Author: Mary Gill

The Most Important Questions To Ask Your Dentist

Your 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

Everyone 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 Routine

Amongst 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 One

Christmas 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 Key

There 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 Foods

Cheese 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.

Alcohol

Everyone 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 Straw

This 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 Gum

Chewing 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 Tools

Don’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.

5 Things Every Person With Dentures Needs To Know

We are told from a young age how important our oral hygiene is to keep our mouth and teeth healthy. However, even if looked after to the best standard, there is a high chance that you will need dentures at some point in your life. To be able to experience the benefits of your dentures, you need to understand how to care for them.

Dental Hygiene Is Still Crucial

Even though your dentures are not natural teeth, they still need cleaning frequently to keep them looking good and to keep the rest of your mouth healthy. To clean your dentures you should soak and brush them using a soft bristled toothbrush and non abrasive denture cleaner. Soak them overnight. Dentures get stained easily if not cleaned properly.

It Takes Time To Get Used To Them

When you put your dentures on, you are placing something artificial in your mouth so it is normal for this to feel strange. It could also result in the development of some mouth sores. However, your dentist will tell you how to minimise the initial discomfort and avoid sores. After a short while, your dentures will start to feel natural in your mouth.

Dentures Should Be Removed When Possible

Whenever you do not need to wear your dentures, you should remove them. Extended wear can place pressure on the gum, which could lead to a receding gum condition. If in place too long, they can also cause bad breath. Taking them out will allow your gums to relax.

Practice Makes Perfect

The reasons for wearing dentures are to allow you to eat and talk naturally. However, this may take a while to get used to.

Dentures Require Maintenance

Once you get used to your dentures, you will almost forget that they are there. However, because they are subject to so much wear, they need regular maintenance and there may be times that they need repairing. If they do need repairing, make sure you take them back to your dentist who will ensure that they are repaired correctly.

Your dentures will give you the confidence to smile and go about your day to day life as if you had your natural teeth, as long as you care for them correctly. If you have any issues with your dentures, please call us on 01723 670500 and one of our dentists will do everything they can to help.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Dental anxiety can create a huge barrier when trying to access routine dental care. A visit to the dentist for some people can be extremely difficult. This is where sedation dentistry could work for you.

Types Of Sedation

There are two types of sedation available, intravenous sedation and inhalation sedation.

Intravenous sedation is administered by the dentist through your vein. IV sedation provides several benefits:

  • It starts working quickly, and you feel minimal to no pain during the procedure.
  • The dentist can monitor your vitals and easily adjust the the dosage.
  • It creates a long period of amnesia so you won’t remember the procedure at all when you wake up.
  • It allows you to cooperate for a more extended period so more than one procedure can be performed in one appointment.

Inhalation sedation involves breathing in nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. The gas helps you to relax and your dentist can control the amount of sedation you receive. The gas tends to wear off quickly.

Who Can Have Sedation?

Sedation is most appropriate for people who suffer with moderate to severe dental anxiety. It may also be appropriate for people who:

  • Have a low pain threshold.
  • Can’t sit still in the dentist’s chair.
  • Have very sensitive teeth.
  • Have a bad gag reflex.
  • Need a large amount of dental work completed.

What Your Dental Symptom Could Mean

Toothache

Toothaches usually indicate a cavity but they can also be a sign of gum disease. In some cases, toothache could also be a sign of an abscess or impacted tooth. If the pain is significant, you should visit your dentist so that they can examine it and sort a treatment plan.

Sensitive Teeth

If your teeth are painful when you drink hot or cold drinks, you might have sensitive teeth. This could be the result of tooth decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn tooth enamel or an exposed tooth root caused by gum recession. If you are concerned about the sensitivity, please contact your dentist who will be able to give you some advice.

Bleeding Or Sore Gums

Bleeding gums could be a sign of gingivitis, which is an early sign of gum disease. Or it could simply be a sign that you are brushing too hard or starting a new flossing routine. If your gums are continually bleeding, visit your dentist.

