Category “dental decay”

Tooth Extraction Information And Advice For Patients In London

December 8th, 2012

Tooth extraction is an often undesirable, but sometimes necessary, treatment. Knowing when one might need an extraction may, in some way, lessen the shock of requiring the treatment. Here are a collection of typical scenarios in which oral surgery will most likely be required.

Repair is not viable

Your tooth may have suffered a fracture so severe, or been the focus of such extensive decay, that extracting the tooth will be far more practical than any attempts to restore it. Sometimes it is other obstacles than the tooth itself which cause the problem; medical, physical and, sadly, financial issues all play a role in how appropriate a surgery is deemed for a patient.

Gum disease

In the later stages of gum disease, your tooth can come loose due to a lack of support from surrounding bone. In these instances, tooth extraction may be required.

Preparing for braces

Believe it or not, you can sometimes have too many teeth. Orthodontic work tries to correct an improper bite or realign a smile for ornamental reasons. If you have too many teeth, then there may not be enough room for all of your teeth to align properly! In such instances, extraction is a practical surgery choice.

Aftercare

Most extraction surgeries will use an anaesthetic, so avoid chewing anything until the numbness wears off. If you suffer from aches or pains shortly after the surgery, take some over the counter pain killers (like ibuprofen) and apply an ice pack to the source of the pain. A blood clot will develop on the site of the extraction and it is vital that it is left alone while it forms. To help it form, avoid touching it, do not drink through a straw, do not spit forcefully, try not to sneeze too hard and avoid smoking or letting food particles near your tooth’s socket. Avoid exerting yourself in the 24 hours following surgery. After two days, rinse your mouth gently with a salt water solution and continue to do this 2 – 3 times a day for a week. Drink a lot of water or fruit juice and try to keep your head raised in order to control bleeding. For more information on tooth extractions contact the team at Devonshire Square Dental Studio in the very heart of London.

Dealing With Gum Disease For Patients In The City Of London

November 1st, 2012

The first page of James Joyce’s, nigh-on impenetrable, masterpiece ‘Finnegans Wake’ features a made up word, stretching over three lines of text, which supposedly mimics the symbolic thunderclap which sounded at the fall of Adam and Eve. Unfortunately, gum disease does not announce itself in such a grand, or avant-garde, a fashion as this. Thankfully, treating gum disease isn’t quite as perplexing as the work of Mr. Joyce either.

Early signs

Gum disease is very common and nothing to be ashamed of. It’s also a leading cause of tooth loss and well worth looking out for. Early symptoms include; red, sensitive or inflamed gums and gums which bleed post brushing or flossing. Spotting the symptoms this early can save you a lot of hassle as gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is easy to reverse. The cause of gingivitis is plaque irritating your gums. If you remove the plaque, you remove the problem! Your gums will then easily recover.

Types of Periodontitis

Sadly, gum disease isn’t always caught in its early stages. The later stages, known as periodontitis, come in a variety of complex forms. Aggressive periodontitis, for instance, tends to occur in people who, outside of untreated gingivitis, have pretty good oral health. The symptoms of aggressive periodontitis include an enlargement of the gum pockets. This, in turn, can affect surrounding bone tissue. Chronic periodontitis is the most common form of advanced gum disease; it causes the inflammation of supporting tooth tissue and can eventually lead to tooth loss. This form of gum disease needs immediate treatment! Necrotizing periodontal disease is the most severe form of gum disease and will probably require surgery. Periodontitis generally produces these symptoms; foul breath, teeth becoming loose and making it tricky to eat and the development of pus between the teeth.

Treatment!

Gingivitis can often be treated with ‘scaling’ and ‘root planning’ (these involve a thorough cleaning of the surface and roots of your teeth). An antiseptic mouthwash might be suggested to help prevent more plaque forming. In rare, and extreme, circumstances, surgery might be required. In some scenarios, teeth may need to be removed. For more information on gum disease treatment please contact the team at Devonshire Square Dental Studio in the heart of London.

Tags: city of London, gum disease, gum disease London, periodontitis
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Patients in London Ask What are Interdental Brushes and How Do They Work?

