September 27th, 2010
Sucking the thumb is normal behaviour for most infants and can even start in the womb before they are born. It is an intrinsic reaction and one that allows them to feed and is also a sign of comfort. However, if thumb sucking continues after the age of around five it can begin to cause problems with the alignment of the teeth and palate.
Constantly sucking the thumb after a certain age will cause the teeth to move forward which produces a pronounced front pair of teeth. This movement can be reversed if the behaviour is stopped by a certain time but if the thumb sucking continues it may become permanent.
The bite is also affected by thumb sucking as the back teeth in the upper jaw are forced inwards towards the palate which can affect the bite. Pressure from sucking a thumb can also affect the shape of the palate itself by pushing it upwards. This will also affect the bite and the alignment of the teeth in the long run.
If the habit is broken in the early years all of these problems may gradually repair themselves but this often proves difficult as it can be a very difficult habit to break. There are certain ways that have proven to be effective at stopping children sucking their thumb. Most importantly it is important to remember to be supportive and encouraging to your child as negative responses may have an adverse effect and cause your child to suck their thumb more. Try talking to a London W1 dentist to learn about the most effective ways of helping your child to stop sucking their thumb.
September 26th, 2010
Many people confuse sleep apnea with snoring but in reality apnea is a lot more serious and can even be fatal in extreme circumstances. Snoring, as everyone knows, is the noise omitted when breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea on the other hand is the sound of someone completely stopping breathing during sleep. This can happen for two reasons: firstly, because the soft palate at the back of the throat has collapsed and blocked the airway and secondly because the respiratory part of the brain forgets to tell the lungs to breathe.
The first kind of apnea mentioned here is called obstructive sleep apnea and can be remedied by visiting your City of London dentist who will be able to diagnose the problem and then fit an appliance that can be worn during sleep to prevent this from happening. The other kind of apnea is central sleep apnea and is a more serious problems that may require more serious medical attention.
If sleep apnea is not treated it can be behind a whole series of medical problems ranging from stress, to anxiety to an inability to concentrate, especially among children. Sleep apnea also puts tremendous pressure on the heart and can cause heart problems and even heart attacks if the circumstance dictate.
This temporary cessation of breathing can happen several hundred times a night which as you can imagine doesn’t lead to a very good night’s sleep for you or anyone else that may be sleeping near you. To find out more make an appointment to talk to your dentist about the dangers of sleep apnea.
September 25th, 2010
With the improvements in modern dental technology it is now possible to straighten teeth in as little as six months using new straighteners and braces. In the past, old style fixed metal braces could take up to three years to work effectively. This is along time, especially if you are a teenager in a difficult emotional part of your life.
One brace that is now offering this new faster type of straightening is the Six Month Smile. Originally pioneered in the US, the Six Month Smile brace is finally making its way across the UK, revolutionising the way teeth are straightened. Six Month Smile braces are very safe and reliable and not only shorten the timescale of braces but also significantly reduce the impact they have on the teeth by using less force and modern materials.
Many people who need to have their teeth straightened are often reluctant to do so because of the effect of braces. They can be very uncomfortable and in some cases even painful, especially after tightening appointments. And let’s face it, they don’t exactly look great either. Six Month braces seem to address all these questions and provide the answers. Not only are they far mores discreet using smaller less noticeable wires, but they also use wires and brackets that are tooth coloured so that they are less visible on the mouth.
Six Month smile braces are able to achieve such stunningly fast results because they focus mainly on the teeth that show when you smile. This means that the treatment is more concentrated on the teeth at the front. This may mean that the Six Month Smile brace is not suitable for all patients but a visit to your London W1 dentist will be able to determine this very quickly.
September 22nd, 2010
When teeth become infected as the result of dental decay it can be a very painful experience and one that can cause you a lot of misery and anxiety. Infections are almost always started by plaque and bacteria eroding the protective layer of enamel that coats the teeth. This forms dental cavities which are further exposed until the enamel is finally penetrated and the softer more sensitive inner part of the tooth is exposed. Infections then take hold in these cavities and begin to attack the dental nerve which is why it so painful. If this is not remedied quickly, the nerve will eventually die and the tooth will fall out.
