Get your oral cancer screening with your dentist in Leeds

A Canadian dentist is finding out whether DNA can be extracted from teeth, as he purchased John Lennon’s molar back in 2011 for the sum of £19,500 at auction. The tooth which was acquired in the mid-60s was originally thought to be too fragile for DNA sequencing, but recent advances in genetics has led the dentist to believe that DNA could be extracted, and could eventually be converted into stem cells.

Dentist LeedsMany people will find this idea somewhat gruesome, and it seems something that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon, even though the tooth has already been couriered to a lab in the US for initial testing. Apparently he’s been told that experts are confident they’ll be able to extract at least part of John Lennon’s DNA, and even if they can’t get the entire sequence there are ways to fill in the missing parts. However other cloning experts are sceptical, but even they concede it might be possible at some point in the future as efforts to clone organisms such as bacteria have already been successful, although the ethics of doing so would be highly dubious. At this point in time we are still a long way off being able to grow a single tooth from stem cells, let alone an entire human.

Part of the tooth was brought to the UK last year as it has been made into a necklace. The necklace toured 16 dental practices as part of National Mouth Cancer Month which takes place each November, and this seems to be a far more worthwhile use of the tooth.

It is estimated that around 60,000 people in the UK will be diagnosed with mouth cancer during the next 10 years, and without early detection half of these people will die. However early detection and prompt treatment increases these survival rates to 90%, and it’s something that Leeds City Dentalcare, your friendly dentist in Leeds, can help with. Last time you visited Dr David Brown for a check-up you might’ve noticed that he looked at all your oral tissues such as the inside of your cheeks and lips, and all around and underneath your tongue. This simple screening only takes a minute or two and is something that all the dentists in Leeds are qualified to do.

One of the problems with mouth cancer is that a lot of people are still completely unaware of this disease, and even if they have heard of it, they are unaware of how deadly it can be. These statistics are something the British Dental Health Foundation is working hard to improve on. Being aware of the risk factors that can contribute towards the development of this disease, and the early symptoms is well worthwhile. Regular check-ups are only part of the equation, as you can help yourself by carrying out monthly checks. This is a simple process of checking the inside of your mouth for any tissues that look irregular or unusual. If you’re prone to mouth ulcers and develop one that takes more than a couple of weeks to heal then you might want to seek advice. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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What to Expect after Having a Root Canal

Root canal therapy or root canal treatment is all the same thing, and involves having the diseased and infected pulp removed from the central part of your tooth. It’s something we know a lot of people fear having done, but most people find it little more unpleasant than having a filling, and it’s a truly excellent treatment for saving a tooth. Before root canal treatment was invented, our dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare would’ve had no other choice but to extract the infected tooth, but nowadays root canal therapy can prolong the life of the tooth for many years, or possibly even your lifetime. But what can you expect immediately after having a root canal?

Dentist LeedsAfter having your root canal placed by Dr David Brown then it is wise to refrain from eating or drinking anything within the next half an hour. You probably won’t feel like eating anyway as you’ll still be a little bit numb. Try not to fiddle too much with the affected tooth with your tongue as your temporary filling may feel a little bit sensitive at first. If you have a temporary filling, it’s important that you come back to Leeds City Dental care to have your permanent filling or crown fitted within a month of having root canal treatment. If you don’t do this then there is the risk that your treated tooth will fracture, or new decay may develop around the edge of the temporary filling. This could cause your root canal to fail and you may need retreatment.

While your tooth has a temporary filling its best to avoid chewing or biting down on anything hard, as until it is permanently filled or crowned it isn’t as strong as it would have been before. If you bite on anything too hard there’s the risk that it could crack the tooth. Occasionally a temporary filling may fall out, in which case you might need to visit our dental surgery to have it replaced, or you might want to purchase temporary filling material from your local chemists until you can get in to see us.

