January 25th, 2012
It is a pretty open and shut case that most of us busy types in west London do our absolute best to maintain our oral hygiene in the time we have to ourselves during the day. But in a busy environment as the city, you could be forgiven for forgetting to look after your teeth constantly and even putting back the odd dental appointment, but you may not find your mouth so forgiving when things start to go wrong, and by skipping appointments, your dentist won’t be able to diagnose and repair the problems and the worst condition is gum disease which acts as a springboard to even more serious conditions. The gums are delicate and require lots of TLC to keep them healthy, but if they pick-up a disease, they can decline very quickly, leading to tooth loss. If your gums bleed or weep after cleaning, you will need to turn your hygiene around and watch what products you are using, especially alcohol based mouthwashes. Turning to herbal remedies can re-stimulate life into the gums and by rinsing your mouth with salt water will help stop the bleeding from your gums. But you really do need to get along to the dentist for further advice on stopping the problem. The can deep clean the teeth below the gum line and keep a close eye on any further development in the disease. But it’s beatable and often reversible if you’re willing to apply yourself to the scenario.
January 11th, 2012
When you start out into the world of oral hygiene in London’s W1, you are trying to reduce the chances of serious complications occurring later on down the path. Along with your dentist, there is a good chance of avoiding this happening. You’ll find it written into the spiel on most tubes of toothpaste, the avoidance of plaque. This little devil is only the start of bad things to come in your mouth and if it is allowed to get a grip around your teeth, it can lead to deadlier dangers. It will soon start to lead to tooth decay and gum disease. At this point it is important to get this problem under control as quick as you can, otherwise, you are truly in trouble if periodontal disease gets a foot in the door. This will start to kill the tissues that support your teeth and then eat away at the jaws that support your teeth as well. It is treatable but there is a strong chance that your teeth will fall out. Recovering from the problem may require drastic actions such as bone and gum grafting, but even then, you are not fully ensured that it will save your teeth in the long run. Any sign of bleeding gums and toothache means that you are venturing into the world of periodontitis and means you should take immediate action in order to save your teeth. Your dentist will do all that they can to help you out, but in the end, it is down t you to keep your mouth as healthy as you can.
November 1st, 2011
Everything you have grown up with when it comes to looking after teeth in central London is all aimed at one thing- avoiding plaque and its got a lot easier over the years with plaque breaking toothpastes, wonderful plaque orientated mouth-washes and state of the art electric sonic toothbrushes- brilliant, and any further problems can be dealt with by your dentist. So you may ask why all the fuss about plaque and the need to keep your mouth free of it- because it can destroy your teeth and gums very quickly- that’s why. Plaque develops directly from a build up of bacteria and then turns very quickly to a hard tartar. This will soon eat away at the tooth’s enamel and cause infection in the gums and then you can find yourself confronting a greater evil- periodontal disease and that breaks down the supporting tissues that protect your teeth. Then deep pockets can form around the teeth that then loosen and in the end drop out. The jaw structure can also suffer from infection and at this point, you can kiss goodbye to your teeth; this disease can also bring on an abscess and has terrifying links with cancer. But all is not lost because like anything else, identify the problem early and you have a chance of getting through it. Bleeding gums are an obvious sign, as are toothaches so this means you need to get your dentist involved to patch you up and then set your on a high alert regime with the way you conduct your oral hygiene. Upping your diet is also an important factor here in order to build up your immune system. If however the diseased is advanced, you may need surgery to repair the bone structure below the teeth. Oh, and if you smoke, then give up as this will add to the problem.
September 7th, 2011
The long term effects of periodontal disease (more commonly described as gum disease) can be very severe indeed. It is a leading cause of tooth loss and dentists in the United Kingdom are anxious to tell their patients that they can avoid such inconvenience and trauma by taking simple steps to look after their gums.
It is plaque that can damage the gums. These acidic bacteria cause gums to become inflamed if there is prolonged exposure so the main aim of good care for your gums is to minimise this exposure as best you can.
Brushing your teeth twice a day takes care of most of the plaque which can affect gums. But you will need to floss as well because the bristles on tooth brushes cannot reach between teeth as well as cleaning the surfaces.
Gingivitis is the most basic and common form of gum disease and can usually be eliminated with improvements to brushing and flossing or sometimes the use of special mouth wash or antibiotics. Once the inflammation spreads to the bones holding teeth in place then teeth can actually be lost as the gums recede.
Go and see your dentist in London W1 every six months or as you are advised so that the health of your gums can be monitored. He or she will also be able to administer scaling and polishing; a process that rids teeth or built up and stubborn tartar, as well as smoothing the surfaces of teeth so that plaque cannot so easily stick.
June 9th, 2011
One of the greatest battles you and your teeth are going to have to face throughout your life is against periodontal disease. It’s thought that 75% of people in London W1 will have trouble with the problem in some form, at some stage of their lives, but the consequences are very damaging to the teeth, gums and the health of the body. It all begins with bad oral hygiene- poor flossing and brushing, which allows a build up of plaque in the mouth. Gum disease follows quickly, poisoning the blood and then tooth decay sets in and inevitably, you will start to lose your teeth. Your gums are a dead give away that you have a problem- they may bleed and recede. But identify the disease and do something about it as quickly as possible, and you have a great chance of destroying it. Your dentist will be able to clean/scale the areas you can’t and treat them, but in the end it’s you that has to step up to the mark and get your daily oral hygiene program up to scratch so that the problem doesn’t return. You’re going to have to re-evaluate the way you brush, what you brush with, how to floss and be sure to look at herbal alternatives too. You must never fall into the mistakes you did before.