Mouth Sores

Mouth sores vary in their severity and causes. They could be caused by a disease or a disorder, infection from bacteria, viruses or fungus, or irritation from appliances such as braces or dentures.

Bad Breath

Bad breath can be caused by what you eat, not cleaning your mouth, dry mouth, smoking or other medical conditions. Persistent bad breath could be a sign of gum disease. To help reduce bad breath and prevent gum disease, make sure you are maintaining your oral hygiene routine, brushing twice a day and flossing daily. It is also important that you are brushing your tongue as it can hold onto food debris, causing bad breath. If you are concerned about what is causing your bad breath, you should visit your dentist.

Jaw Pain

Many things can cause jaw pain so it can be difficult to diagnose and find the cause. Possible causes include sinus problems, toothache, arthritis, teeth grinding, gingivitis or injury. Your dentist will conduct a thorough exam which may include x-rays to determine the source of the pain.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth could be the symptom of a medical disorder or a side effect to certain medications. Saliva helps to prevent tooth decay as it washes away food and other debris and neutralises acids. Your dentist will help to diagnose the source of the problem and recommend ways to solve the issue.

Cracked Or Broken Teeth

A cracked or broken tooth can happen for a variety of reasons including brittle teeth, teeth grinding or injury. The crack may not be visible to the naked eye but if left untreated it can lead to more problems such as tooth decay. If you experience pain when chewing, you should see your dentist.

Stained Or Discoloured Teeth

Overtime, as you age, your teeth can become stained and change colour. This can be emphasised by certain foods such as tea and coffee. It can also be caused by a variety of other reasons such as smoking, aging, genetics, injury or certain medications. Whitening treatments could work for you but you should discuss this with your dentist first.

If you have any concerns about your oral health, please call us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment and a dentist will try to diagnose your problem.

What To Do Following A Tooth Extraction

Immediately after you have had a tooth removed, you should take it easy for the rest of the day. Do as little exercise as possible and keep your head up to avoid any bleeding.

What Precautions Should I Take?

Avoid hot foods and drinks until the anaesthetic wears off. This is because when you are under anaesthesia you will not be able to feel if you are burning your mouth and this could result in serious injury. Also, be careful not to chew your cheek.

Should I Rinse My Mouth Out?

Do not rinse the area for the first 24 hours. It is vital that the socket heals, and you must be careful not to damage the blood clot that is forming. This means that you should try to eat on the other side of your mouth and try not to let your tongue disturb it. If it is disturbed, it can allow infection into the socket which will affect the healing process.

Are There Any Foods Or Drinks I Should Avoid?

Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours as this can encourage bleeding which would delay the healing process. Eat and drink lukewarm food as normal but try to avoid eating on that side of your mouth.

When Should I Brush?

It is vital that your mouth is kept clean after an extraction to prevent infection. However, be careful around the extraction site as the clot could become dislodged.

What Should I Do If It Bleeds?

It is important to remember that there is likely to be some bleeding for the first day or so. However, if you do notice bleeding, do not rinse out, instead apply pressure to the socket. Bite down on folded piece of clean material, such as a handkerchief for at least 15 minutes. If the bleeding hasn’t stopped after an hour or two, contact your dentist.

How Long Until I Can I Have A Cigarette?

It is important that you don’t do anything that can raise your blood pressure, as this can cause further bleeding. It is recommended that you avoid smoking for as long as possible after an extraction, but this should be for at least the rest of the day after your extraction.

What Should I Do To Help My Mouth Heal?

Different people will heal at different rates. You should keep your mouth and the extraction site as clean as possible, free of debris and food. Don’t rinse for the first 24 hours as this can delay the healing process. After this time, use a salt water mouthwash, which will help to heal the socket. Add a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and gently rinse around the socket twice a day.

What Should I Do If I Am In Pain?

