Keep your teeth healthy and happy this Christmas

Tis the season ….. for good oral hygiene!

In the run up to Christmas West Wickham Dental Practice will be open as normal until 24/12…. Should you have any problems with your teeth in the run up to Christmas, please ring the surgery by 9.30am as we have a number of emergency appointments available each day and we will endeavour to get you seen as soon as possible.

West Wickham Dental Practice will be closed for Christmas from the 25^th to the 28^th inclusive and will reopen for half days in the afternoon on the 29^th and 31^st and half day morning on the 30^th. If you should you have a dental emergency out of hours, please call the practice on 0208 776 1188 and the answer phone message will give you details on how to contact the dentist for the out of hours emergency service.

With Christmas almost upon us this is the perfect time to remind all our patients how best to enjoy the festive food and drink and look after your dental health. Here at West Wickham Dental Practice we have come up with our top tips to ensure that your teeth stay in tip top condition this festive season.

• During the festive period try to brush your teeth three times a day using a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth using inter-dental aids such as inter-dental brushes, floss or tape. This will help to ensure that you do not develop any food traps which if left can lead to infection.

• Why not treat yourself to a new toothbrush at the start of December. Toothbrushes should be changed every 3-4 months and this will ensure that you are getting the most effective clean possible when you brush your teeth. An electric toothbrush provides more effective cleaning than manual ones, maybe its time to ask Santa for one.

• With all the sweet treats around do not forget to include fruit and vegetables in your diet these will help to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need and help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

• With so much food available it can become easy to just graze all day. To help your teeth and general health aim to eat 3 meals a day plus no more than two snacks. If you do snack stick to crudities and nuts rather than sweets and chocolates. Nuts provide a great source of calcium and vitamin D which have been shown to help improve your dental health.

• Where ever possible try to enjoy your sugary treats after your meals. Dried fruits are also high in sugar and can get stuck to your teeth so try to have mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake after a meal to. This is because we produce more saliva when we are eating which helps neutralise the acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and it also helps to rinse away food particles and sugary substances.

• Red wine can stain teeth so if you don’t mind which you drink try to stick to white wine this Christmas. Cheese is a great accompaniment for wine as it contains calcium and helps to combat the damaging effects of acid.

All the team at West Wickham Dental Practice would like to wish our patients a happy and hopefully trouble free festive period, but should you have any problems do not hesitate to contact the surgery on 0208 776 1188.

4 Embarrassing Dental Health Problems Solved

To ensure your mouth stays in tip top condition you need to ensure a good oral hygiene routine, a balanced diet and regular maintenance visits to the dentist.

However what do you do if you find yourself afflicted with an oral health problem which leaves you feeling embarrassed and reluctant to smile?

Here at West Wickham Dental Practice we have looked at some of these embarrassing oral health problems and what solutions are available to rid you of them forever!

Bad Breath

Treatment for bad breath varies dependent on the cause. The first treatment is always to ensure that you have in place a good oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth twice a day and use inter-dental aids to clean between your teeth. Also use an antibacterial mouthwash to help kill the bad smelling bacteria. This will ensure that no food particles are allowed to get trapped between your teeth, where bacteria break them down producing an unpleasant smell. If you are someone who likes a diet full of garlic, onion and spices, you may want to consider reducing your intake of these. The same is also true of coffee, alcohol and smoking which can all leave your breath smelling less than fresh.

If your dentist gives you a clean bill of health it may be worth visiting your doctor to get the problem examined further, some medicines and medical conditions can also cause bad breath. If you are worried about your breath why not book in to see our hygienist, she will be able to thoroughly clean your teeth and this should remove any trapped food particles, calculus and plaque build-up. She will also be able to advise on the best oral hygiene products to use to keep your breath minty fresh.

Receding Gums

 Gum disease and periodontal disease can lead to further oral health complications. At the early stage gum disease causes the gums to become red and swollen, with more advanced periodontitis the gums will be permanently damaged and in the long term this can cause teeth the fall out. As the gums recede they become sensitive as the dentine inside the tooth becomes exposed. This can also look unsightly. Receding gums can also be caused by over vigorous tooth brushing, clenching or grinding your teeth and scratching your gums with foreign objects. The best way to protect your gums is to use a soft toothbrush when cleaning your teeth, this will have the added advantage of reducing the likelihood of toothbrush erosion on your teeth as well. It may also be necessary to look at straightening your teeth to help improve your ability to clean in between them and improve your bite. At West Wickham Dental Practice we are able to offer teeth straightening treatments to help improve your smile including  Six Month Smiles, Clear Braces: Cosmetic Tooth Alignment.

