of the Old Town for more than 25 years, so it couldn’t be more conveniently placed. As a dentist in Stevenage, we can cater to your needs, no matter what stage of life you are at.

Dentist in StevenageA dentist in Stevenage for children

Children’s dental needs are mostly about decay prevention, instilling good oral care habits and making sure that teeth are well lined up. We suggest you start getting your infant used to being at the dentist by bringing them along to your appointments before having their own check-up soon after their first teeth appear. We offer fluoride treatments to harden enamel against the acids from plaque that cause decay. We can also paint your children’s teeth with sealants to create a barrier against bacteria.

A dentist in Stevenage for young adults

Having a great smile has never been more important or available. Cosmetic dentistry can lift your smile from ordinary or a bit embarrassing to fabulous. It can also be used to repair teeth that have suffered a few knocks during your life. Our cosmetic treatments include teeth whitening, veneers and cosmetic bonding to cover imperfections, discreet braces and white fillings. You can have one treatment at a time when the need arises, or we can do a whole package of treatments as a smile makeover.

A dentist in Stevenage for seniors

One of the big problems as we age is that our teeth can start to wear out and may need to be removed. Maybe they have had one filling too many. Maybe gum disease finally gets the better of them. You can get replacements with us in the form of fixed bridgework, full or partial dentures and dental implants. We can also use dental implants to stabilise your wobbly dentures.

All our treatments are delivered by highly-experienced, friendly staff in a calm and relaxing environment.

Delicate smiles

A dentist helps your smile look great again when a dental problem has affected it. Getting treatment from a dentist in Stevenage means you don’t have to lose your smile forever, because we at Smilecraft want you to get it back. Whether you have lost your teeth, you’re embarrassed by a cross-bite or have a problems with the aesthetics of your smile, we offer treatments that work to treat or prevent such problems.

Dentist in StevenageAt Smilecraft, we like to make sure our patients are well looked after. We understand that a trip to the dentist can be nerve-wracking for some, which is why we place a lot of importance on the relationships we build with all of our patients. That way, you don’t have to dread the routine check-ups you have with us.

Baby-sitting your teeth

We are a dentist in Stevenage that encourages patients to have routine appointments. By spotting signs of certain conditions early, we can treat them before they become difficult problems. Think of your smile as a blossoming rose, it must be cared for and maintained. Should it be neglected, it loses its vibrancy and drops its petals. In the same way, your teeth can become discoloured from bad oral hygiene, which leads to problems like gum disease or tooth decay.

However, it can be that the daily routines of your lifestyle have taken their toll on your teeth. It is not uncommon for teeth to be lost when you grow older, but treatments like dental implants serve as natural-looking replacements.

The stains of daily habits

It could be that drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes are beginning to show on your teeth. Discolouration can be a burden to your smile, especially when you’re happy with your oral health. Cosmetic dentistry treatments, such as teeth whitening, exist to improve the appearance of smiles. Even teeth straightening treatments can be desirable at our dentist in Stevenage, as we offer clear alternatives to traditional metal braces. This often appeals to adults, who don’t want to go to work or attend a special occasional with unsightly train-tracks on.

Whatever your concern, Smilecraft are here to listen and reassure you. When you smile, we smile.

A happy, healthy set of teeth

Having something to smile about always makes life a little more fun and light-hearted. But what about your smile is actually making you frown? Feeling uncomfortable because you’re worried about your teeth when you smile defeats the point of smiling itself, which is why you might be looking for a dentist in Stevenage. Having concerns about the appearance of your smile or poor oral health is enough to justify a trip to the dentist. In Stevenage, Smilecraft is more than happy to listen to your concerns, examine your teeth and offer treatments if need be.

Dentist in StevenageAt Smilecraft, we encourage patients to arrange regular check-ups. It’s important for the maintenance of your oral health, and if signs of certain conditions like gum disease and tooth decay are spotted early, they will either be treated or prevented. Gums must not be neglected when it comes to oral hygiene because having healthy gums helps you to avoid complications in the future. They act as cushions to the teeth, helping to support them. So if you see red and swollen gums when you look in the mirror or see blood when you brush your teeth, it could be a sign of gingivitis. By maintaining your oral health and having routine check-ups, one of our dentists can go through brushing and flossing techniques as well dietary advice.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Stevenage to improve the appearance of your smile, we offer a range of cosmetic treatments for your teeth. It might be that having crooked teeth is getting you down and you’re considering a teeth straightening treatments. Many patients, especially adults, dread the thought of traditional metal braces. Thanks to the advances of modern dentistry, we offer discreet and clear alternatives like invisible braces. That way, you don’t have to be afraid to smile during treatment and on your journey towards a healthier and happier smile.

We treat our patients with care and respect, in the same way we ourselves would like to be treated. Although visiting the dentist can be daunting, it is also fulfilling. You will be welcomed into a warm and friendly dentist in Stevenage, and hopefully leave with a smile.

