Taking excellent care of your teeth involves avoiding such afflictions as tooth decay. This painful process can mean that you need to have a tooth removed or that it falls out. Needless to say, prevention is a better course of actions so that you don’t suffer the pain and indignity of losing a tooth and then having it replaced.
Teeth can decay if plaque is allowed to build up on them. Plaque is an entirely unavoidable substance that forms after you have eaten, particularly foods containing a lot of sugar and or starch. Although it is entirely unavoidable it can be and should be dealt with effectively. Otherwise it attacks the enamel and begins to break down teeth.
You can deal with plaque by effectively brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day and after meals too if necessary. This dislodges the plaque so that it cannot compromise your teeth. Of course, pursuing a healthy diet also helps here as reducing sugary snacks to a minimum means that there is less plaque for you to have to deal with in the first place.
If tooth decay ensues then cavities can begin to form in the teeth and these will need to be filled to protect the sensitive inner parts of your teeth. If the process of decay goes further, then tooth as a whole will begin to break down and might fail entirely and become dislodged. You will need to have it replaced in this case, with a crown or a dental implant or dentures.
You Central Leeds dentist is trained to spot the signs of teeth decay and will be able to offer you advice on how to avoid it effectively, ensuring ling term oral health.
Posts Tagged ‘tooth decay’
Central Leeds dentists help prevent teeth decay with expert advice
Sunday, January 9th, 2011Need teeth replaced? Talk to your City of Leeds dentist about dentures
Saturday, January 8th, 2011
Multiple tooth loss can happen as a result of tooth decay, severe gum disease or because of a bad accident affecting the mouth. It can be a traumatic experience and not without pain but it is important that you get the teeth replaced so that your mouth can function again as close to normal. Eating, drinking and talking are made far more difficult without teeth and your cheeks might begin to sag, making you look older than you are.
Dentures represent a relatively simple solution to this problem. They are basically a set of removable false teeth which are worn in the mouth. Modern dentures are incredibly realistic and more comfortable than they used to be. In the past, many patients experienced discomfort as the dentures rubbed against the exposed gums but the advent of friction free braces is putting an end to this.
The fact that dentures are removable represents both an advantage and a disadvantage. They can be taken out to clean and while you sleep if you would prefer. But they also have a tendency to slip during meal times or even while the patient is talking. This is an indignity that is too great for some and they prefer the more permanent solution of dental implants. At least dentures can always be worn while you are making up your mind if you want to have your teeth permanently replaced.
Dentures can be held in place either via the natural suction ability of your gums, or by using special fixing agents to attach them to the gums. They can also be available as a partial set if you have only lost a few of your teeth. If you would like more information, talk to your City of Leeds dentist.
Look after your kids teeth with regular visits to your Leeds dentist
Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
Taking good care of your teeth is vital at any age but is especially important during the formative years. If a condition develops in the mouth during childhood it could become something that might be inconvenient for the rest of the person’s life. Make sure your child is in regular contact with a dentist so that their mouth can be monitored by a trained professional.
Just like adults, children ought to be brushing their teeth at least twice a day. This is to remove the plaque which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Getting children into this routine can be difficult but providing them with praise and incentives to brush their teeth can be effective and soon they will be pursuing an oral hygiene routine without a second thought.
You might wish to get your child a tooth brush with softer bristles. Children have a tendency to brush vigorously and this can lead to damage of the teeth or gums. It is important too that your children have the right diet that will ensure good oral health. Sugary snacks should be kept to the minimum and teeth ought to be brushed afterwards to stop plaque from building up.
Find a dentist who gets on well with your children and it will make the process of visiting the surgery that much easier. Children’s teeth should be checked every six months so that any problems can be dealt with before they become serious. It is worth remembering that a child who needs to have a cavity filled will have to live with it for the rest of their life.
Talk to your Leeds dentist today for more expert advice about how to take care of kids teeth.
Having a porcelain crown fitted in the city of Leeds
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010
If you have a tooth that has been damaged through decay or injury, or even require an implant to replace a tooth that is no longer there, in the city of Leeds, it could be time be time consider getting a porcelain crown fitted too. For all of these problems can lead to further health issues arising in the mouth, such as gum disease and further tooth decay. Porcelain crowns have a very natural sheen and make and excellent replacement at around £550. There are two types of porcelain crown available on the market. The all porcelain crown is the more obvious choice for teeth at the front of the mouth, where there is far less pressure placed on them through chewing or heavy biting. However if a tooth is to be replaced or rebuilt in the back of the mouth, where there is a lot more pressure applied during eating, it may be more wiser to opt for the porcelain-fused-over-metal crown that is more durable and resistant to pressure. The treatment time for fitting the actual crown is around 2 weeks, or in one sitting if you choose CEREC treatment. (Of course, treatments to get the tooth ready for a crown can prolong the overall time the process takes). Both types of crowns are durable and long lasting if treated with care, anything up to 15 years.
Expert advice from Leeds dentists prevent tooth decay
Saturday, December 4th, 2010
If plaque is allowed to take hold on your teeth it can lead to tooth decay. Plaque weakens tooth enamel and the acids present in the food you eat are able to attack your teeth and create cavities, small holes in the teeth which are painful and lead to further problems themselves if not filled. Although most common in children, anyone can suffer from tooth decay.
A poor diet and an unsatisfactory dental hygiene regime are the main causes of tooth decay. Eating too many sugary and starchy foods compromises your mouth’s friendly bacteria and acids are formed which attack the teeth. This process can lead to your teeth becoming very painful as the plaque that is formed enters the inside of the tooth and interferes with the nerves. Brushing and flossing twice a day and eating a balanced diet will help keep this process at bay.
