Archives for August, 2011

Who is tooth whitening for?

August 31st, 2011

With their images adorning the glamour magazines and billboards detailing their upcoming films, the A-Listers of Hollywood always sport a pearly white smile. Their wonderful lives look fantastic and seem like a different world to anyone else who looks at these images. Although many aspects of their lives are ones which we could not lead, there is one way in which this can be done – teeth whitening.

What is teeth whitening?

Just like its title says, having teeth whitening carried out on yourself will better the colour of your teeth substantially. Whether or not the years of drinking cups of coffee or smoking tobacco products is the reason behind the natural colour of your teeth going more yellow than white, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Teeth whitening treatment is carried out via a number of ways. Essentially, teeth whitening involves the teeth to be bleached using oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide and/or carbamide peroxide so that this then lightens the shade of the tooth. Doing this will enable the layers of non-white colouring to be broken down. Once the teeth have been whitened, the effects of this can be seen for several months but the overall impact can be cut if you start to drink caffeine products or smoke tobacco. This teeth whitening treatment can be carried out at the Devonshire Square Dental Studio but there is one other form of teeth whitening procedure which can be done in the comfort of your own home.

Sounds interesting…

Known as “at-home whitening”, this treatment means that custom-made trays are created which holds a low concentration of the oxidizing agent which can then be placed next to the teeth for up to six hours over a number of days. This is ideal for those who do not want instant results but over the course of a longer period of time.

Fantastic! Tell me more

To find out further information about the many types of teeth whitening treatment and how it can improve the quality of your oral health, contact the Devonshire Square Dental Studio on 020 7247 8057 where an appointment can be arranged with one of our highly trained professionals.

Tags: at home whitening, celebrities, Hollywood, tooth whitening
Posted in Teeth whitening | Comments Off

What treatments can you choose from in a smile makeover?

August 29th, 2011

Dental health for any person should always be seen as just as important as other aspects of our health. Caring for our heart, lowering blood pressure and having inoculations when the time comes is vital in order for our lives to remain as adisease-free as possible. Many people rightfully view their dental health as being just as important, while some even choose to undertake a smile makeover to spruce up their smile. These forms of treatment can come in several ways.

Tell me more…

Teeth whitening treatment is fast becoming a very popular type of oral health treatment, contributing towards a fantastic smile makeover. There are a number of types of teeth whitening treatments available, ranging from the quick fix to other forms which take just that bit longer for the full effects to become apparent. But they are certainly worth this extra time and effort.

Anything else?

Veneers, like teeth whitening, have proven that they too are becoming very popular amongst those who want to have a smile makeover and there are many reasons behind this.

Made out of porcelain, veneers are individually made so that they are created to each person’s specifications. This way, one person from the next won’t have the same veneers as they will be different from each other.

Veneers are made from moulds taken of the tooth, which enables technicians to create an impression of the tooth. Once the moulds have been made, this ultra-thin creation can then be used for a number of reasons, such as being put in front of a tooth which has become discoloured or placed in front of a tooth that is chipped or cracked due to intense pressure or force. There are many benefits to having veneers such as regaining that youthful smile which you thought was long gone and, generally, improving a person’s confidence as they will no longer be self-conscious of their oral health.

For further information, look no further

If you want to find out more about the types of treatment involved with smile makeovers which can help your oral health, call the Devonshire Square Dental Studio on 020 7247 8057.

Tags: Braces, smile makeover, tooth whitening, veneers
Posted in General dentistry | Comments Off

What makes the dentist so scary?

August 26th, 2011

Dentist dodgers are not that hard to come by – the dental check up is something that most of us dread. But what is it that makes people so terrified of the dentist? The fear of pain? The dislike of someone poking around in your mouth? The place itself? Is it the dentist him or herself? Is it simply legend? It might be all of the above! Regardless, it is undeniable that there is something about the dentist that gives everyone the jitters.

The most common assumption in diagnosing dental phobia is the fear of the pain and discomfort that comes with having your teeth played with. Even a simple clean and polish can be quite uncomfortable – especially if you have sensitive teeth – and being stretched out on the chair with the dentist and his tools looming over you can leave you feeling powerless in anticipation of what is about to happen. Needless to say, the pain is probably not that terrible but when you feel powerless to stop it it can seem a million times worse.

