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Posts Tagged ‘dental decay Leeds’

Why You Shouldn’t Neglect Your Cavities

Wednesday, May 13th, 2015

3708143_blogCavities are holes that develop in the tooth surface. They are caused by tooth decay, one of the most common preventable illnesses among children and adults in the UK. If you have cavities or tooth pain, we urge you to get in touch with your dentist and make an appointment. Leaving cavities increases the risk of severe infection and may even lead to tooth loss.

What causes tooth decay?

Tooth decay is caused by harmful bacteria that collect and multiply in the mouth. These bacteria release acids that attack and erode the tooth enamel, eventually wearing holes in the outer layer of the tooth. The most common risk factors for cavities are poor oral hygiene and a diet that contains a lot of sugary and acidic foods.

How can I tell if I have a cavity?

Sometimes it’s possible to feel or see a cavity. You may be able to see the hole in the surface of the tooth, especially if it has become discoloured. You might also feel it when you run your tongue over the surface of the tooth. Other signs of decay include increased sensitivity that manifests itself through pain when the teeth come into contact with hot and cold substances, toothache and a feeling of weakness when you use the tooth.

Why it’s important to treat cavities

If you have cavities, it’s important to get them sorted by your dentist. Once the enamel layer of the tooth has been penetrated, there is a risk of infection spreading through the tooth into the living tissue of the tooth, known as the pulp. It is possible for the pulp to become infected and this may result in severe damage or even loss of the tooth. In this case, it may be possible to save the tooth by means of performing root canal treatment. Decay can also increase the risk of dental abscesses, which are usually very painful.

As with all dental diseases, we believe that prevention is better than cure when it comes to tooth decay and we recommend a good daily oral hygiene routine, regular dental check-ups and steering clear of too many sugary treats!

Terrific Treatment for Terrible Tooth Decay

Wednesday, March 18th, 2015

585811_blogIf you’re suffering from sensitive teeth or dental pain, it could be a sign of infection. But don’t panic, because City Dental Leeds provides root canal treatment to protect your tooth and soothe any pain you may be feeling.

When a tooth infection spreads to the pulp tissue, root canal treatment is a method that saves the tooth instead of extracting it, which is usually the only alternative. The living tissue of the pulp is contained in the pulp, including the nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp becomes infected, the tooth begins to die and there is an increased risk of infection spreading.

About root canal treatment

Before starting root canal treatment, we will numb the tooth with local anaesthetic to make sure your comfort is optimised during the procedure. When the tooth is numb, we will drill into the tooth to get to the root canals. The decayed tissue will then be removed and we will thoroughly clean the tooth roots. Then, we will use a dental material called gutta percha to fill the root canals and seal them.

Usually, we will place a new crown after root canal treatment to strengthen the tooth and provide aesthetic benefits.

Benefits of root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is an effective method that prevents the extraction of an infected tooth. People are often concerned that root canal treatment is painful, but local anaesthetic coupled with our gentle expertise will ensure that you’re relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure. This treatment reduces infection risk and decreases the chances of future tooth extraction.

Terrific Treatments for Terrible Tooth Decay

Sunday, March 8th, 2015

4683491_blogTooth decay is one of the most common preventable illnesses among children and adults in the UK. If you have signs of decay, we have the treatments to ease pain and protect the teeth in the future.

What causes decay?

Decay is caused by harmful bacteria that produce acids to weaken and damage the enamel. Once the enamel is worn, acid wear can cause holes known as cavities to form in the tooth surface and decay can spread to the inner parts of the tooth. Signs of decay include feeling or seeing a hole in the tooth surface, weakness in the tooth, especially when you bite or chew, toothache and heightened sensitivity to hot or cold.

What can be done for decay?

If you have a cavity in your tooth, the usual course of action is to have a filling. Fillings are designed to fill in the hole and strengthen the tooth. They also help to reduce the level of bacteria spreading through the tooth. Filling a tooth takes around one hour and we recommend white fillings, which are made of dental composite and resins, as they match the shade of the natural tooth for a completely discreet aesthetic.

In cases of severe decay, when the infection has spread to the pulp tissue, which contains the nerves and blood cells, root canal treatment may be recommended. This procedure can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth and it aims to prevent the spread of infection by removing decayed pulp tissue and sealing the root canals.

Preventing decay

When it comes to oral health, prevention is always better than cure and we recommend good oral hygiene at home, frequent dental visits and a healthy diet to lower the risk of dental decay.

Six Sugary Snacks That Will Spoil Your Sparkly Whites

Friday, March 6th, 2015

293756_blogIf you’re desperate for sparkly pearly whites this summer, it’s a good idea to learn more about how your diet impacts your oral health. Often, the foods we eat can make a real difference to oral health as well as the look of the teeth, so here are 6 sugary snacks to avoid in order to enjoy a healthy, bright smile:

  1. Fruit juice: fruit juice is often marketed as a healthy alternative to pop, but it often contains a huge amount of sugar. Juices are also acidic, which contributes to acid wear of the enamel. If you do enjoy fruit juice, try to stick to drinking it at mealtimes only and dilute it with water. Take care to read labels on shop-bought products and watch out for added sugars.
  2. Sweets: many of us admit to having a sweet tooth and a bag of sweets is a popular treat or afternoon pick me up. Sweets may taste delicious, but they are bad news for your teeth. They are laden with sugar and they are also usually acidic. If you are eating sweets, eat them straight after a meal and drink a glass of water or milk afterwards. Healthier alternatives to sweets include natural yoghurt and fresh fruit.
  3. Smoothies: smoothies have become all the rage as part of a healthy eating revolution. However, if you check the nutrition labels of smoothies on offer in cafes and supermarkets, you may be shocked at the sugar content. Smoothies are essentially a healthy option if you make them yourself, as you can control how much sugar is added. However, if you buy ready-made bottles or cartons, you may find that your drink is not as healthy as you hoped.
  4. Yoghurts: yoghurts can be really beneficial for the teeth because they are rich in calcium. However, you need to be careful when choosing which yoghurts to buy. Sweetened, flavoured yoghurts often contain a lot of sugar and this includes low-fat versions. Try to go for natural yoghurt and add natural sugars such as honey or berries if you would prefer something a little more adventurous.
  5. Chocolate: many people admit to reaching for a chocolate bar when their energy levels drop mid-afternoon, but snacking on chocolate is not just harmful for your teeth. It also provides a quick release of energy that will almost certainly cause you to feel tired again shortly afterwards. Sugar-free cereal bars and wholemeal crackers are healthier options, which will release energy over a longer period of time.

 

Dismissing Dental Decay in the City of Leeds

Tuesday, September 10th, 2013

608718_blogThere is an ever present threat to your mouth in the city of Leeds and that is plaque. If you mess up for just a day with the way you look after your oral health, this nasty little beast will jump straight in and attack your teeth. If left to run its course, the plaque will harden into tartar and then you are in the sorry world of dental decay. It will erode away your teeth’s enamel and start to cause caries to form: at this point the problem can be treated with a filling, but if it gets worse, you’ll need root canal treatment. You are seriously putting your health at large if you don’t keep up with your oral hygiene and turn up at the dentists for a check-up. Let’s just break down dental decay eh? These problems can lead to very serious issues such as gum disease; this will affect your heart. You will loose your teeth and the recovery from all of this will mean you paying out lots of money in the future. You will also be running the risk of abscesses forming- extremely dicey. Look after yourself, cut down on bad habits such as excessive drinking and smoking, clean your mouth properly, improve your diet and make sure you visit your dentist regularly if you want to avoid going down this path.