August 28th, 2012

An interdental brush is a brush often used as an alternative to flossing. This is because its specialised design is perfect for going in between teeth and effectively cleaning the bacteria that breeds there. Due to its’ slim’ design it is also perfectly built to clean around braces, bridges and other orthodontic mouth wear without causing any great discomfort. This is brilliant as it allows people fitted with these appliances the ability to maintain good oral health care without the irritation or pain that might come from the comparatively more uncomfortable technique of flossing. Any good dentist will tell you that keeping a healthy and clean mouth is absolutely vital so its benefits in this area are not to be undermined.

As with other dental brushes, interdental brushes come in lots of different ranges, shapes and sizes but their function is the same pretty much from type to type.

Who are interdental brushes for and why?

Interdental brushes are mainly for those who find flossing difficult or uncomfortable, too fiddly or too awkward. If you find something irritating or painful, you’re much less likely to do it as regularly as necessary so interdental brushes are available to these people as a helpful alternative. Interdental brushes fulfil the same function and can completely replace the need to floss. Also because of their small manoeuvrable design they are perfectly designed to be used by people who already have an orthodontic appliance fitted. Those places that are difficult to clean because of wires, dentures or braces are more accessible to those who use interdental brushes. Hard to reach places become not so hard to reach with interdental brushes.

So if you’re somebody that finds flossing awkward, uncomfortable or painful it is recommend that you try interdental brushes as a handy, helpful alternative. We can discuss good brushing techniques at Devonshire Square Dental Studio in Central London so book an appointment today.

Tags: cleaning appliances, Interdental brushes, Interdental brushes London, London
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Tooth Brushing Techniques For Patients in London

August 25th, 2012

Brushing your teeth is the best way to combat build up of plaque, tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease. It’s incredibly easy to do, takes only a few minutes and should already be a part of everybody’s daily routine. By brushing your teeth twice a day, morning and night, you can stave off a whole assortment of oral health nightmares, all the while making your teeth and most importantly your smile sparkle. Brushing should be done by everyone regardless of their diet, but for those who consume a lot of sugary, sweet foods it is especially important. This is because those kinds of foods contain sugars and starches which are quick to cause plaque build up and eat at the enamel, causing tooth decay.

Flossing

Flossing your teeth should be done alongside brushing as flossing daily helps to remove the plaque that builds up between the teeth. If you don’t brush or floss the plaque will grow and eventually harden into tartar. Plaque and tartar build up has been linked to heart disease and other serious conditions so it’s not something we can afford to ignore.

Brushing the teeth

When brushing your teeth it’s important to use the right tools and equipment so that the process is as effective as possible and maximises the amount of plaque removal. A soft bristled tooth brush is recommended and fluoride tooth paste is shown to prevent tooth decay considerably. There are many different types of toothpaste on the market today, with products catering to a whole range of different needs, such as those with sensitive teeth, those with stained teeth and even natural tooth pastes that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. This means that there’s absolutely no excuse or argument against brushing. If you want a healthy smile, it’s the way to go.

Tags: Brushing techniques, Central London, London brushing techniques, oral health
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The Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease For Patients in London

August 23rd, 2012

Gum disease falls under the umbrella of periodontal disease and begins with gingivitis before entering into a far more severe stage known as periodontitis. Periodontitis can lead to numerous problems within the mouth and is something you definitely do not want. It can be very dangerous if left untreated, and unfortunately, it often develops silently with very few signs and symptoms.

Problems with gum disease

This means that often by the time it has been diagnosed the condition has advanced to a stage far more severe than it would have been if caught a lot earlier. It has also been found that gum disease can often lead to heart disease and other life threatening illness so it is not to be taken light. Never underestimate the mouth’s importance in maintaining a healthy body – it should be treated just as seriously as you would the rest of your body and should definitely not be ignored.

How it develops

As mentioned above, gum disease often develops silently, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things to look out for, symptoms that can precede the arrival of gum disease. For example, if you have red, swollen gums, unexplainable bad breath or experience any noticeable pain within the mouth please consult a dentist immediately as this can be a definite precursor to gum disease. Other precursors include loose teeth, mouth sores, a change in the teeth structure made evident when you clamp down, pus developing between gums and teeth and even the bleeding of gums when you are brushing.

