Archives for June, 2011

Treatment options for a broken tooth

June 29th, 2011

Accidents can happen at any time in any place. Many people damage their teeth as a result of accidents, such as falling or tripping or road traffic accidents, or injuries sustained during sporting activities or fighting.

What should I do if I break a tooth?

If you break your tooth it is important that you keep hold of your tooth and arrange to see your dentist as soon as possible. If your normal dentist does not offer out-of-hours appointments, you can see another dentist. If you cannot find a dentist, you should visit the nearest Accident and Emergency department. Try to keep your tooth in a glass of cool water or milk. If you are able to get treatment quickly, your tooth may be salvageable. Try to avoid touching the root portion of the tooth and hold it by the crown.

Even if you do not think you have broken your tooth it is important you see your dentist as soon as possible as you may have damaged the surrounding tissue or the area of the tooth under the gum line.

Treatment for a broken tooth

If you have seen a dentist early enough, they may be able to salvage the tooth. The dentist will examine your mouth and try to re-implant the tooth if this is possible. Your dentist may carry out X-rays to check for other damage and they may attach a splint to the tooth to support it.

If the tooth has been lost and cannot be re-implanted, your dentist may advise you to consider options to replace the tooth. This may include dental implants, a dental bridge or dentures if a number of teeth have been lost.

Preventing accidents and injuries

It is impossible to prevent accidents sometimes but there are steps you can take to try and protect your teeth. At home, try to reduce the risk of falls by keeping corridors and stairwells clear and covering sharp corners on pieces of furniture. If you play contact sports, such as boxing, rugby or hockey, protect your teeth by wearing a mouth guard.

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Don’t let dental phobia ruin your life

June 27th, 2011

It might be one of the most important health appointments you might have to go to in the foreseeable future, as the quality of your own teeth might have suffered for one reason of the other. Making regular dental appointments every one to two years should be at the top of every person’s list of priorities. However, for some people, the reason why these appointments aren’t made is not because they have forgot, but that they have a phobia of the dentist and this consequently affects a person’s ability to attend to matters of oral health problems.

The many reasons behind having a dental phobia

One of the main reasons behind a person having a dental phobia is something which happened to them during their childhood. An unforgiving dentist who did not take into consideration the fears their young patient held could well have exacerbated since then and, when they reach adulthood, they might have chosen to ignore the constant calls from their dentist surgery as their parents were no longer the ones to force them to the dentist.

A particular horrifically carried out form of treatment when a person was a child or adult could be another reason why they have a dental phobia. The time it took for them to recover from their dental operation could have left the person mentally scarred and these scars need time to heel. Or, the person might have had a straightforward dental operation, such as them needing several teeth extracted. This may be a common treatment for the dentist to perform, but for the patient it is not clear-cut and this harrowing experience could have put a mental toll on the person themselves.

The City of London Dentist understands your fears

The City of London dental professionals here are extremely understanding and they know that a trip to the dentist might take a lot of bravery for the person to do this. Contacting 02072 478057 will enable you to be seen by an understanding person who will be able to cater your dental needs around your worries.

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What your smile says about you

June 24th, 2011

It is one of the most important aspects of when you first meet someone, and for many it is an image which stays with them long after this encounter. When someone smiles, it can mean a number of things and could lead to them making either the right or wrong impression.

The many ways which a smile can help a person

If there are several teeth missing from the person’s mouth, this does not always make a strong impression. Negative impressions can be made about the person and many could frown on the person themselves. Many do not prefer for the teeth to be yellow and, if they see this discolouration present in other people, then they might cast distortions on the person themselves. In all, there are two types of smile.

The Duchenne Smile

This is otherwise known as a natural smile. A smile uses two sets of muscles and a Duchenne smile does cause crow’s feet as one muscle is used rather than another. This is often referred to as a smile which does not mean the person is lying and is sometimes called an “honest smile”.

The non-Duchenne Smile

This is often referred to as a “fake smile”. A person who sports a non-Duchenne smile might be doing it out of courtesy and merely reciprocating what the person they are talking to is doing. It could be done because they are being polite and do not want to anger the person who they are speaking to. Next time you’re talking to someone and you see them smile, check out their eyes as this can tell whether they are genuinely smiling or not.

How your smile can be changed

Here at the City of London Dentist we can provide you with many forms of treatment that can change the colour of your teeth as well as replacing crooked teeth through a number of dental treatments. By contacting 02072 478057 will allow for you to find out first-hand the variety of services available to you.

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The art of extraction

June 22nd, 2011

Even when we least expect it, our teeth might have to receive dental treatment that is not always to our satisfaction. However, this is a necessary evil as our teeth are very important to us and need as much care and attention as possible. With the recent advances in dental technology, there is one type of treatment which many dread but help is at hand if you need it. This is extractions and there are several categories of this.

What types of extraction are there?

General extractions are exactly what it says. With the reasons behind the tooth needed extracting including gum disease, this is needed when there is no other option but for it to be removed and no common medication can help you in relieving that pain.

