What To Do About Wisdom Tooth Pain? 27 December 202330 August 2022Wisdom tooth pain affects many people and it can range from quite mild to severe symptoms. Pain can be felt at the back of the mouth where the teeth erupt but it may also make the surrounding teeth painful too.What Causes The PainYour wisdom teeth will erupt during your late teens and early twenties so there may be growing pains as they come in. This should fully subside once they have fully formed. However, if there is not enough space for the tooth to emerge, your wisdom tooth may become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can result in:Tooth Decay: As it is more difficult to clean, they are more vulnerable to tooth decay.Infection: If you have an impacted wisdom tooth you may develop an abscess more easily which can lead to an infection in your mouth.Gum Disease: Similarly to tooth decay, it is more difficult to clean your wisdom teeth when the become impacted to the likelihood of developing gum disease increases.An impacted wisdom tooth may partially emerge so that some of the crown is visible, or it may never break through the gums. The tooth may:Grow at an angle towards the next tooth.Grow at an angle towards the back of the mouth.Grow at a right angle to the other teeth.Grow straight up or down but stay trapped in the jawbone.SymptomsImpacted teeth don’t always develop symptoms but if it becomes infected or damages other teeth, there are some symptoms you might notice:Red or swollen gumsTender or bleeding gumsJaw painSwelling around the jawBad breathAn unpleasant taste in your mouthDifficulty opening your mouthHow To Ease The PainSaltwater rinse: Rinsing your gums with warm water and salt helps promote healthy gums and kit harmful bacteria.Painkillers: ibuprofen is an over the counter medication with anti-inflammatory properties.Visit your dentist: If you are concerned with the pain and think that your tooth might be impacted, call your dentist as it may need to be extracted.
10 Dental Hygiene Tips For A Healthy Mouth 20 December 202330 August 2022Brushing your teeth is a good start to keeping your mouth healthy, but there are other things you could be doing as well.1. Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day For Two MinutesKeeping your teeth healthy starts with regular maintenance. Brushing for two minutes twice a day will help to keep plaque at bay, reducing the risk of developing tooth decay and other diseases. If you have young children it would be a good idea to start this routine fairly early in their life. Find ways to make it fun such as playing a song or setting a timer for the two minutes.To make it easier to clean every tooth, try to spend 30 seconds cleaning each quadrant or your mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left). Using the right techniques to brush your teeth will help to ensure you don’t damage the soft tissue around them. Use small, circular motions and angle the brush towards the gums. Make sure you brush all surfaces of your teeth and along the gum line.2. Floss DailyIt is recommended to floss every night before brushing to remove any food that has become lodged between your teeth. This is a step that many patients admit to skipping, but it is a very important step in preventing gum disease. Don’t ignore the tight spaces, these are especially important as your toothbrush can’t reach here.3. Replace Your Toothbrush RegularlyAs a rule, you should be replacing your toothbrush every three months so that it can work effectively. Damaged toothbrushes won’t clean your teeth correctly and can cause damage to your gums. Remember to replace your toothbrush if you have been ill to prevent the bacteria from re-entering your mouth.4. Visit Your Dentist RegularlyYour dentist will be able to notice any issues before you would and prevent them before they become serious. Regular visits allow your teeth to get a professional cleaning to remove any buildup of plaque and tartar, helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy.5. Maintain A Healthy DietAvoiding foods high in sugar such as fizzy drinks, sweets, and chocolate will help to reduce your chances of tooth decay. Instead try to incorporate foods that are high in calcium such as yoghurt, milk and cheese to help strengthen your teeth. Ask your dentist for recommendations of food that will help keep your teeth strong and healthy.6. Keep Hydrated Throughout The DayKeeping hydrated is not only beneficial for your overall health, but it also helps to maintain a healthy saliva flow. Saliva washes away food particles in your mouth, preventing them from becoming lodged in your teeth where bacteria can grow.7. Don’t SmokeSmoking causes cosmetic issues such as tooth staining, but it also causes more serious health concerns including gum disease, oral cancer and other issues. The best thing you can do is to quit smoking immediately.8. Use A MouthwashMouthwash helps to freshen breath, reduce plaque and gingivitis, whitens teeth and soothes dry mouth. It also has antimicrobial benefits and additional fluoride. However, make sure you are using your mouthwash at a different time to brushing your teeth as it contains less fluoride and will be washing away the benefits that your toothpaste has provided.9. Don’t Forget About Your TongueFood particles can build up on your tongue, along with plaque, which can lead to bad mouth odour and other health problems. Gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.10. Try An Electric ToothbrushWhen choosing a new toothbrush, you may want to consider an electric one. The bristle movements help to remove plaque more efficiently than a manual one.