There will usually be some pain in the area for the first few days, and normally some simple pain relief is enough to ease the discomfort. Do not take aspirin as this will make your mouth bleed.

If you are still in pain, it could be due to an infection that has entered the socket. This is called a dry socket. If this is the case it is important to see your dentist, who may place a dressing and prescribe some antibiotics.

If, after reading this post, you still have an unanswered question, please call us on 01723 670500 for advice.

Mouth Cancer Action Month

Mouth Cancer Action Month is a charity campaign to help raise awareness for oral cancer. The campaign takes place throughout November and thousands of people help to raise awareness in their community.

The number of people being diagnosed with mouth cancer is on the rise so it is important that you know how to spot it early and what to do if you notice something unusual. This will help us learn more about cancer so we have a better chance of beating it.

Although there are many risk factors related to the disease, mouth cancer can affect anyone, which is why it is so important that we know what to look out for.

How Can You Take Part?

This November, we need your support. There are lots of ways you can take part:

  • Knowing how to spot mouth cancer early and regularly checking for unusual changes in the mouth.
  • Understanding what is likely to cause mouth cancer and reducing your risk.
  • Acting quickly when you see something out of the ordinary by visiting your dentist.

Fundraising

Fundraising is a great way to raise awareness whilst raising funds. These donations help the Oral Health Foundation continue their important work in learning more about oral cancer and how we can beat it.

For more information about the campaign, visit the Oral Health Foundation website and for more information about oral cancer, please click here to read our blog.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

During your visit to the dentist you may need to have x-rays done so that your dentist can get an overall view of your mouth. Many patients feel anxious when having x-rays done as it is unfamiliar to them.

Why Would I Need An X-Ray?

Tooth decay in the early stages may not show any visible signs and it may not initially cause you pain. Sometimes your tooth might look healthy but the x-ray may show something different. From an x-ray, your dental team will be able to see if you have any decay under the enamel, any infections in the root, or any bone loss around the tooth. X-rays can also help the dental team see between your teeth or under the edge of your filling. By finding dental diseases at an early stage, you will be able to treat them before they progress into something more serious.

How Often Should I Have X-Rays?

If you are visiting the dentist as a new patient, the dental team will most likely suggest that you have x-rays. This will help them to identify any issues that need to be taken into account during your treatment. After that, x-rays may be recommended every 6-24 months, depending on the person, their age and the condition of their oral health.

Are X-Rays Dangerous?

While dental x-rays do involve radiation, the exposure levels are so low that they are considered safe to use on children and adults. There are multiple sources of background radiation that you are exposed to daily that give off higher levels of radiation over a year than a dental x-ray. The only circumstance where it may not be considered safe for an x-ray is if you are pregnant. You should inform your dental team if this is the case and they will decide the appropriate course of action.

Why Does My Dentist Leave The Room During An X-Ray

The dental team might take hundreds of x-rays every week. It is important that staff limit their exposure to radiation by moving away from the x-ray beam.

Types Of X-Ray

There are several different types of x-rays which record images at different angles in your mouth. The most common are:

  • Bitewing – This shows the crowns of your teeth ( the part that is visible above your gum).
  • Occlusal – This x-ray shows the entire arch of teeth in either the top or bottom jaw.
  • Panoramic – Used to show the entire mouth on a single image.
  • Periapical – This x-ray focusses on two complete teeth from root to crown.

To summarise, dental x-rays are very safe as they only expose you to minimal levels of radiation. It is important that if your dentist recommends that you have x-rays taken that you follow their advice as without all of the information they will not be able to meet all of your treatment needs.

What Is A Dental Crown And What Types Are Available?

A dental crown or cap is a fixed prosthetic object used to repair a tooth that has been damaged, possibly due to decay. Crowns are made by reducing the size of your tooth so that the crown fits perfectly. Next an impression is made. Your dentist may place a temporary crown whilst you permanent one is made.

Why Might I Need A Crown?

