London cosmetic dentistry

Posts Tagged ‘Gingivitis’

The natural way to fight Gum Disease in the City of London

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Herbal alternatives to Gingivitis in the City of London

Dentists can come out with all guns blazing in the city of London, eager to show off all of their latest toys and technology to treat you with and yes that is fantastic for you the patient. But amongst all of these laser wars and in-depth ‘have it all done’ now machinery, there is an element of ignoring the alternatives which could be just as affective, and even if you ask a ‘modern’ dentist, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised to discover that they are also great supporters of herbal remedies- especially in the fight against gingivitis or gum disease. Gum disease means that your teeth and gums are at risk but it can be treated with some immaculate herbal alternatives. Firstly, it is important to up the vitamins in your body through supplements and by eating the right foods, as this will help to strengthen your immune system and keep the saliva flowing in your mouth. Secondly, alternative herbs can be used when it comes to that time when you brush and floss your teeth: a drop of tea tree oil or Echinacea on your brush and floss helps to take the heat out of inflamed gums, and if your massage your gums as well in these, it can help to stimulate the blood vessels into life again. Cloves, licorice root, calendula and sage are also very effective on the gums when mixed with Vitamin E or baking soda and then applied to the gums. Probably the easiest way to help in the fight against gum disease is salt- mixed with water for rinsing or applied to a brush it can shop your gums from bleeding within days.

Get rid of plaque to put a stop to periodontal disease, say City of London dentists

Friday, April 15th, 2011

When most people think about plaque they conceive of it as a threat to their teeth. This is of course true, plaque breaks down the enamel which the usually robust layer of protection on your teeth. Painful cavities can then ensue which need to be filled by a dentist. But plaque does not only threaten your teeth, it can cause your gums to become diseased too. This is a threat that is worth taking seriously because gum disease – known medically as periodontal disease – is actually a bigger cause of tooth loss than cavities themselves.

This is why it is so important to brush your teeth properly, including along the gum line, and also floss as well. If plaque builds up on your teeth next to your gums then in can inflame them. This will be rather painful and you might notice that eating cold foods like ice cream or drinking hot tea will give you feelings of sensitivity that you are not accustomed to. This most basic form of gum disease is called gingivitis and it can usually be rectified by making sure that you are taking care of your teeth properly.

But if it is not sorted out then the consequences for your mouth are dire. The inflammation can easily spread so that it affects the bones which securely hold your teeth in place. This is not edifying prospect as your gums will become red, swollen and begin to recede away from your teeth. Extreme pain will follow and, ultimately, tooth loss if the problem is not dealt with.

Don’t put your gums at risk of disease that can threaten tooth loss. At your next six months check up, ask your City of London dentist what the best ways are to avoid periodontal disease by combatting plaque.

Easing Gingivitis or Gum Disease with Herbal Remedies in the City of London

Monday, January 3rd, 2011

It’s very easy just to place a lot of oral problems in the hands of your dentist in the city of London and expect modern medicine to do its work in curing you. But, as we become more aware of new treatments available to us, you may be surprised to learn that modern dentistry also utilises traditional methods such as herbal remedies to fight problems, especially with gum disease. It’s no secret that gum disease not only affects all things oral, but all things body too, so it’s extremely important to nip this problem in the bud and there are some great herbal remedies out there to help the cause. If you are starting to have problems such as bleeding and weeping gums, this can lead to soreness and needs to be treated by your dentist, but until then, applying clove oil to the problem area can soothe the affected area, as cloves are a natural anaesthetic and great for soothing any discomfort. Another well proven remedy for gum disease is Echinacea, a fantastic tonic to build up your immune system- one of the causes behind this disease is a low immune system. Simply drop a little of the oil into a glass of warm water, rinse and swallow at least three times a day, as it will fight against any infection. Tea tree oil is great when soaked on dental floss, but the most popular remedy is applying aloe vera gel straight onto the gums. Combine all of these remedies and you can fight off gum disease for ever and keep your mouth healthy.

