Tag: Oral hygiene

Your Teeth And Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you may notice that your gums are more sore than usual. Some women get swollen and sore gums. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to bleeding. This is also called pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease.

It is important that you keep your mouth clean and healthy while you are pregnant. The best way to do so is to practice good oral hygiene. Visit your dentist so that they can give your teeth a good clean, but also they can give you advice for how to properly care for your teeth during your pregnancy.

Here are our tips:

  • Clean your teeth twice daily for 2 minutes using a fluoride toothpaste.
  • Floss once a day to prevent the buildup of plaque.
  • Try not to have sugary foods or drinks too often. If you are going to have them, try to keep them to meal times.
  • If you’re feeling hungry between meals, try to snack on healthier foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables or yoghurt, and avoid acidic or sugary foods.
  • Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
  • A daily salt rinse can help reduce gum inflammation. Add one teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and swirl the wash around your mouth a few times, then spitting it out.

If you have morning sickness, rinse your mouth with plain water after each time you are sick. Do not brush your teeth immediately after you are sick as the acidity can soften your teeth. Wait an hour before brushing.

Dental Treatments To Avoid

When you visit the dentist, make sure they know you are pregnant. Discuss with them whether any new or replacement fillings should be delayed until after your pregnancy.

If you need an x-ray, your dentist will usually wait until after your pregnancy even though most dental x-rays will not affect the tummy.

If you are concerned about your dental health and how it may be affecting your baby, please call us on 01723 670500 for advice from our team.

Taking Care Of Your Teeth During The Festive Season

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s likely that we will all be indulging in more sweet treats. However, it is important that you know the impact that this can have on your teeth.

Whether it is through the sweet treats or alcohol, when increasing your sugar intake it is important to pay extra attention to keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy.

Here are some tips for maintaining your oral health this festive season:

  • Although the amount of sugar we consume is important, the frequency that we eat it is even more so. If you are going to eat and drink sugary things, try to limit them to meal times. This will reduce the number of acid attacks taking place on your teeth.
  • Caramels and toffees are a popular festive treat. However, they can stick to the grooves in your teeth and feed the bacteria that is living there, leading to tooth decay. It is important that you thoroughly brush and floss your teeth to remove any remaining food particles.
  • Sour sweets have become more popular over recent years. The flavouring in these sweets contains more acid which can lead to tooth decay.
  • Fruit juices and sugary drinks contain high levels of sugar so need to be consumed in moderation. Drinking through a straw can help as it will help to reduce the contact with your teeth.
  • Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of oral cancer so try to limit your intake.
  • Lots of Christmas snacks, such as mince pies, Christmas cake and pudding contain dried fruit which is high in sugar. Therefore, it is important to pay extra attention when brushing your teeth.
  • Treat yourself or a loved one to an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are more powerful at removing plaque and reducing gum disease in the long term. It is important that you change your toothbrush (whether it is a manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush head) regularly.

Opening times over the Christmas period:

Do I Need To Brush My Tongue?

You may notice that when you eat a strongly coloured food, your tongue will turn that colour too. Your tongue attracts bacteria just as much as your teeth, even though it can’t develop cavities.

Why Do I Need To Brush My Tongue?

Your tongue is not a smooth surface. It contains lots of crevices, such as those created by your tastebuds, where bacteria can hide. Just simply rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash will not remove the buildup. This buildup is a biofilm, a group of microorganisms, that stick together. When using mouthwash, only the bacteria on the outer surface of the film are removed. The bacteria that remains can lead to bad breath or even tooth decay. This is why it is vital to physically remove the bacteria by brushing your tongue. If the bacteria isn’t removed, it can harden into tartar, which can only be professionally removed by a dentist.

How To Clean Your Tongue

The easiest way to clean your tongue is to use a soft bristled toothbrush:

  • Place a small amount of toothpaste onto the toothbrush.
  • Start at the back of your tongue, brushing your way forward.
  • Use gentle but firm pressure in back-and-forth motions.
  • Try not to press to hard as this could damage the skin on your tongue.

How Often Should I Clean My Tongue?

Bacteria grow fast, so you should try to brush your tongue twice daily after you brush your teeth. This will also help to improve your oral hygiene routine.

