The majority of adults in London have some form a gum disease (gingivitis). Gum disease occurs when bacteria, their end-products, and dental plaque, create inflammation in the gums that are not defendable by the body’s immune reaction. Signs of gingivitis include; gum swelling, redness, temperature, bleeding and/or visible pus around the gums. Gingivitis can be influenced by local factors (e.g., bacteria and plaque), and modified by host influences. Gingivitis can be treated and reversed if treated at an early stage. However, if not properly treated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. Once oral bone is lost around the teeth, the term periodontitis is used. Periodontitis is classified as a loss of tooth attachment and surrounding tissues, e.g., periodontal ligament, gums, and/or oral bone.
Anaerobic bacteria are usually responsible for gingivitis and periodontal disease. These bacteria release damaging by-products and end-products that produce an inflammatory reaction in the gum tissue.. Periodontitis is the loss of oral bone formation and formation of periodontal pocket(s) that can cause tooth loss. Gingivitis and periodontitis can go overlooked until the time pain comes about from abscesses, bleeding gums, and/or bad breath. Your diet may also suffer due to the pain, as you may not want to eat.
Prevention is the key, but there are also various treatments available in London. Your London dentist suggests brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily for 2 minutes each time in order to remove any tooth bacteria and plaque. You should have regular check-ups and have your teeth and gums cleaning at least twice a year. If your London dentist recognizes gum problems, you may be sent to a periodontist (i.e., a gum specialist). Scaling and root planning, antibiotic regimen(s), and maybe gum and oral bone surgery may be required to combat these problems.

Halitosis, or bad breath, is an embarrassing problem. The majority of people with bad breath aren’t even aware of it. Visit your London Dental Clinic if you think you have, or know that you have, bad breath. Your London dentist will help to find the cause and the cure of your bad breath problems. Certain foods can cause bad breath; including onions and garlic. Even after you feel the food smells have gone away, they may not have, as these food smells linger on until they are completely metabolised and expelled through the lungs. Mouthwashes and brushing your teeth are only temporary fixes when you have halitosis.
Good oral hygiene; brushing and flossing twice daily for 2 minutes at a time, and brushing your tongue is very helpful in preventing bad breath. Food debris usually remains in your mouth after you eat. Proper oral hygiene removes this debris as well as the bacteria and plaque that form on your teeth and gums. This build-up of bacteria, plaque, and food debris, is the beginning of your problem. Dryness of your mouth is another cause of halitosis, as foods and bacteria cannot be washing away if your salivary flow is really slow. If this problem exists, you should have some sugarless gum or sugarless candy to use to combat this problem. Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages can also increase the risk of bad breath, as well as certain medical problems. Your London dentist may refer you to a physician if it a felt that this is the problem. So visit your London Dental Clinic for your bad breath problems, as well as other dental needs.

London dentists have many years experience performing dental bonding procedures. They will recommend dental bonding to restore your front teeth that have dental decay or damage, to improve the look of your teeth, and to also correct minor misalignments and spaces between teeth. Your London dentist may also use dental bonding to cover-up exposed tooth roots that occur during gum recession. When your dentist performs the bonding procedure, minimal tooth structure is usually removed or the enamel is just roughened to accept the bonding material. Many times, dental bonding can be performed without numbing the mouth, unless decay has to be removed from the tooth.

You and your London dentist will pick the right shade for your teeth from a shade guide to match your other teeth, unless you want your teeth whitened. The tooth surfaces to be bonded will be roughed with a dental drill, and than an etching solution will be used to denature any organic material on the tooth/teeth. Next, your teeth will be rinsed with water and dried thoroughly. A liquid resin material will then be applied to your teeth, and a special light source will be used to help the material set on your teeth. The bonding material will then be placed onto your teeth, and again set up using the same light source. The dental bonding material will then be shaped using dental drills and polished stones and rubber points. Dental bonding does not take a long time, and can be completed in one visit. Your London dentists and their staff will then teach you how to care for your new dental bonding.

