When it comes to keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy, the way in which you brush them can play a big part. Knowing the right way to brush your teeth may seem pretty obvious, but there are lots of simple changes you can make to your routine that can make quite a positive difference in the long run.
Here are just a few helpful tips and simple changes that you can make to your brushing routine from our dentist in Marylebone, that will help you take care of your teeth and gums.
Use the right kind of brush
Having the right kind of brush can make quite a big difference to how clean your teeth are kept. Toothbrushes come in a mind meltingly array of different types, sizes and bristle types, so finding one that works for you can seem a little overwhelming. Having the wrong brush could mean you end up missing plaque and bacteria that could later go on to cause all sorts of oral health problems.
Although hard bristles may seem like the right choice, generally you should aim for soft bristles as they’re flexible and can reach into those tricky to hit places between your teeth. If you’re unsure where to begin then at Plowman & Partners our talented team of expert dental advisors can provide you with a wealth of information on correct brushing techniques, as well as what brush will better suit your needs.
Brush your teeth regularly
Perhaps the most vital piece of information our dentist in Marylebone could provide you with is to just brush as often as you can. Ideally you should be giving your teeth a good once over at least once or twice a day, preferably in the morning and then again at night before bed, to ensure that there are no food particles left in your teeth overnight.
To maximise your cleaning potential you could also fit in a brief light scrubbing after every snack, to make sure there are no bits of food sitting in your teeth throughout the day, gathering plaque and bacteria.
Clean each area thoroughly
As you brush your teeth you should pay attention to each part of your mouth. Make sure that each ‘sector’ gets a good scrub for an equal amount of time, as an uneven brush might mean that one side of your mouth might be more prone to decay and inflammation than the other.
Replace your brush often
Over time the bristles in your brush can start to become frayed, loose and worn out, so make sure you’re swapping it with a replacement at least once every four to six months. Keeping fresh bristles in your brush, whether it’s with a replacement head for an electric one, or a whole new manual toothbrush, will ensure that a high quality of cleaning is kept up.
These are just a few tips to help you improve your brushing skills and keep those teeth and gums looking healthy and clean as you get older. For further advice on how you can change your teeth cleaning habits, just get in touch with our team for a chat.
When it comes to brushing your teeth and keeping up a good oral health routine a manual brush is a good place to start. Most of us will have been taught to brush our teeth with an ordinary plastic toothbrush that we still use as adults.
They do a great job at cleaning out bacteria, plaque and food debris from your teeth, but in some situations your dentist in Marylebone may recommend that you swap it for an electric replacement. Here are a few reasons why our team would advise you to bring in a battery powered alternative for keeping your teeth clean.
Recurring disease or infections
The most common situation where our dentist in Marylebone would recommend an electric brush is if there’s a recurring infection or signs of gum disease. In most cases it could be that your oral health routine isn’t as thorough as it should be with a manual brush, so an electric replacement might be suggested to help you clean out your teeth a little better.
Over time this could help to reduce and even prevent further cases of disease and infection from setting in.
It can provide a deeper clean
When you brush your teeth normally with a manual brush there are going to be parts of your mouth that you naturally miss or struggle to get the brush in between. With a battery powered toothbrush their vibrating bristles and sonic technology can provide a deep reaching clean that can clear out those tricky hidden bits in your gum line.
At Plowman & Partners our talented team provides our patients with a vast array of knowledge and advice on how to improve their brushing techniques, as well as recommendations on how to keep their teeth and gums looking stronger for longer.
Easier to remove stubborn pockets of plaque
When food debris and plaque get wedged between your teeth it can often be difficult to remove it with normal brushing, as it may require a little ‘elbow grease’ when you move the brush around. The constant vibrating heads of an electric brush at a high setting can strip out this plaque with less effort involved before it solidifies and becomes tartar, something that only your dentist will be able to remove with specialised tools.
