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Archive for November, 2010

Prevent tooth loss with early diagnosis of gum disease from City of Leeds dentists

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

Often overlooked in favour of teeth, maintaining healthy gums is just as important to having a healthy mouth. Experts believe that as much as three quarters of the adult population of Britain over the age of thirty five are currently suffering from some stage of gum disease, which is a greater cause of tooth loss than tooth decay itself. Contact your City of Leeds dentist today as gum disease in its early stages is often entirely reversible.

Gingivitis is the most common gum disease, resulting in painful reddening of the gums. They may bleed during brushing and eating and drinking can be made more difficult. Normal dental hygiene practices such as brushing twice a day and flossing can ensure that gingivitis doesn’t take hold.

If left to progress, gingivitis can lead to other debilitating gum diseases such as periodontitis. This extreme stage of gingivitis causes inflammation of the gums which spreads to the bones holding the teeth in place and can lead to teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out.

Signs to look out for are any bleeding when brushing your teeth and be vigilant for redness and swelling in the mouth. Bad breath too can be a sign of gingivitis. If your teeth suddenly feel like they don’t quite ‘fit’ in your mouth as well as they used to or you experience an odd ‘metallic’ taste, you may be in the early stages of gum disease.

Your dentist will be able to spot all of these signs. Carry on your regular dental hygiene regime and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about but be sure to keep an eye out and any gum disease can be stopped early to avoid tooth loss.

Leeds dentists offer amazing Enlighten tooth whitening procedure

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Having a brilliant smile is an important part of feeling self-confident and assured. Tooth whitening procedures have long been available as a solution to those who have dull or stained teeth. Sometimes illness, lapses in oral hygiene or our diet and lifestyle can cause teeth to loose their natural whiteness or become stained. Even with correct brushing and flossing, teeth will loose their colour over time, just like our hair does. Enlighten represents a leap forward in home-applied tooth widening procedures.

Recently imported from the United States where it has become extremely popular, Enlighten tooth whitening ensures that even the dullest or most stained teeth can be restored to the shade known as B1, the whitest possible tone of tooth colour. This is achieved by the use of special whitening trays which allow the whitening gel to remain in contact with the teeth without the interference and contamination of saliva, such is the tight fit.

Your dentist will take a mould of your teeth, from which your personalised whitening trays will be produced. Over the course of the nest fourteen nights the trays will be worn to allow the gel to work on your teeth. The main treatment is completed by a forty minute session with your dentist. The makers of Enlighten recommend that treatment can be maximised if subsequently the trays are worn for one night out of forty to enhance the effects and ensure longevity.

Discolouration of teeth or the fading of their natural sparkle is likely to come to us all, especially with increasing age. But ask your Leeds dentist today about Enlighten and achieve a brilliant, white smile that will enhance your confidence

Central Leeds dentists ease pain of dry socket

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Once a tooth has been extracted there is a risk of developing the painful condition known as dry socket. In about one in twenty cases of extraction dry socket occurs but it is easily treated by your Central Leeds dentist.

Occurring about two days after a tooth has been removed, dry socket results from the exposed bone having contact with air and the food and fluids which are consumed. Although it is normal to experience some soreness after an extraction, dry socket is particularly painful and can last for five or six days. The site of the extraction ought to be protected by the body’s natural process of blood clotting but if the clot is dislodged then dry socket can occur through exposure.

It is important not to smoke in the period immediately after a tooth has been removed as this can decrease the healing process and disturb the clot. Dental staff will advise you how to take care of the area and it is important that their instructions are followed. Women using birth control pills are more susceptible to dry socket as is anyone who, in the immediate period, indulges in any activity involving excessive sucking such as drinking through a straw.

Being careful about what you eat in the recovery period will help avoid dry socket but in the event it should occur your Central Leeds dentist will be able to treat it using medication at the site or giving you additional instructions for how to care for the area at home. Continue with your regular oral health routines and there should be no further problems.

City of Leeds dentists offer digital Xrays for best results

Monday, November 15th, 2010

4561731_blogAmong the many advances in dentistry one of the most stunning has been the advent of digital Xrays. When examining teeth, diagnosing any problems and then formulating a solution it is vital that dentists have an efficient way of visualising the mouth. By increasing the speed and accuracy of these processes treatment can be offered in a fraction of the time previously used.

This is where digital Xrays are so valuable. Conventional Xrays offered only a flat, 2D view of the subject but their digital version gives dentists the chance to see the mouth in 3D. The need for repeated Xrays to get different angles on the subject is done away with as digital Xrays allow dentists to view every angle by taking just one 3D image that can be saved on cutting edge computer equipment.

