Zoom teeth whitening is a procedure used throughout the UK to lighten the colour of tooth enamel and restore the appearance of discoloured teeth. Teeth whitening has been used as a cosmetic procedure for many years but it is only recently with the advent of such treatments as Zoom that it has become more widely available and affordable to all.

Teeth can become discoloured for a number of reasons, including what we eat and drink. Substances like red wine, coffee and tobacco can increase the rate of discolouration and result in unpleasant stains. However, even without these substances, teeth will naturally discolour with age. The thinking behind teeth whitening is therefore that by having whiter teeth you will appear younger and healthier and with the stunning results now achievable this is definitely the case.

The Zoom treatment works by using a special lamp to accelerate the bleaching process. The concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel then penetrates the enamel bleaching any stained substances white and restoring the enamel to its original colour. Zoom treatments are carried out in Sunbury dentist’s surgeries as dentists are fully trained to use the necessary safety equipment, as in the wrong hands the concentrated gel can cause damage to the soft tissue on the mouth.

The treatment usually takes around an hour, depending on the condition of the teeth, and can produce stunning results up to ten shades whiter. Repeat treatments are advised for patients wishing to achieve the best results, or specially prepared, low-concentration trays are available to take home for a more dramatic effect. The treatments are perfectly safe if professionally carried out with only minimal discomfort being experienced by some patients, similar to sensitive teeth, for several hours after the application.

Sleep apnea can be the underlying cause of heart disease, stress and even strokes yet most people who suffer from it have no idea they have the condition. This is because sleep apnea affects breathing during sleep, causing patients to temporarily stop breathing without waking up. This can interrupt sleep patterns meaning it is almost impossible for sufferers to get a sufficient night’s sleep. Studies have shown that as few as one in seven people suffering from sleep apnea are aware that they have the condition.

There are two main types of sleep apnea. The most common is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which is when the soft palate at the back of the throat collapses blocking the airway. This prevents breathing temporarily until the palate corrects itself. This can also produce a sound like snoring, which is why many people with sleep apnea merely attribute the sound to snoring. Of course the important distinction is that snoring is the sound of breathing during sleep, whereas breathing is actually prevented during apnea. The other type of sleep apnea is called Central Sleep Apnea and actually occurs when the part of the brain responsible for respiratory matters forgets to send the command to the lungs to breath. This is a less common but more serious condition that may require urgent medical treatment.

Most obstructive sleep apnea can be remedied by dental appliances fitted by Kingston-upon-Thames dentists. The appliances, worn during the night, support the soft tissue preventing any collapses that may block the airwaves. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea or are suffering from unexplained stress, make an appointment to see a dentist who will be able to examine you for the signs of sleep apnea.

The pain caused by an infected tooth can be extremely unpleasant and severe. Just asked anyone who has experienced it. That is why a root canal treatment is such an important procedure in dentistry. The procedure has a somewhat fearsome reputation as far as dental treatments go, but this may be attributed somewhat unfairly because of the intense pain and discomfort that creates the need for the root canal in the first instance.

Teeth become infected when the enamel has been worn away due to decay caused by plaque. This exposes the dentine and sensitive pulp to attack from bacteria, which will eventually penetrate deep into the tooth root and irritate the dental nerve. An infection soon takes hold in the root, which causes further pain, abscesses and ultimately tooth loss. In cases of infection, a root canal treatment can remove the infection, clean the sensitive insides of the tooth before repairing any damage. This not only brings an end to the pain and the dangerous infection but can also be the only chance of saving the tooth. Even if the nerve has been damaged so severely that it has died, a root canal is still capable of preserving the functional structure of the tooth.

The treatment itself involves drilling a hole into the root canal to allow the dentist to remove the infected material. Once thoroughly cleaned and filled with medicine to prevent any residual infection, the hole can then be filled with dental bonding and in some cases the tooth crowned to further strengthen its structure. The treatment will usually take place over a number of appointments but has a very high success rate and given the nature of the symptoms of infection, is certainly worth the time it takes for a complete treatment. If you are suffering from any of the signs of dental infection or believe you may have an infected root canal, make an appointment to see a Weybridge dentist who can explain root canal treatment in further detail.

