Why You Should Drink Water To Help Your Teeth 24 May 202326 July 2022We all know that there are numerous health benefits to drinking water, but did you know that it’s also good for your teeth?1. Strengthens Your TeethSome areas in the Uk have a water supply that naturally contains fluoride and in other areas it is added to the water. So by just drinking tap water, you are helping to strengthen your teeth. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to keep your teeth strong and prevent tooth decay.2. Keeps Your Mouth CleanThroughout the day, as you eat, the sugars get stuck to your teeth. The bacteria in your plaque break down the sugar to form acids which can wear away the enamel on your teeth. To protect your teeth, drink a glass of water after you eat to help wash away any remaining sugar.3. Keeps Your Mouth HydratedNot only does a dry mouth feel horrible, a lack of saliva can leave your teeth vulnerable to acid attacks. Saliva is 99% water so keeping hydrated will ensure that your mouth produces enough saliva. Your saliva washes away left over foods and keeps your teeth strong by washing them with calcium, phosphate and fluoride.4. Its Sugar FreeUnlike other drinks, water is sugar and calorie free. Even drinks that are advertised as healthy can be full of sugar, so swap these for water to help protect your teeth from acid attacks. Avoid fizzy drinks completely, as even the diet versions contain acid which can erode your enamel, weakening your teeth.
Why Do My Gums Hurt When I Brush My Teeth? 17 May 202326 July 2022Painful gums are a common problem. It could be due to a number of reasons, from brushing incorrectly or due to gum disease. Read the following article to find out the source of your pain.Gum DiseaseSwollen, tender, bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease is caused when plaque builds up on your teeth. Plaque contains harmful bacteria that can build up under your gum line and cause them to become inflamed. In the early stages, it is gingivitis. However, it can progress into periodontitis which results in bone loss, meaning that it is irreversible.Abscessed ToothWhen you have an infection by the root of your tooth, it forms an abscess. Although they may not always be painful, they can cause the gum to swell, making it painful to brush.StressAlthough this may seem strange, stress raises your level of cortisol which increases the likelihood of inflammation throughout the body, including your gums.TobaccoIf you smoke or vape you’re more likely to have gum disease. The tobacco causes the amount of oxygen flowing in the blood to fall, meaning that the gums can’t heal themselves as well. Not only does this make brushing painful but it also leads to cancer.Brushing IncorrectlyIt is important that your brush your teeth twice a day, but to be able to reap the benefits, you need to make sure you are doing it properly. This means using a soft bristled toothbrush, brushing gently with circular motions rather than back and forth.Regardless of the cause of your pain, pain while brushing your teeth isn’t normal and you should contact us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment with your dentist who will find what is causing the problem.
Caring For Your Oral Health And The Environment 10 May 202326 July 2022We should only use our toothbrushes for around three months before replacing it with a new one. This means that in the UK around 256 million toothbrushes are bought and discarded every year.Plastics are a key material in toothbrushes. They are flexible, have good durability and are easy to keep clean. However, they have detrimental impacts on our environment due to manufacturing, transportation, and disposability.Alternative PlasticsOne of the most common types of plastic is recycled plastic, however this is not always appropriate for oral healthcare products as it may contain hazardous materials. For this reason, it is unlikely that recycled plastics in their current for could be used to make toothbrushes. However they could be useful for their packaging.Oral health is currently shifting towards the use of renewable plastics, in the form of biobased plastics. They are made from plants such as sugar cane and the caster oil plant. This helps to create a smaller carbon footprint as it removes the use of fossil-based plastics.Reusing Your ToothbrushExtending the lifespan of our toothbrushes and finding other ways to make them more sustainable is the responsibility of oral health companies. However we can try to make a difference too. Studies from the Oral Health Foundation found that 80% of us use our old toothbrush for an alternative purpose. Try using it to clean your bathroom tiles or kitchen appliances.
How To Clean Your Removable Dental Appliance 26 April 202312 July 2022Your appliance sits inside your mouth and against your teeth so it quickly accumulates bacteria, plaque and calculus. It is important you clean your appliance everyday.There are several types of appliance which include:Aligners: Clear braces, such as invisalign.Retainers: Worn after orthodontic treatment to ensure that the teeth don’t shift back to their original position.Nightguard: Prevents you from grinding your teeth at night.Snore guard: Reduces snoring during sleep.What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Appliance?If you don’t clean your appliance regularly, bacteria and plaque will buildup. Overtime it may start to taste and smell funny.The appliance can harbour dangerous bacteria that can result in gum disease and dental decay.How To Clean Your ApplianceYou should rinse your appliance after every use. Try to do this immediately after it is removed to rinse away any debris before it hardens.You can also soak your appliance. Check with your dentist which tablets are appropriate for your orthodontic appliance. In most cases you will add a tablet to a cup of lukewarm water and soak your aligner for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse.
