London cosmetic dentistry

Posts Tagged ‘Gingivitis’

Central London dentist saves tooth from gum disease

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

One of the most common dental problems is gum disease, also known as gingivitis. This can be an irritating, or at times, very painful condition caused by an infection of the gums. If the infection is not treated it can lead to bleeding gums, tooth loss and further health complications such as heart disease.

As with all dental health, the first line of defence against gum disease is prevention. By brushing teeth for three minutes twice a day, with an appropriate brush and in the correct way you can significantly help to stop gum disease developing. A close second to brushing comes flossing. Flossing once a day not only cleans the areas between the teeth that regular brushes can’t reach, but also cleans below the gumline, which is a notorious place for the build up of plaque.

Your lifestyle can also affect how healthy your gums are. People who drink excessively or use tobacco products are far more likely to develop gum disease. Tobacco seriously affects the gums ability to heal themselves so it can be a major contributing factor to the onset of gingivitis.

These preventative measures help to control the build up of plaque, which is a bacteria rich, filmy substance that covers the surface of the teeth and gums and causes decay. If left, plaque turns into tartar, which also causes gum disease and is incredibly hard to remove. If gum disease is allowed to develop it becomes a more serious strain called periodontitis which can lead to tooth loss and further infection.

If a dentist discovers gingivitis, or periodontitis, he may prescribe anti-biotics to fight the infection. If the infection is too far developed they may be forced to remove some of the gum tissue in a process called a gingivectomy, or even extract the tooth itself.

It is also important to make regular six-month visits to your dentist. They will be able to spot the early onset of gum disease and treat it before it becomes a more serious problem. Gum disease can cause years of pain and costly dental procedures if not prevented or treated quickly. Make an appointment to see your central London dentist and have yourself examined for gum disease as soon as possible.

London dentist flossing advice might save your life

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Apart from brushing, the most important thing you can do for your teeth is to floss. Dentists recommend that you should floss at least once a day to maintain good oral hygiene. The gaps between your teeth can be home to millions of bacteria, especially when particles of food become lodged there and begin to decay. Decaying food particles are attacked by bacteria and can be the source of bad breath, tooth decay and assorted other dental health problems.

By not cleaning these areas, the bacteria will eventually produce acid that will begin to erode away the enamel and start to cause cavities. This acid will also emit foul smelling sulfurous compounds, the primary reason for bad breath.

The mucus like substance that bacteria live in is called plaque. Brushing removes plaque but it can be hard to clean between teeth with a conventional brush. Flossing also cleans below the gum line which can prevent the onset of gingivitis (gum disease).

If left, plaque will turn into tartar, which causes the teeth to stain and is impossible to remove by brushing and flossing. Tartar also attacks teeth through cavities and can lead to tooth decay and eventual tooth loss. Ask a London dentist about the correct way to floss and when is the best time of day to do it.

Recent research has also found that flossing can help to prevent heart disease. There really are lots of good reasons to floss thoroughly every day. It might just save your life.

Get Special Mouth washes From Your London Dentist

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

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.

City of London Dentist Treats Gum Disease

Saturday, April 4th, 2009

Gum disease (gingivitis) is prevalent in the U.K. Your City of London dentist can help you with your gum problems. The signs and symptoms of gingivitis include gum swelling, temperature increase in the gums, redness, bleeding and/or pus around the gums, and pain. Gum disease begins when bacteria builds-up around the teeth and gums that are not adequately removed, and these bacteria and their by-products and end-products cause the gum tissue to become inflamed. Gingivitis is caused by these local conditions, but can be made worse if the body’s defences are weak. If you recognise the symptoms of gingivitis and seek help early on, gingivitis can be reversed. However, if not treated early-on and/or properly, gingivitis can cause oral bone loss (periodontal disease), with the result(s) being tooth loosening and/or tooth loss. Periodontitis can also lead to more severe pain, abscesses and bad breath (i.e., halitosis), or can go unnoticed until you visit your City of London dentist. .
Your City of London dentist will alleviate your gum pain, and can properly treat your gum disease. Your dentist and staff will teach you the proper brushing and flossing techniques, and emphasize that the key to good gum health is prevention. It is highly recommended that you visit your dentist regularly for regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. Your City of London dentist and dental hygienist will instruct you on the proper home care of your teeth and gums. You should make sure that you brush your teeth two times daily for at least 2 minutes each time, and floss your teeth at least once daily. Your City of London dentist may refer you to a gum specialist (periodontist), if your gum disease is too far advanced. Tooth scaling, root planning, and gum scraping can help combat gum disease, along with antibiotic treatment. There are occasion where gum surgery may be required to solve your gum problems.

