Dental cavities, also known as dental caries, are caused by a bacteria-rich substance called plaque. Most of us know the name plaque from dental adverts for toothpaste and dental floss but few people actually know what it does. Plaque is a filmy substance that is very sticky. It is made up of bacteria and decaying food matter and clings to the teeth and gums. As the bacteria and food break down they release acids, known commonly as plaque acids, which gradually erode the enamel, which is the protective layer of the tooth.

Plaque can be removed easily by brushing and flossing which has the effect of preventing this dental erosion. Brushing scrapes the plaque from the surface of the teeth leaving them clean and flossing removes plaque form more hard to reach places, such as between teeth and below the gum line of teeth, helping to stop decay in these areas.

If plaque is not removed due to insufficient cleaning it will continually erode the enamel until it ultimately causes a breach. This is a cavity and exposes the more sensitive and softer inside parts of the tooth to bacteria and infection. These cavities can be filled with amalgam or bonding material by a dentist to protect the central part of the tooth but often the cavity has reached the dental nerve located at the centre of the tooth. This causes a very painful toothache and often a very nasty infection because of the bacteria which may need more serious treatment.

Dental cavities can become very serious if not treated. Effective cleaning and regular, six-month appointments with a Central London dentist should help to keep cavities at bay, or at least repair any damage before it can get too serious.

At times regular brushing is not enough to ensure that your teeth are problem free. There have been several cases among London dentists wherein their patients claim to brush and floss their teeth on a regular basis but still are afflicted with dental problems. Dental carries are one among the most common problems that are seen among individuals.

Dental carries refer to cavities in the teeth that are generally considered the work of bacteria. All it needs is a weak spot in the enamel and the bacterium enters through it and attacks that dentin and cementum. Previously, cavity examinations would put the patient in an uncomfortable position and most would refrain from going from one unless the pain was excruciating. But the mindset is changing owing to the latest laser cavity detection technique that is employed widely to determine the presence of cavities.

Cavities if left unattended can damage the teeth and your dentist will have no other option apart from extracting it, which happens to be painful when compared with normal cavity examination. So most dentists suggest that you come for periodic dental carries checkup so that if detected in the rudimentary stages not much treatment is required. There have been cases where the cavity treatment was done by air abrasion.

Periodic checkups and timely detection will help you avoid aggravating the cavity problem. Early detection of the problem gives you the advantage over the problem and it is only in serious cases that you are asked to go for filling or tooth extraction. Visit your dentist to get tips on the prevention of dental carries as prevention is always better than cure.

Dental fluorosis is the result of a high consumption of fluorides during tooth development. This occurs in some areas of the world where the fluoride levels in the soil and drinking water are very high. The result is teeth that are hypomineralized, porous, brittle, and hypocalcified. In some cases, these teeth are very unaesthetic. Your Central London dentist can provide help for your dental fluorosis. Bleaching the teeth hasn’t been very successful, so your dentist may opt to apply dental bondings are porcelain veneers. Your Central London dentist will clean your teeth with pumice, etch your teeth, apply an unfilled resin, and then bond your teeth. Depending on the region of the world and the amount of fluoride exposure, your teeth can have a very abnormal surface and vary in colour from yellow to grey. Some patients may only want to try bleaching to remove the discolouration. If the tooth surface is pitted or uneven, it is best to try to smooth the surfaces of the teeth affected so that they won’t pick up extra dental plaque and result in dental caries. There are varying levels of fluorosis, and you should visit your Central London dentist to determine the level of treatment you will require for your desired results. Also, smoking, drinking coffee and tea, and eating dark coloured foods will stain these teeth.

Dental caries, otherwise known as tooth decay, is actually a disease which involves the destruction of tooth structure by bacteria.

Throughout the history of mankind, tooth decay has always been considered a serious dental problem. This is probably why regular check up by your London dentist is required to protect the health of your gums and teeth.

Tooth decay forms when there is demineralization of the tooth and holes are formed. Bacteria in the mouth reside in these holes and release acids that further destroy the enamel of the tooth.

Among the leading cause of tooth decay is sugary food. This is because the oral bacteria consume the sugar and converts it into acid that results to the demineralization. For this reason, it has always been advised by dentist to limit the intake of sugar. If you do consume sugary foods and drinks, it would be wise to immediately brush your teeth afterwards.

