Looking after your teeth is very important. There are a few oral hygiene habits that are crucial to keeping your teeth in the best possible condition.

Most importantly is brushing. City of London dentists recommend that you brush twice a day for at least three minutes. This should be done with a soft bristled brush, to protect the gums, and preferably one with a small head to allow a greater access to all parts of the mouth. You should try and hold the brush at a forty-five degree angle to the gums so that they are gently stimulated as you brush the flat surfaces of the teeth. This removes bacteria and plaque from the teeth, substances that combine to release acids which gradually erode tooth enamel causing decay. Effective brushing can be the key to fighting decay and gum disease but it is more effective still when combined with flossing.

Flossing allows you to clean the parts of the teeth that are difficult to reach using a conventional toothbrush. This includes the areas between the teeth that are too narrow to be cleaned by the bristles on most brushes. Food particles and bacteria often accumulate in these gaps, which cause not only decay but also can be the underlying cause of bad breath. Flossing also allows you to clean the part of the teeth and gums around the base that are hard to get to with a brush. This helps to prevent inflamed gums which can trap bacteria and cause unpleasant bleeding.

As well as brushing and flossing you may also want to use a tongue scraper or tongue brush a couple of times a week to remove bacteria for the tongue.

The important thing about treating tooth decay is that the earlier it is carried out, the easier it is and the more successful it will usually be. Dental decay is not a condition that will ever improve of its own accord. Enamel will never grow back once it has been removed and once the process has started it will only worsen making the situation more serious.

Patients can prevent tooth decay by effective and regular brushing and flossing and by paying regular visits to the dentist. However, if decay does happen it is usually accompanied by a toothache as the sensitive dental nerve is exposed to extremes of hot and cold and other stimuli. Early stage treatment of dental decay involves filling the cavities caused by plaque eroding the protective enamel. Filling material used to be commonly made of silver amalgam but due to controversy about its safety and metallic appearance in the mouth it is increasingly being replaced by composite bonding, which is tooth-coloured. The dentist will first clean the cavity and remove any infected material or bacteria that is in there. The cavity is then filled and set hard to protect the tooth.

For larger cavities it may be necessary to use a porcelain inlay as bonding can become brittle in large areas. The inlay will be cemented into place using bonding. For even larger damage and root canal treatments it may be necessary to cover the whole tooth exposed above the gum with a ceramic dental crown to offer a larger degree of protection. If you suspect dental decay or are suffering from a toothache, make an appointment to see a Central London dentist for treatment.

Dental cavities, also known as dental caries, are caused by a bacteria-rich substance called plaque. Most of us know the name plaque from dental adverts for toothpaste and dental floss but few people actually know what it does. Plaque is a filmy substance that is very sticky. It is made up of bacteria and decaying food matter and clings to the teeth and gums. As the bacteria and food break down they release acids, known commonly as plaque acids, which gradually erode the enamel, which is the protective layer of the tooth.

Plaque can be removed easily by brushing and flossing which has the effect of preventing this dental erosion. Brushing scrapes the plaque from the surface of the teeth leaving them clean and flossing removes plaque form more hard to reach places, such as between teeth and below the gum line of teeth, helping to stop decay in these areas.

If plaque is not removed due to insufficient cleaning it will continually erode the enamel until it ultimately causes a breach. This is a cavity and exposes the more sensitive and softer inside parts of the tooth to bacteria and infection. These cavities can be filled with amalgam or bonding material by a dentist to protect the central part of the tooth but often the cavity has reached the dental nerve located at the centre of the tooth. This causes a very painful toothache and often a very nasty infection because of the bacteria which may need more serious treatment.

Dental cavities can become very serious if not treated. Effective cleaning and regular, six-month appointments with a Central London dentist should help to keep cavities at bay, or at least repair any damage before it can get too serious.

