London cosmetic dentistry

Archive for the ‘Dental Diseases’ Category

Early treatment for oral cancer from City of London dentist saves lives

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Oral cancer can be a particularly unpleasant and painful disease that can often be fatal if not diagnosed and treated in time. In most instances, cases of oral cancer are first spotted and diagnosed by dentists who are specially trained to recognise the first signs of the disease. By keeping up regular appointments at the dentist you are far more likely to catch oral cancer in its early stages and stand a greater than 80 per cent chance of successful treatment.

Common causes of oral cancer are smoking, especially heavy smokers of more than 20 a day. Heavy alcohol consumption is also a high risk factor and the effects of both are magnified when combined. Smokers are 24 times more likely to suffer from oral cancer than non-smokers.

Age is also an important factor with patients over 50 being more likely to contract the condition. And men are almost three times as likely to suffer than women. However, it is worth remembering that in 25 per cent of cases of oral cancer the patient had none of the high-risk qualities. Oral cancer can strike at any time, which again emphasises the need for regular dental check ups.

The symptoms are usually white or red sore spots on the lining of the mouth or lips, which do not disappear naturally after two or three weeks. The spots can be very sore, not unlike mouth ulcers, making eating, drinking and even talking very difficult. Other signs include an unexplained change in voice or weight loss.

The only sure fire way of beating oral cancer is to visit a City of London dentist every six-months for a check up. If you have any suspicious sores in the mouth or other symptoms make an appointment to see a dentist as soon as possible.

London dentist spots first signs of oral cancer

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Oral cancer includes cancer of any part of the mouth or throat including the lips and tongue. It commonly occurs on the lining of the cheek, palate or gum tissue so it is very often a dentist that will spot the first signs of the disease. Dentists are fully trained to examine for all oral cancer during a routine check up appointment.

The first signs of oral cancer are usually small patches of sore or sensitive skin that don’t heal naturally. These are often pale coloured or white patches known as leukoplakia or darker, redder patches called erythroplakia, which may develop a burning sensation as the problem develops. They will also be very sensitive to hot and cold food and drink.

Some of the main causes for oral cancer are alcohol and tobacco. Strong links exist between alcohol consumption and the development of oral cancer, and smokers are over six times more likely to suffer from oral cancer. But it must be remembered that even people who neither drink nor smoke may still be affected, so it is always worth having any suspicious patches in the mouth examined.

Catching oral cancer early can help to improve the chances of surviving the disease by 80 per cent, so maintaining six-monthly appointments with a London dentist is crucial in the fight against the disease. If you have any sores in the mouth, unexplained bleeding of the gums or have experienced a sudden dramatic weight loss, make an appointment to see a London dentist to check for oral cancer.

Prevent gum disease with check up at Central London dentist

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Gum disease is the inflammation and infection of the gum tissue that anchors teeth to the jaw. It is a very common condition affecting nearly half of all adults but it can be treated easily if caught early by a dentist or dental hygienist.

The two main types of gum disease are gingivitis and the more serious periodontitis. Gingivitis is when the gums are attacked by plaque built up after eating. Plaque can be removed by correct brushing and flossing and can also be removed in harder forms by the dentist. Periodontitis follows on from gingivitis and causes infections in pockets where the gum has begun to come away from the tooth. It causes gum tissue to die and shrink away from the tooth exposing sensitive areas of the teeth and causing decay. Periodontitis is not reversible, as gum tissue cannot be made to grow back.

Symptoms of gum disease include sore or irritated gums and occasional bleeding, and shrinking tissue in more serious cases. It can be treated by a process called scaling or in cases of periodontitis by gum surgery. However, the best form of treatment is prevention. Keeping teeth and gums clean and free from plaque helps to prevent gum disease in the first instance and regular visits to a Central London dentist can help to tackle the first signs of any problems. Dentists or hygienists can also show you the correct way to brush and floss that will keep your gums disease free.

Regular check ups from Central London dentist help beat oral cancer

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Oral cancer can be fatal if not caught at a sufficiently early stage. If detected early enough, oral cancer patients stand a greater than 80 per cent chance of survival. Therefore it is very important that you have any suspicious sores examined as soon as possible. Another key defence against oral cancer is to keep up regular six-month dental appointments. Dentists are trained to spot the signs of oral cancer and are also able to perform swab biopsies on any suspicious areas as part of a check up.

Oral cancer is considered to be any cancer that affects any part of the mouth including the lips, tongue and throat. It usually appears as sores on the lining of the mouth or throat, not unlike mouth ulcers, but that do not disappear naturally after a period of two weeks.

