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Gum disease, or more correctly called "periodontal disease", is a bacterial infection in the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It can be divided into several categories.
The first stage is called "gingivitis" and is characterized by gum tissue that is red, puffy, and bleeds easily when touched with a toothbrush, floss or dental instrument.
The second, third, and fourth stages are initial, moderate, and advanced "periodontal disease", respectively. These stages are different from gingivitis because the infection has destroyed the bone supporting the teeth, causing eventual tooth loss. The treatment is more complicated at these stages, usually consisting of a special cleaning with anesthesia and sometimes gum surgery.
Some signs of periodontal disease are: bleeding gums, redness of gum tissue, swelling of gums around the teeth, odor, receding gums, mobility of teeth.
Periodontal disease can go on for years without pain and without detection unless specific examination procedures are performed.
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I have bad breath. Is there any treatment for it? |
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While bad breath might be a symptom of some other disorder, it most likely stems from dental decay and periodontitis.
Periodontitis is a disease affecting gums and bone that support the teeth, and it results from inadequate tooth brushing and flossing. In this disease, the irritated gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets between the teeth and the gums. These pockets fill with bacteria and pus which give off a bad odour.
Patients with bad breath need a complete dental evaluation. If gum disease and/or dental decay is diagnosed, it can be treated readily. The patient will no longer have an infection in his or her mouth, and he or she will no longer have the embarrassment of bad breath.
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Can I replace my silver fillings with white fillings? |
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Many of our clients have had silver fillings placed into their teeth because they had cavities. These silver fillings are called amalgams. Amalgam fills the space where the decay in the tooth has been removed.
However, over time, the amalgam which contains mercury corrodes and leaks which blackens the silver, and many times darkens the tooth as well. This is easily seen as soon as a person opens his or her mouth and can be a source of embarrassment.
At Denchic we can provide you with composite fillings that actually bonds to the tooth for a tight seal. They are strong and stain-resistant, and they are color-matched to the natural tooth, making them "invisible".
Composite fillings also lack the sensitivity that is often associated with silver amalgam fillings. They are especially suited for smaller cavities and for clients who may be allergic to metal fillings.
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I have a missing tooth. What happens to my bite now? |
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Losing a tooth by accident or by extraction is not the end of the matter. When a tooth is missing, the resulting gap will allow nearby teeth to tilt or drift from their normal position, and the teeth above the gap will move downward.
Aside from the obvious cosmetic problem, the changed positions of these teeth can lead to severe bite problems causing jaw pain and headaches.
Missing teeth should be replaced to keep other teeth in their normal position. This can be done with a fixed bridge or a dental implant. Both of these treatments offer a good functional and cosmetic result.
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What is a dental implant? |
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A dental implant is a titanium metal replacement for a root of a tooth that is surgically implanted in the jawbone.
As the body heals for approximately two to six months after the surgery, the bone around the implant fuses to the implant through a process called osseointegration.
After the healing phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns, bridges, or dentures.
I have had an accident and Ive lost my tooth. What should I do?
If the tooth is loose, even extremely so, but is still attached in any way, leave it in place; do not remove it.
If it is out of its socket completely and unattached, but still in the mouth, it is best to have the person hold it there, if possible, until we can attempt re-implantation.
If it is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out. Place the tooth in a small container and cover it with milk. Handle it as little as possible. Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, or scrub it, or remove any tissue attached to it.
Call us on 020 8347 8885 immediately.
If it is recovered from the ground or other soiled area, rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk until we can examine it. If milk is not available, lukewarm water will have to do.
Time out of the socket is critical in the long-term success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success potential begins to decline. However, re-implantation is still possible after several hours, so the attempt can still be made even if the tooth has been out for a long period.
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What is a root canal therapy? |
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Many people flinch when their dentists tell them they need root canal therapy. While we are sympathetic to your fears of pain, we also want you to know that root canal therapy has three purposes:
- Stop the tooth ache
- Prevent bacteria and pain from spreading into the jaw
- Maintain the original tooth instead of replacing it with a bridge, implant or denture.
The root canal is actually a channel that runs from the root of the tooth, which connects to the bone, up to the top surface of the tooth. The canal contains blood vessels, nerves, and the complex cells that make up the living tissue inside the tooth. This lifeline inside the tooth is called the pulp.
When a tooth is decayed or cracked, bacteria can get to the pulp. The acid from the bacteria irritates the pulp and it becomes inflamed; it's the same process you watch when other parts of your body become infected. When the pulp tissue becomes inflamed, it's harder for blood to flow to the tissue, and the resulting pressure creates pain inside your tooth.
A root canal procedure limits the infection and keeps it from destroying the tooth. During the root canal treatment procedure, the dentist removes the inflamed or infected tissue, carefully cleans, disinfects, and shapes the root canal space inside the tooth, and then fills and seals this space.
It may take one or more appointments to complete the procedure. A protective restoration should be placed after root canal treatment has been completed in order to restore the tooth to function and help prevent tooth fracture.
We think of a root canal as washing the invasive bacteria out of the root, filling it with a biocompatible material that soothes the area, then sealing it back up again.
