How to prevent gum disease during your pregnancy

Being pregnant is different for each woman, yet some common standards apply. Pregnant women should maintain a healthy lifestyle, get regular exercise, avoid unhealthy food and stay away from drinking alcohol and smoking. Pregnant women should also visit the dentist frequently. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to many unwanted dental problems, such as gum disease.

Dentist in W1If you are pregnant and you are worried about the state of your teeth and gums and the effect your oral health may have on your unborn baby, our experienced dentists at Harley Street Dental Clinic are happy to help. Your dentist in W1 will examine your teeth carefully and help you find out more about the effects of pregnancy on your oral health.

Is pregnancy-related gum disease a real threat?

Studies have shown that there is a correlation between gum disease and babies born prematurely or underweight babies. Though the reasons of this anomaly are not thoroughly understood, women who have gum disease during their pregnancy are more likely to give birth prematurely; the fluids that induce labour are somehow connected with this condition. If gum disease turns into periodontal disease during pregnancy, then the chances of premature birth are even higher.

Researchers will keep exploring this association in order to reduce the number of premature births and underweight babies related to gum disease.

Oral health care and pregnancy

While you are pregnant, your dentist in W1 will ensure that your teeth and gums are clean and protected. In order to keep your mouth at an optimal condition, brush and floss your teeth regularly and do not forget to have your teeth checked at least once every trimester. Many pregnant women fail to understand that a traditional oral routine is not adequate during pregnancy. Instead, they need the help of the dentist in W1 in order to ensure that bacteria and toxins that irritate the gums and cause gum disease are adequately removed.

Protect your oral health while pregnant

If you want to receive the best dental care possible while pregnant, let us help you. Contact us today and we will book a consultation appointment for you.

All under one roof

London epitomises a bustling, vibrant city. Theatres, museums, bars, restaurants, you name it, London has it in spades. Sometimes there is so much to do and see you may not know which way to turn. Thankfully when it comes to your dental care, there is one place you can go to have all of your needs met with the dentist in Harley Street: Harley Street Dental Clinic.

Dentist in Harley StreetWe’re open Monday through Saturday, starting at 8.30am so you can nip in before work if you need to. Whatever your oral care needs, we are certain we can help. General, preventive, restorative and cosmetic dentistry are all services we provide, not to mention teeth straightening and facial aesthetics. Our 12-strong team of dentists, 5 dental hygienists, 15 dental nurses and 11 administrative and operations staff have got you well and truly covered. Here is a little bit more on just some of the services we offer as your dentist in Harley Street.

Preventive dentistry

This goes beyond your routine dental check-up when we will keep a close lookout for early signs of dental disease. We can also help you with dental hygiene, with tips on how to improve your dental care routine at home as well as advice on diet and nutrition. Sensitive teeth and bad breath are also problems we can treat so you can enjoy mealtimes and socialising without worry. And that’s not all, teeth grinding and jaw aches are issues we can help resolve too.

Teeth straightening

Have you been putting up with wonky teeth for years? Avoided treatment for fear of having to wear cumbersome metal braces? Well you’re in luck because today you can get your teeth straightened more discreetly than ever before. We provide a range of subtle teeth straightening solutions, from lingual braces that are hidden from view on the backs of your teeth to Invisalign clear aligners that are almost invisible to the untrained observer.

Facial aesthetics

As a dentist in Harley Street we have the skills to safely and effectively administer facial aesthetics treatments to leave you looking fresher faced. Treatments include dermal fillers, chemical peels and Botox. Combined with our cosmetic dental treatments, we’re certain you’ll leave smiling brightly.

Preventing and treating cavities

Cavities are a very common problem caused by tooth decay, and currently millions of people worldwide are affected. If you have cavities and you do not seek treatment, you may experience many problems, including tooth loss. This is because tooth decay destroys the tooth enamel, gradually exposing the nerves of the tooth.

Dentist in W1At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we can help you control your cavity discomfort by providing effective dental treatment. Our dentist in W1 will examine your affected tooth carefully, have x-rays in order to determine the extent of the decay and provide remedy. Before you take any action, it is really important to consult your dentist in W1. Depending on your individual situation and the pain you are experiencing, we will strive to book an appointment for you as soon as possible.

