Archive for the ‘general dentistry’ Category

Leeds dentists care for you as well as your mouth

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Dental technology has improved dramatically over the last twenty years to the point that some treatments are almost unrecognisable. Innovations such as digital x-rays, 3D imaging and dental lasers have made many procedures a lot less time consuming and more comfortable for the patient, yet still many patients are reluctant to go and visit the dentist.

Fear of the dentist is one of the most common fears in the UK. In a recent survey, nearly 90% of the people asked admitted to having some fear of the dentist. This fear can be caused by a number of factors but in many cases it is caused by childhood memories of unsympathetic dentists inflicting pain. Just as dental technology has come a long way, so too has the standard of care now available.

Modern dentists know that happy and relaxed patients are the easiest to treat and that those who feel comfortable are more likely to listen to advice about how to keep their teeth clean and as healthy as possible. Leeds dentists know this only to well and make special effort to care for you and not just your mouth. There are few things worse for a dentist than a patient is overly nervous or anxious. This can make dental treatment extremely complicated and in some cases prevent treatment altogether. By showing their patients that they genuinely care about them, they help to keep them relaxed and happy, and hopefully looking after their teeth.

Some of the new techniques employed by caring dentists to help patients relax include using aromatherapy and lavender oil products in the waiting areas, which have been proven to calm patients down. Dentists are also more than willing to spend time reassuring patients and talking them through procedures rather than just diving in, which is commonly cited as one of the main causes of dental fear.

Foods to eat and avoid for good dental health - ask a Central Leeds dentist

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Choosing the right food is very important not just for the health of your body, but also for the health of your teeth. Good oral hygiene can be affected by the food you put into your mouth, so it is definitely worth taking into consideration how your diet is made up. It is especially important for children to eat healthy foods so their teeth develop well and they also grow up with good habits.

Food comes into contact with the bacteria and germs that live in the mouth. By not brushing your teeth effectively, plaque can start to build up on the tooth enamel and gum tissue. This happens because plaque thrives on the sugars and starches found on certain foods. When the plaque is combined with the starch and sugar it can release acid which is the main cause of tooth erosion, eventually causing tooth decay and tooth loss. This acid erosion can occur for up to twenty minutes after eating which is a long time, especially if it happens three times a day, everyday.

Obviously, foods high in starch and sugar should mostly be avoided. Sweets and sugary snacks and drinks can encourage the build up of plaque and speed erosion. But even fruit and vegetables have some starch and sugar in them, so it is important to have a balanced diet. There is no need to completely cut out any food but be aware that some may be more damaging to teeth than others. It is also true that when you eat is just as important as what you eat. Avoid snacking between meals and drink plenty of water after eating. Central Leeds dentists have more information about what foods to eat and what to try and avoid for good dental health.

Advice from central Leeds dentist on foods to eat and avoid for good dental health

Foods to eat and avoid for good dental health – ask a Central Leeds dentist

Choosing the right food is very important not just for the health of your body, but also for the health of your teeth. Good oral hygiene can be affected by the food you put into your mouth, so it is definitely worth taking into consideration how your diet is made up. It is especially important for children to eat healthy foods so their teeth develop well and they also grow up with good habits.

Food comes into contact with the bacteria and germs that live in the mouth. By not brushing your teeth effectively, plaque can start to build up on the tooth enamel and gum tissue. This happens because plaque thrives on the sugars and starches found on certain foods. When the plaque is combined with the starch and sugar it can release acid which is the main cause of tooth erosion, eventually causing tooth decay and tooth loss. This acid erosion can occur for up to twenty minutes after eating which is a long time, especially if it happens three times a day, everyday.

Obviously, foods high in starch and sugar should mostly be avoided. Sweets and sugary snacks and drinks can encourage the build up of plaque and speed erosion. But even fruit and vegetables have some starch and sugar in them, so it is important to have a balanced diet. There is no need to completely cut out any food but be aware that some may be more damaging to teeth than others. It is also true that when you eat is just as important as what you eat. Avoid snacking between meals and drink plenty of water after eating. Central Leeds dentists have more information about what foods to eat and what to try and avoid for good dental health.

Leeds dentist offers dental care to treat dental abscess

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

When dental problems arise they can be very unpleasant if not treated quickly and efficiently. One of the most unpleasant dental conditions is a dental abscess. This is when pus collects in certain areas around the teeth and gums as a result of a bacterial infection.

Bacterial infections are caused dental decay allows bacteria to penetrate to the inner part of the tooth or when the gum tissue is eroded and becomes infected. Not only can this be very bad for your overall health, but it can also result in tooth loss. Once the infection has taken hold in the tooth or gums, the infection spreads to within the soft tissue. The body’s natural defence against infection is to produce more white blood cells to fight it. These cells bombard the area trying to kill the bacteria and pus is formed. This collects in one area and forms an abscess. There are two types of abscess that can be formed: periapical and periodontal.