Mouth Sores

Canker sores and cold sores are two of the most common sores that show up around the mouth. They can be painful, annoying and unsightly. However both of these sores will heal on their own within a week or so. Topical anaesthetics and antimicrobial mouth rinses can help to ease any discomfort. If you are embarrassed by the frequency of outbreaks speak to your doctor who may be able to prescribe medication to help reduce the infections.

Tooth Decay and Tooth Erosion

Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day, and visiting your dentist regularly for exams and cleaning will help fight tooth decay and erosion. Your experienced dentist at West Wickham Dental Practice may also recommend protective plastic sealants to reduce your risk of decay where necessary. Eating a balanced diet and keeping your snacking to a minimum will also help head off plaque and erosion. If you're particularly concerned about erosion, avoid acidic food and drinks, such as citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, pickles, soda, and sports drinks, since studies suggest that they can strip enamel from the teeth. Gastric acid can also contribute to erosion, so if you have a medical condition like acid-reflux disease or bulimia, getting treatment is imperative.

Whatever part of your mouth or smile that you find embarrassing West Wickham Dental Practice will be able to help. Whether that is using crowns, bridges or veneers to improve the appearance of teeth or implants to remove the gaps caused by missing teeth, we are here to help. You may also want to consider a Smile Makeover treatment, in this we can put together a complete package to ensure that you need never be embarrassed when you smile again!

For more information or to book a consultation call today on 02087761188

Benefits of Dental Implants

Over the past few years there has been a large increase in the number of people turning to dental implants to help fill gaps caused by missing teeth. They are a safe, long lasting restoration which is currently as close as possible to your natural teeth.

Prior to any treatment you will need to an appointment with your dentist for a consultation. At this appointment the dentist will perform a full assessment of your teeth and gums and will take x-rays to assess the level of bone in your jaw. If there is not enough bone or it is not healthy enough it may not be possible to proceed with implants until you have had a bone graft.

With implants being a large investment you should ensure that you have a full and detailed treatment plan prior to the start of treatment. This should give complete details of the treatment to be undertaken and the expected costs. There is the potential for things to change as treatment progresses but if this happens you should be given all the possible options before making a decision on how you wish to proceed.

Still unsure about whether implants are right for you? We have looked at the benefits of opting for implants over other tooth replacement methods. These include:

• Helping to maintain bone levels in your jaw. Placing an implant helps to reduce the risk of bone resorption following an extraction and can even promote healthy bone growth to secure the implant in place.

• Dental implants are independent of your other teeth. Unlike a dental bridge, which is supported by fixing crowns to the teeth on either side of the gap, with implants there is no need to damage your existing teeth to fill the gap.

• Dental implants will last for as long as they are properly cared for and this can be a lifetime. Bridges and dentures will need to be replaced after 5-7 years so can be more expensive over their lifetime.

• Implants can be used to anchor and stabilise dentures. This means that you will no longer need to worry about your teeth moving when you talk and eat.

• Unlike dentures, implants look and feel like your natural teeth, this means that you will be able to speak with confidence and eat a wide a varied diet without fear.

• When you having missing teeth this can cause your cheeks to sag and create additional wrinkles. Implants help to fill out your cheeks and support your skin. They have the ability to make you look years younger.

• Cavities can’t occur in an implant-restored crown, or replacement teeth. You will have need to attend for regular appointments with the hygienist to ensure that there is not a build-up of plaque and calculus around the tooth which if left long term can cause the implant to fail.

Implants are one of the ways in which you can fill a gap caused by a tooth extraction. Here at West Wickham Dental Practice we are dedicated to making sure you can smile proud! and offer interest-free financing to make dental implants a feasible treatment option.  If you want to discuss if implants would be right for your call us today on 0208 776 1188

THE TRUTH ABOUT DENTURES

The time has come, another broken tooth has had to be removed and now you are faced with one too many gaps for comfort. The dentist has suggested that you consider dentures, as an option to fill the gaps and restore your smile to its former glory.

