Dental caries, otherwise known as tooth decay, is actually a disease which involves the destruction of tooth structure by bacteria.

Throughout the history of mankind, tooth decay has always been considered a serious dental problem. This is probably why regular check up by your London dentist is required to protect the health of your gums and teeth.

Tooth decay forms when there is demineralization of the tooth and holes are formed. Bacteria in the mouth reside in these holes and release acids that further destroy the enamel of the tooth.

Among the leading cause of tooth decay is sugary food. This is because the oral bacteria consume the sugar and converts it into acid that results to the demineralization. For this reason, it has always been advised by dentist to limit the intake of sugar. If you do consume sugary foods and drinks, it would be wise to immediately brush your teeth afterwards.

It should be understood that tooth decay does not happen overnight. It usually takes months and sometimes years for the cavity to form. For this reason, tooth decays can be prevented and treated early in order to minimize damage to the tooth.

Treatment of tooth decays involves visiting your dentist. The decayed portion of your tooth will be removed using special tools such as a dental drill. If the decay is extensive, the tooth can be restored in order for it to regain its functionality. The restoration will usually use amalgam, composite resin or porcelain fillings.

Prevention of tooth decay is possible. Your London dentist will suggest the following:

• Proper oral hygiene program
• Dietary modification
• Other measures such as fluoride therapy and dental sealants

Having a gap in your teeth could make anyone conscious of their smiles. Aside from the aesthetic aspect, missing teeth could actually result to bite problems such as malocclusion and TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). One of the favorite solutions used by City of London dentists is dental bridge.

These dental bridges have been used for replacing lost teeth just like partial dentures and implants. There are actually three kinds: conventional, cantilever and resin-bonded.

• Conventional and cantilever – these types require the shaping of teeth surrounding the missing tooth. After, crowns will be placed and then attached to the artificial tooth.

• Resin-bonded – this type does not require much preparation of the surrounding tooth. For this reason, it is the preferred dental bridge for missing front teeth as long as the gums are quite healthy and the adjacent teeth have no extensive fillings.

The entire dental bridge procedure will usually require two to three visits.

• First Visit – your dentist will check your overall oral health to see if you are qualified for a dental bridge procedure.
• Second Visit – an impression of your teeth will be taken in order to allow the dental technician to precisely fabricate the dental bridge according to your needs. A temporary bridge will be fitted to protect your gums and teeth from further damage.
• Third Visit – the temporary bridge is removed and the permanent one is put in place.

The cost of a dental bridge can range between $1000 and $3000. Your City of London dentist will help you choose one that will meet your needs and at the same time, will not break the bank.

One of the reasons for the popularity of teeth whitening products is that it results to dazzling and brilliant smiles. Shiny, white teeth have always been associated with good oral care and it is not surprising that a lot of people hope to have them. When it comes to the perfect solution to teeth discoloration, you can rely on your City of London dentist and Enlighten Teeth Whitening.

There are actually several reasons why your teeth are not as white as you may want them to be. They could include:

• Coffee, tea
• Red wine
• Tobacco products
• Old Age
• Genetics and heredity

Regardless of the reason, you can be sure that Enlighten Teeth Whitening products can transform your smile safely, easily and quickly.

Created in 2001, the Enlighten Teeth Whitening system has grown popularity in Europe and UK because of its efficiency and efficacy. Undergoing numerous trails, the system has evolved into a product that is easy to use and with results that last longer than the others.

To make it even more appealing and convenient for consumers, the Enlighten Teeth Whitening offers two options:

• At-home teeth whitening program – comes with the Smile-X Evolution bleaching trays, filled with the whitening gel; should be worn overnight
• In-office teeth whitening – comes with the Smile – X Evolution bleaching, gel is activated by cosmetic dentist

With the Enlighten Teeth Whitening system, you can whiten your teeth by as much as 10 shades. Check with your City of London dentist for more information about this amazing teeth whitening program.

Considered to be the breeding ground of oral bacteria, dental plaque forms on the teeth’s surface. Since they are just soft deposit, you can easily remove them with regular flossing and brushing. In addition, you will have to visit your City of London dentist for dental cleaning in order to avoid gum disease due to plaque buildup.

