January 2010 – basrai

Dr Binita Parshotam Joins Chafford Hundred Dental Care

Dr Binita Parshotam graduated from Queen Mary’s University, London in 2005. She now works in Northampton, Chafford 100 and Hackney, each place providing a vastly different clientele. Since graduating she continues to dedicate much of her time to extra-curricular learning and has experience in
*Restorative dentistry using a wide variety of filling materials
*Dentures
*Gum treatment
*Extractions
*Tooth whitening systems, including Zoom! and Enlighten
*Composite artistry
*Facial rejuvenation using botulinum toxins and dermal fillers
*Snap on Smiles

and, in the field of orthodontics,
*Invisalign,
*6 Month Smiles (fixed orthodontics)
*Inman aligner
*Social 6 lingual orthodontics system

In her spare time, Binita enjoys reading, fencing and going to the theatre as well as cinema (watching absolutely anything so long as she has popcorn and nachos!!) and loud rock music. She has a passion for gaming but sadly has not had much quality time with her X-box or Wii since she started planning her wedding for August 2010

A Look at Fillings

Look At Fillings

A filling is required in your mouth when a cavity or a hole has been created by bacteria in your mouth which in turn produce acid as a byproduct by the consumption of single sugars like sucrose or glucose in your diet.
This acid attack lasts for about 20 to 40 minutes called the Stephan Curve depending on the stickiness of the sugar that has been eaten. For example an acid attack by sticky toffee will be worse and a lot longer than a simple bar of chocolate. This is due to the fact that the toffee stays in between the fissures of your teeth which are difficult to clean with your normal toothbrush.

Your dentist will fill your holes in your teeth with materials like Amalgam which is the Silver Filling that has been used over a hundred of years which is the subject of much controversy and debate due the concentration of Mercury in its formulation. It has been banned in many countries due to its toxic effect and detrimental effects to the enviroment.

Due to many patients now requesting more of a natural look to their teeth, white natural tooth coloured fillings called composite fillings are now in demand because of the cosmetic and natural feel to them.
The holes in your teeth have to be of a minimal size as these plastic fillings are not as strong as silver amalgam fillings.

If you request white natural fillings but the size of the hole or cavity in your tooth is excessive than a porcelain or gold inlay may be the best option for you.
A dental impression is taken of your tooth which is then sent to a dental laboratory where a technician makes a custom built filling made of porcelain or even gold which then fits directly into the tooth like a made to measure suit. As there is a laborotory cost involved, these inlays are much more expensive than coventional fillings done by your own dentist at chairside.

Cosmetic Dental Procedures

Popular Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Are you looking to improve your appearance? When many of us think of cosmetic improvements, traditional cosmetic surgery procedures, like breast enlargements, facelifts, and liposuction, often come to mind. With that said, those are not the only types of cosmetic surgical procedures you can undergo. If you are looking to improve your smile, namely by way of your teeth, you may want to visit a cosmetic dentist.

As nice as it is to hear that there is such a thing as a cosmetic dentist, who specializes in the appearance of teeth, not just the health of them, you may be looking for more information. One of the most common questions asked concerns procedures. Many wonder what type of cosmetic dentistry procedures are available to them. The good news is that there are quite a few, some of which are briefly highlighted below.

A gum lift is a common cosmetic surgery that is performed by cosmetic dentists. Although most individuals want to change the appearance of their teeth, the teeth aren’t always the main problem. If you have uneven or excess gums, your teeth may look uneven and possibly even crooked. If that is the case, a gum lift is advised. During the cosmetic surgical procedure, your excess gum will be removed, giving you an even, flawless smile.

Veneers are another common cosmetic dentistry procedure that is performed. In fact, veneers are increasing in popularity. They are designed for those who have imperfections with their teeth. These imperfections often include cracked teeth, crooked teeth, or teeth with a significant amount of staining. As for how the procedure works, each tooth will be resized and reshaped. Then, a mold will be taken of the “new,” tooth. The dentist’s laboratory will then create a custom mold, which will be bonded to your reshaped tooth. Although veneers are a great way to cut down the cost of dental work, please know that they are permanent and that the procedures cannot be reversed.

