Top Dental Emergency Questions Answered

No matter how careful you are, dental emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. In this blog we look at some top questions, to ensure you know what to do should you have a dental emergency.

What is classed as a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies can be split into two main groups.

Visible damage to teeth – teeth can be chipped, cracked or knocked out, crowns can fall out and fillings can be lost. It can happen while you are playing sport, in a trip or fall or by biting down on something hard such as a nut or something sticky such as a toffee.

Pain – dental pain may be caused by an infection in the tooth or gum or by a cavity or decay exposing the sensitive dentine of the tooth.

How do I treat a toothache?

If you are suffering with a toothache, rinse your mouth out with warm water. Using interdental cleaning aids, cleanbetween your teeth to remove any trapped food. A cold compress placed on the cheek at the side of the toothache can help to reduce the pain as can over the counter pain killers.

What do I do if I knock a tooth out?

If a permanent tooth is knocked out by force, with a trip or a fall, it is important that it is replaced into the socket as soon as possible. If the tooth cannot be replaced, keep it within a container of body temperature milk until dental help can be sought. It is important that you get to a dentist as quickly as possible, the best results are seen when a tooth is replaced into the socket within an hour of the accident.

What do I do if I crack or chip a tooth or lose a filling?

If you crack or chip a tooth, rinse your mouth to remove any remaining loose fragments of teeth preventing you from swallowing them. It is possible to use sugar free chewing gum to fill the gap caused by a lost filling or chipped tooth as a temporary measure until you can get to an appointment with your dentist.

What do I do if I have a dental emergency over the festive period?

West Wickham Dental Practice is open 10am until 3pm on the week leading up to Christmas. If you have a dental emergency in the days preceding Christmas, please contact the surgery on 0208 776 1188 and we will endeavour to book you in for treatment as quickly as possible.Over the Festive period, we will be closed Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th December and Monday 2nd January should you have a dental emergency over the festive period please ring the surgery on 0208 776 1188 and the answerphone message will give you details on how to access emergency treatment. We will be open 10 am – 5 pm Wednesday 28th December and 10 am – 3 pm Thursday 29th, Friday 30th and Saturday 31st December.

All the team at West Wickham Dental Practice would like to wish our patients a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you all in 2017.

Risk Factors for Mouth Cancer

Mouth cancer is a cancer that can affect anyone. With over 7,000 people diagnosed with the disease last year and this figure set to increase further over the coming years, it is very important you are aware of any factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease.

91% of all diagnoses are linked to lifestyle factors which means that by amending certain lifestyle choices it is possible to drastically reduce your risk of developing moth cancer. There are four main factors to consider, including:

o   Tobacco

We all know about the risks associated with tobacco and developing lung cancer, but not many people know it is also a major risk factor in developing mouth cancer. Each cigarette contains thousands of chemicals all of which enter the body through the mouth. Over time the saliva in your mouth is transformed by these chemicals, damaging cells and potentially turning them cancerous.

Smokers are three times more likely to develop mouth cancer than non-smokers and seven times more likely to be diagnosed with throat cancer. However, it is never too late to reduce your risk! Research has shown that by quitting smoking you can reduce your risk of developing mouth cancer by more than a third. So why not use this as the impetus you need to kick the cigarettes for good!

o   Alcohol

Drinking large quantities of alcohol on a regular basis is another major risk factor linked with mouth cancer – with links to around 30% of all mouth cancer diagnoses. The key to this is regularly drinking large quantities, an occasional glass of wine or night out is not a problem!

o   Tobacco and Alcohol

If you combine the two, your risks dramatically increase, by potentially as much as thirty times. If you smoke and drink it is especially important that you attend the dentist for routine appointments so that they can continually monitor the health of your mouth, teeth and gums.

o   The Human papillomavirus

Many experts believe that the Human papillomavirus (HPV), transmitted through oral sex, will overtake tobacco use as the main cause of mouth cancer within the next ten years. HPV is very common and almost every sexually active person will get HPV at some point in their lives. 90% of infections go away within two years, but sometimes the infection can persist causing several different problems, including:

• Abnormal tissue growth which can cause cancer
• Genital warts

In order to reduce your risk, you should practice safe sex. There is also now an HPV immunisation programme in place, with all 12 and 13-year-old girls routinely vaccinated.

o   Diet

50% off all mouth cancer cases are due in some part to a poor diet. It is important to ensure that you have a diet rich in fruit and vegetables to keep your body healthy. Certain food can help to reduce your mouth cancer risk – including vitamin C and calcium supplements, green tea and coffee.

If you would like more help and advice on how to reduce your risks of developing mouth cancer or are concerned about any changes in your mouth book an appointment online, or call West Wickham Dental Practice today on 0208 776 1188. If in doubt get it checked out!

Different Tooth Filling Materials

If at any point your teeth become chipped or broken and need repairing there are a number of different materials available to help restore your teeth to their original condition. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the best treatment option depending on the size of the area that needs to be repaired, whereabouts in your mouth the tooth is and the strength of your bite.