If the patient is not in pain, orthodontic extractions might be required. Teeth which are yet to appear might need some assistance in doing this as relatively healthy teeth will need to be removed so these other teeth can appear without causing the patient additional pain and discomfort.

Orthodontic extractions are normally carried out under local anaesthetic but surgical removal might be required. Using a technique known as “luxation”, a sharp instrument is prised on either side of the tooth and great force is then used in order to remove the selected tooth.

Wisdom tooth removal

For the large majority of those who need their wisdom teeth removing, extractions are common place here. The lower wisdom teeth have two roots, with the upper teeth having three roots. But this needn’t be as excruciating as it suggests. The roots for wisdom teeth are normally easily locatable but it is always recommended that you speak with a qualified dentist about this procedure as they will ease any worries you have before treatment begins.

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The task of finding a dentist

June 20th, 2011

In these times of financial peril, which have asked many families to consider what to spend their hard-earned cash on, the most obvious ways to spend that money is on clothing, food and the other bills such as gas and electricity that every family have to pay for. Healthcare isn’t always paid for and this is often the same in terms of dental care. However, dentistry is one of the most important aspects of any families health and, although it may seem unnecessary, it is recommended that paying for dentistry costs should be just as important as buying a loaf of bread. But, if like the many that are looking for a dentist, where should you first look?

The search is over

Although many choose to use the services of the National Health Service (NHS), here at the City of London Dentist the professional acting and dedicated dental health care members of staff will be able to provide the same services which the NHS has to offer. With NHS dental care, there are three bands which patients pay for which range from £17 for simple dental treatments to £204 for more complex forms of treatment. Not every practice has free spaces for NHS patients and there is often a long waiting list for patients to be treated by an NHS dentist.

Unlike what is commonly thought, private dentistry practices such as ours do not charge costly prices. The difference between NHS treatment costs and what City of London Dentist charges is pretty much the same; private dental treatment by the dedicated professionals at the City of London Dentist needn’t be as expensive as initially thought.

Cannot find a dentist? Then check out City of London Dentist

Here at the City of London Dentist, you do not have to wait for an extensive time so you can be treated for your dental problems. By contacting or visiting our highly trained professionals will enable you to have an initial consultation where possible forms of treatment can be provided for you.

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The rise of cosmetic dentistry

June 17th, 2011

Many people are deciding that their dental health needs improving. This could be choosing to have a filling they were unsure of having due to one reason or the other, or finally booking an appointment with their dentist which they were avoiding from going to. However, for some they have decided that it is the look of their teeth that they want to improve.

Cosmetic dentistry and its many forms

Unlike what colour they are now our teeth were born natural white, which looked unbelievably healthy in our school photos. However, whether this is thanks to drinking coffee or consuming tobacco products, they change colour and develop a yellowish tinge which is not to everyone’s liking. With teeth whitening products that have instantaneous results, this very popular dental treatment is increasing in popularity all the time.

The other types of cosmetic dentistry

As well as teeth whitening, there are also veneers. Applied to the front of a person’s tooth using very strong glue, they make the tooth look white unlike its previous colour. If one tooth is discoloured this can help change the colour of this singular tooth.

Unlike their silver versions, white fillings blend in with the natural colour of the tooth which can make any filling present in the tooth literally invisible. Silver fillings are prone to staining surrounding teeth but white fillings do not do this and leaves the tooth looking as natural looking as possible.

One more to consider

Just like white fillings when compared to silver fillings, Invisalign offer a person the chance to have braces without the metallic “train track” brace, which is very noticeable and might affect a person’s confidence. Invisalign technology uses clear aligners to straighten the teeth which allows for the confidence of the person to improve as they won’t be self-conscious of having a metallic brace attached to the front of their teeth.

Want to know more?

For further information, contact the City of London Dentist on 020 7247 8057 to see how the many types of cosmetic dentistry can improve the quality of your dental health.

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Common senior dental health problems

June 15th, 2011

As we grow older our bodies tire of all the hard work we have put in over the years; raising children, working long hours, looking after our homes, gardens, friends, family and neighbours. Similarly, our mouths and teeth start to ‘retire.’ Gums may start to shrink and recede, causing pain and sensitivity, and teeth may begin to loosen and fall out.

Listed below are common senior dental health issues:

  • Tooth discolouration. Teeth may darken from years of stain-causing food and drinks such as coffee and red wine.
  • Dry mouth. It is a misconception that we produce less saliva as we get older. A dry mouth is usually a symptom of mouth cancer or gum disease.
  • Gum disease (Gingivitis and Periodontitis). The build up of plaque and bacteria over time can lead to gum disease which may result in tooth loss and gum abscesses. Tobacco, alcohol, poor diet and cancer can contribute to the development of gum disease. See the section on gum disease below for a low down on the signs and symptoms of gum disease.
  • Root decay. Receding gums caused by ageing can cause yellow ‘cementum’ to show through, leaving teeth exposed and vulnerable to decay.
  • Diminished taste, trouble swallowing and difficulty speaking.
  • Denture-Induced-Stomatitis. Results from ill fitting dentures, poor oral hygiene and/or build-up of fungus.
  • Medication induced problems. Medication used to treat diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy and high blood pressure can adversely affect oral health.
  • Tooth loss (resulting from gum disease).
  • Uneven jawbone (Resulting from tooth loss).
  • Thrush.
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The dangers of buying teeth whitening kits online

June 13th, 2011

The look of a celebrity may be something which a person dedicates themselves to achieving. They might decide to have a face-lift, choose weight loss surgery or even get their teeth whitened.

