Archives for December, 2011

Are you lucky enough to have straight teeth? If not, dentists in London can help you in the New Year

December 30th, 2011

Some people are lucky enough to be born with good genes and fit in with the criteria most people consider to constitute beauty. However, many people do not fit that mould and they may feel like they can’t go outside without having to cover their shame. If it is tooth issues causing you problems, such as crowded, gapped or misaligned teeth, and you want to make sure this issue doesn’t ruin your New Year, there is now a host of orthodontic treatments to assist you.

Orthodontic treatment has come a long way and there is now a range of different types, which are far more discreet and comfortable in comparison to the metal braces we all know from our younger days. In addition to the well-known fixed metal braces, there are systems including Invisalign ‘invisible’ braces, Damon braces and many more than can offer a discreet and effective solution for your tooth worries.

So, why not make your New Year one that is the way you want it to be?

As beauty and aesthetics have become increasingly integral parts of modern society, people have made more effort to keep up with fashion trends and look their best. In some cases, people spend thousands of pounds on their appearance. If you feel that your look is not exactly how you want it to be and you want to discover some of the options available to you, take a moment to search online for some of the braces treatments mentioned above.

You will be surprised by the range of options available, many of which have already seen a great amount of successful cases around the world. And this number is sure to grow in the New Year, but will you be among the fortunate individuals who choose orthodontics for straighter teeth?

Cosmetic treatments in London are on the rise and this will continue in the New Year

December 28th, 2011

In this day and age, cosmetic treatments are becoming increasingly popular, due in no small part to the pursuit of the perfect body and the youthful, beautiful face. Since the boom in celebrity culture, media outlets are now full of images of slender models and airbrushed celebrities, which cause people to feel that they need to take steps to improve the way they look. This is a rise that is sure to increase in the New Year, as more and more people look for solutions to improve their look.

The increased demand for cosmetic treatments has seen a significant rise in the amount of companies and clinics offering these services and cosmetic treatments are now more accessible and affordable than ever before.

Cosmetic treatments divide people: some people believe it is a matter of personal choice and individuals should be allowed to choose whether or not they have the treatment, while others believe it is a means of promoting vanity and encouraging people to undergo potentially dangerous procedures, when there is nothing wrong with the way they look.

There is now a huge range of cosmetic treatments available for those that want to improve the look of their body. As well as conventional treatments like breast augmentation surgery and liposuction, there are also cosmetic dentistry options, including smile makeovers, braces like Invisalign and Inman aligner, porcelain veneers and restorative options.

If you want to learn more about cosmetic dentistry in London, and you want to make sure your New Year is full of smiles, contact your dentist for more information.

Why dental phobia must be overcome this Christmas – With the help of London dentists

December 24th, 2011

For many people the mere thought of visiting the dentist can conjure up feelings of anxiety and nervousness. Dental anxiety affects a huge proportion of the population and many people avoid the dentist in a bid to prevent these feelings of anxiety. It is this kind of obstacle that can ruin Christmas celebrations if, for example, your smile does not look how you want it to be or it does not function properly and you can’t enjoy Christmas dinner.

There are many reasons why people may feel scared or anxious about being at the dentist. Some people have a fear of pain, some have had negative experiences with a dentist in the past and others feel anxious at the thought of hearing the dentist’s drill. Many people also dislike having metal instruments in their mouth and this can cause them to feel anxious.

Being at the dentist is an integral part of good oral hygiene and is extremely important, especially during Christmas with all the sweeties it has on offer, so you should try to put your fears aside and pay a visit to your dentist. Dental anxiety is very common and dentists are now introducing new ways to help anxious patients feel at ease.

Nowadays, dentists offer a range of distractions to take your mind off being at the dentist. From plasma TV screens in the ceiling to massage pads in the dreaded dentist’s chair, increased efforts are being made to make the treatment room more relaxed. Many dentists now also offer sedation treatments, which help patients to feel more relaxed and prevent any anxiety relating to pain.

Dentists are also urging parents to bring their kids to the dentist at an early age, so that they can get used to visiting the dentist. This will help to reduce the likelihood of them suffering from dental anxiety in the future and will enable them to build a positive relationship with their dentist.

Happy Christmas and happy smiles all round!

Christmas time and there is a host of orthodontic treatments at dentists in London

December 22nd, 2011

Harley Street Dental Studio boasts a team of highly skilled dentists who have created hundreds of beautiful smiles using a range of modern, innovative treatments and techniques. For this Christmas you can take advantage of this professionalism and expertise, in order to create a smile that increases your enjoyment of the festive season.

The practice offers a comprehensive range of orthodontic treatments, including sophisticated, innovative devices and treatments, such as Damon braces, 6 month smiles and invisible braces.

For many people, their smile is their most important feature and the London team are committed to matching the end result to their client’s expectations. The highly trained dentists are keen to involve patients in every step of the treatment process and will explain and discuss all the treatment options to ensure the best possible result for every individual client.