Surveys in the UK have revealed that:

• 7 out of 10 adults have visible plaque
• Half of the 7 adults are already suffering from various gingivitis degrees
• 2 out of 10 aged 15 to 18 have periodontitis with pockets of depth about 4 to 5 mm
• 8 out of 100 adults suffer from severe periodontitis with pockets of minimum depth 6 mm

You must keep in mind that although everyone can develop dental plaque, only some develop periodontal or gum disease. For this reason, it is important that you aware of the risk factors associated with gum disease due to plaque:

• Poor hygiene that encourages the build up of plaque
• Smoking
• Weakened immune system
• Diabetes

In order to prevent gum disease due to plaque, you should:

• Brush teeth 2-3 times a day for about two minutes
• Use power toothbrushes which are found to remove plaque and debris better than regular toothbrushes
• Visit dentist regularly for dental cleaning
• Stop or avoid smoking

Treatment for gum disease associated with plaque depends on the severity of the disease. Your City of London dentist will give you an antiseptic mouthwash in addition to special dental treatment that can remove stubborn plaque in deep pockets.

Characterized by breathing disruption during sleep, sleep apnea is considered to be life-threatening especially when left untreated. Unfortunately, a lot of people with sleep apnea are not aware that they are suffering from it. If you are wondering if you have this sleep disorder, a visit to your London dentist might help.

The typical symptoms or signs of sleep apnea include the following:

• Sudden awakenings
• Loud snoring
• Frequent silences while sleeping
• Daytime sleepiness

Since sleep apnea involves the temporary cessation of breathing, the balance between carbon dioxide and oxygen is upset. This imbalance signals the brain so that you can restart your breathing. Of course, the breathing resumption disrupts your sleep and you will probably feel exhausted in the morning.

The most common type of this sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea. There are actually risk factors for this type including:

• Obesity
• Deviated septum
• Enlarged tongue
• Nasal congestion
• Relaxed tongue and throat muscles during sleep

Obviously being sleep deprived will mean diminished productivity during the day. in addition, the decreased supply of oxygen to your brain could cause serious healthy complications such as memory problems and heart diseases.

The good news is — your dentist could provide you with treatment options for your sleep apnea. It has been found that dental appliances or oral devices such as the Tongue retaining Device and Mandibular Repositioning device could open airway while sleeping.

Of course, your London dentist will have to determine first the severity of the sleep disorder in order to provide the proper treatment program.

As you may be aware, everything from stress to injury can cause facial pain. That said, in many cases, there are a number of dental conditions that may be causing this pain. When you visit a dentist in London, you can have peace of mind knowing that each possible cause of facial pain will be diagnosed and corrected.

Even though you may not have had any jaw or neck injuries, the jaw joints may become slightly dislocated. As with any other joint in your body, this will eventually cause an enormous amount of pain. Unfortunately, dealing with TMJ pain can be very difficult. Among other things, there are a number of muscles, ligaments, and nerves that can refer pain to and from this region. You may even be surprised to find that facial pain can be caused by back, leg, and foot issues.

Your dentist will also look for pain that may be coming from your teeth, and then transferring to a different region. For example, if you have a cavity beneath the gumline, it may have already done significant damage to the tooth. While you may not yet feel pain in this particular tooth, the sensation may be transmitted to parts of your face. Once the cavity issue is resolved, your facial pain will disappear.

Today, dentists can help resolve a number of issues that cause facial pain. This includes bruxism, as well as bite and chewing disorders. Without a question, if you want to end reliance on medications for facial pain, it will be in your best interest to have dentist evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums. You may be surprised at what just a handful of procedures can do to eliminate your pain. At the same time, you will also have the benefit of treatments that will keep your mouth and teeth healthier in the long run.

Over the course of your life, poor brushing habits and other issues may cause gum loss. While your dentist can help you avoid some of these problems, you may eventually need to have gum grafting in order to save your teeth. Today, you can visit a dentist in London and choose between several different grafting methods. That said, you may find that your options will be limited based on the natural characteristics of your existing gum tissue.

As you may be aware, grafting is process that involves taking tissue from one area, and encouraging it to grow somewhere else. In most cases, your dentist will want to take gum tissue from the roof of your mouth, and use it to cover any roots that may have become exposed. While this procedure is fairly safe, you will have two site that may cause some pain. Fortunately, your dentist has a number of pain medications that will facilitate the recovery process.

Unfortunately, if the gum tissue on the roof of your mouth is too narrow, your dentist may need to take gum tissue from other areas. In some cases, this area may be located right next to the the tooth with the exposed roots. While this method is not as reliable as making use of palate grafts, it is better than using skin tissue from other parts of your body.

