The stark white waiting room, antiseptic smells, shiny white uniforms, glistening silver pointy instruments, patients with varying expression of pain and the sonic whine of the dental drill; everything just invokes a mental picture of terrific pain starting in a few minutes and guaranteed to torture you! A normal person is guaranteed to start you sweating in anxiety and distress!When teeth are damaged the pain can be severely debilitating, but the sheer terror of dental treatment can cause over 20% of patients to simply refuse or postpone treatment! In an effort to make the process of dental treatment more acceptable, London dentist’s tried to combine the relaxing effects of spas into the antiseptic environment of dental treatment.

The result: Voila! Dental spas in London!

Instead of the sterile purely functional environment of a clinic you will now have a “relaxation room” or waiting room with spa music floating in the background, scented candles, low watt bulbs and potpourri in lavender or chamomile. The brightly dressed attendant offers you fresh fruit juices with croissants as you wait for your appointment. The “therapy room” is colored a vivid green or azure blue with ergonomically designed dental chairs and freshly perfumed air. The walls and ceiling are brightly colored with mosaics of birds and animals. A heated perfume pillow is placed under your neck and a warm blanket covers you while the dentist works his specially designed soundless and well as painless drills. During treatment the patient has the option of undergoing a foot massage, manicure, hand paraffin bath or pedicure completely free!

A pipe dream? Definitely not! A combination of gentle dentistry and soothing spa treatment is guaranteed to calm your dental anxieties forever. Try it!

Well you aren’t the only one! There are many people who are scared to death of the dentist but don’t really admit to it! There can be many reasons for being afraid of the dentist but you can’t really avoid treating yourself for ever can you. Today let’s talk about a few ways to deal with dental fears and how to control them.
1. On your first appointment get used to your dentist and discuss your fears with him. Mention everything which scares you and why. It’s not really necessary to do treatment on the first appointment unless it’s an emergency.
2. Ask your dentist to describe the entire treatment process in detail to avoid getting scared of sudden new appliances or equipment. Familiarize yourself with your procedure and then try to relax.
3. Arrange a signal with your dentist so that you can tell him when to stop if you are starting to panic. Don’t forget you’ve got his fingers in your mouth!
4. If you are scared of any particular appliance then ask to look at it beforehand like needles or the dental drill. This way you know what to accept and how they look like.
5. Most dentists keep a mirror handy to show patients the restoration. If needed keep a mirror handy to look at the procedure while he his working. But please be careful you don’t impinge in the dentist’s work field.

The condition of dry mouth is a very common problem among elderly. Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia. It is estimated that about 20% elders suffer from this condition. This condition can cause loss of tooth as well as gum disease in about 30% elderly population.Dry mouth is a condition in which there is decreased secretion of saliva. This decreased secretion can be caused by a lot of different factors. This can be caused by a medical problem pertaining to the salivary gland or can be a side effect of a medicine.

The medications that can cause dry mouth includes muscle relaxers, decongestants, antidepressants, antihistamines, pain pills, etc. If you are taking any of these medications then you must consult your physician to gain hands-on knowledge to prevent dry mouth.

Another question arises that what does saliva do, why is it so important. The answer to this is that saliva washes away the food particles from the mouth and thus reduces the chances of infection, it also reduces plaque by neutralizing the acids produced by plaque.

Now let us see what happens if this problem is left untreated. The dry mouth can cause hoarseness, problems with speaking, sore throat, dry nasal passages, problem wearing dentures, difficulty swallowing, etc.

If and when you become aware that any of the elders in the family are having dry mouth, then your first step should be to call and make an appointment with your London dentist. Your dentist will not only amicably guide you but will explain each and every step to prevent this problem from occurring.

Till you have your appointment setup, you can increase the flow of saliva by chewing on sugar-free gum or candy. Other important steps that need to be taken for dry mouth are brushing your teeth twice daily, regular checkups and eating nutritious food.

