Dental decay can be very damaging to the health of your teeth. It can be the cause of tremendous pain due to the exposure of the dental nerve to extremes of hot and cold and other stimuli. Once decay has penetrated the protective enamel layer this also exposes the softer central part of the tooth to bacteria and the possibility of infection. Should infection take hold in the central cavity the body will produce excess white blood cells to combat it. These white blood cells battle the infected material and eventually produce an unpleasant and nasty smelling substance called pus.

This pus can build up in pockets in the gum and around the tooth causing isolated swellings called abscesses. These areas can be very sensitive and can make even the simplest everyday activity such as talking and eating extremely difficult or even impossible. Furthermore, it is possible for the abscesses to swell to such a point that they become unstable. In these circumstances even a small knock can cause the abscess to burst. Not only will this be extremely unpleasant but it can also lead to a very dangerous infection spreading around the mouth and into the bloodstream. Recent studies have proved a link between dental infection and heart disease, and even strokes so it is important to prevent any dental infection entering the blood stream.

Visiting a City of London dentist every six months can help prevent dental decay reaching a point where it breeches the enamel and prevent infections and abscesses before they have time to start. If you think you have may have a dental abscess it is important to make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible to prevent the spread of infection to other teeth. Treatment may involve anti-biotics and even tissue removal in extreme circumstances but the earlier the infection or abscess is treated the less severe the treatment will need to be.

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.

Dental lasers are taking over the traditional means of dentistry. Drills, gougers are being replaced by painless measures like lasers. They do not cause any sort of discomfort to the patients. Many people are undergoing these treatments in London. They are employed to shape up the gums and whiten up your discoloured teeth. The painless ray is very effective and does not cause any harm. The process of filling and route canalling has also been given a new look and dimension.
Now, you need not withstand the pain of injections and needles for delivering anaesthesia. The mechanism behind the process is stirring of water molecules. It leads to explosions at a microscopic level. The area gets vaporised and acts like a knife for cavities and gums. The eyes are covered by protective glasses because the stray light can damage your eyes and your mouth is filled with cotton swabs. Anaesthetic cream is applied in the mouth and laser is used to treat the desired area.
The process is very costly and time consuming too. The technology has faced many drawbacks since the day of launch. So, it’s always better to carry out under the guidance of a proper dentist. Maintain a good oral hygiene and stop the consumption of tobacco or caffeine containing products. The machines are costly too when compared with that of the traditional drills. The performance and functions of such lasers are increasing day by day. With the advent of new technologies, in few years, you will surely come across cost effective lasers too.

Oral hygiene is very crucial to oral health maintenance. At your London Dental Clinic, the dental hygienist will teach you how to properly care for your teeth and gums. Good oral hygiene practices should begin at a very early age, and a dental hygienist will demonstrate proper teeth and gum brushing, and also flossing. Then they will watch you brush and floss, and aid you in making any changes in your brushing and flossing routines. Plaque is the sticky material on your teeth that needs to be removed every day, at least twice a day. You should have a set of goals for yourself that include keeping your mouth clean, odourless, and healthy. Proper oral hygiene will help to prevent cavities, gum problems, and periodontal disease. The dental hygienist will also review your diet and obtain a dental caries index, and make some suggestions about your diet and habits that you may need to look at. So, visit your London Dental Clinic to learn how to perform proper oral health.

Here are some pointers. Use a soft or medium bristled toothbrush. Hold your brush so that it is comfortable in your hand. Place a small amount of toothpaste on the brush, wet it, and place it against your teeth and gum at a 45 degree angle, and move it back and forth in a vibrating motion. Make sure that you brush all of your teeth on both the outsides and insides. The brush should be held in a vertical position to brush your front teeth on the insides. Then scrub the biting surfaces of your teeth, and floss your teeth (even behind your last teeth, as plaque also forms there). Brush for at least 2 minutes at a time and at least twice daily.