Another common factor is that many people feel nervous just by stepping foot in the dentist’s office. This is something that we can put down to matters of association – the smell; the surroundings; posters on the wall; the silent, nerve-wracking wait in the waiting room. Our brains automatically associate these things with any bad experience we’ve ever had at the dentist and even if we aren’t the ones seeing the dentist today it can still get those butterflies fluttering.

Tags: anxiety, fear of dentist, needles, Scared of dentist
Posted in Dental phobia | Comments Off

The life cycle of milk teeth

August 24th, 2011

Dealing with milk teeth can be a bit of an ordeal, for both the child and first time parent and while the emergence and following life cycle of milk teeth is different for everyone, these following steps are the general order to expect to help you understand what is happening in your child’s mouth.

Tooth eruption

Also known as teething, tooth eruption is the first stage of milk teeth and is the time when the baby teeth are coming through (or ‘erupting’) through the gums. This process will usually begin, at the earliest at 3 months, although the emergence of the first teeth is commonly between 4 and 7 months.

Some babies find this process painless, while others will be irritated by it for short periods, this is normal, however, if your baby seems very badly irritated or in considerable pain, speak to your doctor or dentist.

Milk teeth loss

Again the age for losing teeth can vary dramatically from child to child. Generally girls begin losing their teeth earlier than boys and the age of 6 is the usual time to expect the first tooth loss. This loss will then continue until around the age of 12 or 13.

Many dentists will also recommend that as milk teeth are lost and adult teeth begin to erupt, this is the age at which to really reinforce oral health and independent dental care.

The order at which the teeth will fall can again vary, but generally the teeth that erupted first are also the first to fall out, meaning the bottom front teeth are commonly the first to be lost.

Adult teeth eruption

Because the age range of baby teeth lost ranges over a number of years, your child is going to spend a certain amount of time with both baby and adult teeth.

The first adult tooth to erupt first, is one the front lower teeth, although if different baby teeth fell out first these should obviously be the ones expected first. The first adult teeth should appear soon after the loss of the first baby teeth around 6 years and the final teeth should come through around 13, although some people develop four extra teeth between the ages of 17 and 21, which are known as wisdom teeth.

Because this period sees the emergence of adult teeth while milk are still present, it is not uncommon for overcrowding and the need for teeth straightening to occur at this time.

Tags: adult teeth, children, milk teeth, overcrowding, wisdom teeth
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The invisible route to straighter teeth

August 22nd, 2011

Remember years ago when it was embarrassing to be seen with visually, unsightful braces on your teeth? Numerous patients still wear metal braces. Not only does the wearer feel insecure about wearing a smile, but the stress of brushing and getting around the metal braces is a difficult task to say the least. More so, eating certain foods can be a grievance – liquid diets aren’t necessarily appropriate for general nutrition, even if it does stop chunks of food getting stuck in between the braces, thus making brushing even more unmanageable.

Image is very personal to some people and metal braces can cause distress, especially in social situations, posing for photographs or generally associating in public.

There is a solution to this problem! Invasalign invisible braces are transparent, which are so clear they are almost undetectable. Better still, they can be removed, are generally more comfortable and still gradually straighten your teeth so you can achieve the perfect smile.

Invasalign removable braces are innovative and growing rapidly within the dental community. More and more patients are opting for Invasalign braces because they are much more comfortable, less risk of metal allergies, and studies have shown that the revolutionary dental apparatus promote better oral hygiene than metal braces, therefore preventing gum disease.

Who wouldn’t desire straighter teeth? Especially if you don’t need to endure the visibility and have the freedom to remove them, so you can enjoy your favourite meal.

Invasalign braces are becoming more popular worldwide and patients are satisfied with the final outcome – a set of beautiful, healthy, straighter teeth.

Sound tempting? If you are considering dental braces or feel that your teeth need straightening but don’t want the drawback of a metal brace then visit your dentist today and enquire about Invasalign invisible braces – the outcome will certainly make you smile.

