Archive for the ‘general dentistry’ Category

Merseyside dentists help patients deal with the effects of dental decay

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Teeth are potentially under attack every time you eat because of an acidic substance that is formed. This substance is called plaque and it needs to be cleared from teeth so that they stay healthy and functional. Dental decay is what happens if plaque is allowed to flourish and you will find that your dentist will have to do work in your mouth to rescue the affected teeth.

Basically dental decay is when your teeth are successfully attacked by plaque. The hard layer of enamel which coats the teeth is broken down and begins to be eroded. This can cause all sorts of complications with teeth and you will begin to feel the effects of it as your nerves are exposed. The best way to avoid dental decays is to brush your teeth in a way that maximises the disposal of plaque. Make sure that you brush every part of your mouth, including the ‘inside’ of your teeth.

Think also about your diet and how the things you eat and drink can affect the production of plaque. Certain foods create more plaque than others and these are best minimised or at least eaten prior to a good brushing. Everyone knows about the dangers of boiled sweets, for example, but other foods such as crisps can be similarly damaging in terms of the amount of plaque they produce.

If a tooth has just begun to decay then your Merseyside dentist may need to fill up any cavities that are present. He or she can do this using cosmetic bonding which artificially restores the structural form of the tooth and stops further decay from occurring at that point.

Combating Dental Pain in Toxteth

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Dental pain comes in many shapes and sizes, but can generally be categorized in two ways, minor and major. Minor dental pain, although irritating, is generally considered not to be, an emergency situation, though of course, should be treated when possible; chipped teeth, a lost filling or crown, and the onset of tooth decay can cause pain in the mouth but can be generally held at bay with painkillers or herbal soothing gels until you can get them looked at. Wisdom teeth eruption too, can be treated this way. Post dental treatments can also leave the mouth feeling sore and a tad painful- again the same remedies apply until the mouth settles itself down. However, major dental pain, implies that something serious is going on and may requires immediate attention. Most dentists in Toxteth offer a 24 hour emergency number to call should the occasion arise; there’s always the hospital too. Such emergencies, like injury to the mouth, tooth loss or especially an abscess- a possible life threatening situation, need to be looked at as soon as possible, if for no other reason than to reduce further complications in the mouth. Your dentist will also be able to give you advice as to what to do and how to deal with them, should such problems occur.

Fixing Dental Decay on Merseyside

Sunday, June 5th, 2011

You would assume that most people would like to keep their teeth on Merseyside until the day they die. As modern technology and an understanding of our teeth has evolved, we have so many things at our disposal to make it happen; from diet, doing things in moderation to modern techniques and oral hygiene practices, all are there to keep out one of the greatest dangers to the teeth- decay. Avoid this and you will avoid some very lengthy and expensive treatments, such as crowns, root canals and fillings, Also you will avoid tooth loss- which to rectify, involves partial dentures, bridges or implants. Tooth decay starts with poor diet (starchy and sugary foods) and poor oral hygiene. If bacteria ‘sets up shop’ in your mouth, it leads to plaque and a buildup of tartar around the teeth and then the acids produced will slowly gnaw away at the surface of the tooth until a cavity forms, then it will attack the pulp on the inside of the tooth, then the roots, and if not treated, will have to be removed; there’s also a chance it can affect the other teeth around it. Regular brushing and flossing can reduce the chances of the problem occurring and if you have any doubts or worries that you may have a problem, then ask your dentist at your next regular visit.

Regular Visits to the Dentist in Birkenhead

Monday, May 30th, 2011

There are some strange rumblings in dental circles around Birkenhead and in fact the whole country, involving the government too, concerning how often you go to the dentist for a check-up. This has come about because of the cuts to NHS dentistry and the shortage of NHS dentists, but bizarrely, some dentists have come out in favor of a single yearly visit for their patients, on the basis that oral hygiene products are more affective than ever before and bi-annual check-ups are no longer necessary. Of course, in the ideal world, that would depend on patients being educated into the correct use of hygiene products, but sadly, not everyone is. There are also a lot of social pressures in the present climate that cuts down the amount of time in the day that people have available to give to hygiene- let alone if the can afford all these products. So people rely on their dentists to keep an eye on their teeth and fix anything they may have missed at home. Problems that arise in the mouth can spiral out of control very quickly- bacteria only needs 24 hours to start attacking the teeth with acids, and plaque and gum disease can also set up home in the mouth within weeks. Restorative treatments can get expensive too, so if you have a habit of missing the odd brush and floss, a check-up every six months should be high on your agenda for the health of your teeth and gums.