Dental abscesses can be very sensitive and painful and in extreme conditions can rupture releasing infected material into the mouth and body. This is why it is extremely important to have them treated by a Leeds dentist as soon as possible. Effective treatment and increased dental care can help to fight dental abscesses. Tooth pain and gum disease. This may include a treatment of antibiotics to fight the infection or in extreme circumstances some minor tissue removal.

Prevention of dental abscesses is much preferable to treatment. This can easily be achieved by more effective brushing and flossing and maintaining six-month check up appointments with your dentist.

Leeds dentist treats gum disease with herbal remedies

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

In recent years there has been a huge resurgence of interest in more traditional forms of medicine and herbal remedies. For many generations this information was either lost or ignored in favour of a more scientific approach but resent studies indicate that our ancestors may have been onto something and more and more people are keen to find out what it is.

In the world of dentistry dentists and patients are now using herbal remedies safely and effectively to treat many dental problems, especially gum disease and receding gums. Among the herbs commonly used are aloe, clove and Echinacea. Aloe particularly is known for its soothing qualities on skin that is inflamed due to burning and exhibits similar healing properties on inflamed gum tissue.

Cloves are probably more associated with Christmas hams but they contain a natural tropical anaesthetic which can help ease the pain of sore or irritated gums. Applying clove oil to the affected area may give you some relief until you can get to a dentist. Echinacea acts as a natural immune booster to help clear up any gum infection that might have taken place in the mouth. These are just some of the herbal remedies available to patients and many are being offered and endorsed by Leeds dentists.

With 75 per cent of adults suffering gum disease in some form or other in the UK at some point n their life, these herbal remedies could play a vital role in easing the pain and irritation and keeping gums and teeth healthy. The continual rise of herbal remedies unveils more and more beneficial treatments every year and it really is time we started to appreciate them more.

Experience the advantages of preventative dentistry at City of Leeds dentist

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

The health of our teeth and gums is one aspect of the body we can almost fully control. The practice of actively seeking to avoid the problems of gum disease and tooth decay is commonly known as preventative dentistry. This involves your dentist working with you and the dental hygienist to develop a plan of treatment to best help you avoid these conditions.

This will usually take the form of assessing your case history and developing a plan to avoid the recurrence of any prior dental problems. The dentist or hygienist will then fully scale and polish your teeth to remove any tartar or stains that can damage the teeth. The hygienist or dentist will then usually discuss your dietary and lifestyle habits and assess what changes need to be made to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. They will also suggest which dental hygiene products are most suitable for your teeth.

Any repair work such as dental bonding of chips and cracks and fillings will also be carried out or checked if from prior treatment. The aim of this is to get your teeth in the best possible condition before it is down to you to implement improved standards of oral hygiene to keep them that way. Dentists will be able to monitor your progress with regular check ups but there is a degree of discipline needed on the patient’s behalf for preventative dentistry to be fully effective.

Preventative dentistry is particularly effective at preventing gum disease, one of the most common dental concerns amongst adults in the UK. Make an appointment with a City of Leeds dentist to discuss the possibility of developing a preventative dentistry plan.

Treatment for reversible pulpitis from central Leeds dentist saves tooth

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Pulpitis is a rather unpleasant dental condition that is caused as a consequence of dental cavities. When tooth enamel has been eroded by decay, the softer inner parts of the tooth are exposed to bacteria and other stimuli such as hot and cold food. If the pulp, which is the soft matter surrounding the dental nerve, is attacked by bacteria or irritated by hot or cold temperatures it can become inflamed resulting in pulpitis.

This can be the cause of significant pain in the mouth as when the pulp expands it puts a lot of pressure on the dental nerve. The pain can be so severe that patients often have difficulty pinpointing exactly where it is coming from as it may feel like several surrounding teeth are also in pain. Because the dentine and enamel that surround the pulp and nerve are more solid and no flexible, the inflamed and expanded pulp has nowhere to go. This can make it very difficult to treat before necrosis, or the death of the live part of the tooth, occurs.

If the inflammation is not treatable before the dental nerve dies it is known as irreversible pulpitis and involves the death and possible loss of the tooth. On other occasions the pulpitis may be treated successfully by a Central Leeds dentist. The cavity can then be filled after cleaning to protect the tooth from any damage. It is important with pulpitis, as with all dental concerns that you see a dentist as soon as possible after pain begins or you suspect that something is not right with your teeth. It could make the difference between keeping and losing a tooth.

Ask Leeds dentist about the safety of fluoride

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Fluoride is an element that naturally occurs in both water and food and has a beneficial impact on the teeth. So much so, that for the last eighty years or so we have been adding it to drinking water as a preventative measure against tooth decay. As well as this there is also a range of fluoride toothpastes and supplements that people use in areas of low fluoridation of the water.