The Most Important Questions To Ask Your Dentist 13 December 202330 August 2022Your dental appointments are a time to take control of your dental health. Your dental team has important advice to offer so make sure you are making the most of your appointments by asking questions.How Is My Overall Dental Health?Your dentist will explain any severe dental issues that they have noticed during your appointment. However, you should try to learn about some of the other small differences that are going on in your mouth.Asking your dentist to give you a short overview of your overall dental health should help to prevent the issues worsening. You should learn:Whether or not you are brushing and flossing correctly.How your gums look.If there are any areas that you should keep an eye on, such as weak teeth and areas at risk of decay.How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?Gum disease is a serious issue that affects your gum tissue and the bone supporting your teeth. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and have negative effects on your overall well-being.By asking your dentist how to prevent gum disease, they will be able to explain your risk level and how to change your dental hygiene routine to be more effective.What Does This Mean?If you are having any problems or concerns, it is important that you bring this up with your dentist. If you are experiencing any pain or you think you are noticing some discolouration, mention it to your dentist so that they can find the source of the problem and diagnose it early.What Type Of Toothbrush And Toothpaste Should I Be Using?It may not seem important, but the tools that you use daily can have a big impact on your dental health. With more and more options of toothbrushes becoming available, it would be a good idea to ask you dentist what they would recommend for you. The same goes for your toothpaste. If you have sensitive teeth, your dentist will be able to recommend a toothpaste to help.What Foods Are Bad For My Teeth?Certain foods can be particularly harmful to your mouth so it is important that you understand which foods to be wary of. Ask your dentist the foods that are especially damaging to your oral health. It is almost impossible to completely avoid all harmful foods, but it is good practice to reduce the frequency at which you eat them.Should I Use A Mouthwash?Although mouthwash isn’t an alternative to brushing and flossing, it can be beneficial to your oral hygiene routine. Using mouthwash helps to control the level of bacteria, fight bad breath and strengthen your teeth. However, it is important that it is used appropriately. Speak to your dentist about how you should use mouthwash, and what type they would recommend for you.What’s The Best Way To Whiten My Teeth?Over the counter tooth whitening kits can cause tooth sensitivity and damage the roots of your teeth. So if you are interested in whitening your teeth, mention it to your dentist and they can provide information on how to keep your teeth white and the best whitening treatment options.
8 Ways To Care For Your Oral Health This Christmas 6 December 202323 August 2022Everyone likes to treat themselves over the festive period with more indulgent foods and drinks. However, this can have a significant impact on your oral health. In this post we will explore how you can take care of yourself to make sure that your mouth doesn’t cause you any problems.Don’t Forget Your Oral Hygiene RoutineAmongst all of the parties and rushing to buy last minute presents, don’t forget to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once. It is understandable that after a long day, you might want to skip your normal routine. However we stress that it is extremely important to keep up with your brushing and flossing to keep gum disease and tooth decay away.Treat Yourself Or A Loved OneChristmas is a time to be generous. Have you considered purchasing a new electric toothbrush for you or a relative? It is recommended that you change your toothbrush regularly, either if it is a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush head. Electric toothbrushes are more effective at consistently reducing the buildup of plaque that can lead to decay and gum disease. You and your dentist will notice the difference.Moderation Is KeyThere are plenty of festive treats to choose from, whether its a mince pie or christmas cake, but they are all high in sugar. You don’t need to completely compromise on your sweet treats this winter, however, as the main problem is the frequency that you eat them. The more times that you eat a sweet treat throughout the day, the more acid attacks that you are putting your teeth through. This weakens the enamel that coats your teeth, which leads to tooth decay. Try to minimise the number of these occasions to help protect your teeth.Try These FoodsCheese is good for your teeth as it helps the mouth to return to its normal pH, reducing the change of tooth decay occurring, so go ahead and try that cheeseboard. Turkey contains phosphorus which are great for fighting decay and strengthening teeth. Nuts have a great amount of fibre, folic acid, calcium and other vitamins.AlcoholEveryone enjoys a few glasses of wine at christmas but did you know that this can affect your teeth? White wine is very acidic, contributing to enamel erosion, putting you at higher risk of tooth decay. Also, red wine can increase the risk of your teeth becoming stained. For these reasons, it is recommended that you only drink wine at meal times.Drink With A StrawThis is a great idea for kids (and adults too!). There are likely to be more fizzy drinks than normal at this time of year so try drinking them with a straw. This limits the amount of contact that the sugar has with your teeth.Sugar Free GumChewing gum stimulates saliva production, helping to remove any remaining plaque after eating. It also helps to keep your breath minty fresh!Don’t Use Your Teeth As ToolsDon’t use your teeth for things they weren’t designed for such as tearing through packaging or opening beer bottles. This can damage your teeth and potentially result in a dental emergency, which is the last thing you need on Christmas Day!Amongst the festivities, it can be difficult to keep up with your dental hygiene. We hope that these tips have helped and you can enjoy the Christmas period to the fullest! If you do struggle with a dental emergency over the festive season, or simply need some advice, don’t hesitate to call us on 01723 670500.