Merseyside dentists apply dental sealants to protect children’s teeth from decay

Sunday, May 8th, 2011

221838_blogThere are a number of things that the concerned parent can do to help protect the health of their children’s teeth. It is matter that is worth taking seriously because ailments affecting teeth are painful and the consequences will have to be lived with for the rest of the child’s life. If a cavity occurs in an infant tooth, for example, the tooth will not regrow.

A simple way of helping protect infant teeth is to get your dentist to apply dental sealant to the teeth. Essentially they consist of a durable plastic coating which acts as an extra guard against the onset of plaque which can be so damaging to young teeth. The age of six is the age when dentists prefer to apply dental sealants because this is when the permanent molars tend to erupt in patients’ mouths. The sealant can then be reapplied at the age of twelve when the second molars have come through.

It is a painless process and cheap to boot so it is well worth considering it as part of the spectrum of looking after your child’s teeth. It can be rather difficult to get your children to brush their teeth and so dental sealants can just be that extra bit of insurance against decay. But it should not be viewed as a substitute for bushing which should still be carried out with dedication, not least because the risk of gum disease still remains.

Take your child to see your Merseyside dentist and ask about dental sealants and how they might be of use. Any extra measure to protect your offspring’s teeth is one that is worth taking so that they can have a lifetime of excellent oral hygiene.

Toxteth dentists help patients overcome their dental pain

Sunday, April 10th, 2011

Having painful teeth can make life extremely difficult. Just think about all the everyday activities you undertake which involve using your mouth: eating, drinking and talking, not to mention smiling. All of these things can be compromised if you are experiencing dental pain, leaving you anxious about simple things like going out for dinner. Don’t put up with dental pain; contact your Toxteth dentist so that the problem can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

There are a number of potential causes of dental pain. If you have suffered an accident which affected your mouth then your teeth might be in some degree of pain as a result. You might find that one or more of your teeth has become discoloured and is experiencing greater sensitivity. In extreme cases you might find that, after an accident, your teeth are aching almost all of the time. You might have a problem with the pulp chamber inside your teeth which will need to be dealt with so that your teeth retain their health and functionality.

A build-up of plaque might mean that you experience dental pain as your enamel is broken down, causing the nerves inside your teeth to be exposed. If cavities are forming then they will need to be filled, perhaps using cosmetic bonding techniques. Of course you should do your utmost to avoid this happening by making sure that you are brushing and flossing in the requisite fashion. Use a fluoride enriched tooth paste applied to a brush that is fit for purpose and brush your teeth for about three minutes. Once you have brushed, floss between your teeth because plaque can build up there too and cause you to feel dental pain.

Beat dental decay once and for all with expert advice and treatment from Merseyside dentists

Thursday, April 7th, 2011

Taking care of your teeth involves looking after your gums, as well as your tongue but most people associate it with dental decay, the process of your teeth decaying. When people think of dentistry and oral hygiene many of them will have in mind the avoidance, diagnosis and treatment of decaying teeth. It is something that is worth taking seriously because having a tooth or teeth which are decaying can be a real pain. You might need to undergo invasive surgery but before it even gets to that stage you might experience discomfort.

Dental decay is primarily caused by the prevalence of plaque on teeth. Plaque is a substance which is formed when you eat and drink and breaks down the enamel on your teeth unless it is adequately removed. Once the enamel is compromised then small holes might begin to appear in your teeth and these will need to be filled so that your teeth can function as they are supposed to and you do not experience the sensitivity that comes.