It should be understood that tooth decay does not happen overnight. It usually takes months and sometimes years for the cavity to form. For this reason, tooth decays can be prevented and treated early in order to minimize damage to the tooth.

Treatment of tooth decays involves visiting your dentist. The decayed portion of your tooth will be removed using special tools such as a dental drill. If the decay is extensive, the tooth can be restored in order for it to regain its functionality. The restoration will usually use amalgam, composite resin or porcelain fillings.

Prevention of tooth decay is possible. Your London dentist will suggest the following:

• Proper oral hygiene program
• Dietary modification
• Other measures such as fluoride therapy and dental sealants

When you bring your child or adolescent to the City of London Dental Clinic, your dentist will speak to you about tooth sealants. These are placed on the biting surfaces of your child’s and adolescent’s molars and premolars. Tooth sealants are white or clear plastic coatings that are placed on the tooth in order to help prevent dental decay. They fill the grooves on the biting surfaces of the teeth. These grooves usually retain bacteria, plaque, and food debris, thus leading to tooth decay. Also, these grooves are very narrow and your toothbrush can miss these areas. When tooth sealants are placed over minute amounts of dental caries, the dental caries usually do not progress any further.
Your City of London dentist will advise you to have sealant placed on your child’s permanent molars immediately when they erupt into the mouth; usually from the ages of 6 to 12 years. Tooth sealants are not placed on filled teeth. Tooth sealant are easy for dentist to place, and don’t require any numbing of the mouth or drilling. Tooth sealant last from 2 to 4 years, and at times even longer. Visit your City of London dentist to have your child’s tooth sealants placed.

Teeth are very strong and under the right environment are resistant to destruction. However, your teeth are continuously fighting off oral bacteria. Tooth decay is not life-threatening, however can decrease your quality of life. City of London dentists can teach you how to prevent tooth decay. They are also experts at diagnosing and treating tooth decay. Tooth decay develops when a certain environment exists in your mouth and caries-producing bacteria (Streptococcus mutans (Sm)) and plaque build up on your teeth. This along with a diet containing fermentable carbohydrates leads to the formation of tooth decay. Sm can be transmitted from one person to another, and is usually transmitted from mother to child. Your City of London dentist and dental hygienist will instruct you on proper care of your teeth and gums. Under normal conditions of health, Sm consumes sugar and then produces bacterial acids (predominantly lactic acid) that initiate enamel demineralization in minute amounts. The body’s normal defences remineralise the tooth enamel using salivary minerals between eating. Depending on the stage of the tooth decay, your City of London dental will treat your teeth accordingly. It is important for you to have regular dental check-ups and brush and floss your teeth thoroughly in order to prevent tooth decay.

When dental caries extends into the pulp of the tooth, your City of London dentist will need to perform a root canal to help save your tooth. The tooth’s pulp is made up of a blood supply, nerves, and connective tissues. When dental bacteria and their end-products create an infection in the pulp, the tooth will start dying and the result is pain or even tooth loss. Your City of London dentist will anaesthetize the tooth that requires the root canal, and isolate the tooth using a rubber dam. An access hole is then drilled into the tooth’s pulp chamber, and the pulp of the tooth is removed by using special drills and files, and sterile chemical solutions. Next the inside of the tooth is dried using paper points, and gutta percha is placed to seal the inside of the tooth and keep it from becoming reinfected. A properly performed root canal procedure will keep the adjacent teeth from becoming infected. Antibiotics may also be used to kill the infection. Following a root canal, the tooth usually feels better in 1-2 days. A mild pain medication may also be required. Following a root canal, the tooth becomes dry, weakened, and more brittle. Your City of London dentist may suggest a crown to help strengthen your tooth.