Gingivitis in City of London: Facts You Need to Know

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

Considered to be the mildest form of periodontal or gum disease, gingivitis results to swollen or inflamed gums. Due to its mildness, it is possible people do not realize that they have it until it becomes worse. For this reason, regular check ups with your City of London dentist is advisable to protect yourself from gingivitis.

Among the symptoms of gingivitis that you should watch out for are:

Bleeding gums
• Swollen and soft gums
Bad breath
• Change in gum color from pink to red

If you are wondering how gingivitis develops, you should not be surprised to know that it is linked to plaque buildup. This bacteria breeding ground can actually harden into calculus or tartar, making it difficult to remove. With the tartar irritating the gingival, bleeding and swelling results.

Ignoring the symptoms of gingivitis could result to worsening of the gum disease leading to periodontitis. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis could result to destruction of the gum tissue and even tooth loss. If you do not want this to happen, then it is vital that you stop gingivitis dead on its track.

In order to avoid developing gingivitis, it is important that you maintain good oral hygiene. On the other hand, treatment for this gum disease includes:

• Complete dental cleaning
• Mouth rinse (antiseptic)
Flossing
Brushing
• Fixing fillings and dental restorations

Although your City of London dentist will clean away the tartar and plaque build up in the gum line, it is still your responsibility to ensure proper oral care.

Avoid Gum Disease by Fighting Plaque in City of London

Friday, March 13th, 2009

Considered to be the breeding ground of oral bacteria, dental plaque forms on the teeth’s surface. Since they are just soft deposit, you can easily remove them with regular flossing and brushing. In addition, you will have to visit your City of London dentist for dental cleaning in order to avoid gum disease due to plaque buildup.

Surveys in the UK have revealed that:

• 7 out of 10 adults have visible plaque
• Half of the 7 adults are already suffering from various gingivitis degrees
• 2 out of 10 aged 15 to 18 have periodontitis with pockets of depth about 4 to 5 mm
• 8 out of 100 adults suffer from severe periodontitis with pockets of minimum depth 6 mm

You must keep in mind that although everyone can develop dental plaque, only some develop periodontal or gum disease. For this reason, it is important that you aware of the risk factors associated with gum disease due to plaque:

• Poor hygiene that encourages the build up of plaque
• Smoking
• Weakened immune system
• Diabetes

In order to prevent gum disease due to plaque, you should:

• Brush teeth 2-3 times a day for about two minutes
• Use power toothbrushes which are found to remove plaque and debris better than regular toothbrushes
• Visit dentist regularly for dental cleaning
• Stop or avoid smoking

Treatment for gum disease associated with plaque depends on the severity of the disease. Your City of London dentist will give you an antiseptic mouthwash in addition to special dental treatment that can remove stubborn plaque in deep pockets.

City of London Dentist Speaks Out About Oral Hygiene

Saturday, February 14th, 2009

Your City of London dentist and dental hygienist will properly instruct you on oral health care. These oral hygiene instructions and good practices should begin at a very early age. You will be taught how to brush and floss your teeth, and clean your gums and tongue. Dental plaque needs to be removed from your teeth properly every day, at least twice daily. Making this effort to keep your teeth and mouth healthy and clean will help you to prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, and other gum diseases. The dentist and dental hygienist can also advice you on your diet and nutrition in order to keep your mouth healthy.

