For many years, your only option for filling cavities in teeth was to get metal fillings. These were never particularly popular with dentists because the metal that was used could be difficult to work with. As a result, dentists often could not be as precise as they wanted and sometimes the fillings would fail. This was unsatisfactory for patients too and even if the fillings were successful they had a rather unsightly appearance. Having spots of black metal inside the mouth was not something many people were keen on.

Using a new composite of dental substances dentists can now fill cavities in teeth in a new way that is far more popular. It is called cosmetic bonding; dentists find it easier to work with and patients are happier with the results. The material used in cosmetic bonding is tooth coloured so it is far more subtle. Dentists can even tailor it so that it matches the colour and shade of the surrounding teeth. The fact that it is far more malleable than metal means that dentists can be more accurate and are finding that the results are a great deal more successful.

Contact your City of London dentist if you want to get your metal fillings replaced using cosmetic bonding.

Tooth can start to decay if they are subjected to too much plaque over a prolonged period of time. The hard, outer layer of your teeth – this is called enamel – is usually very resilient but cannot withstand too much acidic plaque. Once the enamel is worn away or a small hole is created, the inside of the tooth is exposed and decay can start to foment.

Once holes appear in the enamel they must be filled. In their small form they are called caries and if slightly larger they are known as cavities. They can be rather painful because once the enamel is compromised the nerves inside your teeth are exposed to hot and cold food and drink even breathing in cold air on a chilly day.

Your dentist can fill them in using cosmetic bonding. This is a development from the days of metal fillings. Cosmetic bonding utilises malleable, tooth coloured dental composite that is much easier to work with and produces and much more aesthetically pleasing finish. If you think that dental decay is starting to take hold in your mouth, don’t hesitate in going to see your Central London dentist. It will not just stop of its own accord; it needs to be dealt with.

Xerostamia is fairly common amongst older adults and there is panoply of potential causes for the condition. Smokers often suffer because their saliva production is stymied. Those on certain medications and people undergoing certain cancer treatments can also experience extended periods of dryness in the mouth. The mouth often feels sticky and dry and sores can develop.

If this is the case then less saliva is being produced. Aside from aiding in the eating of food, saliva is absolutely crucial in strengthening the enamel which protects your teeth. If there is less saliva then your teeth can be weakened; if they are weakened then there is more opportunity for plaque to break them down and cause cavities.

Your Central London dentist will have been trained in all aspects of xerostamia. They will be adept at spotting the signs of it and then being able to act. Certain mouth washes can help increase saliva production and moisten your mouth and chewing gum and sugar free sweets can do the same. There is several medical solutions too that your dentist might prescribe.

Plaque presents a great danger to the health of your mouth. It is a substance that is created every time you eat, particularly food and drink which contains a high level of sugar and or starch. If left on teeth, plaque can attack the hard, protective enamel and cause it to break down, leaving your teeth exposed to acids which can erode them. Plaque is also a major cause of gum disease, leaving them inflamed, swollen and painful.

You might find that cavities begin to form in your teeth, small holes which will require fillings with dental composite. In severe cases, teeth might even need to be removed because they are so broken down that they are unable to function properly even if they have fillings installed. In bad cases of gum disease your teeth are also at risk of being lost because the bones holding them in place can become inflamed.

As advised by your dentist you should be brushing your teeth at least twice every day, using a fluoride tooth paste and flossing so that plaque cannot build up between the teeth. But be sure to visit your London dentist every six months too so that early signs of tooth and gum disease can be spotted.

Dental bonding is perhaps best known for its use in filling dental cavities. In the past, most filings were made of silver amalgam but in recent years this has cause some controversy due to the presence of mercury vapours. Silver fillings were also quite unseemly because of the metallic appearance they produced in the mouth. Dental bonding, although not quite as strong as silver filings, is perfectly safe and can also be mixed to closely match the colour of the existing teeth, meaning the aesthetic quality of the teeth is preserved.

Dental bonding is also used to attach crowns and veneers. The resin is mixed up and acts as a bonding cement between the porcelain and the tooth enamel. Once happy with the desired appearance, the dentist will set the bonding hard with a dental laser. Once set, dental bonding is very tough and durable and provides an extra layer of protection to the teeth.

Dental bonding can be used on its own to restore the appearance of chipped, cracked and discoloured teeth. The resin is applied to the area in question and shaped to the desired affect. Again it is then set hard using a dental laser restoring the appearance of the teeth. It is a very popular treatment, not just because of its versatility but also because it is very affordable.

London dentists offer dental boding to repair and improve the appearance of teeth effectively and cheaply. If you require any dental work but are unable to afford expensive porcelain veneers or teeth whitening, ask your dentist about dental bonding.

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.

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.

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.

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.