The important thing about treating tooth decay is that the earlier it is carried out, the easier it is and the more successful it will usually be. Dental decay is not a condition that will ever improve of its own accord. Enamel will never grow back once it has been removed and once the process has started it will only worsen making the situation more serious.

Patients can prevent tooth decay by effective and regular brushing and flossing and by paying regular visits to the dentist. However, if decay does happen it is usually accompanied by a toothache as the sensitive dental nerve is exposed to extremes of hot and cold and other stimuli. Early stage treatment of dental decay involves filling the cavities caused by plaque eroding the protective enamel. Filling material used to be commonly made of silver amalgam but due to controversy about its safety and metallic appearance in the mouth it is increasingly being replaced by composite bonding, which is tooth-coloured. The dentist will first clean the cavity and remove any infected material or bacteria that is in there. The cavity is then filled and set hard to protect the tooth.

For larger cavities it may be necessary to use a porcelain inlay as bonding can become brittle in large areas. The inlay will be cemented into place using bonding. For even larger damage and root canal treatments it may be necessary to cover the whole tooth exposed above the gum with a ceramic dental crown to offer a larger degree of protection. If you suspect dental decay or are suffering from a toothache, make an appointment to see a Central London dentist for treatment.

Foods that are healthy and good for your teeth are not surprisingly the foods that are healthy and good for the whole body. It is a similar story for foods that have a bad effect on your dental health, as they tend to be bad for your whole body also.

Obviously foods that are high in sugar are very bad for your teeth as they encourage the production of plaque acid in the mouth that causes cavities. Eating foods with a high sugar content, or even chewing sugar-rich gum can be very bad for the teeth. Although it must be said that brushing or rinsing your mouth with water immediately after eating sugary foods does limit the effect of the sugar. Parents who are concerned about their children’s teeth could encourage their children to eat sweets immediately after dinner and then to brush their teeth to limit the impact. After all, we all know how hard it can be to stop kids eating sugary food altogether.

Foods that are good for the teeth unsurprisingly include dairy food such as milk and cheese. Dairy products have a low pH and have the effect of neutralising acids that cause damage to teeth. Dairy products are also calcium rich which helps to make teeth stronger. For people who have a sweet tooth, fruit is an excellent way of getting your sugar hit and still getting a lot of beneficial vitamins and anti-oxidants. The same is true of vegetables during the main course as they are full of vitamin A, which is essential for the formation of enamel. City of London dentists can give you more information about what foods are good and bad for your teeth and can help you to draw up a tooth-friendly eating plan.

Dental calculus is more often referred to as tartar and is a hardened deposit of plaque found around the teeth and gums. Plaque is a filmy layer of bacteria that attacks tooth enamel and causes cavities and gum disease. Plaque can be kept at bay and removed by brushing teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day, but once it has hardened into tartar or calculus it will need to be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.

Once the bacteria and mineral deposits in plaque have hardened they can often cause more bacteria to stick to the teeth causing more problems. The first sign that you may be suffering from calculus is yellow or brown stains appearing on the teeth. It is a very porous material and attracts staining materials, especially from substances like tobacco smoke and coffee. If left untreated it can lead to cavities, periodontal disease and can infect the tissue around the teeth leading to gum disease (also known as gingivitis).

A City of London dentist will be able to remove the build up of calculus using special tools, and may be able to blast away large deposits of tartar using ultrasonic dental cleaning devices. They are also able to clean below the gum line using a process called scaling (sometimes known as root planning) which can help prevent gum disease.

As is always the case when it comes to looking after your teeth, if you follow some fairly simple rules you’ll be able to keep dental calculus under control and stop it causing any long-term damage to your teeth. Firstly, brush and floss every day, avoid sugary food and snacking between meals and go for regular dental check-ups with a city of London dentist every six months at least.

Caused by acid erosion of tooth enamel, dental carries is an alternative medicinal name for tooth cavities or erosion. Bacteria builds up in the teeth forms a thin film called plaque which damages the enamel and leads to cavities. This damage can occur at various places on the tooth and between teeth. Once the enamel has been breeched bacteria infiltrates the damaged area and causes the problem to rapidly get worse. Eventually, the bacteria will erode away the pulp of the tooth meaning extensive and often painful further treatment.

The first sign of dental carries or cavities are usually teeth sensitive to hot or cold food and drinks. A visit to the dentist as early as possible could help prevent carries. If the erosion is stopped early enough it may even be possible for the tooth to repair itself.

