October 22nd, 2010
Sedation dentistry is the process by which anxious or nervous patients are treated in a relaxed environment to remove the fear that they experience when receiving treatment normally. This involves affecting the central nervous system with drugs, including tranquilisers and anxiolytics. These can be administered to the patient in several ways.
Sedation dentistry is sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry although this doesn’t cover the whole array of techniques at the disposal of the City of London dentist. The medication used to induce the relaxed state does not have to put the patient to sleep but can simply act upon the nervous system to relax the patient and make them feel more comfortable.
Sedation dentistry can be used on any patient who is anxious about receiving any kind of dental treatment, be it cosmetic or restorative. In some cases this can help the patient to overcome their fears once they realise that there is little or no extended pain involved in the dental procedures. Sedation dentistry can also be used on patients who suffer from very sensitive teeth and find normal treatment very painful. It can also be used for patients who have medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Cerebral Palsy.
The three main types of sedation are oral conscious sedation, inhalation sedation and intravenous sedation. Each will be used depending on the conditions and the needs of the patient. The dentist may also use local or general anaesthetic to numb specific areas of the body or mouth.
Sedation dentistry has obvious benefits for patients and dentists alike. It allows them to receive the treatment they need without undergoing what can be a very traumatic experience. For the dentist, it allows them to be able to carry out the treatment without the patient behaving in an anxious manner, which can very often make things more complicated.
October 21st, 2010
When we eat food, tiny particles of it become either lodged between the teeth or stuck to their surface. This is especially true of food that has high starch or sugar content. It clings to the surface of the teeth and acts as a breeding ground for bacteria. This develops into a film of bacteria that coast the teeth and gradually starts to release bacterial acid. This film is known medically as plaque and is the main reason behind tooth decay and gum disease and if left unchecked can become a very serious problem.
Plaque works slowly over time and because we can’t really see it, it is sometimes easy to ignore but it is there and it is causing damage to your teeth. The good news about plaque is that it is easily removed with effective teeth cleaning by brushing and flossing as recommended by a City of London dentist. However, if cleaning is not carried out and dental hygiene standards slip, the plaque will soon be back and causing problems.
The bacterial acid that is released will start to erode the tooth enamel, which is the hard outer, protective layer of the teeth. Once this has been eroded it will not grow back and will leave the inner parts of the teeth exposed to further damage from bacterial infection. This is commonly known as dental decay and unless repaired will eventually result in the death of the tooth and its eventual loss.
The best form of defence against plaque, or any dental condition for that matter, is prevention. By seeing your City of London dentist every six months and following their advice about dental hygiene carefully, you will stand the best chance of staying in control of dental plaque and looking after the health of your teeth.
October 20th, 2010
A periodontal examination is a way of assessing the health of the teeth and gums and examining for the signs of dental conditions such as decay and gingivitis. Central London dentists examines the teeth and gums for the signs of bruxism, receding gums and even the symptoms of oral cancer.
Here is a breakdown of what your dentist will do during a standard periodontal examination:
Firstly, they will check for lumps or any other unusual areas in the mouth. These could indicate oral cancer or could be the sign of a dental infection. If they are unsure about any suspicious areas you may be referred to a specialist. The dentists will also examine the teeth to see if any are loose or if there are any other significant problems with their structure.
The dentist will also examine the size, shape and texture of the gums. Any unusual discolouration, swelling or different shaping could be an indication of gum disease which will need immediate treatment. The dentist will also examine the teeth and gums for plaque and tartar, the two substances responsible for gum disease and tooth decay.
As well as these problems the dentist will also be looking for the signs of receding gums, measuring the occlusion (the way the teeth sit together when they are closed and when they are chewing). Any problems they discover will then be treated immediately if possible or an appointment for further treatment arranged. Treating dental problems early in this way will mean that you have the best chance of avoiding complicated and costly dental treatment in the future.
October 19th, 2010
Not everybody is fortunate to have naturally beautifully aligned teeth. In fact, in most cases people will suffer from some sort of alignment or spacing issue. For some people this is so small as to be barely noticeable and will require virtually no treatment. However, in other instances, the misalignment will be very pronounced and greatly affect both the way the teeth look and the way they function.