For the most part, your dentist will recommend gum grafting as means to prevent root cavities, as well as other kinds of damage that occur when dental roots are not covered by the gums. This procedure can also help reduce the pain and sensitivity that occur when upper tooth surfaces are not properly protected. Even though gum grafting is not be the most appealing dental procedure, it is one of the most valuable ones for reducing pain and prolonging the good health of your teeth.

There is no question that overbites and receding jawlines can be as distressing as crooked teeth. In particular, you will find that people make use of all kinds of stereotypes to define the character of people with these conditions. Fortunately, modern orthodontic appliances can treat both conditions, and leave you with much more than perfectly aligned teeth. When you visit a dentist in London, a number of treatment options may be available for you to choose from.

Ideally, orthodontic treatment should be carried out during the adolescent and teen years. For example, if your child’s lower jaw needs to be expanded, it can be accomplished without risking damage to emerging teeth. At the same time, your child will not grow up with all the social consequences of a receding jawline. While orthodontic treatments may take years to complete, at least you will have peace of mind knowing that you gave your child the best possible start in life.

Unfortunately, tooth crowding and other developments may mean that orthodontic retainers will be required for life. While these devices may not have to be worn constantly, they may be required to ensure teeth remain properly aligned. Even if teeth are perfectly straight, you may need to wear a retainer at night to ensure that chewing and bite patterns are not ruined while eating during the day.

Today, orthodontic procedures can play a key role in ensuring that your teeth are attractive as well as properly aligned. In particular, a receding jaw and overbite can easily be corrected when caught early on. You will also be pleased to know that taking care of these issues can prevent a number of problems later on. This includes bruxism, as well as TMJ disorders. Without a question, if you suspect that you need more than braces to align your teeth, it will be to your advantage to talk to your dentist about more advanced orthodontic procedures.

If you have only one tooth missing, it may be better to have a single tooth implant, as opposed to removing more teeth to accommodate a partial denture. While implants are superior to dentures, it can take a good bit of time before the entire procedure is complete. That said, implants tend to be the best option available if you cannot have your own natural teeth. When you visit a dentist from the City of London, you can be assured that you will have the benefit of the latest technologies, as well as pain management procedures.

As you may be aware, there are a number of steps required to insert an implant. To begin, your dentist must determine if there is enough bone in the area to hold a titanium pin. If there is not enough bone, the area will have to be reconstructed. Once this is accomplished, your dentist can insert the titanium pin.

Before your dentist can proceed, the bone in your jaw must grow around the titanium pin in order to ensure it does not fall out. As may be expected, this may take varying lengths of time based on your unique health characteristics. After you have completed this stage, your dentist will mount a stud that will serve to hold the outer crown in place. Depending on your budget and preferences, this crown can be made from a number of different materials.

For the most part, you will find that having a single tooth implant can be fairly time consuming. On the other hand, there is nothing like having a full mouth of teeth. At the same time, implants tend to last longer, and work much better than dentures. If you have one missing tooth, chances are, it will be worth your while to have an implant.

There is no question that children with crooked teeth should have teeth straightening done as quickly as possible. Aside from concerns about appearance, crooked teeth are impossible to keep clean. Eventually, this can lead to all kinds of dental and health problems later on in life. Today, dentists in the City of London offer a number of methods that can be used to straighten teeth.

As may be expected, you can obtain traditional braces and retainers. While this may be the cheapest method, there are also some other types of appliances that are more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. You may even be surprised to find that the price difference is not as severe as it used to be.

Today, there are a number of variants to traditional braces that can be used for teeth straightening. Among other things, you might be interested in invisible braces, as well as ones that are placed on the back of the teeth. While these braces cannot be seen, they will still need to be adjusted by your dentist as your teeth move into their correct alignment.

On the other hand, there are also invisible retainers that make the whole process of straightening teeth painless and effortless. You may even be able to have a retainer that can be removed while you are eating. At the same time, most people will not even know that you are wearing a retainer to correct dental misalignments.

For the most part, teeth straightening procedures still rely on appliances that use gradual and steady pressure to move teeth into their optimal alignment. Fortunately, the braces and retainers used today are not always silver colored, or difficult to clean. Without a question, the use of plastics and resins has created a revolution in the way braces are made and worn. Today, if you have crooked teeth, there is no reason to suffer with them, or the long term consequences.