Caries can usually be prevented by keeping plaque and bacteria to a minimum in the mouth, which can be achieved by regular brushing and flossing. Avoiding snacking in between meals and also chewing certain types of gum can also help prevent painful carries.

Once the carries have gone through the enamel the only real option for the dentist is to fill the cavity. It the cavity is significantly large enough, an artificial crown may need to be used to keep the filling in place. If the cavity has reached the pulp of the tooth this may need to be completely removed by a root canal procedure.

As is often the case with teeth, prevention is better than cure. Regular trips to a London dentist will help to prevent painful carries appearing and they will also be able to treat any that do appear to prevent further long-term problems. It is important to remember that once carries develop past the enamel, the process can not be reversed and will require dental treatment, so regular check-ups really are the answer.

Dental lasers are taking over the traditional means of dentistry. Drills, gougers are being replaced by painless measures like lasers. They do not cause any sort of discomfort to the patients. Many people are undergoing these treatments in London. They are employed to shape up the gums and whiten up your discoloured teeth. The painless ray is very effective and does not cause any harm. The process of filling and route canalling has also been given a new look and dimension.
Now, you need not withstand the pain of injections and needles for delivering anaesthesia. The mechanism behind the process is stirring of water molecules. It leads to explosions at a microscopic level. The area gets vaporised and acts like a knife for cavities and gums. The eyes are covered by protective glasses because the stray light can damage your eyes and your mouth is filled with cotton swabs. Anaesthetic cream is applied in the mouth and laser is used to treat the desired area.
The process is very costly and time consuming too. The technology has faced many drawbacks since the day of launch. So, it’s always better to carry out under the guidance of a proper dentist. Maintain a good oral hygiene and stop the consumption of tobacco or caffeine containing products. The machines are costly too when compared with that of the traditional drills. The performance and functions of such lasers are increasing day by day. With the advent of new technologies, in few years, you will surely come across cost effective lasers too.

Even though it may be rare to get cavities in your front teeth, you may still want white filings. For example, if you wind up with cavities in other visible teeth, you will not want unsightly silver or gold fillings to ruin your smile. When you visit a City of London dentist you can choose from a wide range of filling materials. Aside from ones that will provide a basic white colour, you can also make use of fillings that will match the exact shade of white found on each tooth.

If you decide to get white fillings, you may also want to think about having veneers, or other types of cosmetic dentistry done at the same time. In particular, this would be an ideal time to have the shape of your teeth adjusted to fit your mouth size and face shape. You may also want to have your teeth whitened so that you will be sure to get the correct shade of white for your fillings.

Depending on your situation, you may decide that you want the most durable fillings that you can get. In these cases, you may want to ask your dentist about using amalgam fillings, and then covering them over with some other material. Aside from traditional veneers, there are also removable ones that may suit your needs. You may also want to consider having a full crown installed.

Regardless of whether you choose resin fillings or some type of composite, you can have peace of mind knowing that they will not create an unsightly contrast to the rest of your teeth. In addition, many of the newer materials are almost as strong as amalgam. While you may still need to have silver coloured filings for your molars, at least any teeth that show can look as perfect as possible.

Even though you may feel reasonably comfortable with over the counter mouth washes, your London dentist may have some formulas that will work better for your unique oral condition. For example, if you are struggling to combat halitosis or gingivitis, you may need a mouth wash that has antibacterial properties. Unfortunately, if you make use of mouth washes with alcohol in them, they will kill off the good germs, and leave room for bad ones to proliferate even faster. While these mouth washes are fairly popular, they may do more harm than good under certain conditions.

If you are having problems with cavities, you may also be interested in mouth washes that contain a higher percentage of fluoride. Depending on your situation, your dentist may also be able to give you some gels, as well as other therapies that will help reduce your current rate of tooth decay. While fluoride mouth washes tend to work best, your dentist may also have some other rinses that will be of use to you.

Without a question, if you just had your teeth cleaned, or some other type of oral procedure, you may need to use a rinse known as Chlorhexedane. This rinse will kill germs, as well as help reduce the risk of infections. Even though it will not destroy plaque, your dentist may feel that it will work better while your gums and other mouth tissues are recovering.

When regular mouth washes do not meet specific needs, you can ask your dentist about other options. Regardless of whether you are concerned about abscesses, tooth decay, or other issues, there are prescription based mouth rinses that can be of use to you. As may be expected, your dentist will advise you on how to use these washes properly, as well as let you know how long you will be able to use them.

