Archives for July, 2011

The importance of something so small

July 29th, 2011

Life without teeth; can you imagine such a prospect? Not being able to enjoy your favourite fry-up or Sunday Roast and a bowl of pudding and custard is many people’s notion of hell. All those wonderful smells you wouldn’t be able to give in to by asking for that highly-wanted second or third portion is something which I reckon a large number of us could not live without. But, for many, this is a reality.

Why let your smile suffer?

Through gingivitis, or gum disease, the teeth suffer terribly. By not carrying out a rigorous method of oral hygiene (such as brushing twice a day and flossing throughout the week the same number of times) means that the gums will suffer. The build-up of plaque in the gums means that they start to swell up and are prone to bleeding. By your teeth bleeding, this means that the build-up of plaque is not exactly good for your teeth and is doing complete harm and no good at all.

In serious cases, the result of gum disease could result in the person suffering from Periodontitis which is a far more dangerous form of gum disease. Periodontitis happens when the inflammation of the gums also starts affecting the material which connects the tooth to the tooth socket. If this is affected, the tooth might become wobbly and could actually fall out.

In order to resolve gum disease, the future might be bright and not dour at all. By practising an excellent level of dental hygiene means that you are doing what you can personally do in order to remove gum disease. Furthermore, it is a good idea for you to visit your dentist so that you can get the most professional advice. Even if you have a fear of visiting the dentist, by approaching them will not only help your teeth but also detect future problems which could have caused untold harm if not treated in advance.

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Why is root canal treatment so important?

July 27th, 2011

There is no hiding from the fact that our teeth and gums are of great importance to our overall well-being. Not only do they assist us in impressing whatever dignitary we meet along the course of our busy lives but they also help us in breaking down food which we are consuming in even greater quantities. But, our teeth are prone to require some form of dental treatment at one point in our lives. This could be attributed to not following the recommended daily routine of cleaning our teeth on two occasions each day and also using floss. But no matter how many times we look after our gnashers, you might find that dental treatment is required. One type of treatment which some undergo during their lives is root canal treatment.

Simply put, root canal treatment happens when this part of your tooth is treated by a qualified dentist. When the soft tissue of the tooth, or pulp, is infected by a number of reasons such as the tooth undergoing physical trauma an abscess might then appear. After experiencing this possibly damaging event, it could result in the tooth needing dental attention as the abscess will only be permanently removed via this form of treatment.

During root canal treatment, the overall treatment time for it is two appointments. On your first visit, any infection is removed with the abscesses drained. The tooth is then smoothed so it can receive a permanent filling. In the meantime, the tooth receives a temporary filling which is replaced by the already mentioned filling on your second visit. It is on this second visit that any abscesses are checked for so that further problems can be identified sooner rather than later.

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Too much porcelain in dentistry?

July 25th, 2011

Porcelain is widely used in cosmetic dentistry but how much is used and what are the benefits?

Dental porcelain, (also named dental ceramic) is becoming the most favoured option by dentists and patients alike due to its resilience and natural effect.

The ceramic material is generally used for crowns, filling gaps in teeth, bridges and veneers. Porcelain veneers are an alternative and more expensive option compared to composite veneers, so why is porcelain used more in cosmetic dentistry?

Porcelain has an infallible reputation for being durable and strong. Additionally, porcelain has more of an edge than composite because it creates the natural look, so similar that no one could tell if a patient has undergone any type of dental procedure. The difference between composite and porcelain is the price. Porcelain is much more expensive, however, you will receive a much more desired effect and porcelain is guaranteed to last over a decade. If you choose composite veneers then you will end up having them changed more often, which will most probably cost you more in the end. If you’re seeking a perfect smile then money isn’t an issue, especially when porcelain is the most preferred choice.

Porcelain can cover the entire teeth by applying thin layers to cover up any discolouration, fillings, gaps or crowns. The dentist who is working with you can ensure that the porcelain used is the exact match and colour of your natural teeth – the ceramic is bonded to achieve the desired effect, an effect that is satisfactory and will create a smile that is outstanding.

Celebrities are avid lovers of porcelain and veneers are a growing trend in Hollywood. It’s not just the celebrities who are opting for the porcelain option; patients worldwide are deciding to have porcelain, dental procedures so they can also achieve the celebrity smile.

