Archive for the ‘oral hygiene’ Category

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How Can We Detect Tooth Decay At Liverpool Dental Spa?

29th April 2013

One of the major problems with tooth decay is that it’s very hard to notice that your tooth is rotting until you have a full-blown problem on your hands. The dentist is highly trained in detecting the slightest sign of decay so if you don’t visit the dentist on a regular basis, your decay is more likely going to go unnoticed and cause major problems in the future. If the decay goes undetected, it can continue to work its way through your tooth, causing more and more trouble. If it becomes deep seated, you may have to have the tooth removed, which is a lot more hassle than visiting the dentist every six months.

Dental check ups

At Liverpool Dental Spa, they have all the tools necessary to detect and tackle tooth decay. By looking at your teeth, the dentist can assess the status of each tooth and use magnification and lighting to search for any small holes. These are signs of decay in the tooth and may be fixable by fillings.

Sometimes, the dentist may need to take an X ray in order to assess the full extent of the damage. A picture will be taken of your mouth so that the dentist can see how far down the decay has gone. If it has travelled to the roots, you may have to have the tooth removed. It is surprising how much damage can actually be hiding in your tooth. You may think that you have a healthy set of teeth but bacteria and plaques can cause a lot of damage before you notice any pain. Therefore, by visiting the dentist frequently, you reduce the risk of deep-rooted decay as the dentist can catch the problem in the early stages and take preventative measures to ensure that the decay doesn’t develop further.

 

 

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Dealing With Bad Breath For Patients In Liverpool

21st February 2013

Chewing mints may temporarily mask bad breath but may not treat the cause of bad breath or halitosis as it is also known. Causes of bad breath vary and may include:

  • Pungent foods
  • Gastrointestinal conditions
  • Smoking
  • Bacterial build-up on the tongue
  • Tooth decay
  • Gum disease such as Periodontitis

We may not even be aware that we have bad breath until someone points it out to us. While brushing teeth with fluoride-containing toothpaste may freshen the mouth, bad breath may still be present.

Looking at the cause

At Liverpool Dental Spa we provide ways to deal or cope with bad breath by identifying and addressing the cause of the problem. The first step may involve oral health assessment to determine if oral bacteria, tooth decay or gum disease such as Periodontitis is present.

Having regular dental check-ups and professional teeth cleaning with a dental hygienist means the cause of bad breath may be diagnosed and treated sooner. Dentists advise on proper teeth cleaning practice and dental hygienists clean and scale teeth to remove tartar and food trapped in hard-to-reach tooth grooves. Trapped food debris may rot causing tooth decay and bad breath.

Smelly foods

For some it is simply a care of their eating pungent foods, such as garlic and onions. Altering diet may eliminate bad breath and improve health. Where oral health causes are of bad breath are not obvious, a dentist may refer an individual to their GP for further screening such as for gastrointestinal conditions.

By stopping smoking, the breath may freshen or using special dental products for smokers may make a difference. Smoking causes a thick yellowy layer to form on the tongue that attracts bacteria and may give smoker’s breath. Keeping the mouth clean and having frequent appointments with a dental hygienist for oral cleansing helps keep this condition at bay,

 

 

 

 

 

 

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No More Unwanted Bad Breath For Patients In Liverpool

27th November 2012

Bad breath or halitosis is the unpleasant odour that comes from the breath of an individual. There are many reasons that can cause a person’s breath to smell bad. Intake of foods with strong smell like garlic and onions is a very common reason. Problems in the intestine or the stomach could also cause bad breath. Smoking and lack of dental hygiene are also some of the common reasons for bad breath.

Treating bad breath

Many times the person with bad breath does not know about it but people around them will know it. However these people will often be too embarrassed to mention it. Most of the people who have bad breath are generally made aware of this embarrassing condition by a family member.

Brushing the teeth twice a day, cleaning the tongue and flossing everyday will certainly help a person who is suffering from bad breath. Also avoiding foods with strong smell and drinking lot of water every day will help. However in certain cases, bad breath could be caused due to gum disease or tooth decay. If you are continually having the unpleasant odour in your breath, then the best thing to do would be to visit a dentist.

Dental check-up

The dentist will check your mouth teeth, tongue and gums for any signs of dental condition. The dentist will also be able to thoroughly clean your mouth. This will remove every trace of bacteria, plaque and food particles stuck between your teeth. Small particles of food get stuck between the teeth if the mouth is not rinsed immediately after eating. These particles will later give out bad smell.

Bad breath can greatly hinder you from having quality conversations, whether it is business or private. This will surely have long-term negative effects for you. Therefore the moment you realise that you are unable to get rid of this condition – seek help from one of our dentists at Liverpool Dental Spa.

 

 

 

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What Is Oral Surgery And Which Patients In Liverpool Would Need It?