These treatment options include:

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings have improved greatly over the past few years as the demand for tooth coloured fillings has increased and they are now suitable for use in a much greater range of repairs. Composite fillings are made from powdered glass quartz, silica or other ceramic particles added to a resin base and are light set. They can be coloured to match closely the natural colour of your teeth.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays are made either in the laboratory by dental technicians from impressions taken by the dentist orin surgery using a Cerec machine. An inlay is small and placed within the biting surface of a tooth, while an onlay covers a much larger proportion of the tooth. Treatment may be completed over one or two visits and theinlay or onlay will be made of a porcelain material that will closely match the natural colour of your teeth. Porcelain is hard wearing and long lasting. Due to the time and skill taken to create inlays and onlays they will be more expensive than amalgam or composite fillings.

Crowns

Crowns are used for teeth that have been heavily damaged or have large areas of decay. A crown will fit over what is left of the tooth, similar to a thimble, making it strong and giving the appearance of a natural tooth. Crowns are made either in the laboratory by a dental technician or by the dentist using a Cerec machine in surgery. The tooth is first prepared and either impressions or phots taken depending on which method is being used and these are then used to create a custom made crown which is individually crafted to fit perfectly in your mouth and bite. They are also created so they match the natural colour of your teeth.

Prior to any treatment your dentist will discuss with you all the various options and provide details of the cost of treatment. The team atWest Wickham Dental Practice are able to work with you to create bespoke solutions to your specific dental needs and can help you to achieve the fantastic smile you want.

If you would like to find out how we can help you to achieve the perfect smile and repair damaged teeth book an appointment online, or call West Wickham Dental Practice today on 0208 776 1188

Dental Sedation - All you need to know.

Does the thought of sitting in the dental chair make you nervous? You are not alone, in fact studies have shown that 36% of adult patients suffer with moderate dental anxiety and 12% of adults have a dental phobia. However, putting off routine appointments and dental treatment can mean that you need much more extensive and complex treatment when you do attend.

All our dental staff are gentle, caring and sensitive to your needs, always discussing your treatment options and engaging you in all stages of treatment planning.

Intravenous Sedation

If you are really concerned about treatment we are able to offer intravenous sedation at the practice. This is given by injection either in the back of your hand or in your arm. The dose will depend on the amount of treatment needed and how long it will take to complete.

You will become drowsy and will not be aware that you are having treatment, but will still be able to cooperate and do what the dentist asks of you. The effects of the medication may take some time to wear off and because of this you will be required to bring someone with you to your treatment appointment who will be able to look after you following treatment. You will be unable to drink alcohol, drive or work machinery until the sedative medicine has left your system.

Uses of Intravenous Sedation

IV sedation, can be used for almost all types of dental treatments ranging from routine hygiene to extensive complex dental treatment, please. Additionally, IV sedation also has the ability to offer varying degrees of retrograde amnesia. This prevents recollection of the dental treatment which for some patients enables them to visit the dentist for routine check-up without being nervous.

Prior to undergoing treatment the dentist will need to have full details of your medical history and any medication you are taking whether or not they are prescribed by the dentist. This is to ensure that you are suitable for the treatment. If you have a very complex medical history it may be necessary to refer you to a specialist service for treatment.

Benefits of Sedation

• It allows the patient to visit their dentist without any pre-visit nerves and allows the dentist to
  
  complete the course of treatment in fewer visits than they would normally be               able to do so.
•  Many kinds of dental treatments can use sedation, allowing patients with different  types of dental phobia to relax and not have  to suffer the usual apprehension which they experience when visiting the dentist
•  It is particularly useful for those who suffer from dental phobia. It is also useful for those who have extremely sensitive teeth and find co-operating with the dentist and receiving dental treatment, as it will take the pain away from their treatment allowing them to receive the health care they deserve without the stress and anxiety that may usually accompany it.
•  Patients that have conditions which make controlling their body movements difficult such as Parkinson’s disease and who have gag reflexes that make controlling their mouth stressful will also benefit from sedation and the physical and mental relaxation that it gives to the patient.
• The patient can experience a freedom from their past fear and apprehension of the dentist, allowing them to receive treatment with peace of mind, as well as receiving treatment that they have not been able to have for many years because of their dental phobia. Patients that do not normally suffer from dental phobia can still take benefit from sedation during some treatments, particularly treatments that are very painful.
• For the dentist sedation gives them complete control during treatment as patients are more likely to co-operate fully with their dentist, and it also reduces the amount of time and number of sessions that dentists require to carry out their treatments on patients, because more treatment can be administered in a single session.

Dr Anhaar Mohamedali has had extensive oral surgery experience working at Kings College Hospital, where she routinely performed oral surgery on patients under IV sedation safely and comfortably. At West Wickham Dental Practice, we have routinely used IV sedation to treat patients apprehensive of dental treatment to make them Smile Proud! Book an appointment online, or call us today on 0208 776 1188

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.

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

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

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