Bad breath is something which is now becoming the modern equivalent of a social stigma, says a Central London dentist. The worst thing is that it is so easily avoidable, with a simple to follow and a disciplined attitude towards oral hygiene a cure is easily to hand. If you have bad breath you won`t be able to detect it by cupping your hands and sniffing in your breath, this doesn’t work. The best way to tell is to talk to someone up close and watch their facial expressions, that will usually give the game away. Bad breath is caused by a number of problems, and they are not all related to your oral hygiene regime. Diabetes and Liver problems are also responsible for bad breath in some people, in that case they are a warning sign that your have a health problem or even worse an infected liver or a bad diabetes regime. In both cases get a doctors advice immediately. Usually though bad breath is caused by eating strong spicy foods such as garlic enhanced meals, but mainly it is caused by rotting food residue trapped in the cavities of the mouth and in between teeth. Acid build up is caused by the food being attacked by bacteria, and this is just the same as a rotting animal carcass under your floor boards. Flossing around the teeth is an essential part of oral hygiene, and this needs to be done throughout the day, especially after a meal or a snack. Drinking water throughout the day is good for the body in general, but in the mouth it keeps acid concentration to a minimum which will also keep decaying material at a minimum. Chewing sugar free gum will also go some way to keeping the saliva glands active, saliva also keeps acid build up down. Follow these simple rules and you will see a great improvement in bad breath problems.
Category “Dental Disorders”
A Central London dentist speaks out about Embarrassing Bad Breath
March 11th, 2010Break the link between sleep apnea and heart disease at City of London dentist
March 2nd, 2010Sleep apnea is a disorder that similar to snoring happens unconsciously during sleep and can be the source of misery to anyone who has to live with a sufferer. Like snorers, apnea sufferers are almost completely unaware that they are making any noise or suffering with the condition unless a loved one tells them.
However, sleep apnea has a slightly darker side than snoring. Whereas snoring is the sound of an obstruction in the airway when breathing, apnea is the sound a person makes when they have completely stopped breathing. This may happen several times during the night and in some cases hundreds of times. The cessation of breathing that causes apnea has two main causes. The most common is caused when the airway is blocked by a collapsing soft palate at the back of the throat. This temporarily stops the person breathing before it rights itself. This is known as obstructive sleep apnea. The other type of sleep apnea is called central sleep apnea and is caused when a malfunction in the main respiratory area of the brain forgets to send a message to the lungs to breath.
Sleep apnea can be the underlying cause of stress and anxiety in everyday life as it prevents the sufferer getting the necessary amount of proper sleep. More worryingly though is the fact that it can put an enormous strain on the heart which can lead to heart disease and even fatal heart attacks. If you or a loved one is suffering from sleep apnea it is important that they see a City of London dentist for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
A London W1 dentist talks about bad breath and how curing it can improve your self esteem
February 8th, 2010
Bad breath can be caused by a number of problems, from odorous foods such as garlic or chilli to liver disease, excessive drinking, diabetes and little or no oral hygiene. The good news is that the problem is curable, albeit a change in lifestyle will be necessary in most cases. The effect it can have on the personality is also astounding says a London W1 dentist, in fact there is research that shows a low esteem leads to a lax regime in personal care. Oral hygiene is one of the first areas that are affected and the person rarely realises that they have bad breath; this leads to people avoiding them and just piles more misery on the personal problems. Like the advert years ago use to say “bad breath is something even your best friend wont tell you about”. Liver disease is often a cause and in itself bad breath can often lead to a diagnosis that might have otherwise gone undetected, alcohol is often the main offender here or should I say an unhealthy and excessive intake is the offender. In order to treat bad breath in extreme cases the root cause may be treated first, but all in all good and well advised oral care will always improve the situation. Bacteria build up throughout the day is one of the catalysts that bring on and accelerates the problem, so brushing after each meal, mouth washing, chewing gum to produce saliva and drinking water will all help. If the bacteria isn’t removed it thrives on the sugar and fats in the food we eat, then when it dies of excess it become tartar and hardens onto the base of the tooth.
Making bad breath a thing of the past by a London W1 dentist
January 5th, 2010
Bad breath is caused by many factors; it is known medically as Halitosis and in its worst form is nasty, but avoidable. All dentists have a hygiene nurse on hand and getting advice is easy, quick and extremely necessary in people with certain medical conditions. Liver disease, Diabetes and Gastric problems can add to the cause of bad breath, as well as a lax regime in oral care. Often a new diet, cutting out alcohol, and taking the correct medication can take care of the other medical problems and bad breath, but most people with bad breath also need the assistance of a dental hygienist. Bacteria is a necessary part of our diet, it breaks down our food into fat and sugar for our bodies to be able to feed the organs, blood and muscles. This bacteria is also harmful to us, when it has done its job it then evolves into a new entity. This evolutionary bacteria produces acid in our mouths that attack the protective layers of enamel on our teeth, if left unchecked it will eventually turn hard and become tartar, which is harder to remove with conventional methods such as mouthwash, flossing and brushing. Tartar needs to be removed by a method called scaling, this is a procedure done at the dentist usually every 6 months. A dentist in London W1 advises that a regime of easy oral care will go some way to preventing tartar build up, and bad breath. Best of all is the news that our teeth will need less work on them in later years, and gum disease will find it almost impossible to breed in the mouth. We often hear the expression “Rocket Science it ain`t”, well guess what? It `ain`t rocket science` to follow a simple regime and ensure good oral hygiene.