Dental decay can be very damaging to the health of your teeth. It can be the cause of tremendous pain due to the exposure of the dental nerve to extremes of hot and cold and other stimuli. Once decay has penetrated the protective enamel layer this also exposes the softer central part of the tooth to bacteria and the possibility of infection. Should infection take hold in the central cavity the body will produce excess white blood cells to combat it. These white blood cells battle the infected material and eventually produce an unpleasant and nasty smelling substance called pus.

This pus can build up in pockets in the gum and around the tooth causing isolated swellings called abscesses. These areas can be very sensitive and can make even the simplest everyday activity such as talking and eating extremely difficult or even impossible. Furthermore, it is possible for the abscesses to swell to such a point that they become unstable. In these circumstances even a small knock can cause the abscess to burst. Not only will this be extremely unpleasant but it can also lead to a very dangerous infection spreading around the mouth and into the bloodstream. Recent studies have proved a link between dental infection and heart disease, and even strokes so it is important to prevent any dental infection entering the blood stream.

Visiting a City of London dentist every six months can help prevent dental decay reaching a point where it breeches the enamel and prevent infections and abscesses before they have time to start. If you think you have may have a dental abscess it is important to make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible to prevent the spread of infection to other teeth. Treatment may involve anti-biotics and even tissue removal in extreme circumstances but the earlier the infection or abscess is treated the less severe the treatment will need to be.

Unless you are very fortunate, you will have suffered with a mouth ulcer at one time or another. These painful little sores in the lining of the mouth can make even the most fundamental tasks, such as eating and drinking, a really unpleasant experience.

A mouth ulcer is essentially an exposed nerve that lies in the incredibly sensitive lining of your mouth. The break in the lining means that food, drink and toothbrushes come into contact with this nerve which leads to pain.

Many mouth ulcers are caused by accidental damage such as biting yourself, brushing too hard, burning or scalding your mouth with food and drink or even abrasion from braces and other dental repair work. These kinds of ulcers will usually clear up on their own after about a week or so.

Other kinds of ulcers can take a little longer to clear up. These are known as aphthous ulcers and are usually caused by stress, illness or a genetic predisposition to the condition and usually begin to appear around puberty. Aphthous ulcers usually take about two to three weeks to clear up.

Sometimes recurring ulcers may be caused by vitamin deficiencies. The most common deficiencies are iron and vitamin B12. City of London dentists will be able to offer dietary advice should you be suffering from recurring ulcers.

Other more serious causes of mouth ulcers include herpes, inflammatory bowel disorders and immune disorders but these are usually concurrent with other symptoms around the body.

With mouth ulcers, prevention is often better than cure. Maintaining good oral hygiene with regular trips to your city of London dentist, eating a healthy and balanced diet including vegetables and red meat, avoiding hot liquids and trying to keep stress levels to a minimum all help to keep the painful sores away.

For those suffering with ulcers, common treatments include swilling soluble paracetamol and iced water, camomile tea and licorice. Pastilles and gels that contain mild anaesthetics have also been widely available for many years.

A tooth abscess is a collection of pus that results from a bacterial infection in the mouth. It is usually a complication of tooth decay but can also result from a trauma to the teeth, such as when a tooth is chipped or broken.

Small openings in the protective enamel of the tooth allow bacteria to infiltrate the pulp at the centre of the tooth causing an infection, which can then spread to other parts of the tooth causing more damage. The infection causes a build up of bacteria, white blood cells and other material which form pus deposits and cause swelling of the tissues.

The main sign that a tooth abscess has developed is a toothache, but if the infection has destroyed the root of the tooth an abscess may be still be present even though you can not feel any pain. It is always important to consult a dentist even if your toothache has ceased. Tooth abscesses are capable of spreading the infection to other teeth, gums and parts of the face, which may result in uncomfortable and embarrassing swelling.

The toothache associated with a tooth abscess is usually a continuous throbbing or knawing pain but other symptoms include a bitter taste in the mouth, a bad odour coming from the mouth, a general ill feeling or uneasiness, facial swelling and sensitivity when eating hot or cold food.