Another common cosmetic surgical procedure that is performed by qualified dentists is that of dental implants. Do you have a missing tooth or a tooth that needs to be pulled? If you do, dentures may not be a viable option, especially if the rest of your teeth are in healthy shape. If that is the case, dental implants are advised. With dental implants, an artificial tooth is used. That artificial tooth is securely anchored into the jaw bone or the gums. As with veneers, dental implants look and feel just like real teeth. The above mentioned cosmetic dental procedures are those that can also be considered surgical procedures. It is also important to know that there are additional procedures performed by cosmetic dentists. These procedures are often less invasive and they are typically more affordable. One of those procedures is that of teeth whitening. A professional teeth whitening procedure can reduce stains that are due to coffee, smoking, and aging.

Regardless of how much we all care for our teeth, many of us develop cavities. If you do, the common choice of dentists is that of metal fillings. Ask a cosmetic dentist, however, and they will have a different view. If you are looking to keep your smile and your mouth attractive, you should examine tooth colored fillings. A cosmetic dentist can use a colored coded chart to create the perfect match. Before that is done, however, you may also want to consider undergoing a teeth whitening procedure.

As you can see, you have a number of different options when looking to improve both the health and appearance of your teeth. In fact, the above mentioned procedures are just a few of your many options. You should schedule a consultation appoint with a local, qualified cosmetic dentist to develop an appropriate plan of action. As a reminder, a healthy, beautiful smile can do you wonders. For starters, you will likely notice a significant improvement in your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Give us a call on 01375481000 for a FREE Consultation.

Flossing Your Teeth

A Look At Flossing

Along with brushing your teeth, you should also be flossing on a daily basis. Flossing will remove plaque and debris in areas that your toothbrush isn’t able to reach. A buildup of plaque can lead to gum disease or tooth decay, which is why flossing is very important. If you floss immediately after brushing, you”ll notice that your gums and teeth will be much healthier.

When you look at dental floss, you”ll notice there are two types – nylon and single filament. You can get nylon either waxed or un-waxed, in several different flavors. Nylon floss is made up of several strands of nylon material, meaning that it can shred, tear, or snag between the teeth if it gets caught on sharp teeth. Even though the single filament floss is more expensive than nylon, it will slide easily between teeth, even tight areas and spaces. Unlike nylon, single filament is impossible to shred or tear.

No matter which type of floss you choose, as long you floss regularly, it will remove debris from your teeth and gums. If you’ve never tried flossing before, you will probably be amazed at just how much debris and food particles it can remove. Flossing is recommended by dentists everywhere, as it can reach places that even the smallest of toothbrushes can’t. Food and debris will build up between your teeth, which makes dental flossing very important.

The main problem many people have against flossing is the fact that it can result in bleeding of the gums. Anytime you floss and get between your teeth and around your gums, the floss will rub against your gums, resulting in bleeding. Many people take this the wrong way, and immediately stop flossing, usually for good. Bleeding is very common, and should be expected with flossing.

When you brush your teeth, you miss a lot of food particles and debris that continues to build up in your mouth. No toothbrush is designed to get every area of your mouth, as all of them miss hard to reach places. With the areas missed by the toothbrush, the debris and plaque will continue to build up until they eventually result in a cavity or decay. To get this debris and plaque before it builds up into something more serious, you”ll need to floss.

If you’ve been afraid to try flossing due to the bleeding, you should really get over that fear and floss after you brush. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, you”ll to brush and floss your teeth. Regular checkups with your dentist will help as well, although it is up to you to continue your regular maintenance at home with flossing and brushing. If you floss on a daily basis – you”ll quickly realize just how clean your teeth and gums will be.

Stopping the Pain of Toothaches

Stopping The Pain Of Toothaches

Everyone out there at some point in time, will experience the pain of a toothache. Toothaches are very excruciating, some of the worst pain you will ever feel in your life. Even though you may have had dental work in the past and follow proper hygiene, toothaches can happen at anytime. Although it can be very painful, there are ways to get relief through natural herbal remedies or pharmaceuticals.

If you plan to use herbs, you should use them in tincture form, as the alcohol content will disinfect the area, and help to reduce the inflammation and kill the infection. Once you have the tincture, you should use roughly a teaspoon of it and gently rinse your mouth out. Once you have help it in your mouth a minute or so, you should either swallow it or spit it out. Tinctures are natural remedies that use herbs and alcohol to massage the affected area and stop the pain by numbing the nerves of the tooth that is causing you so much pain.