Orthodontics is a rapidly advancing field and Harley Street Dental Studio is eager to ensure that the best treatments are available to clients; the team frequently attends training sessions and courses and the range of services is expanding all the time.

For many, the thought of wearing a brace fills them with anxiety because they worry about the way their smile will look during the treatment process. However, new, discreet treatments are now available and you can have treatment without anyone else even knowing. One of the most popular innovations is lingual braces, which differ to traditional braces because they are attached to the back of the teeth, rather than the front.

Lingual braces have all the benefits of fixed braces with the added advantage that they cannot be seen by other people. Lingual braces can be used to treat a range of orthodontic problems and give people the peace of mind that wearing a brace will not affect the appearance of their smile during treatment.

In addition to a comprehensive range of orthodontic services, the studio also offers an impressive range of general dental treatments and cosmetic services. So, make this Christmas one that will really make you smile.

Effective and discreet braces from dentists in London can brighten up your Christmas

December 20th, 2011

Some of the treatments dental practices in London offer include self-ligating braces to eradicate the need for extra ties inside the mouth, which helps alleviate friction inside the mouth and increase comfort. There are also a whole range of less intrusive procedures such as ceramic, lingual and ‘Invisalign’ braces that all provide more subtle ways to correct dental problems.

If you are searching for a Christmas present that is a bit different so socks, slippers and games, why not buy your loved one the chance of a smile that boosts their confidence and self-esteem?

Many of the clinics in London are well attended and, as such, have a wealth of reviews and testimonials available online, useful when deciding on somewhere for your own treatment.

On dentist websites there is also information on procedures, contact details, location of premises and often fees are set out. Also, a quick web search can often provide details on the online image your dentist has built up. A dentist website should also include testimonials from past and present customers and pictures of before and afters.

One of the other techniques used by orthodontists in London is the Inman Aligner. The Inman Aligner is a tool which is used primarily for problems with the alignment of patients’ front teeth. They offer many advantages when pitted against fixed braces, such as faster results and the flexibility of removal.

Other treatments that are sure to brighten Christmas smiles include ‘Damon Braces’, which eliminate the need for elastics inside the mouth due to the employment of a sliding door in the brace brackets. Again, this technique offers many advantages over other more traditional orthodontics such as quicker treatment and less obtrusive fixtures inside the mouth.

Oral health and a visit to dentists in London is the staple of good dental health

December 18th, 2011

Oral health is a lot more important than many people realise as it can actually contribute to general health. Recent studies have found a link between poor oral health and cardiovascular disease, so it is extremely important to look after your gums and teeth.

Most parents also realise that it is important to take care of their children’s teeth, but some may think this is only necessary once their child has got all their teeth. This is not the case and dentists recommend starting to brush the teeth as soon as the first teeth begin to appear. Some dentists will also recommend using gels to keep children’s gums healthy and clean.

Initially, when your baby starts to develop teeth they will obviously be too small to clean their teeth by themselves. You can use a damp cloth on the gums when they are young but in a gentle manner. Then, you can begin to clean their teeth when they are old enough. Once old enough, if you encourage your child to get involved in oral hygiene from an early age, they will be more likely to integrate brushing in their daily routine and it will become part and parcel of everyday life.

To encourage your child to take care of their teeth and gums you can buy oral hygiene products including toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash which are brightly coloured, fun and decked out with child-friendly features. Many brands have toothbrushes and toothpastes that feature children’s favourite television and film characters and most products have bright, colourful packaging.

Healthy eating is also an important part of good oral health, so try and keep sweets and chocolates as treats, rather than daily snacks. Get children involved in the preparation of food and encourage them to cook with you. This will get them interested in food and they will want to learn about the benefits of healthy eating. Adopting good oral hygiene and eating habits from an early age will stand your child in good stead for the future and they will be more likely to benefit from good health during their adult life.

London dentists look at the link between dental phobia and depression

December 16th, 2011

Dental phobia creates high levels of anxiety which can lead to panic attacks when confronted with dental issues. It is fairly common for anxiety such as dental phobia to be linked to and/or cause depression. When dealing with dental phobia, it is common for the individual to isolate due to the avoidance of possible triggers due to the fear of dentists. This isolation and avoidance can worsen the symptoms of depression.

Another way dental phobia can lead to depression is due to possible feelings of guilt and shame due to avoiding dental care because of the overwhelming fear. This can create a cycle of fear and avoidance leading to increased isolation which worsens the depression.

Ways to overcome dental phobia and depression

If the depression is caused by the dental phobia, it may disappear when the overwhelming fear of dentists is addressed and overcome. There are many helpful techniques to help with overcoming dental phobia and depression.

It can be helpful for the individual to seek professional counselling. This allows the individual the ability to talk about any traumatic past experiences. A counsellor can also help the person with coping strategies to deal with the dental phobia and depression. Exercise and journaling are helpful coping strategies which can be utilised. Desensitisation is an approach used to deal with various phobias.