Less physically demanding alternative for young or elderly patients
The act of brushing your teeth may not seem like an overly exhaustive process, but for our elderly or young patients it can be quite physically demanding. Having to hold your arm in specific positions for long periods of time, as well as all that repetitive movement can cause aches and pains for particular patients. So, to ease off the strain our team may recommend an electric brush for these patients to make the act of brushing your teeth a little less tiring.
These are just a few examples of why one of our team would recommend you use an electric brush. For further information about how you can improve your oral healthcare routine with a battery powered toothbrush, just get in touch with our team for a chat.
Gum disease and infections within the gum line can happen to anyone, they’re most commonly caused by a poor oral health routine, but they can also be a sign of a much more serious problem. Catching the signs of an infection quickly is incredibly important as the sooner it’s treated the less risk it can pose to your teeth and gums. The bottom line is that this can be easily reversed.
So to make the job a little easier for you, our dentist in Marylebone has provided a brief list of the various symptoms of gum disease to keep an eye out for.
Swollen or inflamed gums
One of the most common signs of gum disease setting in is if your gums look or feel swollen and inflamed. This is your body’s natural reaction to an infection and your dentist in Marylebone can easily spot it during a check-up if you’re concerned about any swollen looking parts of your gum line.
Changing your oral health routine and using an antiseptic mouthwash can ease off these symptoms over time, but you should still have our team check it out, as it could be the first signs of something more serious.
Sensitive teeth
Another sign to be on the watch for is if there’s a heightened sensitivity to temperatures in your teeth when you’re eating or drinking hot and cold meals. This could be a hint that something is affecting the interior of the tooth or is helping the protective enamel layer thin faster than normal.
Persistent toothache
Although it may seem pretty obvious, a constant feeling of discomfort or sharp intense pain in your teeth should never be ignored no matter what the case. Feelings of pain are your body’s way of letting you know that something is wrong and if it’s in the teeth, there’s a good chance that it could be caused by gum disease creating cavities and decay in a tooth.
At Plowman & Partners our highly trained team will quickly diagnose and treat any signs of discomfort you may have, to get you back on the road to recovery and a healthy and happy smile in no time at all.
Bleeding whilst flossing or brushing
If blood is appearing whilst you brush or floss then you should immediately let your dentist know. Not only can it be a sign of gum disease, it could also indicate much more serious health problems, regardless of the volume of it when you clean your teeth.
Loose or slack feeling teeth
One of the main threats of gum disease is that it can weaken the bone surrounding your teeth and basically cause them to become loose to the point where they could fall out. This is because bacteria can get into your bone via an infected tooth and once that happens it’s a downward slope. So if you start to feel any teeth becoming particularly loose in your gum line, then immediately let your dentist know.
These are just a few indicators that you may have to get your gums checked or that an infection could be setting in. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms that we’ve mentioned above then immediately get in contact with your dentist because the sooner we treat this, the more of your teeth and gums we can save.
At our clinic in London, we like to ensure that our patients receive a wide variety of dental treatments. Choosing the right orthodontic or cosmetic treatment can be tough, which is why we aim to educate our patients on the treatment option that best suits them, and their individual dental needs. Our clinic offers an array of general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry options.
Crowns and bridges at the dentist in Marylebone
Crowns and bridges are used to replace one (or even several teeth) within the mouth. Our full range of crown and bridgework includes the use of dental implants, ensuring maximum stabilisation within the mouth. Individuals may require a single tooth replacement, or a full mouth restoration, both methods are implemented by one of our dental implant specialists.
Do you offer cosmetic dentistry at your clinic in Marylebone?
Yes! Our clinic does not only offer general, and restorative dentistry, but also cosmetic dental options. Our dentist in Marylebone offers our patients a wide array of cosmetic options, such as teeth whitening, veneers, and discreet white fillings.