Discuss pain relief and treatment with your dentist in W1

Decaying teeth can be treated with restorative dentistry and in some cases, early cavities can be reversed trough remineralisation – a treatment that involves the hardening of the tooth’s enamel with fluoride or calcium. For cavities that have already formed, we offer various restorative methods such as fillings, crowns, dental bonding and root canals. Root canals are only necessary if the decay has reached the pulp of your tooth. Your dentist will examine your teeth carefully and will determine the best treatment possible with the help of x-rays. In some cases, badly decayed teeth may need to be extracted for the protection of your natural teeth.

Is it possible to prevent cavities?

The best strategy for preventing cavities, is preventing tooth decay from occurring in the first place. Brush and floss your teeth on twice a day and ensure that you visit your dentist in W1 for check-ups and cleanings at least bi-annually. People who are prone to cavities should visit the dentist more often than that. Your dentist will be able to tell if you have significant tooth decay and remove it. Moreover, your dentist will give you helpful advice to reduce tooth decay and prevent it from re-appearing in the future. Apart from brushing and flossing regularly, you should also reduce the intake of sugary foods and drinks, since sugar can accelerate the formation of cavities.

Getting ready to go away at the dentist in Harley Street

When you are planning to travel abroad, you have a long list of things to do. Whether it’s for a 2-week trip or something longer, it’s worth have a trip to the dentist in Harley Street somewhere on your list. There are various ways that the team at Harley Street Dental Clinic can help prepare you to have a comfortable and happy trip with no distractions caused by dental issues.

Dentist in Harley StreetFull check-up

Unless you are already aware of dental issues that may need looking at, the first thing we will do is a full check-up with x-rays when you visit the dentist in Harley Street. The latter will allow us to see any potential issues that may not be visible with a normal inspection. Our goal is to make sure your holiday goes off without a serious dental issue arising. While this may be an inconvenience in some parts of the world, it can be a disaster in others if you do not have access to a high standard of dental care.

Cosmetic work

You can plan to have a brighter, better smile for you trip. Some cosmetic treatments require very little time from start to finish so you can make them part of your pre-trip planning.

Travel tips

When you visit the dentist in Harley Street before your trip, we can also give you tips on dental issues while you are abroad.

Depending on where you are travelling, you may wish to take all your dental equipment with you as there may be some items that are not available when you get to your destination. Pack these in a small case and take them with you on your flight. This means you have easy access to it when you want to freshen up mid-trip. Remember that your toothpaste and mouthwash need to be less than 100ml when you are travelling on many airlines. You can pack larger tubes of toothpaste and other dental liquids in the luggage that you intend to put in the hold. Finally, remember to use bottled water to rinse your teeth in countries where you do not intend to drink the water.

Cure bad breath with the help of your dentist in W1

If you are battling with bad breath (scientifically known as halitosis), maybe it is time to visit a dentist. Halitosis affects a considerable number of people around the world and although it is often the result of bad oral hygiene, other more serious reasons may apply.

Dentist in W1Bad breath is the third most-common reason for visiting the dentist in the UK, after gum disease and tooth decay. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we can help you determine the cause of your bad breath and offer effective solutions. Our dentist in W1 will examine your mouth carefully and conduct more examinations if necessary.

What are the causes of bad breath?

In short, bad breath can be caused by any of the following reasons:

  • Gum disease
  • Bacteria
  • Dry mouth
  • Medical conditions
  • Food
  • Smoking and tobacco
  • Gastrointestinal problems.

Poor oral hygiene and gum disease are the main culprits behind bad breath. If not removed properly, food remains to break down into odorous bacteria, eventually leading to the formation of plaque. Plaque can cause gum disease and tooth decay if not properly removed. Dry mouth, on the other hand, is another important reason behind halitosis. When your mouth does not produce enough saliva to clean up any food particles left behind, then a bad odour may build up. Similarly, certain medical conditions such as diabetes and liver failure can cause bad breath due to various metabolic chemical mixes that the body produces. Gastrointestinal problems can cause halitosis due to the regular reflux of stomach acids. Last but not least, foods such as onion and garlic can cause bad breath temporarily, whereas smoking and tobacco can cause chronic bad breath.

How can my dentist in W1 treat bad breath?

Unless bad breath is caused by a problem that your dentist in W1 cannot fix, chances are that you can overcome this problem with the help of your dentist. If gum disease is the reason for your bad breath, your dentist will clean and polish your teeth thoroughly and offer medication if needed. To help prevent the development of bad breath, avoid odorous foods, consider smoking cessation and do not drink too much alcohol.