Guard against gum disease with effective diagnosis from London dentists

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Given that gum disease is a greater cause of tooth loss than tooth decay itself and that as many as three quarters of British adults have gum disease in some form at the moment, it is time to start taking the health of your gums seriously. Gum diseases can be extremely painful but they are often entirely reversible. Your London dentist will be able to spot all the early signs of gum disease.

Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease and you might have it if your gums are more red than pink and have a tendency to bleed during brushing. Gingivitis is easily avoided by pursuing the recommended dental hygiene routine at home of brushing and flossing twice a day but you should report to your dentist if you think you might have it. Leaving gingivitis untreated can lead to worse problems.

If gingivitis is allowed to progress it might turn into periodontitis. This painful condition is an inflammation of the gums and, in worst cases, the bones holding your teeth in place are affected too. This can lead to teeth falling out and the subsequent pain and difficulties with eating, drinking and talking. It is a good reason to be vigilant about the health of your gums.

Signs of gum disease that you ought to look out for include an odd metallic taste, bad breath, blood in your mouth when you brush your teeth or the feeling that your teeth don’t ‘fit’ in your mouth anymore. You might also wish to examine your mouth for patches that are red or swollen. Contact your London dentist if you spot any of these indicators of gum disease. Allowing your dentist to examine you early lessens the risk of painful advanced diseases and invasive procedures.

Catch gum disease before it becomes a serious issue at Central London dentist

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Gum disease is the most common form of dental health problem. It is estimated that three quarters of adults in the UK will suffer from gum disease at some stage in their life. For some this might just be a case of mild gingivitis but for others it could be periodontitis that results in the need for tissue removal, extractions or even hospitalisation.

Gum disease, like tooth decay, is caused by a build up of bacteria and plaque. This releases acids, which irritate the gum tissue and can lead to an infection. If the gum becomes infected it will swell, become sore and red and spread cross the tissue. Gum disease is particularly nasty because it has proven links to heart disease. If the infection enters the bloodstream in the mouth, it can cause a chemical chain reaction that leads to a narrowing of the arteries around the heart. This could potentially be the cause of a heart attack and other very serious cardio conditions.

Gum disease can easily be prevented with improved brushing and flossing. When brushing your teeth it is recommended that you use a soft bristled brush angled towards the gums. This will gently clean the gums and stimulate them at the same time. Flossing will remove bacteria and plaque form around the base of the teeth and gums, which will help to keep them clean and healthy.

Treatment for gum disease usually involve improved oral hygiene and in some more serious cases antibiotics to treat the infection. In most cases this will be enough to solve the problem but in severe cases some tissue may need to be removed. This is why it is so important to see a Central London dentist every six months so that gum disease can be treated before it becomes a serious problem.

Early treatment from London dentist helps patient to cure periodontal disease

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Recent evidence suggest that periodontal disease, also known as gingivitis or gum disease, has strong links with heart disease and even fatal heart attacks. Infections that begin in the gums can enter the bloodstream causing a chemical reaction that causes the arteries around the heart to narrow. This is very bad for your health and yet frustratingly, periodontal disease is easily preventable.

Gum disease is caused by a combination of poor dental hygiene, irregular visits to the dentist and bad diet. By eating food bad for your teeth you are increasing the risk that plaque and bacteria will cause damage. This however, will be made significantly worse by a poor standard of oral hygiene. Insufficient brushing and flossing allows plaque acid to irritate gum tissue, causing it to become inflamed. If this is allowed to continue it will eventually cause an infection in the gum that damages tissue. Most forms of gum disease can be easily cleared up in their milder forms by improved cleaning and a visit to your dentist. But, by not recognising the signs you are increasing your chances of the disease worsening and gum disease having a negative impact on your teeth and overall health.

Severe periodoantal disease will require antibiotics and even tissue removal. This may also result in tooth loss and a significant amount of pain and discomfort. Added to all of this is the potential to cause life-threatening heart disease, making it something to be avoided at all costs. The easiest way to avoid periodontal disease is to make regular appointments to see your London dentist. They can help to spot the first signs of the condition and also give you tips on how best to clean your teeth to avoid it.

