Posts Tagged ‘knocked out tooth’

Benefits of having a dental implant as a restorative procedure at Central Leeds dentist

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Having a tooth knocked out is not only unpleasant and painful at the time but can also cause many months of anxiety and further suffering, especially if it has ruined your cosmetic appearance. There are many health and dental health reasons to replace lost teeth as soon as possible but in many cases it is the appearance of the teeth that causes patients to worry the most.

Having a missing tooth in your smile is not the most flattering look at any age but there are ways to replace lost teeth. You may choose to have a dental bridge or partial denture but by far the most natural and sturdy is a dental implant. This takes the form of a small titanium screw that is anchored directly into the jawbone. This acts as a base for an artificial tooth that is screwed on top.

This can be used to replace one or more missing teeth and is the closest thing to actually having a real tooth. Other benefits of having a dental implant as a restorative procedure include the fact that no sacrifices have to be made as to what you can eat. Unlike dental bridges and dentures, implants are sturdy and less likely to break. Denture wearers often resort to using dental adhesives, which can prevent you from eating certain foods. Dental bridges are prone to breaking, especially if they come into contact with hard food.

A dental implant from a central Leeds dentist will go a long way to restoring the appearance of a smile that has been spoiled by missing teeth. In most cases it is almost impossible to tell the difference between real teeth and implants.

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Dental emergencies treated by Central Leeds dentist

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Dental emergencies can be very unpleasant and also extremely painful. Even at their best they are very inconvenient and stressful. The first thing you should do in any dental emergency is to make an appointment to see your dentist. They will be able to see you almost immediately if the problem is a genuine emergency. If it is out of hours, your dentist’s answering service will provide you with information about what to do and how to contact the on-call dentist.

However, it is still important that you know what to do in case of a dental emergency, so here is some advice about a few common problems.

Toothaches – Rinse you mouth with warm water and floss to remove lodged food. You can also apply a cold compress to the area to offer some relief. Over-the-counter pain relief may work but never put aspirin or painkillers next tot the painful area as this may burn the tissue. Contact a dentist as soon as possible.

Chipped, cracked or broken tooth – Save any broken pieces as they could be reattached. Rinse your mouth and apply gauze to any bleeding until it stops. Apply a cold compress and contact a dentist.

Knocked out tooth – Find the tooth as soon as possible and try to replace it. If won’t slot back in easily, don’t force it. Cover the tooth in saliva or milk and get to a dentist as soon as possible. This could preserve the tooth long enough for it to be replaced. The highest chance of saving your tooth comes in the first hour of it being knocked out.

Lost crown or filling – Keep hold of the crown or filling and try to see a Central Leeds dentist straight away. A swab with some olive oil applied to the area will give you some relief in the short term.

There are many other dental emergencies that can occur so it is worthwhile knowing what is the best course of action to protect your teeth from any further damage.

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Leeds dentist repairs cracked tooth from sporting injury

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

All dentists have a keen interest in sports. Not necessarily because they enjoy them but because so many of their patients damage their teeth while playing them. Knocked out, cracked and chipped tooth have been the result of sporting injuries as long as there have been sporting injuries and all dentists are very familiar with the prop forward, or opening batsman coming into surgery clutching a knocked out tooth.

When playing any physical activity, particularly anything that involves physical contact or a ball, the first line of dental defence is a mouth guard. Dentists advise wearing a mouth guard when playing any physical sport as a preventative measure. They may be uncomfortable and embarrassing but not nearly so much as a knocked out tooth. A Leeds dentist will be able to fit a mouth guard that will help to prevent dental injury. Although mouth guards are available in the shops, it is always advisable to have one fitted by a dentist. Shop-bought guards are often poorly fitting which limits their effectiveness.

If you do happen to suffer a sporting dental injury, even one as nasty as a knocked out tooth or teeth, there are several options to repair the damage. With a knocked out tooth, it may be possible to replace it immediately, without forcing it. If the tooth slots back in, support it with wet gauze and see a dentist immediately, who will be able to complete the replacement. If the tooth won’t slot back in, cover it in milk or saliva and see a dentist as soon as possible. This will keep the tooth alive for a possible replacement.

If a tooth cannot be saved or is cracked or broken, there are plenty of procedures available to restore the cosmetic appearance. Dental bonding can repair minor cracks and breaks and the latest computer manufactured and designed veneers can be a lifelike substitute for a real tooth. Whatever the injury, a Leeds dentist will be able to repair the damage with stunning results.

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