Teeth whitening has become one of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry – this is because the look of Hollywood can be achieved by changing the colour of a person’s teeth into pearly white. Years of drinking caffeine and smoking tobacco products dramatically change the colour of a person’s teeth but through teeth whitening the teeth can be changed back to their natural colour. However, many are deciding to do teeth whitening on themselves and not asking highly trained dental professionals to do this.

DIY teeth whitening

The rise in the number of teeth whitening kits available at supermarkets and even in chemists has increased dramatically. By a person using these kits opens them up to potential health problems, such as their gums burning and toothache to develop if the person has deep cavities. They might apply too much of the kit on their mouth and this could lead to more harm than good. A teeth whitening kit uses bleach in order for the teeth to change colour and, if this is not applied to the right areas of the mouth, it could lead to blisters and pain for the person not present prior to the application of the teeth whitening kit. The product when applied to the teeth might also be digested by the person, which could cause a burning sensation to the stomach and even harm the stomach permanently.

It’s best to leave it to those who have experience in teeth whitening

By calling 02072 478057 so that you can arrange an appointment with the City of London Dentist will allow for you to be given all the information you need about how our dedicated professionals can provide teeth whitening services for you in a professional and experienced environment which have helped many achieve that pearly white smile.

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Your cuddly pet’s oral health

June 10th, 2011

In the run-up to National Dental Month, vets and animal experts had been urging pet owners to take care of their pet’s teeth and gums. The national campaign, which was sponsored by Pedigree, aimed to raise awareness of pet oral health and encourage pet owners to keep an eye on their pet’s oral health.

Looking after your pet’s teeth

Many pet owners may not realise the importance of good oral health for their pets and research suggests that rates of tooth decay and gum disease are high amongst the nation’s pets. Animal’s teeth need to be cared for in the same way as human teeth. Many dog owners may not realise, for example, that they should be brushing their dog’s teeth on a daily basis. It is also a good idea to take your pet for regular check-ups at the vet so that any existing dental conditions can be treated.

If dental conditions are left untreated, this can contribute to other health conditions, as well as causing your pet unnecessary pain and making it difficult for them to eat. Research studies have shown that the bacteria associated with dental health problems can cause problems and inflammation in other parts of the body.

Signs and symptoms to look out for

If you have a pet you should keep an eye on their mouth and brush their teeth regularly. If you notice symptoms associated with decay or gum disease, arrange an appointment with your local vet. Common symptoms of gum disease include bad breath, redness in the gums, plaque formation below the gumline (known as sub gingival plaque) and bleeding and swollen gums in advanced cases.

Treating dental conditions

Gum disease can be prevented and if it is diagnosed early, it can be reversed; however, if it is left untreated it will get worse and eventually it will cause irreversible damage. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, see your vet as soon as possible so that your pet can get the treatment they need.

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Dentist appointments on the rise

June 8th, 2011

Although the media has been filed with stories about dental patients avoiding appointments, a recent Department of Health report has suggested that the number of people attending appointments has actually increased compared to five years ago.

The report, which has recently been released, claims that there has been an increase of almost one million people seeing their dentist for a check-up within the last two years compared to figures released in 2006. The report also showed that more people are using NHS dental services, with the percentage of the population using NHS dental services exceeding the baseline for the first time in history.

Although many people are struggling to afford dental care, expenditure on dental services is higher than ever before because people are eager to look their best and having a healthy, attractive smile is one of the key ingredients to looking good.

Why are more people seeing an NHS dentist?

According to Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, access to NHS dental services has improved significantly since 2006. In 2006 the Labour government brought in a new dental contract, which resulted in a severe shortage of dentists, particularly in more rural areas. As a result of this, many dental patients faced a difficult decision between travelling long distances or joining a waiting list for NHS dental care or going private.

In recent years, more money has been invested in dental services and there are now more dentists working in the NHS. The coalition government is also changing the dental contract to ensure that dentists can focus on patient care, improve access to NHS dental services and ensure that dentists are rewarded for the quality of their work, rather than the quantity of procedures they carry out.

NHS dentistry may also have become more popular as a result of financial difficulties caused by the global recession. Some people who used to pay for private treatment may have decided that this is now an unaffordable luxury and switched to an NHS dentist. Dentistry is one of the few NHS services that is not provided free of charge but the rates are significantly lower than private fees.

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