London cosmetic dentistry

Archive for the ‘Dental Disorders’ Category

Battling Bad breath in London

Friday, July 29th, 2011

When you were last out at a bit-of-a-do in London and you came across a person with bad breath, did you mention it to that person, or did you just point out it in a bitchy way to other people? The bet is it was the latter of the two. Okay then, here’s a scenario: what if you have bad breath: would you be treated any differently and with no one telling you? You’d be in the same boat and it isn’t funny either, for not only will you start to lose friends, but you could be prevented from getting on in life, especially if you have aspirations to get to the top of your vocational tree. There are many causes of bad breath; a crazy, over indulgent lifestyle and poor oral hygiene are the two of the main culprits, backed up with a failure to visit your dentist regularly. These can result in rotting teeth and gums. Poor diet can also lead to the breakdown in the body’s immune system, causing the saliva in the mouth to dry up- saliva being the mouth’s natural warrior against the evils that invade the mouth. Whatever the cause, bad breath needs to be addressed not only for health reasons, but for social reasons too. A dental check-up can address the problems of gum disease and tooth decay, if these are the causes. Then it’s down to you to up your oral hygiene standards each day. Your lifestyle needs to be turned upside down and things such as bad diet, drinking and smoking need to be addressed. Herbal remedies are also a superb way of rebalancing the teeth and gums and should be incorporated in to a daily oral hygiene program. Finally, the mouth should be constantly hydrated with water and sugar-free sweets, whilst avoiding sugar and caffeine based drinks and foods until your mouth is back on track.

Patients with bad breath in the City of London seek advice from dentists

Sunday, July 17th, 2011

There are few things more embarrassing than suffering from bad breath. The worst thing about it is that sometimes you might not even notice. Some people become so used to it that are quite unaware of the fact that their breath does not smell very nice. In gaining an understanding of what is causing the condition then you can begin to understand how to deal with it and get rid of it once and for all.

Clinically bad breath is known as halitosis and it covers the whole range of unsightly smells emitting from patients’ mouths. This can mean a slight smell after a meal containing lots of garlic for example, or those who have a chronic problem with the condition whereby their breath is constantly smelly.

Bad breath is caused by certain bacteria in the mouth and so the key to beating the condition is not only removing the bacteria but ensuring that your mouth is not an ideal place for it to survive in the future. Brushing and flossing are a very important part of this of course as they ought to be getting rid of the bacteria from the mouth. Brushing your tongue can also help in this regard because bad breath bacteria often gather there.

Be careful when it comes to using mouth wash to combat bad breath. Mouth washes advertise that they beat bad breath and while they freshen the breath in the short term and kill bad breath bacteria, they leave the mouth rather dry and therefore in ideal conditions for bad breath bacteria to return once again. A chat with your City of London dentist can yield many more useful pieces of advice.

Central London dentists help patients deal with xerostomia so that dental cavities are avoided

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

There can be a number of potential causes for dental cavities forming in teeth. Neglecting to brush and floss properly is a common one. What fewer people are aware of is the fact that having a persistently dry mouth can also be a contributing factor. This condition is called xerostomia and, aside from being uncomfortable for the patient, it should be dealt with in order to avoid decay to the teeth.

Xerostomia is common in adults who smoke and drink alcohol to excess, as well as some people who have poor general health. What it amounts to is reduced saliva production. Saliva is a vital natural protection against plaque. If plaque is left to flourish in the mouth it will begin to compromise the structural integrity of teeth and they will start to decay; having plenty of saliva in the mouth helps to stop this. Brushing teeth needs to happen as well of course, but having plenty of saliva is important.

You can increase the production of saliva by keeping your mouth moist. This can be achieved by sipping water and chewing gum. Drinking alcohol can be accompanied by drinking water too to ensure that saliva production is not too stymied. Think about your habits, like smoking and see if you can quit it so that your mouth gets healthier.

Dental cavities can be a real pain because do not naturally grow back if there is a hole that has formed. They will be need to be filled by your dentist and you will have to have that filling for the rest of your life. Xerostomia is also a prime cause of bad breath because a dry mouth is ideal conditions for the bad breath bacteria to survive in.