This week we look at the advantages and disadvantages of dentures to help you decide if they are the right option for you.

Advantages of Dentures

If you have been having problems with your teeth for a number of years, dentures can provide a fresh start. They provide a new set of teeth that are natural looking and custom made. Dentures can have a dramatic effect on your appearance giving you the confidence to smile without fear.

Dentures are very low maintenance although it will often require 4 or 5 visits to make the dentures initially, once they are made, they simply need cleaning in the same way that you would your natural teeth.

Dentures are made specifically to your mouth’s measurement. No two sets of dentures are the same and this means that you should receive the most comfortable and realistic fit possible.

By having a full set of teeth again you will be able to chew food comfortably. It may take some time to get used to your dentures but once they have settled in you should be able to eat a full and varied diet.

Dentures help to support your face and can help to make you look years younger. Toothless gums can result in your cheeks sinking inwards and downwards and cause facial wrinkles that make you appear older than you are. Dentures help to plum up your cheeks and give the skin on your face the support it needs.

Dentures can also help to enhance the appearance of your smile. Dentures can be made so your teeth are straighter than they naturally were and can also be whiter than your original smile. Helping to give you confidence in your appearance. You will be able to feel and smile proud!

Dentures can be a cost effective treatment solution, giving the best results at a fraction of the price of implants or bridges.

Disadvantages

Dentures are not always a quick fix solution. If you have extractions before your dentures are fitted, you will find that overtime your gums shrink and this may mean that your dentures need to be relined or remade. It can take some time to get used to your new smile but once you do you’ll be glad you took the plunge.

Some wearers find dentures uncomfortable and awkward to master. It is a good idea to discuss materials with your dentist you may find that a lighter metal frame to your dentures is easier to tolerate. It is also possible to look at implant retained dentures. This means that the dentures will be permanently attached to your jaw and reduces the risk of problems.

Speech can be difficult when you first start to wear a denture, but this should improve over time as you become more used to wearing your dentures.

Alongside dentures it is also possible to look at dental implants or bridges to help restore your smile and filling gaps caused by extractions.

To discuss the possible options to fill gaps caused by missing teeth book a consultation appointment today on 0208 776 1188 or online via https://westwickhamdental.co.uk/dentist-in-bromley-croydon-beckenham-west-wickham-book-appointments-online/

Dental Emergency: What you can do.

A dental emergency can occur at the most unexpected time and place; from simply tripping over an untied shoe lace, an accidental hit by a beach ball or in the midst of a rugby scrum.  Sometimes even eating something very hard can break your tooth, particularly if it’s been weakened by tooth decay. Medical conditions such as epilepsy can also make you more likely to fall. The consequence is the same. Excruciating and searing pain from the loss of your teeth!

There are steps that one can take to minimise the damage and increase the success of follow-up treatment to restore your smile.  A number of age old adages float around the community….do NOT use crushed Aspirin on your affected tooth. Aspirin is acidic and will burn your gums.  Another famous anecdote is to swish whiskey in your mouth. While some sensation of relief may be felt, this is due to the irritation caused by the whiskey to the inflamed gums, distracting your brain from the pain from the tooth loss. Finally, one making the rounds on the WWW is using crushed bay berry bark and vinegar. I will hold my hands up and say…”I had no idea what bay berry bark was, until I was rescued by Wikipedia!”

There are some definitive steps one can take in a dental emergency which have been recommended based on clinical evidence.

If you are in pain and have developed a swelling, take some ordinary painkillers – aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol (BDA) to provide temporary pain relief. Always read and follow the information on the packet about how much to take and how often, and do not exceed the maximum stated dose.  If you are bleeding from the tooth sockets, using a clean cloth or tissue apply pressure to staunch the flow of blood. Seek advice from your dentist ASAP.

Chipped or Broken Teeth

Wash your mouth with some warm water to remove any debris and seek advice from your dentist immediately. If the broken piece of tooth is available, bring it to your dentist as soon as possible as it may be able to be bonded back in place.

Knocked out or missing teeth.