Misaligned teeth can cause problems with the occlusion (otherwise known as the bite and referring to the way the teeth sit together both when stationary and when moving). This can lead to painful conditions such as TMJ, bruxism and even migraines. Your London W1 dentist will therefore recommend orthodontics to correct the problem. The most common and well-known form of orthodontic treatment is the dental brace. This is an appliance that is fitted to the teeth, either fixed or removable, that gradually manipulates the teeth and moves them into a more desirable and healthy position.
There are many types of braces that work in different ways and for different types of misalignment. Over the last ten years, braces treatments have used new technology to improve both the speed and quality of treatment. Braces are also used for purely cosmetic reasons. This means that there might not be any purely functional reason for the teeth to be straightened but the patient simply wants to have straighter teeth for the benefit of having a healthier and more attractive looking smile. This form of cosmetic orthodontics can work wonders for the self-confidence and self-esteem of patients.
As well as this, orthodontic treatment is often used on teenage or younger patients as the teeth are more easily moved during their developing stages. Orthodontic treatments still work on adult patients but they often require more lengthy treatment periods. Speak to your dentist to find out the possibilities of orthodontic treatment for your teeth.
October 18th, 2010
Of all the conditions that affect the oral cavity, oral cancer is by far and away the most serious. This form of the disease that affects the mouth, including the lips, tongue, throat and cheek lining is extremely serious and is fatal if not diagnosed and treated in time.
Oral cancer manifests itself as small red, white or blotchy patches on the soft tissue areas of the mouth. These small patches are sore and will be very painful, especially when affected by extremes of temperature when eating. They are not too dissimilar to mouth ulcers but unlike these, they will not disappear naturally after several days to a week or so.
London W1 dentists advise that if you are in any way unsure about something in your mouth that you arrange for a check up appointment . Although oral cancer is very dangerous and often fatal, if caught in its early stages it is treatable and has a greater than 80 per cent chance of survival if caught in its primary stages. It is also recommended that you visit a dentist every six months for a check up as they are specially trained to spot the signs of oral cancer early, as part of a routine dental check up.
Other symptoms of oral cancer include unexplained bleeding in the mouth and a sudden weight loss that appears to have no other cause behind it. There are certain factors that make people far more likely to suffer from oral cancer. Smoking is a particularly high risk factor, as is drinking alcohol, and the two combined increases the chances even further. Being male and over a certain age will also increase the chances of suffering from the condition but oral cancer can affect anybody at any time.
October 17th, 2010
Dental occlusion is the way that the top and bottom teeth sit together and the contact between them (the technical term for top and bottom teeth is the maxillary and mandibular teeth). Occlusion also refers to the way that the teeth approach each other during chewing and eating.
Problems occurring with the occlusion are quite common and often referred to generally as malocclusion. This means that the teeth do not sit together well and is often simply refereed to as bad bite. This can be the source of discomfort but it can also be responsible for many further health complications and problems.
Again being more specific, static occlusion is when the teeth are closed together and dynamic occlusion is when the teeth make contact when they are in motion. Problems with these types of occlusion can cause many problems not just with the teeth but also with the gums and with the temporomandibular joint and jaw muscles. These are commonly defined as grinding or bruxism, TMJ or a ringing or painful buzzing in the ears. These conditions can lead to wider health problems such as headaches, shoulder and neck pain.
The main ways of treating malocclusion involves your City of London dentist altering your bite in order to reduce the tension on the bite. This is commonly performed using a dental brace which will alter the way the teeth are aligned and the way in which they sit together. It will also have the added advantage of making teeth look straighter and more even.
October 15th, 2010
There are many conditions and afflictions that can affect the teeth such as tooth decay and gum disease. If these conditions are allowed to worsen without treatment they will very often result in the death of the dental nerve and the ultimate loss of the tooth. Teeth can also be lost to dental trauma such as a motor vehicle accident or sporting injury.
Not only do missing teeth spoil the aesthetic appearance of the smile but they can also be responsible for many further dental problems. This is because missing teeth can allow more bacteria to develop in the hollows left by lost teeth. These spaces in the dental arc can also allow teeth to rotate and lean changing the alignment. This can cause problems with the occlusion or bite and lead to muscular problems and TMJ.
For these reasons, London W1 dentists always recommend that you should try and replace the missing teeth as soon as possible. There are a number of ways of doing this that include using a dental bridge, partial denture or dental implant.
