If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment at this present time, I can appreciate that it is probably quite a worry about when your next appointment may be. After all, orthodontic treatment is all about seeing progress for teeth straightening and it is unlikely the next adjustment or review appointment will be for some time yet.

However, it is important to stay positive and remember the fact that things will return to some level of normality in the near future and that teeth can always be straightened despite the time delay!

On that note, I thought it would be useful to discuss orthodontic emergencies and how to manage them at home during lock down. The most common types of problems encountered listed below with some helpful tips on how to manage them at home.
 

As of 8/4/20, there have been no general updates with regards to the provision of general dental care in a practice like ours, based in Fulham London. This is an incredibly frustrating time for of all us here especially for those of you who are in need of routine emergency dental care which could be a simple tooth fracture, a lost crown, a broken denture, a lost filling, an ulcer or gum bleeding for example. Most dental emergencies are not classified as being urgent or life threatening such as a rapidly increasing swelling, head trauma or difficult in breathing from bleeding after a tooth extraction.

Whilst we accept that the decision by the health and governing bodies are designed to stop the spread of coronavirus by limiting face to face contact between dentist and patient, this does leave many hundreds if not thousands of patients with anxiety about when their emergency can be seen to and whether the problem is going to get much worse during the delay.
 

During this period of lockdown, it will be increasingly difficult to access dental care apart from severe emergency treatment. I have therefore written guide on how to manage routine dental emergencies at home and how we can help over the phone. I hope it is of some use.
 

With the UK currently in shut down due to the Coronavirus, I thought it would be useful to post some information on the background of the virus and how it affects us as a dental practice at Progressive Dentistry. We are currently open for emergency treatments only and those at low risk of transmission. Please feel free to contact me: e nissit@progressivedentistry.co.uk WhatsApp +44 7508 663942 Dr Nissit Patel
 

I would like to assure you that as I write this blog post at 1020 19/3/20 our doors are still open to you with the commitment of providing ongoing oral health care to the very highest standards. All staff at the practice are fit and healthy and unless we are told otherwise, we are happy to maintain your appointments. However, we fully understand should you wish to re arrange treatments for now.

Infection control has always been a fundamental tenet of our dental practice and we have always taken great pride in providing a clean and safe environment. As a routine, we use anti bacterial and virucidal sprays on the dental chair, x ray machines, surfaces and equipment after each patient visit. This has now been extended to door handles, reception area, bar area and cloakroom. Our sterilization processes are robust with logged autoclave cycles after each and every cycle. As well as pre cleaning of instruments, ultrasonic baths are used to further remove debris.

We have always managed cross infection as if every single patient we treat is potential risk hence this way we do not discriminate and every single staff member is therefore aware of their responsibilities.

Alcohol spray and gel is available at reception and we advise a 'gel in and out' approach. We have great cleaning staff who are as dedicated to hygiene as we are.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions that you may have.

e info@progressivedentistry.co.uk

t 0207 7311162

Whatsapp +44 7508 663942

We will also be introducing video consultations very shortly which will be available for emergency and routine appointments. I will send a separate e mail once this has been fully instigated.

I have attached a useful poster which highlights the advice we have been given as a health care provider.

When you have an intense craving or fondness for sweet foods, then you are said to have a sweet tooth. The chances are that you drool over the likes of chocolates, cakes, cookies, and sweetened drinks.
 

They say that with age comes wisdom. Your wisdom tooth, which is the last to emerge during your early 20's or late teens, hence the term wisdom tooth. The wisdom tooth belongs to the molar group known as the third molar, which is found in the back of the mouth. When the wisdom tooth emerges, some people do not have problems at all. But for some, it results in oral issues, such as swelling around the tooth, bleeding, pain, infection and possibly contributing to teeth crowding. An impacted wisdom tooth refers to the wisdom tooth that fails to break through the gums at all or only partially through. This tooth problem may obstruct the normal development of your other teeth. It may even lead to infection, as well as pain and discomfort. The worse things that may result out of this include dental problems, such as cysts and bone damage. When confronted with an abnormal wisdom tooth, the best course of action is to visit a dental office and consult a dentist. Be wary of the following symptoms:
 

Our case of the month for February 2020 involves using one of our favourite teeth straightening options- the Social 6 lingual brace and composite bonding to correct asymmetry. The treatment was completed by Dr Nissit Patel who comments: ' Over many years of being a dentist, I have realised how important it is to have teeth in the correct position before attempting any form of cosmetic dentistry. There are many benefits of this. Ultimately, if the front teeth are properly aligned then the following cosmetic dental treatments can be simple and have great results. For example, simple tooth whitening and composite bonding can have a profound effect without having to even touch the teeth in question. After all, enamel is precious and we should not be removing it for the sake for a quick fix. Modern day dentistry should not involve elective removal of tooth enamel - full stop. If teeth are crooked, without some form of orthodontic treatment, the only option is to drill the tooth down to create space for the restorative material to alter the appearance. This could be ceramic or composite resin. If any of you watched the series Extreme Makeover, you will recall how the patient was left with little stumps prior to the ceramic crowns and veneers. Yes, the transformation was profound but at what cost? Once the enamel is removed, which is the hardest tissue in the body, the protective layer has vanished leaving the tooth weak and prone to attack. We can be certain that a tooth that has been cut down will need additional treatment in the future whether this is replacement crowns, root canal treatment, post core crowns or even removal. Why take the risk? I advocate a minimal approach to cosmetic dentistry where the risks are extremely low. In our case below, the steps are simple:
 

1. Straighten using a Social 6 lingual brace
2. Tooth whitening with a take home kit
3. Teeth bonding with composite to enhance the symmetry
4. Retainers

In this case, there was absolutely no drilling of the enamel at all. Therefore the biology remains exactly the same and all that remains is a maintenance program to maintain the alignment using retainers and the polish of the composite. Yes, this is a commitment also but everything in life requires maintenance from cars, houses, fences (Storm Dennis recently took ours apart!) and teeth. Please take a look at the before and after photos. I was delighted and so was our patient.'
 

Dental implants, tooth extraction, or any other form of dental surgery can be painful. There are times when it can get bloody especially with wisdom tooth extraction. Removal of an impacted or infected tooth, periodontal surgery, or dental implants are serious surgical procedures, and post-operative care is essential. Risk of infections and unnecessary pain, as well as abnormal or excessive bleeding, need to be addressed to ensure that these issues do not cause bigger problems down the line. If you are concerned about any of these effects, you can consult a dentistfor an examination and recommendation of the best course of action.

Bleeding is a normal effect of dental surgery normally, you will experience that within the next 24 48 hours after the procedure. There could be a small cut in your gum, which resulted in bleeding. Keep in mind though that oral bleeding is simply a little blood and a lot of salivas. If you see blood oozing out of your mouth, do not fret because there are some home remedies you can do to control or stop oral bleeding. 

Following your surgery, there are some things you need to do to minimise the effects of the procedure: