July 21st, 2010
Dental technology is advancing all the time. New tools and devices are being used to improve the quality and efficiency of treatment and one such device is the new Waterlase laser tool which uses a gentle spray of water to make dental treatments more comfortable and less unpleasant for patients. A relief, I’m sure for those of you who aren’t exactly keen on going to the dentist . Unlike the old-fashioned dentist’s drill, which uses heat, vibration and pressure to be effective, Waterlase lessens the impact on the mouth meaning patients require less anaesthetic and in some cases, none at all.
With Waterlase, your appointments will not last as long and you will be free to carry on your normal business much sooner and with far less discomfort. You also most likely wont need a nasty anaesthetic injection before surgery, common with other tools. This has understandably made Waterlase very popular with patients. For dentists, it means that operations and procedures can be carried out quicker and with fewer appointments.
Lasers themselves are not new to dentistry but the revolutionary use of water with Waterlase has improved upon the existing technology. Lasers can be used in many dental procedures including for fillings, crowns and root canal surgery. The other benefits of lasers at London W1 dentists are that they sterilise the wounds and make recovery time quicker. They can also cauterize any open tissue making the chance of infection significantly less. Ask your dentist about the new Waterlase technology for your next procedure.
July 20th, 2010
There are many dental problems that can spoil the appearance of the teeth and make people ashamed of their smiles. In some cases this can be the source of real emotional problems that affects self-confidence and self-esteem but there are ways to improve your smile with various cosmetic dentistry treatments.
One of the most effective of these treatments involves having a set of dental veneers fitted. These are thin ceramic shells that fit over the top of the existing teeth restoring the size, colour and shape of damaged teeth. This damage could have occurred as the result of discolouration, worn enamel or even structural damage to the teeth.
The veneers are made of porcelain and will be specially designed to compliment your mouth and smile. Your City of London will construct the veneers according to dental mould or digital x-rays taken at an earlier appointment. Modern fabrication techniques have radically shortened the time it takes to make veneers and the finished product is now of a superior quality.
The veneers are cemented in place using dental bonding, a resin substance that is very hard wearing, adding another layer of protection to the teeth. The ceramic itself is also very tough and will protect the teeth from further damage. You may have seen the incredible effects possible using the latest veneer techniques on one of the many TV makeover shows that populate our screens at the moment.
Porcelain is such a good choice for veneers as it very closely resembles actual tooth enamel even to the point of being slightly transparent. This means that not only will your teeth look and feel great, but they will also look very realistic. Find out more about veneers at your dentist the next time you go for a check up appointment.
July 19th, 2010
You may be aware of the condition sleep apnea but what you might not know is that it has links to heart failure and even death. Many people confuse sleep apnea with snoring because of the similar noises made and because it occurs during sleep. But while snoring is the sound of partially obstructed breathing during sleep, sleep apnea is actually the complete cessation of breathing, which can put enormous strain on the heart.
There are two main types of sleep apnea. The first and most common is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and occurs when soft palate at the back of the throat collapses temporarily blocking the airway. This causes a choking sound as the body attempts to right the situation. This will usually happen after about twenty seconds but the process can repeat itself many times throughout the night. This can put great strain on the body and be the underlying cause of stress, fatigue and poor performance.
The other type of sleep apnea is called central sleep apnea (CSA) and is caused by a malfunction in the main respiratory area of the brain. The brain forgets to tell the lungs to breath again halting breathing for many seconds during sleep. Both kinds of apnea can cause heart problems and potentially life threatening heart failure.
The amazing thing is that many people are completely unaware that they have sleep apnea unless they have been told by a friend or loved one that they stop breathing during sleep. London dentists are able to treat certain types of sleep apnea and refer other cases to specialists so that the problem can be resolved. If you are constantly stressed or tired and don’t know why, make an appointment to see your dentist. It could help you to sleep well for the first time in years.
July 18th, 2010
The role of the dentist: to repair our teeth when something goes wrong or when we are suffering pain. That seems to be the conventional opinion of the dentist but over recent years a new form of dentistry has emerged that has revolutionised the way we think about our teeth. Working on the premise that prevention is better than cure, this new kind of preventative dentistry aims to stop dental and periodontal problems occurring in the first instance.
The first stage of preventative dentistry is to book yourself an appointment with a West London dentist. At this stage the dentist will examine your teeth for any signs of damage or disease. At your next appointment, the dentist will make any necessary repairs, fill any cavities and restore any broken or chipped teeth with dental bonding. They can also repair any discolouration with dental bonding. Once the teeth are fixed and adequately protected against the elements which damage them, it is then the turn of the dental hygienist to clean and restore the appearance of the teeth.