The best way to deal with toothache is to put out the fire. If you manage to put the fire out, the pain will follow. Even though the pain may go away, the problem will still be there until you go to the dentist and get it treated. Although the dentist is the preferred way to go, you may have to wait on an appointment, or the toothache may occur on a weekend or a time when the dentist isn’t available.

Your best advice is to seek dental care ASAP, as the infection can always return at any given time. If you don’t get problems fixed as soon as you can, they can spread and cause you more problems with your teeth. Cavities will need to be filled, while the rotten or dying teeth will need to be extracted. If caught in time, the dentist can normally save the tooth via root canal.

The most common way to stop the pain of a toothache is by using a pharmaceutical such as Ambesol. With these types of toothache relief products, you simply rub the ointment on the affected area and it will kill the pain. These products work quickly, although they may not be able to help if the infection has spread or has gotten so bad that the tooth is literally dying.

Another way to stop the pain is to use Tylenol or aspirin. If you are going this route, you should use tablets that dissolve. Simply take the tablet and put it in your mouth, then use your tongue to hold it against your tooth. The aspirin or Tylenol will start to dissolve, and work it’s way into your nerve and stop the pain. This is a very effective way to stop the pain, although once the pill dissolves it can leave a terrible taste in your mouth.

The best way to stop the pain is to visit the dentist and have it treated once and for all. Keep in mind that if the problem is an infection, you”ll need to use antibiotics until the infection is gone. Once the infection is gone, the dentist will be able to proceed with treatment. Most toothaches are the result of a cavity, which will need to be filled. Anytime you start to experience a toothache you should get it treated. If you aren’t able to make it to the dentist, simply get some Ambesol or other product that will give you relief from the pain until you can get to the dentist and get the problem taken care of.

If you have a tooth ache , give us a call on 01375481000 for an Emergency Consultation!

Natural Tooth Ache Remedies in Essex

Natural Toothache Remedies

Not many people are aware of the fact that several herbs can be used in the relief of toothache pain. Natural herbs such as cloves, calendula, tarragon, and yarrow can be used to help relieve th pain until you can get to the dentist. For many years, different cultures have counted on herbs to help get the pain of a toothache control and get temporary relief.

Native Americans for example, used the inner bark found in the butternut tree to their gums to get relief from toothaches. The butternut tree is found in North America, and is also the cousin of the black walnut tree. Butternut trees are found along rivers in well drained soil, rich woods, and even in back yards. Once the tree matures, it can reach heights of up to 60 feet, with the bark being light grey in color, and the leaves and the fruit resembling the black walnut tree. The bark of the tree can be applied to the gums, helping to alleviate toothache pain.

Yarrow on the other hand, can be found in Asia, Europe, and North America. It normally grows wild in meadows, fields, and in open wood lands. The root of yarrow, is what contains the anaesthetic effect. If you apply the fresh root of yarrow to your tooth or gums, it will help to stop the pain – until you can get an appointment with the dentist and get it taken care of.

The herb known as clove is an evergreen tree, native to tropical areas. These days however, it can be found throughout the world. As many already know, the dried flower bud of clove is what contains the medicine. The oil from clove, when used on a toothache, will help to stop the pain almost immediately. If you compare cloves to other natural toothache remedies, you”ll find clove to be the best.

For many years, natural herbs have been used to stop toothache pain. Hundreds of years ago, herbs were the only way to stop the pain. Dentists were just starting to come around, although they didn’t have near the equipment and sophistication that they have these days. Even though teeth were pulled during these times, it normally happened with alcohol to numb the pain then pliers to remove the tooth.

Throughout the course of time, herbs have proven to be very effective with stopping toothache pain. If you are interested in herbs or have any questions about them, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask your dentist his opinion. Dentists know herbs, and should be able to recommend natural remedies to you if you request them. The next time you experience the pain of a toothache – you should always remember that herbs are a great way to relieve the pain.

Give us a call on 01375481000 for an Emergency Consultation if you have a Toothache!