Certain groups are at a higher risk than others with men being twice as likely to suffer from the condition as women. Patients who smoke excessively are a massive 600 times more likely to develop oral cancer as non-smokers. Patients who drink heavily are also at a greater risk of the condition. However, it is important to remember that oral cancer can affect anybody at any time regardless of lifestyle, so you can never be complacent.

The sores are usually a deep red or white colour and are sensitive to touch and especially hot and cold food. They are usually very painful and make it difficult to eat, drink or even speak. Oral cancer may also manifest itself in the unexplained bleeding of the gums or weight loss.

There are more symptoms than described here so it is always wise to visit a dentist if you are unsure about any activity in your mouth. Any unexplained soreness or patches in the mouth can easily be examined by a dentist and with cancer it is always better to be safe than sorry. Make an appointment every six-months with a Central London dentist and protect yourself from oral cancer.

Central London dentist detects patient’s oral cancer

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Oral cancer usually manifests itself as sores on the inside of your mouth, which resemble mouth ulcers but don’t disappear after a couple of weeks. Oral cancers, which include all cancers in the oral cavity, including lips, tongue and throat can be life-threatening if not caught early so keeping up regular appointments with your dentist, or having any suspicious sores examined as soon as possible is highly recommended.

Certain factors mean that people are at a greater risk of contracting oral cancer. Men are twice as likely to suffer as women, especially men over the age of 50. People who drink or smoke excessively are at particular risk, with smokers being a massive 660 times more likely to suffer from oral cancer than non-smokers. However, it is important not to be complacent about oral cancer as it can effect people who neither smoke nor drink at all.

The sores associated with oral cancer usually appear as white or red patches in the lining of the mouth. It is also common for there to be unexplained bleeding of the lining of the mouth and even the gums. The sores will make it very difficult to carry out everyday activities like eating, drinking or talking without suffering pain. There are other signs that you may be suffering with oral cancer like a sudden or unexplained weight loss.

There are of course more symptoms, many of which can be very subtle so it is always wise to consult a dentist if you have any suspicious sores. A Central London dentist will be able to carry out a brush biopsy, a painless swab for testing, as part of a regular check up. They are also well trained in the signs and symptoms of oral cancer so they can be your first line of defence. Early detection of oral cancer can give you a greater than 80 per cent chance of survival.

Oral cancer detected by City of London dentist during routine dental check up

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

It is an often-used adage that prevention is better than cure. Nowhere is this more true than when it comes to looking after your teeth. As anyone who has suffered from any kind of dental problem, ranging from toothache to gum disease, will tell you, it really does pay to keep your teeth clean and healthy.

The easiest way to do this is to have regular six-monthly dental check ups, as advised by dentists. No matter how busy you are, or how frightened you may be, a regular check up with your dentist could save you years of dental related pain, not to mention thousands of pounds.

All sorts of problems can arise with your teeth if you do not visit your dentist on a regular basis. Even patients who brush correctly twice a day, and floss regularly, can develop dental problems they may not be aware of until it is too late. A tooth infection can very quickly develop into an abscess or spread to other teeth in the mouth if not picked up early enough by a dentist. In some circumstances, an infection may be so deep rooted that it will lead to the tooth itself dying and falling out. In extreme cases, a dental infection can cause a wider infection in the body and lead to heart disease and even heart failure. It really is not worth running the risk for the sake of half an hour every six months.

A regular appointment will help to catch these problems early, or even before they arise. For patients who have suffered toothache but believe it to have gone away, it may only be that the infection has killed the nerve endings in the tooth, thus stopping the pain. Only a dentist will be able to diagnose and locate these sorts of problems.

Dentists will also be able to spot the onset of various forms of oral cancer, including cancer of the tongue and throat. An early diagnosis of oral cancer means an 80 per cent or greater chance of survival. Missing the symptoms altogether leads to the unthinkable. City of London dentists will be able to thoroughly examine patients for tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer as part of a regular check up appointment. Prevent dental problems and save yourself the pain, cost and possible heartache of having to treat them.

Central London: Identifying the Association of Heart Disease with Bleeding Gums

Sunday, July 19th, 2009

You might be shocked to hear that your oral health is linked directly to your heart. Bleeding gums and heart diseases have a huge connection. The dentists of Central London are studying this link up since long. According to them, you must visit your dentist regularly.Poor oral health can increase the chances of heart attacks and strokes. Keep your fear from dentist in a box and try visiting them. Many painless treatments are also available these days. The early stage of gum disease is gingivitis. You suffer from bleeding gums and bad breath.

