London cosmetic dentistry

Posts Tagged ‘Gums’

Have your teeth cleaned by Ultrasonic in London

Friday, August 29th, 2008

Ultrasonic dental cleanings is one of the most effective and instant ways of cleaning teeth. It is a more advanced form of scaling and stain removal. All through the ultrasonic cleaning, the dentist utilizes an apparatus called an ultrasonic scaler or Cavitron®. The Cavitron® disseminates ultrasonic vibrations in the mouth cavity which results in a blow up of tartar and calculus. It emits sound waves that act upon the obstinate calculus so that it splits away from your teeth.
In London Chlorhexidine antiseptic is used in Ultrasonic dental cleanings. The ultrasonic cleaners do not entirely purge the requirement to utilize regular scalers, nevertheless they definitely lessen their service. In case you have a periodontal disease or stained teeth, then ultrasonic cleaning is the finest approach for a good oral hygiene.
With the advent of time, the bacteria make colonies on your teeth and settle there while developing solid sediments of scale. This may perhaps lead to tooth decay if not acted upon appropriately.
In case your gums are bleeding then surely plaque or calculus is the cause behind it. The bacteria present in your mouth cavity will inflame the tissues and your gingival will carry on losing blood. The process will not stop unless you remove the fragments or stain established over your teeth.
There are scores of places in between the teeth which are not accessible by plain scaling. Here the bacteria assail the adjacent gums and the bone tissues; even leading to a tooth loss. Ultrasonic cleaning is exercised to remove calculus from below the gums.

Laser and Dentistry in London

Friday, August 29th, 2008

The world of dentistry has now reached a milestone with the introduction of laser treatments. These treatments have been found to benefit patients through its precision and power to lessen the pain associated with these procedures. Based on research, the need for sutures dropped because of laser treatments. It also aids in the clotting of blood thus less bleeding. It causes less pain therefore less anesthesia needed. Wounds have a higher rate of healing, with tissue regeneration and minimal damage to nearby tissue structures.

Laser treatments are also seen to be employed in other procedures such as the removal of benign tumors, which was not even possible before. Cavities can be detected earlier to aid in its quick removal and treatment. Drilling during filling procedures can be replaced by dental lasers to lessen the need for anesthetic. It can even repair damaged blood vessels and nerves found in the oral cavity. It can also bleach teeth and treat tooth sensitivity. For aesthetic purposes, it can also expose the structure of healthy teeth that are often covered by the overgrowth of gum tissue.

There are still a lot of uses of laser in dentistry that are waiting to be discovered not only in London but in other parts of the world as well. It has made a big change in how oral cavity disorders can be treated, not only faster but more effectively and efficiently as well. I am personally looking forward to more discoveries that the laser can do, although there may be one thing it cannot do, which is to finish a pile of paperwork.

Root canal treatment by London dentists

Friday, August 29th, 2008

when the internal structure of a tooth is damaged one can go in for root canal treatment. It treats the damaged tooth and restores it to a state of normalcy. The early symptom of a damaged tooth is sensitivity to hot or cold food and slight pain while chewing.

A detailed examination of your tooth will enable the dentist to analyse the extent of damage caused. The examination is basically done by taking an x-ray of your teeth. This is done in order to analyse the underlying bone and the root of the teeth.

The dentist begins by asking whether you have symptoms like aching and throbbing while chewing. He will also enquiry about any injury or any other medical condition that you may have had related to the teeth.

The London dentists will then look for cavities and assess the condition of the existing fillings that you may have undergone in the past. He will evaluate the condition of your teeth by checking for loose teeth, check for pain in the tooth by tapping it and thereby assess the state of the gums.

X-ray enables the London dentist to view the internal and surrounding part of the tooth. It also helps the dentist to tract down unhealthy changes that might be occurring in the teeth.

The tooth basically consists of two parts, the crown and the root. The part that is visible above the gums is called crown. On the other hand the root is responsible for anchoring the tooth to the jawbone. Within the root and the crown lies a soft tissue also known as pulp, which helps in nourishing the tooth. It is main function is to stop bacteria from attacking the tooth.

Incase the tooth is attacked by some bacteria, it eventually destroys the pulp and leading to breakdown of the bone and loosing of tooth.

Root canal treatment removes the pulp from the root canal through an opening made in the top. The canal is then disinfected and cleaned and then sealed. The necessary filling is done toward the end of the treatment. One needs to make more than one visit in order to get completely diagnosed.

