There are several emergencies that can crop up in the mouth- some minor, some major, but the one that is the most dangerous of all is an abscessed tooth- in fact it can be fatal. An abscess normally stems, dare we say it again people of London W1, from poor oral hygiene. Once plaque has been allowed to take hold of your teeth, tartar will form that will then start to infect the gums. Left to do its own thing, the tooth will develop a cavity and tooth decay will set in and up until now, you may have been blissfully unaware of anything going wrong, but you soon will be. The tooth will become suceptible to temperature change, your mouth may taste foul, and your face may well swell up- if this happens, it requires immediate treatment as the abscess has already started to poison the bloodstream and your life could be in danger. In some cases, the pain may subside, but that only means the nerves have been killed off but the decay and bacteria are still well and truly alive. Now though at this stage the tooth can be saved with treatment, once an abscess has shown its hand, it has a habit of re-offending and in the end, there is no other option but to remove the tooth altogether.
Posts tagged “tartar”
The Perils of an Abscessed Tooth in London W1
September 30th, 2011See a West London dentist for scaling and polishing: that extra help with cleaning your teeth
September 5th, 2011
At the dental surgery you can have scaling and polishing done to get your teeth extra clean. This will usually be carried out at your regular six month check up and is a great help in the fight against the damaging effects of plaque erosion on your teeth.
Even with the worthiest of efforts when it comes to brushing and flossing your teeth, it is still possible for plaque to remain on the teeth and then harden into tartar. This substance cannot be removed with your tooth brush at home and the only way for you to rid yourself of it is to get your dentist to undertake scaling and polishing.
The two parts of scaling and polishing have slightly different functions. The scaling part is concerned with removing the stubborn tartar so that it cannot initiate a process of erosion on your teeth leading to cavity formation. This is carried out with what are essentially miniature hooks that scrape away at the tartar.
The polishing part of the process is, as the name suggests, a process of polishing the surfaces of teeth. This not only makes them look and feel better but it also means that plaque cannot stick to the teeth as easily.
At your next six months check up with your dentist in West London you may well be given scaling and polishing if you have tartar that needs removing.
Patients in West London benefits from regular dental check ups
August 8th, 2011
While most people recognise the importance of brushing, flossing and eating sugary foods in moderation, when it comes to dental health, it is just as important to visit the dentist regularly so that your mouth can be checked by a trained, expert professional. Dentists place a great deal of emphasis on preventive dentistry which is the ethos that it is better to deal with a dental complaint before it has become serious. In order to allow your dentist to achieve preventive dentistry methods, it is advisable to go and see him or her on a regular basis.
When you go to the dentist for a check up, they will be looking out for signs of potential problems in the making. Your West London dentist will examine all of your teeth for signs of excess plaque and also to monitor them to see if cavities are forming. Cavities occur when the enamel is worn away by plaque or teeth grinding, leaving the nerves inside the teeth exposed to potential damage. If plaque has built up to such a degree that it has hardened into tartar, your dentist will be able to remove it using a technique known as scaling and polishing.
Your dentist will also examine your gums for signs of inflammation that can mean gum disease or gingivitis, in the most basic form. Dentists are now trained too to look out for oral cancer and sleep apnea. Many dental surgeries increasingly offer a service whereby you are sent a reminder to tell you that it has been six months since your last check up. This reminder can come in the form of mail, e-mail or a text message to your phone.
Getting a Scale and a Polish in West London
June 3rd, 2011
Take a step back and have a think about your daily routine and what you put in your mouth in west London, and then think about the affect this may have on your teeth. Hard sweets and foods for example, can produce sharp edges on the teeth, smoking, tea, coffee and red wine will leave their mark and stain the teeth. Now brush as much as you like, but the best way to remedy your lifestyle and remove any tartar, or these sharp edges from the mouth is to get down to the dentist for a scale and polish. And if you like the routine you live and won’t change it for the world, then you best visit at least twice a year. The dentist will first de-scale your teeth around the base and if need be, below the gum line to ensure your teeth are free of any tartar deposits on the enamel. Then the teeth will be polished to ensure there are no rough edges on the surface. There is quite an important reason for these two treatments. Any rough edges that tartar produce, or a rough edge on the tooth surface make it easier for plaque to develop and then before you know it, you’re having to have the same treatment again. With smooth teeth, it’s easier for your toothbrush to eliminate any traces of plaque.