It’s normal to feel a little bit of discomfort for a couple of days after treatment, and it could be that your jaw feels slightly achy from having had to have your mouth open for a prolonged period of time, or your gum might feel a bit sore from the injection. Any discomfort is usually easily controlled with over-the-counter painkillers, but if it continues for a prolonged period of time, or seems to get worse and it’s well worth contacting our dental surgery in Leeds for further advice. It’s very rare, but occasionally a root canal can flare up after treatment. This usually occurs if the tooth was particularly badly infected, but it’s something that can happen randomly. If this happens then you need to return to our surgery as soon as possible for treatment, and we may want to prescribe antibiotics to help control any infection. It is important to stress that this is very rare, and most root canal therapy is extremely successful.

You can help avoid the risk of having a root canal through practicing preventative dental care. Leeds City Dentalcare can provide you with professional dental care that will keep your teeth and gums in good condition. Our staff can also give you lots of advice on looking after your teeth at home.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Is Your Child’s Packed Lunch Tooth-Friendly?

If you’ve got school-aged children who need to take a packed lunch every day, then you’re probably already finding this a bit of a chore even though it’s still relatively early on in the new school year. It can be tricky to choose healthy and tooth friendly foods that your child will actually eat, and which won’t come back with them at the end of the day. However it’s an important task, as a healthy lunch will not only help keep your children’s teeth free from disease, but will also help them to concentrate and to study.

Dentist LeedsIt can help to get your child involved with choosing and preparing their packed lunch. If they’ve had a hand in the process then they are far more likely to eat the results. There are some simple things you can do to make tooth friendly, healthy choices. These include:

  • Fruit. Choose fruit that is crunchy and high in fibre and water, and try to stay clear of dried fruit or dried fruit bars as these tend to be low in fibre, high in sugar and have a nasty habit of sticking to teeth.
  • Vegetables. Sneak in some vegetable sticks or small, sweet cherry tomatoes along with some of their favourite dip. Try to keep crisps for a special treat, as these are often high in fat and salt, and then also stick to their teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
  • Cheese is always a tooth friendly snack, and pre-packaged, child sized portions make it fun to eat.
  • Milk and yogurt are good for teeth, but try not to choose a brand of yogurt that contains large amounts of sugar.
  • If you like baking, or have the time to bake, why not get your child involved in making healthy carrot cake or banana cake? There are quite a few healthy recipes available, and you don’t have to ice or frost these cakes. They make a great treat every so often.
  • Vary the kind of bread you use for sandwiches, as the supermarkets are packed full of lots of different varieties that can help keep things interesting. Choose lean meats, hard-boiled eggs or tuna for fillings or you can even try interesting spreads such as hummus.
  • Steer clear of so-called healthy cereal bars, as these are often packed with fat and sugar, and they also tend to be quite sticky so are likely to remain on your child’s teeth for the rest of the day.

Our dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare knows it can be a struggle to get children to eat healthily, but if you can it is well worth your time and effort. Your children are far less likely to require filings when they visit Dr David Brown for check-ups, and they should retain their primary teeth until their adult teeth are ready to erupt. Even though there are various things that can be done to help protect your child’s teeth, such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants, there is really is no substitute for proper dental care, both at our Leeds surgery, and at home.

You’ll find all of our dental team are more than willing to offer practical advice on how to care for your children’s teeth, or practical advice on looking after your own teeth! Our Leeds surgery takes preventative dental care very seriously, so please feel free to ask us for help.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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That Morning Cuppa Could Help Protect Your Teeth

Tea is perhaps the most traditional of British drinks, and in spite of the growing popularity of coffee, many of us still begin the day with a cuppa. Now a recent study has found that drinking black tea can help to reduce tooth decay and gum disease, as ingredients in the tea fight two of the bacteria, Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans, associated with these diseases. Apparently you do need to drink at least three cups of tea each day in order to obtain maximum benefits, as this will help to reduce the levels of bacteria in the mouth, even if you are in the habit of sugaring your tea. The benefits aren’t just limited to black tea, as green tea is also beneficial and even better it contains ingredients that can help to neutralise the compounds responsible for causing bad breath.

