B L O G

August 6, 2010

Wisdom teeth are wrongly named says a Surbiton dentist

Wisdom or compacted teeth are a very painful dental problem, and their removal can have long term side effects and infection problems. A Surbiton dentist says that these teeth don’t always need surgery; it is only in some cases that they actually become a problem and need to be removed. The teeth concerned are those at the back of the mouth which cannot grow and expand as they are compacted in their position. The removal is quite a feat for a dental surgeon to do, and the hole left has to be plugged with germ free lint. This dressing needs to be changed almost every day, and it is when the incision is opened up that germs can get in and cause problems. Quite why they`re called Wisdom Teeth no one really knows, but you will know when you have one that is a problem. They affect younger patients between 17 and 24 more than older patients. After the tooth is removed it is important that the patient be very vigilant to stop infection taking place, after a day the bleeding will generally stop, this is when the body`s defences clot the blood. It is not a good idea to rinse at this stage as to do so will often dislodge a clot and cause further bleeding. Just taking a mouth wash into the area and avoiding it from whirling around will help. Warm salt water bathing of the area or even a used tea bag on the area will also help, as the tea contains tannin. contact mulberrydental on 01932 223479 for a free conaultation.

August 2, 2010

Dental emergency kits; the facts. By a Surbiton dentist

A dental emergency kit is a must for every home, the main reason most of us don’t have one is that dental emergencies are thankfully rare, says a Surbiton dentist. The kits are available through the internet and at most chemists, like a first aid kit they contain most of the things you`ll need for an emergency. True to Murphy`s Law, when an emergency happens it is generally in the night or on a week end. Accidents happen all the time, you could easily chip or crack a tooth while eating hard food, or tripping over and banging your face. These kits are prepared for that with dental cement that will cover the chip or crack, the application is quite easy and most kits also come with a dental mirror so you could do it yourself if necessary. The cement is a temporary measure, and shouldn`t be used as a long term cure, as such. You will need to see a dentist as soon as possible to get proper treatment. Tooth ache is dealt with in the kit with Oil of Cloves and baby buds to apply it, the oil generates heat that will relieve the pain, taking Ibuprofen or aspirin will also help to bring down any swelling as they contain an anti-inflammatory. Never use alcoholic drinks as a pain killer, they don`t work very well and if your dentist smells alcohol on you they may refuse to treat you straight away. Remember that you may need an anaesthetic, and they don`t go too well with alcohol in the system.

July 18, 2010

Kingston-upon-Thames dentist makes mouth guard to protect your teeth

Playing sport is a great way of staying fit and also making friends and having fun. But many sports come with associated dangers that you need to protect yourself against. This often involves wearing padding or protection to protect vulnerable or fragile parts of the body. This could be wearing shin pads or even a helmet, depending on the sport. However, many people overlook their teeth when they are playing sport, not realising that sporting injury is a very common cause of knocked out or broken teeth.

Not only is this very painful but it can also be very costly and the cause of long-term chronic dental problems. Knocked out teeth can be replaced in some circumstances but if not then you will require a lengthy and costly dental restoration such as a dental bridge. These procedures are very effective but they can never quite measure up to a real tooth in both appearance and feel.

There is a very simple way of protecting your teeth when playing sport that involves wearing a mouth guard. This will act as a cushion, spreading the impact and lessening the chance of sustaining serious damage to the teeth. It is possible to buy mouth guards from sporting goods stores although Kingston-upon-Thames dentists recommend that you always have your mouth guard made by them. This is because most generic mouth guards do not offer sufficient protection. In some case they actually only offer minimally more protection than no mouth guard at all.

Your dentist will make a mould of your teeth before using that to make a mouth guard that fits you individual teeth. This will help to keep your teeth safe during any sporting activity that involves a ball or the possibility of facial and dental injury.

June 7, 2010

Kingston-upon-Thames dentist brings end to jaw pain with TMJ diagnosis

TMJ is the common name for a collection of complaints called Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders. These are a collection of complaints that affect the jaw and the surrounding muscles, limiting jaw movement and causing pain. TMJ is often poorly understood which can often lead to misdiagnosis and continued pain and discomfort. TMJ is often attributed as symptom of a wider condition and ignored as a condition in its own right.

