Sleep Apnoea is a malfunction in our breathing pattern that stops our breathing during sleep, says a South East London dentist. The problem is a recently diagnosed one, and it was only in the mid 1960s that the problem really came to light. Periods of 10 seconds or longer are experienced by the sufferer during sleep, this happens when the throat muscles are in a state of complete relaxation and close the throat completely. The condition has been known about for centuries, but little or no research was carried out until the 1960s. The `Fat Boy` in Charles Dickens stories about Mr Pickwick was a sufferer, a doctor in the 1850s recognised this strange occurrence and named it the Pickwick Syndrome, but never wrote a paper on it. Very little is still known about this syndrome and the causes, and even less is known about the long term effects on the sufferer. Snoring is one sign of the presence of it, as is a constant tiredness due to the sleep deprivation that is a side effect of the constant awakening. Breathing problems which cause a lack of Oxygen to be taken in and a build up on Carbon Dioxide within the body, are two problems that put a strain on the heart and the vital organs that rely of a constant supply in order to function. During medical procedures a patient who is prone to this can cause extra problems, especially as it is usually impossible to awaken as most sufferers do in a normal sleep mode. Another problem with Sleep Apnoea is that it is associated with obesity and that in itself is a huge problem. The main problem is that Sleep Apnoea is a cause of obesity and obesity is a cause of Sleep Apnoea.

Oral Cancer has many contributory causes, although the actual cause is still a mystery to Oncologists says a dentist from SE1 in London. Oral hygiene is just one such contributory factor as is smoking and the use of chewing tobacco; drugs that are rubbed on gums are also now seen as a factor. The tumours come in different forms and grow on the lips, inner mouth, gums and tongue; they come in the form of lumps, lesions and white spots. It is a difficult cancer to see early in the development as the process is usually quite painless, a burning sensation is felt in the latter stages and this is generally the result of a cut caused by brushing. Swallowing along with throat infections and swelling are often associated with Oral Cancer. Bad blood circulation caused by diabetes and other related blood disorders are now known to be causes. Alcohol is a major cause of triggering the cancer gene that all have in our DNA, excessive use of this drug, yes it is a drug, is not only harmful to the vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. Alcohol contains enzymes that have long been associated with cancer cell growth, and that’s in all parts of the body. In the oral area alcohol enters our mouths in its rawest form and is totally undiluted by our body’s defences. That makes Oral Cancer one of the most prolific cancers that affects us, and one of the hardest to detect in the early stages. A simple regime of oral hygiene will greatly reduce our chances of Oral Cancer, as will a reduction or a complete stoppage of too much alcohol and tobacco consumption. Thankfully today our dentists are more aware of this disease and are helping in the battle to reduce Oral Cancers, but you need to be vigilant and make sure you get your 6 monthly check ups.

A Mini Implant is just what it says on the tin confirms a dentist from SE1 in London. Implants in general help to keep the height of the jaw line, as when a tooth is removed the jaw line can and often starts to weaken and wear away. Unlike a general implant a Mini Implant is a lot less complicated to do, there is often no need to cut the gum and therefore stitches are not needed in most cases. The tooth can literally be screwed straight into the jaw bone, and incredibly it can be used with full effect almost straight away. The implants come in varying diameters and lengths from 1.8 to 2.9 mm, and in length from 10 to 18 mm. The length of the implant is generally determined by the softness or density of the bone that will hold it, the softer the bone the longer the implant needs to be. The main purpose of the Mini Implant is to preserve the density and height of the jaw line to make it easier to fit a full implant at a later stage. It is also used to help patients retain height and evenness of the jaw line for the wearing of false plate teeth, which in some cases makes them gag when first fitted. A general implant needs a period of about 3-6 months to adjust to the bone and become infused enough to be used with impunity, the Mini Implant is a whole different ball game in that because there is often no cutting, drilling or stitching the patient only generally need a small anaesthetic before the quick procedure. Once the numbness wears off the depth of the Mini Implant allows the implant or implants to be used straight away.

