Author: Mary Gill

It’s National Teeth Whitening Day!

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Tooth whitening is a professional process of removing stains and discolouration from teeth, by bleaching, to reveal a brighter smile. Bleaching is even beneficial to those who do not have staining as it can help to brighten your enamel.

Why You Should Celebrate

Foods and drinks stain our teeth overtime. After your treatment you will notice the difference that it has on your appearance, but also on your self confidence.

You also gain the benefit of a dental exam whilst ensuring that whitening is the best treatment for you.

How You Can Celebrate

  • Eat a balanced diet. If this is not already part of your day to day routine, today is the perfect time to start. Try to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet, as well as high-protein foods.
  • Visit your dentist. You should be attending regular checkups with your dentist. If you haven’t been for a while, now is a good time to book that appointment.
  • Replace your toothbrush. Most people are not aware of how often they should be changing their toothbrush. Did you know that you should be getting a new toothbrush (or toothbrush head if you use an electric toothbrush) every three months?
  • Book a professional tooth whitening appointment with us. Treat yourself with a bright smile.

If you are interested in tooth whitening, call us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment or email us at info@newbydental.co.uk for more information.

Why You Shouldn’t Wear Your Dentures At Night

It is often recommended by dentists to wear your new dentures for the first night as this helps to heal your gums more quickly. However, the long term wear of dentures overnight can cause more harm than good. Follow the advice below to learn how to protect your gums and care for your dentures.

There are multiple health reasons why you shouldn’t wear your dentures whilst you sleep. Here are the main benefits of removing your dentures on a night:

Prevents Gum Inflammation

Wearing your dentures overnight can affect the flow of saliva around the mouth as it blocks the saliva’s path. This can result in a condition called Denture Stomatitis, more commonly known as thrush. Denture stomatitis is a condition found commonly in denture-wearers as the base of the denture attracts a buildup of plaque allowing the growth of bacteria. This can be painful as it leads to red and swollen gums, sometimes resulting in yeast infected gums.

Maintains a Tighter Fit

Wearing your dentures overnight can result in bone loss. This can cause your dentures to become loose resulting in them to slip, therefore reducing the ranges of foods that you are able to comfortably eat.

Prevents The Growth of Bacteria

The area where your gums and denture meet is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. This causes bad breath and can eventually result in gum disease. By not wearing your dentures at night, you are allowing your gums to rest without being damaged by bacteria.

Reduces Bone Loss

Dentures put pressure on the gums and the bone underneath. This can quicken the rate of bone resorption. Bone resorption is a natural process but when it happens faster than the bone can be replaced, it can increase your risk of fractures and breakage.

How to Care For Your Dentures Overnight

Now you know that you shouldn’t wear your dentures overnight, it is important that you know how to look after them. Here are our top tips to ensure that your dentures are in the best condition.

Gargle With Warm Water

Gargling with warm water will help to loosen the seal between the adhesive and your denture, making it much easier to remove.

Rinse the Dentures

Once you have removed your dentures rinse them under running water to remove any remaining food particles.

Brush Dentures With a Soft Toothbrush

To brush your dentures use water, denture paste or a non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid using regular toothpaste as it contains abrasives that can cause damage to your dentures.

Remove Adhesive Residues in Your Mouth

Gargle with warm salt water and use a clean washcloth to remove any residue left on your gums and the roof of your mouth. Rinse your mouth out with warm water again. You can also use a soft toothbrush to clean your gums. If you wear a partial denture, don’t forget to brush your natural teeth.

Clean Your Dentures

Soak your dentures in water or a denture cleaning solution overnight. If you use a fast acting cleaning solution, clean your dentures in the solution first and then soak in water overnight. If you have a partial denture make sure you use a solution designed for partials.

In the morning, thoroughly rinse your dentures under running water.

5 Bad Brushing Habits To Avoid

How To Brush Your Teeth Effectively

Regular visits to the dentist are important to maintain a healthy smile, but good oral hygiene starts at home. Although brushing your teeth may seem like a simple task, there are some mistakes you should avoid to ensure that your dental health is in excellent condition.

1. Not Brushing For Long Enough

Most people will know that it is important to brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice daily, but many fall short of that. To make it easier, divide your mouth into 4 sections and spend 30 seconds on each quarter.

2. Brushing Straight After Eating

The food we eat contains acid which weakens our enamel. Therefore, if you brush straight after eating, you’re helping to erode the enamel away. Make sure to wait at least 40 minutes after eating.

3. Don’t Forget the Gums and Tongue

Your tongue and gums can harbour bacteria which can lead to gum disease and bad breath.

4. Not Flossing

Although flossing might not be considered a ‘bad brushing habit’, it is still vital that you use dental floss daily. Only using a toothbrush will not effectively clean all areas of your mouth. Using dental floss or interdental brushes will help to disturb the bacteria in between your teeth, preventing the build up of harmful plaque that can lead to gum disease.