Dentist LeedsThe reason these teas are so good is that they can be useful in reducing the inflammation caused by bacteria, and can help to prevent the bacteria from sticking to your teeth and gums. This is because tea contains certain antioxidants that fight inflammation, which are flavonoids and catechins, and these also have an anti-microbial effect. If you are watching your weight, then choosing green tea could help your diet, as it is thought it could help to speed up the metabolism so you burn fat. However this is something that has yet to be proven and it does require more research.

This is good news for tea drinkers, but drinking more tea can only be beneficial when combined with good oral hygiene, so if you haven’t visited the dentist for a while then why not book a check-up with Dr David Brown or another dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare? We can make sure you do not have any signs of dental diseases, and if we do find anything wrong then treatment will be far easier and less invasive than if the disease progresses. This can save you money, time and potentially your teeth.

We also recommend our patients have regular hygiene appointments, and it is a great idea to book an appointment for before or after your check-up. If you are a regular tea drinker then you might have noticed the tannins stain your teeth. Our hygienist can polish your teeth, helping to lift some of these surface stains. If this doesn’t give the results you’d like, then why not ask us about tooth whitening in Leeds?

Black Tea Does Stain, but We Can Whiten Your Teeth
This dental treatment is most effective when safely carried out under the supervision of a dental professional. Leeds City Dentalcare uses a home whitening system that will get results within just a few days, although if you want a particularly white smile you may need to use it for a couple of weeks. You’ll be provided with comfortable whitening trays that have been specifically made for your use. These fit exactly over your teeth, protecting your gums from the whitening gel. You can wear the trays overnight, or for just a few hours if you’d prefer, and the results of whitening are easily controlled by you. We’ll make sure you know exactly how to use the trays, and will give you full instructions on how often you can whiten. You may want to watch your diet while you are whitening, and might need to switch to drinking less staining green or white tea during this time.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Lost a Tooth Playing Sports? We Can Help

Sports related dental injuries are all too common, and while most will merely chip a tooth, sometimes a tooth can be knocked out completely. Unfortunately this often happens to teeth right in the front of the mouth creating a less-than-perfect smile. If you happen to have a tooth knocked out while playing sports there are various things that can be done straightaway to try to save the tooth, but speed is definitely of the essence as tooth reimplantation is most successful if it takes place within half an hour to an hour after the accident occurring.

Dentist LeedsIf this happens to you or someone nearby then pick up the tooth very carefully, taking care not to touch the roots. You’ll need to rinse off any dirt before trying to reinsert the tooth, making sure it’s facing the right way. Once you’ve done this then support the tooth with a clean finger and make sure you come to Leeds City Dentalcare as soon as you can for emergency treatment. If you can’t face reinserting the tooth yourself then store the tooth in a container with a small amount of milk or water and bring it to us as soon as you can, or alternatively visit your local outpatients for help.

What Happens if the Tooth Cannot Be Saved?

Reimplantation isn’t always successful, and if it fails then you’re probably best off considering having a dental implant. You’ll need a consultation with Dr David Brown to see whether or not you’re suitable. Implant surgery is right for everybody, but it’s ideal for most people who are in good general and oral health. If you decide to go ahead then implant surgery will usually take three months or more to complete, and although this might seem to be quite a while, dental implants are definitely worth the effort.

Dental implants replace the natural root of the tooth with a titanium post, and this is used to support a crown or bridge. One of the massive advantages of choosing an implant is that it will replicate a natural tooth root, and will help to preserve the bone in your jaw. If you are considering dental implants, then it is better to have them as soon as you can, as this will help prevent bone loss. Although it may seem tempting to have a bridge for a while, and to have an implant at a later date, this is not a great option, as the healthy teeth either side of your knocked out tooth will have to be ground down and crowned to support the bridge. Even if you choose to have an implant later on, you will always need to have these teeth crowned.

Preventing Tooth Loss While Playing Sports

If you are keen on playing sports, especially contact sports, then it might well be worth your while investing in a custom made sports mouthguard. This is something that can be made for you by our dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare, and it is a very small price to pay for something that could save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds in restorative dental care. A custom made mouthguard will offer far more protection than the ready-made mouthguards that can be purchased from a lot of chemists, and will be far more comfortable to wear.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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What to Expect From Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants are a great treatment, but some people may be put off having them due to the fact it involves surgery. In fact anybody who has had a single implant successfully placed will probably have been extremely surprised at just how easy the process is. The reality is that Dr David Brown will make sure you do not experience any pain during the surgery, and many people experienced very little discomfort afterwards.