Tags: Braces, invisalign, invisible braces, straight teeth
Posted in Orthodontics | Comments Off

Root canal treatment in the City of London

August 19th, 2011

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that is spoken about quite often, but many people don’t fully understand what it means.

The root canal is the inner workings of a tooth and runs from the visible crown of the tooth to the roots underneath the gums. Because of the importance of the root canal, root canal treatment is obviously vital should infection occur.

What does the treatment involve?

The treatment itself can mean two different things, depending on the level of damage and the amount of bacterial infection the tooth has sustained. The treatment will involve the removal of the damaged and decayed pulp (the inner material within the root canal) and then it will be filled, before restoring what can be saved of the rest of the tooth.

Not all teeth have just one root canal, and larger teeth such as molars at the back of the mouth have multiple canals, whereas smaller teeth such as the front teeth have only one.

Does it hurt?

While the procedure involves delving into the middle of the tooth, the treatment is quite painless as the patient will be given local anaesthetic to numb the pain and it has often been commented that the only uncomfortable sensation is the feeling of the dental equipment in the mouth, a sensation that can be further reduced, if needs be, with nitrous oxide, or ‘laughing gas’.

The need for root canal treatment can be caused by a number of reasons, the most common of which are tooth decay, bad dental hygiene and leaking fillings, or trauma damage such as you would receive from a fall.

Tags: anaesthetic, infection, root canal, root canal treatment
Posted in General dentistry | Comments Off

What teeth whitening options are available to you?

August 17th, 2011

In today’s society where image is everything, it pays to give a good first impression and many people agree – a white and beautiful smile can really work, whether you’re trying to win over an interviewer or a date.

Because of the great impact a stunning set of teeth can give, the popularity of whitening has seen a remarkable rise, even compared to the increasing popularity of cosmetic dentistry in general. The two most common and effective methods of teeth whitening are at home and in surgery whitening.

At Home Whitening

At home whitening is quite self explanatory; it’s a whitening method that can be performed by yourself in your own home.

A home whitening kit can be purchased from a dentist who will take an impression of your teeth that will be used to make trays to fit your teeth, which are then filled with whitening gel and worn for up to two hours a day for a number of days or weeks, depending on the level of whiteness you want.

Because it can be done at home, at home whitening is becoming very popular and, as such, unofficial whitening kits are becoming more common as bought on the internet. They should be avoided however as they are quite often unsafe, using a whitening bleach that is too concentrated and which can be exceptionally damaging to your teeth and gums.

In Surgery Whitening

As with at home whitening, the name explains what this method is all about. In surgery whitening is performed by your dentist at the dental surgery and is a much quicker way of whitening teeth than at home whitening, although it generally doesn’t last as long as at home and the final results are generally better with at home whitening.

This procedure involves the use of light sensitive gel which is applied to the teeth. This gel is then exposed to either a whitening laser or specialised light which whitens the teeth at a much faster rate than with at home whitening, taking between just 30 and 60 minutes although multiple visits may be needed.

While both methods have good and bad points, the two are highly popular and safe, although sensitivity in the teeth during and following the procedures is not uncommon.

Tags: at home teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, in-surgery whitening, professional tooth whitening
Posted in Teeth whitening | Comments Off

Why is oral health so important during pregnancy?

August 15th, 2011

Oral hygiene is an important issue for everyone but it is particularly important for pregnant women, as they are susceptible to gum disease.

Why is oral health important?

It is important for everyone to keep an eye on their oral health; good oral health is important for self-esteem and good general health and poor oral hygiene has been linked to a host of serious medical conditions. During pregnancy there are a million and one things for expectant mothers to think about and many women may be unaware of the importance of good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups during pregnancy; in recent years, a growing number of studies have suggested that there is a strong link between poor oral health and an increased risk of premature birth, complications during labour and even stillbirth.

How does pregnancy affect oral health?