It seems that porcelain is used continuously in dentistry but is it too much? Research proves that porcelain is widely used by cosmetic dentists, and the reason – perfection!

If there were a disadvantage of porcelain, it would only be the price and the fact that the procedure isn’t reversible. Saying that, if you have the perfect smile, would you really want it to be reversed?

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The importance of Oral Health to your chances of conception

July 22nd, 2011

Oral hygiene before and during pregnancy is beneficial to the health of mother and baby. So how does bad oral hygiene cause complications for pre-conception and increase risks of premature births?

It seems strange that oral health can play a massive part to the chances of conception, but studies have shown that there is a definitive link between periodontal disease and premature births.  The disease can sometimes result in preeclampsia (a series case of high-blood pressure that can result in a coma or even death). Furthermore, the implications of periodontal disease can cause low birth weight and severe prematurity.

It is common knowledge that to increase the chance of conceiving, certain things should be avoided, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor diet. Most mothers-to-be are fully aware of the benefits of folic acid and usually take it before and during pregnancy to support the health of themselves and their unborn child. If women take folic acid to protect themselves and their babies then surely oral hygiene should be as equally important considering the implications.

Women who are planning a pregnancy should consider the importance of oral hygiene. In order to prevent periodontal disease or other oral infections, regular dental checks are essential. Keeping on top of your dental care will also prevent any type of gum disease – this will be secured with regular brushing, flossing, good nutrition and abstaining from smoking.

Any mother-to-be would want the best for herself and her unborn child so paying attention to teeth and gums is extremely advantageous.

Gum disease wouldn’t be pleasant for anyone but the risks regarding pre-conception and pregnancy are serious. According to research, the gums can become inflamed and react with the body’s chemicals, which can possibly cause rupture to the amniotic sac.

The best way of ensuring that you and your baby are free from risk, even if you’re considering conception, then regular oral hygiene is essential.

Gums can generally bleed during pregnancy and is common (pregnancy gingivitis), however, this can be confused with gum disease so a visit to your dentist will determine the cause. If you suspect that you might have gum disease, whether or not you are thinking of pregnancy, here are some signs…

  • Bleeding gums
  • Red/Swollen gums
  • Unpleasant breath
  • Gum abscesses/boils
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New dental syringe to reduce pain

July 20th, 2011

One of the main things that sends dread and despair through us all is the impending pain that we are sure is to come during our dental appointment, and while local anaesthetic can be used to largely neutralise this, the injection of the anaesthetic itself can often be painful too!

To this end, a prominent lecturer on dental science at Newcastle University, Dr. John Meechan has invented a new syringe for injecting patients with local anaesthetic that cause next to no pain! Dr. Meechan explained that the pain associated with injections is not the needle itself, but the highly acidic solution entering the body; the needle actually causes very little pain itself.

What’s the answer?

The solution needs to be kept acidic in order to stop it becoming ineffective and keep it “active” while it is stored and not in use. By keeping the solutions within the acidic solution separate up until the syringe is used, the anaesthetic can be made to cause less pain. As usual with such inventions, the concept is simple but very effective, and Dr. Meechan and his invention (the Smart Dental Injection) have just won a Medical Futures Innovation Award in London.

The secret to success is that the solution is kept separate with a buffer solution, which is put in the cartridge with the formula to keep the solution separate and remove the need to make the solution acidic.

Dr. Meechan states that the reason for doing this is to try to reduce dental anxiety, which even after all this time, still affects a surprising 70% of the adult population in Britain. This is despite the use of local anaesthetic for many years now, which has seemingly reduced pain significantly. The inventor hopes the injection can be widely distributed to dentists around the country to help them and their patients.

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Is your dentist the most eligible Bachelor in town?

July 18th, 2011

It goes without saying that your job can say an awful lot about you – a teacher is never disinterested and reckless; a lawyer is rarely shy and mild-mannered; a builder probably prefers egg and chips over caviar every day of the week. It is stereotypical but these things became stereotypes for a reason. In the same way when we think of a dentist we imagine intelligence, wealth, sensitivity and not forgetting…a dashing smile!

