Gum disease is one of the commonest human diseases – in fact most adults in the UK will experience some degree of it at some time in their life – which is why Illume is encouraging both their clients and members of the local community to become more gum health curious.

There are many tell-tale signs that you may have gum disease and Illume is calling on everyone to ask themselves these simple questions:

• Do your gums bleed?
• Do you have teeth that are loose or getting more gappy?
• Are your gums receding or have you already lost teeth?
• Do you have bad breath?
• Are you in a high risk group, for example do you smoke, have diabetes or a family history of gum disease?
• Do you know what your gum health is?
• Does your dentist or hygienist give you a gum health score? 

Illume’s Practice Owner and Clinical Director, Tim Rumney, explains: “Gum disease is poorly understood by many people who do not know what signs they need to be looking out for. Some people even expect their gums to recede and their teeth to be lost as part of the natural ageing process but this does not have to be the case at all. 

“If, in answering these questions, you have said yes to any, then it is highly likely that you either have or are at risk of developing gum disease in the future and it is advisable to visit a dentist as soon as possible.

“Gum disease, like many other chronic conditions, cannot be completely cured but it can be prevented, controlled and managed with regular and planned care. However, you first need to recognise that you may have gum disease and then seek the appropriate care.

“Most treatments will be carried out by dental hygienists following diagnosis, treatment planning and prescription by a dentist and all clients should ask for their gum health score which will help them to better manage the condition themselves by ensuring they regularly clean and floss their teeth.  

“Here at Illume, we give top priority to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gum disease because we understand it is an essential foundation for good general health as well as ensuring everyone maintains healthy and long-lasting teeth.

“For us, good gum health underpins all other dental care, so we do hope people will become more gum health curious themselves.

“Why not come in for a free screening and find out if your gum health is being properly cared for?” he added.

For more information about gum health treatments click here or contact the practice on 01242 522230. 

Do you steer away from selfies or refuse to smile in family photographs due to embarrassment about your teeth? Well you’re not alone… according to several sources at least one in four people refuse to smile in photographs in an effort to hide their teeth!

The good news? Help is at hand and at Illume we have many solutions to help.

Whether stained, crooked, out of line or just uncared for, it is never too late to have a healthy smile – so here are our top tips:

Regular visits to the Hygienist

Visiting the hygienist is so much more than a scale and polish, Hygienists are experts when it comes to helping you stay motivated to keep your teeth clean – from measuring plaque levels to providing you with top advice that supports you in maintaining great oral health.

Illume has recently purchased an EMS Air Flow polisher, which utilizes an air, water and powder mixture to polish and clean teeth – offering a comfortable experience for clients that is highly efficient, effective and kind to the tooth surface.

Tooth whitening

It seems to us that most people notice and comment on whitened teeth. Our professional home whitening system is a relatively simple procedure with long lasting results. Some clients tell us that tooth whitening has increased their confidence and is extremely popular for those undergoing life changes, such as getting married or starting a new job.

Please remember that it is in fact illegal for anyone other than a practising dentist to prescribe and oversee tooth whitening treatment. Having whitening carried out by someone without the correct knowledge or training could result in permanent damage to your teeth or gums. 

Tooth straightening 

Many adults shy away from orthodontics, with visions of teenagers with dark metal train tracks preventing them from even considering that it may work for them. 

It doesn’t have to be that way as developments in orthodontic techniques and materials have resulted in the availability of a wide range of discreet treatments for effective and long-lasting tooth straightening – ensuring you can be happy and confident with your smile at any age!

Are you interested in becoming more confident in your smile? Contact Illume today for more information or to book an initial consultation on 01242 522230.  

As usual, Illume will be encouraging both their clients and members of the local community to visit the hygienist regularly as part of their oral care routine. It also happens to be National Smile Month, so what better time to reinforce the message? 

As the UK’s largest campaign to promote the importance of good oral health, National Smile Month is running until Thursday 16th June, and will be focusing on the following key messages:

• Brush your teeth last thing at night and on at least one other occasion with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks.
• Visit your dentist regularly – as often as they recommend.

Maintaining good oral health helps to keep both tooth decay and gum disease at bay – and one of the best ways to achieve this is through regular appointments with a hygienist. As well as cleaning your teeth, hygienists measure, monitor and motivate to help our clients with their daily hygiene routine. 

Illume’s Practice Owner and Clinical Director, Tim Rumney, confirms, “Keeping our teeth clean is more of a difficult task than you think. Obviously home care routines such as brushing twice per day for two minutes, cleaning every surface of every tooth every day really help and should be backed up by regular hygiene support visits.

“Many clients think they either don’t need to see a hygienist or that appointments are only required if referred through a dentist, but in reality everyone can benefit from their specialist capabilities to ensure teeth are really clean.

“In fact, I wouldn’t go to a dentist myself to have my teeth cleaned as I know the hygienists will do a far better job due to their specialist skills developed over many years. It is what they are trained to do and they do it every day.” he added.

What’s more, Illume hygienists are now equipped with an EMS Air Flow polisher, which utilizes an air, water and powder mixture to polish and clean teeth – offering a comfortable experience for clients that is highly efficient and effective and kind to the tooth surface.

Tim continues, “The new EMS technology delivers the latest in root surface cleaning below the gum line through the Perioflow system™, utilising the same innovative specialist powder, air and water mixture. We are introducing our new ‘Light Up Your Smile’ service where appointments with one of our hygienists can now be made without first seeing the dentist.

For more information about the new EMS Air Flow polisher or to make an appointment with one of Illume’s experienced hygienists please contact the practice on 01242 522230. 

For more information about National Smile Month please read here.