Obviously this is not something that you want to happen so it is always advised that you see a dentist if you think you may have an infection. One of the most common ways of treating infections that have penetrated to the centre of the tooth is with a root canal treatment. This is a most feared procedure but if performed with anaesthetic should be no more painful than a filling.
The Central London dentist will drill down into the centre of the tooth and remove any infected matter. They will then fill the cavity with medicine to remove any residual infection. The cavity then needs to be filled ands covered with a dental crown to protect the tooth from further damage. Root canal treatments are a very successful way of saving your tooth from infection and ultimately loss. With modern technology and tools there is no reason to fear a root canal. In fact it could be just the treatment to save you from a lot of unnecessary pain.
September 21st, 2010
When teeth are affected by decay and disease they can become fragile and exposed to further complications. The same is true when they are damaged due to some kind of physical trauma and are cracked. If the tooth is not protected, it can become infected which is not only very painful but can lead to losing the tooth.
In situations where teeth are damaged and cannot be repaired with a filling or more simple treatment, a London W1 dentist may need to use a dental crown. Crowns are caps that fit over the top of the existing tooth covering all parts of it that are exposed above the gums. In this way they act as a barrier to offer protection to the teeth.
Crowns can be made of a number of materials including metal (or even gold or silver for the more adventurous patients) but more and more commonly they are being made from porcelain because it is not only very durable but also closely resembles the appearance of tooth enamel.
Porcelain crowns will be specially designed to fit you mouth and look like your existing teeth. The dentist will prepare the tooth to be crown by removing any signs of disease and infection, before etching the tooth to give more grip. The crown will then be fixed using cosmetic bonding. This will hold the crown firmly in place and also offer an added layer of protection.
Porcelain crowns will last for about ten to fifteen years before they need replacing depending on how well they are looked after. The crown will restore the appearance of your damaged tooth as well as protecting it from further damage allowing to carrying on with your life confident that your teeth are safe.
September 20th, 2010
When the teeth are in bad condition either because of worn enamel, staining or chips and cracks this can often spoilt the look of the teeth and make patients very self-conscious. The teeth are such an important part of the smile and the way a person looks that being embarrassed by the condition of the teeth can be very emotionally damaging.
Luckily, thanks to cosmetic dentistry procedures there are ways to completely restore the appearance of the teeth. In the instance of damaged enamel it is often porcelain veneers that are used to repair the damage. Veneers are thin ceramic caps that are placed over the top of the existing teeth and cemented in place with dental bonding.
The veneers will be specially made to fit your teeth and suit the existing shape of the teeth. In the past, veneers often required the removal of some tooth enamel to allow them to fit over the top of the natural teeth. However, natural veneers are so thin that they can fit over the top of the teeth with little or no underlying damage to the teeth. In fact, some veneers are about the same width as a contact lens and still very durable. Others can even fit over the top of existing dental work.
Porcelain veneers can be expensive but that is because they are so effective and last for such a long time. With the proper care and attention, veneers can last up to twenty years before they need to be replaced but you must remember that veneers can yellow just like normal tooth enamel. Central London dentists can give you a better idea of how much enamels might cost and the benefits they could have for your teeth.
September 18th, 2010
We all have fears in life, whether it is heights, spiders or even water. It is part of what makes us human. Fear keeps us safe and prevents us from exposing ourselves to danger. Yet fear can also be irrational and on some occasions prevent us from getting the things we need. In extreme cases, fear can be so great that it can be almost paralysing and at this point becomes a phobia.
One of the most common phobias is that of the dentist. Dental phobia affects a surprisingly high percentage of the population and in many cases is the reason behind why people require dental treatment. Quite ironic when you think about it, that a fear causes a person to confront it. But that is exactly what needs to happen in order to conquer a fear for good.
Modern day dentistry has come along way since the dentistry of twenty years ago. Dentists are trained in a much more holistic way and care a great deal more about the welfare of their patients than just their teeth. They are also especially trained to deal with nervous and phobic patients and understand that it can be a very traumatic experience for a person to visit the dentist.
