A dental emergency is characterised as a sudden injury to the teeth or gums that could put you at risk of further potentially serious damage if not treated immediately. Further serious damage could include increased pain, lasting damage to tooth structure or the need for costly and time-consuming surgery as a result of not receiving the necessary treatment.

The most common types of dental emergency are toothaches. If experiencing a toothache, you should rinse your mouth out with warm water and floss to remove any lodged food. Using a cold compress against the outside of your mouth can help to alleviate pain. It is always necessary to see a dentist when you have a toothache, even if the pain goes away as this might be the result of a dead nerve.

Emergencies also occur when there is structural damage to the teeth like chipped, cracked or broken teeth. These can be very painful, especially if the nerve is exposed. If the area is bleeding you can use a gauze to stop the flow of blood before arranging to see a dentist as soon as possible. For knocked out teeth, it may be possible to replace it immediately if the tooth slots back in. By then applying gentle pressure with a gauze you can hold it there increasing the chances of it reattaching. If the tooth does not slot back in easily, you can cover it in milk or saliva and take it immediately to the dentist where they may be able to attach it.

Other common dental emergencies include damage to dental repair or orthodontic straightening devices. Lost fillings, crowns or veneers are common and need to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent any further damage. Snapped wires or broken brackets should be fixed as soon s possible so teeth do not begin to slide back out of position.

Whatever the cause of your dental emergency it is always necessary to see a London dentist as soon as possible. Dentists will be on call for emergencies or will provide information on an answering service about what to action you should take.

A beautiful smile can really make others around you feel comfortable and can have a healthy effect on your own self-confidence. Our smile is a very important factor in our lives and can determine the way we are perceived by others and play a fundamental role in communication.

It is important therefore that we are completely happy with our smile and having bad teeth can make this incredibly difficult. Badly discoloured, worn or chipped teeth can make you feel very self-conscious and even ashamed to smile in certain situations but there is a solution to all these dental problems that is quick and very effective. Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells that are individually crafted for each patient using the very latest in computer-aided design and manufacture. They can be fitted in a single appointment completely transforming the appearance of your teeth and therefore your smile.

The confidence that comes from a new set of shiny veneers cannot be underestimated and can make a big difference to your life. Veneers are incredibly lifelike and almost impossible to tell apart from real teeth. They are cemented over the existing teeth with composite bonding for extra resilience, and if properly cared for can last as long as twenty years before they need replacing. Veneers can also be used to protect teeth that have been damaged or broken and need further structural support.

Dentists in London can fit veneers in a single appointment with the minimum of damage caused to existing teeth. The cost of veneers varies according to the extent of treatment and the quality of the materials but whatever the price can you really put a price on a healthy, confident and beautiful smile.

Chipped, cracked or broken teeth can be the source of considerable pain and also result in further dental complications in the future. Therefore it is necessary to repair any damage caused to teeth as soon as possible. One of the most affordable and effective treatments for dental injuries is cosmetic bonding. The bonding process involves mixing up a resin to closely match the colour of the existing teeth and sculpting it to the desired shape. Once satisfied the dentist will then set the resin hard using the intense heat of a laser. Once set, the bonding is extremely durable and also resistant to staining.

Cosmetic bonding is not just used to repair damage caused by head trauma. It is also widely used to improve the appearance of worn, discoloured or unevenly spaced teeth. Unlike veneers and crowns it does not require laboratory conditions for manufacture, which significantly reduces cost and treatment times. In fact, most bonding procedures can be carried out in only one visit to the dentist. Although, if the treatment covers two or more teeth the bonding may need several layers applied and will need time to set in between applications.

Cosmetic bonding is almost completely pain-free unless being applied to a particularly sensitive area of the teeth. In some circumstances the dentist may consider using a local anaesthetic but this is unusual.

Cosmetic bonding is also replacing silver amalgam as the number one choice for filling dental cavities. Not only does it have the advantage of being tooth-coloured and therefore more aesthetically pleasing, but it also avoids the controversy surrounding the inclusion of potentially poisonous mercury in filling material.

Versatile, durable and visually discreet, cosmetic bonding is one of the most popular treatment choices for both dentists and patients. With the combined benefits of low cost and simple treatment, cosmetic bonding may be able to radically improve the integrity and appearance of your teeth with the minimum of discomfort. Talk to a City of London dentist about cosmetic bonding and how it could benefit your teeth.

