Losing your teeth at any age and for any reason can be an embarrassing and unpleasant experience. Whether it is due to dental decay, gum disease or some kind of trauma as a result of an accident, missing teeth can also cause physiological problems that will lead to further dental damage. When teeth are missing they leave hollows, which are often the ideal place for bacteria to build up and attack other teeth. Vacant spaces in the dental arc also cause other teeth to move about and rotate. This can cause complications to do with bite and alignment, leading to jaw complaints such as TMJ and bruxism. Missing teeth can also result in sagging of the facial tissue, which can be very unattractive and permanent if not addressed in sufficient time.

All of this means Maldon dentists are keen to stress the importance of replacing missing teeth as soon as possible. There are a number of options but by far the most realistic is a dental implant. This comes in the form of a small titanium screw, which is anchored directly into the jawbone to act as a base for an artificial tooth. This means that a dental implant is the only dental substitution that replaces the whole of the tooth from top to bottom.

It is this level of stability and realism that make dental implants the option of choice for many patients keen to restore their teeth to the best possible condition. Dental implants mean that you can eat any food you want without the anxiety that your dental restoration could break. It is also possible to have a series of mini-implants to act as a base for a set of dentures. This will alleviate the anxiety common to many denture wearers that their false teeth are going to fall out. Ask your dentist for more information about dental implants.

A smile can be completely ruined by a missing tooth, no matter how nice the other teeth are, the missing tooth will immediately draw the attention of the eye. This can be a source of great anxiety for people with missing teeth who often seek to replace it with an artificial one from an Epping dentist. There are several options for replacing missing teeth ranging from permanent dental implants to more temporary and removable partial dentures. One other option for restoring the appearance of a smile is a dental bridge.

Missing teeth also need replacing for a number of dental health reasons. Once you have lost one tooth it increases your chances of losing more, especially if the tooth was lost to decay or gum disease in the first place. Vacant spaces in a dental arc are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria as the hollows in the soft gum tissue are very difficult to clean effectively. This increases the chances of further infection spreading around the mouth. Missing teeth also encourage movement of the teeth, which can rotate and lean into available space causing changes in bite and profile. This can cause irreversible damage to the facial tissue and be the cause of nasty jaw and muscular complaints.

Dental bridges solve all of these health problems as well as providing a cosmetic restoration to the smile. The bridge itself consists of an artificial tooth attached by dental crowns or resin bonded strips on either side of the missing tooth. This creates the impression of a full set of teeth without having to replace the whole tooth, root and all. Depending on the condition of the remaining teeth and how well the bridge is cared for it can last for up to twenty years before it will need replacing, and can carry out most of the functions of a real tooth. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Bad breath is often something even our best friends daren’t mention for fear of upsetting us, yet if we know about it and seek some simple advice, we can avoid it. The problem is that it is often down to some bad habits we have as individuals, says a Colchester dentist. There isn’t a cure as such; it is just a matter in most cases of changing our eating and lifestyle habits. The liver is a vital organ that gets rid of toxins in the body; it also produces chemicals that are responsible for bad breath. Bad breath in some cases is just a matter of what we eat, foods such as spicy curries can leave an odour on the breath that lingers and dries the saliva that we produce to neutralise bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria is good for us in the first instance, but after it has done its job in breaking down our food, it needs to be got rid of. Flossing and mouth washing are a start, but just a simple routine like drinking water throughout the day will also help. Alcohol is a major cause of bad breath, it makes the liver work overtime and is a warning to us that our intake is above safety levels; the liver gives us bad breath for this reason. A lax attitude in oral care is also a major cause, as well as certain conditions like diabetes. Seeing a dental hygienist or your doctor is a good place to start, brushing your teeth after every meal will also stop the build up of bacteria that cause the problem. Make sure that you use a good mouthwash, and taking care to avoid gum diseases like Gingivitis will also bring bad breath to an end, giving up smoking can also help. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Apart from tooth decay the most common and damaging form of dental concern is gum disease. It is a problem that affects most people at some point to varying degrees, with few people ever even realising they are suffering from gum disease. The mild form of the disease is known as gingivitis and can be easily treated with increased cleaning and regular dental check ups. More serious forms of gum disease may require more thorough treatment with antibiotics and even a gingivectomy, which is the removal of gum tissue. This more serious form of the disease is called periodontitis and requires treatment from the dentist to prevent the further spread of infection. Gum disease has even been linked to causing heart problems. This is because the infection is able to spread into the blood stream in the mouth and can directly attack the heart and other areas of the body.

The most effective form of treatment for gum disease is of course prevention. Maintaining a high standard of oral hygiene will help to prevent gum disease and the associated problems. This can be achieved by brushing correctly for three minutes twice a day. This helps to stop plaque building up. Plaque is a filmy substance made of bacteria and other debris that coats the teeth and attacks the enamel and gum tissue and is one of the primary sources for oral infection. Flossing at least once a day helps to remove trapped food particles from between then teeth that brushing cannot remove. This helps to keep the levels of dangerous bacteria in the mouth low. Flossing also cleans the teeth below the gum line, which again is an area hard to reach with regular brushing. Dentists also advise cleaning your tongue with a specially designed tongue cleaner to remove bacteria. Lastly and most importantly is to keep up six-monthly appointments with a dentist who will be able to spot the first signs of gum disease. They can also offer hygiene advice and carry out a thorough deep clean of the teeth and gums.

If you are concerned about gum disease or are experiencing irritable or even bleeding gums, then make an appointment to see a dentist as soon as possible. Catching and treating gum disease early can make treatment easier and prevent any further health complications. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Gingivitis, more commonly known as gum disease, is an oral infection that affects the gums caused by bacterial growth in the mouth. If not properly treated gingivitis can become the more serious periodontitis resulting in tooth loss and the destruction of soft gingival tissue in the mouth. Gum disease has also been linked to various other infections in the body including heart disease. It is believed that bacterial infection in the mouth can infiltrate the bloodstream and cause wider health problems if not treated successfully.

Gingivitis is initially caused by plaque build up. Plaque is a filmy substance made up of bacteria and other debris that covers the tooth enamel and gum tissue and erodes it. This causes irritation of the gums which may bleed when brushed firmly. This kind of irritation is easily treated and combated by more effective cleaning. However, if left untreated, gingivitis can become peridontitis where the infection creates pockets between the teeth and gums which can spread the infection below the gum line. This is very hard to clean with conventional brushes and may need some antibiotic treatment. In sever cases some tissue may need to be removed if beyond treatment in a process called a gingivectomy.

Although gum disease my be caused by more wide ranging health issues such as hormonal changes and illness it is most often caused by poor standards of oral hygiene. An improvement in brushing and flossing and making regular six-month check up appointments with a Basildon dentist is usually enough to keep gum disease at bay.

Even if you think you have healthy gums and are experiencing no irritation or symptoms of gum disease it is still necessary to see a dentist on a regular basis. Some gum disease shows little or no sign of obvious infection but a dentist will be able to spot the warning signs. As previously mentioned, gum disease can be the underlying cause of a more systematic infection that becomes very hard to treat, so it really is worth making a few small efforts to prevent it. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at at Advance Dental Clinic  in chelmsford.