Relief from painful TMJ at West London dentist
December 20th, 2009
TMJ is a disorder affecting the temporomandibular joints, or jaw joints, located in front of each ear, connecting the jaw to the skull. This joint is responsible for all movement of the jawbone including eating and talking so any disorder can be particularly serious. Approximately one in ten people in the UK suffer from a TMJ disorder of some description, although many may have no idea that’s what is causing the pain.
The exact cause of TMJ is not known but many contributing causes include stress, arthritis and hormonal change. However, it is likely that one of the key causes is an interruption of bite in the mouth leading to irritation and sub-conscious teeth grinding. This can cause tension to build up in the joint leading to painful TMJ.
Diagnosing a TMJ can be very confusing but will usually involve a dentist conducting a clench test to see if the joint hurts when clenching the teeth. Further diagnostic tests can be carried out if the cause of the problem is not clear. Unfortunately for sufferers, the most prevalent symptom is pain. This can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers and heat packs. More permanent relief can only really be sought from a dentist fitting a dental appliance to prevent any bite misalignment during sleep.
West London dentists are fully trained and equipped to diagnose and treat the pain of TMJ. If you are suffering from a painful face, jaw or neck and have been unable to get to the root of the problem with conventional diagnoses, make an appointment to see a dentist and ask about TMJ.
Painful TMJ treated by West London dentist
October 22nd, 2009
Patients who have missing teeth can sometimes suffer with painful jaw disorders called TMJ. This happens because the remaining teeth lean into the gap left by the missing teeth. This alters the way the top and bottom teeth sit together, known as the the bite, and can cause painful alignment problems.
Tooth loss is just one cause of TMJ and there is some argument about what can actually lead to this painful disorder. Many physicians think it may be caused by stress and the related unconscious teeth grinding, or bruxism as it is also known. This may well be the cause of TMJ but it is undoubtedly caused by some of the more common dental issues such as tooth loss.
TMJ is a disorder that affects the major bones and joints in the head, specifically the jaw which is also known as the temporomandibular joint (this joint lends its name to the condition). Because the joint is so regularly in use, it is vital for talking and eating, TMJ can be a particularly irritating condition rendering the most mundane of tasks excruciating. Sufferers of TMJ complain of pain that covers the whole spectrum from minor to severe and intermittent to permanent. As anyone who has experienced pain in the jaw will tell you, it is no joke and can be extremely unpleasant if not properly treated.
Unfortunately for sufferers of TMJ the main symptom is pain. This usually manifests itself in the jawbone but can also appear in the neck and face and, in severe cases, in the ear causing temporary hearing loss. Dentists can test for TMJ by performing the clench test as part of your regular check up. The test involves fully clenching the teeth together to ascertain if it is causing any pain. This may indicate a change in bite which could lead to TMJ. If TMJ is suspected the dentist can carry out further inspection of the teeth and jawbone and possibly refer you to a surgeon should he suspect TMJ.
Patients can get short-term relief from TMJ with over the counter pain relief. The use of hot and cold packs can also minims the swelling and pain caused by TMJ. If you are suffering unexplained pain in the neck, face or jaw ask a West London dentist to perform a test for TMJ at your next appointment.
Central London dentist helps avoid excess fluoride causing dental caries
September 17th, 2009
Fluoride is a chemical that has been added to water for over half a century with the purported belief that it prevents tooth decay and dental cavities. However, like many drugs, fluoride has been proven to cause that which it supposed to cure. Tooth decay rates are actually increasing in areas of high water fluoridation yet some dentists continue to ignore the evidence and prescribe more fluoride directly or advocate adding it to the water supply.
The common belief is that drinking the optimum levels of fluoride each day can help prevent tooth decay without any negative side effects. While there may be some truth in this it is also true that anything above this optimal level and fluoride can actually be the cause of dental cavities or caries.
The most obvious sign of excess fluoride is fluorosis, a condition that leaves the teeth stained yellow or even brown. This is most caused by an overexposure to fluoride in the developing years between one and six. According to recent research in the US dental cavities occur more commonly in patients who suffer from fluorosis.
One of the main problems is that children are already receiving the optimum amounts of fluoride which occurs naturally in water and most food substances. Added to this the fluoridated water and the use of fluoride tablets and fluoride toothpaste and some children are far exceeding the recommended amount. This is leaving them prone to flourosis and dental cavities later in life.