How to stop grinding your teeth in Central London

Friday, May 20th, 2011

Do you find yourself getting stressed most days in central London, because it is a busy bustling place to work- you can get through a lot of coffee and tempers can flare; and when you get home, do you find yourself agitated and short tempered? Do you find the next day that you don’t feel you’ve slept well? Take all this on board, for you may be a prime candidate for the destructive force of teeth grinding. Not only can this cause damage to your teeth (easy to remedy with a mouth guard), but it can seriously affect the joints and muscles in your jaw, damage your hearing and cause problems in your neck.

It’s hard to know whether you have a problem at first, but worn teeth and aching jaws are signs that you have a problem, but as long you keep up appointments with the dentist, they should be able to spot the issue. However, it’s going to take a lot more than a dental check-up to overcome the condition, it will take a bit of a lifestyle change. It’s important that you sit down and identify what it is that you are doing during your average day that makes you stressed, and then turn it on its head. A stress management plan will not only allow you to control anxieties and any anger during the day, but it can also teach you sedation and relaxation techniques when you get home so you sleep less anxiously, and more calmly.

Bad breath banished from the mouths of grateful patients thanks to City of London dentists

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

Bad breath is caused by the prevalence of certain bacteria in your mouth. It can be particularly bothersome, especially in social contexts as sufferers worry about the unpleasant smells that are coming from their mouths. Your City of London dentist is an expert in bad breath and he or she will be able to help you if you are having problems with it. The key to getting rid of the condition is to understand the causes and take action so that it is stopped.

Medical professionals will usually refer to bad breath by its technical name of halitosis. It is caused by certain bacteria which sticks around in the mouth and emits unpleasant odours. The important thing is to get rid of these bacteria and most people will find that the regular routine of brushing and flossing should do the trick. Brush at least twice a day, in the morning and again at night.

The morning brush is crucial in the battle with bad breath because during the night your saliva production plummets and the resulting dryness allows the bacteria to flourish unimpeded. If you are in a situation after eating where you can’t reasonably brush your teeth but are worried about bad breath then chewing gum stimulates saliva production which moistens the mouth and also the motion of chewing itself helps to dislodge the bacteria.

It is easy to despair if you experience bad breath but you should take a deep breath and go and visit your dentist so that the problem can be dealt with. There is probably a simple solution and then you can look forward to getting on with your life without having to shield your mouth when you speak, breathe or smile.

Central London dentists help patients with xerostamia so that cavities are avoided

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

The development of holes in your teeth, known as cavities, is definitely something to be avoided. Teeth cannot grow back once a hole has formed in them and you will need to have a filling installed to protect the rest of the tooth. Most people are aware of the main cause of dental cavities: the build up of plaque which breaks down the protective layer of enamel. But what many are unaware of is that having a persistently dry mouth (known clinically as xerostamia) can be a contributing factor in the formation of dental cavities.

Xerostamia is fairly common amongst older adults and there is panoply of potential causes for the condition. Smokers often suffer because their saliva production is stymied. Those on certain medications and people undergoing certain cancer treatments can also experience extended periods of dryness in the mouth. The mouth often feels sticky and dry and sores can develop.

If this is the case then less saliva is being produced. Aside from aiding in the eating of food, saliva is absolutely crucial in strengthening the enamel which protects your teeth. If there is less saliva then your teeth can be weakened; if they are weakened then there is more opportunity for plaque to break them down and cause cavities.

Your Central London dentist will have been trained in all aspects of xerostamia. They will be adept at spotting the signs of it and then being able to act. Certain mouth washes can help increase saliva production and moisten your mouth and chewing gum and sugar free sweets can do the same. There is several medical solutions too that your dentist might prescribe.

Xerostomia and Dental Cavities in Central London

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

The condition of xerostomia, or dry mouth, can raise serious issues in the mouth unless it is tackled head on. Most dentists in central London will have a view on the treatment of problem but the diagnosis and treatments are pretty much universal. This condition is more prevalent among those of us who are on serious medications, have had radio therapy recently or suffer from extreme stress. Essentially, a dry mouth reduces the flow of saliva in the mouth, which is an important ally in fighting off bacteria in the mouth. Without it, bacteria can build up very quickly, leading on to plaque, gum disease develop and eventually dental cavities and tooth decay. The sufferer can also suffer from halitosis and speech impediments. To fight dry mouth requires a very strict regime and change in lifestyle. Smoking and heavy should be eliminated immediately and your diet should be changed to one that is as healthy as possible (and to one that suits you best). At all times, the mouth should be kept as hydrated as possible through drinking lots of water and sucking on or chewing, sugar based sweets. Caffeine and sugar based drinks should also be completely avoided at first until the problem is under control, and stress kept to a minimum. It may take time at first to beat, but as your body re-adjusts itself into this new regime, saliva levels will begin to return and the balance in your mouth will be restored.