Like all cancers, oral cancer is the uncontrollable growth of cells that cause damage to the surrounding tissue. Oral cancer visually manifests itself as growths or sores on the soft tissue of the mouth that do not go away naturally. All parts of the soft tissue including the lips, tongue, lining and throat are affected by oral cancer and it can be life threatening if not diagnosed early enough.

The most common symptoms of the disease are painful swellings and lumps or red and white velvety sore patches appearing on the soft tissue areas. Other symptoms include unexplained bleeding in the mouth, numbness or tenderness in any part of the face or neck and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms are the first indicators that you may be suffering from oral cancer so it is important that you make an appointment to see a dentist as soon as possible after discovering any of them.

Certain factors make the contraction of oral caner more likely including smoking or drinking excessively, but male patients, especially overweight ones are also more at risk. Although it is crucial to remember that one fifth of people diagnosed with oral cancer neither smoke nor drink or possess any other high-risk characteristics.

The most important weapon in the fight against oral cancer is regular check ups at the dentist. Surbiton dentists are trained to detect the early signs of oral cancer and can refer you immediately for specialist treatment. Catching the disease early can increase your chances of successful treatment by as much as eighty per cent, which is crucial with such a virulent form of the disease.

Gum disease is extremely common in the UK, affecting roughly three quarters of all adults above the age of 35. This shocking statistic is backed up by another one in the fact that gum disease, not tooth decay, is responsible for more lost teeth in the UK. These are worrying facts and made all the more concerning that gum disease is becoming more common among younger patients, especially teenagers who are not cleaning their teeth sufficiently.

There are two types of gum disease that are categorised by the severity of the symptoms. Gingivitis is the milder form of the disease characterised by irritated or sore gums, and in some cases, bleeding gums. This can mostly be addressed by improved cleaning methods, which will prevent any further damage. However, if gingivitis is left to worsen and not addressed by attention from the dentist and improved cleaning, it will become periodontitis which is a much more serious concern. Periodontitis has symptoms ranging from infected tissue, receding gums and loose teeth. It needs to be treated with special medical attention that can include anti-biotics to kill the infection and even hospitalisation in severe cases.

If gum disease is not spotted early by a Surbiton dentist and treated accordingly it can result in tooth loss, and with nearly half the people in the UK over the age of 45 having lost at least one tooth it is clear that we may not be taking the threat seriously enough.

The message is clear. To protect our gums and teeth we must do more to keep them healthy by cleaning them properly and keeping up regular appointments at the dentist.

Mouth guards are fairly common in certain sports such as rugby and boxing but you might not know that dentists recommend wearing a mouth guard when playing any physical sport involving contact, balls or high speed. This is because the majority of dental injuries resulting in dental trauma are caused by accidents occurring during sport, and not just high contact sports such as rugby and boxing.

Cracked, damaged or knocked out teeth cannot only be very painful, but they can also be the cause of months or even years of painful and costly dental complications. A knocked out tooth that cannot be instantly replaced will need to be repaired with a dental prosthetic such as a dental implant or dental bridge. These replacements can cost thousands of pounds and usually only last between ten and twenty years. This means that they will need to be replaced possibly several times throughout your life and will never provide the same level of security and comfort of a real tooth.

Mouth guards can provide protection against damage to teeth limiting the risk of the need for this treatment. Although mouth guards are available from most sporting good stores, Molesey dentists recommend you have a mouth guard fitted especially by a dentist for the maximum degree of protection as generic mouth guards can often be ill-fitting and slack.

Wearing a mouth guard may not be the most fashionable thing to wear when playing sport but when compared to the alternative of having a painful and unseemly missing or cracked teeth, it really does make sense. Make an appointment with your dentist to discuss the benefits and costs of mouth guards.

There are millions of people in the UK who could benefit from some kind of orthodontic teeth straightening, but more often than not people are put off by the idea of having to wear ugly metal braces for up to three years in order to achieve the perfect smile. However, there is now an alternative that can offer straighter teeth with a maximum degree of discretion and the minimum of discomfort.

The Invisalign system is a series of clear plastic aligners that fit over the top of the teeth making small adjustments in order to move them into position. The aligners are changed every two to three weeks with each new aligner increasing the movement of the teeth. The aligners are almost completely invisible unless standing very close to the patient and they are also removable which further limits the impact of the brace.