West London dentists administer scaling and polishing to help patients with their oral hygiene
April 5th, 2011
There are many good reasons to go and see your dentist every six months for a check up, not least of which is so that any problems with your mouth can be diagnosed and treated. Your dentist will be trained and expert in spotting the early signs of things like dental decay, gum disease and oral cancer. But there is another reason why you should go and see your dentist every six months which will help you with your dental care.
It doesn’t matter how well you look after your teeth there is always the danger that plaque can harden into tartar. Tartar is much like plaque really, it’s just that it has hardened and as such is much more difficult to remove. It is so difficult to remove in fact that you will be unable to do so with your tooth brush at home. It is not difficult for dentists to remove however.
Using a procedure known as scaling and polishing your dentist can effectively remove the hardened tartar from your teeth. They will scrape away at the tartar with a small metal hook and then give your teeth a polish. This not only makes them look better but the added smoothness that the surface of your teeth have after they have been polished means that plaque finds it more difficult to cling to your teeth as a result.
As well as causing dental decay and gum disease, tartar also makes your teeth take on a yellow hue which most people want to avoid. Good looking teeth are white teeth so it is worth going to see your West London dentist to get scaling and polishing done.
Learn basic dental care from City of London dentist
October 1st, 2010
When it comes to looking after the health of your teeth, there are a few basic steps you can take to keep them clean, healthy and in the best possible condition. Brushing your teeth twice a day for three minutes as advised by City of London dentists and flossing at least once a day will help to keep the teeth clean and free from decay-causing plaque and tartar.
When we eat food, tiny particles get trapped in the small spaces between the teeth and also in the grooves of the enamel and around the base of the teeth. Bacteria forms on these particles and creates a sticky film called plaque which will coat the teeth and will attract more bacteria each time we eat. This bacteria decays and releases acid which will slowly start to erode the tooth enamel. When this starts to happen, the more sensitive inner parts of the teeth are exposed to the bacteria and an infection can easily start to build up. This is called tooth decay and will eventually lead to the destruction of the dental nerve and the loss of the tooth.
This can all be prevented by the removal of this bacteria and plaque by effective brushing. Cleaning the teeth with toothpaste and a toothbrush will strip the bacteria from the teeth and make it harder for plaque to cling to the teeth. This is why dentists always recommend cleaning the teeth after eating, as this is when the teeth are at their most vulnerable.
Flossing helps to remove the plaque from the more difficult to reach areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can not get to. Cleaning in tandem like this will give you the best possible chance of avoiding dental conditions and having a check up every six months will also ensure that your teeth are as healthy as possible.
Why Floss? A West London dentist explains why
April 23rd, 2010
Flossing is a method of cleaning in between the teeth to get rid of food debris, and keep down the build up of tartar says a West London dentist. Imagine your house having a clean floor with dirty skirting boards, which would look so out of place that it would be very obvious. Well that’s exactly what flossing is, it is the cleaning of the areas that the main method of cleaning miss, you wouldn’t vacuum a carpet and leave dirt around the sides, so why clean your teeth and not floss? It’s not as if it’s even a hard or time consuming exercise. Tartar will build up around the sides of your teeth if flossing isn’t done on a regular basis, this is generally chipped off the tooth when we get our 6 monthly check up, but to prevent the build up in the first place is the sensible thing to do. Flossing is as important as brushing and rinsing properly, even more so, as brushing and rinsing does not remove most of the food residue in between the teeth. This food is attacked by bacteria which feeds on it and then as a by-product, produces harmful acids that damage the enamel on the front of the teeth. Bacteria can then penetrate deep into the tooth and cause infections, if the problem continues we either end up losing the tooth or getting a root canal treatment, neither of these are worth avoiding a few minutes a day that flossing requires. Washing the mouth with water throughout the day will also help to keep down acid build up, but be sure to have a little floss first. Flossing isn’t just for the morning and the evening, it should be done after each meal throughout the day to be fully effective and keep diseases of the gums at bay.