April 7th, 2011
Until you have suffered from gum disease yourself you might be unaware of just how inconvenient it can be. When your gums become inflamed they get swollen and rather reddened rather than their normal healthy pink. You might find that you are more sensitive towards foods which are extreme temperatures and have unpleasant tastes in your mouth. Gum disease is far more common in the United Kingdom than it ought to be but with the help of your London W1 dentist you can put a stop to it.
It is important to understand how gum disease can happen so that you can stop it from doing so in the first place. Just as plaque causes teeth to decay, it is a substance that is not good for your gums either. The danger comes when plaque is left on the gum line of teeth and begins to inflame the gums. Brushing in the right fashion should be removing all of this plaque from that sensitive area and often that is the only action that dentists will take if they spot incipient gum disease: advise you to brush more effectively.
The point is that the early stage of periodontal disease (gingivitis) is nothing that serious really but if inflammation of the gums is left to thrive then the consequences are far worse. Periodontitis is definitely an ailment that is worth avoiding. The inflammation spreads beyond the gums to affect the bones which secure your teeth. The gums themselves start to recede from the teeth and the teeth themselves are at heightened risk of falling out.
Keep your London W1 dentist informed of what’s going on in your mouth and report any of the early symptoms to gum disease to them immediately.
January 23rd, 2011
Bleeding Gums are a very common problem in dentistry but can sometimes mean more than just a simple problem and can in fact be quite severe. Bleeding gums are sometimes the start of very bad conditions like periodontal disease and gingivitis. There are a number of signs to look out for which may indicate gum disease or gingivitis including, sore gums, swollen gums, changes in the fit of the teeth, deep pocket formations between the teeth and gums, bleeding during and after brushing, and recession of the gums. Bleeding gums can however sometimes be a symptom of canker sores and mouth ulcers which are not caused by gum diseases. Not addressing the problems with bleeding gums can come at a very high price as in some situations it can increase the risk of diabetes, strokes, and heart attacks. If the gums are exposed and swollen they are under the attack from every bacterium that is present in the mouth and its exposure allows for the passage of these bacteria into other parts of the body. This causes a number of conditions such as, digestive disorders, respiratory dysfunction, and pancreatic cancer. There are a number of chief causes for bleeding gums such as, lack of oral hygiene, hormonal changes, cancer, and chemotherapy. The best way to avoid bleeding gums and risk of exposure to bacteria are to stick to strict oral hygiene routine. This means you should be brushing and flossing twice daily, keeping to a balanced diet, keeping hydrated, drinking plenty of water, avoid smoking and tobacco products, and to taking care when drinking very cold or very hot drinks. Visit a city of London W1 dentist to avoid problems with bleeding gums.
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.
March 6th, 2010
Periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, is responsible for more lost teeth in the UK than any other type of dental problem, including tooth decay. Therefore it is very important that you are able to recognise the signs of gum disease and act upon them as soon as possible.
Gum disease is caused by a build up of plaque on the teeth and gums. Plaque contains bacteria and food debris that starts to decay releasing acids, which erode tooth enamel and destroy gum tissue. This destruction of tissue begins with a gradual irritation leading to inflammation and soreness. At this point, periodontal disease is known as gingivitis and is easily treated by a dentist or with improved oral hygiene. If it is allowed to continue to worsen however, it becomes the more serious periodontitis, which requires much more serious treatment. When it has reached this stage there may be irreparable damage to the gum tissue, which may need to be treated with antibiotics or even surgical tissue removal. This might even include a stay in hospital.
On top of this, badly damaged gum tissue can lead to a loosening of support for teeth and the spread of infection. Gum disease has recently been linked to heart disease which is just another reason to make sure you are doing something about it. Visit a London W1 dentist every six-months to check for gum disease and try to improve your oral hygiene by better brushing and flossing. Gum disease is easily avoided with the right precautions and can be very serious if these are ignored.
January 13th, 2010
Prevention is better than a cure every time says a City of London dentist. Gum disease is a by-product of modern living and a lax attitude to the problem. Once a disease of the gums like Gingivitis gets a hold, it is almost impossible to eliminate, the best your dentist can hope to do is to slow down the progress of the disease. Tooth loss is just one aspect of it, once the bacteria starts eating into the gum itself it will then expose the part of the tooth it protects. That vulnerable part of the tooth starts to collect plaque quickly and the damage is done, often resulting in a premature loss of an otherwise healthy tooth. This is often due to a lax attitude in simple oral care, flossing twice a day, mouth washing with a good solution, using the correct brush and actually brushing in the correct manner can all make it difficult for bacteria to breed in the mouth, eliminating the worst kinds of gum disease. Gingivitis is the worst that most people suffer from, and this is a very advanced case of periodontal disease. Soreness, constant bleeding and infection will follow, along with more frequent and longer visits to that place we all hate, the dentist’s chair. Why do we do it, why do we suffer all this when a little change to our oral care habits would stop it almost completely? There is only one word to explain it…laziness. There I’ve said it…laziness, if being lazy lost us money or our good looks and charm, then we’d do something about it, but because we treat oral care with contempt we then suffer later on. Your dentist is there to help you with preventive measures as well as treatment, take a little time on your next visit to have a chat about gum disease prevention.