Smoking decreases the valuable production of saliva, allowing plaque to flourish. Drinking only bottle water may contribute to tooth decay in the end as tap water is supplemented with fluoride which strengthens enamel. The aging process too inevitably leads to wear and tear of your teeth and tooth decay becomes more likely in older people who retain their natural teeth.
If you suffer from persistent tooth ache, that may be an early sign of tooth decay. Eating and drinking food and drink that is especially hot or cold may be uncomfortable and you might experience sharp pain in your teeth. Bad breath and unpleasant tastes in your mouth can be indicators of tooth decay too. If you notice any of these symptoms contact your Leeds dentist as you may require cavities to be filled or need a crown to be installed.
Effective root canal treatment available from City of Leeds dentists
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
Root canal treatment is a common and vital procedure necessary to restore the health of a tooth that has become damaged internally. Inside all of your teeth is a chamber, known as the pulp chamber. In this chamber there are many, nerves, arteries, veins and tissues. Entering into the pulp chamber through the root are the root canals which carry nerves into the tooth.
You might need root canal treatment if the pulp tissue of the tooth has become infected and an abscess is forming. This can be very painful indeed and infection can easily spread to other areas of the mouth. This might occur as a result of tooth decay, diseases of the gum or even an injury which has profoundly damaged the whole tooth. If you have persistently aching teeth, tenderness or swelling of the gums near a tooth or one of your teeth has become darkened following an accident, you may require root canal treatment.
In root canal treatment the pulp is removed from the tooth and the chamber disinfected. Your dentist will anaesthetise the area then drill into the tooth to gain access to the chamber. Special equipment is then employed to clean out the canals of the infected materials. Xrays are a vital part of the process in that they allow the dentist to assess accurately the depth of the canals and the amount of infected material that needs clearing.
Having sealed up your tooth with a temporary filling, you will need to return for a second appointment at which your dentist will remove the temporary filling and check that the canals are still free from debris. Once assured of the success of the original process a permanent crown can be attached. This complicated process is vital to guard against damaging oral infections and your City of Leeds dentist can provide you with more information.
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.
Tooth Decay In Central Leeds
Monday, October 25th, 2010
Unless you are planning on a lifetime role as a witch in Macbeth, decaying teeth are not only unsightly, but they can give rise to serious health problems, according to a dentist from central Leeds. Children are prone to tooth decay, as teeth grow and new ones come through and where plaque is allowed to form. The problems usually start with bad oral hygiene- the lack of brushing, bad diet, smoking and heavy drinking, which is why a bi-annual visit to the dentist is important in countering any signs of decay. Plaque is the catalyst for tooth decay. This can be removed by brushing and flossing, but if allowed to build up, it will turn to tartar, from which cavities or caries start to form. It doesn’t happen overnight; it can take months, even years for the problem to arise, but when it does, it has a knock-on affect. Infection can set in leading to gum disease, periodontivis and eventually, tooth loss. Spotting it early on is important and an x-ray or radiograph will pick up any signs of a cavity forming. Depending how advanced the problem is, treatment will be required immediately to remove any decay from the teeth in order to save them. This is done by a root canal that removes any dead tissues and roots from the tooth and then filled- sometimes capped.
Angle Orthodontics In The City Of Leeds
Saturday, October 23rd, 2010
Angle orthodontics is a specialised study of dentistry that is based on the theories of the founder of orthodontics, Edward Angle. Much of his work is centred on the maintenance of the occlusion, or the ‘bite’. If the bite is misaligned, this can give rise to all manner of complications in the head and upper body- tooth decay, gum disease, wear on the jaw, leading to head, eyes and earache, neck and upper back problems. As a dentist in the city of Leeds points out, orthodontics focuses on rectifying these problems from childhood, by using braces to straighten teeth and bringing the occlusion into line, hence correcting over, upper and cross biting. Braces have come a long way since Angles’ day, though the principles remain. Traditional braces never had the luxury of the use of computers. Modern methods like Invasalign and Inman braces are starting to revolutionise teeth straightening, making the treatment quicker. As we get older, our teeth start to move, wear, crack, even fall out and this affects the alignment of the occlusion. The use of implants, bridges, dentures and crowns can ensure that no extra pressure is put on the bite. Bruxism or teeth grinding is another offender and needs to be addressed immediately as does gum disease, to avoid tooth decay.
A Leeds dental practice’ Look At Oral Hygiene
Friday, October 8th, 2010
Oral hygiene is one of the most important factors in keeping the mouth fresh and free from disease, according to dentists in Leeds, yet one of the most poorly practised. Cleaning your teeth is central in the fight against tooth decay, plaque, tartar and gum disease. If bacterial plaque is allowed to build up it forms tartar- leading to cavities and infection of the gums. 75% of cavities or caries, occur on the chewing surface of the tooth that is hard to reach and the build up of acids begin the tooth decay process. Gums will bleed and infection will set in. Brushing is paramount- choosing the right brush and tooth paste is too. Dentists recommend cleaning at least twice a day and after meals with a brush that is designed for you. Bleeding gums can be combated by rinsing with warm, salty water. But food has a habit of getting in places where the brush will not reach. This calls for flossing to remove the food and check the build up of plaque. Keeping the tongue clean is important, by light brushing and mouthwashes. A dentist will also advocate professional cleaning twice a year, de-scaling and polishing the teeth, and if required, debridement, followed by a good fluoride treatment. A good diet helps in the growth of healthy, strong teeth. Vitamin’s A and C, and polyphenol antioxidants can be found in fruit and vegetables, green tea, milk and cheese, all will maintain a ph balance in the mouth. Keeping your mouth healthy is important to the whole of body. Bad oral hygiene can lead to pneumonia, heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis (weak bones).