Dental phobia can cause or be linked to depression. Although dental phobia can seem overwhelming, it can be overcome through various strategies. Once the individual is given the opportunity to talk about not only the fear itself, but also keep an open line of communication with the dentist, the anxiety and panic linked to dental visits can be overcome.

London Dentists Are Here To Ensure Dental Phobia Doesn’t Defeat You

December 14th, 2011

A visit to the dentist is not something that many people would say they look forward to, but for an unlucky few the fear of the dentist chair is so severe that a simple whiff of the dentist can cause instant terror. You will probably know someone or you may even be that person who laughs and jokes about their dental phobia, but the fear of the dentist, known as dentophobia, is a serious problem for some with real symptoms.

Dentophobia is often a simple fear of all things dentist but there are a great number of underlying fears that can make this a problem for the dental patient: fear of the dentist him/herself; fear of pain; fear of needles; fear of the dentist drill; or even a fear of being under anaesthetic. And all of these things can make for a very anxious, very stressful and very uncomfortable dental appointment for the patient and dentist alike.

However, as phobias in general are today much more widely understood and are not passed off as silliness or irrational behaviour, dentophobia is now taken much more seriously within the dental profession. Today, when you visit the dentist you do not have to go in and hide the fact that you’re itching to run away and you certainly do not have to avoid the dentist completely, compromising and complicating your oral health in the process. You will not be laughed at and you will not be judged. Your dentist will be more than happy to talk about this with you. There are now many choices available.

If you’re a dental phobe, don’t dodge the dentist and compromise your pearly white smile. Tackle your demons and look into dental phobia treatment options.

London dentists take a look at the issue of water fluoridation

December 13th, 2011

While it may seem that water fluoridation to curb dental decay could be nothing but helpful, it’s not as clear cut as that. Though water fluoridation has proven to greatly diminish the number of people to be stricken with cavities, which can in turn help with other dental issues such as gum disease, it’s also a costly investment. For every person in a country that uses water fluoridation each costs approximately $0.95, which for the United States, a population of 308,745,538, comes to just over $293 million. How could such a large figure be worth it for a few cavities? Simple, for every tooth restoration, it costs on average $86.

Who can benefit?

However, with the advent of new fluoride rich toothpastes the need for fluoridated water is much lower for those that are able to afford such products. Countries in Europe have shown this to be true, with the number of cavity stricken individuals steadily decreasing despite the lack of fluoridated water. That doesn’t hold true for those individuals which are a part of the lower economic bracket that cannot afford such luxuries. With drinking water being the most accessible provider of fluoride, water fluoridation allows for even the poorest of families to maintain at least some form of dental health.

A violation of human rights

Many are quick to praise the effects of water fluoridation, with it being hailed as one of the best medical achievements of the 20th century, but others feel it is a violation of a number of basic rights; the most significant being the opinion that an individual should not be subjected to forced medical treatment, which the use of water fluoridation could be considered. Where the line is drawn between a basic health safety and unjust or infringed rights is a matter of opinion, but despite this the amount of countries using water fluoridation is increasing rapidly.

Do we need water fluoridation?

For centuries oral health was of little concern to the average citizen. Even the most famous and rich individuals were affected by the downsides of cavities, yet today, with the use of water fluoridation and other dental improvements, these problems can be made far less likely to occur. This isn’t to say that water fluoridation is a cure all for your dental problems, rather it is simply an aid meant to subtly improve and limit the oral health problems you might face in your lifetime should you not be drinking water that has been fluoridated. While some maintain a sense of scepticism about it, it’s hard to argue against the evidence and the effects that water fluoridation has had on the public’s health.

Understanding the effects of Botox treatment offered by London dentists

December 12th, 2011

An important part of providing Botox treatment safely is recognising its behaviour in the body. The results of Botox vary for each individual and a treatment that may work beautifully for one patient might not be so successful for the next. When used for the removal of fine lines and wrinkles, the results can vary massively depending on certain factors.

Usually this sort of treatment will last anything between three and six months but in certain cases it can last much longer.

As with any drug or chemical each individual reacts to its effects in different ways and Botox is no different. The chemical is more suited to some over others and in these cases the effects will be greater and more long-lasting. Interestingly, it has been found that Botox treatments are generally more short-lived in men and this has been attributed to their greater muscle density. Most Botox treatments will be effective for three to six months.

When Botox is used to treat medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis the treatment, again, can have varied levels of success depending on the individual. With hyperhidrosis of the underarm the treatment is generally massively successful and the effects can last for anything up to a year but somewhere between six and ten months in this norm. When treating hyperhidrosis in the palms, however, Botox is not so successful and multiple injections are needed to see good results.

Botox is no different to any other drug when it comes to its effectiveness in the human body. Every individual is different and for a lucky few Botox will be a miracle cure; temporarily of course. For others it may be a little more difficult to achieve those optimum results; however less successful results are not disastrous as Botox treatments can be repeated if they aren’t so long-lasting.