Looking after the health of your teeth is very important. Not only does dental health affect the way your teeth and smile appears to others but it also acts as an indicator of overall health. People with unhealthy, damaged and infected teeth are at a much greater risk of having other health complications statistically.

The most obvious way of looking after the health of your teeth is by brushing and flossing regularly. This removes the plaque and bacteria that build up on the surface of the teeth and cause problems. London dentists recommend that you brush for at least three minutes, twice a day. This will remove sufficient amounts of plaque, while flossing will remove plaque and trapped food from the small gaps between the teeth.

However, dental hygiene of this sort, while important, is not always enough to ensure your teeth stay clean and healthy. It is also very important that you keep up regular six-month dental appointments with your London dentist. They will be able to check for the first signs of dental decay or infection that you may not have been able to prevent. They can also treat these initial symptoms, preventing the problem from getting any worse.

London dentists are also trained to look for the signs of more serious problems during dental check ups. This includes spotting the signs of oral cancer, which can be very serious and fatal if not treated early enough.

The bottom line is however, that the more often you visit your dentist for a check up, the healthier your teeth will be and the less likely you will need any kind of treatment in the future. This will save you both time and money, and help to keep your teeth looking clean and healthy.

Often mistakenly attributed as a symptom of a wider condition, TMJ is the collective name for a series of muscle and joint complaints that affect the temporomandibular joint around the face and mouth. TMJ limits movement of the jaw and causes pain. The condition is poorly understood which often leads to misdiagnosis and patients having to wait many months or even years before they are properly treated.

TMJ can affect as many as one ten people at some level but only a tiny fraction of these people receive the treatment that they need for the condition. Unfortunately, the main characteristic of TMJ is pain. Other symptoms include limited or difficult movement of the jaw, ringing in the ears, dizziness and stiffness. In most cases TMJ will only be mild and the symptoms temporary. It will often clear up on its own and require no further treatment but for those patients affected by a chronic case of TMJ, life can become very difficult. It is necessary, if you think you are suffering from TMJ to make an appointment to see a Central London dentist as soon as possible.

Even though there is no standard diagnostic test for TMJ, Central London dentists will be experienced enough to spot the tell-tale signs and make a diagnosis. In most cases TMJ is caused either by genetic predisposition or as the result of a minor misalignment of the teeth. The dentist will attempt to correct the alignment and alleviate the pain to allow for a speedy recovery.

When we get a dental emergency its generally in the middle of the night or on the weekend, and that`s the hardest time to find a dentist says a City of London dentist. Old wives tales come into play as to how to deal with a tooth ache, and surprisingly enough some of them work. Most of us have a first aid kit at home or at least a few plasters, but few of us have a dental first aid kit. Like the Scouts and the Girl Guides we should always be prepared for emergencies, so a dental kit would be handy. Tooth ache is best dealt with by applying heat to the enamel back and front, a warm tea bag can be gently applied and a little pressure will hold it in place. Oil of Cloves is probably one of the better pain reliefs that is available, but it’s not the kind of thing that we easily find lying around the house. Apply this oil with a baby bud and let the oil drip from the top all over the tooth, it will give your gums a burning sensation, but it won`t actually burn you. Whatever you do don`t solve the problem by drinking lots of alcohol, alcohol isn`t a pain killer and is dangerous when taken in large quantities. By all means swish some brandy or whisky, if its handy and you have nothing else, around the tooth in question, just allow it to sit around the pain zone and that too will help, but no swallowing.

Wisdom tooth pain can be one of the most unpleasant experiences of your life, just ask anyone who has suffered from it. In fact, instead of blessing us with wisdom, they can actually be the cause of a pretty nasty headache and cause for concern. The pain of wisdom teeth can last for anything between ten and fifteen days and is often associated with severe pain on the inner cheek, swelling and nasty pain in the gums, inability to sleep due to pain and pain while eating or chewing.