Several pointers include: Using a soft/medium nylon toothbrush; holding your brush comfortably; using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste; angling your brush at a 45 degree angle along the gum line; using a vibrating circular motion when brushing, etc. Make sure that you brush for at least two minutes twice daily and floss. Visit your City of London Dental Clinic to get yourself on the right road to oral hygiene care!

London Dental Clinic Treats Gum Disease

Saturday, February 14th, 2009

Many Londoner’s have gum disease (gingivitis) and don’t even know that they have it until it becomes more severe and begins to cause problems for them. Gingivitis occurs as a result of bacteria, their end-products, and dental plaque; cause the gums to become inflamed. Several signs of gingivitis are; swollen and bleeding gums, gum redness, temperature, or visible pus oozing from around the If gingivitis is caught early enough it can be treated and reversed. However, if this is not the case, more severe problems will arise including, periodontal disease with oral bone loss, and even tooth loss.
When you visit your London dentist, they will perform a complete intra-oral examination of you, complete with x-Rays and periodontal charting to look for signs of gingivitis or periodontitis. Your dentist will review the results of the oral examination, and if it turns out that you do in fact have gingivitis, a treatment plan will be discussed with you on how to best proceed. First and foremost, if you are experiencing pain due to your symptoms, these will be addressed first. Prevention is first and foremost. Your London dentist and dental hygienist will teach you how to brush and floss your teeth properly, and you should have regular dental check-ups, and professional cleanings at least twice a year. You may also be referred to a periodontist (i.e., a gum specialist) for treatment of your gingivitis and periodontitis. Your gingivitis will be treated using; scaling and root planning, antibiotics, and possibly gum surgery.

London Dentist Treats Gum Disease

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

Gum disease (gingivitis) is widespread throughout the U.K. Gingivitis occurs when bacteria, their by- and end- products, and dental plaque, cause the gum tissues to become inflamed. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include swelling, redness, pain, temperature, and bleeding and/or visible pus around the gums. Although gum disease is caused by local conditions, such as bacteria and plaque, it can be made worse or better by the body’s responses to the inflammation. If treated early enough, gingivitis can be reversed. If not treated in time or properly, gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease, which causes oral bone loss, tooth loosening and/or tooth loss. Periodontitis can also lead to abscesses and bad breath (i.e., halitosis).
Your London dentist can treat your gum diseases, however they will tell you that prevention if the key to good gum health. You should have regular checkups and professional cleanings. Your London dentist and dental hygienist will teach you how to brush and floss your teeth properly. You should brush your teeth twice daily for 2 minutes each time, and make sure that you floss your teeth at least once daily. If your gum disease is very severe, you may be referred to a gum specialist (periodontist). Tooth scaling and root planning can help with gum diseases, along with antibiotic treatment. Other times, gum surgery may need to be used to correct your gum problems.

London Dentists Offer Help for Dental Diseases

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

Your London dentist is very well trained at recognizing and treating dental diseases. The most common dental diseases are dental caries and gum disease(s). These occur due to build-up of oral bacteria in the mouth that is not regularly and properly removed using good oral hygiene practices. When dental caries occurs, it is commonly due to bacteria and plaque that build-up on the tooth surfaces and creates acids after sugar is introduced from the diet. The result is the demineralization of the tooth surface enamel and the beginning of dental caries. When these acids are formed in the mouth, it becomes difficult for the saliva to maintain its pH level, which also rapidly becomes acidic allowing for further demineralization of the teeth surfaces. After about an hour your saliva will attempt to resupply minerals to your teeth. However, if you keep introducing sugars from your diet, this does not occur and the saliva will remain acidic, and more tooth minerals are lost. Gum disease (gingivitis) occurs when bacteria and dental plaque create inflammation in the gum tissue which overwhelms the body’s defence mechanisms. Bleeding gums are a tell tale sign of gingivitis. If your teeth are not cleaned properly by you twice daily, and you do not visit your London dentist for regular checkups and professional teeth and gum cleanings, your gingivitis may go unnoticed until it is too late. If not properly treated, periodontal disease can result, which can lead to permanent oral bone loss. So, visit your London dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings.