Dentist London Blog » Dental Diseases http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:05:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 City of London Dentist Explains Dental Calculus http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/city-of-london-dentist-explains-dental-calculus/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/city-of-london-dentist-explains-dental-calculus/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:02:18 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=4052 Dental calculus is another word for what most people might refer to as tartar. It’s a form of hardened dental plaque which results from the build-up of minerals from plaque and saliva on your teeth.

To prevent plaque developing into tartar, it’s best to brush your teeth twice daily and floss a few times a week. If tartar, or dental calculus, is allowed to remain on the teeth, it can cause chronic infection and inflammation, both of which are painful and damaging to your dental health. It’s also one of the leading causes of tooth decay, which can lead to tooth-aches and, potentially, tooth removal. Tartar that develops above the gum line can also lead to serious cases of gum disease.

The only way to remove dental calculus from your teeth is to see your dentist about treatment. Your dentist will clean your teeth through a method known as a scale and polish, which will remove built-up plaque and tartar from your teeth. In more serious cases, your dentist may employ an ultrasonic cleaning device to clear away large amounts of calculus build-up.

Having your teeth cleared of plaque and calculus will not only prevent the destructive effects of these damaging bacteria, but will also make it harder for plaque and calculus to accumulate again. The rough surface of dental calculus is the ideal environment for the formation of further bacteria, meaning that without treatment, you can quickly be caught up in a downward spiral.

Even while maintaining good oral hygiene, having your teeth cleaned professionally on a semi-regular basis will help you to keep damaging bacteria at bay. Ask your City of London dentist for more advice and information about dental calculus on your next check-up.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/city-of-london-dentist-explains-dental-calculus/feed/ 0 Looking for Gum Disease Treatment in London? http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/looking-for-gum-disease-treatment-in-london/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/looking-for-gum-disease-treatment-in-london/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:58:20 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=4048 Gum disease, which is also called gingivitis, is a condition that affects the gums and can result in painful, swollen gums that hurt on contact. More severe cases could develop into what’s known as periodontitis, which affects both the tissue that connects your tooth to its socket, and the bone in your jaw.

Caused by a build-up plaque on the teeth, which can result from not brushing or flossing often enough, gum disease can be a serious problem for many people. If it develops into periodontitis, it can even result in the loss of a tooth.

You can start to protect yourself from gum disease now, by maintaining good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss a few times a week, use mouthwash where possible, and see your dentist regularly.

However, if your gum disease is more advanced, your dentist may want to provide treatment. This might be a scale and polish, to clear tartar and plaque from your teeth using special instruments, or could involve root planning, where your dentist will clear bacteria from the roots of your teeth. Antibiotics are also a common course of treatment for cases of gum disease.

Severe gum disease, including periodontitis, could require surgery to remove an infected tooth and stop the problem worsening. This is why it’s a good idea to have your dentist take a look at your gums as soon as you spot anything amiss – early gum disease is easy to treat, and even easier to prevent.

If your gums are sore, swollen or red, or if they bleed when you brush, see your London dentist as soon as possible about gum disease treatment.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/looking-for-gum-disease-treatment-in-london/feed/ 0 London Dentist Explains Dental Caries http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/london-dentist-explains-dental-caries/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/london-dentist-explains-dental-caries/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:53:11 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=4044 One of the most common disorders in the world, dental caries is just another term for what you might call tooth decay or a cavity. It’s actually a bacterial infection caused by food debris left on the tooth’s surface. This food debris produces acid, which destructs the organic matter of the tooth and demineralises the tooth’s enamel.

Dental caries can be both extremely visible and extremely well-hidden. On the outside of a tooth, they usually begin as a chalky area and develop into a dark cavitation. However, when dental caries develop in less visible areas of the teeth, your dentist may need to use a radiograph or laser to judge how much damage they’re causing.

Other than the visible symptoms, if any of your teeth start to ache, this might be a sign of dental caries, and you should see your dentist immediately. When left untreated, dental caries can have some unpleasant side effects. Not only will your tooth hurt, but you might lose it, and it could get infected.

Your dentist will either prescribe you with a filling, a crown, or a root canal. Fillings involve blocking the cavity in your tooth with an alloy or resin, whereas crowns are used when damage is more extensive and a tooth needs extra support. A root canal is prescribed when the tooth’s nerve has died, and involves removing the dead material and filling the tooth’s roots with sealing material.

Dental caries, despite being common, are a serious problem for many people. It’s advisable to have them seen to straight away – catching them early can reduce the cost and length of the treatment you’ll need, as well as saving you a lot of pain and stress.

