Author: Aura Dental

A baby’s first teeth appear anywhere from around six months of age to their first birthday. Some can be earlier and some can be later, the timeline varies. If your baby’s teeth are taking time to erupt then usually there is no need for concern. Often delayed tooth eruption is due to genetics and speaking to family members can put your mind at ease. Other possible causes include premature birth, low birth weight or poor nutrition. If your baby is affected by developmental or endocrine disorders then this can delay tooth eruption too. There are no serious risks related to baby teeth coming in late, but if they have not erupted by 18 months, it is strongly recommended that you book an appointment with our dentist St John’s Wood. Our dentist St John’s Wood will inspect your child’s mouth and may decide to take dental X-rays to confirm that the teeth are present. Where necessary, you may be referred to other specialists for further examination.

Good dental hygiene

Once the teeth begin to erupt, it is important that you implement a good dental hygiene routine from the outset. Baby teeth need to be brushed twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. It is important that this is done by the parent or the carer using a tiny amount of toothpaste. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and makes your baby’s teeth stronger. Another way to look after your baby’s dental health is by promoting a healthy diet from a young age. The diet needs to be high in calcium to promote healthy teeth and strong bones.

What to avoid for healthy teeth

Milk, cheese, and yoghurt are good sources of calcium. You need to limit sugar intake in food and drink and you should avoid milky drinks at night as they can encourage the formation of tooth decay. You should try to swap from using a bottle to a beaker as soon as possible as this can also have a detrimental impact on your child’s teeth and can affect the alignment of their teeth as an adult.

This is the same for a baby’s dummy. By avoiding a dummy, you will promote better dental health. Thumbsucking is another factor that can cause dental complications in children and in the future when they are adults. It should be discouraged and your child will thank you when they are older.

Brushing should be carried out by an adult up until the age of six or seven, after which the children should be able to brush their teeth by themselves. Even then it should be supervised. Children need to be brushing their teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. They should not rinse their mouth after they have brushed, rather they should spit out the remaining toothpaste and let the fluoride sit on their teeth, preventing cavities and tooth decay. Book an appointment with our dentist St John’s Wood at Aura Dental for you and your family today and make sure that you are taking good care of your children’s teeth, as not only is it important for their overall health and wellbeing now, it is important for the rest of their lives.

At Aura Dental, we have been finalists for numerous awards in major competitions, such as the Private Dentistry Awards and The Dentistry Awards. Of course, being nominated for awards is a reflection not just of the skills and expertise that our professional team has but also of the results we achieve using the latest techniques and treatments. If you have lost one or more of your teeth, you only need to come and see our dentist St John’s Wood for a beautiful new smile. Losing teeth can be a major blow to your self-confidence, and we don’t want you to suffer when you don’t have to. Missing teeth can make it difficult to eat and speak. However, if you’re missing teeth, dental implants may be the perfect solution for you.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that can be placed in your jawbone and act like artificial roots for your replacement teeth. They provide a stable foundation for replacing missing teeth with crowns, bridges, or dentures, and the replacement option you have will depend on how many teeth you need to replace. Dental implants are made of titanium, which is a strong and durable material compatible with the human body.

What are the causes of missing teeth?

There are many reasons why people lose teeth, and one of the most well-known is tooth decay. Tooth decay is the most common cause of tooth loss. It occurs when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up on your teeth. If plaque is not removed, it can eventually eat through the enamel and dentin layers of your teeth, exposing the soft inner layer called the pulp. If the pulp becomes infected, the tooth may need to be extracted. At Aura Dental, we believe that prevention is always better than the cure, and we will always help you and your family to prevent tooth loss, but if it is already at that stage, then dental implants can help.

Another cause of tooth loss is gum disease, which is also known as periodontitis. Gum disease is a serious infection that can damage the gums and bones that support your teeth. If gum disease is not treated, it can eventually lead to tooth loss. Sometimes, it is impossible to avoid tooth loss if you have an accident. For example, you might lose a tooth if you are in a car accident, have a fall, or get injured playing sports. While this is unavoidable, our dentist St John’s Wood may be able to offer dental implants and help you get a natural-looking and functioning smile back again to soften the blow! Finally, you may also find that injuries to the jawbone can also lead to tooth loss. For example, you might lose a tooth if you have surgery on your jawbone or if you are involved in a fight.