  • A large cavity that is too big for a filling
  • Your tooth is severely worn down
  • Your tooth is cracked
  • Following a root canal

Types Of Dental Crown

  • Ceramic – These are used for fixing your front teeth as they blend in with your natural teeth. The crown is made of a porcelain based material. However, they are not as strong as metal crowns. They can last a long time but they need to be looked after.
  • Porcelain fused to metal – This crown provides a stronger bond because it is connected to a metal structure.
  • Gold alloys – This is a mix of gold, copper and other metals. As well as providing a strong bond to the tooth, it doesn’t fracture or wear away the tooth.
  • Base metal alloys – This crown is made of metals that are highly resistant to corrosion and make a very strong crown. This material also requires the smallest amount of tooth to be removed prior to fitting.

What To Consider When Deciding What Type Of Crown You Need

When selecting a material for your crown, your dentist will consider multiple factors when deciding what crown they think is best for you:

  • Your tooth’s location
  • How much of your tooth is visible when you smile
  • Position of your gum tissue
  • The function of the tooth that requires the crown
  • How much natural tooth is remaining
  • Colour of the surrounding teeth.

How To Care For Your Dental Crown

  • Be careful when brushing. If you are not already brushing your teeth twice a day, you should definitely start now. If your crown or the teeth around it are sensitive to hot or cold, try using a sensitive toothpaste.
  • Avoid hard foods. Chewing hard foods could cause your crown to crack.
  • If you grind your teeth at night, your dentist might recommend a night guard to protect your crown.

If you need any more information, visit the healthline website, or contact us on info@newbydental.co.uk

Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants have a titanium screw that is drilled into your jawbone. Over several months, the bone surrounding the implant grows, holding it in place.

Types Of Dental Implants

There are two types of implants:

Endosteal (In The Bone)

Endosteal are the most common types of implants. They are surgically inserted into the the jawbone where they take the place of the tooth roots. One implant can be used to anchor one or several teeth.

Subperiosteal (On The Bone)

This implant is used when there isn’t enough healthy jawbone to support an endosteal implant.

They are inserted under the gum but aren’t drilled into the jawbone. They are placed on or above the jawbone.

Surgery Timeline

Implant procedures require lots of steps over a period of 3 to 9 months.

Evaluation

The first step will be to get your teeth, gums and jawbone evaluated. This will help to determine if you have enough healthy jawbone to maintain the implant. If the bone is too thin or soft, a bone graft may be necessary first. Your gums must also be free of periodontal disease.

Placing The Implant

An endosteal implant:

  • The dentist will cut the gum and expose the jawbone underneath.
  • Holes will be drilled into the bowl where the implant will be inserted.
  • If you would like, a temporary, removable denture can be placed over the hole until the permanent tooth can be fitted to the implant.

If you have a subperiosteal implant, your jawbone won’t be drilled and the implant will be put on or above the bone.

After the procedure, you will experience some swelling and pain which will subside over the following days.

Osseointegration

After the implant is placed, it can take between 2-6 months for the bone to grow around it. This is osseointegration. Natural jawbone will strengthen and grow around the the dental implant. This keeps it firmly in place.

Abutment Placement

A metal extender called an abutment is typically added to the implant and they are used to connect the replacement tooth to the implant.

Sometimes the abutment will be attached when the implant is placed but sometimes it may require a second appointment. If this is the case, the dentist may need to make an incision if the gum tissue has grown over the implant. The gums will take several weeks to heal after the abutment placement.

Placing The Tooth

Once the healing process is complete, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth so that the replacement tooth can be made to fit. It can be fixed or removable.

If you choose to have a removable tooth, it will be mounted onto a metal frame and attached to the abutment. It can be removed for daily cleaning.

If you choose to have a fixed tooth, it will be cemented or screwed onto the abutment.

Your new teeth must be cared for with daily brushing and flossing, just like your natural teeth. Your implant should last for decades if looked after properly.

If you are interested in having an implant, please call us on 01723 670500 for more information.