Dental Implant LeedsIf you do feel anything once the anaesthetic wears off, then this is usually easily controlled using over-the-counter painkillers, and it should resolve itself within a couple of days. The actual process to place a dental implant is really quite quick, and it only takes around half an hour to place a single implant. In comparison the planning for implant surgery can take quite a bit longer, as you will need to have dental x-rays, and you may need to have a CT scan to ensure placement is absolutely accurate.

During implant surgery Dr David Brown, or another by dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare will create a tiny hole in your jawbone, and sometimes a surgical guide will have been prepared to help accurately place the implant. It is a very technical procedure, as bone is a living organism that has to be very carefully handled. The actual implant placement may feel a little strange, but you won’t feel any pain. Afterwards the gum tissue is closed up with stitches so the area can begin to heal.

Dental implants are made out of titanium, and the reason for this is because the alloy has a unique ability to be able to fuse or integrate with your jawbone, and this is particularly important. The actual post of a dental implant is constructed in a way to maximise contact with your jawbone, and this can mean it is specially treated or is roughened to increase its surface area. Once it’s in place it will be surrounded by healthy bone, and is part of the healing process your body will begin to grow new bone cells on and around the post. This part of the process is called Osseo integration, as Osseo means bone, and integration means to fuse with. Once the post has a fully integrated into your jawbone then you’ll be able to have your crown fitted.

This is the final step, and you’ll need to return to Leeds City Dentalcare to have something called an abutment fitted to the titanium post. This is used to support the crown and looks a little like a short, stubby metal tooth, although you may also opt to have an abutment made out of zirconia, a tooth coloured material which is perfect if you intend to have an all ceramic crown. The abutment is completely covered with the crown so it won’t be visible. Once the abutment has been fitted then an impression is taken with it in place, and this will be used to fabricate your new crown.

Implant surgery is complicated, but as the patient you’ll be fully guided through the process, and you’ll find it very straightforward and easy to deal with. Dental implant in Leeds are probably the best way of replacing missing teeth at the moment, or at least until science develops a method where we can grow an extra set of teeth.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Dental Grills, the Latest Celebrity Trend That Can Damage Teeth

Dental grills are nothing new as they have been around for decades, but they seem to be enjoying something of resurgencein popularity due to the number of celebrities currently sporting them. It’s all very well for the celebrities as they have plenty of money to make sure they purchase the very best and top quality grills that are professionally made and fitted. This is often not an option for their fans who may want to emulate these celebrities through purchasing lower-cost and lower quality grills. While properly fitted grills may not cause too much damage to teeth it’s a different story with the lower-cost removable grills that can be made from inferior materials.

Dentist LeedsThe grills can be ill-fitting and will rub on the dental enamel, gradually wearing it away, increasing the risk of tooth decay. These types of dental grills can also trap plaque bacteria, and if the bacteria aren’t properly removed in a timely fashion then it’s likely to lead to gum disease. Gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss in the world, and while most teeth can be replaced with dental implants it’s not exactly ideal, as it’s always better to keep your natural teeth for as long as you can! Problems caused by dental grills don’t stop there, as some people wearing them for extended length of time may even find their teeth moving out of the correct position, and as a result they may end up needing cosmetic dentistry or orthodontic braces to correct them.

The dental grills can be removable or maybe permanently fixed to the teeth. Obviously most of those worn by celebrities are removable and so there’s less risk of damage. Yet another problem that can be caused to wearing these grills is if they affect the way your teeth meet together. Some are designed to slightly prop open the bite so your teeth do not close together properly. The problem with this is that it can put stress on the joints that move your jaw and could lead to a whole host of unwanted symptoms. For instance putting stress on this joint can cause considerable pain, and is not unusual to suffer headaches. A bulky or ill-fitting grill can also rub on the inside of your lips, or if you accidentally bump your lip then it’s more likely to be damaged if you’re wearing one of these things.

