Are you experiencing a bad toothache or are you noticing drainage, blood and/or pus next to a tooth or teeth? Then you should telephone your London dentist immediately! You most likely have an abscessed tooth. A tooth abscess is the result of an infection(s) that occurs in the tooth itself due to dental caries or in the gum tissue next to the tooth. It left untreated, the problem can extend further, to the point where the tooth is lost and further problems arise. If dental caries is left untreated, the harmful microorganisms within the tooth itself will continue to spread and will most likely cause pain or a dental abscess. An abscess associated with gum disease results in the spread of bacteria in the gum tissue next to the tooth, creating loss of supporting bone and a periodontal pocket where the abscess forms. This can result in the loss of teeth.
The signs and symptoms of a tooth abscess are: dental pain; swelling of the gums and redness in the area; a horrible smell coming from the mouth; a bad taste in the mouth; you may have a temperature and; a boil in your gum adjacent to the abscessed area.
How will your London dentist help you once he determines that you have a tooth abscess? Your dentist will prescribe an antibiotic for the infection, which will help to kill the bacteria involved with the tooth abscess. However, in order to treat the tooth abscess, your dentist will drill a hole in either your tooth or its supporting structure to alleviate the pressure built up in your tooth or gums to allow the abscess to drain, thus relieving the pain associated with the abscess. If the tooth is infected, a root canal will be performed if you and your dentist agree to the procedure, or the tooth may require extraction. The dentist will have you place an ice-pack on the area outside your mouth, rinse with salt water (i.e., one teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water), and may prescribe a pain medication or instruct you to use an over-the-counter pain medication.
In order to prevent an abscess, you should take proper care of your teeth and gums by: brushing two times a day, using dental floss to clean between your teeth, eating healthy foods and limiting sugar-based snack foods, and visiting your London dentist regularly for routine dental checkups.

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition that is frequently encountered in London with the use of certain systemic medications, such as cyclic antidepressants. The major effects of xerostomia are increased oral diseases (particularly caries), speech dysfunction, and difficulty in chewing and swallowing, and altered or diminished taste acuity.
Individuals with xerostomia and pre-existing periodontal disease are also at increased risk for developing root surface caries. Root surface caries can occur when there is a loss of supporting bone around the necks of the teeth. The neck areas of the teeth are more prone to caries development because the tooth structure is much softer there when compared to the hardness of enamel. Therefore, root surface caries can progress much faster than enamel caries and can be more detrimental to the tooth’s health.
Nutritionally, individuals with mouth dryness have been shown to have significant deficiencies in fibre, potassium, vitamin B6, iron, calcium, and zinc. Treatments may include the use of salivary substitutes and stimulants, ongoing dental treatment (i.e., fillings) and prevention. Your physician may also be able to help by reviewing your medications and possibly eliminating or substituting drugs that have an anti-cholinergic effect. Mouth care products can help alleviate mouth dryness. Xytitol, which is contained in toothpastes and gums, has been shown to stimulate salivary flow. So, visit your London dentist to receive the proper advice and treatment when you develop mouth dryness!

Teeth are essentially indestructible under the correct conditions. However, in the living person, teeth are continuously being assaulted by microbial challenges. Dental caries ranks as one of the most universal burdens of man, but are not life- threatening. Dental caries is widespread in London. Advances in preventive procedures to deal with this disease have significantly reduced the overall caries rate. In London, being poor is a risk factor for increased tooth decay. More than one-third of poor 2 – 9 year old children have untreated decayed primary teeth, and this number varies with age and race/ethnicity.

