Halitosis, or bad breath, is an embarrassing problem. The majority of people with bad breath aren’t even aware of it. Visit your London Dental Clinic if you think you have, or know that you have, bad breath. Your London dentist will help to find the cause and the cure of your bad breath problems. Certain foods can cause bad breath; including onions and garlic. Even after you feel the food smells have gone away, they may not have, as these food smells linger on until they are completely metabolised and expelled through the lungs. Mouthwashes and brushing your teeth are only temporary fixes when you have halitosis.
Good oral hygiene; brushing and flossing twice daily for 2 minutes at a time, and brushing your tongue is very helpful in preventing bad breath. Food debris usually remains in your mouth after you eat. Proper oral hygiene removes this debris as well as the bacteria and plaque that form on your teeth and gums. This build-up of bacteria, plaque, and food debris, is the beginning of your problem. Dryness of your mouth is another cause of halitosis, as foods and bacteria cannot be washing away if your salivary flow is really slow. If this problem exists, you should have some sugarless gum or sugarless candy to use to combat this problem. Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages can also increase the risk of bad breath, as well as certain medical problems. Your London dentist may refer you to a physician if it a felt that this is the problem. So visit your London Dental Clinic for your bad breath problems, as well as other dental needs.

Your London Dental Clinic can help you with tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is caused by abrupt changes in intraoral temperatures, acidic foods and beverages, and sweets, touching your tooth in an area where there is communication between the outside of your tooth and pulp. Tooth sensitivity causes and treatment will be addressed went your visit your London dentist.

Here is an overview: Tooth sensitivity occurs when tooth’s dentinal structure is exposed because of receding gums, or if parts of this dentinal layer is exposed on the crown portion of the tooth and/or root of the tooth. If this occurs, exposed dentinal tubules are present and exchange stimuli with the pulpal tissues, especially the nerves, triggering pain. Some causal events leading to sensitivity of the teeth are: the use of bristle brushes that are hard and/or brushing too hard and too much, this may wear down tooth enamel over time; gingival recession and damage to the teeth themselves; carious teeth; excessive use of teeth whiteners, gritty toothpastes, plaque build-up, use of acid mouthwashes, foods and beverages. Normal dental procedures can also leave your teeth sensitive, but this will resolve itself shortly.

Ways to reduce tooth sensitivity include: good oral hygiene practices; using a softer brush; fluoride products; and, being mindful of foods and beverages that you consume Make sure to visit your London dentist regularly. Your London dentist can use several procedures including to reduce or eliminate your teeth sensitivity.

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.

Bring your child to the London Dental Clinic to have a dental check-up, and for prevention and treatment. They have a very understanding and compassionate staff. Oral hygiene performed properly is essential to development and growth of your child. Dental caries is the most common childhood disease. Infants and children both require good oral health.Here is a series of issues that you need to understand to have a healthy infant or child. A strong relationship exists between your child eating sweets and dental caries. Keep your child away from sugars, especially sticky sugars. You may think, well my child is going to lose their baby teeth anyways. Keep these teeth in good shape for as long as possible, as they help with jaw bone development and growth so that the adult teeth have sufficient room to erupt into the mouth. Some individuals have teeth when they are born that need to be removed, and a primary tooth is visible in the mouth by 6 months. From 6-25 months, your infant will start teething and your London dentist can give you advise about your baby biting on different objects, drooling, ear pulling, massaging the infants gums, and use of a teething ring that is cold. There are also teething ointments that your dentist can suggest. By age 3, most of the baby teeth are in the mouth; possibly all of the baby teeth are present. From 6-12 years of age, your child will have a mixture of primary and adult teeth.

Your children need to brush, and watch them to make sure they do it correctly and don’t swallow toothpaste. Replace your child’s toothbrush every 2-3 months. Use a very small amount of toothpaste. Buy new toothbrushes every few months and throw away the old ones. If your baby takes any type of medication, make sure that you wipe their teeth after giving them the medication, as acids in the medication can dissolve the teeth.

Your infant/child should visit your London dentist at 1 year old. This way you set the groundwork for a long-term relationship with both the dentist and the dental hygienist. Remember it is much better for you and your child to keep their gums and teeth healthy. Prevention is the key, and is a lot less expensive than dental treatment. Your London dentist may recommend sealants for your child’s adult teeth once they erupt, to help to prevent cavities. Also, fluoride treatments should be performed during your child’s regular checkups. Your child will also be taught how to floss their teeth, and mouth washing may also be recommended. You should also get an orthodontic consultation for your child at around the age of seven. So, bring your infant or child to your London Dental Clinic to maintain their oral health.

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.