The information from digital Xrays is often used in CEREC processes where the images are used to create new crowns, veneers and underlays and onlays. These procedures are now able to take place in astonishingly short amounts of time, sometimes just six minutes as the images are sent to online milling machines which construct new teeth from the digital Xray data. This is especially valuable for those patients who are nervous about visiting the dentist as it cuts down the time spent in the chair and wearing impractical temporary replacements.

Despite the fact that it is such cutting-edge technology, digital Xrays can actually reduce the cost of dentistry as lab fees are essentially eliminated by the speed of the new processes and repeated Xrays need not be taken. The possibilities are endless for cosmetic dentistry now that digital Xrays are replaced traditional Xrays. Contact your City of Leeds dentist today to find out more about these new advances.

Find out more about dentures from Central Leeds dentists

Sunday, November 14th, 2010

Loosing a tooth or teeth can make eating, drinking or even talking more difficult. The appearance of missing teeth can be unsightly and make your cheeks sag, giving you an older appearance. In an image-conscious world, dentures offer the solution to tooth loss and allow you to smile freely and with confidence.

Designed specially to resemble natural teeth, dentures are removable replacements to teeth lost through trauma or as the result of disease or decay. Modern dentures are increasingly comfortable and realistic. They come either as a complete set in the event of the loss of all teeth or partial dentures to replace a few missing teeth and prevent the remaining teeth from shifting into the gaps left behind.

Dentures are available in a wide variety of materials but generally are made from acrylic resins. Your dentist may offer you, for example, the latest Valplast cosmetic dentures which allow greater flexibility. Increasingly patients are opting for alternative, non-removable solutions such as dental implants or fixed bridges.

They may be held in place via your gums’ natural suction or by using a fixing agent which can be applied daily. There is always the risk though that they will come loose and interfere with eating and talking. In this case, mini-implants are an option which can fix your dentures in place. Although they are relatively high-cost they allow you to live your life with confidence knowing that your dentures will not slip from your gums.

If you take good care of them, your dentures can last many years but even with the best of care will probably need to be altered in time as your bit changes. Be sure to clean them then soak them in cold water and they will last longer. Ask your Central Leeds dentist about dentures today and live with confidence.

Overcome dental phobia with City of Leeds dentists

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

We all know how important it is to have regular check-ups with our dentist. However, a large section of the British public is nervous about visiting the dentist. What starts off with avoiding making an appointment can lead to poor oral hygiene and chronic disorders of the mouth. However, modern dentistry is far more comfortable than in the past, giving patients the opportunity to overcome their anxieties.

If you are among the millions of people who suffer from dental phobia, you will probably be familiar with one or more of its causes. Memories of a previous painful procedure or a fear of needles can easily make one reticent about making an appointment. Perhaps there was even a personal disagreement with a member of staff at the surgery, or a dentist who was not sympathetic to your problems. This can be especially so if you feel embarrassed about your oral health and are worried that the dentist may ridiculed the state of your teeth and gums. For some who have never been to a dentist it might be that negative stereotypes have put you off making an appointment.

Dentistry has come a long way and many dentists are concerned with relaxing their patients using music or a DVD to distract them while a procedure is carried out. What’s more the advent of pain-free gels applied before injections can significantly lessen uncomfortable sensations. Sedation too is used if there is a danger of the patient experiencing pain. If your dentist is not sympathetic to your concerns there are others out there who will be. It is important that you find one who is and the communicative relationship that ensues will put you at greater ease. Make sure you find a City of Leeds dentist who is sympathetic and your dental phobia will be a thing of the past.

Dental implants from Central Leeds dentists restore smiles

Friday, November 12th, 2010

If you loose a tooth it is vital that it is replaced. The functional reasons are obvious: for ease of speech and eating and drinking. Aesthetics are important too as having a missing tooth can knock your confidence. Dental implants offer a lasting durable solution to this.

Teeth can be lost through a one-off accident, as a result of decay or disease or simply old age. Fitting a denture or fixed bridge has been the most common remedy but people are increasingly turning to dental implants. Dental implants act as a substitute for the root portion of your lost tooth. Made from titanium, they are secured to the jaw using a pre-drilled socket with the ultimate aim being osseointegration where the implant fuses with the surrounding bone. The new tooth is given a stable support using this method.

Your dentist will assess the area for any debris or decay and then take an x-ray or CT scan. A small incision will be made in the jaw under local anaesthetic and the titanium implant will be firmly installed before the gum is stitched back up. Following a ‘healing period’ where a temporary tooth may be worn, the replacement is attached to the implant.