Looking after your teeth in a digital age

Sometimes, it might be that you feel like your busy schedule allows just enough to work, eat, drink and sleep, let alone taking the time to take care of yourself. But it is important to dedicate some time to your wellbeing, and that includes making sure that you are maintaining good oral health and feel confident with your teeth when you smile.

Dental E-ConsultationIn our digital age, technology gives us increased flexibility and accessibility for services and products – you can now have a virtual dental appointment at Smilecraft in Stevenage. What is an e-consultation? If you are concerned about your oral health or the way that your teeth look, you don’t necessarily have to drag yourself down to our dental practice. It might be that the dentist makes you feel anxious and you would rather be in an environment that is familiar, like home. This sort of consultation means you can describe why you are unhappy with your smile and what you would like to change about it, either in the online form on our website or by email.

The perks of technology

E-consultation is ideal if you don’t want to make the trip to the dentist just yet. By reviewing your concerns, the dentist can then decide whether or not you need to make an in-person appointment. As great as it would be, thorough examinations of your mouth cannot take place over email or a live feed. What is does do is eliminate your concerns if you simply want to ask a question and save yourself the bother of coming in.

Whatever you concern, it is worth seeking advice from us at Smilecraft. It might be that you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your teeth, and if they are crooked or gappy, we could recommend cosmetic dentistry like invisible braces. Or it could be that you have recently lost a tooth and are considering which route to take. In which case, we might recommend the reliable solution of dental implants, which are serve as natural-functioning replacements.

If you need advice from a dentist but don’t feel as though you need to visit just yet, have a go at our e-consultation and join the digital age.

Contemporary dental care

Keeping your teeth and gums in good condition is an essential part of your overall bodily health. For people who need a quality dentist in Stevenage, the team at Smilecraft offers a variety of contemporary oral health procedures in a tactful and efficient manner. We provide everything from long-term smile makeovers to routine check-ups and cosmetic improvements.

Dentist in StevenageWhy should I visit the dentist in Stevenage?

A large part of our work involves the prevention of gum disease and tooth decay. At your regular check-up, we can examine your mouth in detail. Using our modern equipment and years of experience allows us to spot any worrying developments before you’d be able to see them at home. Then we can intervene early, and send you on your way with up-to-date oral hygiene advice based on evidence-based\s research.

Restoring and enhancing your teeth

You might need us to repair any existing damage to your teeth. As a dentist in Stevenage, we frequently treat chipped or badly-formed teeth using veneers. These thin and strong pieces of specially-shaped porcelain are applied to your teeth with a powerful adhesive. They’ll restore the aesthetic balance to your smile.

If you need a filling because of a dental cavity, we can use materials that mimic the natural appearance of your teeth. This ensures that crucial restorative work doesn’t make a damaging visual impact.

Many adults find that their teeth can slowly turn a funny colour over the years. This is due to the gradual build-up of traces left behind by food and drink. Our teeth-whitening treatments will turn your unsightly smile into a dazzling one. This simple process can often be achieved in just one visit to our dental practice, or over several days in the comfort of your own home.

What you’ve been missing

We can replace missing teeth whether you’ve lost them in a sudden accident, or after a gradual process of decay. Your new teeth will be precisely shaped to meet your particular needs. Dentures and bridges will fill the gaps in your smile, while dental implants will integrate with your jawbone, restoring full dental function.

When do you need to see the dentist in Stevenage?

There are a number of reasons to see the dentist in Stevenage at Smilecraft. We create a welcoming environment that encourages you to visit whenever you need to. Even if you have anxiety around visiting the dentist, our team is here to help you overcome your worries and take good care of your teeth.

Dentist-in-StevenageRegularly

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to your oral health. If you see your dentist in Stevenage regularly, you increase your chances of avoiding extensive dental work in the future. You may feel like your teeth are fine, but there may be underlying issues that you cannot detect yet that your dental practitioner can spot and treat before they become anything more serious.

Booking regular appointments also helps to avoid large gaps in your oral healthcare routine because you simply don’t get round to it. Life is busy and some people do not find time to fit in their dental visits even if they do suspect that there is something wrong. It can be easier to keep an appointment that is already made than it is to prioritise making a new one.

When you have a problem

If you do begin to experience any issues, you can make an appointment to see the dentist in Stevenage at Smilecraft as soon as possible. We can often address issues with a simple treatment, clean and polish, advice or repair. Common dental issues include:

  • Sores
  • Toothache
  • Bad breath
  • Gum disease
  • Bleeding

You may also have emergency dental needs in the event of an accident, acute health condition or bleeding. In an emergency, we aim to see you on the same day that you call us at Smilecraft.

When you want to

Not all visits to the dentist are driven by necessity. There are some treatments that you can elect to have to improve the appearance of your teeth. At Smilecraft we have an extensive range of cosmetic procedures for you to browse. We have confidence in our ability to create such a comfortable environment for you at our practice that you will be happy to visit for a treat as well as to look after your teeth.

