DENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN
At the end of orthodontic treatment, retainers must be worn otherwise you run the risk of undoing all of the hard work in straightening your teeth. This is called relapse. We advise a combination approach of a fixed wire retainer placed behind the front teeth as well using a removable retainer at night.
We're thrilled to announce that Progressive Dentistry has been recognized as one of the top 3 dentists in London by Three Best Rated! This prestigious award follows our recent selection as a top 3 dentist in Fulham, solidifying our place among London's dental elite.
We would like to wish you all a very happy new year. Christmas is over with the daily grind in full swing. New Year is typically a time for resolutions and a plan to improve ones health, fitness, diet or general approach to life. We have a few simple resolutions which you may want to consider for 2019:
We have appointments 6 days a week, early morning, late evening and Saturday. Contact us today!
Happy Christmas from us all at Progressive Dentistry! We hope you have had a relaxing and joyful day with family and friends. Just to remind you of our opening hours: Boxing Day Closed 27th Dec Reception only 28th December 1000-1300 emergency appointments 29th December Closed New Years Eve 1000-1300 emergency appointments New Years Day Closed 2nd January 2019 Normal opening hours resume Once again, Merry Christmas!
There are only 5 sleeps until Christmas! Exciting. Christmas is generally a time for celebrating and indulgence. Sadly this often means dental emergencies with most practices closed until the New Year. Here are the 5 most common dental emergencies and tips on how to handle them until you can visit your dentist:
Mouth cancer causes more deaths per number of cases than breast cancer and cervical cancer however awareness of it is relatively low. New cases have increased by 49% in the last decade and 135% compared to twenty years ago. Last year, 2722 people in the UK died from mouth cancer. The key risk factors are:
- Tobacco use including chewing betel nut
- Excess alcohol (those who smoke and drink heavily are up to 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer)
- Poor diet
- HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) transmitted through oral sex.
Mouth cancer can develop in most parts of the mouth including the gums, lips, tongue, palate and even the throat. The most common symptoms are :
- Persistent non healing ulcers Persistent lumps in the mouth or lymph glands
- Pain when swallowing
- Numbness or bleeding from the mouth
- Changes in speech
- Teeth that become loose for no obvious reason
- Tooth extraction sockets not healing
- Difficulty moving your jaw
- Red or white patches or striations in the mouth
Early detection is critical to a full recovery as well as life style changes. In general, if any of the symptoms have been present for more than two weeks, seek medical advice. At Progressive Dentistry, we routinely check for mouth cancer at every examination appointment with a thorough soft tissue analysis. This will involve a detailed history and a soft tissue check. During this part of the examination, we check the tongue, underneath the tongue, floor of the mouth, cheek surfaces, soft palate, hard palate and the entire gum line.
If you have any concerns about mouth cancer or would like some general advice, please contact us.
Pregnancy causes hormonal changes to a woman's body and increases their risk of developing oral health problems including tooth decay, gingivitis or periodontitis. Research shows that almost 70% of pregnant women at some stage during the pregnancy will develop some oral health problems which can have a detrimental effect on both mother and the unborn child. Pregnancy gingivitis (gum inflammation) is the most common condition in pregnancy and is caused by poor oral hygiene (mainly plaque) and increased hormone activity. While pregnancy gingivitis can occur anytime during the pregnancy, being at it worst during the second trimester, it is often a pre-existing condition. Managing pregnancy gingivitis is very important so that it doesn t progress to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. Periodontitis can cause serious oral health problems that eventually leads to tooth loss. Research suggests that untreated oral conditions in pregnancy can lead to pre-term labour, low weight of baby at birth and even miscarriages.
Hence it is paramount for a mums-to-be to take a great care of themselves and their mouth. If you find that your gums are painful, swollen and bleed easily or just want to double check that everything is fine please contact the surgery or arrange an appointment with our dentist or dental hygienist.
Oral care tips for a healthy pregnancy:
1. Regular check-ups and hygiene visits.
2. Strict home care routine and meticulous plaque removal even before you are pregnant.
3. Flossing and cleaning in between teeth is paramount.
4. Find time for oral care at the time of the day when sickness is not present.
5. Use fluoride toothpaste and employ spit don t rinse technique.
6. Choose a softer toothbrush if your gums are sore or bleeding.
7. Alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash can help with nausea and after frequent snacking.
8. Rinse your mouth after morning sickness to prevent the acids from affecting your teeth.
9. Stop smoking and have a healthy diet (if possible reduce the amount and frequency of snacking on sugary food and drinks).
And remember that giving special attention to your gums and teeth will prevent any complications in the future and set a great example to your new child.
Should you have any questions, please e mail us: info@progressivedentistry.co.uk
Do you have a fear of the dentist? Are you scared of the dental drill? Are you a needle phobic? If the answer to the above is yes, we can help. We are experts in providing virtually pain free dentistry and use the latest technology to offer alternatives to the dreaded dental drill and needles. Here are some ways that we can make dental treatment more comfortable and stress free: