NDP - Natureza Dental Practice

Dental Trauma and Accidents

2011-02-28T11:01:00.000Z

Often in our daily life, we suffer accidents and injuries that affect our teeth. When such situations occur it is important to know what to do and to be prepared to act correctly. With any trauma to the mouth you should consult your dentist immediately to see if you need to do some treatment. If there is pain due to a fractured or chipped tooth, you can take a painkiller. If possible, keep any part of the fractured tooth and take it to your dentist.
If a tooth comes out of the mouth due to trauma, a process called avulsion, take the tooth to your dentist as soon as possible. It may be possible to replace your tooth in the mouth, a dental procedure called reimplantation.

Chipped tooth - if there is pain and the piece of tooth is small, it is your responsibility to decide whether, when and how you want to repair your tooth. Depending on the size of the fracture, this can be smoothed or cosmetically corrected.
Other options include veneers, crowns and fillings. Ask your dentist to explain these options. If a filling or artificial tooth get chipped, it can be replaced.

Fractured or broken tooth - teeth fractured or broken should be repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Root canal treatment or tooth extraction may be necessary. If the fracture affects the enamel and dentin of the tooth, the best treatment is often a crown. It is important to remember that fractures are not always visible even when using X-rays. Symptoms may involve pain on chewing and sensitivity to cold and possibly hot foods and liquid as well as air, which over time may become more pronounced.

Tooth avulsion - when a tooth completely comes out of the mouth, due to a trauma, you should immediately go to a dentist because the key to success is through the replacement of this tooth in its socket (the place where the tooth was) as soon as possible. Every minute that passes, more cells of the tooth root die and lower probability of success. You should pick up the tooth by the crown and do not touch the root. Next you should be careful to always keep the tooth hydrated and can do so by placing it in a glass of milk or a cup with saline, or under the tongue of the patient (being careful not to swallow).
The best way to ensure the success of reimplantation is this being done in the first 30 minutes, with a good chance to remain up to 2 hours. You may need your dentist to do a root canal treatment, 1 to 2 weeks after the tooth has been stabilized.
If you lose a permanent tooth by having it removed by a dentist or have suffered avulsion, they must be replaced. This is the way to avoid problems such as difficulty chewing and speaking, a change of position between the teeth, disorders of the temporomandibular joint (articulation between the upper maxilla and the jaw) caused by chewing on the side that has more teeth and a weakening of the jawbone. The options for replacing lost teeth include bridges, removable dentures and implants.

Fractures of the jaw - if you suspect that there is a mandibular fracture, you should not attempt to tamper with it. The jaw should be held immobile with a towel wrapped around the head. Cold compresses should be used to reduce edema (swelling). Go immediately to a hospital emergency room or call your dentist.

Dental Implants

2011-01-31T08:53:00.000Z

A dental implant is a small screw that looks like a thin metal rod used to replace missing teeth. It works as a replacement for a tooth root and can support one or more false teeth. The false teeth can be crowns, bridges or dentures, which are fixed upon the implants. The implants are placed within the bone in areas where there are no teeth, and later, after the healing period, false teeth are placed. There are various brands of implants, some better than others. Your dentist should be able to choose the best brand for your personal case. Nowadays to have beautiful teeth is increasingly important and people do not want teeth only to eat but also to have a good image. There are several reasons for choosing implants:

1) Some people who have missing teeth do not smile with confidence and do not look other people in the eyes because they are uncomfortable with the appearance of their teeth or lack of them. Implants increase your self-esteem and confidence and make you smile without shame.

2) While to put a fixed bridge, to replace a missing tooth, you have to wear the teeth neighboring the empty space (which can sometimes cause damage to those teeth), with the implants we can replace the missing tooth without touching the adjacent healthy teeth.

3) Teeth provide support to our face and as you are losing teeth wrinkles will appear. Dental implants make people look younger because they make those wrinkles disappear, giving you a more youthful look.

4) Dentures do not allow you to chew hard food and occupy the roof of your mouth, not letting you taste the food properly. With dental implants you will be able to taste the food again and to eat with confidence, without hurting the gums, even the toughest foods.

5) Implants also help protect your other teeth, as the fewer teeth you have more pressure is applied in these teeth and the greater the risk of fracture.

