B L O G

March 3, 2010

Abscessed tooth treatment and what it entails by a Sunbury dentist

An abscessed tooth is a painful and annoying one, and it can take a bit of time to clear it up. A Sunbury dentist has advised his patients that extra care must be taken to ensure the infection doesn’t return. The problems arise not just when the tooth becomes infected, but afterwards, and especially when the patient is avoiding that particular tooth because it is sensitive. In extreme cases of reoccurring infections, a root canal treatment may be required and this isn’t a pleasant experience. At the first sign of an abscess the dentist will try to save the tooth, antibiotics are prescribed to get the infection down, and pain killers will usually be recommended as well. An infection can take over a week to completely be treated, and in the meantime the dentist can do nothing to the tooth. After that the tooth can be removed if it is in a bad way, but your dentist will try to save it. Taking the tooth out will usually stop further infections, as will a rot canal treatment. Root canals are done where bacteria has managed to infiltrate deep down into the cavity of a tooth, the dentist will remove much of the inner part of the tooth and then clean it out. The hole will then be filled with an anti bacterial paste that hardens to replace the normal enamel of the tooth; this will leave no room for bacteria to accumulate in the future, and will usually cure the problem. Where the tooth is damaged by the abscess the dentist may find no alternate to an extraction, but as long as the jaw line is O.K. then a dental implant may be placed in the gap to replace the tooth, this will then take a few months to infuse with the bone, but the result is a natural feeling tooth and no more abscesses.

September 13, 2009

Early treatment is the best cure for tooth abscess at Weybridge dentist

Tooth abscesses usually occur as a result of complications due to tooth decay but they can also be the result of a trauma to the teeth such as when a tooth is chipped or cracked. The abscess itself is a collection of pus that is caused by a bacterial infection.

When tiny openings are caused in the enamel of the tooth, either due to decay or a fracture, bacteria is allowed to infiltrate deeper and deeper into the tooth, eventually reaching the pulp at its centre. The infection is then bombarded with white blood cells which decay and along with the other matter in the tooth cause an abscess to develop and swelling in the tissues around it.

Tooth abscesses are usually signaled first by a toothache, but in severe cases, when the root has already been destroyed the patient might not be able to feel any pain at all, even though the abscess is still growing. The abscess is capable of spreading the infection to other teeth and gums in the mouth, which can cause large and uncomfortable swelling. It is for this reason that it is always necessary to see a dentist even when the pain appears to have gone away.

The toothache most commonly experienced in tandem with an abscess is a continuous throbbing or knowing pain. Other associated symptoms include a bitter taste in the mouth, a foul odour emanating from the mouth, nausea or a feeling of generally being unwell and sensitivity to extremities of temperature when eating.

Common home remedies for tooth abscess include swilling salt water and taking over the counter pain remedies. A Weybridge dentist may prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection. In more serious cases they might need to remove the whole root of the tooth in a procedure known as root canal surgery, which can often be quite painful. In extreme circumstances a hospital visit may be necessary.

In all instances it is best if the infection is caught early. So if you think you may have a tooth abscess, make an appointment to see a Weybridge dentist today.

February 14, 2009

East Molesey Dentists: Treatment and Prevention of Tooth Abscess

Being diagnosed with tooth abscess is a serious matter. It can actually be caused by either damage to the tooth or decay. Whatever the reason, consulting your East Molesey dentist is important for the treatment and prevention of tooth abscess.

When pus forms in the tooth, it usually causes pressure in the root, making it quite painful. You will experience a throbbing pain accompanied by swelling on the side of your face where the abscessed tooth is located. In extreme cases, you can experience spasms in your jaw muscles.

Basically, there are two types of tooth abscess:

• Periapical abscess – starts in the centre or dental pulp; considered to be very common
• Periodental abscess – starts in the structures supporting your tooth like the periodontium

If you are exhibiting such symptoms, it is vital that you visit your East Molesey dentist at once in order for the abscess to be drained. Usually, a root canal treatment will be done in order to save the tooth. But in cases when the abscess has damaged the root extensively, extraction of the tooth will be done to make sure that the abscess will not recur.

In case the tooth abscess burst before you are able to visit your East Molesey dentist, you should gargle with hot water containing salt. For the swelling, you can apply cold water compress. If needed, you can take painkillers.