It can be detected in early stages and treated simultaneously. Take tips and advise from your dentist on how to keep up your dental health. Rinse your mouth after every meal. Brush and floss the area regularly. It helps in the removal of the deposited plaque. Periodontitis is the later condition of the gum disease. The gum line starts receding and you will suffer from tremendous amount of pain. Your teeth might even fall off. The dentures loosen up and become weak.

Smoking or diabetes might also be a reason for bad dental health. Avoid using things which contain high sugar content. You need to have self control over what you eat. Eat healthy food as it decreases the chances of the growth of harmful bacteria on teeth. If you still have the pain, visit a dentist and get it cured. Do not refrain from spending money on your teeth. Your smile can make you feel confident and happy.

Visit Your London Dentist to Test for Oral Cancer

Sunday, July 12th, 2009

It is said that cancer is completely curable if detected at the initial stages. But most people are still unaware of the symptoms and hence tend to ignore them even though they are right in front of them. Cancer is indeed lethal but the effect it has on the individual’s mental make up is what worsens the situation.

So when it comes to preventing and detecting oral cancer all you need to do is to go for periodic dental checkups at your nearest dental clinic in London. A dental checkup has the dentist looking for any possible anomalies in your mouth which would cause problems in the future. Plus if you smoke and drink, dental checks should be Numero Uno in your priority list.

Whenever you go for a dental checkup, the dentist checks the soft tissues and gums for possible signs of tumours. In certain cases the patient is asked to go for an X-ray if the doctor wants to ascertain his deductions. Fear, ignorance and lack of knowledge among users are the factors that make oral cancer all the more complicated. Routine dental checkups are painless and come cheap and it is always better to be examined by professionals. Individuals already suffering from other forms of cancer must definitely make it a point to visit their dentist for a checkup as they are most susceptible to oral cancer.

Early detection and preventive measures can guarantee you a cancer free life. Normally a surgery involving the removal of the tumor ensures a normal lifetime thereon. Abstaining from alcohol, smoking and a regular intake of vitamins and supplements, along with a healthy diet, is all that it takes to keep oral cancer at bay.

A London Dentist Can Detect Oral Cancer

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

As with many other forms of malignancy, oral cancer is easiest to manage when it is caught early. Therefore, when you undergo screening for oral cancer, it can literally save you life. In many cases, when you visit a London dentist, he/she will provide routine screening during your yearly dental exams. If you have not been screened for oral cancer, you may want to ask your dentist to take care of this as quickly as possible.

In order to detect oral cancer, your dentist will need to find out about each type of tissue in you mouth. For example, your dentist may take swabs from the inner surface of your cheeks in order to look for malignant cells. Your dentist may also want to use x-rays to look for bone malignancies. As may be expected, if you have lumps or other lesions on your gums, it may be necessary to take a tiny sample to see what is causing the aberrant growth.

Regardless of whether or not you want to know about existing malignancies, hiding from the truth will serve no purpose. Without a question, the malignancy will only continue to progress to other parts of your body. Even though you may not like the idea of going for cancer therapy, at least it will give you a chance to live a normal life once the malignancy is arrested.

Today, the rates of cancer are skyrocketing in almost every category. While there are no cures for advanced cases, many people that find out about their malignancy early are cured. As a result, you should always make sure that you have screening for oral cancer on a regular basis. This will help ensure that you have the best chance possible for enjoying a long, happy life.

Get Rid of Halitosis When You Visit a London Dentist

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

Regardless of whether you only have halitosis in the morning, or throughout the day, it tends to create all kinds of problems. For example, you may feel uncomfortable in public, as well as at work. Without a question, anyone that happens to be close enough to smell your breath will also be very upset. As may be expected, if you observe proper oral hygiene, this can be very upsetting for you as well as everyone around you. Today, your London dentist can help you find out what is causing your halitosis, as well as prescribe medications that will get rid of it.

Unless you have an underlying health condition, most oral causes of halitosis have to do with bacteria. In particular, if you eat a lot of sweets, or use mouthwash with alcohol in it, harmful bacteria will build up on your tongue and teeth. As they release sulfur compounds, your breath will wind up smelling worse and worse. Typically, your dentist will be able to give you advice about which mouthwashes to use, as well as the kinds of foods that are most inclined to cause halitosis.

Not so long ago, people with severe halitosis were stuck with chewing gum, or rinsing out their mouth several times a day. Invariably, alcohols and other breath sweeteners only added to the problem. Fortunately, your dentist has a number of medications and therapies available to control the bacteria that help contribute to halitosis. In some cases, you may even be pleasantly surprised to find that this will also help eliminate some of the bacteria that lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Therefore, if you have halitosis, there is no reason to put yourself and others through another day of noxious breath odour.