Signs and symptoms like these are the body’s way of raising a red flag, warning you of nasty things developing inside. The worst thing you can do is to ignore these red flags and the best thing you can do is consult a dentist. Contact us at Devonshire Square Dental Studio in London for more information on gum disease.

Tags: city of London, city of London gum disease, gingivitis, gum disease
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The Importance of Dental Hygiene for Patients in the City of London

July 7th, 2012

Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine will benefit more than just your teeth, if the mouth is healthy then the body will usually follow suit. In addition giving you clean, fresh smile it can work towards preventing tooth decay, bad breath and other associated oral conditions.

What should I do on a daily basis?

It is important to brush twice a day and floss every night. The reason flossing is best done in the evening is to ensure that all the days food debris is removed before you go to sleep. If this is left it can begin to rot and cause decay in between the teeth. You must also remember to clean your tongue on a daily basis, usually in the morning. A little known fact is that around 90% of the mouths bad bacteria can be found at the back of the tongue. This is where the root cause of most cases of bad breath comes from.

What about the gums?

Whilst brushing you should take a little time to gently massage your gums with the tooth brush. This will increase the blood flow to the gums and help keep them healthy and ward off gum disease. Healthy gums keep the plaque and bacteria on the surface where it can be easily cleaned away, unhealthy gums allow the bacteria and food debris to get inside and this can lead to decay, gum disease and tooth loss.

Professional cleaning

Regardless of how good your oral hygiene maybe it is recommended that your teeth are professionally cleaned at least once a year. During this cleaning the surfaces will be properly cleaned and polished and a high pressured jet of water will be used to clean below the gum line. This action helps clear out plaque and bacteria that have sunk below the gum line and helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

Tags: bad breath, Good Oral Hygiene Routine, gum disease, Tooth Decay London
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Patients in London-How a Dental Hygienist Can Transform the Health of Your Mouth

July 3rd, 2012

Oral hygiene covers more than just brushing and flossing, this is why an annual visit to the hygienist is recommended. However your dental professional may suggest you see the practice hygienist of there are signs of gum disease or your teeth are in need to an extensive clean.

What treatments do hygienists cover?

The dental hygienist will be able to perform treatments such as a scale and polish, tartar removal and apply sealants or varnishes to the teeth. They are also capable of taking dental x-rays as and when needed. In addition to the actual work carried out they can provide advice and guidance on how to prevent dental decay. The treatments should not cause any discomfort but if any is felt they will be able to apply creams or use an aesthetic to numb the area.

Having an annual scale and polish will help control the build up of harmful tartar. During the clean they will use high pressured water to clean into the gums and this can help prevent gum disease from occurring as well as being an effective treatment for the condition.

Food and diet

Some of the things you can do to support the work of a dental hygienist include reducing sugary foods and drinks and chewing sugar free gum for 10 minutes after eating. Also if you smoke they will suggest that you quit as smokers suffer with gum disease and tooth loss more readily than non-smokers.

In addition to this remembering to brush twice a day and floss every night will help reduce the build up of plaque and tartar. You may also find that using an electric toothbrush helps you reach all the teeth as well as being more effective at removing plaque from the teeth’s surfaces.

Tags: Dental hygienist London, diet for oral health, Oral hygiene London, Scale and Polish
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If You Are Suffering from Gum Disease in the City of London Here is What You Should Do

June 28th, 2012

We’ve all heard of gum disease but we may not know what it actually is. There are three forms of gum disease, including:

Gingivitis: when your gums become irritated by plaque.
Periodontitis: when your gums may pull away from your teeth leaving small pockets
Acute Necrotising Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG): a severe form of the disease, which occurs suddenly if the other forms of gum disease haven’t been treated and can cause severe tooth loss.

What are the sings of gum disease?

Most people do not realise that they are suffering with gum disease, as it can often be painless at first and you may not have any symptoms, which is why you should visit your dentist regularly, so they can spot the hidden signs of gum disease.