Although there was draining of the abscess, it is still important that your have the tooth checked by your East Molesey dentist.

As always, prevention is the key. You can avoid tooth abscess by brushing your teeth and reducing the intake of foods high in sugar. Regular visit to your dentist will also mean thoroughly cleaning and check up of the entire mouth including gums and teeth.

December 6, 2008

Surbiton Dentist Reviews Dental Decay

Tooth enamel is the hardest structural in the body, and is resistant to destruction with the right environment. Teeth are continually being bombarded by bacteria and other microbes. Although, tooth decay or dental caries is not a life-threatening disease, it is a burden that can cause difficulties throughout life. Surbiton dentists can help you prevent dental caries, as well as treat dental caries. Prevention actions taken in the U.K. has decreased the rate of dental caries. Poverty is a risk factor for dental caries.

For the development of tooth decay, several things acting together for a considerable time are required. These are a susceptible tooth, bacteria that cause tooth decay, and fermentable carbohydrates supplied by the diet. The primary bacteria known to cause tooth decay is Streptococcus mutans (Sm). Sm can be transmitted from one person to another. Sugar greatly increases the rate of tooth decay. Your Surbiton dentist and dental hygienist can teach you proper oral home care; this will help to prevent and reduce the incidence of tooth decay. In ordinary conditions of oral health, Sm consumes sugar and then produces bacterial acids. These acids then initiate enamel demineralization in very small amounts, and the body’s built in defence mechanisms remineralise this enamel using salivary minerals if the bacteria and plaque are properly removed from the teeth surfaces.
Tooth decay results from demineralization of tooth enamel by lactic acid. Lactic acid is formed by bacterial plaque adhering to the enamel. These bacteria feed on sugar (or other carbohydrates that are fermentable. The more frequently you consume sucrose, the more damage these bacteria can cause. Frequent sugar ingestion can cause the pH of the saliva to stay below 5.0, which is acidic and will expedite tooth demineralization. Therefore, it is more important to eat sugar products only at certain times of the day to insure that the sugar can by brushed or washed away. When bacteria and dental plaque remain on the teeth for awhile, and are fed by sugars, tooth decay will begin, unless the bacteria and plaque are sufficiently removed. Your Surbiton Dental Clinic will teach you how to brush and floss properly, and modify your diet or sugar consumption.

August 30, 2008

Genral dentists in Kingston Upon Thames

When it comes to dental problems, your foremost line of defence is a general dentist. While general dentists chiefly offer preventative treatment and minor restorative cure, they usually are capable of performing an extensive range of dental treatments, including cosmetic procedures.
While general dentists normally do not undertake postgraduate education programs in dental specialization, they continue to undergo training even after leaving dental school. By being present at lectures and taking part in practical intensive courses that continuing education programs provide, general dentists gain additional dentistry knowledge. Hence, general dentists who choose to take up practice instead of participating in specialized postgraduate training courses may still obtain a higher dental education than that which DDS and the DMD degrees offer.
General dentists in Kinston upon thames who don’t carry out a specific procedure will refer you to a specialist.
Dental Emergency
Now a dental emergency refers to a kind of medical emergency that involves the gingival or the teeth. If you experience pain, regardless of the intensity, in these mouth areas, it can point to an acute underlying problem which could get worse over time. It is essential to call on a Kingston upon thames dentist as early as you can for a professional assessment to reduce injury to the gums, teeth, as well as supporting bone. To get relief from acute oral pain short-term treatment may be taken.
Toothache
A toothache, which is also called odontalgia or by its less common name odontalgy, is a painful ache around or in a tooth. In the majority of cases toothaches are brought on by tooth or jaw problems like gum disease, cavities, the surfacing of wisdom teeth, jaw disease, infected dental pulp, a broken tooth, or an exposed tooth root. Toothache causes may also be symptoms of heart diseases like a myocardial infarction, or angina, because of referred pain.
If one or more of your teeth are taken out a condition called dry socket can arise, resulting in acute pain. The seriousness of a toothache could extend from a slight distress to a severe pain, which may be felt either at irregular intervals or persistently. This pain can frequently be further worsened by extreme temperatures or chewing. A thorough oral check-up together with X-rays could assist in finding out the cause. Acute pain may be regarded as a dental emergency.
An atypical odontalgia refers to a kind of toothache seen in seemingly healthy teeth. The pain which usually is not very sharp frequently shifts from tooth to tooth, lasting from about four months to many years. This is mostly experienced by older women. It is still not known what causes atypical odontalgia.
Palliatives
To get relief from dental pain, clove oil enriched with eugenol may be availed of to treat it; using a cotton swab, a drop may be dabbed on as a palliative. For example, after a wisdom tooth is taken out, a condition called dry socket may arise where nerve endings tend to be exposed to air. To obtain relief from this kind of pain, a piece of aseptic cotton or gauze dipped in clove oil may be put in the socket once it is thoroughly cleaned with saline.
OTC topical anaesthetics having active ingredients like choline salicylate or benzocaine may be directly smeared on the gum to numb the sensation.
Apart from the above mentioned there are various home cures with different levels of effectiveness for getting immediate relief from oral pain.
Analgesics like paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin, and ibuprofen also are widely used; ibuprofen and aspirin have the further benefit of being anti-inflammatory. Heat and/or ice are also regularly used. For temporary relief from pain a Kingston upon thames dentist may recommend any anti-inflammatory corticosteroids like Dexameth.

