Archive for June, 2010
Cosmetic dentists in Golders Green, North West London
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
A smile is one of the first things people notice.
Nowadays there is no reason to have chipped, stained, or crooked teeth! In only one or two visits you can have the smile you’ve always wanted!
We know what type of smile brings a smile!!
You may wish to improve the teeth you were born with or correct problems that have arisen in later life. Whatever your requirement, we can help. Indeed, as a highly respected Prosthodontist, expert in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, Dr Sidelsky and his team of associated specialists receive many patient referrals from other dentists.
Cosmetic enhancement
For a quick and simple ’smile-lift’ we can reduce discolouration and staining of teeth by using the latest tooth whitening procedures. If more complex work is needed, such as the correction of misshapen or overlapping teeth, then we can employ veneering bonding and contouring or a whole range of other advanced cosmetic dental procedures.
We can improve your smile.
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Affordable dental treatment – Golders Green, North West London
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
In the current financial climate and the growing difficulties in finding a good NHS dental practice, we realise that dentistry may not be affordable or at the top of your list of priorities.
It is very important to have regular dental examinations as decay and gum disease can develop within 6 months. You may be unaware of any dental problems developing, often decay will not cause pain until it is deep and once it goes into the dentine it can spread very quickly, which could lead to pain, abcesses and the necessity to have a root canal treatment, all of which can be uncomfortable and expensive. Bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease, if caught early it can be rectified with a simple visit or two to a hygienist.
Ellie Bergin and Sarah Shatzkes have reduced their examination fee from £49 to £24. X-rays are only £10 each and should any treatment be required all your options would be explained and discussed with you prior to giving you a printed estimate.
Ellie & Sarah are very liked here, they each have a large patient base but most importantly they are all very skilled & experienced dentists. They enjoy every aspect of dentistry.
Take a look around our website, get to know us a little and familiarise yourself with the services we can provide for you.
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My gums bleed when I brush my teeth. Is this normal?
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
The simple answer is no, it’s not normal but very common. You may think you are brushing too hard but this is unlikely to be the reason!
It is often thought that if you stop cleaning in that area, the bleeding will stop. In fact the opposite is true! You must continue to brush your teeth and gums, especially the area that is bleeding!
When plaque (the white sticky film that builds up on our teeth) is allowed to hang around our mouth, the gums become inflamed. Inflamed gums are red and swollen and bleed very easily, almost certainly when you brush your teeth. However, brushing the area properly (even though it causes bleeding in the short term) removes the plaque, reducing the inflammation, this in turn should stop the bleeding.
If that doesn’t work, or if you haven’t seen your dentist for more than 6 months, it’s definitely worth a visit. You may need to see a hygienist for a thorough cleaning. If the plaque is left on the teeth it can cause bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. After 2-3 days it can solidify into Calculus which is a very hard substance and a toothbrush alone will not be able to remove it!
Remember healthy gums are the foundation for healthy teeth and a beautiful smile.
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Bad breath?
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Bad breath, sometimes known as halitosis, is a common problem that can affect anyone of any age. Most people experience short periods of bad breath at some point in their lives and it is estimated that up to 50% of people suffer from persistent bad breath.
In most cases bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth living off food debris, and is frequently a sign of gum disease. Eating strongly flavoured foods, such as onions and garlic can cause your breath to smell unpleasant, as can smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol. Occasionally bad breath can be a result of an infection or illness, or a result of taking some kinds of medication.
Good oral (mouth) hygiene alone can usually prevent and treat bad breath. Your dentist can advise you on how to improve your oral health and refer you for further investigation if it is thought there may be another cause for your bad breath.
Causes
There are a number of different causes of bad breath:
Poor oral hygiene
The most common cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene.
Naturally occuring bacteria that coat the teeth, tongue, and gums can cause plaque (the soft white deposit that forms on the surface of the teeth), gum disease and ental decay. These bacteria combine with saliva and food in the mouth to break down food particles and proteins, this process releases an unpleasent smelling gas. If you do not brush and floss your teeth regularly, any food that is trapped between your teeth will will be broken down by the bacteria and cause bad breath.
The rough surface of the tongue can also harbour these bacteria so, as well as brushing your teeth, cleaning your tongue can help to control bad breath.
Medical conditions
Medical causes of bad breath are rare, but they can occur.
Dry mouth (xerostomia) is a condition that affects the flow of saliva. This can cause bacteria to build up in the mouth and cause bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by salivary gland problems or continually breathing through the mouth instead of the nose. As you get older you may produce less saliva which can then lead to bad breath.
Other medical conditions that can cause bad breath include:
• infections in the lungs, throat or nose,
• bronchitis,
• sinusitis,
• diabetes,
• liver or kidney problems, and
• gastritis and food reflux.
Crash dieting, fasting and low carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins diet, can also cause bad breath. The breakdown of fat produces chemicals called ketones that can be smelt on the breath.
Food and drink
Eating strongly flavoured foods, such as garlic, onion and spices often cause your breath to smell. Strong smelling drinks, such as alcohol and coffee, can also cause bad breath. This type of bad breath is usually temporary and can be easily avoided by not eating or drinking these types of food or drink. Good dental hygiene also helps.