Visit your London dentist for a check-up today.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/london-dentist-explains-dental-caries/feed/ 0 How to look after your Gums in the City of London http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/how-to-look-after-your-gums-in-the-city-of-london/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/how-to-look-after-your-gums-in-the-city-of-london/#comments Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:32:31 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3872 Like the rest of your body in the city of London, the mouth is a complicated institution that relies on you being able to ensure that you doing your best to look after every tiny corner of it. The gums are one of those special little elements that add to the make-up of the mouth. They house your teeth and protect them from such horrors like plaque and tooth decay. But they are a very fragile entity and rely on you looking after them with good oral hygiene. The real dangers to your gums come from plaque and tartar, heavy medication, dry mouth and an eclectic and wayward lifestyle and as soon as you start being complacent about the way you look after your teeth, you are putting your gums at danger to disease. If you have a good dentist in your corner and look after your mouth, you should be able to care for your gums; they respond well to a good old fashioned clean, but also a bit more on top. Herbal remedies are beautiful if they are worked gently into the gums as this tends to keep the blood flowing nicely and keeps the gums in a state of joy. And if you know the joy of a having a good massage and how it feels afterwards, then apply this principle to your gums, and with a few choice products and good advice from your dentist, and your teeth will last you forever and your gums will last forever too- look after them and they’ll look after you.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/how-to-look-after-your-gums-in-the-city-of-london/feed/ 0 Diabetes in Central London and its Links with oral Hygiene http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/diabetes-in-central-london-and-its-links-with-oral-hygiene/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/diabetes-in-central-london-and-its-links-with-oral-hygiene/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 06:15:00 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3613 All dentists in central London have always been aware of the importance oral hygiene, but it’s thanks to scientific studies over the past 20 years, that they now also know how a bad mouth can affect the rest of the body, and one of these examples is the link between gum disease and diabetes. Unless you are of an immaculate constitution, gum disease will get to most of us, in some form, at some stage of our lives. It emanates from poor oral hygiene and diet to begin with, growing out of the build up of plaque around the teeth. Once it sets in, it starts to poison the blood that flows into the rest of the body and if left to roam, has been proven to cause diabetes. If you have diabetes, or know anyone that has, it’s an awfully hard condition to keep on top of- you have to monitor everything you eat and drink to maintain the sugar levels in your body, or you die. Of course, some people get diabetes early on in their lives- totally unrelated to gum disease. But diabetics are among the highest group of people to then suffer from gum disease and tooth loss; it isn’t a very attractive merry-go-round to find your-self on. Either or, it makes it imperative to maintain a very intense level of oral hygiene for yourself and between you and your dentist, and the amazing range of products on the market, you have a great opportunity of fighting the problem.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/diabetes-in-central-london-and-its-links-with-oral-hygiene/feed/ 0 City of London dentists advise patients how to prevent gum disease http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/city-of-london-dentists-advise-patients-how-to-prevent-gum-disease/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/city-of-london-dentists-advise-patients-how-to-prevent-gum-disease/#comments Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:00:32 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3509 Your teeth are not the only important part of your mouth, far from it. Your gums are just as vital in maintaining excellent oral hygiene and ensuring that you can talk, eat, drink and even smile in comfort. Allowing your gums to become diseased actually puts you at greater risk of losing teeth than tooth decay itself. Gum disease is usually quite easy to rectify should it occur but it is always best to act first and do what you can to stop it from taking hold in the first place.

Plaque is the main thing to think about when taking care of your gums. It is produced every time you eat, particularly sugary and starchy foods. You should make sure that it is removed from the gum line of your teeth so that it doesn’t inflame your gums. Gingivitis can take hold and, if left to progress, can turn in to periodontitis. This condition is definitely worth avoiding so you won’t suffer from inflammation of the jaw bone and likely tooth loss.

This is where preventive dentistry comes in. What it means is protecting the mouth from developing these conditions in the first place. The most simple thing to do is to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day and again after meals should you feel it necessary give what you have just eaten. This ought to be enough to remove the plaque from your mouth and ensure that it does not cause your gums to become inflamed.

As well as taking good care of your mouth at home, you should be sure to visit your City of London dentist every six months so that your teeth and gums can be thoroughly examined by an expert. They can identify any problems in their early stages and offer advice and treatment before they get worse.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/city-of-london-dentists-advise-patients-how-to-prevent-gum-disease/feed/ 0 Central London dentists offer the best diagnosis of oral cancer http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/central-london-dentists-offer-the-best-diagnosis-of-oral-cancer/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/central-london-dentists-offer-the-best-diagnosis-of-oral-cancer/#comments Sat, 19 Mar 2011 06:00:11 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3497 Oral cancer is a nasty affliction which can lead to invasive and painful treatment and, in some cases, death. It is vital that you get to know the signs of oral cancer and allow your dentist to examine your mouth so that he or she can spot them and offer you appropriate diagnosis and the disease can be treated.

If you smoke tobacco or regularly drink alcohol to excess then you are at greater risk of contracting oral cancer. The disease is also more likely to affect men than women, but those outside of these higher risk groupings should be wary of the condition too. The signs of oral cancer can include painful swellings in the mouth or hardened patches which are discoloured and red or rusty, not the healthy pink that most of the inside of your mouth ought to be. You may also find that you are experiencing metallic tastes in your mouth or sudden weightloss.

