Teeth sensitivity can be related to numerous factors (tooth decay, inflammation of dental pulp, gum recession, loss of enamel…). The first thing to do is to book a consultation with your dentist to identify the cause and make a treatment plan.

When the layer of enamel is affected or when the gums recede, the use of sensitive toothpaste may help to reduce the sensitivity. The little canals that transmit the nervous impulse can be exposed. Sensitive toothpastes usually have 2 main mechanisms of action

1) A mechanical and mineralizing action by obturation of these canals (strontium salt, fluoride combined with other ions)

2) A neutralizing action by deactivation of the nervous impulse (potassium salt)

See Dr TL: Sensodyne video

Hyaluronic acid dermal filler used for the smoker lines (also called barcode lines, they are the vertical wrinkles above the upper lip), by Dr TL.

The vertical lines are reduced and the volume is more harmonious, which also give the upper lip a nice shape, though the lip itself has not been directly treated. The “after” picture was taken just after the procedure and the skin will smooth out a bit further after a few days.

Dr Thu-Linh ALLAIN NGUYEN, French dentist in London, visited La Petite Ecole Française this month to promote oral health with children aged 5 to 10 years old. They learned how to keep healthy teeth with fun activities and videos. The 3 key-points are:

1) Toothbrushing, at least twice a day, morning and evening under parents supervision

2) A balanced diet, without snacking and with a reasonable amount of sugar to reduce the cavity risk (be careful with the sugary drinks like fruit juice and fizzy drinks)

3) A consultation with the dentist once to twice a year to get them used to the dental examination, for early detection of problems and treatments, and to monitor the growth and eruption of the baby teeth and permanent teeth

6 years-old is a key age for teeth with the eruption of the first permanent teeth, the upper and lower incisors (“front teeth”) after loss of baby teeth but also the first permanent molars, often forgotten because no baby tooth is lost before their appearance at the very back of the mouth. They may get decayed because of difficulty of access when brushing but they can be protected by Fissure sealants (quick and easy painless treatments to facilitate the brushing and add a fluoride protection).

Thu-Linh also works with le Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle de Londres, in particular with l’Ecole André Malraux in Ealing.

Bruxism is excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching with symptoms such as hypersensitive teeth, aching jaw muscles, pain around the temporomandibular joint, headaches, tooth wear, damage to teeth and dental restorations. There are two types of bruxism: sleep bruxism and awake bruxism. People affected by bruxism are not necessarily aware of their condition because  the contraction of the mastication muscles is unconscious.

Some visible signs on the teeth are: abfraction (tooth tissue loss along the gingival margin caused by bio mechanical loading forces), gum recession and attrition (tooth wear with loss of tooth anatomy, flat and shorter teeth).

As the teeth become flatter and shorter, sensitivity may occur: the dental pulp containing the dental nerve is not as well protected by the layers of dentin and enamel tissues.

To prevent damage to the teeth, mouthguards or appliances (splints) are often used. Treatment performed by Dr TL:

Bruxism is a complex pathology and should be part of a multidisciplinary care. Injections of Botulinum Toxin (Botox) can partially paralyze the mastication muscles and lessen their ability to forcelly grind and clench while enabling normal activities such as talking and eating. These injections will also allow the dentist to restore the teeth with fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers, putting them less at risk of fracturing. Meet Dr Marie-Hélène Marion to know more about Bruxism et Botulinum Toxin.

Working with osteopaths is also beneficial. Florence Pasteur, Osteopath takes into account the dental factors when treating body posture.

Large dental fillings may break under important or repetitive mastication forces. This can also lead to the fracture of the tooth itself, sometimes beyond repair. Onlays are a good way to restore a tooth and they are superior in terms of resistance than direct fillings. They are also more conservative than crowns. Treatment performed by Dr TL.

Dental impressions are taken during the first appointment and the onlay is glued on the second appointment. Onlays can be made in gold or porcelain. In this case, an Emax porcelain has been placed.

A Maryland bridge can be a great option to replace a missing tooth with minimal removal of dental tissue. Treatment performed by Dr TL.

When it’s not possible to consider an implant to replace a missing tooth (for technical or financial reasons), a Maryland bridge is a good compromise to restore the aesthetics of the smile without too much preparation of the abutment teeth. Depending on cases, one or two wings will be glued at the back of the adjacent teeth.

(Waiting for the right time to get your permanent tooth replacement treatment? You can contact Daniel Lavrin, Denturist)

Porcelain veneers are a great way to correct shape, size and shade of the front teeth. Treatments performed by Dr TL.

This treatment requires at least two appointments. The first one consists in the preparation of the teeth to make space for the porcelain veneers, under local anesthetisia. Dental impressions are then taken, temporary veneers are built and the shade of the future veneers is chosen with the patient. During the second appointment, the porcelain veneers are glued on the teeth.

Cosmetic composites are a great way to change your smile in one appointment. Here, 2 new fillings were placed on the central incisors and 2 composite veneers were built on the incisors to make the front teeth aligned. Treatments performed by Dr TL.

In some cases, a simple contouring (reshaping) of the tooth can dramatically change your smile. Treatments performed by Dr TL.

After a minor fall or because of a mild malposition, a smile can appear uneven. If no risk factors or contra-indications are spotted, a tooth can be sculpted by removing only a bit of enamel tissue. It is also called tooth reshaping or tooth contouring.