All you need to know about wisdom teeth

When you come to Harley Street Dental Clinic in London, you are taking advantage of our in-depth of knowledge about your teeth, gums, mouth and supporting structures. While you don’t need to know everything that we know to place your trust in your dentist in Harley Street, sometimes it helps you get comfortable with a treatment when you know more about what’s going on.

Dentist in Harley StreetA bit of extra knowledge about your teeth also helps you identify any issues you might be having. It can also help you to take better care of your smile. Today we are looking at wisdom teeth.

What are wisdom teeth?

A wisdom tooth is the third molar at the back of your mouth. It grows in last and there’s one in each of the four corners of your arches. Most people get their wisdom teeth in between the ages of 17-25. The dentist in Harley Street can see wisdom teeth on an x-ray to check how they are coming through.

What are the common issues with wisdom teeth?

As wisdom teeth are right at the back, they are the teeth that are hardest to clean. This means they are prone to decay. To take good care of them, you need to be using extra cleaning tools like floss or interdental brushes.

The most prevalent issue that occurs in relation to wisdom teeth is impaction. This is where the tooth begins to grow through crooked or there is no room for it to grow in at all. If this happens, your dentist in Harley Street may recommend extraction.

What happens when a wisdom tooth is extracted?

Wisdom tooth extraction is a relatively simple procedure and usually takes less than an hour. It can often be done using local anaesthetic alone. For particularly complex cases or for nervous patients, a general anaesthetic or extra sedation may be necessary.

After wisdom tooth extraction, it is important to be gentle with yourself and the areas where your teeth have been removed. You may feel a little sore or swollen for a while afterwards. When you have wisdom tooth extraction at Harley Street Dental Clinic, we offer you plenty of care advice and tips on making yourself comfortable.

Moving to a new area means building new relationships

There’s a big list of things to do when you move to a new house. Once you are settled in your home, there are usually still tasks to be completed such as finding local professionals who can support and assist in various areas of your life. One of these might be a new dentist for you and your family. For many people, it’s not as simple as surfing the internet and visiting the first dentist on the list.

Dentist in Harley StreetAt Harley Street Dental Clinic, we understand that finding a new dentist in Harley Street can seem a little daunting. This is particularly the case if you or a member of your family does not find visiting the dentist easy. You may have had long-term and familiar relationships at your old practice and you might now be concerned about having to start from scratch.

Fortunately, at Harley Street Dental Clinic, we are sensitive to patient concerns when it comes to visiting the dentist in Harley Street. Our team are skilled communicators and can quickly discern and meet your needs putting you on the fast track to a relaxed mindset when it comes to visiting us.

As well as our personal support, you can also take advantage of the technical skills of our large team of professionals including many who have specialised in various areas of dentistry. This means that you can expect a high standard of restorative and cosmetic care alongside our routine and preventive care. With Harley Street Dental Clinic, you will experience a smooth treatment journey regardless of your needs. We offer thorough consultations, personalised treatment plans, sedation options and excellent aftercare.

If you’re not local

The great thing about picking a dentist in Harley Street is that you don’t need to live near here to take advantage of our services. You can choose your oral health support based on your preference rather than on geography. We are close to lots of accommodation that you can take advantage of if you want to travel for excellent dental treatment. Talk to us at Harley Street Dental Clinic if you are not local and we will design a treatment plan that maximises the health benefits of your visit to London.

Keep an eye on your teeth and gums

Most of us would rather not have to spend £50 or thereabouts twice a year so that someone can stand over them with metal implements and poke around (however gently) in our mouths, whilst talking incomprehensibly to someone else who is taking notes. Even worse, when that person with the implements tells us we are going to have to fork out more money on more appointments for treatments that might hurt.

Dentist in Harley StreetWhy do we insist on you coming to the dentist in Harley Street for a regular check-up? The reason is that, no matter how religious you are with brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and a good soft-bristled brush, even if you floss every day and swill around with a mouthwash, you cannot detect the onset of gum disease or tooth decay. Also, if you have missed some plaque while cleaning ? and we all do ? it will have hardened into tartar, which is like cement and needs to be scraped off rather than brushed off. For detection and tartar removal, you need professional help from us at Harley Street Dental Clinic, your dentist in Harley Street, London.