Is it truly so, ladies?

There are few women who would turn down a handsome man with intelligence, wealth, sensitivity and a smile to make you swoon and this could be the reason why the women of online dating site, match.com, have named dentists among the most desirable men on the market.

The online study used the information provided by women signed up to the dating site to look at which professions are most sought after in a partner by women. Unsurprisingly the results suggest that wealth and status still remain the most attractive qualities that a man can have even though women themselves have as much opportunity as men to attain these qualities in today’s society.

Ooh err!

The top five professions voted most attractive to women are: executive or management positions; dentists, doctors or vets; lawyers; teachers and the self-employed. It is clear to see the pattern in these professions and the results make it very clear what still makes a man attractive to a woman.

The results seem to say that women desire a man who has power, status and authority and a man who has desire and ambition to succeed. A woman still needs her Alpha male!

What has developed with modern society though is the attractiveness of a man that can show his sensitive and caring side. The ‘new man’ is a new phenomenon and even though these results illustrate that the dominant male is still very much desired it goes without saying that teachers, doctors, vets and dentists have that extra quality, that caring quality that in the past would have been left to the women.

So, it seems that your dentist has it all – he’s intelligent, he’s powerful, he’s rich, he’s sensitive and he probably cares an awful lot about his oral hygiene. He’s your perfect match! So next time you go for that check-up be sure to look past that drill and pay a little more attention to what might be hiding underneath that white coat.

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Going to the dentist doesn’t need to be painful anymore

July 15th, 2011

For many people who visit their dentist, they have a genuine fear. Whether it comes down to fear of a particularly invasive treatment or pain after previous treatment, the onset of fear can sometimes be too much for a number of people. Apart from the treatment they are also scared of having injections – but, thanks to one British researcher, this fear could soon be an emotion of the past.

What has been created?

A pain-free injection has been invented, which is able to deliver anaesthetic to the gums without the person feeling anything. The main reason behind why people feel a stinging sensation is because of the acidic content which is being injected into them. However, this new injection design has been altered to remedy this.

Dr. John Meechan, who is from Newcastle University and is a senior lecturer, developed the idea. Before the injection happens, the anaesthetic is mixed with a neutralising solution, which enables it to become less acidic and therefore no pain is forced on the patient.

Pain-free advances in dentistry

It is reported that over seventy per cent of Britons are afraid of injections at the dentist. Dr. Meechan commented on the prospects of this: “We think our idea has great potential to improve the comfort of dental injections, which will benefit all patients who need anaesthetics at the dentist…The whole idea was to make dental injections more comfortable for patients and we’ve done that by changing the delivery system.”
The countless number of patients who have been prevented from accessing much needed dental treatment in the past due to their fears will be particular fans of this breakthrough. The definite results are not a foregone conclusion but the future looks bright for this new idea.

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Cosmetic dentistry – not to be left for Hollywood to enjoy

July 13th, 2011

Like cosmetic surgery, cosmetic dentistry is fast becoming the norm these days when it comes to fixing those problem areas. In the past any form of cosmetic work, whether it be in your mouth or in other areas of the body was left to the rich and famous, mainly because they were the only ones who could afford it but also because cosmetic work has carried with it a stigma of vanity and self-indulgence. That stigma has slowly declined though in recent years as more and more normal, everyday people look to cosmetic surgery in curing their body woes.

How do the celebs do it?

Cosmetic dentistry is popular in celebrity culture. Simon Cowell’s pop star manufacturing office is actually now fitted with its very own dentist chair to turn those simple smiles into dazzling works of art. Cheryl Cole was not born with that bright white perfectly straight smile and cosmetic dentistry can make any smile dazzle like those of the rich and famous.

As always, it is perhaps the celebrity culture that has brought cosmetic dentistry to the forefront of the everyday consumer’s mind and shameless celebrity endorsement of such treatment has most definitely lessened the stigma of faking a perfect smile.

Whoops!

Whilst eating at a fancy restaurant recently, ex-supermodel and reality TV star Janice Dickinson lost her veneers, and after slipping them in her napkin and continuing with her evening she couldn’t find them when she came to leave. Being the exuberant character she is, she involved all the staff in a hunt for the missing teeth and after they were found she thanked staff for their help, confessing: “These things are so expensive they could feed a small village.”