July 23, 2008

Dental decay treatment in Surbiton clinics

Dental caries is an infectious disease which can lead to cavities (simply put, tiny holes) in the structure of tooth. This affects overall construction and health of the tooth ultimately resulting in destruction of tooth.

Dental caries is quite common and can be prevented maintaining proper hygienic condition. However, the number of cases of dental caries has been significantly declined because of fluoridated water and general awareness in the people of Surbiton.

There are many causative factors that are associated with dental caries such as eating sugars in excessive quantity, oral bacterial infection etc. Dental caries caused by bacteria contain acid. The acid, secreted by bacteria, causes local demineralization of the tooth surface and then it damages the tooth structure. If left untreated, it may decay the tooth and may form tooth abscess.

Dental caries treatment in Surbiton includes proper clinical examination, its remedy and advice about hygiene and diet. The main goal of dental caries is treating the cause; if infection, it is treated with antibiotics and in case of sticky substances, it is cleaned properly. Caries those are superficial can be treated by fluoride treatment offering re-mineralization but when caries have lead to cavities, they are to be removed and repaired with some special dental material like composites and amalgams. In some of the cases, dental caries are treated placing crown on tooth. In other case wherein the tooth structure is lost and tooth is susceptible to get affected more, root canal treatment remains the only option.

With proper hygiene and diet restriction, dental caries can be prevented and is also advisable in order to save you undergoing any surgical procedure.

July 21, 2008

Preventing and treating dental decay in Kingston upon thames

If decay is identified before it progresses to the tooth nerve, a dental practitioner in Kingston upon thames can repair the tooth by getting rid of the decay and having a dental filling put in its place. In case tooth decay is not taken care of and it advances to the nerve, then in all possibility a root canal treatment would be the need of the hour in order to preserve the tooth.
Are Children and Adults Affected By Tooth Decay?
Although tooth decay is one of the most widely prevalent and persistent childhood ailments, everybody runs the risk of tooth decay. Bacteria reside in the mouths of just about everyone and we hence are exposed to the acids, which destroy enamel and bare the way to decay.
Can Tooth Decay Treatment Be Done On Baby Teeth?
Certainly! Most parents do not realize how important baby teeth or primary teeth are. This erroneous belief arises from baby teeth being just short-term. Most people hence take for granted that permanent teeth are far more important than primary teeth.
Baby teeth perform valuable purposes like assisting kids to masticate naturally and talk distinctly and normally. Besides, baby teeth also are essential for making available a place for the permanent teeth to push through or develop into correctly. In case baby teeth are not properly treated, it can produce a harmful effect on dental health in the long run.
Preventing Tooth Decay
Millions of people suffer from tooth decay, but it easily can be checked without any difficulty. A few excellent ways of avoiding tooth decay are:
• Clean your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least two times a day
• Everyday carry out dental flossing to get rid of food debris lodged between teeth
• Follow a balanced diet of healthy foods
• Do not take drinks and snacks that are rich in sugar
• Call on your Kingston upon thames dentist regularly for dental examination and cleanings
• To help fight plaque, use a mouth rinse with antimicrobial properties
• Ensure dental sealants (a shielding application) are put on the posterior teeth’s biting surfaces.