PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
September 28th 2013
Toothache can be from a live tooth or one that is dead or dying and in each scenario the cause may be different. In general I would recommend an over-the-counter painkiller as an immediate treatment for toothache and then a visit to the dentist to determine exactly the cause of the toothache after which the correct treatment can be carried out and the pain relieved.
PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
September 14th 2013
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the outside layer of the tooth is compromised and the dentine underneath is exposed. This can result in anything from mild discomfort to a sharp, sudden, shooting pain and is triggered by a range of factors including eating or drinking something hot or cold, sweet or sour or it can be as simple as just breathing in cold air.
PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
August 31st 2013
There are several reasons why you might experience bad breath, or halitosis, with the most common cause being poor oral hygiene. When teeth are not brushed and flossed regularly or well enough, food debris will remain in the mouth and plaque will accumulate which leads to calculus build up. Calculus is the hard, chalk-like material that cannot be removed by brushing alone. When this is allowed to build up, it can lead to gum disease and one of the symptoms of gum disease is bad breath.
PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
August 17th 2013
If you are suffering with sore, swollen or bleeding gums it is likely to be as a result of one of two issues- either how you are cleaning your teeth or gum disease.
Gum DiseaseTooth Brushing & Flossing Technique
In the quest to keep teeth clean, you might be tempted to brush teeth as vigorously as you can. However brushing the wrong way can irritate or damage the delicate tissue of the gums causing soreness, bleeding and in the long term recession. When you brush, use a medium or soft bristled brush and ensure you use gentle, circular motions to massage and clean the teeth and gums. When flossing, take your time and, rather than forcing the floss between your teeth, carefully slide it up and down, following the curve of each tooth.
PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
August 3rd 2013
A cavity is a hole in a tooth that is caused by dental decay.
Cavities occurs when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches) such as bread, milk, soda, fruits, cakes, or candy are left on the teeth. Bacteria that live naturally in the mouth digest these foods, turning them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva in the mouth combine to form plaque, which sticks to the teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the teeth, which over time creates holes in the teeth called cavities. Regular brushing and flossing removes the plaque and food debris and helps prevent cavities.
PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
June 20th 2013
I am often asked by patients considering starting orthodontic treatment if it is painful.
For orthodontic treatment to work a force is applied to a tooth in order to move the tooth; the bone around the tooth has to remodel and reform as the tooth moves for the correct attachment of tooth to bone to be maintained. There is a maximum amount of force that can be applied to a tooth and a maximum speed of movement that can be used for a tooth to remain healthy. When these parameters are adhered to, any discomfort or pain should be fairly minimal and not long lasting.
PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
June 29th 2013
Root canal treatment or ‘endodontics’ treats the inside of the tooth. “Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.”
The mention of root canals or root canal treatment often elicits a groan from the patient, largely due to the fact it is often associated with pain. This is because the inside of the tooth contains soft tissue called pulp and amongst other things this pulp contains nerves- the things that tell our brain when something hurts. The pulp also contains blood vessels and connective tissue and extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. Whilst the pulp is important during a tooth’s growth and development, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.
PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
June 15th 2013
Following on from my last article on children and dental anxiety I wanted to use this piece to discuss the not uncommon problem of adults who are also nervous when visiting the dentist. When dealing with children the focus is to avoid and manage situations in the dental chair so that they don’t become anxious adults. It is easy to see therefore that an anxious adult may have a memory of a bad experience going back to childhood. Unfortunately fear sometimes prevents people from having routine examination and cleaning appointments which then can mean that they only present at the dental office when they are in serious pain or have a major problem. This pain and stress then goes on to feed the fear and strengthen the negative associations.
PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
June 1st 2013
Being scared of going to the dentist is not a new phenomenon. For many adults it is rooted in times before effective pain relief or anesthetics were used and in some countries where the treating practitioner may not have even been trained or qualified.
Fortunately for all of us, times have moved on; there is highly effective pain relief and local anesthetics available, sophisticated dental equipment and of course qualified and experienced dental practitioners. However, for some the fear associated with going to the dentist persists and in some cases is unconsciously relayed onto our children, breeding in them an unfounded anxiety of visiting the dentist.
PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
May 18th, 2013
This is the second article looking at the topic of cosmetic dentistry, which is the treatment of teeth for the purpose of improving appearance rather than for clinical reasons. Veneers and crowns can be used to improve colour, size, shape and position of teeth including closing spaces between teeth and can have a significant impact in improving a person’s smile.
Veneers
A veneer is a thin porcelain cover designed to go on the outside surface of a tooth. Veneers are only used on front teeth and are generally used for cosmetic purposes, for example to restore chipped or broken teeth, or to change the colour, size or shape of teeth.