Tooth whitening we offer our patients
Tooth whitening has risen in popularity dramatically in recent years, due to the rise in ‘at home’ whitening treatments. Tooth whitening uses strong chemicals (such as bleach), which is why it needs to be done to a high professional dental standard. We understand that tooth whitening can cause sensitivity, which is why we offer both a safe ‘at home’ and ‘in surgery’ option for our patients.
What are veneers, and why may these be a suitable cosmetic option for me?
Dental veneers (also commonly referred to as porcelain veneers) are essentially wafer thin caps that are adhered to the surface of the teeth. Both composite and porcelain veneers are glued to the surface of the teeth using a special dental glue, whilst causing minimal damage to the natural teeth. Veneers can be used to restore damaged or stained teeth within the mouth, therefore increasing an individual’s aesthetic appearance, and increasing self- confidence.
Do you offer more subtle fillings?
Yes! Traditional metal amalgam fillings can be considered as unsightly, patients may therefore wish for a more subtle alternative. White fillings are virtually invisible in the mouth, and have the positive aspect of a zero per cent mercury content within the materials used.
How much do your dental treatments cost?
At our dental clinic in London, we inform our patients that each dental treatment pricing differs greatly depending on the severity of the case, as well as the dental clinic they choose for their treatment. During an initial consultation, we will provide a detailed dental payment plan for our patients, depending on their dental situation, so they are always aware of the potential costs.
Spread the costs
At our clinic we understand that our patients may prefer to pay for their dental treatments in instalments. Instalments are available to our private patients, and can involve a payment plan over a period of one year, to reduce the financial burden that more complex dental work can entail.
Individuals choosing a dental clinic may base their decision on a wide array of factors, such as location, and the quality of dental treatment provided. At our dentist In Marylebone we offer our patients a high level of dental professionalism, as well as a clean, and comfortable dental environment.
Our promise
Our dental healthcare professionals are committed to providing our patients with a high standard of dental care. Our dental clinic is located within the heart of London’s medical district, ensuring we are easy to reach by all of our patients.
Meet the team at our dentist in Marylebone
Every member of our dental team has successfully completed further postgraduate dental study, ensuring we deliver the best possible dental treatments for our patients. All of our dentists are recognised by the General Dental Council, this ensures we provide our patients with a high standard and multidisciplinary approach.
Dental advances
Modern advances in dental technology are constantly changing, which is why our team attempts to track dental changes. Our commitment to tracking dental advancements ensures our patients receive the best possible form of modern dental treatment.
How should I contact you?
We understand that many of our patients can be extremely busy, which is why we offer our potential patients the chance to contact us via telephone, and email (located on our website). If you wish to receive one of our dental brochures to gain further information about treatments you can fill in a small application form via our website. We understand that many of our patients may be pressed for time, which is why we also offer them an alternative form of contact.
Running low on time?
If you do not have time to call us to book an appointment, you can easily request an appointment by filling in a few simple personal details online, along with your query or concern.
What treatments do you offer at your dental clinic in Marylebone?
At our London clinic, we understand that our patients may require a wide array of dental, and cosmetic treatments. Each patient may look for different things when undergoing their chosen dental treatment, which is why we aim to treat each dental case individually. One example of the treatments we provide are dental hygiene services.
Dental hygiene
Our clinic firmly believes that prevention is much better than cure, which is why we attempt to educate our patients on the key factors in maintaining a good level of dental hygiene.
Dental hygiene is key to maintaining positive oral health, which is why we aim to prioritise this at our clinic in Marylebone.
Our dental prevention programme aims to reduce negative symptoms such as bad breath, and the further development of gum disease, tooth loss, and bleeding.
Do you offer restorative dentistry?
Yes! Restorative dentistry is essentially a form of dentistry that aims to restore full functionality to the mouth and teeth. One example of restorative dentistry we provide are dental implants.
How they work
Dental implants are just one example of the many dental treatments we provide. Dental implants can be used to stabilise dentures, they can also support single crowns.. Aside from dental implants supporting single crowns, they can also provide support for bridges. This type of dental restoration can also prevent jawbone loss and stop surrounding teeth from becoming damaged.