Why do you Need Tooth Whitening?

Why Do You Need Teeth Whitening?

Do you know the enemy that causes tooth stains? It is quite interesting to note that every tooth is comprised of an inner dentin layer and a protective outer enamel layer which is much harder.

Regular intake of food stuff, nicotine and caffeine tends to form another coating over the enamel layer like a pellicle film. This film can be removed chemically as well as by scraping by a dentist.

Brushing helps to clean the teeth stains to some extent and there are special abrasive toothpastes which help further the process. Teeth whitening toothpastes are also available which are effective in cleaning such stains on our teeth enamel.

Our teeth enamel is porous in nature. Hydroxyapatite crystals in the form of microscopic hexagonal “rods” make up the enamel.

The accumulation of the foreign substances over the years gets into the pores and settles on the inner layer where it is very difficult to scrape them. Though these deep stains are actually quite harmless, they do not look good.

Thus to get rid of these tough stains, people seek the help of professional teeth whitening procedures.

During such teeth whitening procedures, a bleaching chemical agent is used called carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.

This is present in a tooth whitener and it triggers a chemical – rather an oxidation reaction – which manage to break the staining compounds.

The chemical compound carbamide peroxide breaks within the mouth into urea and hydrogen peroxide.

The hydrogen peroxide plays a vital role in the teeth whitening process.

Toothache in Essex

Causes Of Toothaches

When it comes to toothaches, there are many different things that can cause a toothache. A toothache can come at any given time, even though you may not expect it. The pain can be unbearable at times, and you”ll do practically anything you can to make the pain stop. When a toothache first comes on, many of us start to wonder what caused it to happen.

Some of the main causes of toothaches include decay, a fracture in the teeth, and cavities. A crack in the tooth is also a cause, although it can be difficult to diagnose, as cracks will normally appear to be invisible to the naked eye and x-rays. Cracks can make your tooth feel as if it is exploding, as they expose the dentin and nerves to the air and anything else you put in your mouth. If you don’t get them fixed, they will get worse, possibly leading to your tooth breaking off at the gums.

Pulp irritation is another cause of toothaches, as it occurs after dental treatment. No matter how well your filling or crown was done, the materials that were used to fix the tooth can end up causing pain later on down the road. There really is nothing you can do, as crowns can sometimes come off or the filling can sometimes come out. If this happens, all you can really do is go back to the dentist to get the problem fixed.

If you have an exposed root or nerve, it can also be the cause of your toothache. This normally happens due to rough brushing, receding the gums and exposing the root. If the root is exposed, the air or liquid you drink can trigger a toothache. To prevent this from happening, use care when you brush and never try to tear your gums apart thinking it will get your teeth cleaner.

If you use tobacco products, you”ll more than likely get toothaches on a frequent basis. Chewing tobacco is a common contributor to toothaches and tooth pain, as the tobacco will eat away at your teeth until there is nothing left. It doesn’t take long for it to happen either, especially if you have been chewing for a long time. Smoking can trigger toothaches as well, as the smoke is bad for your teeth and eats away at them as well.

Even though there are many causes to toothaches, there are things you can do to stop and pain and prevent toothaches. You should always brush your teeth on a daily basis, and go to the dentist for your regular checkups. If you get a toothache you should always go to the dentist and get the tooth fixed. The dentist may be able to catch it early enough to save the tooth – which will prevent you from having to get it pulled and save you a lot of money – and pain in the long run.

Tooth Fractures and Cracks

Types Of Dental Teeth Fractures

Fractures are a common thing in the world of dentistry. Fractures or cracks occur with all ages, although they are more present in those above the age of 25. They can be very painful, hard to diagnose, yet sometimes easy to treat. There are several types of fractures, which we will look at below.

The first type of crack is known as an oblique supragingival fracture. This fracture is found above the gums, and normally happens when you bite down too hard on something. Normally, this fracture doesn’t involve the nerve. Once the fractured area of the tooth breaks off, the pain will go away. Although the exposed dentin may cause you some pain, you can visit the dentist and have it repaired. If the fracture is large, you may need to have a crown placed on the tooth to prevent further fractures from occurring in that tooth.