It is thought that as many as one in ten people suffer from some form of the condition but few ever receive the necessary treatment. The main symptoms of TMJ are characterised by pain but there can be a number of other tell tale signs. Limited movement of the jaw, ringing in the ears, dizziness and muscle stiffness can all also be signs of TMJ. Often TMJ is only mild and will heal on its own without treatment over a few weeks. However, if the pain does not go away it may be necessary to go to your Kingston-upon-Thames dentist to have the problem treated.

At present there is no standard test for the diagnosis of TMJ. Your dentist will need to conduct a series of tests and examine your medical history to see if you are likely to be a sufferer. There are several major causes of TMJ but the most likely include injuries to the jaw, genetic predisposition and clenching or grinding of the teeth. Treatment of the condition often involves avoiding food difficult to chew and anything that could involve a large jaw movement. Keeping the levels of discomfort to a minimum will help to reduce the impact of the condition and allow for a more speedy recovery.

May 8, 2010

Dental Check Ups; just how important are they? A Shepperton dentist explains

Dental checkups are probably more important than a medical check up, especially as a medical check up will often not involve an inspection of the teeth, says a Shepperton dentist. They are usually every six months, unless you are having an ongoing problem that will often require more frequent visits. At the check up you will have your teeth carefully inspected; using special lighting and magnification the dentist will be able to identify any common problems. These can be tartar build up and gum damage, both of which are common in everyone. By getting a dentist to see your gums and teeth every six months, you will be better equipped to fight tooth decay and especially gum disease. Gum disease can lead to prematurely lost teeth and other medical conditions. Heart disease and diabetes have both been linked to bacteria which are released into the blood stream through gum disease. Sugar and fats that are prevalent in food stuffs are the main cause of gum disease, which by the way is not reversible. Your dentist will also be able to advise you on the most important device you have in your dental arsenal; Oral Hygiene. Most people actually brush and floss their teeth the wrong way, using the wrong brush, your dentist will have a Hygiene Nurse in the practice that will be happy to advise you on the correct procedure. Start at an early age and keep up the habit of regular half yearly visits to your dentist, and you`ll enjoy trouble free teeth for most of your life. Look on it as being a preventative method of expensive treatments and time in the chair, we all hate going to the dentist, but these days it isn`t that bad and almost pain free.

April 17, 2010

Protect teeth with mouth guard from Molesey dentist

Playing physical sports such as rugby, football and cricket can be very dangerous. There are many risks associated with contact sports or ball sports, such as broken or fractured limbs, torn ligaments and head injuries. However, one of the most common sporting injuries, yet often overlooked, is dental trauma. Knocked out, cracked or chipped teeth are no laughing matter, just ask anyone who has had one, but they can also be the cause of many months or even years of costly and uncomfortable dental treatment.

Unless a knocked out tooth is replaced immediately it is unlikely to be saved. This will generally mean a series of dental operations to fit a dental substitution such as a dental bridge or dental implant. These are effective but inferior to real teeth and may cost several thousand pounds. You also the have to live with the knowledge they could break at any time and watch what you eat as a consequence.

There is a simple answer to dental trauma during sports. Mouth guards are simple and effective ways of protecting your teeth against injury. Although it is possible to buy mouth guards from sporting good stores, these are often ill-fitting and offer very little protection. Molesey dentists are able to fit mouth guards at a reasonable price that fit the teeth correctly and offer a far greater degree of protection.

If you are having a mouth guard fitted for your child, you will need to bear in mind that it will need replacing regularly to accommodate their growing and changing teeth. Wearing a mouth guard may not be the coolest thing in the world, but it certainly is cooler than having knocked out teeth when you are in your sporting prime.

April 5, 2010

Replace missing tooth with dental bridge from Shepperton dentist

Anybody who has suffered a knocked out tooth will be able to tell you the pain and discomfort that is involved. After the initial pain has worn away, you are then left with the emotional pain that can be caused by embarrassment. Having missing teeth in a smile can really affect your appearance and will make you look older and more unhealthy. It can also have a number of further dental health complications affecting the health of all the other teeth in the mouth.

Missing teeth can be replaced with a number of different dental substitutions. This could include a partial denture or dental implant but one of the most effective dental restorations is a dental bridge. A dental bridge takes the form of two dental crowns anchored to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth, to which is attached an artificial tooth, or pontic. This creates the impression that the dental arc is complete and restores the aesthetic appearance of the teeth.

There are other types of dental bridge that don’t use dental crowns. Resin bonded bridges can be used for teeth in very good condition. The pontic in this case is supported by two strips cemented to the adjacent teeth. This means there is less need for the removal of healthy enamel.