Cosmetic Dentistry at Leeds City Dentalcare Can Give You a Much More Attractive Smile

Hopefully this is just a passing trend and it won’t stick around for too long. It’s possible to get a far more attractive smile through having any number of cosmetic dentistry in Leeds City Dentalcare. Before you even begin treatment you’ll be fully assessed by Dr David Brown or another of our dentist in Leeds to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy prior to work beginning. Many cosmetic dental treatments can also have a beneficial effect on your oral health, as for instance straightening your teeth through having orthodontic treatment will make them easier to clean, in addition to improving their appearance. Veneers can be used to mend small cracks or chips in your teeth, or to disguise teeth that are discoloured or which are too small or oddly shaped.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Poor Oral Health Associated with Oral Cancer in New Study

Dentist LeedsA new study that was recently published in Cancer Prevention Research looked at the association between oral human papilloma virus (HPV) and oropharyngeal cancers. It found the virus was associated with between 40% and 80% of these cancers, and is the first study to look at the association between these two conditions. There are two different kinds of oral HPV infection, as there is a low risk type that will not cause cancer, but which may cause warts or benign tumours in the mouth, while the other type is associated with oropharyngeal cancers. Researchers carrying out the study found that participants with poor oral health were 56% more likely to have oral HPV infection, and those with gum disease were 51% more likely to have oral HPV infections. Oral HPV was also associated with the number of teeth that had been lost.

This is all pretty grim reading, especially if you’re a man who smokes or who uses marijuana as your risk is increased. However the good news is that good oral hygiene habits can lessen the risk of HPV infection, and will help prevent HPV related cancers. This is because it’s thought that HPV needs an entry point in the mouth to enter the body, and this is something that can be provided by the presence of anything that creates open wounds such as ulcers or gum disease.

Protect Your Oral Health with Regular Check-ups at Leeds City DentalCare

Dr David Brown and dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare carry out oral cancer screenings as standard, so when you attend our Leeds surgery for a check-up your oral tissues will be examined for any early signs of this disease. This is an essential check and could even save your life as oral cancer affects more than 6,500 people in the UK.

In addition, attending our surgery for regular check-ups will enable us to detect any signs of other diseases such as gum disease or tooth decay, or anything that could create openings in your mouth, increasing the risk of contracting oral HPV infections. Even if you’re not at risk then a healthy mouth is still important for a healthy body.

Don’t Forget to Book a Dental Hygiene Appointment

We always recommend you visit our dental hygienist at regular intervals for preventative dental care. Our hygienist in Leeds will gently remove hardened plaque bacteria or tartar from your mouth in a process called scaling, before polishing your teeth which can also remove some of the surface stains.

Dental hygiene appointments are important, as leaving tartar on your teeth increases the risk of gum disease as the bacteria in the tartar will infect your gums causing them to become inflamed and to bleed. Ultimately you run the risk of losing your teeth. You’ll find our hygienists are extremely gentle, and they are also a valuable wealth of knowledge on how to care for your teeth at home. If you have any questions and be sure to ask them as they are always only too happy to help patients achieve a higher level of oral hygiene and will hopefully send you home with a smile on your face due to your fresh breath and clean teeth.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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A Quick Overview of Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

A person’s smile is very individual, and people have very different ideas as to what constitutes a beautiful smile. Some feel that teeth should look natural, but perhaps a little whiter, while others feel that teeth should be perfectly straight and even, or that the shape of their teeth needs altering. Others are even unhappy about their gum line, and may feel that they show too much gum when smiling, or that it looks uneven. These are all things that can be corrected through having cosmetic dentistry in Leeds, but how do all these treatments work?

Dentist LeedsTeeth Whitening

This is one of the most commonly requested cosmetic dentistry in Leeds City Dentalcare, and we supply patients with custom-made whitening trays for use at home. We feel this is the most effective and gentle way of whitening teeth, and it achieves very good results within just a couple of weeks.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding can be used to repair minor imperfections in teeth, for instance a chipped front tooth can be bonded with composite resin and can give very good results in just one visit. This is the conservative and cost-effective treatment.