Brushing and flossing are vital in the fight against dental decay because they are the main methods of removing plaque; using a fluoride tooth paste helps too as it works to strengthen enamel. Plaque can harden into tartar which can only be removed at the dentist as they use a special method which cannot be replicated at home. Visiting your Merseyside dentist also allows the experts to spot signs of dental decay early on. Once the symptoms have been spotted in the early stages then you and your dentist can beat dental decay before it gets to the stage where drastic action might be required.

Tips for your Child’s Healthy Smile in Toxeth

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

A child in Toxteth, is part of a group that are most vulnerable to the worst dental problems that life can throw at them. It starts as early as teething. Special care should be taken when administering foods and oral health as the teeth erupt through the gums. For what happens at this point can affect a child’s teeth for the next 10 years, especially when new teeth replace old ones. All kids love everything sugary, so such products should be avoided as much as possible, or at least, sugar free substitutes should be found when a child is growing up. Foods for a child should be healthy too and we should apply the same principle to what we eat, that we apply to ourselves as adults. Growing teeth are a nightmare, so having a good dentist to refer to is important in teeth development, as they can build up a record of a child’s dental history, which can be important for future treatments. One of the most important phases in teeth growth, is the use of braces- this is a particularly delicate time as this can leave an impression for life. It’s important to understand a child’s needs and there are many corrective treatments that are sympathetic- such as Invisalign. Choosing the correct toothpaste and brush, and then teaching a child how to use them is also very important in the growth of teeth. Essentially, there is nothing better than seeing a healthy smile on a child, for this translates into later life.

Stop dental and mouth problems affecting your general health with advice from Toxteth dentists

Saturday, January 1st, 2011

Keeping your mouth healthy is vital in ensuring that you are able to eat, drink and talk with ease. To do this you should make sure you brush for at least three minutes twice a day and floss too. This stops the plaque which can attack your teeth from building up. What a lot of people don’t know is that if problems with your mouth are allowed to progress then you might compromise the general health of the rest of your body.

Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease and it affects many adults in the United Kingdom. It is not a serious problem in itself but if it takes hold and gets worse, it can lead to complications. Gingivitis occurs when plaque builds up on the gum line of teeth and causes the gum to become infected. If this infection then enters the blood stream, the rest of the body can be affected as well.

If gingivitis turns into periodontitis – a more severe form of gum disease – the jaw bones become inflamed. This can have consequences for a number of important nerves which serve the head and face.

Sleep apnea is a condition which causes the sufferer to stop breathing during sleep. The obstructive variety of sleep apnea occurs because of the muscles at the rear of the mouth and the throat relaxing during sleep and blocking the airways. If sleep apnea is not dealt with then hypertension can affect the patient and this might lead to heart attacks and strokes.

The fact that dental issues can affect the health of the rest of the body is just another reason to visit your Toxteth dentist every six months so that your mouth can be thoroughly checked by an expert.

Guarding your mouth in the Wirral

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

Mouth guards are used in a range of dental procedures, their most common application being for orthodontic practises such as Invisalign or Clearstep aligners, and home bleaching kits. They can also be used to treat teeth grinding (bruxism), in order to protect the ‘bite’ or occlusion of the jaws and/or joint disorders. But if we think of a mouth guard we would normally associate them with sports, like rugby, martial arts or boxing. If you’ve had a hard week at work in the Wirral, it’s often great to let your hair down at the weekend and more of us are turning to sport as our choice of leisure activity. Chances are though that the sport of our choice is going to involve some form of contact, so it might be wise to get some protection for the mouth. Mouth guards not only save the lips, teeth and gums from damage and prevent injury to the jaw and neck too, but they can also protect the mouth from injury led infections and expensive corrective treatments. There are essentially three types to choose. Top of the range is a bespoke guard made and shaped specifically for you. Further down the market is a thermo-plastic guard that is softened up by boiling and then moulded to the exact shape of the mouth. Finally, the more economical end of the scale is a guard bought off the shelf that can be trimmed to fit once you get it home. Playing sport can be invigorating, healthy and rewarding, getting a mouth guard can keep it that way.