Dental bridges involve filling the gap left by a missing tooth with an artificial tooth supported by two crowns, thus bridging the gap. Partial dentures are artificial teeth attached to a plate which fits into the palate. However, perhaps the most successful and popular dental replacement is a dental implant. This involves implanting a small titanium screw into the jawbone to act as a base for a replacement teeth. Dental implants are both very realistic and more solid than other dental restorations although they are also more expensive. Find out more about missing teeth and how to replace them at your next check up appointment.
October 14th, 2010
There are many myths when it comes to looking after your teeth and it is often hard to know what to believe. For example, many people do not realise that brushing vigorously is actually bad for your teeth as it will erode tooth enamel and gum tissue which will not grow back. This will make your teeth more sensitive and also expose more of the teeth to the effects of disease and dental decay.
Other dental facts that you may not be aware of are that you should always change your toothbrush after you have been ill with a cold or sore throat as many bacteria that cause these infections will remain on your toothbrush and can re-infect you. It is also true that the toothbrush head covers that many people use to protect their toothbrush from bacteria can actually make the problem worse because they do not allow moisture to escape which creates the perfect condition for the bacteria to thrive.
Toothpaste that claims to have whitening capabilities is little more effective at whitening the teeth than regular toothpaste. The only real way to guarantee that your teeth are white is to protect them from staining in the first instance by effectively cleaning them and avoiding substances like red wine and coffee that cause the discolouration. Or alternatively, you could opt to have a whitening treatment that will bleach the teeth white and restore them to a healthier colour. Patients with white teeth look younger than those with discolouration as whiter teeth are associated with youth.
Looking after your gums is just as important as your teeth. Nearly three quarters of adults in the UK will suffer with gum disease at some point in their lives. This can be very damaging to the teeth and also has links to heart conditions. Find out more dental health facts from your Central London dentist.
October 13th, 2010
One of the most important things about your dentist is the relationship you have with them. Just like when it comes to any health professional, it is important that your dentist gets to know you and your teeth in order to provide you with the most effective treatment. This is also true if your family are receiving treatment as well, especially if you have young children.
Sensing that a parent is friendly and on good terms with the dentist will make your child feel more comfortable. A good family dentist will know that they have to treat all the members of a family and that establishing relationships is very crucial to achieving this.
In terms of parental responsibility, it is very important that parents play a key role in looking after the health of their children’s teeth. Teaching your children early about the necessity of oral hygiene and the importance of seeing the dentist every six months will give them the best start in life and set them up for a lifetime of good oral health. Your family Central London dentist will also be able to support you through the more challenging early years when the development of your child’s teeth is of the utmost importance.
Your family dentist will also be able to show your children how to best brush their teeth and floss once they are old enough, and your children will hopefully have learned to respect the advice of a trusted heath professional and one who knows their teeth perhaps even better than they do themselves.
Some people have the same dentist for large parts of their youth and adult lives and statistically these are the ones who are less likely to suffer from tooth decay and gum disease. So much of life is about our relationships with others and the same is true when it comes to our health and those we entrust with looking after it.
October 12th, 2010
False teeth or dentures had for many years a stigma attached to them that they were for elderly patients, and that they would fall out and cause embarrassment to the wearers. This has put many people off the idea of dentures or false teeth but most people do not realise how far dentures have come in the last ten years.
People can lose teeth for a number of reasons. It could be as the result of dental decay or gum disease but in many cases teeth are knocked out during accidents or by sporting injuries. Once one or two teeth have been lost it increases the chances of losing many more because bacteria builds up in the hollows left by missing teeth and it has more surface area to damage the remaining teeth.
Losing teeth is never a pleasant experience. Not only is there the physical pain and discomfort but there is also the emotional strain of losing teeth and the association with growing old. However, modern dentures are made using the latest technologies and most up-to-date materials. They are designed to fit the patient’s mouth exactly and should stay in place around the gums with only suction alone.
False teeth need to be removed at night to be cleaned but should not be loose or fall out at any other times. If they do, then it may be necessary to take them to a West London dentist to have them adjusted. It is also possible to have false teeth secured with a series of mini-implants that are drilled directly into the jawbone. These act as clips to keep the false teeth in place and allow the patient to live a normal life without the anxiety of loose fitting dentures.