Within London, we understand that there is a wide choice of dental clinics, and it can be hard to select one in which to receive your chosen dental treatment. At our dental clinic in Marylebone, we are situated at a key central location within the city, and can therefore be easily accessed by our patients. Our dentist in Marylebone works in a practice which was established in 1922, and is located on Queen Anne Street. At our clinic, we are proud to say we have been providing a high standard of private dental care for our patients for many decades.
Our transformation
During recent months, we have given our clinic a full refurbishment, ensuring our patients can feel comfortable and at ease within a clean, and modern dental environment. Our grade two listed dental clinic is placed in the heart of the medical district in London, reflecting our high standard of professionalism.
A team you can trust
At our dentist In Marylebone we have a great team of dental professionals, all of our qualified dental partners are also legitimately recognised as specialists by the General Dental Council. Our professional dental team provide our patients with general routine dentistry, as well as more complex dentistry, such as cosmetic and restorative dentistry, and endodontics.
Who are we?
We are a varied but dedicated team of dental healthcare professionals, one of whom is a specialist in restorative dentistry. Restorative dentistry consists of dental treatments that aim to restore the function of the teeth, such as receiving dental implants. Graham Bailey is another fantastic example of our dental team, who specialises in endodontics.
What are endodontics?
Endodontics is essentially the dental treatment of the pulp which is the inside of the tooth, as well as surrounding nerves and tissues. An endodontist is a dental professional who specialises in saving damaged or decaying teeth. One example of an endodontic dental treatment is root canal work.
How to find us
We understand that navigating London can be tricky, this is why we have our exact location on our website, ensuring we can be found by all of our potential patients. Our clinic is situated close to two large parking areas, as well as Oxford Circus, and Bond Street station.
Whether you are taking your own mode of transport, or the tube, we can always be easily reached.
When to come and visit
We understand that many of our patients have busy work and social schedules, this is why we aim to accommodate both of these factors. In terms of our opening hours, we aim to be flexible, which is why we open from nine in the morning until six in the evening from Monday until Thursday. If you are wanting to visit us near the end of the week, we are open from nine till five every Friday!
Give us a call
Whether you are curious about the treatment you require, dental fees, or even transport, we are always willing to take your call. Located on our website, we are always available to answer any of our patients’ or potential patients’ questions, queries, or general dental concerns.
It happens to the best of us. We are going about our daily lives when all of a sudden, we are struck by an overwhelming discomfort under one of our teeth.
While almost everyone is aware of when it is time to visit their GP for routine conditions, or their A&E for emergency conditions, few people know when an emergency dental appointment is needed over a routine check-up.
This presents an obvious problem for both the individual and the dental professional; the prospective patient may end up waiting with an uncomfortable condition for a longer time than necessary and when they finally get to their dental appointment, the dental professional may need to conduct a more serious procedure than initially required.
At Plowman and Partners, we know that nobody wants to be on the receiving end of a dental emergency, but we are able to offer our patients emergency access to our dentist in Marylebone. We will aim to see you on the same day as you contact us, as we know that time is of the essence when you have an urgent dental issue.
But what scenarios warrant an emergency visit to our dentist in Marylebone? Read on to find out about our most commonly seen dental emergencies.
Unmanageable discomfort
Discomfort is subjective but when we discuss emergency dentistry, we are talking about a disruptive pain that does not respond to over-the-counter painkillers and interferes with your day.
It is vital you book an appointment to see our emergency dentist in Marylebone if you are experiencing an unusual level of discomfort; pain that resembles throbbing or burning need to be examined immediately, as this could indicate a dental abscess.
Chipped tooth
A chipped tooth may seem like a minor issue but it requires urgent dental treatment, even if it does not hurt.
