Posts Tagged “dental decay”

Swindon dentists help patients improve their dental health through dietary choices

The most important aspects of maintaining excellent dental health are of course how you take care of your teeth. Brushing and flossing are the main components of this and have a major impact in terms of the removal of plaque so that dental decay and gum disease are avoided. But there are other things to be taken into consideration also, such as what your diet consists of.

Plaque is the substance that causes most of the possible problems in mouths. Removal is of course crucial, but it can help if you are avoiding the foods which cause plaque to occur in the first place. The main things to remember are that plaque is produced in the greatest profusion when you eat sugary or starchy food.

To this end, it is best to keep sugary and starchy foods to a minimum. Things like boiled sweets are especially bad in terms of plaque production and the same can be said of sugary soft drinks. What many people don’t know is that things like potato crisps can produce high levels of plaque also. It is always worth considering the physical aspects of the foods that you eat. Crisps for example, tend to stick to the teeth and can easily get lodges in between teeth too. Fruit and fruit juice are high in natural sugar but they do not stick as easily to teeth.

If you want to eat foods like sweets and crisps, keep them to a minimum but also consider giving your teeth a brush and floss afterwards to get rid of the plaque that has formed. Chew some chewing gum if brushing is not possible. Dentists in Swindon have access to a great store of advice when it comes to dental health and dietary considerations.

September 1, 2011 at 6:32 am | general dentistry | No comment

Bristol dentists help patients to beat dental decay once and for all

Having a set of healthy teeth is easily taken for granted but it is crucial in allowing us to do those everyday activities such as eating, drinking and talking without pain and discomfort. Your teeth are under constant threat from an acidic substance known as plaque which is formed when you eat certain foods which contain a lot of sugar or starch. Find out how to ensure that plaque does not cause your teeth to decay.

Teeth decay when plaque begins to erode the protective layer of enamel which coats them. This enamel is a tough substance but it cannot withstand prolonged exposure to embedded plaque and will begin to break down after a certain period. Greater sensitivity is the result as the nerves inside your teeth become exposed. These holes in your enamel will need to be filled up so that the tooth does not break down and become useless.

You can avoid suffering from dental decay in the first place by taking certain preventative steps. Choosing the right foods is crucial in this respect and you should limit the amount of sugary substances you consume. It can be helpful to brush your teeth after eating these types of food so that plaque cannot take hold.

In any case brushing should be done at least twice a day, usually first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Flossing ought to be carried out too because it removes plaque from between the teeth where brushing often cannot reach. Dentists in Bristol are a great source of advice and help if you are worried about the causes and the effects of dental decay.

July 3, 2011 at 3:26 am | general dentistry | No comment

Bath dentists help patients avoid periodontal disease with their expertise

There are a number of good reasons to visit your dentist every six months for a check up. The fact is that your dentist knows a great deal about teeth and gums and can help you look after your mouth. The main reason to visit him or her is so that any nasty condition which is developing can be spotted, diagnosed and then treated before it gets worse. When it comes to the health of your mouth, most of the conditions which can affect it are not that serious in and of themselves but they need to be dealt with because further down the line, real problems can result.

This is especially true of periodontal disease, commonly just known as gum disease. Gum disease is rife in the United Kingdom and many people simply aren’t aware that they even have it. Greater sensitivity when you eat or drink hot or cold foods, or reddening of the gums, might mean that you have gingivitis, the most basic form of gum disease.

It’s nothing to worry about as long as your dentist diagnoses it early. It can be dealt with by some special formulated mouth washes and in some cases antibiotics are prescribed. Usually it is just a case of refining your oral hygiene routine by brushing more effectively and flossing.

If gingivitis is left to progress it can become periodontitis, which is a very serious proposition indeed. Periodontitis is the reason why one can say that gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, more so than dental decay itself. It involved the inflammation of the gums spreading to the bones which hold the teeth in place. It’s as painful as it sounds and ought to be avoided by regular visits to your Bath dentist so he or she can keep a close eye on the state of your gums.

April 18, 2011 at 4:05 am | gum disease | No comment

Bristol dentists replace lost teeth with dental bridges

Replacing a lost tooth or teeth is vital to secure the long term health of your mouth. Having a gap in your smile can lead to a loss of confidence if you find that you are embarrassed about smiling in social situations. Eating and drinking can become painful and the teeth surrounding the gap might begin to shift. If you have lost a number of teeth your cheeks might sag, making you look older than you are.

Whether you have lost a tooth through an accident, dental decay or gum disease, dental bridges provide the answer. There are three types of dental bridge, the most common being the traditional or fixed variety. Here a false tooth, known as a pontic, is affixed between two crowns which themselves are anchored to neighbouring teeth. This is avery stable method an ideal if you have lost one tooth. In cases where one of your front teeth has been lost a plastic pontic will be used in a process called resin-bonded or Maryland-bonded bridges. This method ensures that your smile looks as natural as possible by concealing the resin. You might need a cantilever bridge if it is decided that the pontic can only be fused to a tooth on one side because your front teeth are liable to experience stress.

