Clifton Dental Studio 92 Queens Road, Bristol

Call Today On 0117 973 1910
Email [email protected]
Clifton Dental Studio, 92 Queens Road, Bristol, Avon,BS8 1RT

Call Clifton Dental Studio Today On 0117 973 1910

Posts Tagged ‘dental cavities’

Dentists in Weston-super-Mare diagnose bruxism and prevent it from damaging the teeth of patients

Having persistent aches in your teeth might be the sign of a number of different oral conditions. Most people would probably think of cavity erosion or the development of cavities, small holes in the teeth. In fact, quite a number of people in the United Kingdom are suffering from a condition called bruxism that can lead to feelings of aching in the teeth and even jaw. What bruxism is, is the process of grinding your teeth together when you are asleep. Most people who suffer from bruxism (and have not been diagnosed) don’t even know that they are grinding their teeth in their sleep. It is only when they experience the symptoms during the day time that they begin to suspect. These symptoms can include tooth ache and an aching jaw. The consequences of this can be that the protective enamel is worn away as the teeth collide night after night with some force. This means that cavities are more likely to form. If the bruxism is particularly severe then it can lead to complications with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) which is the joint that holds the jaw bone and the skull together. There are several reasons why people grind their teeth together when they sleep. Many professionals reckon that it is just one other manifestation of stress in patients. In this case then changes in lifestyle might be necessary or trips to a counsellor. Alternatively, patients whose teeth are not aligned in the optimum arrangement can sometimes grind their teeth together and Weston-super-Mare dentists would fit a brace or some other teeth straightening device. In either case, dentists can fit patients with mouth guards so that the impact of the teeth grinding together does not damage teeth.

Dry Mouth and Dental Cavities in Swindon

One of the main causes of dental cavities in Swindon stems from the problem of having a dry mouth, especially in older people. Cavities arise from bacteria being allowed to develop in the mouth, normally from certain starch based foods and drinks or sweets that contain sugar. Combined with poor oral hygiene, the bacteria will form tartar and plaque in the mouth and the acid from these attacks the enamel of the teeth- cavities soon set in and the tooth will suffer decay if left unchecked. The natural fight against the build up of bacteria relies on the mouths saliva, but take away the saliva and the mouth becomes dry, leaving the teeth exposed and vulnerable. Dry mouth can be caused by many things; medication, radiotherapy and poor diet are the main causes of dry mouth. Smoking, anxiety and a poor immune system also contribute to the problem, leading to bad breath and even speech impediment. Dental hygiene is very important in the fight against dry mouth, as is regular contact with the dentist for advice. It’s important that the body is kept constantly hydrated with water during this process to build up the saliva levels; sugar free gum and sweets are also useful for stimulating the production of saliva whilst avoiding any drinks that contain caffeine.

Advice from Swindon dentists helps patients to brush away their plaque

We all know how important it is to retain a healthy mouth to ensure that eating, drinking and talking can be carried out in comfort. Beyond this, a healthy mouth is something that people like to show off and causes you to smile more. One of the most vital things to do to ensure that your mouth is healthy is to make sure that plaque is adequately removed. Plaque is a substance that is formed after you have eaten. Sugary and starchy foods in particular form more plaque. Plaque must be removed adequately so that it cannot attack your teeth. Once it has broken down your enamel, the protective substance on the outside of your teeth, plaque can start interfering with the nerves and forming cavities. At this stage, teeth can start to break down or even come loose. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to brush your teeth in the proper fashion. You should brush at least twice a day, usually first thing in the morning and again before you sleep. If necessary you might wish to brush additionally after eating sugary or starchy foods. Make sure that you are brushing your entire mouth, but not too vigorously as this can damage your gums and enamel. If you find that your gums are quite sensitive then you might want to choose a tooth brush that has softer bristles. Using a tooth paste fortified with fluoride can help to strengthen enamel and give your teeth added protection. Speak to your Swindon dentist today about how to brush away plaque and ensure the good health of your teeth and gums.

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.

Learn the truth about fluoridation from Swindon dentist

Fluoridation is the process by which fluoride is added to the main water supply to prevent cases of tooth decay amongst the general public. Cases of dental decay remain high in the UK and in some areas are even increasing as people take the health of their teeth for granted. The idea behind fluoridation is that it creates low levels of fluoride in the saliva, which protect the tooth enamel from developing cavities. Fluoridation has been the source of some controversy over the years as in some cases, especially young children, early exposure to fluoride leads to discolouration in later years. This staining of the teeth is irreversible and in some cases can be very severe. The process has been used in the UK for many decades and for the most part is harmless. It is always worth finding out from a dentist what the fluoridation levels are like in your area. Your Swindon dentist will be able to tell you at your next appointment. In some cases, where the levels of fluoride are low, and if you are in a high-risk group, you may need to use products such as tooth paste with added fluoride or even add it to your water manually. Again, you should always seek advice from your dentist before acting. Whatever people feel about fluoridation, the truth remains that it has substantially reduced the cases of tooth decay in the UK over the years and for the most part is extremely effective. In some cases it may cause damage but this is easily prevented as long as you have the right knowledge.

Rejuvenate your teeth in one afternoon with cosmetic bonding from Bath dentist

Cosmetic bonding is a dental process that has been used for a long time to rejuvenate the appearance of a smile. The versatile resin can transform a patient’s teeth in only one visit and because of its affordability it is a very popular procedure. The process itself involves the skilful mixing of resin to closely match the colour of the existing teeth and then moulding it to the desired shape before setting it hard with the intense heat of a laser. Cosmetic bonding has a wide variety of uses in dentistry. It is most commonly used to fill dental cavities, especially to replace old sliver amalgam fillings that many believe to release dangerous mercury vapours. It is also widely used to repair broken or damaged teeth and also for cosmetic purposes on discoloured or worn teeth. These are just some of the many uses of cosmetic bonding (also known as dental bonding or resin bonding). Cosmetic bonding is not ideally used to fill large cavities because it loses some of its strength over large areas. In these instances many dentists are turning to computer aided technology to manufacture porcelain inlays for large cavities. These can then be cemented and covered with dental bonding for extra support. Most dental bonding procedures, unless dealing with an exposed cavity, can be carried out without the use of anaesthetic. The application usually involves etching the surface of the tooth to allow for added grip then spreading several thin layers of dental bonding over the area. This is set using the laser heat source before the bonding is polished and buffed to closely resemble the smooth appearance of tooth enamel. Nearly all dentists are skilled in the application of dental bonding because of its many uses, however, for cosmetic purposes some dentists are more highly skilled in finishing than others. A Bath dentist will be able to advise you further on the details of dental bonding. call 0117 973 1910 to make an appointment with Dr Gerrard for a consultation.

Call Today On 0117 973 1910 Email [email protected]

Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

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Contact Clifton Dental Studio Today!

Call Today On 0117 973 1910
Email [email protected]
Clifton Dental Studio, 92 Queens Road,Bristol, Avon,BS8 1RT

Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm, Friday 8.30am – 3pm

Dr. Neil Gerrard BDS (Bristol), RDT, MSc (Dental Implants),  GDC no 76257. Clifton Dental Studio is a Private Dental Practice. Website last updated: July 2018
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Clifton Dental Studio 92 Queens Road, Bristol