Treatments for tooth abscesses include swilling salt water to sooth the pain, over-the-counter pain relief and prescribed anti-biotics. In more serious cases, root canal surgery may be necessary or even the complete removal of the tooth if the infection has damaged it too severely. A hospital admission may even be necessary in some circumstances.

The best way to prevent a tooth abscess is to visit your London dentist for regular check-ups or if you are suffering from any kind of toothache. Catching the infection early can prevent the need for any further dental complications and even prevent further infection and sepsis.

If you have an accumulation of pus near the root of the teeth, then you are suffering from tooth abscess. It can be painful at times. You can even lose your precious tooth. To begin with, you can try home remedies to remove the boil. But the pounding pain can keep you disturbed for long. Biting and chewing are the major things of your daily routine that gets affected. The redness and swelling makes it difficult for you to eat anything.
The foul taste of the pus can also make you feel disheartened. It spreads causing harm to the nearby tissues present on your face. London dentists are the ultimate solution to your problem. They provide you with extensive facilities to make you regain your oral health. Placing a dry tea bag or a potato can help you get rid of the initial worries. Tea tree oil and water can be excellent for gargling. It clears out all the infection from that area. You will feel fresh and the inflammation gets reduced too.
They can squeeze the infection and reduce the pain. A mixture of salt and baking soda is advised by the doctors. If the discharge begins, the pus can be removed carefully by slightly pressing the area. Decreasing pain can help you calm down too. Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide to ward away the foul taste. Garlic capsules act as a natural antibiotic. Consume it daily for a week to get rid of the pain. Consult the dentist for proper medications and regulate your eating habits.

When you have dental calculus, or tartar, it can create a very unsightly image. At the same time, the rough surface can abrade your tongue. Fortunately, your London dentist can easily get rid of tartar, as well as show you how to reduce the amount that comes back. Typically, routine dental cleanings combined with proper oral hygiene should keep your tartar levels to a minimum. While proper oral hygiene is not especially difficult, you still need to make sure that you maintain a reasonable schedule.

For the most part, reducing tartar is tied to preventing plaque from building up. Unfortunately, if you eat sugary foods, or do not brush your teeth properly, plaque will build up in a matter of hours. Before long, waste products from the bacteria will form a hard shell that will continue to build up. When left untreated, tartar will eventually push into the gums, and get between them and your teeth.

If you want to prevent tooth loss and gum disease, you will need to have tartar removed on a regular basis. Aside from this, it is also extremely important to practice good oral hygiene. Unfortunately, there are people that will develop more plaque than others. If you believe that you need additional help with controlling tartar, your dentist may be able to provide a special rinse that will kill off the bacteria that cause plaque. This, in turn, should reduce tartar buildup.

There is no question that tartar buildups are ugly and distasteful. Without a question, if you have tartar, it is very important to schedule a professional dental cleaning as soon as possible. Chances are, you will be amazed at how much better your teeth look and feel once dental calculus is removed.

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

Teeth are very strong and under the right environment are resistant to destruction. However, your teeth are continuously fighting off oral bacteria. Tooth decay is not life-threatening, however can decrease your quality of life. City of London dentists can teach you how to prevent tooth decay. They are also experts at diagnosing and treating tooth decay. Tooth decay develops when a certain environment exists in your mouth and caries-producing bacteria (Streptococcus mutans (Sm)) and plaque build up on your teeth. This along with a diet containing fermentable carbohydrates leads to the formation of tooth decay. Sm can be transmitted from one person to another, and is usually transmitted from mother to child. Your City of London dentist and dental hygienist will instruct you on proper care of your teeth and gums. Under normal conditions of health, Sm consumes sugar and then produces bacterial acids (predominantly lactic acid) that initiate enamel demineralization in minute amounts. The body’s normal defences remineralise the tooth enamel using salivary minerals between eating. Depending on the stage of the tooth decay, your City of London dental will treat your teeth accordingly. It is important for you to have regular dental check-ups and brush and floss your teeth thoroughly in order to prevent tooth decay.