To make sure that the bridge and pontic will have enough room your dentist might shave off a little of an existing tooth. Using a mould that has been taken of your mouth, technicians in a specialist lab will fabricate a replacement which will be attached with dental cement. While you wait for this, to keep the area protected, you will wear a temporary bridge.

Contact your Bristol dentist if you have lost a tooth and want to find out more about the dental bridge work which can provide you with a lasting solution.

November 1, 2010 at 4:48 am | dental bridge | No comment

What makes a good plaque remover? Ask your Swindon dentist

Plaque is the sticky, filmy substance that coats the teeth and covers them in bacteria and bacterial acid which breaks them down. This causes dental cavities and ultimately dental decay and tooth loss. However, there are a number of ways you can remove plaque before it can do any real damage. It is not only important to remove plaque early to prevent damage but also because if left it will harden into tartar which cannot be removed unless by the expert skill of a dentist.

The easiest way of removing plaque is by brushing and flossing. If this is done regularly (dentists recommend brushing for three minutes twice a day and flossing once a day) then the plaque will have no time to build up and your teeth will stay healthy. Make sure you use an appropriate toothbrush and that when flossing you try and get to the hard to reach places.

Electric toothbrushes make a particularly good plaque remover because of the speed they are able to move at. Ask your Swindon dentist which toothbrush would be most appropriate for your teeth and for instructions on how to floss correctly.

As well as brushing and flossing you can also buy specialist tools for the removal of plaque, although it is always advised that you consult a dentist before using these. It is better if you make sure to have a six-monthly appointment with your dentist who will also be able to refer you to a dental hygienist for any additional plaque removal.

Removing plaque is very important for the health of your teeth. It can stop decay and infection before they even have a chance to take hold and will also help to keep your teeth looking as healthy as possible.

October 22, 2010 at 4:42 am | oral hygiene | No comment

Bath dentist offers solution to dental extraction

There are many reasons why people need dental extractions. This could be due either to suffering pain from a wisdom tooth or dental decay, the gums may be in bad condition causing the teeth to be loose and sore or simply because there is not enough room for the teeth and they are suffering from overcrowding issues. Whatever the reason, an extraction may be an option but of course, this is quite a serious procedure so your Bath dentist may explore other options before resorting to extractions.

In the case of overcrowding this could be using a brace or other straightening device to align the teeth naturally. In terms of infected teeth, a root canal procedure can save the tooth from extraction if successfully carried out in time, but in some cases, there is just no alternative. Obviously, dentists don’t like to remove natural teeth but in the event they need to, you need to make sure you follow all their instructions for your own safety. This involves keeping teeth clean and healthy in the days and weeks prior to surgery, making sure you avoid smoking and drinking alcohol before and after surgery, and following any other specific advice your dentist may have.

Following the extraction it may be quite painful and you are also at an increased risk of infection. This can result in further health complications so you need to be aware and contact your dentist immediately if you feel anything unusual. If you have had to have an extraction for reasons of dental health such as decay or infection, it is possible to have the tooth replaced with an artificial substitute such as a dental bridge or a dental implant. Ask your dentist about the restorative dental treatments following an extraction.

October 1, 2010 at 4:13 am | general dentistry | No comment

Face your dental phobia with help from Chepstow dentist

Many people have a fear of the dentist. In a recent survey it was found that nearly ninety per cent of people in the UK admitted to having a fear of the dentists. While this is a very high number, there are many types and levels of fear and most people are able to put this to one side and receive the dental treatment they need. But in some cases, the fear so big that it becomes all consuming. When fear takes over and begins to affect every aspect of your life, causing anxiety, panic and stress, it is then known as a phobia.

Phobia is the most severe kind of fear and when it comes to dental phobia, prevents the patients from receiving the necessary dental treatment they may require. This can present a serious problem resulting in lost teeth, dental decay and even life-threatening gum disease.

However, despite what it may feel like when in the midst of dental phobia, it is possible to overcome the fear and conquer it completely. This often involves a large input from a Chepstow dentist. Modern dentists are trained to help anxious and phobic patients and have a far greater understanding of exactly how difficult and unsettling it can be. They are able to help you by talking through your fears and helping to alleviate them by discussing exactly what is going to happen during the treatment.

They are also trained in relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises and will even offer other forms of relaxation such as aromatherapy. This has been shown to help calm patients nerves before treatment. The first step towards successfully conquering your fear is to make an appointment to just have a chat with your dentist. By making small steps such as these you will soon be on the road to receiving the treatment you need.

August 22, 2010 at 6:14 am | dental phobia | No comment

The importance of dental check ups from Swindon dentist

Dental check ups are possibly the most important way of looking after the health of your teeth. Although brushing and flossing are the frontline defence against dental problems, it is only with the expert eye of a dentist that you can truly be safe from nasty dental complications.

Swindon dentists recommend that you have a dental check up every six months. By keeping this up, you will significantly reduce your chances of suffering from gum disease or dental decay. Even those who brush and floss every day for the required amount of time can still suffer from these conditions and without the opinion and expertise of a dentist you never know when your teeth are under threat.