How long do dental implants take to fit?

The process of getting dental implants can take several weeks, as you need time to let your gums heal once the implants have been fitted. However, the actual treatment to place the implants typically only takes a few hours at our dental practice, and you will only need local anaesthesia for it. If you are nervous, we can also offer sedation as part of your treatment plan. Once the implants are fitted, you will need to wait several weeks for them to osseointegrate, which means they will fuse to your jawbone. Once the implants have osseointegrated, you can have crowns, bridges, or dentures placed on them, and there shouldn’t be any movement at all because of this.

Free consultation

So, if you would like to find out more about dental implants or any of our other treatments, you can contact us for a free virtual consultation with our dentist St John’s Wood, who will be happy to discuss your goals and advise you about suitable treatment options. If you do get dental implants, we can make your smile complete within just a couple of appointments, and you can smile again!

If you’re looking for a way to brighten up your smile, teeth whitening can make perfect sense. However, not all teeth whitening products are the same. At Aura Dental, we are a multi-award nominee practice for several major awards, and we like to provide teeth whitening treatment that meets our high standards of patient care. Our dentist St John’s Wood can provide you with Enlighten, which is the only teeth whitening treatment that guarantees a Vita Shade B1. It is a professional teeth whitening system that uses a low-concentration hydrogen peroxide gel to safely and effectively lighten and brighten your teeth. You will use a special gel in custom-made trays at home for a couple of weeks and then come in for a final booster session at the dental practice. The gel is activated by a special light, which helps to penetrate the enamel and reach the deeper layers of the teeth. The booster session takes about 40 minutes. Enlighten is a safe and effective teeth whitening system that can produce dramatic results. In most cases, patients can expect to see their teeth whiten up to 8 shades. The results of Enlighten are also long-lasting. With proper care, your teeth can stay white for several years, and we recommend using the trays for top-up treatment every few months. You can get more of the gel from us when you run out too.

In preparation for the teeth whitening treatment, we will also provide you with special toothpaste to ensure that your teeth aren’t sensitive to the treatment.

Causes of discoloured teeth

It can be a source of anxiety to have discoloured teeth, especially if you have a good oral hygiene routine and don’t know what else to do. However, there are many different factors that can cause teeth to discolour that don’t involve poor oral hygiene. First, certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and carbonated drinks, can stain teeth. Another well-known cause of stained teeth is smoking. Smoking can cause teeth to become yellow or brown, and it won’t matter how much you try and brush your teeth if you continue the habit. A less well-known cause of discoloured teeth can also be medicine. Some medications, such as tetracycline, can cause teeth to discolour. You may also have discoloured teeth if your teeth have been chipped or fractured. Also, as you age, your teeth may naturally become darker, which we know may not be the birthday present you were hoping for, but we can certainly help you party with Enlighten!

Benefits of teeth whitening

There are many benefits to teeth whitening, the most obvious being that you will have a brighter, sparkling smile. Teeth whitening can give you a brighter, more confident smile; what’s not to love about that? Teeth whitening can also help to remove surface stains and bacteria, which can improve your overall oral health and help to make you feel more confident.

How the trays are made and used

The trays used for Enlighten teeth whitening are made specifically for each patient. Our dentist St John’s Wood will take impressions of your teeth and send them to Enlighten’s laboratory, where they will be able to create custom-made trays that fit your teeth perfectly.

So, if you’re looking for a safe and effective way to whiten your teeth, come and talk to our dentist St John’s Wood about Enlighten teeth whitening. With Enlighten, you can have a whiter smile in just two weeks, so what are you waiting for?!

From our vantage point as your dentist St John’s Wood at Aura Dental, it’s apparent that oral health and systemic diseases are not distinct entities; they’re intricately interconnected. Particularly, the tie between diabetes and oral health issues is a relationship that has captured our attention. This association is significant to our practice, as we routinely manage patients who juggle both their diabetic condition and oral health. This relationship underpins the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach in our dental practice and as your dentist St John’s Wood.

The impact of diabetes on oral health

Diabetes, a metabolic disorder that impacts blood sugar levels, doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It has far-reaching effects on various body systems, including oral health. To put it simply, the presence of persistently high blood sugar levels in a diabetic patient can precipitate a host of oral health issues. The most common ones include gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis, dry mouth, burning mouth syndrome, and thrush. Additionally, slow healing after dental procedures, which can be a significant concern for patients, is often a consequence of uncontrolled diabetes.

