Gum and tooth disease in the city of London go together like eggs and bacon, one goes hand in hand with the other and gum disease can affect over 50% of us. And unfortunately, it can go unnoticed until it develops into something more sinister like tooth decay. More worrying, it can have a knock-on affect throughout the body- gum disease has links with premature births, heart attacks and kidney failure. It all starts quite simply with poor oral hygiene and bad habits such as smoking and a poor diet, as this can lead to a weakened immune system that feeds gum disease. If plaque and tartar build up and are allowed to go unchecked and run wild, they can lead to periodontitis and eventually, cavities and tooth decay. Early signs of the problems are bleeding gums, weeping gums that leave a bad taste in the mouth, and loose teeth. Depending on how advanced the disease is, it is treatable, though not reversible. The dentist can administer de-scaling around the teeth to remove the plaque and can fill cavities via fillings and/or root canal work, but further treatment lies in our hands. The dentist can advise on a solid program of good, healthy oral hygiene and there are very effective herbal remedies that attack gum disease. But gum disease can come back very quickly, so regular check-ups and maybe, losing some of the bad habits, are essential in fighting the disease.

It’s a very grey area as to what exactly causes cancer, except with the mouth, where some of the causes are far more obvious. But being diagnosed with the problem can be shocking. In the modern, fast moving world in the city of London, things that are bad for you are easy to find. Smoking, excessive drinking and cheap foodstuffs all get loaded into the mouth. They affect our diet and weaken the immune system and can cause all manner of problems in the mouth that can lead to oral cancer; combined with poor oral hygiene and infrequent visits to the dentist- you are putting yourself at high risk. What’s worse, if you don’t go to the dentists regularly and aren’t aware of the symptoms, it’s a good chance you won’t even know you have a problem until it’s too late and as we all know, cancer is a lot more easy to treat in the early stages. There are many symptoms to look out for; constant dry patches in the mouth, sore and ulcers that refuse to disappear, loose teeth, recurring earaches, swallowing pains and halitosis- this is the time to get to the dentist for an examination and a tissue diagnosis. If there are signs of cancer, further tests will be required to analyse the extent of the problem. Treatment, again, relies on how far down the line the disease is. It may take chemo, radio or biological surgery- even physical surgery to remove all the cancerous cells. But the treatment and understanding of cancer has advanced tremendously and success rates have soared in beating this problem.

Oral cancer is one of the nastiest conditions that can affect your mouth. This extremely serious disease has a fairly high survival rate but treatment can only be effective if it is diagnosed early. By looking out for patches on the soft tissue of your mouth that are red and white and do not fade, your dentist can play a vital part in being vigilant for the early signs of oral cancer.

The groups that are at the highest risk of contracting oral cancer are men – twice as likely as women – and those who smoke tobacco and drink alcohol. But it is worth remembering that about a quarter of all patients are not from these higher risk categories. Even if you are a woman who doesn’t smoke or drink you too should be on the look out for the early signals of oral cancer and keep up your routine of visiting your dentist every six months so your mouth can be checked by a professional.

Your dentist will be looking out for rusty coloured spots or small swellings on the inside of the mouth which can mean the very early stages of oral cancer. You ought to inform your dentist if, without any apparent cause, your mouth begins to bleed or you suddenly lose weight. If your mouth is especially sore while eating or drinking, this too is worth reporting to your dentist as it too could be an early sign of the disease.

Be sure to carry on visiting your dentist every six months and keep up a healthy, balanced diet while avoiding tobacco excess alcohol. These lifestyle habits can lessen your chances of contracting oral cancer which can be extremely painful and inconvenient to say the least.

The reported cases of mouth cancer in Britain are on the increase, a fact echoed by a London dentist. But like any cancers, they are easier to tackle if caught in their early stages and treatments for the problem have advanced tremendously over the past twenty years. With any problem that arises in the mouth, it highlights the importance of regular dental visits and the need for self awareness of the symptoms. In it’s infancy, oral cancer can be difficult to spot but there are several ways of detecting a problem; ulcers that don’t seem to heal, an ongoing sore throat, lumps and patches in the mouth, constant swelling in the neck or jaw, difficulty of swallowing or chewing, earaches and nasal problems. If any of these problems persist, an immediate visit to the dentist is recommended. But there are ways to avoid the problem before it get to this stage and a consultation with a dentist will help you to prevent these problems from developing. Good oral hygiene is always a must as is maintaining a good diet. Avoiding smoking and heavy drinking is also high on the agenda. And should the worst case scenario manifest itself, modern treatments and techniques are at hand to give you the best chance of beating the disease.

When it comes to cancer we all have to be extremely vigilant, checking the various parts of the body that are at high risk. With oral cancer, a particularly virulent form of the disease, it is very important that you have your mouth examined by a dentist every six months. This can be done at the same time as your dental check up and your London dentist will be especially trained to spot the signs of oral cancer.

There are several key risk areas meaning that people are more likely to suffer from oral cancer. Males are more likely to suffer from the condition than females, especially males who are over the age of forty. Smoking and drinking alcohol also increase the chances of developing cancer, especially when used in tandem. However, it must be pointed out that 25 per cent of sufferers are in none of the high-risk areas so it is always wise to have your mouth checked.

The symptoms of oral cancer include small sore patches in the mouth. These usually appear on the soft tissue lining of the mouth and can be red or white in colour. These small patches do not clear up naturally so if you have any suspicious marks then you need to contact a dentist immediately.