The pain is often caused because there is not enough room for the teeth to develop. This means that when they come through they are forced to rotate and impact against the other teeth and even the jawbone. This can be very painful and in some cases they may even need to be removed. But what can you do at home to relieve the pain of wisdom teeth?

Placing ice inside a handkerchief or tissue and applying it to the required area may give you some relief, as will rinsing your mouth with saltwater. There are also a number of dental creams on the market that can be used to alleviate some of the pain. If these treatments do not work, and if the pain is really bad even before trying them, it is necessary to make an appointment with a Central London dentist. They will be able to carry out a full examination of the teeth and see exactly what is causing the problem. They will also be able to recommend you for a wisdom tooth extraction if they believe that to be necessary.

Tooth decay is the process by which teeth are broken down by a substance called plaque and are exposed to pain and infection. Tooth decay is caused by a number of factors but can be prevented fairly easily with improved oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist.

The first stage of tooth decay occurs when plaque, a substance rich in bacteria, gradually starts to erode the protective layer of tooth enamel that coats the teeth. This initially leads to dental cavities which, if not repaired either with a filling or a dental crown, will eventually penetrate to the centre of the tooth and allow an infection to damage the pulp and sensitive dental nerve. Tooth decay can be very painful as the dental nerves are extremely sensitive but it can also lead to wider health problems because oral infections are able to spread easily and even enter the bloodstream where they can affect the heart.

Brushing and flossing effectively at home removes plaque from the surfaces of the teeth and the small gaps between them and around the base. This limits the damaging potential of the plaque and cuts your chances of suffering from tooth decay. However, it is possible to suffer from tooth decay even if you practice oral hygiene to a high degree. This is the reason it is so important to see a Central London dentist every six months for a check up. Catching tooth decay in its earliest stages is very important for preventing further damage. The timely treatment of tooth decay could save you from a lot of pain and also the potential costs of dental treatment in the future. A half-hour appointment every six months could save you a lot of unnecessary suffering and expense so make an appointment to see your dentist today.

The health consequences of smoking are well documented. Not only are you far more at risk from very serious disease such as cancer and heart disease but you may also want to consider the consequences for your dental health. Not only is smoking very damaging for the appearance of the teeth but it can also be responsible for casing very serious conditions such as periodontitis and oral cancer.

The toxins in tobacco smoke leave the tooth enamel with a very unpleasant looking brown staining. This is very difficult, if not impossible, to remove unless you have an expensive tooth whitening procedure. But the chemicals in cigarette smoke can also cause damage to the gum tissue.

Smoking makes the gum tissue a lot less able to repair itself and slows down the healing process. Gum disease can be very serious if not treated in sufficient time and can require tissue removal and even hospitalisation in serious cases. Gum disease has also recently been linked to heart disease, as the infection can easily enter the bloodstream within the mouth.

Patients who smoke are also much more likely to suffer from oral cancer. Smoking is one of the primary causes of cancer and it is estimated that smokers are up to six times more likely to suffer from oral cancer.

At whatever stage of life you are at, stopping smoking could help to drastically improve your oral health. London dentists are specially trained to help you give up smoking with the minimum of difficulty. They can provide you with the necessary information and tools to beat the habit and once again give your teeth and gums the respect they deserve.

There are many people who are apprehensive about receiving dental treatment in the UK. This can often get in the way of receiving very necessary dental treatment and cause a whole series of future dental concerns that could lead to pain and even losing teeth. Sedation dentistry is the practice of administering dental treatment to patients who have been put to sleep in order to lessen the anxiety they may feel prior to treatment.

There are advantages and disadvantages to having sedation dentistry and it is important that you are aware of these before choosing the treatment. There are various levels of sedation that can be employed depending on the individual circumstances faced by each patient.

Sedation dentistry is most useful for three types of groups of people. Firstly, there are those patients who are very nervous or anxious about dental treatment. There are also those patients who may suffer from various medical conditions that can make dental treatment very difficult or even impossible. This includes conditions such as Parkinsons. It is also very useful for patients who may be young or have disabilities which makes it very difficult for them to sit still while procedures are being carried out.