Visit your London Dental Clinic for a consultation about using orthodontics to straighten your teeth and improve your bite. In the past, adolescents and teenagers seemed to be the only patients with orthodontic braces. This trend has reached many adults in recent years. However, it is still good to have braces at a younger age, if at all possible. It is recommended that you should get an orthodontic consult for your children by age 7 years old if at all possible. Independent of age, orthodontic treatment will help to perfect your bite and your teeth’s ability to function properly and to align your teeth and offer a more cosmetic result. Straighter teeth can also help you to perform better oral hygiene.
You London dentist may feel you are a good candidate for braces, and may send you to an orthodontist. The orthodontist will perform a complete exam and work up specifically for your needs, and will then review the proposed treatment with you. Depending upon the extent of your treatment, your treatment may take between 1-3 years to complete. Since children and teens are still developing bone structure, their treatment may go more quickly than in an adult patient. However, this is dependent upon yours or your child’s specific situation.

Many different cosmetic dental procedures are offered in London. When you may walk into the London Dental Clinic you may have already decided what type of cosmetic dental treatment you want, and may even have a picture of a beautiful smile with you. The first time you see your London dentist, you two will have a conversation about what you want done with your teeth and smile. The dentist will then take a look in your mouth, and you two will talk further. There are many procedures that can be performed, and your dentist will tell you which one is best. It may be the same one that you had in mind, or the dentist may suggest a different procedure. The dentist will explain to you why your chosen procedure will work or won’t work, and then tell you what can be done for you.
There are many different types of cosmetic procedures that can be performed, and these include: Teeth whitening (in-office and at-home), bonding, porcelain veneers, Lumineers, dental crowns, dental bridges, and implants for missing teeth. All of these procedures are available at your London Dental Clinic. If you want to go a step further with your consultation, your dentist with perform a complete dental exam, take the appropriate dental X-rays, take impressions of your teeth for study models, and take some digital photographs of your mouth. The dentist will place white wax on the study models and/or show you your photographs on the computer, and then alter the photographs to show you the results that can be achieved. Depending on both your time and the dentist’s time, some procedures can be immediately performed, while with others, you may need some dental appointments scheduled. Your London dentist will design the cosmetic procedures specifically for you and your dental needs.

In London, a good complete dental exam will identify the factors that can contribute to oral health problems. A complete exam must be performed in order to decide upon the appropriate treatment plan for a patient. If anything is overlooked, it can result in future oral health complications, such as dental caries and gum and bone diseases. Included in this exam will be information about your occlusion (i.e., the way your teeth bite together), a jaw exam, and possibly an extra-oral exam as well. These are all recommended in London, as certain parts of any system can affect the whole system. A carefully performed dental exam requires a talented diagnostician who understands all signs and symptoms of disease(s) that can affect your health.
A dental exam consists of performing a complete intra-oral charting of the mouth which includes; present dental restorations, visible dental caries, dental caries index, visible abscesses, missing teeth, visible removable and fixed prosthetic devices or appliances, and a complete periodontal charting using a periodontal probe to find any existing periodontal pockets and gingival inflammation. The periodontal examination should also examine the teeth for any mobility, recession and teeth sensitivities. Also required are a full mouth series of dental X-rays and study models. Diagnostic models should be mounted on an articulator. The patient’s occlusion should be examined both inside the mouth and on the diagnostic models. Any excessive wear, interferences, improper dental arch relationships, occlusal plane disharmonies, and TMJ problems should be noted in the patient file. If teeth are missing, should they be replaced and how should they be replaced? The aesthetic appearance of the teeth should be noted, as well as any medical complication, lifestyle habits, medications that are currently being used, and any other pertinent information should be written in the patient file. An oral cancer exam should also be performed. When you visit your London dentist for the first time for a dental exam, all of these above procedures will be performed.