The initial symptoms of Gingivitis include bleeding gums whilst brushing your teeth or swollen red gums. If this isn’t treated then the Gingivitis can develop into Periodontitis, which can leave you with wobbly teeth, gum abscesses or an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Finally signs of ANUG can include: bad breath, feeling unwell, the sudden development of ulcers that bleed easily and receding gums, which look like Vs between the teeth.

How is gum disease treated?

There are a number of treatments for gum disease so if you notice the signs visit your dentist immediately. Scaling can be used to treat Gingivitis, and will involve your dentist or hygienist thoroughly cleaning your teeth with a gritty toothpaste, a special instrument called a scaler and electronic toothbrush. They may also recommend an antiseptic mouthwash. If the gum disease is very severe then you may need gum surgery. There are a number of different surgeries used to build up the gum tissue that has been affected, although gum surgery is rare.

You can help prevent gum disease by maintaining a thorough dental hygiene routine and with regular visits to the dentist.

Tags: city of London, dental hygienist, Dental hygienist City of London, periodontal cleaning
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Cosmetic Bonding is the Ideal Treatment for Eroded Teeth for Patients in the City of London

June 23rd, 2012

If you have acid eroded teeth then you’ve probably considered treatments such as veneers or crowns to help you achieve your perfect smile. However, a faster and more cost effective option may be cosmetic bonding, which can restore your smile in one visit, for a fraction of the cost of veneers and crowns.

What is cosmetic bonding?

Cosmetic bonding is made up of resin, which once it has set becomes very resilient. Cosmetic bonding can be used to treat numerous instances of dental damage, including tooth decay, chipped teeth and broken teeth.

The procedure itself is pretty straightforward. First of all your dentist will mix the cosmetic bonding material so that it is at the right consistency and colour, in order for it to match your teeth. The tooth that requires bonding is then prepared, which involves working on the surface of the tooth to make it rougher so that the bonding can grip on to it firmly. The bonding is then applied to the tooth and sculpted into the ideal tooth shape. Finally a dental laser is used to make the cosmetic bonding turn into a solid through the use of the laser’s heat, after which your tooth will be buffed until it lies in perfect line with the rest of your tooth and looks completely natural.

The use of cosmetic bonding is both durable and effective and works just as well as other cosmetic procedures but for a fraction of the price, making your teeth whole once again.

If you would like to discuss the best option for the restoration of a chipped, fractured, eroded or broken tooth then please feel free to call the practice today. We provided general and cosmetic dental services for patients throughout the City of London and beyond and will be happy to help with whatever dental problem you have.

Tags: city of London, Cosmetic bonding, Cosmetic bonding City of London, Porcelain veneers
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How a London Dentist can Show You How to Brush Your Teeth Correctly

June 21st, 2012

Brushing and cleaning your teeth should be a daily occurrence for everyone. But you may wonder whether you are doing it right. It may sound strange but there is right and wrong way to brush your teeth, and this may be the difference to having a healthy smile and one troubled with tooth decay and gum disease.

The key components to brushing your teeth are:

Timing

You should always spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth to ensure that you have thoroughly cleaned away the plaque and bacteria (most adults throughout London and the UK don’t spend anywhere near this amount of time brushing).

Thoroughnes

Make sure you get every single space there is. This is because the hardest places to reach are where the majority of bacterial build up will occur, which can result in erosion. The backs of the teeth are particularly important along with the tongue and roof of your mouth, as these are the areas most people forget.

The gum line

Bacteria congregates on the gum line quite a lot and if left unattended can result in gum disease, bad breath and tooth decay. To avoid sensitivity issues, just brush along the gum line gently at a 45-degree angle.

Use the right brush

Firm bristles aren’t the most effective way of cleaning your teeth and soft bristles are actually much more efficient at removing plaque and food particles that are between your teeth, which could be missed with firmer bristles. A smaller head will also allow you to get into more places than a bigger headed toothbrush.

Do more than brush

You may think that by just using a toothbrush and some toothpaste that you are doing everything in your power to protect your teeth. Think again. Make sure you floss regularly and use mouthwash to clear any bacteria that may be hiding or managed to escape your toothbrush.

If you would like an extra level of clean contact the practice and book a dental hygienist session, which will ensure every inch of your mouth is clean and disease free.

Tags: Dental check up, Dental check-up London, dental hygienist, London
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