5. Keeping Your Toothbrush for too Long

It is Important that you change your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3-4 months. If not changed frequently, the bristles begin to breakdown meaning that the toothbrush isn’t effectively cleaning your teeth anymore.

Following this advice will help to guide you in the right direction to a healthy mouth. If you would like any extra information please ring the practice on 01723 670500 or email us on info@newbydental.co.uk

Why You Should Visit the Hygienist

Routine Dental Hygiene Appointment

Regular visits to your dental hygienist are important in the upkeep of your oral health. At Newby Dental Practice, our therapist Holly, and hygienists Mandy and Helen, will help provide treatment and advice to ensure that your dental health is in the best condition.

What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?

When visiting your dentist, they may suggest to book an appointment with a hygienist. Your hygienist will prevent, identify and treat gum disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums, which can cause irritation and bleeding. Your helpful hygienist will remove the plaque in those hard to reach areas and provide advice on how to effectively clean your teeth as well as your gums. They will also give lifestyle advice to help prevent gum disease.

Advice to Improve Your Oral Health

Brushing your teeth twice a day will help to combat gum disease as well as brushing in between your teeth using either floss or interdental brushes. Creating a routine involving these steps will help to embed them into your oral hygiene regimen, benefitting your dental health.

Smoking is the number one cause of gum disease as it restricts the flow of oxygen in the blood flow, preventing the infected gums from healing. As a smoker it is likely that your gum disease will worsen more quickly leading to tooth loss. You will also find that treatment may be more difficult to stabilize your gum disease. Quitting smoking will help to prevent gum disease.

A balanced diet will also help to improve your oral health, so whilst it is important to eat healthy foods, such as fruit and vegetables, it is also vital to reduce your intake of sugary items, such as fizzy drinks. Not only do fizzy drinks contain high volumes of sugar which can cause dental decay, but they also consist of acid which can erode the strong enamel that protects your teeth. Improving your diet will also help to have a positive effect on your general health which is an added bonus!

If you are interested in any extra advice or you would like to book an appointment with one of our hygienists, give our friendly team a call on 01723 670500 and they will be happy to help with any inquiries.

Why Your Toddler Shouldn’t Drink Milk Through The Night

Tooth decay is the most common infectious disease in children. Primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, are essential for the health and development of your child. They allow for the development of permanent (adult) teeth by saving space for them in the jaw. If a baby tooth is lost too early in development, permanent teeth can drift into the empty space making it difficult for all adult teeth to erupt properly. Unfortunately, the progression of tooth decay can begin as soon as the first tooth comes in.

Feeding your child milk during the night, after brushing their teeth, can cause severe cavities on the front teeth. Although milk is essential for your child’s development, it does contain small amounts of sugar and if fed during the night, your child’s teeth are essentially being soaked in sugar overnight.

How Can You Protect Your Child’s Teeth?

  • If your child requires a bottle to sleep, try filling it with plain water to prevent the occurrence of cavities.
  • Never fill your child’s bottle with high sugar drinks such as juice or fizzy drinks.
  • When your child’s teeth start to come in, use a teething toothbrush and a smear of children’s toothpaste.
  • Take your child to the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears.

If you require any further advice, give our friendly team a call on 01723 670 500 or email us at info@newbydental.co.uk

Everything You Need to Know About Lip Cancer

Lip cancer is a form of oral cancer. A recent study has found that a worrying 75% of the British public do not know what the signs and symptoms of lip cancer are. If caught early, lip cancer can be treated successfully so an early diagnosis is essential.

Signs to look out for include:

  • Open sores.
  • Visible changes to the skin on the lips.
  • A red patch that becomes crusty, itchy or bleeds.
  • Lumps or wart-like growths.
  • A pale or white skin area that looks similar to a scar.

There are certain lifestyle choices that can increase your risk of developing lip cancer. These factors include:

  • Sun exposure
  • Alcohol use
  • Tobacco use

Due to climate change and the depletion of the ozone layer (the layer that absorbs the harmful rays radiated by the sun), the risk is only going to get worse so it is vital that you are aware of how to reduce the likelihood of developing lip cancer.

Alcohol and tobacco use are also risk factors. People who drink three to four alcoholic drinks a day are twice as likely to develop mouth cancer than those who do not. The risk increases by two or three times when tobacco use and daily alcohol consumption are combined.

Prevention

The Oral Health Foundation reports that “up to 90% of all mouth cancers are linked to lifestyle factors”, so it is vital that you regulate your alcohol consumption. It is also reported that smoking can increase your risk of oral cancers by up to ten times, so now would be a good time to quit!

Also try to apply protective SPF lip balm daily, even on a cloudy day. to protect your lips from the UV rays from the sun.

It is vital that you attend regular check ups with your dentist to look out for the signs and symptoms. Here at Newby Dental Practice we complete a routine oral cancer screening at every dental check up, contact us to book your appointment now. If you require any further information or advice, please contact us at info@newbydental.co.uk or 01723 670500

https://www.newbydentalpractice.co.uk/oral-cancer-screening/