6) The roots of natural teeth are stuck inside the bone that supports them. When a tooth is extracted the bone decreases because it has nothing to bear. The implants help stimulate bone growth and keep the bone healthy and strong.

7) Implants do not need special care and do not get cavities because they are made of titanium. Wash them at least 2 times per day, use floss, a good elixir and visit your dentist regularly.

WISDOM TEETH

2010-10-08T12:08:00.000+01:00

A wisdom tooth is in humans any of the usually four third molars, including mandibular third molar and maxillary third molar. Wisdom teeth usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Most adults have four wisdom teeth, but it is possible to have more, in which case they are called supernumerary teeth. Wisdom teeth commonly affect other teeth as they develop, becoming impacted or "coming in sideways". They are often extracted when this occurs.
Wisdom teeth are extracted for two general reasons: either the wisdom teeth have already become impacted, or the wisdom teeth could potentially become problematic if not extracted. Potential problems caused by the presence of properly grown-in wisdom teeth include infections caused by food particles easily trapped in the jaw area behind the wisdom teeth where regular brushing and flossing is difficult and ineffective. Such infections may be frequent, and cause considerable pain and medical danger. Other reasons wisdom teeth are removed include misalignment which rubs up against the tongue or cheek causing pain, potential crowding or malocclusion of the remaining teeth (a result of there being not enough room on the jaw/ in the mouth), as well as orthodontics.

Tooth Brushing

2010-08-23T15:51:00.000+01:00

Tooth brushing is the act of cleaning teeth with a toothbrush.

Modern medical research has shown that brushing teeth properly can prevent cavities, and periodontal, or gum disease, which causes at least one-third of adult tooth loss. If teeth are not brushed correctly and frequently, it could lead to the calcification of saliva minerals, forming tartar. Poor dental health has been associated with heart disease and shortened life expectancy.

Brushing one's teeth has long been considered an important part of dental care. As long ago as 3000 BC ancient Egyptians constructed crude toothbrushes from twigs and leaves to clean their teeth. Similarly, other cultures such as the Greeks, Romans, and Indians cleaned their teeth with twigs. Some would fray one end of the twig so that it could penetrate between the teeth more effectively.

Modern day toothbrushing as a regular habit became prevalent in Europe from the end of the 17th century. The first mass-produced toothbrush was developed in England in 1780. In the United States, although toothbrushes were available at the end of the 19th century, the practice did not become widespread until after the Second World War, when US soldiers continued the toothbrushing that had been required during their military service.

Oral Cancer - Causes

2010-07-30T10:22:00.000+01:00

Causes

All cancers are diseases in the cancer cells. Oncogenes are activated as a result of mutation of the DNA. The exact cause is often unknown. Risk factors that predispose a person to oral cancer have been identified in epidemiological studies. India being member of International Cancer Genome Consortium is leading efforts to map oral cancer's complete genome.

In many Asian cultures chewing betel, paan and Areca is known to be a strong risk factor for developing oral cancer. In India where such practices are common, oral cancer represents up to 40% of all cancers, compared to just 4% in the UK.

Some oral cancers begin as leukoplakia a white patch (lesion), red patches, (erythroplakia) or non healing sores that have existed for more than 14 days. In the US oral cancer accounts for about 8 percent of all malignant growths. Men are affected twice as often as women, particularly men older than 40/60. In Indian subcontinent Oral submucous fibrosis is very common.This condition is characterized by limited opening of mouth and burning sensation on eating of spicy food. This is a progressive lesion in which the opening of the mouth becomes progressively limited, and later on even normal eating becomes difficult. It occurs almost exclusively in India and Indian communities living abroad.

Tobacco

Smoking and other tobacco use are associated with about 75 percent of oral cancer cases, caused by irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth from smoke and heat of cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Tobacco contains over 60 known carcinogens, and the combustion of it, and by products from this process, is the primary mode of involvement. Use of chewing tobacco or snuff causes irritation from direct contact with the mucous membranes.

Alcohol

Alcohol use is another high-risk activity associated with oral cancer. There is known to be a strong synergistic effect on oral cancer risk when a person is both a heavy smoker and drinker. Their risk is greatly increased compared to a heavy smoker, or a heavy drinker alone. Recent studies in Australia, Brazil and Germany point to alcohol-containing mouthwashes as also being etiologic agents in the oral cancer risk family. Constant exposure to these alcohol containing rinses, even in the absence of smoking and drinking, lead to significant increases in the development of oral cancer. A 2008 study suggests that acetaldehyde (a break-down product of alcohol) is implicated in oral cancer.