Bad Breath?

Cleaning your tongue should help to eliminate bad breath but if it remains it may be a sign that there are other problems. If this is the case, please call us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment and your dentist will check to see if there are any issues.

What Is Dry Socket And What Are The Symptoms?

Dry socket is a complication following the removal of an adult tooth. It happens when a blood clot fails to develop in the tooth socket or if the blood clot is dislodged before the wound heals. Normally a blood clot would form to help protect the bone and nerve endings in the empty socket. Leaving the bone exposed can result in significant pain, not only in the socket but along the side of your face.

What Are The Symptoms?

The empty socket may cause a throbbing pain, which can be like toothache, and if you look at the socket, you my see exposed bone rather than a blood clot. You may also experience a bad taste or smell.

Am I More At Risk?

You are more at risk of developing dry socket if:

  • you don’t follow the dentist’s instruction after the tooth removal
  • you smoke
  • you’re over 25 years old
  • you’ve had the condition before
  • the extraction was difficult or complicated

When Should I See A Dentist?

Some pain after a tooth extraction is normal. However, you should be able to manage the pain with the medication recommended by your dentist. If you develop new or worsened pain in the days after your extraction, call your dentist for advice as they may want to see you to check the healing process. If you are concerned about your pain after the removal of a tooth, please call us for advice on 01723 670500.

Is Vaping Bad For My Oral Health?

Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your general health and your dental health, but what about vaping? Vaping is advertised as a healthier option to smoking, but is it actually better for you?

Is Vaping Better Than Smoking?

One of the problems associated with smoking is that it causes gum disease. Nicotine causes vasoconstriction, meaning that the blood supply to the gums is reduced. This makes them more susceptible to infection and gum recession. Smoking also dries out your mouth. Saliva helps to protect your teeth against bacteria so smoking can make you more likely to have gum disease. Smoking also weakens your immune system meaning that diseases, such as gum disease, develop at a faster rate than non-smokers.

Vaping exposes your mouth to nicotine and hot, drying vapour meaning that its puts you at a higher risk of gum disease.

If you have a flavoured vape that contains sugar, it also puts you at a higher risk of developing tooth decay. You’re plaque contains bacteria that breaks down sugar into acid which causes your enamel to become weakened, increasing your chances of cavities.

Vaping and e-cigarettes have become increasingly popular over the last decade, but there is limited research into the effects on your long term health. If you would like to read more about the effects on your oral health, click here to read this article.

Is It Normal For My Tooth To Hurt After A Filling?

Normally, you would have a filling done to ease any discomfort that your teeth are causing. However there are lots of reasons that you might feel pain or sensitivity after a filling.

Reasons For Pain After a Filling

It is normal to have some pain as it is possible that your dentist had to drill away some of your tooth. You should expect the pain to go away in a day or two.

If you’re still having pain after this time period, it may be due to a problem with the filling or the tooth itself. One common cause of pain after a filling is that the filling isn’t positioned correctly, and it is interfering with your bite. A filling that is too high can prevent the teeth from fitting together properly when you bite down.

The type of filling that your dentist used could also be a cause of the pain. Sensitivity is common when a composite resin material is used. Sensitivity may be caused by the filling shrinking and creating a gap beneath it.

What To Do About The Pain

If it has been a week since your filling and you’re still experiencing pain when you eat or bite down, contact us to book an appointment with your dentist who will be able to find the source of your pain.

If the pain is caused by the positioning of a filling that is too high, your dentist will adjust the height of your filling to make it more comfortable to bite down. If the problem is caused by a sensitive composite filling, your dentist may recommend replacing your filling with a different material.

If you are concerned about a filling and it is causing you pain, please call us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment with your dentist who will check to make sure everything is normal.

Causes Of Bad Breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a very common condition for many adults. It can be caused by something you eat, or it could signify a more serious problem with your health. Read below to find out about the causes of bad breath.

General Oral Health

Most cases of bad breath are related to a poor oral hygiene routine. If you don’t clean your mouth regularly, food particles will remain in your mouth and a build up of bacteria, known as plaque, can form on your teeth. The uneven surface of your tongue can trap food particles and bacteria in the mouth, which results in bad breath. Keeping a thorough and consistent oral hygiene routine is the best way to prevent bad breath.