When it comes to dental disease, the earlier the problem is assessed and diagnosed the easier it is to treat. This means that catching gum disease in its early stage is ten times easier to treat than if the condition has set in and spread. Successful dental care is all about prevention rather than cure and remember, teeth cannot heel themselves so once they are damaged they may need costly and at times rather unpleasant treatment to protect them from further damage.

One of the other key reasons why it is so important to see a Swindon dentist every six months is so that they can carry out an oral cancer check. This is again a disease that can be treated effectively in its early stages, but leaving it too long and the consequences are far more severe than a lost tooth or a filling. Oral cancer is a particularly nasty form of the disease and is fatal in almost all cases not treated early enough. This alone should be a reason to make an appointment as soon as possible.

August 3, 2010 at 4:01 am | general dentistry | No comment

Lifelike porcelain crown from Weston-super-Mare dentist

Injury and disease can affect the health of our teeth. Teeth that are affected by decay or have been damaged as the result of an accident or biting something hard can be very sore and also lead to further dental complications. If a tooth is cracked or has severe dental cavities it can easily become infected. This can be very painful if the infection begins to attack the dental nerve and can ultimately lead to tooth loss. This is why it is so important to repair damaged teeth before they are attacked by infection and disease.

One of the most tried and tested ways of protecting a tooth is to use a dental crown. Crowns are artificial caps that are cemented over the top of the existing teeth, covering all parts that are exposed above the gum. In this way they act as a barrier against further problems and also restore the structural integrity of the tooth.

Crowns have been used in dentistry for many years. They can be made of a number of materials but have commonly been made from metal (sometimes gold and silver for the more ostentatious patient) and porcelain. Although metal is obviously a very strong dental substitute, it suffers from a poor aesthetic quality and is often not favoured by many patients. Porcelain on the other hand, looks a lot like natural tooth enamel, even having a slight translucent quality. This means that a porcelain crown will look very realistic in the mouth. Porcelain can also be especially selected to closely match the colour if the existing teeth.

New dental technology available at Weston-super-Mare dentist also enables them to manufacture porcelain crowns in a fraction of the time previously needed. Some porcelain crowns can even be made and fitted in just one appointment. A crown could be the only way to protect your tooth and porcelain is one of the best materials to use to achieve this.

July 7, 2010 at 4:30 am | dental crowns | No comment

Bristol dentist replaces lost teeth with modern dentures

Losing your teeth at any stage of your life can be an embarrassing and traumatic experience. The two most common reasons for tooth loss are dental decay and head trauma, and both can be the underlying cause of further physiological and psychological conditions if not addressed. For example, missing teeth can cause facial muscles to sag and sink making the patient look much older than they actually are. Missing teeth can also be the cause of increased gum disease because it is hard to clean in hollows left by lost teeth. Missing teeth can make the patient very embarrassed and can lead to a loss of self-confidence and self-esteem.

For these reasons and others it is important to replace the missing teeth as soon as possible. If only a small number of teeth are missing it may be easier to replace them with dental bridges or implants, but if the majority or all the teeth are missing then it may be necessary to fit a set of dentures. This restores the cosmetic appearance of a full set of teeth and also protects the remaining gum tissue from further erosion.

Many denture wearers are anxious that they are going to fall out and resort to wearing dental adhesive strips or gels. A well-fitting pair of dentures should require nothing more than suction to stay in place so denture wearers require regular check ups from a dentist.

Alternatively, more and more denture wearers are opting to have mini-implants fitted to which the dentures can be snapped on and off. This provides the desired level of security without the need for messy adhesives. This can be very reassuring to denture wearers especially when eating certain foods.

Dentures have come a long way to escape the stigma attached to them. Modern dentures feel more like real teeth than ever before. If you have suffered from multiple tooth loss and want to restore a smile to your face, ask a Bristol dentist about having a set of dentures fitted.

November 6, 2009 at 5:57 am | dentures | No comment

 

 

Dr Gerrard's smile makeover photos have been selected to be featured on the cosmetic dentistry guide - an educational resource with information on teeth whitening, dental implants, dental veneers, invisalign and much more. He is also an expert on the Inman Aligner Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Site Map:

Dentists Bristol | Team of Dentists Bristol | Dentists Blog Bristol | Smile Makeover Bristol | Smile rejuvenation Bristol | Teeth Gaps Bristol Gappy teeth Bristol Tooth gaps | Crowded Teeth Bristol | Discoloured teeth Bristol | Gummy Smiles Bristol | Old dental Crowns Bristol | Inman Aligner before and after photos Bristol | Tooth Whitening before and after photos Bristol | Smile design Bristol | Cosmetic Dentistry treatemnts Bristol | Teeth whitening Bristol | Porcelain Veneers Bristol | Porcelain Crowns Bristol | Dental Implants Bristol | Tooth replacements Bristol | Invisalign Invisible braces Bristol | Inman Aligners Bristol | 6 Month Smiles Bristol | Smile Rejuvenation Bristol | Cosmetic Bonding Bristol | Gum reshaping Bristol | Cosmetic Teeth Contouring Bristol | Tooth Coloured Fillings Bristol | Patient testimonials Bristol | Contact Dentists Bristol