Pregnancy increases a woman’s susceptibility to conditions such as gum disease and the harmful bacteria associated with gum disease can get into the bloodstream of the unborn baby, increasing the risk of complications; research carried out at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital found that women with poor oral health were more likely to have a miscarriage than those with good oral health. Pregnant women are more likely to develop oral health conditions as a result of the increased levels of certain hormones in the body.

Preventing oral health conditions

In order to prevent oral health conditions it is important to attend regular check-ups with your dentist; during pregnancy, your dentist may advise you to visit more regularly and dental care is available free of charge on the NHS for pregnant women and women who have given birth within the last twelve months. Oral hygiene is also really important; a good daily oral hygiene routine should include brushing the teeth for at least two minutes twice a day and using dental floss on a daily basis; mouthwash can also be useful to rinse away food debris and plaque.

Tags: miscarriage, oral hygiene, pregnancy, problems during labour
Posted in General dentistry | Comments Off

Overcoming your fear and taking the first steps toward a new smile

August 12th, 2011

When seeing the A-Listers of Hollywood impressing many on the silver screen or in the glamour magazines for all to see, it is very hard not to notice that the quality of their teeth is outstanding; they are straight, white and sparkly. For anyone else who does not live and work in this vibrant community, they might yearn to have a great new smile but for some reason or other do not know where to turn first.

The initial step

To begin with, attend an initial consultation. Even if you are nervous about visiting a dentist, our highly qualified professionals understand that a dental practice is not an ideal place for everybody, but every effort is made to ease any anxiety. In this initial meeting, a consultation will be made with our welcoming and understanding professionals where they will advise you on what they propose for improving your oral health and giving you that new smile that you might have been after for some time.

What comes next

After the initial meeting, it will be discussed between you and your dental professional about what is the next best step. Our dental professionals will not presume what is best for you but will discuss in great detail what courses of treatment are available to you. A complete breakdown of the prices for the treatment will be presented to you so there is no chance of any hidden charges.

It needn’t be an arduous time

So, no matter what your previous dental health history is and despite what you have experienced in other dental practices, here at the Devonshire Square Dental Studio the many highly trained professionals understand this and work with you and not against you.

For further information about the many dental services which Devonshire Square Dental Studio can provide for you, contact 020 7247 8057 so you can be assisted in having that great smile which you’ve always longed to have.

Tags: anxiety, cost, Hollywood Smile, treatment
Posted in General dentistry | Comments Off

Olympic standard dentistry in the City of London

August 10th, 2011

London is known for a number of interesting and wonderful things, from fashion, to sightseeing; from high street shopping to the up and coming Olympics and also for its number of world-class cosmetic dental studios.

They say you can find just about anything in the city of London and that includes a huge number of cosmetic dental studios that are home to some of the best and most experienced dentists, not only in the country but the world. The abundance choice of practice, including Devonshire Square Dental Studio, Harley Street Dental Studio and Umbrella Cosmetic Dentistry, means that you really will be spoilt for choice when it comes to London dentistry.

With the Olympic Games just around the corner the city of London will want to look at its best for when the world turns its view towards the British Isles in 2012. So, what better way to improve your appearance than with a beautiful, new smile from one London’s leading dental studios? London is home to a number of world renown and experienced dentists, such as Dr Mark Hughes, a 1992 honours graduate from Trinity College Dublin, who also earned a post graduate qualification from Eastman Dental Institute, London and is a holder of the prestigious rank of Invisalign Platinum Elite –a rank held by only a small number of dentists in the UK. With qualifications such as this you know you will be in safe hands at Harley Street Dental.

Other highly recommended dentists in London include Dr Justin Glaister, a dentist with a vast wealth of experience, that has brought him a highly respected international career and has seen him proclaimed the “UK dentist to see” for the ultimate smile makeover, porcelain veneers.

Dr Glaister’s experience includes training from some of the world’s best dental training centres in both the UK and Italy, as well as bringing him work at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute of Neuromuscular and Cosmetics.

Whether it’s to show off to the world in 2012 or just a treat for yourself, cosmetic dental work in London has no short supply of quality studios and dentists for you to choose from.

Tags: cosmetic dentistry, Devonshire Square Dental Studio, London, Olympic games
Posted in Cosmetic dentistry | Comments Off