In the past, it seemed like only adolescents and teenagers wore orthodontic braces. However, more recently braces are also being worn by adults. Approximately 30% of orthodontic patients in the U.S. are adults, and others countries are catching up to this percentage. Even though this trend is here in London, it is still a good idea to start orthodontic treatment at an early age for the best results. Your London dentist recommends that children have an orthodontic evaluation at 7 years old. Malocclusion and crooked teeth are both a restorative and cosmetic issue. Independent of your age, orthodontic treatment can help to protect your bite, increase your teeth’s ability to perform their functions, and align your teeth, allowing for a more aesthetic appearance. Additionally, straighter teeth can make good oral hygiene easier to perform and maintain.
If your dentist feels that you are a candidate for orthodontics, they will most likely refer you to an orthodontist (i.e., a specialist in the field). Initially, the orthodontist will use various methods to develop your treatment plan. These methods include: facial and intraoral photographs; a facial, oral and functional exam; panoramic and cephalometric radiographs; and alginate impressions for your plaster dental models to analyse your teeth and bite. Then the orthodontist comes up with a specific treatment plan for just you, and presents this to you during the second visit. The orthodontist will also tell you how long the whole process will take. This is usually dependent upon the complexity of the situation, how well the treatment plan is followed, and the age of the patient. Younger patients usually have shorter treatments than adults, due to the supporting bone structure around the teeth. But, this again is dependent upon a number of other factors.

Teeth are essentially indestructible under the correct conditions. However, in the living person, teeth are continuously being assaulted by microbial challenges. Dental caries ranks as one of the most universal burdens of man, but are not life- threatening. Dental caries is widespread in London. Advances in preventive procedures to deal with this disease have significantly reduced the overall caries rate. In London, being poor is a risk factor for increased tooth decay. More than one-third of poor 2 - 9 year old children have untreated decayed primary teeth, and this number varies with age and race/ethnicity.

Dental caries is a multi-factorial disease requiring a susceptible host (a tooth), cariogenic microorganisms, and a suitable substrate (e.g., sugar) interacting for a sufficient length of time. Streptococcus mutans (Sm) is the primary etiologic agent of this disease. Sm is transmissible, and a positive relationship exists between the number of Sm and dental caries. Dental decay did not become an important health problem until sucrose (sugar) became a major component of the human diet. However, good oral hygiene can reduce the chance of caries by reducing the number of cariogenic bacteria and removing the substrate, sugar. Sm is the primary etiological agent of dental caries in man and other animals. Under normal circumstances of health, Sm procduces bacterial acids that cause a continuous minute demineralization of the hard tooth surfaces. In addition, the consumption of acidic foods and drinks, and even toothbrush abrasion can cause enamel demineralization53, 54. If this demineralization is limited, the body’s own remineralization capability is able to restore the tooth’s lost minerals by using minerals available in saliva12.
Dental decay (caries) is the result of irreversible solubilization (demineralization) of tooth mineral by acid, predominantly lactic acid, formed by plaque bacteria that adhere to teeth surfaces, after the consumption of foods that contain fermentable carbohydrates (sugar). Frequent sucrose ingestion increases the lengths of time that sucrose is available for fermentation and acid formation by plaque. Thus, eating frequency, the amount of sugar retained in the mouth (particularly on tooth surfaces), and the length of time that sugar is retained in critical areas, are more important than the total amount of sugars consumed12.
The chemical conversion of sugar into simpler substances causes a quick decrease in pH (5.0 or <) at the plaque-enamel junction. Frequently consuming sugar or sugar-based foods causes Sm to flourish and become the principal bacterial organism in plaque. A drop of pH to this level puts undue pressure on the buffers in the saliva and lactic acid (the end-product of Sm metabolism) spreads into the outer layer of the tooth (i.e., enamel) causing it to begin breaking down, and to discharge calcium and phosphate ions at areas below the top surface enamel. This low (acid) pH is derived from acid-producing bacterial organisms, and favors demineralization over a period of time, resulting in a cavity. The tooth enamel (which is made up predominantly of hydroxyapatite) is permanently dissolved from these acids, particularly lactic acid. These bacteria begin to adhere more strongly to the tooth surface and form bacterial colonies or communities called “plaque”. Sm and other bacteria, such as lactobacilli, store sugars and continue to secrete acid long after the food has been swallowed. Dental plaque will continue to build up on the tooth surface, unless it is adequately removed. These processes result in dental decay.