A rough estimate says that 3 in children and 1 among 20 adults unintentionally grind teeth, mostly during night. The sound that comes by grinding is called bruxism. A wife came in complaining of night grinding of teeth by her husband to the extent she had to shift her bed to another room,” says a dentist practicing in suburbs of London.
The noise truly is loud enough to bother people around. Not just that, unfortunately it renders disastrous effects on the person that grinds his/her teeth than he/she knows.
“Bruxism can exert great pressure on teeth surface that one can imagine,” says the expert; “to the tune of 10s in 100s of pounds per square inch.” This pressure can deal badly with the gum the tooth sits in as well as the bone that supports tooth, sometimes even a jaw joint can also face the music of bruxism.
Although, people who do grinding of teeth say that they do to release excess tension or emotional stress and/or nervousness, dental experts believe the cause is there within the mouth of a bruxist; grinding could be a person’s unconscious endeavor to tweak in the irregularities of their respective biting as well as chewing teeth surfaces, to correct inappropriate bite. Dental experts say that it is malocclusion.
If you notice a bruxist in your house don’t escape from him rather bring him/her to a dental expert before there is serious damage to teeth, gums and jaw joints,” says the bruxism expert in London.

“Yes!” Says a London-based dental surgeon. Sedation via inhalation is most anesthesia administrating techniques especially in dentistry. The most commonly used mixture is the combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide which is more popular as ‘laughing gas.

“To go to a dentist itself is anxiety for many a patients, but doctors say that this technique of giving laughing gas sedation can relieve them of their anxiety and make them comfortable. This is widely used in United States and is now spreading widely in UK as well,” says the dental expert based in London.

Laughing gas can make a patient more comfortable and the dental expert can work his way through accomplishing his dental treatment very effectively.

However, laughing gas is not called for certain people with asthmatic conditions and heart ailments, warns the expert.

When laughing gas is administered great majority of the patients experience some initial lightheadedness. Noteworthy is that this sinks down slowly as a cozy feeling. Several patients complain of some numbness of fingers and toes.

This same numbness is experienced within the oral cavity and it is a plus to the dentist that want to maneuver as well as patient. There are a few that perspire unusually more, but it is normal nitrous oxide effect.

The patient that received sedation will be conscious and responding to the doctors and can express any untoward effects and it is a blessing to the patient as well as doctor.

After the completion of the dentist’s intervention, patient will be receiving oxygen and this should make him/her feel absolutely normal once again. Sedation with nitrous oxide inhalation is very effective in gaggers and this technique eliminates gagging.

The technique is also suitable for those that have a complaint of hypertension, asthma, chest pain and those that suffered heart stroke.

“A small pep chat with the patient on use of this sedation technique using laughing gas helps the patient a lot and make him walk in and out of a dentique laughing,” remarks the expert.

You might have experienced the feeling of dryness of mouth at least one time or other, which is quite natural while playing outside or during outdoor activities that is quenched easily by sipping some liquids. But when it becomes a continuous sensation affecting the quality of life, it requires our attention. Our mouth is kept moist and clean by the continuous secretion of saliva from salivary glands. The salivary glands are situated around the oral cavity and they all open into this cavity through very small pores. There are three pairs of major salivary glands viz. parotid, submaxillary, and sublingual/submandibular Saliva contains an important digestive enzyme ptyalin, and another protein mucin. Xerostomia or dry mouth is a condition affecting the mucous membranes and salivary glands. Generally, mouth is kept moist by continuous flow of saliva in to the buccal cavity. Any conditions affecting any of the structure or function of the related organs can cause inadequate secretion of saliva leading to the development of dry mouth, medically termed xerostomia and colloquially, cottonmouth. This condition can be due to some underlying diseases or due to some medications such as antihistamines, some antihypertensives, antidepressants, etc. This can be an after effect of chemotherapy or radiation therapy for some malignant conditions and can also be caused by diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes, Eaton-Lambert syndrome, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, etc. The natural causes of dry mouth are anxiety, dehydration, mouth breathing, etc. Some women undergoing HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) may develop dry mouth. Sometimes it could be the result of a trauma or injury to salivary glands, its ducts, or its nerves. We all know that saliva plays a major role in reducing dental caries. Hence, the treatment of xerostomia is of prime importance in preventing dental caries and other oral diseases. It is also important for taste perception. As this condition is secondary to some other condition, the basic point in treatment is to correct the primary condition which causes it. Dry mouth could be a problem in old age due to inadequate production of saliva, for which the easiest solution is to take frequent sips of non-sugary drinks. We can also use some non-sugary chewing gum, which will increase the flow of saliva. There are some artificial saliva and lubricating gels available over the counter, in all leading London pharmacies. Lack of saliva can be painful to the patient and the difficulties caused by it vary from simple dryness in mouth to difficulty in swallowing and even speech, affecting the quality of life. Therefore, even if you feel your symptoms only mildly, it is better to get the help and advice from your dentist to reduce the severity of the condition. The doctor may check the salivary flow rate by sialometry and if needed, a sialography to determine if you have xerostomia and the possible causes of it. He might also suggest the usage of total care toothpastes, alcohol-free mouth rinses, Oral Balance lubricating gels, xylitol gum etc. Increasing hard cheese in your diet also could help reduce the condition.