Dental Flossing for a Healthy London Smile

Thursday, August 28th, 2008

Dental floss is a man-made fibre, usually nylon and comes on a spool. It is inexpensive, ready to use and always available in the market. Dental floss is used in cleaning the crevices between the teeth and below the gum line where bristles of ordinary toothbrush can’t reach. It mechanically removes the bacteria that build up on our teeth and gums. Brushing alone cannot remove these bacteria. If the bacteria are not removed, they turn into plaque. Afterwards, the plaque will then turn into a hard substance that is commonly known as tartar. This will lead to the growth of more dangerous types of bacteria that produce toxins which is harmful to our bodies. The toxins will irritate the gums and can lead to gingivitis or inflammation. It will then result to Periodontal Disease wherein the toxins harm the gums and the bones that support the teeth and lead to tooth loss.
Dental flossing can also eliminate bad breath. It prevents the bacteria from breaking down food particles left in the mouth and turning it into volatile sulphur compounds that cause bad breath.
When flossing, use about 18 inches of floss. Wind some of it around one of your middle finger and the rest around the other middle finger. Use the thumb and forefinger of each hand in grasping the floss and leave an inch of floss between the two hands. Insert the floss in-between teeth. When the floss reaches the gum flap, gently slide it into the space between the tooth and the gum. Scrape up and down along the side of the tooth. Repeat five to six times. Do the same on the adjacent tooth. Repeat the procedure on the rest of the teeth. Turn each middle finger to use a fresh section of the floss. Don’t forget to gargle with water after flossing.
Dental flossing is easy… Try to make it a habit for an odour free healthy smile!

London dentists advise use of mouth guards in sports

Thursday, August 28th, 2008

Anyone who takes part in any kind of sporting activity, especially children, will be highly benefited by using a mouth guard. It can be used for both your upper as well as your lower teeth, protecting them from harm in case of an impact.

It is also helpful for people suffering from teeth injury. Any London dentist will assure you that they can fit a mouth guard into your teeth and you will not have to undergo any pain. There are many who get injured while playing a sport. Over 3.5 million adolescents below the age of 15 get injured in a contact sport or a recreational activity every year. In fact, members of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey in the London highly recommend the use of a mouth guard for any child involved in a contact sport. According to them, around 15% of all children aged 1.5 to 4.5 years suffer trauma of some kind to their baby teeth.

Having a mouth guard is no problem at all. It does not restrict your breathing or speech in any way. Besides, a mouth guard is also easy to clean. You can place it inside a container and clean it by using a toothbrush. One thing that you need to take care of is that it should not be left exposed to sunlight or to hot temperatures.

One can regularly use the mouth guard. Besides, it also protects your gums and lips from injury by cushioning any impact that can shatter your teeth or cause extensive injury to your tongue, jaw, face or lips. Mouth guards are also helpful in reducing the severity and the possibility of concussions.

The benefits of a mouth guard far outweigh any inconvenience you may think they are likely to give you or your child. It is highly recommended that anyone who plays sports where there is even a slight possibility of getting your teeth injured should consider getting themselves a mouth guard after consulting your dentist immediately.

Useful Tips for the Denture-clad Londoner

Thursday, August 28th, 2008

So, got yourself a new pair of dentures? These dentures are uniquely created for you and have been designed to match your facial features and complement your complexion. At first, your new dentures may feel strange, but that is only natural and nothing to worry about at all, as you will get used to them very soon. When you look into the mirror, you may feel that you look different, hopefully better! Your voice may also sound different at first, but will soon return to normal as you get used to your new set of dentures.
We take off our shoes every night before going to bed to relax our tired feet. In the very same manner, your dentures should be removed at night to allow your gum tissue to relax. When not in use, your dentures must be placed in a denture cleanser or at least a glass of clean water which will help prevent warping of the denture material.
People have crazy eating habits in London and this will not go down well with dentures. It is a common complaint that people experience slipping of their teeth while eating. Improper chewing on one side can cause dentures to tip and loosen. The right way to eat is to place small amounts of food on both sides of the mouth and chew up and down in a vertical motion, which equalises pressure on both sides of the mouth and reduces movement.
It is very important to clean your dentures everyday with a good quality denture toothbrush and toothpaste. This will help prevent the gradual build-up of plaque and stains and also odour. You can also soak your dentures in a denture cleanser.
Finally, it is also important to visit your dentist regularly. Get your dentures checked regularly for their fit, so that adjustments can be made if necessary. So, with proper care of your dentures, proper eating habits and regular check-ups, you can most certainly enjoy good oral health!

