Health

We will look after your whole mouth not just your teeth and by working together we can keep your mouth healthy, your smile looking great and prevent the two common dental diseases, Dental Decay & Gum Disease. Remember that your smile tells everyone a lot about yourself. The following information is intended to educate the public on common dental problems, it should not be used for self-diagnosis and does not replace the care and extra advice we can give you at your regular examinations.

Recall Examinations (Check-Ups)
We can never emphasise enough how important regular check-ups are, they give us an early idea if there are problems in decay and gum disease and early detection of oral cancer. Some dental problems do not surface with any symptoms and patients may suffer unnecessarily if left for too long. Early diagnosis will also minimise the amount of treatment required.

Bite-Wing Xrays
For us to thoroughly examine your teeth and gums we need to take x-rays which will allow us to see what is not visible with the naked eye. They are essential to us so that we can spot gum disease developing as well as decay and infections.

Children
Children develop very quickly and the same goes for their teeth and mouth structure. Regular dental check-ups will allow us to give dietary advice and improve their techniques in cleaning their teeth. Children under six should always brush their teeth with a toothpaste specially formulated for milk teeth. Reducing sugar intake and not so many "sugary snacks" between meals helps reduce dental decay. By brushing twice daily with a toothpaste containing fluoride will keep their teeth healthy and clean.

Gum Disease / Tooth Decay In Adults
Gum disease develops when plaque (bacteria) collects around the neck of the teeth. Research has shown that this is the main cause of gum disease. You can help prevent gum disease by brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day. You may need to use other dental aids such as dental floss to reach areas between your teeth where food builds up. Regular toothbrushing alone will not prevent all tooth decay but there is a definite benefit from regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps teeth to become more resistant to attack and it also re-hardens your teeth after attack by acids produced by plaque when sugars are eaten. Choosing a toothbrush with a small head allows you to reach all parts of your mouth easily and comfortably, the brush should not be kept longer than 3 months or after the bristles have started to spread out.

Bleeding Gums (Gingivitis)
Gums will bleed when your gum becomes inflamed. This occurs when plaque (which contains bacteria) sits on your teeth causing damage to the tissue which support your teeth and thus causing inflammation of the gums. Cleaning you teeth and gums regularly with a soft toothbrush will prevent this. Other inter- dental aids may be required to stop your gums bleeding. If your gums continue to bleed, you should be seen by the dentist and they will advise and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth are caused when dentine, the layer of the tooth beneath the enamel is exposed. Bacteria enters the pulp, the live part of the tooth which becomes inflamed resulting in the tooth becoming sensitive. Reducing "acid" in your diet e.g. Citrus fruits, fizzy drinks, pickled foods will help. A soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste should be used to prevent wear and effective cleaning to remove acidic plaque.

Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is required when the blood and nerve supply in the tooth becomes infected through decay or injury. The treatment involves removal of all the infection from the root canals. X-rays are taken to ensure that all the infection has been removed, the canals are then thoroughly cleaned and ready for filling.

Smoking
Smoking can cause serious and often fatal diseases and can also cause serious effects on the tissues present in the mouth. Some of these effects are bad breath, tar staining on the teeth, brown coating on the surface of the tongue. Smoking can also reduce resistance to gum disease which can result in premature tooth loss.

Bad Breath
In most cases bad breath is caused by the activity of bacteria in the mouth. Highly flavoured foods such as garlic and also stomach upsets can cause bad breath. Mouthwash rinses and sprays only mask the problem and a visit to the dentist may be needed so that a thorough assessment can be made.

Oral Cancer
At your regular visits we will carefully examine your mouth and look for any early signs of cancer. Smoking, untreated infections and even too much sun are associated with oral cancer. Early diagnosis of oral cancer is treated effectively but late detections can have serious consequences. The mouth can also show signs of other illnesses long before symptoms start.

Contraceptive Pill and Antibiotics
Additional contraception precautions should be taken whilst taking a short course of a broad spectrum antibiotic and for 7 days after stopping. If these 7 days run beyond the end of a packet, the next packet should be started immediately without a break. Remember to tell your dentist if you are taking the oral contraceptive pill.