There are numerous countries where people do not practice oral hygiene, and where oral health is not sought. This is mostly due to no dental education. Dental caries and gingivitis are very common problems, even in countries where dentists can be readily found. Dental problems affect both the indigent and the wealthy. Although, not lethal, these diseases cost a lot of money and lost work for some people. Dental problems are caused by oral bacteria and dental plaque formation, which require daily removal. Practicing good oral hygiene from a very early age is very important.
We cannot overstress the importance of good oral hygiene at home. Teeth have 5 surfaces, and all of these surfaces must be cleaned regularly. When brushing your teeth, place the brush at a 45 degree angle to your teeth, touching the gum line. Use a soft bristle brush if available. Use a giggly vibrating motion and brush back and forth. Then use the same action for the inner sides of your teeth, and point the brush parallel to your front teeth and use the same 45 degree angle. Then shrub the biting surfaces of your teeth. Use only a small amount of toothpaste, so that the bristles actually touch your teeth. Use dental floss to reach between your teeth in a back and forth motion. Your dentist or dental hygienist will teach you how to brush and floss properly. By performing good oral hygiene, your teeth will last you a long time!

Bring your child to the London Dental Clinic to have a dental check-up, and for prevention and treatment. They have a very understanding and compassionate staff. Oral hygiene performed properly is essential to development and growth of your child. Dental caries is the most common childhood disease. Infants and children both require good oral health.Here is a series of issues that you need to understand to have a healthy infant or child. A strong relationship exists between your child eating sweets and dental caries. Keep your child away from sugars, especially sticky sugars. You may think, well my child is going to lose their baby teeth anyways. Keep these teeth in good shape for as long as possible, as they help with jaw bone development and growth so that the adult teeth have sufficient room to erupt into the mouth. Some individuals have teeth when they are born that need to be removed, and a primary tooth is visible in the mouth by 6 months. From 6-25 months, your infant will start teething and your London dentist can give you advise about your baby biting on different objects, drooling, ear pulling, massaging the infants gums, and use of a teething ring that is cold. There are also teething ointments that your dentist can suggest. By age 3, most of the baby teeth are in the mouth; possibly all of the baby teeth are present. From 6-12 years of age, your child will have a mixture of primary and adult teeth.

Your children need to brush, and watch them to make sure they do it correctly and don’t swallow toothpaste. Replace your child’s toothbrush every 2-3 months. Use a very small amount of toothpaste. Buy new toothbrushes every few months and throw away the old ones. If your baby takes any type of medication, make sure that you wipe their teeth after giving them the medication, as acids in the medication can dissolve the teeth.

Your infant/child should visit your London dentist at 1 year old. This way you set the groundwork for a long-term relationship with both the dentist and the dental hygienist. Remember it is much better for you and your child to keep their gums and teeth healthy. Prevention is the key, and is a lot less expensive than dental treatment. Your London dentist may recommend sealants for your child’s adult teeth once they erupt, to help to prevent cavities. Also, fluoride treatments should be performed during your child’s regular checkups. Your child will also be taught how to floss their teeth, and mouth washing may also be recommended. You should also get an orthodontic consultation for your child at around the age of seven. So, bring your infant or child to your London Dental Clinic to maintain their oral health.

If you allow dental caries (i.e., decay) to progress so far as to come into close proximity to your tooth pulp or into your tooth pulp, you most likely will require root canal therapy to save this tooth. The tooth’s dental pulp contains numerous tissues and cell types that will require removal if your London dentist decides that this tooth needs a root canal. Bacteria or their end products will cause the pulp of the tooth to die, and the pulp will have to be cleaned out and instrumented properly in order to properly sterilize the tooth’s canals. You may need to receive antibiotics prior to the root canal therapy, depending on whether the tooth can be treated at that time and anesthetised properly. There have been times when the tooth is so infected that the dentist or endodontist has difficulty numbing the tooth. Do not let your tooth infection to get this bad! Seek help as soon as possible!
When performing root canal therapy, your tooth will be anesthetised and the tooth will be isolated from the fluids in your mouth, in order not to contaminate the root canals while they are being cleaning out and treated. A drill is used to drill an access opening, and then different drills, files, broaches, and sterile chemicals will be used to clean out all of the infected soft and hard tissue from within the canals. The tooth’s root canals will then be filled with gutta percha, and a temporary filling will be placed in the tooth to keep the tooth clean. The dental pain usually subsides in less than 24 hours. Some type of full coverage restoration will be performed at a future date on this tooth to keep it from completely breaking down.