The top of any dentists agenda in the city of London is to ensure they look after your teeth as best as they humanly can and to advise you how to do the same when your not sitting in the chair, and there are some basic principles applied to this. What you’re trying to avoid in everyday life is the build up of plaque and to keep your teeth clear of acids and bacteria. Do this well and between the pair of you you’ll be avoiding the dangers of dental cavities. These little evils can gather speed quickly, especially if you are pretty nonchalant about oral hygiene and about keeping up with dental check-ups. Acids start to attack the surface of the teeth quickly and then soon eat their way inside. If you go to your dentist regularly, then they will pick up on this and solve the problem with a filling. But, if you get lackluster about things, the first you will know about the cavity is when you get a tooth-ache and at this stage, it literally means that the tooth is dying inside. Catch it at this stage and you will require a root canal, though you will save the tooth. But tooth-aches can go away and you may think ‘no problem’- think again, because the whole root of the tooth will become infected and possibly cause gum disease and then all of your teeth are in peril, as is your general health.

Tooth decay in central London is the direct result of poor oral hygiene. In the average diet, the foods will consist of carbohydrates and sugar at some point but it’s vital that they are removed from the surface of the tooth, otherwise, the bacteria and acids that emanate from such foods will start to attack the surface of the tooth and then eat into the tooth itself, causing decay- the teeth are at even further risk if saliva levels in the mouth are low (usually caused by medication, stress and/or diet), as this acts as a natural deterrent to bacteria. Good oral hygiene and regular dental excursions will be enough to thwart tooth decay, mess this up however and the first time you realize decay has set in is when you have a tooth ache- this may be remedied with a filling but if it’s bad, you will require root canal treatment. Any further ignorance towards the problem and the tooth will fall out altogether. Of course the side effects of this can lead to gum disease and then you are in a world of hurt that will take some pretty expensive and extensive treatment to put right if you don’t want to end up wearing dentures.

One of the main goals of oral hygiene in central London is to ensure that bacteria is not allowed to develop into plaque and tartar around the teeth, for if it does, it can start to infect the gums and lead to tooth decay and loss. Even more serious, if gum disease sets in, it will release toxins into the blood stream that in the long run, can lead to the breaking down of the vital organs throughout the body. So, back to basics: it all starts with the right tooth brush and how to use it to ensure that food doesn’t get stuck around the teeth and gums; a good toothpaste is also essential in counteracting the build up of plaque and for keeping the teeth’s enamel in shape. The use of dental floss and inter-dental brushes are also very good for removing food from the teeth and gums, as is the back-up of mouthwashes. What is very good for the gums and helps enhance the blood flow through them are herbal products such as aloe vera, Echinacea and particularly tea tree oil- especially if you soak the floss in the oil before use. But of course, in this equation in gum care is the greatest back-up of all- your dentist. They can check your gums, clean the teeth and throw any advice at you that you need to keep your gums healthy. As a footnote, healthy gums are borne out of a healthy body and this comes down to lifestyle and diet as well.

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.

So what is a dental bridge? Well, essentially, it’s a permanent false tooth, designed to fill the space left by the loss of your own tooth and there three basic types on offer, though over time, they have evolved and become a lot more refined as new materials and techniques have been incorporated into the fitting process. A cantilever bridge is used where there are low stresses going through the mouth, generally at the front of the mouth and is anchored to one or more teeth only to one side of the new tooth. A resin bonded bridge is attached to the adjacent teeth either side of the hole with resin and wire. The more popular choice however is a fixed bridge the new tooth is molded between two crowns that is then cemented to the teeth either side of the gap. Getting a bridge is a lot simpler than having an implant, although in some cases you can combine the two for extra rigidity. Fitting normally takes a couple of visits, but your London dentist will usually fit it temporarily at first to give it a test run to iron out any problems. The only downside to having a bridge fitted is that they require extra attention to detail when it comes to cleaning to ensure bacteria is removed from under the bridge. But your dentist will advise you on how to do this and be able to supply you with small, inter-dental brushes.