Dental caries is a multi-factorial disease requiring a susceptible host (a tooth), cariogenic microorganisms, and a suitable substrate (e.g., sugar) interacting for a sufficient length of time. Streptococcus mutans (Sm) is the primary etiologic agent of this disease. Sm is transmissible, and a positive relationship exists between the number of Sm and dental caries. Dental decay did not become an important health problem until sucrose (sugar) became a major component of the human diet. However, good oral hygiene can reduce the chance of caries by reducing the number of cariogenic bacteria and removing the substrate, sugar. Sm is the primary etiological agent of dental caries in man and other animals. Under normal circumstances of health, Sm procduces bacterial acids that cause a continuous minute demineralization of the hard tooth surfaces. In addition, the consumption of acidic foods and drinks, and even toothbrush abrasion can cause enamel demineralization53, 54. If this demineralization is limited, the body’s own remineralization capability is able to restore the tooth’s lost minerals by using minerals available in saliva12.
Dental decay (caries) is the result of irreversible solubilization (demineralization) of tooth mineral by acid, predominantly lactic acid, formed by plaque bacteria that adhere to teeth surfaces, after the consumption of foods that contain fermentable carbohydrates (sugar). Frequent sucrose ingestion increases the lengths of time that sucrose is available for fermentation and acid formation by plaque. Thus, eating frequency, the amount of sugar retained in the mouth (particularly on tooth surfaces), and the length of time that sugar is retained in critical areas, are more important than the total amount of sugars consumed12.
The chemical conversion of sugar into simpler substances causes a quick decrease in pH (5.0 or <) at the plaque-enamel junction. Frequently consuming sugar or sugar-based foods causes Sm to flourish and become the principal bacterial organism in plaque. A drop of pH to this level puts undue pressure on the buffers in the saliva and lactic acid (the end-product of Sm metabolism) spreads into the outer layer of the tooth (i.e., enamel) causing it to begin breaking down, and to discharge calcium and phosphate ions at areas below the top surface enamel. This low (acid) pH is derived from acid-producing bacterial organisms, and favors demineralization over a period of time, resulting in a cavity. The tooth enamel (which is made up predominantly of hydroxyapatite) is permanently dissolved from these acids, particularly lactic acid. These bacteria begin to adhere more strongly to the tooth surface and form bacterial colonies or communities called “plaque”. Sm and other bacteria, such as lactobacilli, store sugars and continue to secrete acid long after the food has been swallowed. Dental plaque will continue to build up on the tooth surface, unless it is adequately removed. These processes result in dental decay.

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Root canal treatment (or therapy) in London is performed when dental caries (tooth decay) extends in very close proximity and/or into to pulp of the tooth. The pulp of the tooth is composed of nerves, a blood supply, connective tissue, etc., and when the bacteria or their end-products come into contact with these, the tooth begins to die and the result is usually pain, bone loss, tooth loss, loss of attachment of the tooth to the bone, or combinations of these aforementioned events. During a root canal procedure, the dentist or endodontist (i.e., root canal specialist) will anesthetize the tooth or area of the mouth involved, will place a rubber dam to isolate the area, and will then drill an access opening through the enamel and dentin, and into the pulp tissue. The pulp and other infected areas (i.e., the tooth dentin) are then removed from the root canal chamber and the tooth roots using drills and hand files, and then these areas of the tooth are sterilized using chemical solutions. The inside of the tooth is then thoroughly dried using paper points, and root canal filling material is then placed inside the roots and chamber to keep bacteria from penetrating into the tooth pulp. This also prevents the spread of the infection to adjacent teeth. Usually an antibiotic is prescribed, and the infection is neutralized and healing begins. The toothache is usually relieved within twenty four hours, and at time pain medication may be required. Since the tooth is now dried out, more brittle, and broken down quite a bit, a crown is placed on the tooth.

The Inman Aligner is a relatively new removable orthodontic device utilized to help straighten upper and lower anterior teeth. Available for over eight years in the United States, the Inman Aligner is a fairly new product that is now offered in London. The chief benefit of the Inman Aligner method is to facilitate quick teeth straightening in as little as six to eight weeks. Its method of action is that it applies mild forces in cooperation to both the front side and back side of the teeth concurrently, to efficiently press them into their proper arrangement.
The Inman Aligner can be removed when eating and performing oral hygiene, and is considerably less expensive than Invisalign. Several drawbacks of the Inman Aligner versus Invisalign are that the former appliance contains a metal anterior bar that is visible when you smile, and this appliance cannot be utilized for complex tooth movement. The Inman Aligner uses miniature nickel titanium springs so that an elevated steady tightness can be sustained. It generates a moderate and stable intensity to the front teeth, and is well tolerated.
The Inman Aligners are fabricated so as to reduce the need for numerous office visits. Your dentist will let you know when to schedule your follow-up appointments. This appliance will not take a long time to get used to, and is usually worn from between sixteen to twenty hours a day. Your speech may be slightly affected for the first 48 hours, and any discomfort from the appliance can be treated with a mild pain reliever, such as ibuprofen. So, visit your dentist and see if this treatment is right for you!