Herbal remedies for gingivitis from City of London dentist

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Gingivitis, the milder form of periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease, is one of the most common causes of lost teeth in the UK, especially among the elderly. The disease is caused by bacteria and plaque building up in the mouth which cause an inflammation and infection of the gum tissue. This infection attacks the tissue that surrounds the tooth, the gum membranes and even the underlying bone structure. Gum disease is preventable and is usually caused by poor hygiene, including a lack of effective brushing and flossing, and poor diet.

When gingivitis becomes the more serious periodontits it will require treatment from a dentist to completely cure. This may involve a course of antibiotics and even some tissue removal, depending on the condition of the gums. This can be painful and unpleasant so it is always wise to treat gum disease as early as possible. Most dentists will recommend treating gingivitis with improved brushing and flossing (your City of London dentist will be able to show you how during a routine check up). It may also involve rinsing your mouth with salty water a number of times a day to help fight the inflammation.

There are also a number of herbal remedies that can be used to treat gingivitis that can help to eliminate the infection and reduce inflammation. For acute gum disease, plantain poultices with drops of Echinacea tincture applied to the area can really help to alleviate the symptoms. By taking a small gauze, covered in the remedy, and applying it to the area for a long period, preferably overnight, you can help to fight the gum disease.

Other herbs that can be used to treat gum disease include aloe vera and clove. Both of which have anti-inflammatory qualities that can help to sooth the discomfort of gum disease. Ask your dentist for more information about herbal remedies for gum disease.

Break link between gum disease and plaque at City of London dentist

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

It’s a little known fact but gum disease is responsible for more lost teeth than tooth decay, yet so little focus is put on keeping our gums clean when compared to our teeth. Both varieties of gum disease, the milder gingivitis and the more serious periodontitis, are caused by a build up of plaque on the gums, releasing acid and gradually causing an infection.

We’re all aware of plaque but few of us realise exactly what it is. It is made up of a collection of bacteria and food matter that clings to the teeth and gums like a film. Gradually releasing acid from the decaying food and bacteria, it breaks down tooth enamel causing cavities and eroding gum tissue exposing it to infection. Gum disease is very common in the UK with over three quarters of adults experiencing gum disease at some point.

Gingivitis is the mild form of the disease which can be treated with more effective cleaning and some minor treatment from the dentist. Improved brushing and most importantly flossing will usually sort it out, but if plaque is allowed to continue to attack the gums it may worsen, eventually becoming periodontitis which is much more difficult to treat. In serious cases, periodontitis needs to be treated with anti-biotics, surgical tissue removal and even hospitalisation. It also commonly results in tooth loss and the spread of infection. With the recent research indicating a link between gum disease and heart disease it is important to prevent gum disease reaching these proportions. City of London dentists are trained to treat all forms of gum disease but can also be integral in its prevention with regular check ups.

Gum disease and how to avoid it, some advice from a Central London dentist

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

A Central London dentist has recently given advice on the prevention and treatment of gum disease. Tooth loss is generally thought to be due to the tooth simply coming loose, but in most cases it is actually due to a periodontal disease. This is an advanced form of Gingivitis. Is it preventable? A Central London dentist recently advised that gum disease is a natural product of modern living, the food we eat is full of chemicals that are necessary to keep it fresher for longer. The sugar, fat and salt content of our diet, even a well balanced diet, can affect our gums and create the breeding grounds for gum disease. It isn’t preventable entirely, but with a good healthy approach to oral hygiene and regular dental checks; we can lessen the burden. Removing the causes of the disease is a must to keep the mouth as disease free as possible. Plaque is the main contender and the bacteria it contains is in everything we put in our mouths. Keeping the levels down to a minimum will ensure a lot less gum disease. The disease will eat away at the base of the tooth and prematurely cause a breakage from the bone. It also causes the gums to shrink; gums are a protective layer over the teeth that guard against damage to the most vulnerable part of the tooth; which is the base. In losing the gums to a disease like Gingivitis it is not only painful, but in most cases irreversible, it really is a case of prevention rather that cure because there isn’t one. The best a dentist can do is to slow down the process, the rest is really up to us as the owner of teeth, and prevention is always better than cure.

Prevent gum disease with check up at Central London dentist

Friday, December 18th, 2009

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.