Eating Strong Foods And Drinks

Certain foods, such as onions, garlic and some spices, cause odor-containing particles to enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs, causing bad breath.

Coffee

Coffee may have an impact on your breath as it has a strong flavour, but it also affects your saliva flow. After drinking coffee, the caffeine causes a decrease in saliva production which results in an increase in odor causing bacteria.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol, particularly in excess, results in a decrease of saliva production, creating an environment for odor-causing bacteria to flourish.

High Sugar Diets

A diet that is high in sugar can result in bad breath as the sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, turning the sweets into bad smells.

Digestive Issues

If you experience acid reflux, the odors from recently consumed foods may make their way back up, causing bad breath.

Prescription medication

Lots of prescriptions result in dry mouth, meaning that the production of saliva decreases. This creates an environment that the bacteria love. Also, when some medications are broken down in the body, they release chemicals that can be carried through your bloodstream to to your breath.

If you are concerned about your bad breath and you’re worried that there is a more serious cause, call us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment.

The Best Foods For Your Dental Health

Even with a good oral hygiene routine, brushing your teeth twice daily and cleaning in between your teeth, it can be difficult to keep your teeth healthy. Eating a variety of foods rich in nutrients promotes healthy teeth and gums. Read below to find some of the foods that can help to keep your mouth in the best condition.

1. Cheese, Milk and Yoghurt

Dairy foods are high in calcium, helping to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Cheese contains phosphate which helps to balance the pH in the mouth, removing the acidity and protecting the enamel. Milk is also rich in calcium and helps to neutralise the acidity. Yoghurt is full of calcium and probiotics that help to protect you against cavities, gum disease and bad breath.

2. Water

Water is the healthiest drink available. Staying hydrated helps your system distribute healthy nutrients and remove waste. It also helps to wash away food particles and keeps your saliva level high.

3. Leafy Greens

Greens are rich in calcium, folic acid and lots of other vitamins and minerals that are important for your teeth and gums.

4. Nuts

Nuts are full of calcium and phosphates which help to keep your teeth strong and neutralise acids in your mouth. Almonds, brazil nuts and cashews help to fight the bacteria that lead to tooth decay. Peanuts are a good source of calcium and vitamin D.

5. Meats And Fatty Fish

Most meats provide lots of nutrients, and chewing meat also increases saliva production. More saliva helps to decrease the acidity in your mouth and wash away food particles, preventing decay. Fatty fish are full of phosphorus which is important for protecting tooth enamel.

6. Broccoli

Although some people aren’t a fan of broccoli, it’s time to give it a try. It offers vitamin C and K which are important for bone healing and proper blood clotting.

7. Kiwis

Kiwis are another fruit that offer lots of vitamin C, helping to boost immunity. This leads to increased resistance to infections throughout the body, including tooth decay.

8. Whole grains

Although simple carbohydrates, such as white bread, can stick to your teeth and cause decay, this is not the case for whole grains. Whole wheat bread, pasta and rice have complex carbohydrates which are more difficult for the bacteria in your mouth to break down.

Maintaining good dental health, means eating in moderation from all of the food groups. A good diet is not just about the foods that you eat but also when you eat them. Eating too frequently means that your enamel doesn’t have time to repair itself. Try only eating at meal times and not snacking throughout the day.

5 Common Dental Health Myths

Dentists recommend lots of different treatments for their patients. However, there are common misconceptions about oral health which could lead to other dental health problems.

Sugar Free Fizzy Drinks Are Good For Your Teeth

Although diet drinks may not contain sugar, they are still fizzy, meaning that they contain acid. The acidity can be very damaging to your enamel, causing it to wear away, exposing the sensitive dentine underneath.

Oral Health Stops In Your Mouth

Your mouth contains millions of bacteria. Your mouth is an entry point for harmful bacteria. By neglecting the health of your teeth, you are making your body vulnerable to a host of different types of diseases. There are now links between oral health and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.