The National Health Service (NHS) provides timely advice for dealing with tooth loss following trauma. Speed is of the essence if you want to retain your tooth, seek advice from your emergency dentist or A&E dental emergency services ASAP. The sooner the tooth gets implanted back into the socket, the lower the risk of long term damage and a gap between your teeth. A few important points to bear in mind:

• Do NOT touch the root of the tooth and ONLY handle the white solid crown (top of the tooth)
• Do not attempt to physically clean the tooth.
• If the tooth is dirty, rinse it with milk or a saline (salt water) solution and try to put the tooth back into its socket in your mouth as soon as possible. Do not rinse the tooth with water or alcohol.
• If you can insert the tooth into the socket, bite down onto a clean piece of cloth or tissue or a wet tea bag to keep it in place.
• If you cannot reinsert the tooth, hold it between your cheek and gum until you manage to see a dentist, or store the tooth in a clean container and cover it with milk or a small amount of your saliva.

The above advice only applies to adult teeth – children’s milk teeth should not be reimplanted as an adult tooth will soon grow in its place.

Lip or Tongue Bite

Gently clean the affected area with a clean cloth or tissue and press down using some ice to stop the bleeding and reduce the swelling. The bleeding should stop after a few minutes, however, if it carries on seek assistance from your local A&E dental emergency service.

Objects Caught Between Teeth

Use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to dislodge solid objects stuck between your teeth. Avoid using a toothpick as there is a greater likelihood of cutting your gums leading to infection. If the object cannot be dislodged using dental floss, seek advice from your emergency dentist ASAP.

Broken Jaw

A broken jaw will often result in swelling and will be quite painful. There may be bleeding from the mouth, and in severe circumstances the cheek or jaw may have an abnormal appearance with the jaw feeling stiff. The jaw may have limited movement, therefore your mouth may not open wide and there may also be loose or damaged teeth.

The swelling may be controlled by placing an ice pack or frozen vegetables. Do not try to force open your jaw, wrap a towel beneath the jaw and tie on top of your head to reduce movement.

Seek advice from your dentist or A&E dental emergency services ASAP.

West Wickham Dental practice provides dental emergency services and an out of hours emergency dental service. We offer late night appointments on a Wednesday and Saturday morning appointments. We will always endeavour to find a time that is most suitable for each and every patient.

To learn more about West Wickham Dental Practice, and to book your consultation appointment do not hesitate to contact the surgery today on 0208 776 1188n 0208 776 1188

Dental Implants; What They Are and How They Work.

Over the past few years there has been a large increase in the number of people turning to dental implants to fill gaps caused when teeth are beyond repair and need to be extracted. A dental implant is used to support one of more false teeth; this could be a crown, a bridge or dentures.

Dental Implants are a safe and well established treatment and are currently the closest treatment you can have to having your own teeth back again. Provided they are looked after, dental implants should last for many years.

Treatment

Prior to any treatment you will need to attend for a consultation appointment. At this appointment the dentist will perform a full examination of your mouth and take x-rays to assess the level of bone present in your jaw. If you do not have enough bone or the bone is not healthy enough it may not be possible to proceed with implants without first having a bone graft.

Most implant surgery is completed under local anaesthetic; this means that you will be awake and aware of what is going on during treatment. If you are very nervous the dentist may prescribe a mild sedative to help keep you calm during your appointment. Placing an implant is often easier than taking the tooth out was initially. You are likely to experience some discomfort in the week following surgery as the bone starts to grow around the implanted screw, but will be advised what painkillers to take should you require them.

It will normally take 3-4 months from the placement of the screw into your jaw for the dentist to be able to start the restoration. This is in order to allow the bone to heal fully around the titanium screw securing it in place.

Once the site has healed fully the dentist will be able to form the crown, bridge or dentures to fit over the screw and fill any gaps.   It is not necessary to have one implant for every missing tooth, your dentist will be able to advise on the ideal placement of any implants to give the best retention for any restoration. Once in place any crowns, bridges or dentures will match closely the natural colour of your teeth so no-one will know that you have missing teeth.

Prior to any treatment you should ensure that you fully understand exactly what treatment has proposed and have a written estimate of the treatment costs. These may change as treatment progresses but you should be consulted and given all the options available for how to proceed.