Invisalign braces were invented in the US in the last few years of the last century and have been revolutionising the way teeth are straightened. They are now available in this country from Sunbury dentists and are suitable for nearly every patient. Make an appointment with your dentist to discuss the possibilities of the Invisalign system.

For patients frustrated by the lack of alternatives to metal braces, the Invisalign system may be exactly the product they have been waiting for. It is now possible for them to straighten their teeth without using the uncomfortable and unseemly metal braces. And with Invisalign braces taking on average six months less than traditional braces, it really could be possible to achieve the dream smile you have always wanted.

It is an unfortunate probability that many of us will end up wearing dentures at some point during our lives. Whether it be due to some kind of physical trauma from a head injury or because of tooth decay or gum disease, it is common to loose teeth as we get older. However, denture technology has come a long way since the traditional unrealistic dentures of our grandparents’ generation.

Modern dentures are manufactured to be more realistic and to fit the mouth more accurately. Dentures should ideally be kept in place by suction alone but this is sometimes not the case. Many people resort to wearing denture adhesives to hold dentures in place, which can be messy and unpleasant. But there is an alternative to denture adhesives that can provide the necessary degree of reassurance.

Mini-implants are a series of small titanium screws which are anchored directly into the jawbone and act as a solid and permanent base to attach the dentures. Like larger implants, which are used as anchors for single teeth replacements, mini-implants are a very secure and realistic way to attach artificial teeth.

This solid base can provide a great deal of reassurance for denture wearers concerned about embarrassing loose dentures. Mini-implants will last a lifetime if properly maintained and are very resilient to damage. They will be attached by a Surbiton dentist over the course of several appointments spread over several weeks or months, but the long-term security achievable are more than worth the fitting procedure.

Orthodontic aligners are brace-like devices fitted to teeth in order to straighten them without the need for fixed brackets and uncomfortable metal wires. One of the most modern and effective aligners is called the Inman aligner and offers straighter teeth in as little as ten weeks.

This incredible straightening power is harnessed by using a coiled spring on the tongue side of the teeth, which creates space for the front teeth to be pushed and pulled into position. They are then straightened by a single wire running along the front of the teeth. This is the only visible part of the brace and offers a much greater degree of discretion than traditional fixed braces.

The Inman aligner is also completely removable which also helps to limit the impact of the aligner on the patient, which is particularly important for young adults or professional patients. It also means the aligner can be taken out to clean teeth which reduces the risk of staining common in other braces.

Although treatment can take as little as ten weeks it is most successful when worn for 20 hours a day for between four and six months, and of course the more you wear it the more effective it is. Weybridge dentists are recommending the Inman aligner for patients wishing to straighten teeth quickly and with a minimum visual impact, especially for patients with minor straightening needs looking to put the finishing touches to a perfect smile. Inman aligners require very few appointments with the dentist, unlike some other braces, with only one short appointment required every five or six weeks.

Lumineers are a special type of veneer designed to be ultra-thin and incredibly strong in order to limit the preparation needed before fitting them to damaged or stained teeth. Veneers have traditionally been used to restore the appearance of badly worn, discoloured or unevenly spaced teeth. In the past however, veneers needed the removal of a certain amount healthy enamel in order to fit the veneers over the teeth.

Lumineers have finally provided an answer to this problem and being only as thin as a contact lens, can easily fit over teeth without any enamel removal. As a result, the procedure is even reversible as normal tooth structures are left intact. This means that it is now possible to repair damaged teeth without causing any unnecessary damage.

Veneers are attached using tooth-coloured resin bonding, which also acts as an extra layer of protection against damage to the teeth. Once fixed in place, veneers are almost impossible to tell apart form normal teeth, especially Lumineer veneers as they are so thin they have a translucent enamel appearance.

Lumineers are manufactured by Cerinate and are revolutionising veneer technology. Even though they are incredibly thin, they are also very strong and resistant to cracks and chips which can be a problem with other veneers. Molesey dentists are now offering Lumineers to patients with a range of visible dental problems. In only two or three appointments it is possible to completely change the appearance of your smile and restore the self-confidence often lost due to poor teeth.