Replacing Old Amalgam Fillings

Replacing amalgam fillings with more cosmetically pleasing composite resin fillings can lift a smile with minimal cost. If your fillings have been in place for several years then it’s likely they’re coming to the end of their natural life and would need replacing anyway.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are an extremely popular cosmetic dentistry treatment and to cover the front surface of the tooth, replacing a very thin layer of tooth enamel. They can alter the size, shape and colour of the tooth and can be used to restore areas that have been worn down, creating a more youthful smile.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns can be used to replace larger areas of tooth structure that may have been lost due to trauma or due to decay. Crowns are used when there’s not enough tooth structure to support a filling or other type of restoration, and they cover the entire tooth. In today’s all ceramic porcelain crowns look extremely good and maybe recommended by our dentist in Leeds for anyone who is looking for the very best cosmetic dental results.

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment is often requested to correct the appearance of teeth, and today’s orthodontic systems can gently and effectively move the teeth into the correct position. Even better, most are quite invisible so there’s no need to worry about wearing a mouth full of metal. Some orthodontic braces are more cosmetically oriented than others, and they only concentrate on moving the teeth that are visible whenever you smile or speak to others. In spite of this, any thoughts of orthodontic treatment is likely to have a beneficial effect on your oral health, as you should find it much easier to clean your teeth properly.

The list above is a pretty comprehensive but not complete, as missing teeth can detract from a smile. Dr David Brown is able to replace lost teeth with dental implants, and if you’ve lost teeth then this is a treatment that’s well worth exploring.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Understanding a Bit More About Gum Disease

It’s estimated that gum disease affects approximately 15% to 20% of the world’s population, but in the UK this figure is thought to be much higher by the NHS. In fact it’s estimated that half the adult population have some form of gum disease, and is something that most people will experience during their lifetime.

Dentist LeedsIt’s something we’re extremely concerned about at Leeds City Dental care, and is one of the main reasons why we ask patients to come in at regular intervals for check-ups and hygiene appointments. We would far rather prevent this disease from occurring in the first place and have to treat the consequences.

One of the main problems with gum disease is that the early signs can often be virtually undetectable. If you notice your gums look more swollen than before, or that they feel sore or bleed when you brush your teeth, then it’s definitely time to book an appointment with Dr David Brown or any of our dentist in Leeds as you may have gingivitis or early gum disease. Another symptom is having persistent bad breath that isn’t simply due to eating something highly flavoured.

Early Gingivitis Is Easy to Reverse so Don’t Delay that Appointment!

At this stage it can easily be treated in our surgery, as having your teeth scaled and polished will help remove the bacteria that cause the inflammation and infection. Afterwards ask our hygienists for advice on how to look after your teeth at home, and how you can improve your brushing and flossing regime. The reason for this is that gum disease is almost always due to a lack of oral hygiene, and it could well be that even though you think your brushing your teeth properly, you’re missing out large areas of your mouth due to being stuck in a rut with the way you brush your teeth. If you stick to a good regime then you should see real results within just a few weeks as your gums gradually become healthier.

What Happens If I Don’t Seek Treatment?

If you fail to seek treatment then your gum disease will develop into something more serious, a condition called periodontal disease. The NHS estimates that between 10 and 15% of adults has severe periodontal disease or periodontitis, and that many more have less serious forms of this condition. Periodontitis affects not only the gums, but all the other structures surrounding your teeth, including the bone and ligaments that hold them in place. If periodontitis isn’t treated then the bone will gradually be destroyed, loosening your teeth so eventually they will fall out. If you lose your teeth then all the cosmetic dentistry in Leeds cannot make them look pretty, and you’ll be faced with having to make the decision of how to replace them.

Severe periodontitis is much more complicated street than gingivitis and does require quite specialized treatment. It could be that your condition is chronic, and you may need to attend Leeds City Dental care for regular appointments simply to control the condition.

If you’re currently overdue for a check-up, then booking this appointment could help save your teeth and gums from this common disease. Preventative dental care is cheaper, far less invasive and far less time-consuming than trying to treat a well-developed dental disease.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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