That means you get to keep your tooth. And that's a good thing. |
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Why do expectant women experience gum disease during pregnancy? |
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Many mothers have experienced gum disease, dental pain and/or tooth extraction during or shortly after their pregnancy. This is often seen as being a "normal" side effect of being pregnant. However we feel that dental disease, which is an infection of the teeth and/or gums, is not "normal" for any patient.
There are three basic events that happen during pregnancy which makes an expectant mother more susceptible to dental disease. First, hormonal changes may make the gums more susceptible to gum disease.
Second, pregnant women tend to eat smaller, more frequent meals, exposing their teeth and gums to sugars and acids more often. Third, cravings for "junk foods" and inadequate oral hygiene pose an increased threat to the teeth and gums.
Expectant mothers are advised to book a dental consultation and receive preventive dental care at Denchic. Personalised oral hygiene instruction by our hygienist will be given to fight disease and promote overall good health for the mother and her baby. |
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What are the symptoms of endodontic disease/ root canal problems? |
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Endodontic disease can manifest itself with a wide variety and combination of symptoms.
Common symptoms of endodontic disease include:
- Lingering sensitivity to cold liquids
- Lingering sensitivity to hot liquids
- Sensitivity to sweets
- Pain to biting pressure
- Pain that is referred from a tooth to another area, such as the neck, temple, or the ear
- Spontaneous toothache, such as that experienced while reading a magazine, watching television, etc.
- Severe pain
- Pain that may occur in response to atmospheric pressure changes, such as when flying or scuba diving
- Throbbing pain
- Pain that may occur in response to postural changes, such as when going from a standing to a reclining position
- Swelling
If you have any of these symptoms, it would be wise to visit us because you might have root canal disease or another dental problem. Some of these symptoms may also be attributable to decay, defective fillings, periodontal diseases, cracked teeth, or other tooth or bite-related problems. On other occasions, the symptoms may even be caused by disorders that are not related to the teeth.
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What is TMJ? - Temporomandibular joint disorder |
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What is TMJ problem and how is it caused?
The exact cause of the disorder is unknown. Some factors are related to an improper bite, injury, arthritis, severe stress, or a combination of factors. Clenching or grinding teeth, a condition called bruxism, may develop from stress or as part of a sleep disorder.
This can tire muscles and create painful spasms, causing even more pain. Repeated muscle problems may affect the joints, resulting in tissue damage, muscle tenderness, and more spasm, perpetuating a cycle of pain.
Common symptoms of TMJ include:
- Jaw pain or soreness, more noticeable in the morning or afternoon
- Jaw pain while chewing, biting, or yawning
- Earache without an infection, sometimes spreading into the face
- Soreness in front of the ear
- A clicking or grinding noise while opening and closing your mouth
- A stiff jaw when eating, talking, or yawning
- Sensitive teeth without any signs of dental problems
- Aching on the side of the head and neck pain
- Grinding of your teeth
- Restricted range of jaw movement or "locking" of the jaw in an open or closed position
A thorough dental examination is the first step toward finding a solution. Depending on the diagnosis, treatments may include reshaping teeth and bite guards. |
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Emergency dental treatment
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Many people don't see a dentist on a regular basis. They go only when they feel they have a problem. At Denchic we like to call this "crisis treatment" as opposed to "emergency treatment".
While it may feel like that you are saving money, it usually ends up costing you much more in both pounds and time. The reason for this is that most dental problems don't have any symptoms until they reach the advanced stages.
An example is tooth decay. These are some of the things our clients tell us: "I don't have any problems". Tooth decay doesn't hurt! Until, that is, it gets close to the nerve of the tooth.
Then a root canal treatment and a crown are usually necessary, instead of the small filling, which could have been placed when the cavity was small. We can usually detect a cavity long before it may develop any symptoms. It is not uncommon to see a patient with a tremendous cavity and they have never felt a thing!
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Is whitening right for me?
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Advanced dental techniques now provide consumers with exciting, new options for enhancing their smiles. Revolutionary methods are now available for bleaching teeth to make smiles sparkle!
Teeth whitening lightens the color of teeth whether darkened from age, coffee, tea or tobacco.
Whitening has a higher than 90% success rate and is tough on stains but gentle on your teeth! Results vary depending on several factors such as teeth stained from smoking; from taking certain medications such as tetracycline during tooth development; or from fluorosis, a condition occurring in the presence of too much fluoride.
Teeth whitening will not lighten fillings or artificial materials used in dental repair as for crowns, porcelain veneers, etc. Your dentist may discourage treatment if you have sensitive teeth, periodontal disease, pregnant or breastfeeding.
Services we offer:
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Tell me more about infection control
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Every instrument that is used for dental treatment is either disposable or heat sterilised by Autoclave which is the same procedure used in hospital operating rooms.
Dental instruments are stored in sterilised packages, which are opened in front of the patient.
Denchic Dental Spa exceeds the established guidelines of the British Dental Association for cleanliness, sterilisation and infection control. |
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0% Finance.. Are you one of the thousand patients considering treatments that would make you look great and feel good about yourself? If so, you might be interested in our interest free loans to fund your dental treatment. Call us on 020 8347 8885 to discuss your options further. |
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