Sedation dentistry from London dentists can be more expensive than regular treatment because it usually has to be carried out in a hospital setting because of the equipment necessary. There are also health risks associated with general anaesthetic especially for patients who smoke or suffer from health conditions such as high blood pressure. Talk to your dentist to find out more about sedation dentistry and to find out if you are a suitable candidate.

Preventative dentistry is the process or trying to stop the development of any dental concerns by effective cleaning and watchful treatment. For the most part it is very effective at preserving dental health but in some cases there is just no amount of prevention that can stop a dental issue, such as tooth decay or enamel erosion. In these cases dentists need to use a series of treatments that could be grouped together under the name ‘restorative dentistry’.

For example, if you have suffered a cracked tooth or decay, your City of London dentist may decide that in order to protect the tooth you need to have a dental crown. This involves having an artificial tooth cap fitted that covers the part of the tooth that protrudes above the gum line. Crowns are usually made from either ceramic or metal, or a combination of both, and aim to strengthen the tooth and prevent any further damage being caused. In this way not only has the tooth been protected but also its appearance and functionality restored.

Other dental restorations include porcelain veneers, inlays and artificial teeth. Teeth can be lost for a number of reasons but it is never a very attractive look. Missing teeth can also cause several physiological problems and accelerate decay in other areas. By using a restoration such as a dental implant or dental bridge, the dentist can restore the appearance of a full and healthy dental arc.

Restorative dentistry is therefore part functional and part cosmetic. Dental technology is constantly improving providing the dentists with new and more efficient tools that is making restorative treatment both more accurate and more effective.

We all know the importance of keeping ourselves fit and healthy and the benefits to your well being this can bring. But sometimes it can be easy to overlook the health of your teeth and this could be just as important for your overall health. Dental problems can be very painful and costly to treat. They can also have wide ranging and serious health concerns including links to heart disease and even strokes.

Yet the truth is that looking after your teeth and dental health can be very simple if you follow a few simple rules. The most important of these is to make sure you are brushing your teeth correctly and for the necessary amount of time each day. London dentists recommend that you brush for three minutes at least twice a day, preferably after eating. This will help to remove plaque and bacteria that build up on the teeth and cause dental decay that leads to all manner of nasty dental complaints. It is also advised that you use a brush with a small head to allow greater access to al the teeth in the mouth. Try to angle the brush at forty-five degrees so that the gums are also cleaned at the same time. This is because gum disease can be just as damaging as dental decay.

It is also very important that you are flossing your teeth every day. This removes bacteria, plaque and particles of food trapped in the small areas between the teeth and in pockets between the teeth and gums.

Finally, it is crucial that you have your teeth monitored by a dentist every six months with a simple check up appointment. This will ensure that your teeth are not suffering and allow the dentist to treat any problems that may occur as early as possible.

When it comes to the health of your teeth, it is never more true that prevention is better than cure. This is what has led dentists to adopt an approach to treatment called preventative dentistry. It aims to stop any dental problems occurring in the first place rather than attempting to treat them when they arise and it has proved to be very effective.

The first stage to preventative dentistry is to make an appointment with your London dentist. Together, and also working with a dental hygienist, you will devise a plan to keep your teeth in the best possible condition. Then the dentist will address any dental problems you may currently be suffering from. This will include treating any gum disease or tooth decay that could potentially cause damage. Once all this treatment is carried out you will need an appointment with the dental hygienist for the next stage of the process.

This involves cleaning all the teeth to a very high standard, removing any tartar or plaque and even removing stains. Using a process called scaling and polishing, the hygienist will get your teeth in the best possible condition. The next stage of the process is then down to you. Your dentist and hygienist will have devised a cleaning plan that you are required to stick to for the best possible results.

By following the hygiene plan closely you will give yourself the best possible chance of avoiding any dental problems in the future. As always, you will need to return to the dentist every six months at least for a check up to monitor your progress. Any adjustments can then be made to your treatment plan.