Tips on Taking Good Care of your Teeth by a West London dentist
April 2nd, 2010
Taking care of your teeth will reap its own rewards, says a West London Dentist. Not only will it save you money on dental visits, but also the time and worry involved when we have a dental problem. If you are not familiar with a good oral hygiene program then get some advice and a leaflet from your local dentist, you should be seeing your dentist every 6 months for a check up and a tartar clean up anyway. Brushing is a big cause of concern for many dentists, many have expressed surprise that their patients have little or no idea on how to brush correctly, for the right amount of time and with the correct brush, but advice is available at all surgeries. Next comes flossing as a concern, many people don’t floss at all or simply go through the process with impunity, if you don’t do it properly it won’t work. Just having a quick rinse around in the morning and last thing at night will see you having constant visits to the dentist. The best tip is to speak to your dental surgery hygiene nurse, and then take it from there. Bad breath will disappear and you will notice a better and whiter smile. Start off the regime with a rinse, this will loosen most of the night time debris, next floss in between every tooth. Then brush using either an electric brush or a recommended hand brush. Brush up and down and in a circular fashion, remember to spend a little time getting in between the teeth as you pass over them, do the back of the teeth as well. Then floss again to make sure you get any bits left over. During the day drink 4 litres of water in small amounts, but constantly. Always floss the teeth again after each meal or snack, and brush if you can.
Beat gum disease with preventative dentistry from Central London dentist
March 1st, 2010
Preventative dentistry is the practise of making sure your teeth are in the best possible shape and that everything is being done to protect them from the threat of tooth decay and gum disease. It involves drawing up a plan with your dentist or hygienist, which you can stick to ensue that your teeth and mouth are as healthy as they can be.
The process starts with an initial consultation with your dentist. They will assess your teeth for any problems that need sorting out and make a further appointment to carry out any repair work necessary. Once the required dental repairs have been carried out it is then time to have your teeth completely cleaned by the hygienist. By using scaling and polishing, the hygienist will remove tartar and make the surface of the teeth smooth so that it is hard for plaque to stick to it.
Once the teeth are completely cleaned it is considered a fresh start. Your clean and repaired teeth are healthy and it is up to you to keep them that way. The hygienist will draw up a hygiene plan, which if stuck to correctly will help to keep your teeth as healthy and clean as when you leave the surgery. This may involve using new cleaning techniques or products and may even involve a change in your eating habits or small lifestyle adjustments. Of course you will not be completely on your own as your plan will involve regular check ups with the dentist to assess progress and ensure it is working for your teeth.
If you think you could benefit from a preventative dentistry plan to keep your teeth and gums healthy then make an appointment with a Central London dentist.
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Why floss? By a Central London dentist
January 18th, 2010
Flossing was devised to eliminate plaque build-up, plaque is the dead bacteria that forms into tartar around the base of teeth. This tartar prevents the effect that brushing has on the teeth, without that protection our teeth will become brittle and break off before they are due to. Getting plaque removed every 6 months with a dental clean up is fine, but by then the damage is already irreversibly done. Flossing, says the Central London dentist, is done for an important reason and that reason is a preventative one. Imagine a corner of your garden being invaded by aggressive wild pigs, if they aren’t moved on they will destroy your garden, if when they die you leave the carcass to rot it will smell and cause more damage, as will all their natural waste if not removed daily. Now bring in the RSPCA to move them on and the problem is solved, a healthy smelling corner of your lovely garden is recovered to the satisfaction of all. Now, let’s think of flossing in that same way, the floss is the RSPCA and twice a day it moves the problem (pigs) on. Simple isn’t it, so why aren’t we doing it enough? Its mostly down to a lax attitude to our oral care, we are sometimes so engrossed in our day that we forget. Now at least when you next see a meal, you’ll remember that vision of the wild pigs and be reminded to floss your teeth at least twice a day. Drinking water and brushing after each meal is also a good way to keep bacteria build up at bay, carry a few flossing and tooth pick sticks with you in future. It takes just a few minutes to clean between the teeth after a meal.