West London dentists know that just by talking to a patient and that calmly and thoroughly explaining what will take place during a treatment goes a long way to helping them relax. They are also trained in many relaxation techniques to help patients calm down and relax before treatment. If you are suffering from a dental phobia but know you need treatment, you will be able to overcome your fear with the help of your West London dentist. Make an appointment to find out more.
September 15th, 2010
If you have a particularly expensive possession and you want it to last, the most effective way of making sure this happens is to look after it, keep it clean and safe from things that may damage it. Yet when it comes to the health of our teeth we all too often take them for granted and assume that they will always be in good condition, and let’s face it, your teeth are more important to you than any possession. They are very crucial to the way you look and the way people perceive you.
Looking after your teeth involves performing several very simple procedures everyday. Brushing and flossing are the frontline of oral hygiene and carrying these tasks out well will ensure that your teeth have the best chance of looking and feeling their best throughout your life.
London W1 dentists recommend that you brush your teeth for at least three minutes twice every day. This will help to remove plaque and bacteria that can be the cause of so much damage to the teeth. Using an appropriate brush and paste will also help to make brushing more effective.
Flossing is equally important as it offers protection to the areas of the teeth that cannot be reached by brushing. This includes the small areas between the teeth and around the base next to the gums. However, even the best oral hygiene routine can fall foul of decay and disease so make sure that you are also seeing your London W1 dentist every six months for a check up. This will ensure that you are getting the best from your oral hygiene routine and spot the first signs of decay and disease before they become serious problems.
September 14th, 2010
Have you ever thought about braces but couldn’t face the thought of having to sacrifice your smile for up to three years while they straighten your teeth? Do your teenager’s teeth need straightening but the thought of standing out from the crowd doesn’t fill them with too much joy? Then you may be interested to learn more about Invisalign braces.
Invisalign is a revolutionary new system that straightens teeth using invisible retainers so you can have the smile you want with out the metal brackets and wires spoiling your smile. The invisible retainers are made from one-millimetre thick clear plastic and are specially designed to fit your teeth. Each retainer is worn for about three weeks before it is replaced with another that has a slight adjustment. Over the course of treatment about twenty-five retainers are used in all, which gradually move the teeth into the desired position. Because the retainers are see-through they are almost impossible to notice unless standing very close to the mouth of the patient.
The other major benefit of the Invisalign system is that the braces are completely removable which means they can be taken out when cleaning the teeth. This means that you can avoid the staining that can occur when you wear fixed bracket braces. It also means that the braces can be taken out if you want to for special occasions. As long as the braces are worn for an average of twenty hours a day they will be completely effective. You can learn more about Invisalign braces from your Central London dentist at your next appointment. They can also give you more of an idea about cost, which will usually be less than traditional braces but will depend on the length of treatment needed.
September 13th, 2010
There are many ways of straightening teeth these days rather than just the conventional metal braces. Patients now have the choice of a whole manner of braces, retainers and aligners that work more efficiently, more comfortably and faster than traditional braces.
One of the most popular modern teeth aligners is called the Inman and is capable of straightening teeth in as little as two months, although most treatments will take about six months. The Inman aligner was originally designed in the US and has taken the UK by storm over the last few years. The aligner works by focusing attention on the teeth that are visible when smiling. To do this it uses the power of a coiled spring on the tongue side of the teeth which applies pressure to the lateral teeth. As these are pushed outwards, space is created in the front for the teeth to be aligned. This is achieved with a discreet metal bar that runs along the front of the teeth. This is the only part of the brace that is visible when smiling.
The Inman aligner is also completely removable which means that it can be taken out when cleaning the teeth and for important social and sporting occasions. The Inman aligner is available now from West London dentists and is also considerably cheaper than regular braces.
The Inman aligner works so fast because it has even become popular with brides to be who want to have the perfect smile for their wedding day. So if you have always been slightly self-conscious about the position of your teeth the Inman aligner could be the right device for you.