Most products that we use to keep our mouths healthy in London work wonders, better than ever before. Yet in striving to maintain our oral hygiene, we may be overdoing it and actually doing more damage. If we get the wrong brushes and toothpastes, they can be abrasive and damage the tooth’s enamel and gums, opening the doors for bacteria to flourish, leading to decay and gum disease. Other toothpastes contain ingredients that with over use, can dry up the mouths saliva- the natural fighting agent against bacteria and plaque, without which, leaves the mouth dry and very vulnerable to attack. Similarly, most mouthwashes contain alcohol- great for killing some bacteria, but again with over use, can leave the mouth bereft of the saliva it needs. One of the greatest dangers to the teeth and gums, are home tooth whitening techniques, and this is a big market right now as we clamber to get our teeth white Both whitening toothpastes and the kits themselves contain bleaching agents. Used in moderation, they work fine, but over used they can dry out the tooth enamel and the surrounding gums, doing irreversible damage. If you have any doubts about oral products, most dentists can supply you with information on how to care for your teeth sensibly.

One of the problems behind wearing a fixed brace over a long period of time is maintaining the health of your mouth and keeping it free from bacteria. Anyone who has worn one in central London will tell you that you have to be extra vigilant when cleaning a fixed brace. It’s the perfect haven for food to get stuck and bacteria to grow and if it’s not removed, it can quickly turn into gum disease and decay. When you have one fitted, your dentist should advise you on how to keep your brace clean and also clean it on each check-up, but in the outside world, you’re on your own. There are specially designed floss and tiny brushes to get in and around the metalwork and teeth to back up the normal brushing techniques. Using toothpastes and mouth-washes that have ingredients designed for especially for plaque removal, will also prevent any build up of bacteria; there also a dye available that will highlight plaque around the teeth. Cleaning your brace at first will take a while at first and a lot of patience to get right, but once you’ve mastered it, it will ensure that your teeth are beautiful and healthy when the brace finally comes off.

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.

Green brushes, red brushes, short brushes, tall brushes, bent brushes, straight brushes, hard bristles, soft bristles, electric or battery- all from a factory……You could go on for ever about the amount of toothbrushes on offer in London, there’s a hell of a of choice out there and some would say it’s just another money spinner for the industry. But if you look deeper, past the cynicism, the amount of choice can only be good for your teeth and oral health. We all have different shaped mouths, gums and teeth, so what brush is good for one person, may not be good for another. Some people are suited to hard abrasive brushes, where others require a more delicate touch. The problem of choice can be difficult to get right at first, so for a sound bite, you would do well to check in with your dentist for a little advice on the subject; they can also show you how to brush correctly. How many of us have actually been shown how to clean our teeth correctly?? Then with this information to hand, the choice becomes simpler. In vogue right now are electric tooth brushes, for they do the work for you and get ‘right in there’ where it matters to remove bacteria and plaque- the prime objective. On the subject of bacteria, a brush makes the perfect home for germs, as it starts to wear down. This is why it needs to be changed regularly to maintain cleaning efficiently.

When your wisdom teeth start to develop and break through into the mouth, it can be a very painful time indeed, (bare that in mind when you have children). In some cases, the teeth will not show themselves at all, choosing to grow in all manner of directions under the gums- this can be quite a dangerous time too. But help is on hand in the city of London if you take precautions. On average, wisdom teeth develop when you reach 17 years of age, so it’s a good time to ready yourself for the event. Your dentist will be aware of this too and will monitor the progress of the growth. If the teeth are growing normally, it’s a matter of waiting until they erupt. You can apply herbal oils such as clove oil, chew gum and take painkillers to sooth the moment, but once the tooth is through, care should be taken to treat the tooth and gums, as they are very vulnerable to bacteria and acids that linger in the mouth. If the pain is very bad, treatment should be sought. However, with a wisdom tooth that is impacted and not showing, an extraction may be required. In most cases, this is done at the hospital under a general anesthetic and with all four being extracted at once. This is a very dangerous operation. Wisdom teeth are deep rooted into the jaw, and the forces needed to remove them, great. It places great stress on the rest of teeth in the mouth and the surrounding nerves in the face and head, and can affect the sinuses and hearing. Post extraction requires monitoring and good oral hygiene as this is the time when the mouth is open season for bacterial infection.