31st October 2012

‘Oral surgery’ is another way of saying ‘tooth extraction’. No one really likes the idea of it, but sadly extraction is sometimes necessary. This surgery might be necessary for a variety of reasons but, regardless of ‘why’, at Liverpool Dental Spa we will endeavour to make the experience as easy as possible.  Here is a list of reasons why a patient would require extraction:

Repair is not possible

A tooth may have suffered such a sever fracture, or been the subject of such widespread decay, that extraction may be more viable than repair. In these instances, it is often an obstacle that has emerged which makes oral surgery a more practical option. These obstacles can range from medical or physical issues all the way to the grim reality of finance.

Gum disease

Gum disease can also lead to oral surgery: As gum disease progresses, your tooth may be receiving less and less support from the surrounding bone, resulting in your tooth coming loose. Here, extraction may be the only viable option.

Brace preparation

Orthodontic treatment attempts to align an individual’s teeth, be it to correct a poor bite or for aesthetic reasons. Sometimes there is conflict between the size of an individual’s jaw and the amount of space required to correct the alignment of their teeth. Simply put, you can sometimes have too many teeth on your jaw and, in order to prepare for braces, extraction might be appropriate.

Poorly positioned and non-functioning teeth

Those cheeky wisdom teeth do belie their name with just how awkward they can be. If you wisdom teeth do protrude at an awkward angle, this can provide major irritation to a person’s cheek. This is but one example of poorly positioned teeth which would be ripe for extraction. Other examples include teeth which serve little practical purpose but could cause prospective problems in the future. Wisdom teeth can, for instance, be difficult to clean which, in turn, could lead to future oral hygiene issues. The impact these problems could have on surrounding teeth might provide viable grounds for oral surgery.

 

 

 

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Children’s Oral Health For Patients In Liverpool

2nd October 2012

Sweets and power ballads are both guilty pleasures which, when put together, can be read as a grave warning: In ‘The Greatest Love of All’, as made famous by Whitney Houston, we are told that “the children are our future” and are asked “teach them well and let them lead the way.” Conventional wisdom, of course, tells us that children love sweets and, if we don’t teach them of the bonbon’s destructive potential, this will not only mean the collapse of their teeth but of dentistry as we know it!

The importance of education

…pop-culture references aside, we at Liverpool Dental Spa believe prevention is better than cure. That is why we provide and encourage check up’s for children prior to their first teeth emerging. We aim to provide them with all the knowledge they need to take care of their teeth, including: How to brush properly, how to floss and how to maintain general hygiene. We also aim to help the child establish a good relationship the dentist, in a bid to prevent them developing dental phobia. We also offer guidance on diet and how it can affect the teeth.

Cleaning children’s teeth

Chances are, you may be cleaning your child’s teeth until they are roughly seven years old. During this period, attempt to turn these into regular habits: Brushing once after breakfast and once before bed, for two minutes. This is really the cornerstone of caring for your teeth! If you can, try and wait for an hour after eating before brushing their teeth: The acids produced in some foods can temporarily soften enamel, meaning that brushing hard after eating can wear your enamel away! Waiting for about an hour, after eating, helps to avoid this.

Preventative treatments

If parents are concerned about their child’s teeth during this learning period, we do offer fluoride applications and fissure sealant services which can protect teeth from decay and damage for many years. If you have any queries or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask us!

 

 

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Root Canal Treatment For Patients In The City Of Liverpool

25th September 2012

Root canal treatment is used when there is a danger of infection developing in the root of the tooth. There may already be some infection in which it is vital for this to be treated otherwise it could cause major complications for the patient.

The need for root canal therapy occurs usually because of the development of infected abscesses below the line of the tooth. The tooth itself may have to be removed initially, but the abscess itself is the main problem.

Saving the Tooth

In order to save the tooth from infection the dentist will drill into the pulp chamber removing infected pulp along with the root nerve. An inert filling is then inserted into gap. This seals the canal opening preventing any bacteria from infecting the area.

The normal material used in the procedure is a latex product developed from the sap of the percha tree. It is generally known as gutta-percha. This rubber-like material is used because of its non-elastic properties, making it easy to use. It is injected into the root canal along with dental cement and sealant.

Is the procedure painful?

Unfortunately as with most dental treatments, root canal therapy can be painful. However the dentist will apply a local anaesthetic. That said if the abscess is swollen it can affect the anaesthetic. In this case the abscess will have to be drained before any local anaesthetic is applied. It is generally the pressure of the abscess in the first place that will have caused the pain.

If it is found necessary to drain the abscess then the dentist will probably prescribe an antibiotic prior to booking an appointment for root canal treatment. Further, the latter can be a difficult surgical procedure to carry out. This may mean several visits before it is completed. The dentist will in all probability prescribe pain relief as part of the after care.

Alternatives to Root Canal Therapy

Currently, the only real viable alternative to root canal treatment is to have the tooth extracted. However the tooth itself may be healthy so it is a drastic step to treat a problem caused by an abscess.

 

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What can Patients in Liverpool Expect from Oral Surgery

16th August 2012

The most common form of oral surgery a person will encounter is an extraction. There are a number of reasons for an extraction such as tooth decay, orthodontic spacing or the extraction of wisdom teeth because they are impacted.

How are extractions done?

