One of the most serious conditions that can affect the oral cavity is oral cancer. This is a disease that can be fatal if not caught and treated early enough, that affects thousands of people in the UK each year. One of the best ways to beat oral cancer is to make sure you keep up regular check up appointments at your dentist. Dentists are trained to examine for oral cancer as part of a routine check up and could be instrumental in an early diagnosis that could save your life.

Oral cancer usually manifests itself as small red or white patches on the lining of the mouth, gums, lips or throat. These small patches are rough and sore and do not disappear after a week or so unlike a mouth ulcer. They are very sensitive to hot and cold temperatures so could make eating and drinking quite difficult. The other symptoms of oral cancer include unexplained bleeding in the mouth, a significant weight loss without any change to diet or exercise and pain in the head, neck and shoulders.

If you are demonstrating any of these symptoms it is crucial that you make an appointment with a London dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to perform an examination and brush biopsy on any suspicious areas. They will also be able to refer you to a specialist for immediate treatment should the results be concerning.

There are a number of high risk factors for oral cancer such as your age and sex. Being male and over forty increases your chances of contracting the disease, as do lifestyle choices such as smoking and an unhealthy diet. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol also increases the risks of cancer. However, even people with none of the risk factors are still capable of getting oral cancer so you can never afford to be complacent.

Many of us would like to improve our teeth, given the chance. This can be achieved in a number of ways. Both the condition and appearance of our teeth can be improved. The way to improve the condition is through better cleaning and more regular visits to the dentist. We have probably all been told hundreds of times in our lives to make sure we brush and floss twice a day and see a dentist every six months, but in all honesty, how many of us actually do this? By making these small steps you can go a long way to improving your teeth.

At a check up, your Central London dentist may suggest an appointment with the dental hygienist. Nearly all dental surgeries now have hygienists who can work in conjunction with your dentist to ensure your teeth are as clean as possible. They can develop a dental hygiene plan, designed specifically for your teeth and show you more effective methods of home cleaning. This plan, together with some corrective dentistry treatments constitutes preventative dentistry, the idea that by sticking to the routine you can avoid any future dental complications.

Improving the appearance of your teeth will happen naturally with the more care you take of them, but in some cases it is preferable to have some cosmetic dental treatment. This could take the form of a tooth whitening treatment or even porcelain veneers. There are many different cosmetic treatments that can be used to improve your teeth that range in complexity and price. Ask you dentist for more information about how to get the best out of your smile so you can have the best looking smile possible.

Parents can play a very important role in the dental health of their children. It is the responsibility of parents to make sure that children are correctly brushing and flossing their teeth and making regular visits to the dentist for a check up. This can help to keep children’s teeth clean and healthy and prevent costly and uncomfortable dental treatment in the future.

The way you are taught to clean your teeth when you are young can have a huge effect on the way you care for your teeth throughout your life. Being taught to clean your teeth properly as a child can help to encourage good habits for the future. It is also important for parents to make sure their child has the right kind of toothbrush and appropriate toothpaste for their teeth.

Parents can also ensure that their child is receiving the right amount of fluoride for their teeth. In certain areas fluoride is added to the water supply directly to strengthen teeth, but too much or too little fluoride can cadental care

use heavy and unattractive staining of the teeth in later life. In low fluoride areas it may be necessary for parents to supplement their child’s fluoride intake.

For parents of children with braces or other orthodontic devices it is necessary to ensure that your child is wearing the brace for the necessary amount of time and cleaning the device and their teeth sufficiently during treatment. A City of London dentist can provide all parents with any information about orthodontic care and other dental care information they might need for their children.