How To Deal With Issues With Your Dental Crown 29 March 202312 July 2022Although issues with dental crowns are rare, they do still occur. You should arrange an appointment with your dentist, but in the meantime there are things that you can do to minimize the discomfort.Consistently Rinse Your Mouth With SaltwaterOne cause of discomfort can be when bacteria finds its way inside the dental crown. This could occur as a result of damage, the crown becoming loose, or a number of other issues. The best way to relieve discomfort until your dental appointment is to keep the crown as clean as possible. Simply use a saltwater rinse several times a day and avoid eating any foods that contain high levels of sugar.Apply A Cold CompressAnother problem caused by bacteria entering the crown includes swelling of the gums and irritation of the tooth’s root. One way to ease the pain is to apply a cold compress to the affected area. Hold the compress for fifteen to thirty minutes to keep the swelling down.When Is It Considered An Emergency?Every instance of a dental crown issue requires punctual care which may include repositioning or replacing the crown. However, the issue becomes a dental emergency when the pain becomes intolerable and treatment can’t wait until the next day. This may be due the the development of an infection.If you are concerned and your dental crown is causing you discomfort, please call us on 01723 670500 for advice.
6 Fun Ways To Teach Your Child To Brush Their Teeth 22 March 202312 July 2022You can begin introducing an oral hygiene routine a few days after birth. Use a clean, wet gauze or washcloth to gently wipe their gums after feedings. As soon as their first tooth erupts, it’s time to begin brushing using a small soft toothbrush twice a day. You should brush your child’s teeth until you feel that they can brush on their own. Every child will be ready at a different age but most can brush by the time they are in preschool. At that time, you should supervise to make sure they use the right amount of toothpaste and following up any places they might have missed.However, It may be difficult to get your child to brush their teeth when they reach the stage of being able to do it themselves. Follow our tips to find out how to make them enjoy implementing an oral hygiene routine.Make It A Family ActivitySetting an example for you children is one of the best ways to get them to enjoy brushing their teeth. By brushing your teeth at the same time, you are giving your child a fun, family activity to look forward to everyday. Brush and floss at least twice daily with your children, including once before bedtime. This routine will help to form consistency that they will carry with them into their later life.Find Fun Dental Education ResourcesRead age-appropriate books or watch videos about dental hygiene with your child. Your child will enjoy the time spent together but also they might find it interesting to learn about the importance of their oral health, especially if their parents are interested too.Use A Special ToothbrushIt is likely that your child will enjoy brushing their teeth more if they can use a special toothbrush of their choosing. As adults, it can be easy to forget the effect of incorporating toys into everyday life.Create A Tooth brushing CompetitionTo make tooth brushing more fun, make it a game and set a timer for two minutes. The winner must brush their teeth for two minutes without stopping. This will create a friendly competition and encourage your children to brush their teeth properly.Reward Tooth BrushingTo encourage your children to brush their teeth twice a day, use a simple rewards system. Start with small rewards, such as a gold star, and award it for the basic necessity, brushing twice a day. Then, award a larger reward for every 10 gold stars. This will make your child motivated to brush their teeth.Make A Trip To The Dentist A Fun VisitMake sure that your child understands that a trip to the dentist can be a reward for them keeping their teeth clean, and not a negative outcome for not brushing and flossing. Parents can pass on their fear of the dentist to their children by simply talking about it in a negative tone. Try to avoid this. If you are anxious about a trip to the dentist, try to talk about it in a neutral tone.Creating a fun routine a home from an early age will ensure that your child develops the habit of caring for their teeth.
5 Things Every Parent Should Know About Baby Teeth 15 February 20235 July 2022As your baby’s first teeth start to appear, it can be very exciting. With so many changes at this age, it can be easy to forget about the importance of their oral hygiene.1. Start Brushing As Soon As The First Tooth AppearsDecay can begin as soon as your child’s first tooth appears so it is important to implement an oral hygiene routine early on. You should brush their teeth twice a day, and continue to do so until you are confident that they can do it themselves.2. First Dental VisitIt is important that you take your child to see the dentist when their first tooth appears. Their dentist will be able to advise you on the best oral hygiene routine to follow and to provide any necessary treatment.3. Baby Teeth Are More Sensitive To DecayBaby teeth have a thinner layer of enamel, making them more susceptible to decay. A fluoride toothpaste will help to protect their teeth.4. Be Careful With DummiesIt is common for babies to suck their thumb or use a dummy but prolonged use can change the position of their teeth. This can make it hard for them to chew and speak and can cause adult teeth to be in the wrong position too. Dummies should be removed by the age of three to prevent any oral damage.5. Baby Teeth Are Just As Important As Adult TeethAs baby teeth aren’t permanent, many parents don’t understand the importance of their maintenance. Baby teeth affect the development, alignment, and position of their adult teeth as well as their speech and eating abilities.