Actually dentine hypersensitivity. Women of age group 20-40 are more prone to this condition, and pregnant women are at higher risk.  Tooth has three major layers from inner to out, which are pulp, dentine, and enamel. Enamel is the outer covering of the tooth, which is the toughest part of a tooth, which gives protection to the underlying dentine and pulp. Tooth is covered with enamel only up to the gumline. Therefore, when there is a condition, which exposes the dentine, there develops sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet things. The commonest condition that causes exposure of dentine is receding of gums. This can be due to improper brushing habits or due to some diseases affecting the teeth and gums such as gingivitis, periodontitis, formation of plaques, tartar, etc.  Sometimes the sensitivity could be an after effect of scaling, whitening of teeth, or certain dental procedures that require trimming of your enamel. However, this will pass off within 2 or 3 weeks. Some food items such as highly sugary foods, acidic fizzy drinks, eating citrus fruits, long-term use of mouthwashes, teeth grinding, etc. can cause or aggravate an existing condition. For self-help, we can select soft-bristled toothbrushes that are easily available in London supermarkets, which are suitable for sensitive teeth and soft on gums. One important thing we have to remember is to avoid brushing too hard, and the movement of the brush should be gentle and circular. Even after you have made all these changes and there is no relief for the tooth sensitivity, you must visit your dentist for proper dental care without any further delay. Your dentist may be able to suggest the best practice to help your teeth. He may suggest desensitising toothpaste for your sensitive teeth. Desensitising toothpastes contain strontium chloride and/ potassium nitrate, which help to remineralise the tooth surface and help close the open pores on the dentine surface. These open pores when exposed to too much hot, cold, or sweet substances cause nerve sensitivity. Your dentist may also apply a desensitising fluoride gel, or varnish to the exposed surface, which help to reduce this sensitivity. The most common method dentists adopt is chemical desensitisation using products such as Gluma, Hurriseal, etc. and some dentine sealers are also helpful to reduce dentine hypersensitivity. The best thing we can do to prevent a sensitive tooth is by maintaining good oral hygiene with proper brushing, flossing, and getting professional dental care at regular intervals.This is a very common condition affecting many a million in London. That is tooth sensitivity. The discomfort can range from mild twinge to severe discomfort lasting for hours. What we generally term sensitive tooth is

Most children fear to go to their dentist for regular checkups, especially when they require some dental procedures. The environment produced by the unpleasant sound and the memories of pain they had to endure in the past are the factors causing this phobia. Now, by the arrival of a pain-free and quiet technology, Moms and dads of London are happy that their kids are no longer scared of their dental appointments.  Most of the clinics in London have now started using the latest technique in dentistry instead of the standard drilling machine for dental procedures. The technique used is air abrasion. This painless procedure is non-time-consuming and child-friendly too. The major advantage of this procedure is that there is no need of any analgesics. This technique is useful in treating small cavities and there is no need to drill any healthy parts of the tooth. This machine does not make any heat, sound, or vibration and you will feel only the air pressure in your mouth. This technique is also called microabrasion in which dentists can remove decayed parts of a tooth without even touching it. Here, a stream of air or compressed gas mixed with aluminium oxide, silica, or baking soda is directed to the decayed part of the tooth through a handpiece and the decayed tooth part is blown away. The decayed parts are then suctioned out. During this procedure no sound, heat, or vibration is produced, much to the relief of children. Before starting the procedure, your dentist may cover your eyes with protective eye wear and also cover the other teeth with a rubber sheet or apply protective resin on them. It is helpful in treating shallow cavities and helps in removing stains or discolorations and removing old composite restorations. The dust particles accumulated in the mouth during air abrasion is removed by suctioning or washing with water. After the treatment, composite resins can be used to fill the cavities. This procedure also helps to repair broken bridges and crowns, and chipped or fractured teeth. However, air abrasion cannot be used for amalgam fillings, porcelain fillings, and for deep cavities.