In London, your dentist will properly care for your dental needs to prevent calculus from forming on your teeth. Some dental plaques mature into dental calculus. Some people do not form calculus, others form only moderate amounts, and still others form heavy amounts. Before supragingival plaque (above the gums) mineralizes to form dental calculus, you can remove it with proper oral hygiene. As the plaque matures, it becomes more resistant to removal with a toothbrush, and significantly more pressure is required for its removal. Once dental calculus is formed, your London dentist, using professional instrumentation needs to remove it; you can no longer remove it.Calculus itself is not harmful; however calculus needs to be removed because its presence makes routine oral hygiene more difficult or even impossible and it may contribute to greater plaque accumulation and stagnation. Calculus formation is related to the fact that saliva is saturated with calcium and phosphate ions as well as other ions, such as magnesium, zinc, fluoride, and carbonate. Supragingival calculus that forms on the tooth crown frequently developing opposite the duct orifices (openings) of the major salivary glands and is often found where saliva pools on the lingual surfaces of the mandibular incisors. It can also form in the grooves of the tooth (called fissures). Subgingival calculus forms from calcium phosphate and organic materials derived from blood serum which contributes to its mineralization, and may be darker in appearance.

Local factors, behavioral and systemic conditions affect calculus formation. Conversely, medications such as beta-blockers, diuretics, and anticholinergics can result in significant reduced levels of calculus. The medications are either excreted directly into the saliva affecting the rate of crystallization, or they alter the composition of the saliva, and as a result indirectly affected calculus formation.

Teeth problems have been associated with TMJ dysfunction. These problems can be treated in the London Dental Clinic. Loose and mobile teeth are usually due to resorption or damage of the surrounding oral bone by excessive lateral influences on the teeth. Tooth movement may cause the jaw to close down or bite in a misaligned position, thus changing the configuration of the mouth, teeth, temporomandibular joints, and jaw and facial muscles. Dental pulp inflammation can also occur if the forces are too great.
Outside causes put excessive stress on the TMJ. Some of the causes are: (1) Opening the mouth and jaw further than it normally should open, and habitual and recurring lateral and forward movements of the lower jaw; (2) alteration of the biting surfaces of the teeth due to excessive wear, neglecting oral hygiene (i.e., dental cavity formation), or tooth damage; (3) inadvertent speaking patterns; (4) too much gum chewing or chewing of finger nails; (5) too much lower jaw activities when exercising and/or teeth grinding; and (6) over-stretching of the mouth when eating. Also, several investigations have shown an association between TMJ disorder and people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Proper occlusion must be restored if the teeth are decayed or damaged. Some medications may relieve the primary pain; however these medications may not work in all cases. Several tricyclic antidepressants have been shown to work better than pain medication in some cases. Prior to using drugs or surgery to help alleviate the pain associated with TMJ dysfunction and correct the problem, you and your London dentist should try every other conservative approach to resolve the problem.

London dentists say that “dental caries can be prevented by good oral hygiene and regular professional care, and can be effectively treated by adequate brushing and flossing of the teeth and by the use of fluoride based oral care products.” Mouth rinses, gels, and toothpastes, when used in conjunction with toothbrushing and flossing, are probably adequate to deliver the needed preventive measures. If the carious lesion reaches the underlying dentin layer of the tooth the dentist in London will treat it. The dentist will place a filling (amalgam or composite) to restore proper functioning of the tooth.
The role of fluoride in caries prevention has been extensively documented. The decrease in dental caries that occurs after adding fluoride to the water supply is by and large accredited to the fluoride molecule being substituted for hydroxyl molecules in the tooth enamel, forming fluorapatite in the place of hydroxyapatite. Fluorapatite is less acid soluble than hydroxyapatite, causing enamel to demineralise more slowly when under attack by plaque. Fluoride containing enamel also remineralises more quickly between the times it is being bombarded with sugar. This does not explain all of the mechanisms of action of fluoride.
More recently the spotlight has shifted to deleterious effect on fluoride on tooth development. The prevalence of fluorosis in infants and young children is increasing. The increase in fluorosis among infants and children in both fluoridated and non-fluoridate communities has led to the following recommendations: 1) the use of low-fluoride water in infant formulas; 2) adult supervision of children during brushing; and 3) rigid fluoride application standards when administering fluoride supplements to children. Nonetheless, community water supply fluoridation is the most effective way to prevent dental caries.
When neutral 1.0% sodium fluoride was used on a daily basis by high risk adults (i.e., those with mouth dryness after jaw carcinoma radiation), the finding was minimal to zero dental caries. Children, aged five to six years were treated with 1.2% F- fluoride gel versus a placebo gel twice daily, and the children receiving fluoride showed approximately 40% caries reduction when compared to the placebo group after a 2 year period; S mutans (the bacteria that causes decay) were also lower. Thorough cleaning with the fluoride paste significantly reduced the streptococci (sanguis, mitis, and mutans), preventing colonization of these bacteria. Higher fluoride paste doses (i.e., 5%) instantly stop these bacteria. Also interesting, is that fluoride levels of 1-5 ppm stopped oral streptococci at low pH levels. These doses are commonly found in people using fluoridated oral care products and/or fluoridated water. For more in depth prevention measures, visit your London dentist!