London dentists look for oral cancers during routine examination

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

Oral cancer can occur inside the mouth, on the lips, gums, tongue, throat and salivary glands. The worst thing about this type of cancer is that it is completely asymptomatic at the beginning, mostly painless and therefore, extremely difficult to detect. But, there are some signs that maybe associated with an early onset of oral cancer. It is very essential to get any abnormalities in the mouth, tongue, lips, gums or surrounding areas checked by a dentist as oral cancer treatment has been found to be very effective if the cancer is detected and treated early on. There are many well-established dental practices in London for you to choose from.
Some of the most common signs of oral cancer include continuous pain in the mouth, difficulty in movement of the jaw or the mouth and in chewing or swallowing of food, sores, bumps and ulcerous lesions in the mouth, bleeding from the gums or cheeks, constant soreness in the throat, numbness in any part of the mouth and so on. Do remember that this is not an all-inclusive list and that these can also be symptoms of other dental ailments.
The best way to make sure is to get it evaluated by your dentist in London who may also refer you to an oncologist if he suspects that you might have oral cancer. Together, they will examine your mouth and also look into your medical history to prepare an initial diagnosis and suggest suitable treatment. If the initial treatment plan doesn’t yield results, a biopsy of the affected area needs to be performed. A confirmed malignant biopsy is used to diagnose oral cancer and identify its stage and grade. Additional tests such as X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans may also be required to determine the path of the cancer. Based on these tests, your dentist and doctor will create a treatment plan to suit you needs.

Gingivitis treatment in London

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

Gingivitis can be defined as an inflammation of the gums and is also considered to be initial stage of the gum disease. The soft, sticky and colorless film of bacteria, known as plaque, is the main causative factor of gingivitis. Such plaque daily forms on the teeth as well as gum and by regular tooth brushing we generally remove this. If plaque remains on its site, it then produces some toxins that irritate the gums and cause gingivitis.Other causes of gingivitis include trauma to the gums, uncontrolled diabetes, pregnancy and poor dental hygiene. If gingivitis is not treated properly, it turns to periodontitis that can damage the teeth and its surrounding structure permanently.

The options for gingivitis treatment in London are plenty. There are many dental clinics run by professional and skilled dentists offering effective treatment for gingivitis that begin with initial cleaning, scaling and curettage. You are also advised to maintain oral hygiene by brushing teeth with proper toothpaste and toothbrush. However, in some advanced case, where the surgery is required, dentists may reduce deep pockets that remain underneath the gum. This is generally followed by low dose oral and/or topical antibiotics for certain period.

Once your fist sitting is over, you may need to visit dentist for follow-ups for gingivitis treatment in London for local oral examination and also in order to prevent recurrence of the disease. You also require regular cleanings every three months that may last 45 minutes to an hour.

Maintaining good dental hygiene in London

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

u24709716.jpgGoing to any dentist can be a really painful experience and most people do require something or the other to be done on their teeth. But with careful care you can maintain your teeth in perfect condition and just get follow up care very six months. Here are a few tips on how you can maintain perfect dental health for yourself.• Use a straw while drinking soft drinks. Most soft drinks contain a large amount of carbonic acid which can etch the surface of teeth. You can feel this after having soft drinks; the surface of your teeth immediately feels rough. The carbonic acid eats away at the superficial layer on your tooth and causes it to retain food particles. These can later on form cavities. You can avoid this completely by sipping soft drinks directly through a straw which prevents the soft drink from washing against your teeth.
• Drink water with every thing sweet you eat. The water washes away all the sugar and prevents it from lodging in between the teeth where it does the most damage.
• Drink a lot of water and, make sure you swish it around your mouth. Most countries and cities, especially London, now have compulsorily fluoridated water which is good for teeth. Combine this with a fluoridated mouthwash and with fluoridated toothpaste and you can’t lose. Just be careful with children under the age of two.

Oral hygiene products from London

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

ped04014.jpgMaintaining oral hygiene is really important and you can do it really well if you follow a few common tips and ticks like,
1. Avoid scrubbing away at your tooth surface with your toothbrush use minimal pressure and a sweeping motion from the gum towards the tooth surface. A soft multitufted rounded brush is the best for almost every one. Be sure to replace your tooth brush every two months.
2. Brush for at least 3-5minutes and time yourself with an egg timer or an alarm clock. Brush 3-4 minutes twice daily as a replacement for brushing speedily five or more times through the day.
3. Rinse your mouth after every snack or food you eat. Keep a toothbrush in your desk drawer to remind yourself to brush once in the day time.
4. Brush daily at least twice a day to avoid problems in the future.
5. Get a biannual cleaning done to maintain your gum condition
6. Sue a fluoridated toothpaste to keep your teeth healthy and use a fluoridate mouthwash to add to the benefits.
7. Eat more green leaf veggies and fiber to keep your mouth healthy.
8. Obviously don’t smoke or drink to keep your teeth perfectly healthy.