Many of us would like to improve our teeth, given the chance. This can be achieved in a number of ways. Both the condition and appearance of our teeth can be improved. The way to improve the condition is through better cleaning and more regular visits to the dentist. We have probably all been told hundreds of times in our lives to make sure we brush and floss twice a day and see a dentist every six months, but in all honesty, how many of us actually do this? By making these small steps you can go a long way to improving your teeth.

At a check up, your Central London dentist may suggest an appointment with the dental hygienist. Nearly all dental surgeries now have hygienists who can work in conjunction with your dentist to ensure your teeth are as clean as possible. They can develop a dental hygiene plan, designed specifically for your teeth and show you more effective methods of home cleaning. This plan, together with some corrective dentistry treatments constitutes preventative dentistry, the idea that by sticking to the routine you can avoid any future dental complications.

Improving the appearance of your teeth will happen naturally with the more care you take of them, but in some cases it is preferable to have some cosmetic dental treatment. This could take the form of a tooth whitening treatment or even porcelain veneers. There are many different cosmetic treatments that can be used to improve your teeth that range in complexity and price. Ask you dentist for more information about how to get the best out of your smile so you can have the best looking smile possible.

Gum disease is the inflammation and infection of the gum tissue that anchors teeth to the jaw. It is a very common condition affecting nearly half of all adults but it can be treated easily if caught early by a dentist or dental hygienist.

The two main types of gum disease are gingivitis and the more serious periodontitis. Gingivitis is when the gums are attacked by plaque built up after eating. Plaque can be removed by correct brushing and flossing and can also be removed in harder forms by the dentist. Periodontitis follows on from gingivitis and causes infections in pockets where the gum has begun to come away from the tooth. It causes gum tissue to die and shrink away from the tooth exposing sensitive areas of the teeth and causing decay. Periodontitis is not reversible, as gum tissue cannot be made to grow back.

Symptoms of gum disease include sore or irritated gums and occasional bleeding, and shrinking tissue in more serious cases. It can be treated by a process called scaling or in cases of periodontitis by gum surgery. However, the best form of treatment is prevention. Keeping teeth and gums clean and free from plaque helps to prevent gum disease in the first instance and regular visits to a Central London dentist can help to tackle the first signs of any problems. Dentists or hygienists can also show you the correct way to brush and floss that will keep your gums disease free.

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.

A hygienist plays a crucial role in the field of London dental care. He helps educate patients on how to care for their teeth and gums. He may also provide advice and tips on proper diet and their effects on dental health.
A dental hygienist may work for a professional dentist, with some licensed to dispense and administer local anaesthesia. Some of the dental-related procedures performed by hygienists are:
• Cleaning
• Root planning
• Scaling
• Dental sealing
• Providing advice on proper dental care
• Taking prescribed radiographs
A London hygienist, to be able to work in all fields of dentistry, must be enrolled and qualified with the General Dental Council (GDC). He can work in hospitals, specialist dental practices, general dental practices and the salaried dental services of the National Health Service (NHS).
Most hygienists have previous experience as dental nurses or dental surgery assistants. Their familiarity in dental procedures gives them an advantage among other dental care professionals.
A hygienist performs various dental hygiene care procedures. They include:
• Patient assessment – this includes review of patients’ medical history, x-ray results, periodontal assessment and clinical examination.
• Creating a treatment plan – the treatment plan varies based on the immediate needs of the patient
• Dental hygiene diagnoses – this pertains to the assessment of data of the condition of the patient to expedite the identification of health problems and the creation of possible treatment plan.
• Implementation – this mainly includes the implementation of the treatment plan
• Evaluation – assessing the effectiveness of the procedure that was performed

It’s not legal for dental hygienist to do the complete job of a dentist. The scope of job they are entitled to do is limited to a small percent of dental tasks decided by a set curriculum and under the supervision of a dentist. But London is facing a sharp scarcity of dentists! It’s really difficult for patients to find a good dentist who has the time and inclination to take up new NHS patients. But what if you could get the same care for a fraction of the price without a wait for several days? Sounds attractive, right! If you don’t mind being treated by dental hygienists then you can have all the benefits I’ve just mentioned! So what are the benefits of having a dental hygienist treat you and what can go wrong?
With health costs rising and, 40 to 50 per cent of people can’t afford dental care. Out of the population of the elderly, only about 1% has dental insurance and even a simple dental screening can cost about £60 which is just not affordable for the elderly as well patients who are on a fixed budget. For such patients, a dental hygienist who offers home dental care for a fraction of the cost is really a dream come true. In America, a bill has already been passed in Maryland, which will allow dental hygienists to do dental cleanings, use sealants as well as apply fluoride treatments without being supervised by a dentist. And London is not far behind! The degree course has been set up in UK at the University of Kent’s Medway called as the BSc in Primary Dental to provide new skills to dental hygienists to work on their own.