Aftercare

Looking after your implants should be no more difficult than looking after your natural teeth. However there may be some areas that are more difficult to reach and your dentist or hygienist will be able to advise on how best to clean these areas. The dentist may also advise that you attend for more regular hygienist appointments to ensure that the implants stay free of plaque and calculus build up.

If you do not care for your implants properly there is a risk of developing gum disease, this can affect the stability of the implant and in the long term if left untreated can cause the implant to fail. This is why it is important to attend regularly for dental examinations so that any problem can be identified early and treated quickly.

At West Wickham Dental Practice we are able to offer high quality dental implants in Bromley, Beckenham, Orpington, Shirley and Croydon with Dr Anhaar Mohamedali, who has a special interest in dental implants and trained at The Cambridge Academy of Dental Implantology.

Call us on 0208 7761188 to book in for an implant consultation today and start your journey to the smile you desire.

Benefits of Teeth Straightening.

Teeth straightening treatments such as Six Month Smiles, Clear Braces and others have numerous benefits. Not all of us are born with a perfectly straight set of teeth for the perfect Hollywood smile. Apart from the aesthetic value, straight teeth helps us to bite, chew and speak properly providing a significant boost in self-confidence, self-esteem and self-image; qualities that are valued at every age benefiting social as well as career success.

Our teeth are placed in our jaws by nature to form perfect contact alignment when we open and close our mouth when chewing food. However, this is not the case in many people. Crooked teeth form as a result of developmental anomalies in our skeletal system before birth and get exacerbated as we grow up. Most commonly, crowding occurs affecting the front teeth of the jaw, resulting in the teeth pushing out of line or rotating on its axis.  Protruding front teeth are more prone to accidental injury and increased risk of fracture.

Misaligned teeth prevent effective cleaning of the tooth surfaces, as brushing and flossing cannot reach all the areas allowing food particles to remain stuck around the teeth. Bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugar in the food, producing acids that cause cavities and tooth decay. The plaque (the colourless bacterial film on teeth) also contributes towards periodontal disease (bleeding gums) and halitosis (bad breath). If left untreated, the bone surrounding the teeth may get destroyed making chewing and swallowing difficult. Severe orthodontic problems can also stress out the jaw joints leading to chronic headaches or pain in the face and neck. Early corrective orthodontic treatment before the problems exacerbate can prevent costly and time consuming restorative dental treatment for more serious problems developing later.

There are various solutions to treat crooked teeth but most take at least 18 months if not 2-3 years with conventional orthodontic treatment. However the latest in orthodontics – Short Term Orthodontics such as Six Month Smiles™ or clear aligner braces can give you the smile that you want in a fraction of the time and possible costs, compared to conventional treatments.

What are the benefits of teeth straightening or orthodontic treatments?

• A smile to be Proud off
• Increased self-confidence
• Improved teeth functionality
• Increased efficiency in keeping the teeth clean
• Better distribution of muscular stress during chewing
• Long term benefit to the health of gums and teeth
• Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth

Signs that braces may be needed

• The upper front teeth are misaligned with the lower teeth – excessive protrusion or cover the majority of lower teeth (bucked), behind the front teeth (under bite), or don’t touch (open bite)
• Teeth may be crowded or over lapping
• Thumb sucking habits in children after 6-7 years
• Chewing difficulty
• Uneven wear of teeth or disproportionate spaces between the teeth
• Movement of the lower jaw to either side during chewing

Clear braces are also affordable, safe and effective way to straighten your teeth. With straighter teeth and an effective cleaning strategy you could have healthier teeth. Six Month Smiles™ clear braces are safe, comfortable and provide quick results because they only move teeth that shown when you smile. Think of your teeth as a window to the health of your body. Your teeth and gums — and how they look to others when you smile—say a lot about your overall health. If you're taking good care of both, you're probably taking good care of the rest of you.

West Wickham Dental Practice is a recognised provider of the Six Month Smile^TM treatment and we are able to offer high quality smile makeovers in Bromley, Beckenham, Orpington, Shirley and Croydon with Dr Anhaar Mohamedali, who has successfully treated multiple cases providing their Smile Proud! moment.