Dental bridges are offered in London to replace a missing tooth or teeth. There are varying kinds of dental bridges including; traditional, resin-retained, and cantilever bridges. These bridges will be explained to you when you visit the London Dental Clinic. Traditional and cantilever bridges require that the surrounding adjacent be properly shaped so as to be able to accept the new bridge. The adjacent teeth are prepared into peg- or barrel- shaped forms and the bridge will go over these forms and replace the missing tooth/teeth as well. The tooth being replaced is referred to as a pontic, and can have many different designs depending on the patient’s needs. A pontic also replicates a tooth crown, and its underside usually touches the gum tissue. However, a sanitary pontic will not touch the gum tissue. A cantilever bridge is designed so that two or more teeth are prepared next to each other, with the pontic extending out in one direction and not being attached to an adjacent abutment tooth on one side. A resin-retained bridge does not require as much tooth preparation, and is usually used for front teeth, or if the patient is missing a tooth and the surrounding teeth contain no fillings or dental caries. This allows a bridge to be worn without damaging good tooth structure.
A missing tooth or teeth can cause several dental problems, and lead to more serious dental problems with time. If you and your dentist agree on a dental bridge, your London dentist will perform a detailed dental exam, take X-rays, and make study models, prior to performing the dental bridge procedure. Your other teeth and supporting structures must be in good shape in order for the bridge to succeed. The dentist will also perform an occlusal examination to make sure that your other teeth are contacting each other properly. After your dentist numbs your mouth and prepares your teeth to accept the dental bridge, impressions are taken of the prepared teeth and opposing teeth, along with a bite registration. A shade is then chosen to match your other teeth. These are then sent to the dental laboratory so that they can make the final bridge. In the meantime, your London dentist will make a temporary bridge so that your teeth won’t become sensitive or shift while waiting for the final bridge. The temporary bridge is then cementedin place and you will be given an apointment in about two weeks so that your final bridge can be placed and cemented in your mouth

London dentists may recommend a dental crown for many reasons including but not limited to; restoration of your tooth to its original shape (usually following extensive tooth decay or damage), or for cosmetic reasons. Dental crowns replace the original outer surface of the tooth, usually above the gum line, but in some cases they may have to be extended below the gum line. Dental crowns are usually made up of metal (gold or other metal alloy), porcelain (a type of ceramic), or both (i.e., porcelain fused to gold/metal).
Severely broken-down or decayed teeth usually require full coverage. Your London dentist will use local anaesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding area, and will then remove the enamel of your tooth and some of the dentin layer (i.e., substructure). This will be performed using special drills. When your London dentist is pleased with the result, he will place a gingival cord around your tooth in order to take an accurate impression of the tooth preparation. The dentist will then take an impression using some type of dental putty, an opposing impression, a bite registration, and will choose a shade for the tooth from a shade-guide. These will all be sent to the laboratory in order to pour models that will replicate your mouth upon which the dental crown can be made. A temporary crown will be made by the dentist to protect the tooth from sensitivity and keep it and the surrounding teeth from shifting. The dentist will cement the temporary crown and you receive a follow-up appointment in about 2 weeks to have your final crown inserted. If you want a crown for cosmetic dental purposes, your London dentist will review other alternatives available to you before making the crown.

People lose their teeth for many reasons, including neglect and genetics. London dentists can use dentures to replace these teeth. Edentulism (lack of teeth) is correlated with lower self-esteem and life quality. Adults who are missing their teeth, are also less likely to attend social functions due to embarrassment, and don’t want to eat, speak, or smile in public. Missing teeth can affect facial support and lead to drooping cheeks. This can make you look many years older than your true age. By wearing a well designed denture, made by your London dentist, you can feel confident and improve your lifestyle without worrying about what people think.
Dentures are dental appliances that can be removed that will replace your missing teeth, and are fabricated individually for each patient. They help the patient look, feel, and function well. They look very realistic and should fit comfortably. Several types of dentures include partial and full dentures. Partial dentures are fabricated if some teeth remain and they are in good condition. Partial dentures are clasped onto existing sound teeth and will keep the denture and the teeth from shifting. Your London dentist can supply many cosmetic choices when replacing missing teeth.
Full upper dentures create suction with the palate that will hold it in place. Full lower dentures don’t use really use suction to keep them secure. This is because the mouth and tongue muscles are moving during speech and eating. A denture adhesive may have to be used to keep full lower dentures in place. That’s why it is important to keep your teeth if at all possible. Your London dentist may have other options for you. Dental implants or miniature denture implants (MDIs) can be placed into your oral bone, and your dentures can be snapped into place securely. Dentures secured by dental implants or MDIs will give you a more secure feeling and you won’t have to use denture adhesive or be nervous that your dentures will be loose or fall out, consequently improving your confidence in both private and public situations.
Make sure to keep your dentures clean. Remove them while you sleep to rest your soft tissues. Brush your dentures with a special denture brush when you remove them, and soak them in cold water. You can also buy cleaning tablets for your dentures to add to the water. DON’T USE BLEACH! Brush the dentures prior to placing them back into your mouth. If the denture contains a lot of calculus build-up and debris that you are having trouble removing, visit your London dentist to have your dentures cleaned properly. It’s important for you to have regular dental check-ups, even if you don’t have any natural teeth in your mouth. They will check your soft tissues and implants if you have any, and also check for oral cancer. If there is shrinkage of the gums and underlying bone, your London dentist will reline your denture to make sure that it fits more snug. Loss dentures can cause gum sores and irritation. Dentures last quite awhile if properly maintained. However, your London dentist may suggest a new denture if your denture is very old and defective.