Dental anxiety is an irrational fear of going to the dentist, and it is easy to see why so many people are afraid of a simple dental visit.  For one thing, your local London dentist is working in an area that is in your face, an area where most people are sensitive about, and on the other hand, what the dentist is doing is out of sight, which can make many people very nervous.  Dental phobia is a fear of the entire experience, generally, but there are some things such as needles or drills which can instill more fear than other things in people with a dental phobia.  The fear can be inspired by something as simple as seeing all of the shiny metal tools laid out on the table, making it difficult for people with a dental phobia to keep their teeth and mouth as clean and healthy as they should.   For people with dental phobia, the dental industry has come up with a dental technique that is ideal.  If you have a dental fear, then you should consider going to one of the many London dentists who practice sedation dentistry.  With only one small pill, you are put to sleep for the entire duration of your dental procedure.  Your dental phobia will not hinder you, because you will be able to go to sleep before anything happens and wake up once your dental work is done and you are ready to go on your way.   Sedation dentistry has helped many people with dental phobias get the dental care that they need over the years since it was developed, and is perfect for anyone with any anxiety about going to the dentist.  It is a safe procedure, and allows you to completely miss the experience of the dental work, with absolutely no needles necessary, and no more fear.

Most parents in London could have heard their kids grinding their teeth during sleep. Some people grind/clench their teeth when they get anger or stress. That is quite normal. But this tooth grinding action can be with or without their knowledge. The Medical term for teeth grinding is bruxism. Teeth grinding or chewing action is a complex neuromuscular reflex activity, which is controlled by the brain (higher center) when we are awake. During sleep, the higher center or brain is inactive and the chewing reflex center, which becomes active, is not controlled by the inactive higher center resulting in bruxism. Most people who grind their teeth do so during sleep and this is called sleep bruxism.  These people are quite unaware of it until someone sleep with them notices. Sometimes people don’t notice at all and become aware of it when evaluated for other conditions such as jaw pain, headaches, dental sensitivity or dental erosion or TMD. The aetiology of this complaint is actually unknown. There are various theories such as stress, psychological causes, nutritional deficiency of vitamins such pyridoxin, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium etc. In some people, it is associated with some sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, etc. Teeth grinding is very common in children during teething, both when milk teeth appear and also when permanent teeth develop. Children generally outgrow this problem when the teeth erupt completely hence, no treatment is required. However, if your child grinds off his/her teeth for long, it might require treatment. In London, dentists generally suggest the use of mouth guards to protect the child’s teeth, if they don’t require any specific treatment. Sometimes they might be just stressed out or anxious before going to bed. So, when you identify this problem, don’t wake him/her from sleep to tell them, “hi you’re grinding your teeth”. Instead, just help them relax by telling or reading out some good small stories, or by just talking to them about nice things when they go to bed.  Some adults are also found to have this problem, which occasionally is associated with other dental problems such as nonalignment of teeth, malocclusion, structural abnormalities of the jaws etc., hence treating the root cause helps to get rid of this problem without any special treatment. So if you suspect you have bruxism, better not hesitate to visit your dentist and find out whether you have any dental conditions that is causing this problem.  Sometimes this clenching or grinding of teeth could result in serious problems with temporomandibular joints. Bruxism can also lead to wearing off of teeth, chronic headaches, pain in jaws, restriction in the movement of mandible, ear pain, etc. For adults, the use of dental guards could be of some help in constraining bruxism and protecting their teeth from irregular wearing and early erosion. So, the next time you feel like clenching your teeth, just relax… count 1,2, 3,…. and your teeth are saved.