Call us on 0208 7761188 to book in for a cosmetic consultation today and start your journey to the smile you desire.

Teeth Whitening Tips for your Wedding Day.

If you are looking for a treatment that will give your teeth a lift prior to your wedding photos why not consider teeth whitening, a safe and effective way to lighten and brighten the natural colour of your teeth.

In 2012 new regulation was brought in that state teeth whitening is a dental procedure and  as such can only be undertaken by a dental professional. Over the counter kits are now only  allowed to contain 0.1% hydrogen peroxide compared with dental professional treatment which can contain up to 6% hydrogen peroxide. If you are looking for guaranteed results when it comes to teeth whitening be sure to trust your dentist with the task.

Following a consultation to ensure that you are suitable for the treatment, dentists are able to offer two main types of teeth whitening treatment.

In Surgery teeth whitening

Treatment will take about an hour and during this time the dentist will apply the whitening gel to your teeth either directly or using a custom made whitening tray. The solution is then activated using a special light. This process will be repeated up to 4-5 times in a session. This treatment is a ‘booster’ to be complimented with home whitening to give noticeable and sustainable results.

At home teeth whitening

This treatment can be completed in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you. Custom made whitening trays will be designed for impressions taken of your teeth. The dentist will then show you how to apply the whitening gel to the trays and will explain how long you will need to wear the trays. There are a number of different strength whitening gels available that will allow the treatment to fit best into your schedule, whether you want to wear the trays for up to 2 hours, or overnight while you sleep. Ensuring that you receive the results you are looking for in time for our big day!

Alongside whitening treatment it is a good idea to ensure that you follow a good oral hygiene routine.

• Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.
• Don’t forget to clean in between your teeth, wither with floss or inter dental brushes once a day
• Eat a balanced diet and limit the number of snacks you have between meals
• Book in to see your dentist for a thorough scale and polish to remove any surface staining or plaque and calculus deposits
• Consider stopping smoking to reduce the amount of staining on your teeth

At West Wickham Dental Practice we can help you ‘Smile Proud on your wedding day!’ by offering you only the very latest and safest in teeth whitening technologies. We use licensed reputable Tooth Whitening Systems that have had proven results across the country. The procedure is simple, straightforward and painless. The extent of teeth whitening is controlled so that your teeth look completely natural, whiter and brighter.

Tooth whitening can quickly and easily reverse the staining caused by age, tea/coffee, red wine, smoking, and some medications and coloured foods.  Our teeth whitening system gives you fast results, boosting your self-image and confidence.

If you are interested in teeth whitening and would like to book an appointment please call 0208 776 1188 or visit our booking page on the website.

All You Need To Know About Cold Sores

What are the Cold Sores?

About 90% of the adult population worldwide test positive for the virus that causes cold sores. Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are small fluid filled blisters that can develop on the lips or around the mouth. The blisters form as clusters and when they break, a crust develops over the sore.

What are causes of cold sores?
Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) which is very contagious and can be easily passed from one person to another person by close and direct contact. The virus can be transmitted to other, even if you don’t exhibit any of the symptoms. Cold sores usually appear when people are ‘run down’ – for instance by a weakened immune system or are ill, for example with a cold or flu or hormonal changes such as menstruation.

What are the symptoms of cold sores?
Cold sores develop through several stages. In the early stages, a tingling, itching or burning sensation develops on the lips that usually last for a day or two. This develops into small fluid filled blisters at the edge of the lips and the skin of the face. Finally, smaller blisters may merge together and burst leaving an open sore that will ooze some fluid and will usually crust over. These symptoms take several days or a few weeks to heal completely, depending if this was a first outbreak or a recurrent event. Recurring outbreaks usually occur at the same spot and tend to be less severe than the first outbreak.
Additional less frequent symptoms may include: fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, headaches or muscle ache. Children may also develop cold sores in their mouth, that can be mistaken for canker sores.

How can I treat the cold sores?
Cold sores usually clear up by themselves without any treatment within 7 to 10 days.
However, you can get antiviral creams such as acyclovir over the counter. These can help ease the pain and help the sores heal more quickly. Some drugs are also available as pills that may work better than topical creams.
The sooner you start treatment, the faster it will heal and less likely for the lesion to get bigger.