Interestingly, it’s not just a one-way street; poor oral health can adversely affect diabetes control. Severe gum disease may increase blood sugar levels, leading to a vicious cycle of worsening oral health and uncontrolled diabetes. Understanding this reciprocal relationship guides our practice to address the issue holistically.

Our role as dentists in managing oral health in diabetic patients

As dental professionals, we play a vital role in managing oral health in individuals with diabetes. The first step is awareness. We ensure that our patients understand the connection between diabetes and oral health and the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. Regular dental visits, timely treatment of dental issues, and good dental hygiene are key components of managing oral health in individuals with diabetes.

Furthermore, we understand the value of coordinating care with other healthcare professionals. We collaborate with endocrinologists and primary care physicians, sharing important information regarding patients’ oral health status, which can significantly influence diabetes management.

Promoting proactive oral health practices for diabetic patients

Proactive oral health practices are an integral part of our approach to managing oral health in diabetic patients. Our team emphasises the importance of regular dental check-ups, not only to catch and treat oral issues early, but also to provide professional teeth cleaning that goes beyond what a toothbrush and floss can do. We also suggest specific oral health products tailored for individuals with diabetes to help control oral symptoms and promote overall oral health.

Equally important is dietary guidance. We help our patients understand how their food choices can impact both their diabetes and oral health. Sugary and starchy foods can cause spikes in blood sugar and also contribute to tooth decay. Thus, we guide our patients towards a diet that is beneficial for both their systemic and oral health.

In conclusion, the connection between diabetes and oral health is complex and multi-faceted, but it’s not insurmountable. As your dentist St John’s Wood, we remain committed to our role in helping patients navigate this relationship, manage their oral health, and, consequently, their diabetes better.

A visit to our dental practice, Aura Dental, is more than just a simple check-up; it’s a journey towards optimal oral health. We firmly believe in the power of preventive dentistry, a holistic approach that focuses on preventing oral diseases before they even start. This philosophy goes beyond merely treating symptoms and seeks to eradicate the root causes of dental issues, ensuring a healthier and brighter smile for patients visiting us as their dentist in St John’s Wood.

Preventive dentistry is not just about cleanings and fillings; it encompasses a wide range of services designed to promote and maintain good oral health. We offer comprehensive care to our patients, including regular dental check-ups, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and patient education. Our aim is to empower you with the tools and knowledge to take control of your dental health.

Why we champion preventive care

As dentists, we understand the consequences of neglected dental health and how it can affect one’s overall wellbeing. That’s why we are passionate advocates for preventive dentistry. It’s the key to a life free from oral diseases, expensive restorative treatments, and most importantly, the discomfort often associated with dental problems.

Preventive care is not just about catching dental issues early, but also mitigating potential future issues. With regular check-ups from our dentist in St John’s Wood and hygiene appointments, we can detect early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer, among other conditions. We can also monitor your oral health for any changes, helping us anticipate and preempt any possible issues.

Education: an integral part of our practice

We believe that knowledge is power. Therefore, educating our patients about oral health is an integral part of our practice. We take the time to explain the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene practices, such as regular brushing and flossing, a balanced diet, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

At our practice, we also guide you on the appropriate methods of brushing and flossing, and the right products suitable for your specific dental needs. We take pride in seeing our patients walk out of our clinic with a better understanding of their oral health, armed with practical tips and advice for maintaining it.

Our commitment to your oral health

Our commitment to preventive dentistry is steadfast. We strive to provide exceptional dental care tailored to each individual’s unique needs and circumstances. Our mission is to help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health for a lifetime. To do so, we foster a partnership with our patients, involving them in the decision-making process and offering personalised treatment plans.

We hold ourselves as your dentist in St John’s Wood to the highest standards of professionalism and continually seek to improve our skills and knowledge. Rest assured, we use the latest dental technologies and techniques to provide a comfortable, safe, and efficient treatment experience.

In conclusion, as your partners in oral health, we cannot emphasise enough the importance of preventive dentistry. It’s a long-term investment in your wellbeing and quality of life. By embracing preventive care, we can work together to prevent oral diseases and ensure a brighter, healthier smile.