They accomplish this using a series of treatments called scaling and polishing. This involves scraping the teeth to rid them of any bacteria and plaque that might still be hanging on. The teeth are then polished so that it is harder for bacteria to stick to the teeth.
Your dentist and hygienist will have worked together to come up with a plan to keep your teeth clean that involves sticking to a hygiene routine. This, if followed well and with regular check ups should keep the teeth clean and free from plaque and protect them in the future. Don’t wait until it’s too late to do something about your teeth, prevent the problems in the first instance.
July 17th, 2010
It is said that the eyes are the gateway to the soul. A lovely poetic metaphor I’m sure you’ll agree but little more than that. What is fact, however, is that the oral cavity is the gateway to the rest of the body. All of our nourishment, both food and liquid, enters through the mouth, as well as it being the cavity for breathing. So suffice to say, it is very important that we look after our mouths and keep them healthy.
It is also true that if our mouths are unwell it can really affect the body and the reverse is also true. Symptoms in the oral cavity are often the first sign that there is a wider health issue going on. This is why the GP will always examine your mouth as one of the first standard procedures. We all know the wooden stick on the tongue with the accompanying ‘Say aaagghhh’.
Therefore, keeping your mouth healthy and having it regularly examined for problems could be of paramount importance to your general health. This is why it is so important to go to your central London dentist every six months for a check up. They can examine the state of your teeth and gums, addressing any problems, as well as checking for oral cancer and a list of other health problems that manifest themselves in your mouth.
For example, patients who are experiencing heart problems could also be suffering from gum disease. Recent studies have intrinsically linked the two and found that gum disease could be a major contributing factor to many forms of heart disease. By preventing gum disease in its early stages, you could be improving your chances of avoiding heart disease and staying healthy for longer. Make a check up appointment today, there is nothing to lose and plenty to gain.
July 16th, 2010
Everybody knows the statistic that cancer now affects one in three people in the UK at some point during their lives. This is a very large number for such a dangerous disease so we need to be doing all we can to beat cancer and give ourselves the best chance of living a long and healthy life.
One of the most virulent forms of the disease is oral cancer that affects the lips, tongue, gums and soft tissue of the mouth. Oral cancer, if not treated early enough is fatal in all cases. However, if you catch the condition in time to treat it, you stand a greater than 80 per cent chance of successful treatment.
The most effective way of catching oral cancer is to have your mouth regularly examined by a dentist. Dentists are trained to examine for oral cancer as part of a routine check up procedure. Any suspicious looking patches can be examined and tested using a brush biopsy. If the results come back positive, your Central London dentist will be able to refer you for treatment as soon as possible.
Oral cancer manifests itself as small red or white patches on the soft tissue in the mouth. These will be very painful and sensitive to hot and cold and will not disappear naturally after a couple of weeks unlike mouth ulcers. Other symptoms of oral cancer include an unexplained weight loss, bleeding in the mouth (usually from the gums) and a pain in the head or neck. Stopping oral cancer really is simple, as long as you give yourself the bet possible chance. If it has been longer than six months since your last appointment, make the call today. It could just save your life.
July 15th, 2010
For patients who want straighter teeth but can’t face the prospect of wearing braces for up to three years it can be very frustrating, but there is now a new device that cold speeds up the process of orthodontic teeth straightening. The Inman aligner is a revolutionary new straightener that has taken the US by storm. It is capable of achieving straighter teeth in as little ten weeks, although most treatments last about six months.
The Inman aligner works by using a coiled spring mounted in the brace. This exerts pressure on the lateral teeth, forcing them to move outwards allowing room for the other teeth to move into and straighten. These are braced by a small wire that runs along the front of the teeth. This discreet wire is the only part of the brace that can be seen when the aligner is in the mouth.
The treatment is very fast as the Inman focuses mainly on the teeth that can be seen when smiling. Although it is not suitable for major corrections such as rotated teeth, for minor alignment issues it is more or less the perfect tool. The other major advantage of the Inman aligner from a West London dentist is that it is completely removable. This mean it can be taken out for more effective teeth cleaning and for social and sporting occasions. As long as the aligner is worn for about twenty hours a day it will still be very effective, although the more you wear it the faster it will achieve results.
If you have always wanted to put the finishing touches to your smile then try using the Inman aligner and see the stunning results.
July 13th, 2010
We all know the classic Hollywood look: the beautiful skin, the perfect hair and the radiant, beaming white smile. It would seem that it is impossible to have teeth that are naturally that white and you would be partially right to think that. While the teeth of your favourite Hollywood start have probably been treated, the good news is that the same treatments are probably now available to you in your local dentist surgery.