A chipped tooth is more prone to cracking or breaking and needs to be seen by a dental professional who can repair cracks in the tooth and restore the chipped area.
Sudden swelling
Swelling in the mouth is usually benign but requires an emergency appointment, especially if it is beginning to impact on your ability to breathe or is painful.
Swelling could indicate an abscess, unerupted teeth or may be a sign of an undiagnosed condition; although disconcerting, it is always worth getting any unusual lumps and bumps looked at.
Lost filling or crown
Fillings and crowns often fall out and it is important that you get to see a dental professional as soon as possible to have them restored.
Delaying a visit to our emergency dental practitioner could expose the pulp of the tooth to bacteria, which could lead to a destructive infection – not worth the risk!
Broken or damaged brace
As hardy as they are, metal braces are not immune to damage.
If you suspect that your brace has become damaged, contact our emergency service immediately; we can assess the damage and temporarily reset the brace, so it is intact when you visit your orthodontist.
Do you wake up in the morning with fatigue? Do you frequently feel sleepy throughout the day? Does your partner moan at you for keeping them awake with your snoring?
You are not alone! One of the most common of all sleep-related disorders, sleep apnoea can play havoc with your life. The most common, obstructive sleep apnoea, is more serious than a simple snore; it can cause your breathing to become shallow and may lead to your breath intermittently stopping as you sleep
How can a trip to our team at Plowman and Partners help you resolve sleep apnoea? Our dentist in Marylebone has a team of dedicated staff, who are experienced in identifying the root cause of your sleep apnoea and providing you with practical, realistic solutions.
At Plowman and Partners, our experienced dentist in Marylebone will take an imprint of your teeth and 3-D model of your mouth, to create a custom-fitted, oral device. This device will prevent your lower jaw sliding back while you sleep and therefore, prevent you from snoring!
But, what are the practical advantages of our dentist in Marylebone making this device for you?
Non invasive
If you have been searching for a solution to your snoring for a while now, you may have heard about the surgical options that are available to widen your airway – now that will give you a sore throat!
The devices we offer at Plowman and Partners are non invasive and are made from a flexible but durable plastic, which is a much cheaper option when compared to surgery.
Portable and removable
Do you travel a lot for work?
Oral devices are both portable and removable; supplied in a small carry case, you will be able to transport them safely with you wherever you go, guaranteeing both you and your partner a good night’s sleep.
Easy to use
Many people worry about sleeping with a removable object in their mouths, but there really is nothing to worry about.
At Plowman and Partners, many of our patients who use anti snore devices have reported feeling surprised at how comfortable these devices are to wear to bed and describe them as being extremely easy to use.
No buttons to press, no medication required; just pop the device in your mouth and you are ready for those forty winks.
High success rate
An obvious downside of any kind of surgical intervention for sleep apnoea and snoring are the possible side effects; discomfort, healing time, not to mention medication and dietary restrictions that may be needed post operation.
The oral devices we create for our patients at Plowman and Partners have an extremely high, long term success rate. As they are made from durable plastic, they are also hard wearing, meaning each user has many years service out of one device – plus, no uncomfortable side effects!
If your partner is ready to exile you to the couch to gain a good night’s sleep, come along to Plowman and Partners and let’s banish that snore together! Call us today!
Do you wake up in the morning with a sore lower jaw? Do you suffer from headaches, neck pain and migraines?
Suffering from this cluster of symptoms could be indicative of a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). This disorder is caused by a misalignment of the teeth on the upper and lower jaws as well as misfitting jaws; simply put, when you close your mouth, your teeth and jaws do not slot together correctly and when you are asleep, you are grinding your teeth together to try and alleviate this issue, which is very uncomfortable!
At Plowman and Partners, we are aware of how disruptive TMJ can be and our dentist in Marylebone can offer you a range of different techniques, devices and treatment options to minimise the impact that this extremely common condition has on your life.
Braces
Not the most popular of our options but our dentist in Marylebone has seen the positive impact that wearing a brace can have on TMJ.
