Whether you have the option to receive dental implant treatment through the National Health Service (NHS) depends on the NHS criteria for eligibility, the severity of your treatment needs, your financial capability and also the type of dental implant treatment you desire.

NHS eligibility criteria for dental implant treatment

NHS Choices clearly states: “Dental implants and orthodontic treatment, such as braces, are available on the NHS, but only if there’s a medical need for the treatment.” This means that tooth loss, whether due to infection, gum disease or injury must be detrimental to your health before you can be considered for NHS treatment. Currently, NHS band 2 course treatments do include extraction of teeth and transplantation of teeth. However, cosmetic treatments to improve appearance are not funded by the NHS, such as tooth whitening and smile makeovers. Some people opt for a combination of NHS treatment and private care for cosmetic treatment.

Severity of dental treatment needs

If the need for dental implants is because of disease, such as Periodontal disease, or serious health complications caused by the tooth loss, dental implant treatment may be available on the NHS. Although there are a number of new dental implant treatments available, not all are available with the NHS. Therefore it is important to check with your NHS dentist what types of dental implant treatment are available on the NHS and which treatments are not.

Financial capability and choice of dental implant treatment

Some people have the financial ability, whether through high earnings or savings and investments, to choose private care for implant treatments, including the new same day implants. However, there are also payment or finance plans available with certain private dental practices and it is worth contacting those private dental care practices that offer the treatments you are interested in for price comparisons. The ability to pay for your treatment over a long period of time can enable you to receive the type of dental implant you really want, so ask the private dentist you visit whether they offer this service.

When comparing dental implant treatments and whether to have them on the NHS or through private care, consider three main questions and ask for your dentist’s perspective too:

• How are my missing teeth affecting my health?
• Is the dental implant treatment I want available on the NHS?
• How affordable is dental implant treatment for me, NHS or Private?

After talking with the NHS and also private dentists, you will be more informed about what is available to you in terms of dental implant treatment.

There are many natural ways to reduce snoring and all of them can be easily practised at home. Other over the counter or surgical options like that from The Private Clinic are available to help you stop snoring, but it is always best to try the natural options first.

Following are some of the natural solutions that can help you stop snoring:

1. Sleeping position: When a person sleeps on their back, the soft palette and the base of their tongue collapses towards the back wall of the throat, causing the individual to snore. Sleeping on the side can prevent this from happening and can significantly reduce snoring. If you are naturally inclined to sleep on your back, you can tape a tennis ball to the back of your pajamas to help you change your sleeping position. Reclining on the bed with your head up can also reduce snoring, as it helps open the nasal airways.

2. Weight loss: Losing weight has helped many as a stop snoring treatment. When weight is gained around the neck it reduces the internal diameter of the throat, blocking the airways, which leads to snoring. While sleeping the internal tissues of the throat collapse, which obstructs the airflow and will subsequently cause snoring. This situation can be changed with the help of weight loss.

3. Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol can also cause snoring. People who do not normally snore will snore after having alcohol. This is because the throat muscles become over relaxed under the influence of alcohol. Avoiding alcohol before the evenings can therefore greatly reduce snoring.

4. Sleeping time: Having a fixed sleeping time can greatly help, as you will breathe more deeply and easily, meaning a good night’s sleep all round.

5. Stay Hydrated: If you are dehydrated the secretion from the soft palette and nose will be stickier, which is one of the main reasons for snoring. Aim to drink between 6-8 glasses of water a day to improve your overall health and hydrate the soft palette.

6. Keep Nasal Passages Open: If snoring originates from your nose make sure that your nasal passages are open before you go to sleep. If there is blockage in your nose due to a cold or allergies, the obstruction will cause snoring. A hot shower can help open the nasal passages and you can also rinse you nose with some salt water in order to open the nasal passages. Nasal strips can also be useful.

If the above-mentioned methods are unable to stop your snoring, then specific snoring treatment should be looked for, which can be bought over the counter, or recommended by your doctor. It is important to treat snoring, as it can soon become a burden on yours and your partner’s life, if it continues to stop you from getting a good night’s sleep.