Being fully integrated into the jaw, replacements which use dental implants provide a long-term, secure solution to tooth loss and can be cleaned just like normal teeth. With the right care, they can last a lifetime. They are more practical than dentures and allow you to continue your normal eating and drinking habits while giving you a winning smile that won‘t affect your speech. Contact your Central Leeds dentist today to see how dental implants can solve your missing tooth problem.

City of Leeds dentists ensure long-term oral health with dental check ups

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

For enduring oral health, regular visits to your dentist are vital. Without check ups by a specialist, you could be compounding existing health problems with your teeth. Having healthy teeth allows you painless eating, drinking and talking. They look better too and you will be able to smile with confidence. Make an appointment today to safeguard the health of your mouth.

Effective care of your teeth at home is vital and can be achieved with regular flossing and brushing. Brush your teeth twice a day for three minutes and, to ensure that you have reached the parts that toothbrushes cannot, floss. To compliment this, a visit to your dentist every six months is crucial. At some point in our lives, 90% of us will suffer from gum disease, proving that we need to do more to protect our teeth.

Seeing a City of Leeds dentist every six months will do more to help ensure lasting oral health. They will give your teeth and gums a thorough examination for signs of disease, locating any problems early. Dentists are trained too to spot signs of oral cancer; a condition which, if diagnosed early, can be effectively treated. Allowing your dentist the chance to diagnose any problems swiftly lessens your chance of having to undergo invasive procedures.

Make an appointment every six months and you and your dentist can stay on top of your oral health. There’s no need to be embarrassed if you have not had an appointment for several years; it’s not too late to start addressing your dental hygiene and ensure long-lasting healthy teeth and gums which will allow you to live well and smile with confidence.

Central Leeds dentists replace teeth with dental bridges

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

If you have lost a tooth or teeth through an accident or as a result of decay or disease, it is very important to have it replaced. There are several reasons for this. Having a gap where a tooth ought to be can look unsightly and your confidence may suffer as a result. A gap also puts a strain on surrounding teeth which may begin to shift into the space left. Eating can drinking can be made uncomfortable by fact that a tooth or teeth are missing.

Contact your Central Leeds dentist to ask about how dental bridges can solve these problems. Dental bridges usually come in three varieties. The traditional fixed bridge consists of a false tooth (known as a pontic) which is fused between two crowns anchored to neighbouring teeth for stability. Resin-bonded or Maryland-bonded bridges are plastic pontics specifically for when the gap is between the front teeth. The resin used in this case is concealed. In cases where the front teeth are susceptible to lower stress, a cantilever bridge is used and the pontic is fused to a tooth on only one side.

Having numbed the area with a mild anaesthetic, the dentist will prepare by shaving off a little of the adjacent tooth if necessary. Using dental putty, an impression of the surrounding teeth will be constructed so that the replacement can be made in a laboratory. Then a temporary bridge is fitted to protect the surrounding teeth and gums. In your second appointment the dentist will fit the custom-made bridge, having removed the temporary one. After checking your bite, the dentist will cement it in place. Regular check ups will be necessary to check it is firmly in place.

Your Central Leeds dentist will be able to provide you with more details about this procedure which is vital if you have a missing tooth or teeth.

Central Leeds dentists offer superb results with cosmetic dentistry

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

Everybody wants to feel confident, whether in the workplace or in social occasions. Personal appearance is crucial for this and the first thing that people see is your smile. Thankfully cosmetic dentistry processes are available to make your smile nothing short of perfect. Whether it is dealing with a misalignment or getting that veneer you’ve always wanted, cosmetic dentistry will cater for all of your needs.

Attaining your perfect smile has never been easier. Cosmetic dentistry processes include the whitening of teeth, the fitting of veneers, stunning white fillings and crowns, gum reshaping, orthodontic procedures and incredible CEREC restorations available in just one visit. Advances in technology mean that many of these techniques are now able to be carried out in just a fraction of the time that traditional methods would have allowed.

What’s more these processes can be carried out in conjunction with one another to give you a complete ‘smile makeover’ that will astonish your friends and colleagues. CEREC techniques, for example, allow you to have your unsightly metal fillings replaced with just one visit to your dentist. In their place you will have beautiful new white fillings that match the colour of your surrounding teeth without having to wear inconvenient temporary veneers.

With financial plans increasingly on offer, cosmetic dentistry has never been more affordable. Teeth whitening, veneers and crowns may cost you as little as £300. Contact your Central Leeds dentist today to find out more about these incredible cosmetic dentistry processes that can give you the smile you’ve always wanted and allow you to show of your teeth with confidence. Never be ashamed of your smile again with incredible cosmetic dentistry procedures.