You may decide that you want a smile makeover, or at least see what is involved in a smile makeover. Well, visit your London Dental Clinic. You will meet with a dentist and speak with them about the smile makeover. The dentist will perform an oral examination, and a smile analysis, and come up with a plan tailored specifically to your treatment needs and desired cosmetic outcome. The London dentist will explain the best possible results that can be obtained, and will also tailor a plan to fit your budget. Several procedures including teeth whitening, dental bonding, porcelain or Lumineer veneers, dental crowns and/or bridges, orthodontics, and gingival recontouring will be discussed, and if necessary, maxillofacial surgery.
If you are interested in going ahead with the smile makeover, then an all-inclusive oral examination will be performed to decide on the proper plan of action. This examination will include a complete dental charting, including X-rays, study models and intraoral photographs. It will be well worth the time and money to take care of your dental disease(s) prior to performing the smile makeover.
What’s involved in the smile makeover? Your London dentist will go over the procedure(s) with you, until you are sure that you understand. Smile makeovers can be rather straight forward or can be more complicated, depending on what procedure(s) you and your dentist decide upon. Besides your teeth, your face, skin, hair colour and shape, gums, and lips, all need to be considered. Sometimes opening a bite that has collapsed over the years can remove years and wrinkles from the face. Proper functioning of the TMJs is to be maintained. Your London dentist will review all of these procedures with you!

White fillings are another name for composite fillings that are used instead of amalgam dental fillings in your back teeth. They do not contain mercury or metal, and therefore will not stain the tooth they are placed in, adjacent teeth, or the gum tissue. They look great, and are natural in appearance. Your London dentist can match the surrounding tooth structure with the many shades available. These composite fillings are used in situations where tooth decay exists and is properly removed, or if the tooth is damaged.
The restoration technique for composites is more complex than for amalgams, however do not require the same amount of tooth structure removal as amalgam fillings do in many cases. Your dentist will numb the area of your where he is working, and remove the decay and weakened parts of the tooth. Next your dentist will place a base, so as not to damage the tooth’s pulp. The tooth is then etched, and washed and dried. An unfilled resin material is then placed so that it flows into all areas of the tooth preparation. Next, the composite is placed in layers, if necessary so that it can be hardened (i.e., cured) with a special light. These lights only penetrate the composite to a certain distance. So, if the cavity preparation is deep, the composite needs to be placed appropriately so it will harden. Then the composite is shaped using drills, polishing stones and rubber wheels. The mouth must be kept dry while placing the composite.

The dental hygienist is a very integral part of the London treatment team. They help you to keep your mouth healthy. They are specially trained to clean your gums, and guide you in the prevention of dental caries and gum disease. Proper oral hygiene is the foundation of keeping your mouth healthy. Good oral hygiene needs to be addressed from a very early age, and our hygienists are very kind and work all age groups. During your initial visit to the hygienist, they will perform an intraoral examination of your mouth, and chart any gum irregularities and tooth decay. The dentist will then re-perform the examination as a double check. That way our dental team is sure that nothing is missed. The hygienist will then get the go ahead to clean your teeth and gums. Depending on the extent of your dental plaque/calculus, this could take one or two visits.

The dental hygienist, will also show you how to keep your teeth and gums clean, and your mouth healthy. They will evaluate your brushing and flossing methods, and help you to make any needed adjustments. This way you can help to remove plaque bacteria from your mouth, and maintain good oral health. Plaque is that sticky material that adheres to your teeth. The goals are to keep your mouth clean, odourless, and healthy. More specifically, to prevent further problems in your mouth due to dental caries, gum disease, and periodontal disease. The dental hygienist will also review any necessary dietary changes and lifestyle changes that need to be addressed. Therefore, it is important for you to make an appointment and come in and see our dental hygienists and dentists here in London.