Gum disease is as prevalent in London, as it in the U.S. Gum disease, or gingivitis, happens when bacteria and dental plaque create an inflammatory response in the gums that cannot be protected by the body’s personal immune reaction. Clinical symptoms of gum disease consist of localized redness, swelling, bleeding, heat and/or visible pus in the area of the mouth that is infected. Gum disease can be categorized into two different types: 1) gum disease that is influenced by local factors (e.g., bacteria and plaque), and 2) gum disease that is influenced by local factors, and modified by host influences. Gum disease is reversible if caught and treated soon enough. However, if left untreated, gum disease can progress to periodontal disease (i.e., periodontitis). Gum disease is classified as periodontal disease once there is loss of tooth attachment to the surrounding tissues, e.g., periodontal ligament, gums, and/or oral bone.
The bacteria that are responsible for causing gum disease and periodontal disease, are usually those that are classified as anaerobic (i.e., they do not like oxygen). These bacteria release an abundance of detrimental by-products, and these by-products cause an inflammatory reaction. Periodontitis can cause loss of periodontal tissue, formation of periodontal pocket(s), tooth loss, which can go unnoticed until its later stages when pain occurs due to abscesses, bleeding gums, and/or bad breath. Your diet can also be affected by gum disease, due to your inability to eat without pain.
There are several treatment options and combinations of treatments that can help to both prevent and treat gum disease. You should be brushing and flossing your teeth regularly to remove any bacteria and plaque on your teeth. You should also visit your dentist regularly in order to receive regular examinations that can identify gum disease, and to also receive regular teeth cleanings and teeth scaling as needed. If your dentist recognizes a severe gum problem, you will most likely be referred to a periodontist (i.e., a gum specialist). If your gum disease has progressed, further scaling and root planning may be required, along with the correct antibiotic regimen(s), and possibly gum and oral bone surgery. So, make sure you take care of your gums.

When you see all of the teeth whitening products on the market today, no wonder why you are confused! Discussing teeth whitening with your dentist can lead you and your dentist to choose the correct product and procedure for your teeth whitening needs. When visiting London, the dentist should be able to tell from the current shade of your teeth, how well your teeth will respond to teeth whitening, as yellow teeth respond the best, followed by brown teeth, and at the bottom of the scale, greyish teeth. In addition, white fillings (i.e., composites) and porcelain veneers do not whiten at all.
If your dentist agrees that you are a candidate for teeth whitening, your dentist may suggest an in-office teeth whitening system that takes several visits at about 30-60 minutes per visit. This process requires that a rubber dam and shielding gel be used to isolate the area to be treated, and make certain that your oral soft tissues do not become irritated. Then, the whitening gel is placed on the teeth to be whitened, and a light source is then placed in the immediate location of your teeth to augment the gel’s effects. There are several different types of light sources.
Various teeth whitening products exist for the public to use at home. Some are purchased for at-home use, while others are dispensed by your dentist. These products contain various peroxide(s) that clean tooth enamel, and are dependant on the carbamide peroxide gel concentration (e.g., 10%, 16%, or 22%) used as the whitening medium. This gel is placed into an overnight soft clear-rubber appliance fabricated in your dentist’s office specifically for you. The treatment is usually individualized, and together you and your dentist will decide which is best for you. You should make your dentist aware of any side-effects, such as teeth or gum sensitivity while using the teeth whitening solution. But, sensitivity should diminish over time.
The majority of over-the-counter toothpastes aid in the removal of surface tooth stains through the use of abrasives. However, these toothpastes have no effect on the tooth’s inherent shade. So, while numerous teeth whitening products exist, it is best for you to discuss which one will best work for you with your dentist.