You can of course examine your mouth at home for these signs, especially when you are brushing. You can look at your mouth in the mirror and feel with your finger for the aforementioned hardened patches. But the best person to examine your mouth is of course your Central London dentist. They are trained to spot all the signs of oral cancer. By catching the disease early you are far more likely to find that it is treatable. The alternative is going through invasive surgery and possible general ill health.

Oral cancer is just another reason why you should get into the habit of visiting your dentist every six months so that your mouth can be looked at thoroughly by a trained professional. It is always better to prevent than to cure.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/central-london-dentists-offer-the-best-diagnosis-of-oral-cancer/feed/ 0 Herbal remedies and gum disease: get the experts’ opinion from London dentists http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/herbal-remedies-and-gum-disease-get-the-experts%e2%80%99-opinion-from-london-dentists/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/herbal-remedies-and-gum-disease-get-the-experts%e2%80%99-opinion-from-london-dentists/#comments Thu, 17 Mar 2011 06:00:44 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3490 Gum disease is something that ought to be taken seriously given that as much as seventy five per cent of the adult population of Britain is suffering from it in some form at any given time. Gum disease is actually a greater cause of tooth loss than tooth decay itself and you ought to seek advice from your dentist if you think you are suffering from it. But there are also effective ways to relieve gum disease using herbal remedies at home.

Gum disease in its most basic form is called gingivitis and can occur as the result of sub-standard oral hygiene. If plaque builds up against the gum line on your teeth then the gums can become inflamed and swollen, giving you greater sensitivity and visible redness when they ought to be a healthy pink. Gingivitis is easily dealt with by making effective changes in the way you look after your teeth at home but herbal remedies can also help.

Certain toothpastes contain particular herbs which can benefit your gums, for example, sage, peppermint and basil. You can even get hold of certain substances and apply them directly to your gums. These include calendula, Echinacea and extract of grapefruit. This can sometimes be a little aggressive for those with particularly sensitive gums so you should always seek the advice of your London dentist.

If your gums are already rather inflamed then aloe vera and clove can provide effective relief. But of course the best way to guard against gum disease is to be sure to take the best possible care of your mouth as a whole and go and visit your dentist every six months for a check up.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/herbal-remedies-and-gum-disease-get-the-experts%e2%80%99-opinion-from-london-dentists/feed/ 0 Oral Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments in Central London http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/oral-cancer-%e2%80%93-causes-symptoms-and-treatments-in-central-london/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/oral-cancer-%e2%80%93-causes-symptoms-and-treatments-in-central-london/#comments Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3431 In central London, as anywhere, it’s a horrible moment when you are diagnosed with cancer. The shock itself can take a long time to get to grips with, let alone the journey you about to embark on with treatments. Oral cancer generally starts in the lower mouth and tongue and if allowed to develop into the neck, head and eventually into the body. The causes are not easy to identify either, as each of us have different constitutions and levels of immunity, but some things promote the disease more than others. Poor oral hygiene, diet, smoking and excessive drinking are the obvious players in oral cancer, but so is exposure of the lips to sunlight, stress and a poor immune system. The obvious signs of cancer are ulcers that won’t go away, neck, jaw and earaches, bad breath, loose teeth and swallowing pains. These problems should be shared with your dentist who will then conduct a series of tests such as tissue and blood diagnosis. If the tests reveal any signs of cancer, then it’s down to the level the disease has reached that determines the treatment. It’s at this point, that you may like to get actively involved with the processes that follow. It’s important to understand the exact nature of your treatment- it can range from physical surgery to chemotherapy, but the type of treatment you have greatly influences the choice post surgery care you require. Modern treatments are becoming ever more successful in dealing with oral cancer, if it is diagnosed earlier enough.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/oral-cancer-%e2%80%93-causes-symptoms-and-treatments-in-central-london/feed/ 0 Improve Your Life in London- Treat your Bad Breath http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/improve-your-life-in-london-treat-your-bad-breath/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/improve-your-life-in-london-treat-your-bad-breath/#comments Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:05:08 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3414 Having bad breath in London is a very delicate matter. Friends, if you still have any, can be put in a very difficult situation and will be wary to point it out, and it can make you very socially unacceptable to others. If you are aware that you have a problem, you would be wise to seek treatment. Your dentist should be able to give you a check up and correct any issues that may lie behind the problem, such as gum disease and tooth decay. They will also be able to advise you on how to keep your mouth healthy, but then it’s down to you. Looking after your mouth starts at home and this starts with regular brushing and flossing, but combating bad breath doesn’t stop there. Having a reasonable diet helps to settle gastric problems and keep the blood clean; it can build up your immune system and helps to promote a good level of saliva in the mouth to fight oral bacteria- limiting the amount you smoke and drink helps. Your choice of brush and pastes can also fight bad breath, but herbal remedies are also helpful. Natural products such as tea tee oil, cloves, mint and Echinacea are very good for neutralising odours and attacking gum disease, as is baking soda, and these can be incorporated with your toothpaste and floss. Some mouthwashes are alcohol based and can promote bad breath, so it’s important to remove this from the teeth by gargling again with lemon and salt based water. It may seem complicated, but keeping your breath fresh will greatly improve your lifestyle.

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