The second type of crack exceeds way below the gum line, and is known as an oblique subgingival fracture. Once the fractured piece of tooth breaks off, it normally remains attached to the gums and cause result in terrible pain until you get it removed. Once you have had the piece of tooth removed from the gums, the tooth will be similar to the supragingival fracture. It normally doesn’t affect the nerves, although as a result of the tooth area being lost, you may need to have a root canal to clean out the tooth before having a crown put on it.

The seriousness of this fracture depends on how far it has went beyond the gum line. If it has made it’s way deep into the gum line, you may not be able to save the tooth. The crack can be present for many years, before you start to feel any pain. To be on the safe side, you should go to your regular checkups with your dentist, as he can check for cracks and other problems.

The oblique root fracture is next, although it doesn’t involve the tooth crown at all. This type of fracture is almost always found below the gums, normally under the bone. If a root fracture is found near the crown of the tooth, it will normally prove to be fatal. Sometimes, you can save the tooth with a root canal, even though it is normally lost later on due to an abscess of the bone that surrounds the fracture.

The last type of fracture is the most difficult to deal with. Vertical apical root fractures occur with the tip of the root, and can cause you severe to intense pain, even if you’ve had the nerve removed with a root canal. Even though the nerve may not be present, vertical apical root fractures cause a lot of pain, which occurs in the tooth.

Normally, vertical apical fractures will cause you more pain than any other type of fracture. The resulting pain comes from the fragments putting pressure on the bone, causing the fractured pieces to strain. Just about the only way to get relief from this type of fracture is to get a root canal, as it will ease the pain and get the dead pulp out of the tooth that’s affected with the fracture.

Even though fractures are very common and very painful, you should never put off going to the dentist. Fractures can become more and more serious if you don’t do something about them, which is why you should never hesitate to go to the dentist. We will be able to diagnose the problem, and fix it before it has the chance to get any worse.

Dentist in Essex

Why You Need To Visit The Dentist in Essex

If you think that brushing and flossing alone is enough to keep your teeth and mouth clean and healthy, think again. If you think that you can manage to have a clean and healthy mouth without the help of a dentist, then what are dentists here for?

Dentists play a big part in managing the personal dental care of individuals. Dentists check your teeth and mouth for signs of cavities and gum disease.

They will also help you maintain extra clean teeth and they will also teach you the proper ways of brushing and flossing. They can even demonstrate it to you so that you can really see how it is done.

Be Careful Of What You Eat And Drink Dentists would also give you important advices related to teeth and mouth care. Perhaps one of the most common advices that dentists give their patients is to be careful with what they eat and drink.

Eating and drinking sugary stuffs such as candies, cakes and soda can attract a lot of plaque to stick to your teeth. If you want to have healthy teeth, do try to eat more fruits and vegetables and drink more water than soda.

More Than Sprays And Breath Mints The world is full of instant solutions and shortcuts and dental care is not exempted from the variety of instant solutions.

A lot of breath mints and breath fresheners are available in the market today, offering instant fresh breath to individuals who are perhaps too busy to spend at least three minutes to brush their teeth.

If you are one of the many people who are seeking the aid of breath mints and breath sprays to give you fresh breath, you might want to change your approach to personal dental care because it will just do you more harm than good.

Aside from the fact that breath mints and breath sprays can’t really rid your teeth and mouth of minute pieces of food debris, they are also not good for long term use.

The truth is, breath mints and breath freshener sprays are only good at masking mouth odors.

Sure, they can give you instant fresh breath that can probably last for a few hours, but when you look at your mouth through a microscope, you will really be disgusted and appalled by all the bacteria and food debris that can be found in your mouth and in between your teeth.

Brushing:

Simplest Yet Most Essential Brushing one’s teeth may seem to be the simplest and most basic part of personal dental care but it is one of the most needed things to do to achieve clean and healthy teeth.

You see, in order for you to prevent cavities, you need to brush off the plaque stuck in your teeth brought about by the food and beverages that you ate and drank.

Brushing regularly can also save you a lot of unwanted trips to the dentist. Remember, breath mints and breath freshener sprays won’t help in getting rid of the bacteria that causes plaque to build up in your teeth.

If you want to have a nice set of teeth without having to undergo awful toothaches and bad breath, take the extra mile to spend time for your personal dental care routine.