Human papillomavirus

Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly type 16 (there are over 120 types), is a known risk factor and independent causative factor for oral cancer. A fast growing segment of those diagnosed does not present with the historic stereotypical demographics. Historically that has been people over 50, blacks over whites 2 to 1, males over females 3 to 1, and 75% of the time people who have used tobacco products or are heavy users of alcohol. This new and rapidly growing sub population between 20 and 50 years old is predominantly non smoking, white, and males slightly outnumber females. Recent research from Johns Hopkins indicates that HPV is the primary risk factor in this new population of oral cancer victims. HPV16 (along with HPV18) is the same virus responsible for the vast majority of all cervical cancers and is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US. Oral cancer in this group tends to favor the tonsil and tonsillar pillars, base of the tongue, and the oropharnyx. Recent data suggest that individuals that come to the disease from this particular etiology have some slight survival advantage.

Oral Cancer - Signs and Symptoms

2010-07-28T15:42:00.000+01:00

Signs and symptoms

Skin lesion, lump, or ulcer:

On the tongue, lip, or other mouth area
Usually small
Most often pale colored, may be dark or discolored
Early sign may be a white patch (leukoplakia) or a red patch (erythroplakia) on the soft tissues of the mouth
Usually painless initially
May develop a burning sensation or pain when the tumor is advanced

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Tongue problems
Swallowing difficulty
Mouth sores that do not resolve in 14 days
Pain and paraesthesia are late symptoms.

Oral Cancer

2010-07-21T14:45:00.000+01:00

Oral cancer or oral cavity cancer, a subtype of head and neck cancer, is any cancerous tissue growth located in the oral cavity. It may arise as a primary lesion originating in any of the oral tissues, by metastasis from a distant site of origin, or by extension from a neighboring anatomic structure, such as the nasal cavity or the maxillary sinus. Oral cancers may originate in any of the tissues of the mouth, and may be of varied histologic types: teratoma, adenocarcinoma derived from a major or minor salivary gland, lymphoma from tonsillar or other lymphoid tissue, or melanoma from the pigment producing cells of the oral mucosa. There are several types of oral cancers, but around 90% are squamous cell carcinomas, originating in the tissues that line the mouth and lips. Oral or mouth cancer most commonly involves the tissue of the lips or the tongue. It may also occur on the floor of the mouth, cheek lining, gingiva (gums), or palate (roof of the mouth). Most oral cancers look very similar under the microscope and are called squamous cell carcinoma. These are malignant and tend to spread rapidly.

At NDP - Natureza Dental Practice we take this seriously and advise all our patients to do regular visits. Dental check-ups are not for finding cavities only. Your dentist should check your teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, palate, etc.

What is Dental Plaque?

2010-04-21T14:47:00.000+01:00

Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque releases acid that attacks tooth enamel. Tooth decay can occur after repeated attacks. Some food causes plaque bacteria that produce acids. Thorough daily brushing and flossing can prevent tartar from forming on the teeth.

Plaque can also cause irritation to the gums, making them red, tender, or bleeding easily. In some cases, the gums pull away from the teeth, leaving cavities inhabited by bacteria and pus. If this is not treated, bones around the teeth can be destroyed. Teeth may become loose or have to be removed as with periodontal (gum) disease in mostly adults. Eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks can prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. Nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese, or a piece of fruit are considered good snack foods to grab.

At NDP-Natureza Dental Practice we look after your teeth and gums, checking and cleaning them, and give you all the necessary advice and information for you to be able to look after your teeth properly.

You can find our details in our website www.naturezadental.co.uk and lots of useful information.

We are here to help you.

CLEARSTEP invisible braces now available!

2010-04-05T13:35:00.000+01:00

NDP - Natureza Dental Practice can now offer you cosmetic braces treatments. With the awesome Clearstep system you can now straighten your teeth without being embarassed with your smile. From simple straightforward cases to more complex cases, Clearstep cover almost all aspects of teeth aligning.
Visit our website www.naturezadental.co.uk for more information or call us on 0208 654 3984.
Easy... Predictable... Fantastic!!!