London cosmetic dentistry

Posts Tagged ‘tooth loss’

The Advantages of a Dental Crown in the City of London

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

If you’ve neglected your teeth and decay has started to wield its whip, never fear because your city of London dentist is here! Oh yes, these people have all the answers for saving your teeth, nay, even replacing them. Tooth decay can get its teeth into your, well, teeth very quickly and you only may notice it when some serious damage has set in and the tooth starts to ache. If this has been identified, then it needs to be treated immediately if you have any chance to save the tooth and to ensure the health of the rest of the teeth around it. Once the dentist has removed the decay, the tooth must be rebuilt so that it can not only function naturally again, but aesthetically, look appealing in the mouth. Dental crowns solve this problem. Manufactured outside the mouth after impressions have been made of the treated tooth, they are cemented into place to give the tooth back its structure. The most common crowns are made from porcelain, or if something stronger is required, porcelain-over-metal. But if you are still trying to keep up with modern pop trends, but in all seriousness, want something really strong, gold is favoured. Even if you have suffered tooth loss, crowns can be attached to a dental implant to retain the health and strength of your mouth and its biting functions. The more flamboyant cosmetic dentist will make your crown from anything if you have the money, but before you get historically dramatic and choose oak, remember, crowns are primarily for your oral health and not only for your beauty.

Central London dentists fit patients with dentures who are delighted with the results

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

If you have experienced tooth loss then the really important thing for you to do is to get then replaced with something that replicates their functions properly in your mouth. Eating food without teeth, let alone talking, is difficult at best so you will need to consult your Central London dentist in order to determine what the next step is.

Many patients are opting for the permanence of the dental implants solution. Dental implants essentially involve having a socket placed beneath the gum that will fuse with you jaw bone. Into these sockets, false teeth can be secured and they are provided with an incredibly secure foundation. The solution is a permanent one but requires invasive surgery.

That is why many people still choose to have their dentist fit them with a set of dentures. These are a set of removable false teeth which are held in place either by the suction power of gums or through the use of a bonding agent which can be applied daily. Because they can be removed at any time (although this is more difficult if bonding agent is used) they are attractive as a possible temporary solution while patients make up their mind about whether to undergo surgery to have dental implants.

Dentures are also relatively cheap compared to some other procedures and are far more comfortable than they used to be. The problems of dentures slipping out of the mouth are not as common now that dentists can make dentures more expertly to fit the unique contours of the wearer with greater success. Central London dentists know all about dentures and they will be happy to answer any queries that you have about them so that you can make up your mind if you have lost a number of your teeth.

The Side Effects of a Dental Implant in London

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

There is a lot said about the wonders of dental implants in London, and justifiably so, for this treatment has advanced tremendously over the past 20 years, and the benefits that are there for anyone who has suffered the trauma of tooth loss, are extraordinary and remarkable; the freedom they afford to live a normal life again, are second to none when it comes to dental procedures. But it’s important to remember that when you interfere with the body, on any level, you are messing with a unit that is built up from millions of components that rely on each other and exist through a common goal. Tamper with one element, and the rest of the body needs time to regroup in order to ensure it can heal any damage done to that area. For all the advances in implant surgery to reduce the stresses during placement, and the unique healing processes that are used post-surgery, the body will react to any ‘invasion’ and there may be side affects. The worst example is the body may show initial signs of rejecting the implant through swelling of the face, sore jaw, swelling to the lips and gums, bad breath and unusual fluctuations of temperature. Most of these can be countered by medication, but if after a few weeks, the face has not settled, it could mean that the body is rejecting the intrusion of the implant altogether. All of us heal differently, some of us not at all, but in the event of this occurring after a dental implant, medical support and back-up will be on hand to solve the problem.

Get the facts about the benefits of dentures from London dentists

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

Dentures have a quite undeserved reputation which associates them only with older people who have trouble keeping their teeth in at meal times and while they talk. But the fact is that dentures are a vital tool in solving the problem of tooth loss. If you have lost some or all of your teeth then the problem will have to be solved so that you can get on with your life and eat and talk in comfort. There are a number of options presented by modern dentistry but dentures retain their popularity for a number of reasons.