At our dental clinic, one of our hygienists will provide a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, and also advise on your brushing technique, if you need it.

This happens in a separate appointment to your check-up, during which the dentist in Harley Street will look in detail at your teeth for evidence of early decay. Out comes the metal probe, which the dentist uses to gently prod your teeth and gums, feeling for signs of trouble, and using a small mirror with an angled handle to see your teeth properly. You will also be checked to see how your upper and lower teeth come together and also check for tooth grinding jaw problems. We may also take x-rays.

While all of this is going on, your dentist in Harley Street will be talking to the dental nurse in a code that is a shorthand way of recording the state of each tooth, whether it’s eroded, cracked, or the fillings need repairing.

Detecting oral cancer early

You probably know that bi-annual dental check-ups are necessary for maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. However, you may not be aware that your dentist needs to see you for another reason – an oral cancer screening.

Oral cancer is on the rise in recent decades and more and more dentists have included oral cancer screening tests into their regular dental check-up routines. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we are very aware of the benefits of early oral cancer detection and for this reason, our dentist in W1 offers a screening as part of our comprehensive oral examination. Male patients who are over 40 should be particularly aware, since they are at increased risk.

Dentist in W1What will your dentist in W1 look for?

Checking for signs or oral cancer is part of a comprehensive dental examination. Your dentist in W1 will look for:

  • Red or white patches
  • Bleeding sores
  • Thick or hard spots
  • Lumps
  • Roughened or crusted areas.

These signs often appear inside the mouth, but the dentist will also look for signs in the neck. Other symptoms of oral cancer that can go unnoticed at an early stage or confused with other oral conditions include sensitivity, problems with swallowing and teeth not aligning properly when you are trying to chew. If you experience any of these problems, it is advised to let your dentist in W1 know as soon as possible.

How can I reduce the risk?

Studies have shown that most types of oral cancer in the UK occur in smokers. Quitting smoking can reduce your chances of oral cancer considerably. Heavy drinking is another culprit of oral cancer, and is even worse when combined with smoking. Never underestimate how much you drink and remember to have alcohol-free days each week.

Another risk for oral cancer is the sun. Do not expose yourself to the sun if it not necessary, especially between 11 am and 2 pm. Wearing sunscreen on the lips will reduce your risk of oral cancer. Equally, drinking plenty of water and eating fruit and vegetables will reduce your risk of oral cancer considerably.

Last but not least, check your mouth for unusual sores regularly and do not postpone your regular dental appointments.

No more excuses – avoiding the dentist in Harley Street can be dangerous

In general, most people should visit the dentist twice a year for check-ups and cleanings. Some people with problems such as poor oral hygiene and genetic factors may need more regular supervision. Unfortunately, not everyone visits the dentist regularly and check-ups can quickly slip off the radar. This practice is dangerous and can lead to many problems in the long run.

Dentist in Harley StreetToo expensive?

Many people avoid the dentist in Harley Street because it is too expensive. However, most standard, preventive dental services at Harley Street Dental Clinic are very affordable, since we offer competitive prices and affordable payment schemes. However, if you think that avoiding the dentist will be cheaper in the long run, think again. Dental problems such as undetected gum disease and tooth decay can transform into serious oral health issues. Even if you don’t experience any problems, preventive care is really important, since it could help you save thousands of pounds in the future.

Fear of the dentist

Another reason why many people avoid the dentist in Harley Street is dental phobia. Some people get more stressed at the prospect of a dental visit than others. The mere thought of visiting the dentist can cause panic attacks for some people,  and serious episodes of uncontrollable stress. Luckily, if you suffer from dental stress or dental phobia, you can still benefit from dental treatments with the help of dental sedation. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we offer different types of dental sedation including oral sedation and IV sedation.

Too busy?

If you feel that you are too busy to visit the dentist, maybe you should reconsider your priorities. We all lead busy lives and we often have difficulty fitting things into our schedule. However, oral care is really important and should be a priority for everyone. Instead of cancelling yet another appointment to the dentist in Harley Street, you should make some time for it in your schedule.

Prevention is better than cure

To keep your teeth and gums healthy and save time and money in the long run, it is highly recommended to see the dentist regularly before there are any worrying signs that something may be wrong.