An Invisalign is a brace that uses non-traditional methods to adjust misaligned teeth says a South East London dentist. The method is a brilliant combination of orthodontic technology and cosmetic ingenuity, as it is a brace that is almost invisible, effective and easy to wear. The other great thing about Invisalign is that the brace can be easily taken out and replaced for eating, drinking and cleaning of the teeth. For the busy executive it is a God send as it allows them to be brace free for cosmetic purposes during a business lunch, ask any busy executive or salesperson and they will confirm this. The effectiveness of the treatment is also quite remarkable in that the discomfort is minimised, you will only need to have fortnightly visits to the dentist to get the next stage brace. The consultation starts with a digital picture being created on a screen in front of you, the dental technician will take a series of digital photos and make an album from it to show you your misaligned teeth. Then they will create a picture using a special program to show you a series of pictures that will effectively take you through a time line, that time line will slowly show how the braces will work on the teeth to re-align them into a beautiful smile. The end result is a perfect smile, a smile that nature intended for you. You will see a virtual reality creation of the smile that will be uniquely yours, and in a lot less time than the traditional methods of old. As for the expense of this treatment, well, the good news is that it isn’t too expensive compared to other sorts of cosmetic surgery, and you won’t have heavy bruises, pain, discomfort or stitches. The time line is a lot less that the traditional methods, and this in itself helps to keep costs down.

Brushing and Flossing is probably the most important part of our dental hygiene regime, says a dentist from South East London. However, it has to be done properly in order to have the fullest effect and to keep gum disease away. The method of brushing is as important as the brush itself, there tends to be a fallacy about the fact that if you use an electric brush you don’t need to brush for too long, fallacies in dental care can cost you your teeth. A hand brush is the best method in a lot of cases as it allows you to feel the way around the teeth, and to get into all those awkward places that electric brushes often miss. That said, electric brushes are just as useful and effective as the old method, many of them have a timer and that is a handy tool in itself. A good mouthwash can dislodge recently consumed food particles, and that followed by a good flossing session will usually dislodge almost all the bits of food hiding in between the teeth. When we brush it should be the last part of the operation, a clean and healthy mouth will ensure that the teeth last a long time, and keep gum disease at bay. Carrying around a few floss sticks for cleaning in between the teeth after a sandwich or a light meal will also help in the fight against tartar, this is the hardened bacteria that accumulates around the base of the teeth where the gums meet the tooth. Tartar is usually removed at our 6 monthly visits to the dentist, but don’t let that make you lax in your regime, brushing and flossing should be kept to a high standard and never relaxed.

Inman Aligners are a very clever way of straightening teeth they were devised to not only progress dental methods of aligning teeth, but also to improve the confidence of the patience. Braces have always had an impact on the wearer and this has over the generations given children an unkind stigma, and led to bullying in a lot of cases. The great advantage that Inman Aligners have is their flexibility and the unique way they work to straighten teeth in a short time. Unlike traditional braces and invisible braces the Inman method uses springs that adjust more evenly, this way the teeth can be manoeuvred into position without too much readjustment. In fact most of the adjustment is actually done by the teeth themselves, as they are moved on a daily basis the springs will tighten or loosen on the necessary points and this makes the whole procedure work quicker. Inman Aligners are however most effective on the front teeth on the top and bottom sets, Invisaligns are used mostly for the back teeth says a dentist from SE1 in London. However, the good news is that most U.K. dentists now use a combination of both these braces to fix whole sets of badly misaligned teeth. The Inman Aligners have been popular in the U.S. and are now used widely in the U.K. either on their own, or in conjunction with other methods to solve the problem of our misaligned teeth. Fewer visits to the dentist chair are another advantage of Inman Aligners, unlike other methods that sometimes need a visit every few weeks the Inman method is a self adjusting one. It works quite simply by gently squeezing the teeth into the right position with the springs doing most of the work; this is then adjusted by a counter bar that repositions the springs and the pressure. As they are behind the teeth they are also harder to see.