Many dentists now believe that a healthy and balanced diet, one which eliminates high sugar content food, will provide enough fluoride for the average child to defend against cavities without the need for adding fluoride to drinking water. Flouride has for too long been used as a safety net against poor diets but it would seem even this strategy is not working. Ireland suffers from a tooth decay rate higher than five other European countries that don’t fluoridate the water, which would seem to prove that fluoride is doing little to stem the rate of decay and in large quantities may even be responsible for it. Central London dentists can advise patients and parents on the necessary levels of fluoride and will recommend which toothpastes are suitable to use in your area.
Central London dentist has cure for embarrassing bad breath
September 12th, 2009
At one point in our lives we have probably all been embarrassed, or shown up, for having bad breath. It can happen to anyone at any time unless you take some simple precautions to stop it. After all it can be very hard to tell if you have bad breath. We’ve probably all done the hand-cupping manoevre at one time and it rarely works. Because of this it can often be a source of great anxiety, and nobody wants to be known as the ‘guy with bad breath’.
Although the causes of bad breath can be internal and caused by issues such as poor digestion, recent studies have shown that almost 90% of cases of bad breath are caused by poor standards of oral hygiene. The mouth is a perfect location for bacteria to exist, with over 500 million different types of bacteria existing on the human tongue alone. Food matter, caught between teeth or in the grooves of the tongue, produce volatile sulfurous compounds which are the cause of most cases of bad breath.
So what can we do about it? Using a mouthwash will help to mask the odour but is really only treating the symptoms not the cause. The best treatment for bad breath, as it is so often when it comes to oral hygiene, is regular and effective brushing and flossing. Brushing twice a day for three minutes and flossing once a day helps to fight plaque, the substance which acts as a breeding ground for decaying bacterial matter. Not only does brushing and flossing help to prevent bad breath but by maintaining high standards of oral hygiene your mouth will overall be far healthier and you’ll be far less likely to suffer from further periodontal problems, and even general health problems. Two birds, one stone springs to mind.
Bad breath can therefore act as your first warning that improvements need to be made in your mouth. You need to brush better, floss more and keep your teeth healthy and clean. A Central London dentist will be able to offer advice on which brushes will work for you, and it always wise to keep up regular six month check to make sure that bad smelling plaque is getting the upper hand.
Posted in Dental Disorders, Oral Hygiene | No Comments »
West London dentist eases the distress of teeth grinding
September 12th, 2009
Teeth grinding, or bruxism as it is clinically called, is the act of unconsciously grinding or clenching the teeth, either during the day or at night. It affects not just the teeth but the whole bone structure around them including the jaw. As such it is a dental problem but also considered a larger medical concern. Teeth grinding during the night is as common a complaint as snoring but because the noise is not as obtrusive little is done about it.
One of the main causes of teeth grinding, doctors believe, is stress. Dentists tend to lean more towards it being a physiological condition caused by the misalignment of teeth. In children it is almost certainly caused by the accelerated growth of the jaw and teeth.
In circumstances where the teeth are not aligned correctly, grinding is an involuntary reaction to try and make them fit together better. This can lead to a number of other dental problems. Teeth can become worn down and flattened and the enamel, which protects the teeth from bacteria, is eroded which causes cavities. Other physical symptoms you might experience are pain and tightness in the jaw and possible headaches.
Common treatments for teeth grinding range from the psychological to the preventative. Many believe that stress management will reduce the instances of teeth grinding. Dentists will often recommend using a mouth guard when sleeping to protect the teeth. Teeth that have been worn down can be repaired with crowns and other treatments such as bonding. Ask a West London dentist if you or someone you know suffers from teeth grinding. They can suggest the best method of treatment to help you get a good nights sleep.
Suffering in silence, it might be tmj – ask your city of London dentist
August 16th, 2009
Temporomandibular disorder, otherwise known as TMJ, affects the temporomandibular joint, an area that includes the major bones and muscles of the jaw and some areas of the skull. This is the part of the head that is responsible for chewing, biting and talking. TMJ can therefore cause pain while carrying out these simple and essential actions. The pain experienced by sufferers can range from constant to intermittent and may last for many years.
TMJ has often been attributed to stress related disorders but further research has shown that can be a variety of different causes. Interferences in the movement of the jaw or bite from individual teeth can force muscles to reposition joints out of their sockets.Other causes of TMJ include a trauma to the head or face such as a sudden jolt. Grinding of teeth may also cause an interference with bite and can lead to TMJ.
The major symptom of TMJ is, rather unfortunately, pain. Pain to the jaw, head, face and neck may all be indicative of TMJ. Other signs that you might have TMJ are difficulty hearing or earache. Your city of London dentist may also carry out a clench test. If one or all teeth cause pain when you clench your teeth, you may be suffering from TMJ. Your dentist will also evaluate your bite and the movement and relationship of your jaw and joints.
Although temporary relief may be found using hot or cold packs, limited jaw movement and medication, it really requires a proper diagnosis and full treatment by a dentist to cure TMJ to a satisfactory degree, and may even be significantly cheaper than paying out repeatedly for palliative treatments.
TMJ is a very common condition and one that, with the right dentist, can be cured. See your city of London dentist if you think you might be suffering.