In fact, London dentists now even offer over the counter products you can use at home to have whiter teeth. Teeth whitening can be carried out in the dentist surgery using higher strength products but more diluted treatments are also available at home. You will be provided with a tray to place the active ingredient, usually hydrogen peroxide, against the enamel surface of the teeth. There it will slowly penetrate until it bleaches the discoloured areas of the teeth.
Home whitening treatments are not as effective as surgery treatments but they can still be used very effectively and will make your smile look better over time. The other major benefit of the over-the-counter treatment is the price. They are usually much cheaper than the in-surgery treatments and because they are not as strong, there is little risk of experiencing any pain or damage as a result of treatment. You can find out more about over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments by asking your London dentist at your next check up appointment. They will be able to recommend the correct treatment that would be most suitable for your teeth.
July 12th, 2010
Orthodontics, the process of artificially straightening the teeth, can have a really dramatic effect on the appearance of the smile and can also improve profile and the shape of the face. There are many types of brace available to patients depending on their individual needs. Traditional metal braces are often not favoured by patients because they have a reputation for being slightly uncomfortable, ugly and treatment can last for many years. This can be as long as three years, which for a teenager or younger patient is a very long time indeed.
One of the newest braces on the market is the Six Month Smile. As you can probably tell from the clever name, these braces aim to straighten teeth in just six months. Six Month braces are made in the US and have become very popular with the youth market over there because they offer such a speedy treatment time. The braces have also been specially designed to be very discreet in order to limit the visual impact of the brace. Another reason why they have become very popular with the teenage market in the states and a similar pattern is emerging in the UK. The wires and brackets used by the brace are tooth coloured or made from clear plastic, which reduces the impact often made by metal wires and brackets in traditional braces.
Another major advantage of Six Month Smile braces is that they require fewer tightening appointments that are often painful and unpleasant. They also allow London dentist to make a more accurate post-treatment prediction, as the results promised by the Six Month are very consistent. Ask your dentist for more information about the Six Month Smile brace and you could experience straighter teeth for yourself without all the fuss, pain and discomfort of metal braces.
July 11th, 2010
Gum disease can be a serious problem that affects nearly three quarters of adults in the UK at one time or another. Many people mistakenly believe that gum disease is not that serious and will probably clear up on its own, but this could be making a big mistake. Recent studies have conclusively proved the link between gum disease and heart disease. Infections in the gum can easily enter the bloodstream through the mouth and cause a chain reaction that leads to a narrowing of the arteries around the heart. This could be very dangerous and even fatal in some circumstances.
There are many ways to treat gum disease that involve surgical treatment and conventional medicine but there is also a large movement to treat it using more traditional methods. In many areas of medicine and science as a whole, the reinterpretation of traditional medicine is being proved time and again with scientific evidence. It is for this reason that many London W1 dentists are now recommending things such as Echinacea as a treatment. Dropping a small bit on some gauze and keeping it next to the gum overnight will help to ease the inflammation and allow the body to fight the infection.
Aloe Vera and clove have also both been found to have anti-inflammatory qualities that can aid in the successful treatment of gum disease. It is very important that gum disease is treated early s it can become the more serious form of the disease, periodontitis, which will involve far more serious treatment. If you think you may be suffering from gum disease, then make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible to receive treatment.
London W1 dentist treats gum disease with traditional herbal remedies
Herbal remedies ease the pain of gum disease at London W1 dentist
Gum disease can be a serious problem that affects nearly three quarters of adults in the UK at one time or another. Many people mistakenly believe that gum disease is not that serious and will probably clear up on its own, but this could be making a big mistake. Recent studies have conclusively proved the link between gum disease and heart disease. Infections in the gum can easily enter the bloodstream through the mouth and cause a chain reaction that leads to a narrowing of the arteries around the heart. This could be very dangerous and even fatal in some circumstances.
There are many ways to treat gum disease that involve surgical treatment and conventional medicine but there is also a large movement to treat it using more traditional methods. In many areas of medicine and science as a whole, the reinterpretation of traditional medicine is being proved time and again with scientific evidence. It is for this reason that many London W1 dentists are now recommending things such as Echinacea as a treatment. Dropping a small bit on some gauze and keeping it next to the gum overnight will help to ease the inflammation and allow the body to fight the infection.
Aloe Vera and clove have also both been found to have anti-inflammatory qualities that can aid in the successful treatment of gum disease. It is very important that gum disease is treated early s it can become the more serious form of the disease, periodontitis, which will involve far more serious treatment. If you think you may be suffering from gum disease, then make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible to receive treatment.