For one thing dentures are highly adaptable and they are available in full and partial sets. It is not the case that you only get dentures fitted when all teeth have been lost. Modern dentures are also far more comfortable than the stereotypes might have you believe. Able to be held in place either by fixing gels or through the natural suction ability of your gums, dentures tend to be made from materials these days which cause the minimum amount of friction to your gums.

The fact that dentures are total removable means that they are an advantage for some. Having dental implant work done, for example, is a big decision for many people and dentures can be worn in the mean time while patients make up their mind about what the options are. You can persist with dentures or opt for another solution at a later date.

Compared to some of these other options, dentures are also relatively affordable which will be a consideration for many people in these chastened economic times. Book an appointment with your London dentist to ask him or her about the various solutions to tooth loss.

Herbal remedies and gum disease: get the experts’ opinion from London dentists

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Gum disease is something that ought to be taken seriously given that as much as seventy five per cent of the adult population of Britain is suffering from it in some form at any given time. Gum disease is actually a greater cause of tooth loss than tooth decay itself and you ought to seek advice from your dentist if you think you are suffering from it. But there are also effective ways to relieve gum disease using herbal remedies at home.

Gum disease in its most basic form is called gingivitis and can occur as the result of sub-standard oral hygiene. If plaque builds up against the gum line on your teeth then the gums can become inflamed and swollen, giving you greater sensitivity and visible redness when they ought to be a healthy pink. Gingivitis is easily dealt with by making effective changes in the way you look after your teeth at home but herbal remedies can also help.

Certain toothpastes contain particular herbs which can benefit your gums, for example, sage, peppermint and basil. You can even get hold of certain substances and apply them directly to your gums. These include calendula, Echinacea and extract of grapefruit. This can sometimes be a little aggressive for those with particularly sensitive gums so you should always seek the advice of your London dentist.

If your gums are already rather inflamed then aloe vera and clove can provide effective relief. But of course the best way to guard against gum disease is to be sure to take the best possible care of your mouth as a whole and go and visit your dentist every six months for a check up.

Dental implants: an effective solution for tooth loss, say City of London dentists

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Losing a tooth can be a traumatic experience, whether it occurred as the result of a one off accident, tooth decay or gum disease. But it is vital that you have it replaced, so that your mouth can function again as it is meant to; your mouth working properly is based upon it having a full set of teeth. There are a number of options for those who have lost a tooth or teeth, ranging from dentures to crowns but an increasingly popular one is dental implants.

Dental implants are becoming noted for their durability and permanence as a solution for lost teeth. They basically act as a substitute for the root part of the lost tooth. Into this socket, a replacement tooth can be secured and then treated just like a natural tooth because of its stability in your mouth.

The implant will be placed beneath your gum and against the jaw bone. This is so that it can osseointegrate with the bone, meaning that the implant and the bone will fuse over time. The titanium that dental implants are made from is ideal for this purpose and, once fusion has occurred, you will have an incredibly stable and secure base for the replacement tooth.

Replacement teeth placed using dental implants are so secure that they can even support a bridge of other teeth if the patient has lost a number of teeth. Dental implants do require invasive surgery although it is usually done under only local anaesthetic. Nonetheless they are becoming very popular because they represent a long-lasting solution to tooth loss. Ask yoyur City of London dentist for more information about how dental implants can solve your tooth loss problems.

Preventative Dentistry and Gum Disease in London

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

One of the biggest and possibly most dangerous problems that occur in the mouth in London is gum disease and it needs to be remedied quickly. Not only can it cause problems in the mouth such as tooth loss, it can lead to repertory, kidney, diabetes and heart problems too. The immediate solution is to seek a dentist’s advice. Gum disease is caused by a build up of plaque and so, if it can’t be removed by normal oral hygiene practices, then a regular visit to your dentist can. They will be able to check for any problems and remove any build up of tartar and plaque. They will also be able to treat any tooth decay to stop further problems arising in the future. And this is also the perfect chance for you to have your say discuss any problems that you have and take preventative steps to stop the disease in its tracks. Discuss your diet, those bad habits that you have such as smoking and learn about treatments you can do in the home. Fighting gum disease depends on good oral hygiene and it can be as simple as choosing the correct brush, paste and mouthwash, but there are some excellent inexpensive herbal remedies out there that are designed to tackle the problem head on such as Echinacea and aloe vera- simple, but extremely effective. Do your research and beat the disease.