Your London dentist can rapidly treat your dental pain, and it may not all that bad, so don’t put it off! Dental pain results from injury to the dental pulp or tissues supporting the teeth (the periodontium). At early stages pulpal disease(s) can be classified as reversible, if there is not permanent damage. Symptoms of pulpal pain may include teeth sensitivity brought on by tactile sensations or cold, hot, and sweets. Periodontal pain results from an infection in the gum or bone that may lead to an abscess. If left untreated, serious problems such as cellulitis can result. Dental pain is acute in nature, and rapid and effective treatment by your London dentist with tooth restoration(s), root canal treatment, tooth/teeth extraction(s), or gingival curettage will result in the resolution of pain. Once treated, the pain usually goes away immediately or only lasts 1-2 days.
A dental caries lesion (a cavity) occurs when there is a hole present in the outer tooth surface. During a dental exam, your London dentist will use an instrument called an explorer to find cavities. If the explorer sticks into a tooth, it has a cavity. When this is felt by your tongue or finger, the cavity may have progressed to its later stages. A white spot on your tooth may turn into a cavity. However, not all white spots do turn into cavities. Dental X-rays are required to detect cavities that are not visible clinically and those between your teeth. Dental pain is usually a sign of dental disease(s).

Root canal treatment is performed by your London dentist or endodontist (i.e., root canal specialist) if dental caries progresses into the pulpal tissue in the tooth. Dental pulp is made up of nerves, a blood supply, and connective tissue, etc. Bacteria are harmful to the pulp and cause the dental pulp to die. This usually culminates in dental pain, tooth loss and/or bone loss. The root canal procedure, performed by your London dentist or endodontist, begins when they anesthetize the involved tooth, and place an isolation device that is used to keep the area clean and dry. An access opening is then drilled through the tooth enamel and dentin, and into the pulp tissue. The pulp and infected dentin are then removed from the root canal chamber and canals using drills and hand files. The inside of the tooth is then sterilized using chemical solutions and thoroughly dried. Gutta percha, a root canal filling material is then inserted into the canals and chamber to keep bacteria from penetrating. Endodontic treatment also protects adjacent teeth from the spread of infection. An antibiotic is sometimes used if there was an infection present. The tooth is now dry and more susceptible to damage in the future if a crown is not eventually placed on the root canalled tooth.

Dental phobia is very common, and is more prevalent in males than females. These patients avoid the dentist, usually only seeking dental help when in pain or not at all. These patients place undue stress on themselves and the dental team. You should visit your London dentist for help with your oral health, as the dentist has help for you with your dental phobias. Many new and advanced technologies are now offered by the London Dental Clinic to help to alleviate your fears and stress while at the dentist. Newer dental offices do not have the same chemical smells that they had in the past, and some even use aroma therapy to relax you while you are seated in the reception area. Patients that have waited too long to visit the dentist may be embarrassed about their oral health, frightened of the drill, noises, explorer and other sharp instruments, and worried about gagging. These are many reasons why people stay away from the dentist.
There are also many things you can do to help yourself, such as being honest with your London dentist and staff about your fears. They have different things that can be done to help you have a painless and fearless dental visit. At the London Dental Clinic the dentists and staff are sympathetic to your needs as a person. Once the dentist and staff know about your situation, they will review with you what they can offer you to make your dental visit a good one. Your London dentist will use distraction and relaxation techniques, and if needed, will use nitrous oxide and oral sedation techniques. The dentist can place you in different states of sedation depending upon how fearful you are of the dentist and procedures. So don’t stay away from your dentist, but communicate and let them know you have a dental phobia; they can help!

Dry mouth (i.e., xerostomia) occurs commonly in older people that take certain systemic medications. Results of mouth dryness tend to be increased dental diseases (especially decay), speech problems, problems chewing and swallowing, and changed or decreased taste perception. People with mouth dryness and gum recession have a higher incidence of root surface caries. Root surfaces are more prone to decay than the crown of the teeth, because the structure covering the roots (i.e., cementum) is softer than enamel.
Nutritionally, people with xerostomia tend to have numerous deficiencies of vitamins, minerals and fibre. The use of salivary substitutes and stimulants can help, as well as ongoing prevention and dental treatments. A referral to a physician can also help, as some medications may be substituted for some that do not have this mouth drying effect. Your London dentist will suggest some home oral products that can help, including xylitol-containing toothpastes and chewing gums, that stimulate saliva flow. Visit your London Dental Clinic to get help with mouth dryness!