In recent years there has been some controversy surrounding the presence of fluoride in the water and the supposed benefits. This has also led to many people being unsure as to whether they should be supplementing their, or their children’s diets with fluoride. Dentists recommend that you should never give fluoride to children under the age of six or let them use toothpaste with fluoride, as it can be hazardous in large levels. It is also true that fluoride can cause a condition called fluorosis, which causes discolouration of the teeth ranging from small white specks to larger brown discoloured patches. This happens when teeth are in their developing years before the age of six and cannot be removed.

Different areas in the UK have differing levels of fluoride in the water so it is probably best to find out how much is in your water supply. Your Leeds dentist will be able to tell you how much is in the local supply and give you an idea if you need to be supplementing your diet with fluoride or using a different toothpaste.

Prevent teeth grinding during sleep at City of Leeds dentist

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Teeth grinding, otherwise known as bruxism, on an occasional basis will cause no damage to your teeth. But continual or repeated teeth grinding may start to become a serious problem as it can erode the enamel, cause structural damage to teeth and cause painful jaw complaints. Excessive teeth grinding becomes even more of a serious problem if it occurs during sleep. This is because the patient will have no control over their actions and you can imagine the rate of erosion if someone spends several hours a night grinding their teeth.

For years, many doctors thought that unconscious teeth grinding was caused by stress or anxiety but dentists have recently discovered that a more likely cause is the physical position of the teeth, although the problem can be made worse by stress. A misaligned bite caused by physical trauma or missing teeth can cause discomfort and irritation to the jaw muscles which respond by moving, causing a grinding of the teeth. Because the grinding happens at night some patients may not be aware that they are doing it. One way to tell is if you constantly suffer with a dull headache or a sore jaw. A City of Leeds dentist will be able to confirm if you are suffering from teeth grinding by examining your teeth.

Once you have been diagnosed, the next step to preventing any further damage caused by grinding is to have a dentist fit a mouth guard to cushion the teeth during sleep. This will prevent any further damage during sleep while the dentist plans more in depth treatment to eliminate the cause of the problem. This may involve adjusting teeth or even fitting a dental replacement such as a dental bridge or partial denture.

Pioneering new Waterlase technology at City of Leeds dentist

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Waterlase is a pioneering new dental technology that uses laser energy and a spray of water to perform a whole range of dental procedures on the teeth and gums, with a much greater degree of comfort. Lasers have been used for a number of years in dentistry because of the advantages they have over the more old fashioned equipment. Lasers not only limit the potential for infection but also increase recovery time because they cauterise the surgical wounds as they are taking place. This reduces blood loss and enables the tissue to heal much quicker.

Watrelase has been used since 1998 in the US where it was first designed and has successfully made many dental treatments a great deal more efficient and comfortable. The technology is now being more widely used in the UK and making treatments like cavity fillings and gum contouring more pleasant for patients.

Waterlase can even be used to replace the role of the dreaded dentist drill in a number of surgeries. The drill works by using a combination of heat, vibration and pressure which can sound and feel unpleasant. Waterlase lasers remove the need for heat and pressure and use a fine spray of water to limit the heat making the whole process less intrusive and less frightening. It also significantly reduces the occurrences of numbness after treatment that can be caused by using other equipment. Lasers also offer an incredible level of accuracy for dentists during treatment meaning that no unnecessary damage is caused. City of Leeds dentists are now using Waterlase products to carry out many procedures. Ask them at your next appointment about the benefits of the Waterlase system.

Simple tips to prevent bad breath from Central Leeds dentist

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Bad breath can be a source of great embarrassment for many sufferers. One of the main problems of having bad breath is that it is often very difficult to tell when you are affected by it. Many people resort to using mouthwashes and other products that can apparently combat bad breath but without realising it might be making the situation worse.

Mouthwashes have been proven time and again to only mask the smell of bad breath for as little as ten minutes and for a maximum of two hours. After this time the odour returns and the bad breath is back and you may have been given a false sense of confidence. Mouthwashes can even destabilise the levels of bacteria in the mouth making the problem worse as saliva production is affected.

If mouthwashes and sprays are not the solution then what is? Well, really it’s very simple. Improved oral hygiene with better brushing and flossing will limit the effects of bacteria, plaque and decaying food matter which are responsible for the majority of cases of bad breath. Flossing especially can remove trapped food debris from between the teeth helping to prevent the development of sulphurous odours that cause halitosis.

Central Leeds dentist can help patients to improve their oral hygiene routines and also offer further advice about how to stop bad breath. This may involve not eating certain foods and drinking water during and after every meal to help clean the mouth and limit the production of bacteria. These few simple methods are tried and tested ways of stopping most bad breath without using products making false promises.