Your London dentist can help you pick the best sugar substitute. The polyol class of sugar substitutes contain the smallest amount of acidity. These include xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol. Xylitol is a polyol that has the same sweet taste as sugar, but is not fermentable by the bacteria that causes dental caries, S mutans. When xylitol is used in chewing gums or certain foods, it does not have the same cavity causing activity as foods and gum that contain sugar. As a matter of fact, when young adults used 6-7 g of chewing gum that contained xylitol for 1 year, there was an eighty percent lowering of dental caries incidence when compared to the sugar gum chewing group. Therefore, xylitol containing products can gratify the desire for sweets, single out S mutans, and appreciably decrease the occurrence of dental caries. It is also known to have saliva-stimulating properties. If you have any questions about sugar substitutes, visit or call your London dentist to get answers.

London dentist promotes that you should know what to do in the event that you or your child chips a tooth or teeth or knocks a tooth or teeth out. First and foremost, you should have the telephone number of your London dentist available to you at all times. Write the number in your address book, keep it in your wallet or purse, or place it on your refrigerator; as timing counts in these situations. Especially for knocked-out or severely damaged teeth, as these teeth begin to die immediately. We can’t over-emphasize enough that immediate emergency dental care needs to be received.
A chipped tooth is for the most part a common and straightforward treatable problem for your dentist. However, in the event that your child chips or knocks-out their tooth or teeth, the following instructions should be followed:
(1) For a chipped tooth, try to find the parts of the tooth that were lost;
(2) For a tooth that has been knocked-out in an accident or by trauma, find the tooth and do not touch the root portion if possible (handle it by the crown portion of the tooth). Do not clean the tooth, and if you can, place the tooth back into the socket. If you cannot place the tooth back into the socket, either place it in a cup of milk or water (if no milk is available). You can also place it into your mouth between the cheek and jaw bone area.
(3) For orthodontic braces that become damaged, you should make sure the wires and/or brackets are not sticking out. If there is anything sharp that can injure your child, cover it with sponge gauze or orthodontic wax.
Tooth/teeth injuries can occur when either the tooth itself is injured, or the adjacent soft tissues and/or pulp are injured. Although signs of injury are not overtly visible all the time, you may notice the tooth changing colour over time. It is important that you visit your dentist as soon as possible, as the tooth is most likely in danger. If your child plays sports, invest in a mouth guard. Custom-fitted mouthguards can be made at your London’s dental office!

In London, a dentist can give you advice on denture adhesives. A denture adhesive can possibly be contemplated when the following situations arise for the denture wearer. These situations are: (a) to improve your happiness with a correctly fabricated denture, as denture adhesives will augment the hold, constancy, biting power, and the patient’s confidence levels; (b) to aid patients with xerostomia (mouth dryness) problems which reduces denture hold in the mouth, these can include patients that have been taking medications, have disabilities, and older patients; and (c) to give extra support to patients that require it, possible due to strong facial muscles, while eating certain foods, and patients that are more in the public eye.
Denture adhesives should not be used as a substitution for a new denture, when the patient’s old denture no longer fits properly, and when the patient has an allergy to the denture adhesive. When applying your denture adhesive, apply a minimal amount, and spread it uniformly over the areas of the denture in close contact with the underlying tissues (your London dentist will show you how to perform this procedure). Apply as needed, but one thing you should know is that denture adhesives give the best results when placed on a properly made denture.
These are two types of denture adhesive; paste and powder. Both types should be applied to a slightly wet denture. However, and paste type may also be used on a dry denture. You should try not to apply the adhesive near the sides of the denture(s). For the upper denture it is suggested that you place three small dots (one on each side of the center ridge and one in front, and a small line down the middle of the denture). For the lower denture it is suggested that you place three pea sized drops of adhesive in the middle ridge; bilaterally and one in front. To apply a powder denture adhesive, moisten the denture with water, and squeeze out a thin layer of powder over the tissue side of the dentures, shake off the excess powder and insert the denture into your mouth after you take a small drink of water.
Adhesives are not dangerous, but they should be used as directed. If adhesives are used to fill avoids due to poorly-fitting dentures, you will have problems with overgrowth of soft tissue beneath the denture(s) and inflammatory problems.