An ABC Of Dentistry

Dental related issues from A to Z – Courtesy of the team at Foxhall Dental, Ipswich.

We hope that you all had a nice break at Easter and didn’t eat too many chocolate eggs 🙂 Rather than write a ‘how to’ or ‘why you should avoid’ type blog, we thought we would ease our Foxhall Dental Practice patients back into the working week with a little look at some dental issues and terms that you might have come across but may not be sure what they are.

Abrasives – These are sometimes included in toothpastes in order to remove surface staining from the teeth. Some teeth whitening toothpastes can include additional abrasives but this also increases the risk of worn tooth enamel and are best avoided unless used with increased care.

Bruxism – Otherwise known as teeth grinding. This usually happens at night and can be difficult to control or treat. It can cause worn enamel or even broken teeth depending on the force used.

Crowns – Dental crowns are often used to restore a tooth which is badly damaged and where a filling would not provide sufficient strength. They are usually made from porcelain.

Decay – One of the most common dental issues. Tooth decay can cause cavities, along with toothache. These are usually treated with a filling or crown. Extraction is also possible depending on the level of damage done.

Enamel – This forms the outer layer of our teeth. It is a very hard material that protects the more vulnerable inner part. Once compromised through decay or damage, infections are likely to occur that could require fillings or a root canal procedure.

Flossing – We were tempted to use ‘fillings’ for F, but decided to opt for flossing as this is something that far too few people do. Adding this to your daily teeth cleaning regimen means that the risk of gum disease and tooth decay that often start between the teeth is greatly reduced. We recommend that you start today.

Gum disease – This is an area that is often neglected but which can lead to unpleasant symptoms such as bleeding or painful gums. If not treated soon enough, it can even lead to tooth loss. Seeing our Ipswich dental hygienist is a very good place to start and to learn more about how to manage it.

Hygienist – The hygienist we mentioned above, will help you to have a healthier mouth. Not only can they educate you on how to look after your teeth and gums better, but also carry out the non-invasive ‘scale and polish’ procedure to help keep gum disease at bay.

Implant – A dental implant is a small screw-like object which replaces the root of a missing tooth. A crown can then be attached to this to provide you with a strong and stable replacement artificial tooth.

Jaw – The jawbone is where our teeth are located. Bruxism, which we mentioned earlier, can lead to problems with the ‘hinge’ of the jaw, a problem often referred to as TMJ.

Kinetic Cavitation – One that you won’t hear used very often but simply means the use of air pressure to remove debris from the oral cavity.

Local anaesthetic – This is applied via an injection and enables invasive dental procedures to be carried out with the maximum comfort.

Malocclusion – This simply means a misalignment of the lower and upper set of teeth when biting. This can cause premature wear and damage and is usually corrected by orthodontic methods such as the use of Invisalign.

Nerves – These are located within the root canals of a tooth and are responsible for sensation. When infected, they can be very painful indeed as anyone who has had a toothache can attest.

Oral cavity – This is the interior of the mouth and includes not just the teeth and gums but the cheeks, tongues and other soft tissues.

Periodontitis – This is the advanced form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. At this stage, the bacteria affects not only the gums but the jawbone which secure our teeth in place. As this degrades, teeth can become loose and eventually fall out.

Quicksilver – Quicksilver is simply another name for mercury, a component used in amalgam dental fillings. Many of our Ipswich patients no longer use this but opt for natural tooth coloured fillings instead.

Root canal – This is located deep within the tooth and contains tiny blood vessels and nerves. It can become infected and when it does, a root canal procedure is needed to remove the infected material and filling it with a special filling material known as ‘gutta percha’

Sinus lift – This is a procedure that is sometimes used when a patient has a dental implant placed in the upper jaw. Most people won’t need this, but where there is insufficient bone to place the implant into, this procedure is sometimes helpful.

Tartar – This forms a rough ‘crust’ on the teeth and gum line which makes it easier to attract further bacteria. It is formed from dead bacteria and minerals from saliva and is removed when a scale and polish is performed.

Underbite – This is when the lower teeth are further forward than the top teeth. When this is reversed it is known as an ‘overbite’

Veneers – A popular cosmetic dental treatment in the form of porcelain veneers being attached to the front of the teeth. This not only provides a nicer smile, but, where the enamel is worn, can help to protect against sensitive teeth.

Whitening – Teeth whitening is probably the most widely used cosmetic dental procedure and is an excellent way of improving the colour of your teeth.

Xerostomia – Another name for a dry mouth where saliva is reduced or absent. This is a significant cause of gum disease.

Yellow teeth – This issue can be caused by staining from foods and drinks, but as we become older, the dentin, beneath the tooth enamel, will gradually darken and produce this appearance. It can be corrected with a tooth whitening procedure.

Zirconia – A chemical element that is sometimes used in dental applications.

We will return to our usual blogs next time. In the meantime, we hope that you found this one useful and also had a good Easter break. If you need to book an appointment to see a dentist please give the Foxhall Dental Practice a call on 01473 258396.