A dental bridge from a Shepperton dentist can last up to twenty years if properly maintained. It is also significantly cheaper than a dental implant, although the implant does have some advantages. Ask your dentist which dental substitute would be most suitable for your missing tooth.

April 3, 2010

Dental check ups twice a year at Molesey dentist

How long has it been since your last dental check up? If it has been longer than six months, you may be putting the health of your teeth at risk. Molesey dentists recommend that patients should see their dentists every six months to keep their teeth as healthy as possible.

Looking after your teeth is very important as it can prevent painful and costly tooth decay and gum disease, which can be a source of great stress and anxiety. Effective dental care begins at home with brushing and flossing. This is important because it helps to remove plaque and bacteria from the surfaces of the teeth and gums. If left to develop, plaque will start to release acids that erode the protective layer of tooth enamel and irritate gum tissue. If left untreated, this will cause further dental problems such as abscesses and infections, which may be very unpleasant.

However, even the best home oral hygiene routine needs to be supplemented with the advice and care of a dentist. During a check up appointment, your dentists will examine your teeth and gums for the signs of decay and disease. They can carry out any necessary treatment. It may also be a good idea to have a deep clean appointment with a dental hygienist to remove any plaque that has hardened to become tartar.

Dentists will also be able to check for any other oral health problems such as the very nasty oral cancer. Spotting the symptoms of oral cancer early can give you a much greater chance of beating the disease. Dentists will also look for any other signs of oral complications including enamel erosion and damaged teeth. They can also highlight problems areas and provide you with essential dental care information.

April 2, 2010

Confront your dental phobia with help from Sunbury dentist

Your hands are shaking. The sweat is pouring down your forehead and your heart is racing at a million miles an hour. You’re looking towards the door, wondering if there’s till time to make a run for it. If any of these feelings sound familiar when you visit the dentist, then the chances are you are suffering from dental phobia. In fact, for some people, the fear of the dentist is so great that they don’t even make it this far, preferring to avoid the problem altogether. This could be having a very detrimental effect on the health of their teeth. But dental phobia is something that patients are increasingly overcoming.

Many dental phobias have their roots in unpleasant experiences at the dentists, possibly during childhood, but the reality is that dentists have changed a great deal in the last twenty years. Dental surgeries are no longer the formidable and hostile places they used to be. Modern dentistry places a much greater emphasis on patient comfort and care than the extraction-happy dentists of the past.

In many cases, patients simply need to talk to a modern dentist to realise the changes that have been made. Today’s Sunbury dentists are much more understanding of patients needs and fears than they were in the past and will be happy to talk through your fears and address as many of them as possible prior to your appointment. They can also offer many other relaxation tips and therapies such as aromatherapy and breathing exercises. These have been proven to relax patients prior to treatment, allowing them to confront their fears and even overcome them.

March 2, 2010

Bad breath remedies, some advice from a Surbiton dentist

Bad breath is a social problem that will lose you more friends than anything else in life, says a Surbiton dentist. The problem usually arises out of a lax or badly orchestrated oral hygiene program, although eating spicy foods heavily laced with garlic, raw onions and chillies will also give you bad breath. Bacteria builds up in the mouth, and the odour is a by-product of the reaction between bad bacteria and those food bits. Rinsing will cure the problem temporarily, but you can’t beat a good and vigorous brush, floss and rinse every time you eat. It often isn’t possible to do this after every meal, and then flossing at least will help a lot in eliminating it. Cupping the hands and sniffing is a waste of time, the nose is filled with the odour and cannot usually detect it, and a bad taste will normally be a good indication of the problem. Sugar in coffee or tea, and these drinks themselves will encourage the production of acids and this will increase the smell quite quickly. Chewing will produce not just a minty taste and smell, but it will also produce saliva that will quickly neutralise acid build up and therefore bad breath. Smoking will also give you a bad breath problem, as will a beer breath the morning after a drinking session, the two combined will make it even stronger and harder to get rid of. It isn’t a good idea to keep disguising the problem; you need to work at eliminating the cause in order to have some long term relief. Giving up smoking and excessive drinking will not only make you healthier, but it will make your breath healthier as well. Flossing every time you clean your teeth, along with using the proper brush and brushing method is a must to keep your mouth healthy and your breath clean.

Newer Posts »

 

Page 1 of 512345»

Page 1 of 512345»