How Can I Protect my Teeth From Sugar? 8 February 20235 July 2022Eating large amounts of sugar is bad for your health, and can result in obesity, heart disease, diabetes and tooth decay. The coating that covers your teeth is called plaque and it contains lots of bacteria that breakdown the sugar in your food into acid, damaging the hard, protective coating on your teeth called enamel.Here are five ways to help protect your teeth:Limit Your Sugar IntakeThis seems like the most obvious option, but switching out sugary foods in your diet for healthier ones, such as swapping out a slice of cake everyday for a bowl of yoghurt with fruit, can make a big difference. Other changes could include cutting out that teaspoon of sugar in your cup of tea or having a glass of water at meal times instead of a fizzy drink.However, there will be times when you fancy a treat! To help protect your teeth, try to eat the sugary snack at mealtimes to reduce the number or acid attacks on your teeth.Drink Through Paper StrawsWhen you are drinking sugary drinks, such as fruit juices and fizzy drinks, try to use a straw to limit the contact between the sugar and your teeth.Keep On Top of Your Oral HealthMake sure you keep up with your oral health routine. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. However, do not brush your teeth straight after eating as this can cause more damage by brushing acid into your teeth.Chew Sugar-Free Gum After EatingSaliva helps to defend against acids causing demineralisation. Chewing gum helps to stimulate your salivary glands to produce more saliva. However, make sure that the gum is sugar-free, otherwise it could be causing more harm than good.Visit Your Dentist For Regular Check UpsYour dentist will be able to spot the signs of decay before they worsen and provide any advice to improve your oral hygiene routine. Call us on 01723 670500 to book your appointment now!
How To Care For Your Teething Baby 1 February 20235 July 2022Teething is an inevitable part of your baby’s growth, but that doesn’t make it any easier to watch them struggle as the first few teeth come through. Most babies begin teething somewhere between 4 and 7 months. However, this can vary to earlier or later than this window.SymptomsAlong with difficulty sleeping, teething symptoms can include:ChewingIrritability/fussinessExcessive droolingIf your baby is experiencing a rash or fever, there may be something other than teething causing the problem, in which case you should contact your child’s doctor.Chilled Teething RingA teething ring is a great option when your child starts to chew things. Some can even be chilled for more relief. Never put a teething ring in the freezer as this can damage your baby’s soft gums. Don’t forget to clean and sterilise the ring regularly.Use A Crunchy Healthy TreatOnce your child has been introduced to solid foods, try to soothe their gums using raw carrot or apple sticks. Even breadsticks could help relieve their symptoms.Avoid sugary snacks which can quickly lead to tooth decay, even if they currently have very few teeth. Rusks and teething biscuits should be avoided too as they contain sugar.Massage Your Baby’s GumsMake sure your hands are clean before you put them in your baby’s mouth. Use your fingers to apply gentle pressure. Sometimes this simple action of rubbing their gums will be able to provide your baby some relief.Offer Them A Drink Of Cold WaterIf your baby has already started drinking plain water, it could offer them comfort. It is one of the most natural teething remedies.Wipe Away Any DribbleOne of the signs of teething is the constant dribbling. This could result in an uncomfortable rash around your baby’s mouth. Gently wipe it away to prevent any further discomfort.Distract Your BabyTry taking your child’s mind off their pain by singing or encouraging them to play their favourite games.Caring For Your Baby’s New TeethOnce your child’s teeth start to come through, you’ll need to register them with a dentist. Contact us on 01723 670500 to book their first appointment.Start brushing with a fluoride toothpaste as soon as their first tooth breaks through.
How To Overcome Your Fear Of The Dentist 25 January 20235 July 2022Dental anxiety is fear, anxiety or stress associated with a dental setting. Having dental anxiety can cause delayed appointments and avoiding treatment. Attending the dentist is vital to ensure you are checked for mouth cancer, gum disease and dental decay.A fear of the dentist is very common for patients in the UK. Newby Dental Practice is here to provide tips to help you feel better when attending the dentist.Signs Of Dental AnxietyPeople with dental anxiety may experience:Sweatingincreased heart rateDry mouthStomach painWhat Causes Dental Anxiety?Dental anxiety can often be attributed to a fear of pain. This often derives from a previous experience that has resulted in pain or hearing ‘horror stories’ from friends and family. However, thanks to the latest developments in technology, appointments for patients are much more comfortable and often painless.Some patients may be embarrassed by the appearance of their mouth and self conscious about possible mouth odour. This can result in dental anxiety and prevent patients coming to the dentist. Fortunately, our experienced dentists are trained to treat all types of dental health concerns and will be able to help.How To Ease Dental AnxietyAsk your dentist to play some music or talk to you about other subjects to take your mind off your treatment. This will give you something else to focus on and help to keep you calm.Bring support to your appointment. Ask your dentist if you can bring a friend or family member to the appointment as having a familiar face nearby will help to ease your nerves.Patients who suffer with more severe dental anxiety can be offered forms of sedation to help them relax. Our friendly team are available to give any advice if you are concerned about your visit. Please call us on 01723 670500 or email us at info@newbydental.co.uk