An extraction can be done either under local aesthetic or sedation. If the wisdom teeth are to be removed, meaning all four, then it is common for the patient to be sedated during the surgery. For most people the wisdom teeth will erupt naturally and without trouble; however this is not always the case. A considerable amount of pain can be caused by impacted wisdom teeth and in some cases they can become infected. Any pain or discomfort felt in or around the wisdom tooth area needs to be addressed by the dentist as soon as possible.

Oral Infection

If an infection is present and is not treated it can lead to serious complications. Abscesses can develop and if left for a long time the infection can even spread into the bone of the jaw. The only way to prevent the infection from spreading further and damaging more teeth, jaw and gum tissue is to remove the infected tooth.

Post-surgery

After surgery there are a number of pointers that patients should be aware of such as; not eating hot food for the first 24 hours. Avoid drinking alcohol and do not smoke for the first 24 hours either. If the gap has not been stitched up resist the urge to move any blood clots that form in the gap, after the first 24 hours carefully rinse out the mouth with warm salt water. Pain relief can be taken to ease the initial discomfort, if however the pain continues past a few days a return visit to the dentists should be arranged.

 

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Oral Cancer and The Importance of Mouth Cancer Screening In Liverpool

9th August 2012

It is estimated that around 1,700 people die each year from mouth cancer and the numbers continue to rise year on year. Like most cancers if it is spotted early enough it can be successfully treated and cured. This is part of what the dentist does on your regular 6 monthly check ups and this is why keeping these appointments are so important.

Signs of oral cancer

The signs of mouth cancer can include white or red patches in the mouth. Lumps in the mouth or throat, swelling in the mouth, ulcers that do not clear up after 14 days and difficulty in swallowing. There are many factors that can either cause oral cancer or put a person into a high risk of developing it.

Who is more at risk?

Smoking and heavy drinking are factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing oral cancer. Smokers or tobacco users are 6 times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-tobacco users. It is estimated that around 75% of all oral cancer cases involved people who use tobacco and drink on a regular basis. However there are infections such as human papillomavirus type 16, which can increase the risk of developing mouth cancer.

All dentists are trained to spot the early warning signs of mouth cancer and will look for it at every visit. By avoiding factors that can increase the risk of developing oral cancer will surely help, so quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake can have a positive effect.

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Liverpool Patients Learn all About Gum Disease

8th August 2012

In order to understand what is the difference between these two gums related issues, we need to understand what each disease entails. The signs and symptoms of both are similar but the underlying issue is very different.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the term used for non-destructive periodontal disease. This is caused by the bacteria in plaque which attaches itself to the tooth’s surface throughout the day. If left untreated it can lead to the more serious form of periodontal disease which is termed as destructive as it attacks and destroys the gingival tissue.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of this include swollen gums that may appear either bright red or even purple in colour. There may well be pain or tenderness in the gums and they may bleed during and after brushing. Treatment revolves around the removal of excess plaque and improving oral hygiene routine.

Gum disease or destructive periodontitis and occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. This is when plaque and bacteria have spread and gone below the gum line. The toxins produced by the bacteria begin to attack the gums and creates severe inflammation. As time goes on, the gum tissue itself as well as the bone structure that holds the teeth in place is attacked and broken down.

The gums will begin to separate from the teeth allowing more plaque and bacteria access to the gum tissue. Over time the teeth will become loose and will have to be removed. The signs and symptoms of this are very similar to gingivitis however it may be accompanied by bad breath, gum recession and loose teeth.

Treatment available

Treatment for this advance stage of gum disease begins with the removal of the plaque and can include root planning, scaling and even surgery.

 

 

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Doing Something about Bad Breath in Liverpool

27th July 2012

Halitosis or bad breath can affect many people in Liverpool and the UK, and can be very embarrassing. Bad breath may lead to us feeling self-conscious about being around people at all, and so it is important to treat it to avoid the suffering that this can cause. In addition, bad breath can be linked to oral disease or decay, and so it is important to see if the problem can be treated to ensure that it is not linked to further problems.

What causes bad breath?

One of the most common causes of bad breath is simply eating strong-smelling foods, such as dishes containing a lot of onion or garlic. Similarly, drinks such as tea or coffee can affect the way your breath smells, as can smoking. However, the most common cause of bad breath is bad oral hygiene. Not cleaning the teeth and mouth properly will lead to decay and build-up of bacteria and plaque, which will begin to smell bad. Therefore, a good oral hygiene routine is the first step to combating bad breath. Occasionally, bad breath can be linked to other conditions, such as not producing enough saliva, stomach problems such as gastritis, cavities or problems with the respiratory tract (i.e. throat or nose infections).

How can bad breath be stopped?

The first step to fighting bad breath is of course to make sure that you are maintaining the best hygiene routine possible, to prevent build-up of plaque and bacteria. It is also a good idea to visit the dentist to help, particularly since bad breath can be linked to more serious problems such as tooth decay. At Liverpool Dental Implant and Aesthetic Spa, your mouth will be thoroughly checked to ensure that there are no signs of more complex problems linked to bad breath. A thorough cleaning session can also be provided which can help eliminate the bacteria that causes bad breath.

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