Other symptoms include unexplained weight loss or bleeding in the mouth or pain in the head or jaw. Oral cancer can be treated effectively in 80 per cent of cases if the disease is caught in sufficient time. If left or not treated quickly, oral cancer can be extremely dangerous and almost certainly fatal. With cancer being one of the biggest killers in the UK, it is always wise to give yourself the best chance of beating it.

One of the most serious conditions that can affect the oral cavity is oral cancer. This is a disease that can be fatal if not caught and treated early enough, that affects thousands of people in the UK each year. One of the best ways to beat oral cancer is to make sure you keep up regular check up appointments at your dentist. Dentists are trained to examine for oral cancer as part of a routine check up and could be instrumental in an early diagnosis that could save your life.

Oral cancer usually manifests itself as small red or white patches on the lining of the mouth, gums, lips or throat. These small patches are rough and sore and do not disappear after a week or so unlike a mouth ulcer. They are very sensitive to hot and cold temperatures so could make eating and drinking quite difficult. The other symptoms of oral cancer include unexplained bleeding in the mouth, a significant weight loss without any change to diet or exercise and pain in the head, neck and shoulders.

If you are demonstrating any of these symptoms it is crucial that you make an appointment with a London dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to perform an examination and brush biopsy on any suspicious areas. They will also be able to refer you to a specialist for immediate treatment should the results be concerning.

There are a number of high risk factors for oral cancer such as your age and sex. Being male and over forty increases your chances of contracting the disease, as do lifestyle choices such as smoking and an unhealthy diet. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol also increases the risks of cancer. However, even people with none of the risk factors are still capable of getting oral cancer so you can never afford to be complacent.

Cancer is usually something we don’t associate with the mouth, but Oral Cancer, as it’s known, is on the rise and it is so easy to avoid says a London dentist. Smoking is an obvious cause as is chewing tobacco, which is still popular in many countries. The lips can get cancer as well and one the causes here is exposure to the sun, we tend to think of skin cancer being caused by too much sun, but Oral Cancer is also a victim. Oral Cancer can affect the lips, gums, tongue and throat, the signs to look out for are reddish lumps that bleed and don`t heal up. There is a difference between an ulcer and a tumour in the mouth, so if you get a lump that doesn`t look right see your doctor straight away. Oral Cancers can be cured, that`s the good news, the bad news is that many of us fail to get treatment at an early stage. Leaving a suspect lump won`t make it go away, it isn`t like a drunk that is annoying you at a party, if you ignore it I guarantee it won`t move on. Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy has moved on a long way, and you may get one or both treatments for your Oral Cancer, sometimes a chemo tablet will suffice. Good oral hygiene will also help to keep cancer at bay in your mouth, flossing will keep acid and bacterium under control, these cause the gums to become infected and bacterium can leak into the blood system. There has recently been reports that there is a link between heart disease, diabetes and cancer that comes from infections originating in the oral area. Just being a little bit more vigilant and reporting those infections and lumps to our dentist or doctor, will go a long way to keeping Oral Cancer at bay.

Oral cancer is a common and virulent form of the disease that occurs in any part of the mouth including the lips, tongue, lining and throat. If diagnosed in the early stages it is highly treatable but the longer it is left to develop without treatment the greater the risk of it being fatal becomes.

There are several risk factors for oral cancer. Firstly, being male makes you more likely to contract the condition, as does being over 50 years of age. Smoking, or using any kind of tobacco product also makes you much more likely to suffer from the disease. In studies of oral cancer patients, it was found that about 75% per cent were smokers or had been smokers at some stage. Drinking alcohol is also a risk factor, especially in combination with smoking or using tobacco. There are several other risk factors include diet and genetic history. Although it is important to remember that even if you fit none of the above risk profiles there is still a chance of developing oral cancer.

The symptoms appear as small red, white or blotchy patches on the lining of the mouth that don’t clear up naturally after a couple of weeks. These can be quite painful and sensitive to food and drink of certain temperatures. Other symptoms include unexplained bleeding in the mouth and sudden weight loss.

Most cases of oral cancer are diagnosed by dentists at check up appointments. Central London dentists are trained to spot the first signs of oral cancer. Early diagnosis results in a greater than 80% chance of surviving the cancer and making a full recovery. This is just one of the many reasons why regular visits to your dentist are very important.

Gingivitis, the milder form of periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease, is one of the most common causes of lost teeth in the UK, especially among the elderly. The disease is caused by bacteria and plaque building up in the mouth which cause an inflammation and infection of the gum tissue. This infection attacks the tissue that surrounds the tooth, the gum membranes and even the underlying bone structure. Gum disease is preventable and is usually caused by poor hygiene, including a lack of effective brushing and flossing, and poor diet.

When gingivitis becomes the more serious periodontits it will require treatment from a dentist to completely cure. This may involve a course of antibiotics and even some tissue removal, depending on the condition of the gums. This can be painful and unpleasant so it is always wise to treat gum disease as early as possible. Most dentists will recommend treating gingivitis with improved brushing and flossing (your City of London dentist will be able to show you how during a routine check up). It may also involve rinsing your mouth with salty water a number of times a day to help fight the inflammation.

There are also a number of herbal remedies that can be used to treat gingivitis that can help to eliminate the infection and reduce inflammation. For acute gum disease, plantain poultices with drops of Echinacea tincture applied to the area can really help to alleviate the symptoms. By taking a small gauze, covered in the remedy, and applying it to the area for a long period, preferably overnight, you can help to fight the gum disease.

Other herbs that can be used to treat gum disease include aloe vera and clove. Both of which have anti-inflammatory qualities that can help to sooth the discomfort of gum disease. Ask your dentist for more information about herbal remedies for gum disease.

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.