It is such open and unashamed celebrity endorsement of such treatment that makes cosmetic dentistry a possibility for us all. For those of us who walk around daily nervous to flash a smile at a friend, a work colleague and even the attractive guy making eyes at us across the room, something can be done and we should take advantage of what cosmetic dentistry can do for us.

Whether it be veneers, straightening, a simple teeth whitening treatment or something a little more technical that is needed to perfect your Hollywood smile, it can be done and you can have it. Don’t leave it to the rich and famous – get your perfect smile today!

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Celebrities put braces on the A-list

July 11th, 2011

Glamorous Smiles

If the most glamorous, popular and most sought after starry eyed celebrities are using them, surely wearing a brace can no longer be seen to be an ordeal reserved for the painful years of adolescence?

Take Holly Willoughby, for example, the latest celebrity to hit the headlines with braces. Posing for Twitter, the close-up picture shows Holly smiling widely in braces which appear to be near-invisible, ultra-thin white metal wires. Beneath the picture she writes, ‘Brace yourself, I’ve got braces!’

Willoughby isn’t the first celebrity to opt for braces. Other celebrities, such as Marks and Spencer’s protégée, Myleene Klass, have also used braces to perfect their smile, a reassuring sight for the general public, particularly young women who class these celebrities as emulative role models. Surely with such beautiful, iconic women wearing them ‘normal folk’ need no longer fear the humiliation of ‘going public’?

Why a Celebrity Smile is Priceless

Holly Willoughby is sending out a really positive message to people who want to have a brace fitted. Braces are an essential way to create a lovely, straight smile and will boost your overall dental hygiene, making it easier for you to floss and brush between teeth. A straighter smile will also improve your overall bone structure.

Let’s face it; when it comes to sorting out the important stuff no amount of vanity can get in the way. Everybody wants their teeth to look and feel good, and if the gorgeous women of TV are happy to get their teeth straightened at the expense of a little metal wiring, then why shouldn’t we?

Just do it!

Braces have progressed a lot since metal brackets and there are now a range of discreet braces available such as Invisalign, a clear plastic retainer that fits over the teeth which can even be removed at your own discretion. You needn’t be stuck in a rut when it comes to selecting the best brace for your teeth, so talk to your dentist about finding the most suitable brace to achieve your perfect smile today.

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Hollywood star turns to the dark side of dentistry

July 8th, 2011

Jennifer Aniston is starring in a new movie about a bossy, sexually abusive Dentist. The Hollywood actress, who is often seen looking angelic and wearing a fabulous smile, is going to surprise fans when her new movie ‘Horrible Bosses’ hits the big screen this Friday.

The red carpet favourite has ditched her golden locks and girl-next-door image to play an overly flirtatious brunette who runs a dental surgery.

The film is a much darker comedy for Jennifer and hosts an all-star cast, based on a tale of three evil bosses and three employees who are victims of abuse. The film has themes of a sexual nature (by Aniston) and revenge – certainly not the activity you would expect to see in a dental surgery.

This is an unusual role for Aniston and a far cry from her sweet, lovable character, Rachel from ‘Friends.’ The star is generally recognised in Romantic comedies, such as ‘The Bounty Hunter’ and ‘Along Came Polly.’ Her role as Dr. Julie Harris in ‘Horrible Bosses’ is a daring performance for the Hollywood starlet and playing an immoral Dentist is finally a role she can really get her teeth into.

Aniston plays a dental boss who pushes the boundaries of sexual harassment with her assistant, played by Charlie Day. The central story for Aniston is when she blackmails her assistant by taking inappropriate and raunchy photographs of them together, however, the dental assistant is posing under anaesthetic, which Aniston issues to perform dental treatment.

The story focuses on three workers who are individually being bullied and abused by their bosses. Together they plan to kill their employers with the help of a hitman, played by Jamie Foxx. Aniston’s role is one that will illustrate a completely different slant regarding the dental practice. Fans will get to see Jennifer looking sexy in her dental attire as well as seeing the star perform in a darker light. One thing is for sure – the film is set to make audiences smile.

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