Baby Teeth Do Not Matter

Whilst being necessary for your child to eat, their primary teeth are vital for their speech development. They also serve a very important role of creating space for adult teeth to come in. Removing a baby teeth too early can cause the other teeth to shift, resulting in overlapping and crooked teeth.

It Doesn’t Matter What Time Of Day We Brush

The majority of people will know that it is important to brush our teeth twice a day. However, some people may not be aware that the time of day you brush your teeth has an impact too. At night when we sleep our salivary glands produce much less saliva. During the day our saliva flow is much higher which has a cleaning effect. So when we don’t brush our teeth at night before we go to sleep, food particles sit on our teeth all night and contribute to tooth decay.

Flossing Creates Spaces Between Your Teeth

Flossing removes a buildup of plaque between your teeth, preventing gum disease and tooth decay, it does not create spaces between your teeth. By removing the harmful bacteria, you are helping to keep your mouth healthy.

The History Of Dentures

Ivory Dentures with Human Teeth

Now a days it is quite easy to get a replacement for a missing tooth, but not too far in the past, people would would go to extreme measures to try and replace their teeth.

The First Dentures

The Ancient Egyptians were the first to use dentures in 1500 BC. They were made from human teeth threaded together with gold wire. In 700 BC Italians began using animal teeth to replace their own. Tribes in Mexico also did this, using wolf teeth. Ancient Mayans even replaced missing teeth with carved stones, bits of bone or even seashells. These materials worked well because they would fuse with the patient’s jaw bone for a permanent fix.

Wooden Dentures

Wooden dentures were common in japan from the 16th century. A priestess who lived in the Kii Province wore the first wooden teeth. This style of denture was used up until the 19th century. However, they weren’t the common option in the western world.

Ivory Dentures

George Washington wore ivory dentures made from hippopotamus tusks. Many people wore ivory dentures made from walrus, hippo or elephant tusks. However the material deteriorated quickly and stained yellow promptly. These types of dentures were still being worn in the early 19th century.

Human Teeth

In the 1800s, sugar consumption increased rapidly in Europe, especially England. This led to lots of people losing their teeth by the time they were 50, needing a way to replace them. French Physician Pierre Fauchard is known as the father of modern dentistry after publishing a book called ‘The Surgeon Dentist’ which included dental care practices that are still followed to this day. Shockingly, the teeth from soldiers who died in the Battle of Waterloo were used as replacements. Teeth were removed from cadavers and mounted onto an ivory base. These teeth were very popular among the elite and were seen as a sign of wealth.

Porcelain Dentures

The first pair of porcelain dentures were produced in 1744 by a British physician. However, they looked unnaturally white and they were very fragile. In 1820 porcelain teeth were mounted onto gold plates with springs and swivels which allowed the teeth to work more efficiently.

Vulcanite Dentures

In the 1850s, vulcanite was used to make dentures. Vulcanite is a type of hardened rubber. It is cheap meaning that dentures became available to people who could not afford them in the past. For the first time ever, middle class people could wear false teeth along with the rich and wealthy.

Modern Dentures

In the 20th century, acrylic and rubber compounds were used in the development of false teeth. Modern dentures are made from a blend of acrylic resin, metal and sometimes porcelain. Due to the improved quality of dental hygiene advice, the need for dentures has decreased.

Famous Figures From The Past

Centuries ago, the only people that could afford dentures were the rich and wealthy. Here are some examples of wealthy figures who used to wear dentures.

George Washington

Contrary to the common legend, George Washington’s teeth were actually made from ivory, not wood. Washington suffered from poor dental health throughout his life, caused by many elements including a poorly balanced diet and disease. Due to this, he involved the help of Dr John Baker to fashion his false teeth from ivory that was wired to his last remaining teeth.

When Washington was inaugurated President, he only had one tooth remaining. Dr John Greenwood made an advanced set of dentures made from hippopotamus ivory and using gold wire springs and brass screws to hold the teeth in place. He even left a hole to accommodate Washington’s final tooth.

Queen Elizabeth

Before dental prevention practices were used, problematic teeth were extracted left and right. During Queen Elizabeth’s reign from 1558-1603, ivory dentures hadn’t been developed. Her only solution was to stuff bits of cloth into the gaps in her teeth when attending public events.