Porcelain veneers are custom made ceramic shells that replicate the appearance of teeth and fit over the surface of existing teeth that have sustained some kind of damage. Some of the most common injuries that require porcelain veneers are broken, chipped or cracked teeth, but veneers can also be used to cover teeth that are worn, discoloured or unevenly spaced. Porcelain veneers fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry as they aim to create a bright, white and even smile. Modern porcelain ceramics are even manufactured to retain a translucent appearance that mirrors that of tooth enamel.

Teeth can become discoloured for a number of reasons. Most commonly it is simply due to age, as teeth lose their natural colour over the years in much the same way that hair does. However, teeth can also be discoloured due to lifestyle choices with tobacco, red wine and coffee being particularly big offenders. Worn teeth occur when the enamel is gradually eroded over time. Both the wearing down of teeth and discolouration vary from person to person with some patients simply being more genetically prone. Damage to teeth often occurs as the result of sporting injury or head trauma received during a car accident.

For all of these problems porcelain veneers can be fitted by dentists to restore not only the aesthetic appearance of teeth but also to restore their structural integrity and surface strength. Porcelain veneers are manufactured in laboratory conditions, increasingly with the aid of computers and three-dimensional imaging, and cemented over existing teeth. Modern veneers are designed to be so thin that they are able to fit over existing teeth without the need for extensive enamel removal.

Once in place, porcelain veneers are very durable and stain resistant. They can completely transform the appearance of teeth and can last as long as ten years if properly maintained. If you are suffering from chipped or broken teeth or if you would like to enhance your smile with porcelain veneers, ask a City of London dentist about the latest in porcelain veneer technology.

Oral piercing has become a fad over the years. However, this fad has resulted in many problems that may make one seek emergency dental or medical care after the piercings. Here, your London dentist explains some problems. For example, several commonly occurring problems following oral piercing includes, but are not limited to; swelling in the area of the piercing, pain, inflammation, infections, gum tissue injuries, and increased salivary flow. Other problems include; broken teeth, blood poisoning, and blood clots. During the piercing procedure, if the needle hits a blood vessel, uncontrolled bleeding may result. With tongue piercings, swollen tongues that can close your airway may result, leading to a life or death situation. All of these problems are not usually considered when choosing to get an oral piercing. Your London dentist also explains that oral piercings can increase the transmission of hepatitis B and C, and herpes simplex virus. Oral piercings can also increase the risk of endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart valve, and other heart and peripheral blood vessel problems, by introducing oral bacteria into the bloodstream. Numbness and nerve damage may also occur, as well as other difficulties with normal oral functions. Your taste perception may be altered, along with possible allergies to certain metals used, and possible aspiration of the jewellery. Almost 50% of people who have had their tongue pierced had at least one chipped tooth as a result of the piercing over a 4 year period of time. So, be wise, and keep your beautiful smile with the help of the London Dental Clinic.

Not everyone has perfect teeth and I see many people in London hide their smiles because of ugly gaps, cracked, broken or yellow teeth. But now there is a smart solution to these problems: dental veneers are changing the fortunes (and smiles) of many who have taken this specialised treatment. Dental veneers are wafer thin porcelain implants that an accomplished cosmetic dentist bonds to your disfigured teeth to give them a beautiful new appearance. But hey wait…its not so simple. In London there are very few dentists who have mastered the delicate art of cosmetic dentistry. For the perfect dental veneer installation, the dentist needs to be a master craftsman, an experienced professional and above all good human, one who appreciates your (smiling) challenges. It takes many years to master the art of visualising the required colour, alignment, spacing, shape and length of the patient’s teeth for a smile that even he had not dreamt of! These cosmetic dentistry experts are amongst the most sought after professionals in London as they give you better looks and whole new way of life. Your dentist needs a minimum of two different day sittings to fit your desired dental veneers. The advantage of the latest dental veneers made of Porcelain is that they last upto ten years. I always advise people to prefer porcelain veneers over cheaper composite veneers which last for two years only. Even though veneers are firmly cemented onto your affected teeth, they can still become loose and fall off due to carelessness. Always make it a point to visit your dentist for regular checkups and adhere to a good (prescribed by your dentist) oral hygiene routine. In case your veneer does become loose or falls off, meet your dentist at the earliest. Your dentist will have you smiling (beautifully) again in no time!