Three reasons to choose Smilecraft

At Smilecraft, we want to be a dentist in Stevenage that offers patients a different experience of oral healthcare. We are constantly working to improve your perception of visiting our practice so that you feel comfortable and relaxed. We know that the kind of environment that we strive to create is conducive to encouraging patients to visit us when they need to and therefore improving their chances of enjoying high standards of oral health.

Dentist in StevenageWe are hygiene champions

At Smilecraft, we know that hygiene is one of the top patient concerns when they visit the dentist in Stevenage. We all like to know that our health is being taken care of by the medical professionals we place our trust in. Many patients feel like they are in a vulnerable position when they visit the dentist. In Stevenage, we do everything we can to mitigate this feeling and make our patients feel safe. One of the ways that we do this is to offer a transparent and stringent hygiene process that includes rigorous sterilisation procedures.

We offer The Wand for pain-free dentistry

If you experience anxiety around visiting the dentist in Stevenage, that’s understandable. For many people, the source of this concern is pain that they have experienced at their dentist in the past. This can lead to avoidance behaviour that can have a serious impact on your oral health.

At Smilecraft, we are committed to changing the patient experience of the dentist. One of the ways that we do this is to deliver pain-free injections through The Wand system. This is a computer-controlled anaesthetic delivery method that eliminates the usual stinging sensations associated with needles at the dentist.

We walk the walk

As well as looking out for signs of oral cancer in clinic and taking care of your personal health, we also support charities like the Mouth Cancer Foundation. Many of our staff undertook a sponsored walk to raise funds for the foundation in 2014.

Our passion for oral health and our commitment to your health shows in the way that we work. Our staff are dedicated and well-trained as well as being enthusiastic about supporting causes like Mouth Cancer Foundation.

Direct Access and why you should see a dental hygienist in Stevenage

Hygiene visits are an important part of the maintenance of our teeth and gums. While only a dentist can spot the early signs of gum disease and tooth decay, a dental hygienist is perfectly qualified to remove the plaque and tartar build-up that leads to decay and disease.

Here at Smilecraft in Stevenage, patients can make hygiene appointments without a referral from a dentist. This is known as direct access. This service was created in 2013, though even now, five years later, we find many of our patients still don’t know they can book a hygiene appointment whenever they want.

Dental Hygienist in StevenageWhy see a dental hygienist?

There are many benefits from having regular hygiene appointments. At your six-monthly check-up, your dentist will recommend that you also have a scale and polish – which means removing plaque and tartar build-up. This is because no matter how diligently we brush, floss and mouth wash, unseen plaque builds up, hardening into tartar over time, which can then lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Only dental equipment can remove this build up, so it is vital to have this preventive work done regularly.

Hygienists can also advise on brushing techniques and the use of interdental brushes, so you can have the most effective oral healthcare routine possible.

They can also offer advice on nutrition for oral health, ways to combat bad breath and sensitive teeth and information on how to stop smoking.

And if you have a dental structure such as a dental implant, bridge, denture or crown, our hygienist can give you special tips on how to keep it, and the surrounding teeth, clean and healthy.

Keep your smile shining

So, as well as coming in for a hygiene appointment when recommended by your dentist, you can book in for a scale and polish without a referral, great for shining up your pearly whites before a special occasion, or simply keeping them in tip top condition.

Particular patient groups such as those with diabetes or heart disease and pregnant women may need to see a hygienist more often than every six months. Check in with your dentist for more information.

Protecting the teeth of your baby

Tooth decay is a problem that affects children and adults alike but can also be an issue for toddlers. Bacteria can get into the mouth through a number of ways, most commonly by sharing spoons and by testing food before feeding. These practices can cause tooth decay, even if your baby hasn’t had their first teeth yet.

At Smilecraft, we strongly believe that prevention is better than cure, especially when it comes to tooth decay. For this reason, we urge our patients to bring their toddler to the practice, even before the emergence of their first teeth. Our dentist in Stevenage will be able to detect any signs of tooth decay from an early stage and ensure that the teeth of your little one come out strong and healthy.

Dentist in StevenageCause of tooth decay among toddlers

As with adults, tooth decay in toddlers starts as soon as bacteria in the mouth start eating away their tooth enamel. This can be harmful to toddlers or young children whose primary teeth have not fully appeared yet. A common cause of this type of decay is milk bottles. A surprising number of children go to bed with a bottle of milk or juice and can sit around sipping it for a prolonged period of time.

This can lead to the accumulation of sugar on the teeth and gums over the night and creates an ideal ground for bacteria to grow and flourish. Unhealthy eating habits can also cause tooth decay. Toddlers that consume a lot of sugary foods are more likely to develop tooth decay in their primary teeth, compared to toddlers who have a balanced diet enriched with fruit and vegetables.

Prevention and treatment

Visiting the dentist in Stevenage is the best preventive method against tooth decay. Only a dentist can safely clean your toddler’s teeth and gums from bacteria and plaque and ensure that their teeth remain clean and healthy. Our dentist in Stevenage will also provide helpful cleaning and dieting tips.

As a parent, your role is to protect your baby’s teeth and gums and introduce them to a lifetime of good oral hygiene habits.