Medicines
Sometimes, certain medication can cause bad breath. Medicines that have been associated with causing bad breath include nitrates (sometimes used in treatment of angina), some chemotherapy drugs and phenothiazines (tranquilizers). You should discuss possible alternatives with your GP.
Smoking
If you smoke, your breath is likely to smell of stale smoke. As well as making your breath smell, smoking also causes staining, a loss of taste and irritates your gums, increasing your risk of gum disease, which is another cause of bad breath. Stopping smoking will lower this risk and prevent smoke-related bad breath.
Diagnosis
The easiest way to find out if you have bad breath is to ask a close and trusted friend, or family member, for their honest opinion. Visit your dentist to confirm that you have bad breath and get a diagnosis of the likely cause.
If your bad breath is being caused by poor oral hygiene, your dentist will be able to clean your teeth and give you advice about how to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Regular dental check-ups help to spot signs of tooth and gum decay early on and to prevent bad breath developing.
If you have bad breath you could try keeping a diary of all the foods you eat and any medication you are on, and take this to your dentist at your next check-up. On the basis of the diary, your dentist may be able to suggest ways to solve the problem.
If you have changed your dental hygiene routine and still think you have bad breath, you may need to visit your GP to check the cause of your bad breath. There may be an underlying medical cause for the problem that needs further investigation.
You should not try to mask the smell before visiting your dentist or GP, as this will make it more difficult to find out what is causing the problem.
Treatment
The treatment for bad breath depends on what is causing it. The simplest and most effective treatment is usually to improve your dental hygiene. To avoid bad breath, you need to keep your mouth and teeth clean by regularly brushing your teeth and gums, flossing in between teeth and keeping your tongue clean.
How can your dentist help?
Your dentist can recommend the best way to clean your teeth and gums and show you any areas you might be missing. Regular check ups with your dentist will make sure any plaque is removed from your teeth, especially in all those hard to reach areas. It will also make sure any signs of gum disease are noted and treated early on.
Prevention
To prevent bad breath you need to treat any gum disease and keep your mouth clean and fresh, the following measures can help:
- Brush your teeth and gums for two minutes, twice a day with flouride toothpaste,
- Floss your teeth, brushing alone only cleans about 60% of the surface of your teeth,
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet, and cut down on strongly flavoured or spicy food
- Reducing your alcohol intake,
- Stop smoking,
- Brush your tongue or use a tongue cleaner to clean right to the back of your tongue,
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash (just before bedtime) as recommended by your dentist or pharmacist.
- Drinking plenty of fluids, and cutting down on coffee,
- Chewing sugar-free gum after eating, or if your mouth feels dry,
- Cut down sugary foods and drinks which promote an increase in the number of bacteria in your mouth, and
- Regularly visits to your dentist (as often as recommended).
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Yellow teeth
Monday, June 7th, 2010
Yellow teeth are perfectly natural however many people think it is unnatural and a sign of an unhealthy lifestyle. As with most humans we all have different genetic make ups and as a result some people will have darker teeth whilst others will have whiter teeth. So rest assured yellow teeth are perfectly natural.
Teeth are made up of 4 main parts; the enamel, dentine, cementum and pulp. The pulp and the cementum are found beneath the gum but it is the enamel and the dentine that cause yellow teeth. The enamel is the hard outer part of the tooth that surrounds the yellow dentine beneath. The enamel of your teeth is semi translucent which means that the colour of the dentine beneath shows through.
How yellow your teeth are depends on:
- The Thickness of the Enamel
- The colour of the dentine beneath the enamel
- Your dental care routine
Obviously the thicker the enamel the less translucent the tooth will be meaning that less of the dentine can be seen. The natural colour of your teeth is largely determined by how dark a yellow colour your dentine is but poor dental care can also make a difference. If you don’t take care of your teeth then the enamel can become damaged by bacteria and disease.
Discoloured or stained teeth is not the same as having yellow teeth, the yellow is intrinsic. Staining is on the tooth surface and can easily be removed by a hygienist. Staining can be prevented by limiting the amount of coffee & red wine consumed, smoking and eating curries can also stain and discolour teeth.
Is there any treatment to make my teeth whiter? Yes, it may be possible to acheive a whiter brighter smile by teeth whitening also known as bleaching!
Bleaching is quick, inexpensive, and can be accomplished in the comfort of your home or if you prefer with our in surgery Zoom 2
Why have discoloured, stained or ageing teeth when with our state-of-the-art whitening process we can brighten your smile?
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Dental Implants – Golders Green, North West London
Monday, June 7th, 2010
Dental implants offer a permanent solution for your missing teeth.
Losing a tooth can be a devastating experience especially if it is located in the smile zone. It can be very embarrassing and make you hide your smile. If it is a back tooth it can also be very upsetting. Often one can’t enjoy ones food properly. Did you realise that by not replacing the missing tooth it can detrimentally affect all your teeth.
Here are some good reasons to choose implants
Give you confidence – no more dentures glued into place – they make you feel and look good.
You can eat and smile properly again
Are they expensive and why do they vary so much in cost?
First there are many different brands. Make sure you are choosing is proven and well used. One could expect a larger fee if the procedure was carried out by specialists. Perhaps as this is such an important procedure that might be an option you would choose.
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