Guard against gum disease with effective diagnosis from London dentists

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Given that gum disease is a greater cause of tooth loss than tooth decay itself and that as many as three quarters of British adults have gum disease in some form at the moment, it is time to start taking the health of your gums seriously. Gum diseases can be extremely painful but they are often entirely reversible. Your London dentist will be able to spot all the early signs of gum disease.

Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease and you might have it if your gums are more red than pink and have a tendency to bleed during brushing. Gingivitis is easily avoided by pursuing the recommended dental hygiene routine at home of brushing and flossing twice a day but you should report to your dentist if you think you might have it. Leaving gingivitis untreated can lead to worse problems.

If gingivitis is allowed to progress it might turn into periodontitis. This painful condition is an inflammation of the gums and, in worst cases, the bones holding your teeth in place are affected too. This can lead to teeth falling out and the subsequent pain and difficulties with eating, drinking and talking. It is a good reason to be vigilant about the health of your gums.

Signs of gum disease that you ought to look out for include an odd metallic taste, bad breath, blood in your mouth when you brush your teeth or the feeling that your teeth don’t ‘fit’ in your mouth anymore. You might also wish to examine your mouth for patches that are red or swollen. Contact your London dentist if you spot any of these indicators of gum disease. Allowing your dentist to examine you early lessens the risk of painful advanced diseases and invasive procedures.

London dentists offer effective remedies for bleeding gums

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

The greatest cause of tooth loss in Britain is not, in fact, tooth decay itself. Gum disease leaves your teeth at far greater risk and, with around seventy five per cent of Britons older than thirty five suffering from gum disease of some kind, it is something which needs to be taken very seriously indeed. If you begin to experience bleeding from your gums you ought to make an appointment with your London dentist as soon as you can.

The most common form of gum disease is called gingivitis and is usually indicated by bleeding of the gums. This may occur when you are brushing your teeth or flossing and you might find that eating and drinking have become painful. The good news is that gingivitis can usually be avoided by following a normal dental hygiene routine of brushing and flossing twice a day and keeping a schedule of six month visits to your dentist.

If bleeding gums and gingivitis are left untreated worse may follow. The advanced form of gingivitis is called periodontitis and is extremely painful. If contracted, periodontitis leads to the bones which hold your teeth in place becoming inflamed. This can eventually lead to tooth loss but it needn’t get to this stage if you are sure to inform your dentist of any problems you have with bleeding gums.

Your London dentist might recommend that you need to improve your home oral hygiene routine or advise that you use a special mouthwash suited for gums. In some cases you might be prescribed antibiotics. This can only happen if you keep your dentist up to date with what is happening in your mouth and report bleeding gums quickly.

Break link between gum disease and plaque at City of London dentist

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

It’s a little known fact but gum disease is responsible for more lost teeth than tooth decay, yet so little focus is put on keeping our gums clean when compared to our teeth. Both varieties of gum disease, the milder gingivitis and the more serious periodontitis, are caused by a build up of plaque on the gums, releasing acid and gradually causing an infection.

We’re all aware of plaque but few of us realise exactly what it is. It is made up of a collection of bacteria and food matter that clings to the teeth and gums like a film. Gradually releasing acid from the decaying food and bacteria, it breaks down tooth enamel causing cavities and eroding gum tissue exposing it to infection. Gum disease is very common in the UK with over three quarters of adults experiencing gum disease at some point.

Gingivitis is the mild form of the disease which can be treated with more effective cleaning and some minor treatment from the dentist. Improved brushing and most importantly flossing will usually sort it out, but if plaque is allowed to continue to attack the gums it may worsen, eventually becoming periodontitis which is much more difficult to treat. In serious cases, periodontitis needs to be treated with anti-biotics, surgical tissue removal and even hospitalisation. It also commonly results in tooth loss and the spread of infection. With the recent research indicating a link between gum disease and heart disease it is important to prevent gum disease reaching these proportions. City of London dentists are trained to treat all forms of gum disease but can also be integral in its prevention with regular check ups.