If I have a cold sore should I see my doctor/dentist?
It is advisable to delay routine visits until lesion is crusted over when it is not infectious or painful. However, if dental emergency visit is required then contact your dentist for further advice.
If your cold sores does not clear up within two weeks, or if you have a health condition that has weakened your immune system – see your doctor/dentist for a prescription of antiviral medication. Additionally, if the symptoms get severe, or irritation is experienced in the eyes or you get cold sores frequently, consult your doctor.

What complications of cold sores can occur?
In rare cases, cold sores can cause complications such as:
• Dehydration – if consuming drinks becomes too painful.
• The herpes simplex virus can spread to other parts of your body, known as a secondary infection. Parts of the body that can be affected include the finger tips, eyes, large areas of skin or other organs like the brain or spinal cord.

How can I prevent infection?
Cold sores are the most contagious when they burst, but still remain contagious until they are completely healed and disappeared. It’s important to note that the virus is still transmissible even though no overt symptoms may be present.
It is important to avoid close contact with people with weakened immune systems because they are more vulnerable to infections.. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels and lip balm and wash your hands thoroughly before touching other people, especially children.

West Wickham Dental Practice provides general and preventive dental services that involves thorough examination, diagnosis and suitable treatment of conditions affecting both the hard teeth/bone structures as well as the soft tissue parts of the mouth and surrounding anatomy for ulcers of the mouth and signs of oral cancers. So even if you feel you may not have enough teeth to warrant a visit to the dentist for a routine check-up, do not forget that the rest of the mouth still deserves a good check. Visit us for a personalised examination and advice regarding your oral care.
By,

Mrs Monika Breive and Dr Azim Mohamedali

References:

http://www.dentalhealth.org/

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Dentist

Whether you have just moved into a new area or are considering finding a new dentist its important to consider certain key factors

These include:

Location – when looking for a dentist in any area, location can play a big factor in how easy it is for you to attend. Often a practice in close proximity to work and home will ensure that you are best able to attend for your regular dental appointments.

Accessibility - It is also important to check that the practice has disabled access, ground floor surgeries and disabled toilet facilities. Unfortunately not all practices in the UK have disabled access simply because of the building they might find themselves in.

Opening Hours – dentists are no longer restricted to only working 9am-5pm. Many are now able to offer evening and weekend dental appointments to best fit in with today’s modern lifestyles. You will also often be able to book appointments so that the whole family can attend together reducing the need for repeated visits to the dentist.

Experience and Qualification of the Dentist and Team: All dental professionals in the UK by law must be registered with the General Dental Council and must abide by the code of conduct of the council. Dentists are trained very well these days to give you the best care possible however an experienced dentist would have treated more cases and is probably well placed to deal with your particular dental problems.

Infection Control Procedures - all dental practices are bound by the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 and inspected by the Care Quality Commission. The staff should be able to explain all the protocols and procedures put in place to ensure that all instruments are sterile and the surgeries fully cleaned in between each patient. Most practices will have an onsite decontamination room which some may be willing to show you.

Dental Services – when looking for a new dentist it is also important to consider the range of services available. Over the past few years there has been a much greater focus on preventive and cosmetic dentistry. Many dentists are now able to offer a wider range of treatments in house, such as dental implants, teeth straightening (Six Month Smiles) and teeth whitening but it is important to find out where you would be referred should you need any additional treatment.

Dental Fees – when searching for a dentist, the dental fees charged for treatment should be considered last. Although the cost of private dentistry may seem expensive, the above factors may mean that the cost is justifiable. Many practices are also able to offer dental payment plans to help you spread the cost of your routine dentistry.

West Wickham Dental Practice your local experienced dentist in West Wickham, Croydon and Bromley is a private dental practice conveniently located on West Wickham High Street with parking available on surrounding streets. The practice is all on a ground floor and easily accessible by all patients. We offer late night appointments on a Wednesday and Saturday morning appointments. We will always endeavour to find a time that is most suitable for each and every patient. Should you experience a dental emergency we also offer an out of hour’s dental service. For our current fees and affordable payment plans at West Wickham Dental practice please see our private dental fees page.

To learn more about West Wickham Dental Practice, and to book your consultation appointment do not hesitate to contact the surgery today on 0208 776 1188