Get the facts about teeth grinding in your sleep from City of London dentists

Monday, March 28th, 2011

You might not even notice you are doing it but the process of grinding your teeth in your sleep canm have a number of bothersome consequences. It is just as common as snoring in the United Kingdom but because it is often inaudible, bruxism (as it is clinically known) often goes untreated.

Health professionals reckon that there are two major causes for nocturnal teeth grinding. If your dentist determines that it is being caused by stress then you may be referred to a psychiatrist. Another potential cause it that there is a problem with the alignment of your teeth. Your dentist can help by examining your mouth and ruling out or confirming if it is your bite which is the problem.

Bruxism is certainly worth dealing with in order to avoid the potentially serious knock on effects. The process of your teeth grinding together, night after night, can begin to wear down the hard, protective enamel and seriously compromise the healthy structure of your teeth. It can also contribute to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) where the connection between the jaw and the skull is damaged and causes pain in the neck, shoulders and face.

If your dentist determines that your teeth grinding is caused by an alignment issue then he or she might advise that you wear a brace in order to properly align your teeth. Or it might simply be the case that you are fitted with a mouth guard to wear at night so that the strain is taken off the process of grinding. You should always mention any concerns you have about nocturnal teeth grinding to your City of London dentist.

Sleep apnea and heart failure: get the facts from London dentists

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

Sleep apnea is a potentially disruptive condition that affects the sufferer’s ability to sleep. It can have a significant impact on the patient’s life and ought to be taken seriously. Thankfully your dentist can help diagnosing sleep apnea so you can begin to deal with the condition.

If you are having a disrupted sleep because you keep on waking up, it might be that you have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles at the rear of the mouth relax to such an extent during sleep that insufficient oxygen is drawn into the lungs. At this point the brain will send a signal for the body to wake up because it is not getting enough oxygen.

The disruption to patterns of sleep can leave the sufferer experiencing extreme fatigue during the day. This can impair their ability to drive safely and operate heavy machinery. But perhaps the most serious potential complication is the increased risk of heart failure and strokes. This is because sleep apnea patients tend to experience hypertension because of their inadequate sleep.

High risk groups for sleep apnea are those who smoke tobacco or drink alcohol before sleeping. Those who are obese also have a greater chance of experiencing sleep apnea. Your dentist is ideally placed to diagnose sleep apnea because they have access to the muscles at the back of the mouth which can cause the problem.

There are a number of solutions to sleep apnea, which involve the patient wearing a device in their mouth while they sleep to ensure that the flow of oxygen to the lungs is unhindered. If you are worried about sleep apnea, don’t delay, make an appointment to visit your London dentist today.

Central London dentists can advise you about central apnea

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

If you find that you are having trouble sleeping all through the night because you are waking up frequently then it is possible that you are suffering from some form of apnea. Apnea is a condition which causes your brain to force you into waking up in the night because it is not receiving a sufficient flow of oxygen.

There are two main types of apnea and they are called sleep apnea and central apnea. Dentists can help by diagnosing patients with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is caused by the muscles at the rear of the mouth relaxing during sleep to the point where oxygen cannot be drawn into the lungs properly. This causes the brain to send a signal to wake the sufferer up. It is a condition which is more common among smokers and those who drink alcohol before sleeping.

It is condition which can impact the life of the patient by causing them to be fatigued during the day and increase the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. It is usually easily dealt with by the patient wearing a special device while the sleep to ensure the flow of oxygen is unhindered.

Central apnea is a more serious variant and is not directly a result of the muscles at the rear of the mouth. Instead it has to do with the nervous system and is usually experienced along with other, serious health conditions such as heart disease and obesity. If it is determined that you are experiencing apnea then your dentist can examine your mouth to see if it is of the sleep or the central variety.

If you are worried about central apnea then you should contact your Central London dentist to make appointment.