HYGIENIST (click here for more information)
The hygienist’s main role is to professionally clean the teeth for the patient. This is usually called scaling and polishing. However, perhaps their most important role is showing the patient the best way to keep the teeth free of plaque. The hygienist will work with your dentist to provide care tailored to your needs.
EARLY GUM DISEASE SCREENING (click here for more information)
Screening for gum disease forms an integral
part of your routine examination. Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection
of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main
forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.
What is periodontal disease?
Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth.
As the disease gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out.
Am I likely to suffer from gum disease?
Probably. Most people suffer from some form of gum disease, and it is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. However, the disease develops very slowly in most people, and it can be slowed down to a rate that should allow you to keep most of your teeth for life.
What is the cause of gum disease? All gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing.
How will smoking affect my gums and teeth? Smoking can also lead to gum disease. Patients who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease. The gums are affected because smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, so the infected gums fail to heal. Smoking causes people to have more dental plaque and for gum disease to progress more rapidly than in non-smokers. Gum disease still remains the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.
What happens if gum disease is not treated? Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so that you do notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult.
How do I know if I have gum disease? The first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant.
What do I do if I think I have gum disease? The first thing to do is visit your dentist for a thorough check-up of your teeth and gums. The dentist can measure the ‘cuff’ of gum around each tooth to see if there is any sign that periodontal disease has started. X-rays may also be needed to see the amount of bone that has been lost. This assessment is very important, so the correct treatment can be prescribed for you.
What treatments are needed? Your dentist will usually give your teeth a thorough clean. You’ll also be shown how to remove plaque successfully yourself, cleaning all surfaces of your teeth thoroughly and effectively. This may take a number of sessions with the dentist or hygienist.
What else may be needed? Once your teeth are clean, your dentist may decide to carry out further cleaning of the roots of the teeth, to make sure that the last pockets of bacteria are removed. You’ll probably need the treatment area to be numbered before anything is done. Afterwards, you may feel some discomfort for up to 48 hours.
Once I have had periodontal disease, can I get it again? The periodontal diseases are never cured. But as long as you keep up the home care you have been taught, any further loss of bone will be very slow and it may stop altogether. However, you must make sure you remove plaque every day, and go for regular check ups by the dentist and hygienist.
MOUTH CANCER SCREENING
Mouth cancer is a malignant growth which
can occur in any part of the mouth, including the tongue,
lips and throat.Mouth cancers have a higher proportion
of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical
cancer or skin melanoma. The mortality rate is just over
50%, despite treatment, with about 1,700 deaths per year
in the UK. This is because of late detection. Visit your
dentist at once if you notice any abnormal problems or
are not sure. Six-monthly dental checkups allow early
detection!
Mouth
Cancer Foundation
The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a registered charity that raises awareness of mouth cancers and proviedes information and support to patients, carers and health professionals.
Giving
Up Smoking
It's not easy... So that's why this web site is here.
Giving up smoking requires preparation, determination,
and support. This site is here to help you with each of
these. If you're thinking about giving up, have a look-in.
BAD BREATH (click here for more information)
Bad breath is a very common problem and
there are many different causes. Persistent bad breath
is usually caused by the smelly gases released by the
bacteria that coat your teeth and gums. However, strong
foods like garlic and onions can add to the problem. Smoking
is also one of the main causes of bad breath, along with
certain illnesses such as nasal and stomach conditions.
Bits of food that get caught between the teeth and on
the tongue will rot and can sometimes cause an unpleasant
smell. So correct and regular brushing is very important
to keep your breath smelling fresh.
The bacteria on our teeth and gums (plaque) also cause
gum disease and dental decay. If you see your dentist
regularly this will not only help prevent bad breath but
will also let the dentist look for and treat these problems.
EARLY DECAY DETECTION AND X-RAYS (click here for more information)
Decay may or may not cause discomfort;
even though it doesn’t hurt, the tooth is deteriorating.
Using higher magnification and powerful lighting, it is
easier to detect decay at an early stage to prevent excessive
tooth damage. When cavities are small, they are much easier
and less expensive to treat.
Early tooth decay does not tend to show many physical
signs. Sometimes the tooth looks healthy, but your dentist
will be able to see from an x-ray whether you have any
decay under the enamel, any possible infections in the
roots, or any bone loss around the tooth.
MOUTH GUARDS (click here for more information)
A mouthguard is a specially
made, rubber-like cover which fits exactly over your teeth
and gums, cushioning them and protecting them from damage.
It is important to wear a professionally made mouthguard
whenever you play sport that involves physical contact
or moving objects. This includes: cricket, hockey and
football – which can cause broken and damaged teeth;
and American football, boxing and rugby – which
can all cause broken or dislocated jaws. A mouthguard
will help protect against these events.
If you take part in any of these contact sports please
ask us about our range of custom made mouth guards.
Online Leaflets Want general information on a condition or treatment?
Visit the British
Dental Health Foundation where they have over 40 online
leaflets.
Online Resource Want to find out about dental treatment? Want
to know how to look after your teeth better?
Visit the new BDA
Smile web site.
3D Education Want to learn about dental anatomy, conditions,
treatments and good oral health?
Visit the BDA's cutting edge 3D Educational web site.