As this disorder is primarily caused by misaligned teeth, the easiest way to resolve it permanently is with a brace and, depending on the severity of your misalignment, our dentist in Marylebone may be able to fit you with a removable or invisible brace, until your teeth are realigned.
Sleep guard
As previously mentioned, the grinding associated with those early morning headaches occurs when you are asleep, which can make it more difficult to control.
Luckily, there are a range of sleep guards to wear during those forty winks which will prevent you from grinding your teeth together and will stop any damage to the tops of your teeth. These are custom made to fit your teeth and are constructed from a smooth, but durable plastic, making them easy to wear without disrupting your sleep pattern.
Reconstruction
Our team may decide that you might benefit from some minor reconstruction work on your teeth, to even out the surfaces and realign any displaced teeth.
Often used alongside sleep guards and massages, these reconstructions usually involve covering uneven teeth with a layer of porcelain, to make your bite more even, reducing the need to grind and brux.
Massages
We all like a massage when we have stiff muscles in our backs and it is no different when our jaw muscles are sore.
At Plowman and Partners, our dental team can provide you with specialist massages, to help relax overworked muscles affected by TMJ alongside teaching you how to perform these massages on yourself when you wake up each morning.
Done each day, this will alleviate any associated pain in the jaw from grinding in the night-time.
Exercises
Another way we help manage the discomfort of TMJ is to show you how to exercise your jaw muscles, to strengthen them, so they do not become overworked by nocturnal bruxing.
Performed everyday, alongside the massages, this technique reduces the associated discomfort, but does not treat the underlying condition and is therefore used as a complementary treatment for TMJ.
One of the most feared and misunderstood of all dental procedures is that of the root canal.
A fairly common and straightforward process, this endodontic procedure is designed to restore function to a tooth that has recently experienced extreme trauma, either due to infection or extreme impact. We look at some lesser known benefits of this procedure carried out by our practice.
Many of our patients at Plowman & Partners are apprehensive about our dentists in Marylebone performing this treatment, without knowing that root canal treatments actually provide a wide range of benefits for their teeth and promote overall better dental health.
Our team of dentists in Marylebone perform root canal treatments everyday and can testify to the many advantages of having this procedure performed.
Reduces discomfort
More often than not, when a patient visits our dentists in Marylebone for root canal treatments, they have usually just been through a very painful dental infection. Something everyone dreads.
While they may still be overcoming the infection during the root canal, having the pulp of the tooth removed reduces any associated discomfort that comes with a dental infection and allows them to leave our surgery feeling more comfortable.
Restores tooth function
As visually important as our teeth are, if you have a tooth in your mouth that cannot take the pressure associated with chewing food without causing discomfort, then that tooth has no function.
Post root canal treatment, your tooth will be able to handle everyday functions again.
No gaps
Unfortunately, the only real alternative to a root canal that will also stop any future infections is to remove the tooth.
If the tooth that has the infection is located at the front of your mouth, this can cause a very obvious problem. Gaps in your smile can knock your confidence, put pressure on surrounding teeth and can cause your jawbone to recede.
Prevents infections
Dental infections are truly awful to experience and if you need a root canal, it is likely you are in the midst or have recently had one.
Part of the procedure of endodontic therapy involves gently drilling down to the pulp of the tooth and scraping out all of the bacteria that led to the initial infection. As unappealing as this sounds, it is essential to ensure that the bacteria does not spread to your other teeth and blood stream, which can cause sepsis or more complex infections.
Restores normal sensation
Have you ever had a filling and experienced that numbing sensation?
Many of our patients at Plowman & Partners assume that this is how their teeth will feel after a root canal is performed; after all, how can it feel anything without a nerve?
There are many nerves in your mouth and nerves surrounding the tooth will allow you to feel and process normal biting and chewing sensations.If you know you may need a root canal don’t delay, speak with a member of our team today.