Despite the controversy surrounding the application of amalgam fillings because of its mercury content, many people are still going to their London dentists to have their teeth repaired with amalgam fillings.

Amalgam fillings consist of liquid mercury, silver and shavings of tin, copper or zinc.

Why are amalgam fillings still preferred over white and composite fillings?

• Fights bacteria. Amalgam is bacteriostatic, hence it prevents bacterial growth.
• Cost effective. Amalgam fillings cost much lower than white fillings which are not as durable.
• Strongest material. Amalgam has been proven to be stronger than any of the newer fillings.
• Easy application. Amalgam is easier to prepare and insert into cavities than composite fillings, hence will not take much of the patient’s time.
• Adaptable. The dentist can easily change amalgam application techniques to adapt to the needs of the patient.
• Durable. Amalgam fillings last much longer than composite fillings.

Besides, amalgam has been in use as dental fillings for the last 200 years. The British Dental Association and other U.S. dental associations have released a statement that amalgam fillings are good and safe materials to repair decayed teeth. Their arguments include the following:

• Amalgam fillings do not contain free mercury.
• A person needs 265 to 310 amalgam fillings to feel even just a slight effect of mercury toxicity.
• Mercury, when combined with other materials in a dental amalgam, changes its chemical nature and becomes inert.
• There are no controlled studies that have linked amalgam fillings to any specific medical problem.

The only thing some people do not like about amalgam fillings is the silver colour, but if you are more concerned about durability and long-lasting prevention against bacteria, you should call your London dentist and schedule an appointment for amalgam fillings.

Oral hygiene is very crucial to oral health maintenance. At your London Dental Clinic, the dental hygienist will teach you how to properly care for your teeth and gums. Good oral hygiene practices should begin at a very early age, and a dental hygienist will demonstrate proper teeth and gum brushing, and also flossing. Then they will watch you brush and floss, and aid you in making any changes in your brushing and flossing routines. Plaque is the sticky material on your teeth that needs to be removed every day, at least twice a day. You should have a set of goals for yourself that include keeping your mouth clean, odourless, and healthy. Proper oral hygiene will help to prevent cavities, gum problems, and periodontal disease. The dental hygienist will also review your diet and obtain a dental caries index, and make some suggestions about your diet and habits that you may need to look at. So, visit your London Dental Clinic to learn how to perform proper oral health.

Here are some pointers. Use a soft or medium bristled toothbrush. Hold your brush so that it is comfortable in your hand. Place a small amount of toothpaste on the brush, wet it, and place it against your teeth and gum at a 45 degree angle, and move it back and forth in a vibrating motion. Make sure that you brush all of your teeth on both the outsides and insides. The brush should be held in a vertical position to brush your front teeth on the insides. Then scrub the biting surfaces of your teeth, and floss your teeth (even behind your last teeth, as plaque also forms there). Brush for at least 2 minutes at a time and at least twice daily.

It is very embarrassing when your breath stinks, so your London dentist will give you advice about maintaining fresh breath. There are many things that you can do at home to keep your breath fresh and clean. These include, watching what you eat as some foods make your breath smell bad, and the poor breath doesn’t resolve itself until these foods are metabolised by your body and expired into the air. Use fluoride-based toothpaste when you brush, and you should brush for at least two minutes and also floss, twice daily. Try to avoid mouthwashes if your breadth begins to smell, as these can possibly make the situation even worse. Mouthwashes usually remove the bacteria in your mouth above your gum tissue, and you can get an overgrowth of sulphur-producing bacteria below your gums that smell even worse. If your mouth is dry, you can use sugarless candies or sugarless gum to stimulate your saliva to wash away bacteria.
You should visit your London dentist for regular checkups, even if you feel that nothing in your mouth requires attention. You may have a cavity or cavities that you do not notice yourself that can cause bad breath, or an infected tooth or teeth. You may also have gum and/or periodontal problems that you will not notice until they get very severe and cause you pain. This can cause bad breath. Also, lifestyle changes can help you to keep your breadth fresh and clean. If you smoke, consider quitting. Try to cut down on alcohol consumption as it has been shown to be associated with periodontal disease. If you are taking medications for medical problems, and your mouth is dry, visit your dentist and see what can be done. There are several things that they can do and/or prescribe for your problem. All in all, stay in good health, and the mouth is not separate from the rest of the body, so visit your London dentist regularly.