Tag: Scarborough

How Much Sugar Is Really In Your Cereal

When you’re eating your cereal in the morning, you might just pick up the first box you see as you’re running out the door. However, if you knew how much sugar was in your cereal, you might take a bit more time considering how to start your day.

This table shows you the guidelines we use to categorise foods into different sugar levels.

High Sugar Cereals

Sadly, lots of family favourites fall into this category. When visiting the supermarket, try to read the nutritional values to choose the healthiest option for you and your family.

Moderate Sugar Cereals

This category of cereals show the cereals that are ok to eat sometimes, but not everyday.

Low Sugar Cereals

These cereals are low in sugar so they are ok to eat everyday. These are the cereals you should be encouraging your children to eat so that they get into the habit of staring off their days with a healthy meal.

The main aim of this post is to try and show you the ways that you are consuming high quantities of sugar without realising it. Although some of the high sugar cereals might seem more appealing, they are much worse for your health in the long term, not only because of the impact they have on your teeth but also on the rest of your body.

What Is Gum Recession And What Causes It?

What Is Gum Recession?

Gum recession is a form of gum disease that happens when your gums start to pull away from your tooth, exposing the roots underneath. This also makes your teeth more susceptible to cavities as well as making them more sensitive when brushing and eating.

Who Does Gum Recession Affect?

Gum recession can affect people of all ages but it is most common in people over 65. There are some risk factors that will make it more likely that you will develop recession:

  • If you have periodontal disease.
  • If you had braces or other orthodontic treatment.
  • If you use chewing tobacco.
  • If you have a lip or tongue piercing.
  • If you brush your teeth aggressively.

Symptoms Of Gum Recession

The most obvious sign is the exposure of tooth roots but there are other warning signs:

  • Pain or discomfort near your gum line.
  • Sensitivity to heat, cold and sweets.
  • Sensitivity when brushing and flossing your teeth.
  • Sensitivity during dental cleanings.

If left untreated, gum recession can lead to other serious oral health problems such as bone loss or tooth loss. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned, you should book an appointment with your dentist.

What Causes Recession?

There are a number of reasons that your gums may recede:

  • Brushing too hard or aggressively.
  • Dental plaque or build up of tartar.
  • Periodontal disease.
  • Trauma or injury to the gum tissue.
  • Abnormal tooth positioning.
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco.
  • Lip and tongue piercings.

A lot of the time, poor oral hygiene contributes to gum recession but it isn’t always the case. Some people have a genetic predisposition to recession.

How Is Gum Recession Diagnosed?

Your dentist will be able to diagnose gum recession during a routine check-up appointment. They will use a periodontal probe to measure the amount of gum recession on each tooth.

Management And Treatment

Unfortunately, gums can’t grow back, but there are things you can do to stop it from worsening. Mild cases of recession can be treated with nonsurgical treatments such as topical antibiotics, dental bonding or orthodontics.

During gum recession surgery, a gum graft is used to replace your missing gum tissue. The graft would usually be taken from the roof of your mouth but can occasionally come from sterilised human donor tissue.

How To Cope With A Lost Filling

If you lose a filling when you are eating, brushing or flossing you will need to book an appointment with your dentist to have it replaced. In the meantime, here is what you should do.

  • Call your dentist. Schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If your dentist can’t see you right away, ask their advice of what to do to protect your tooth.
  • Keep the tooth clean: If you can’t see your dentist straight away, you need to keep your mouth very clean. An unfilled tooth can trap food which then causes harmful bacteria to accumulate. Brush gently and carefully inside the hole to remove the debris. You can rinse your mouth out with warm salt water after eating.
  • Avoid chewing on the area of the exposed tooth.

What Should You Do If You’re In Pain

  • Take an over the counter pain killer like ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Use a cold compress to relieve pain and swelling.
  • Apply a topical numbing agent.

Can A Loose Filling Cause Complications?

If a filling isn’t replaced in good time, it could cause damage to the unprotected tooth. Bacteria and food particles can stick to the empty space and cause decay. The missing filling could also expose the dentine which is softer than enamel and more susceptible to decay.

If more of the tooth becomes damaged, the tooth may require extra work. This is why the sooner you get it repaired, the better.

How Long Do Fillings Last?

This depends on the materials used and your personal hygiene. If you look after your teeth and see your dentist regularly, your filling is likely to last longer.

The lifetime of the filling is also affected by the position and size. If the filling is large and expected to experience high pressure from chewing, it is likely that it won’t last as long.

How To Prevent A Filling From Coming Loose?

The key to looking after a filling is to maintain good oral hygiene and attend regular check ups. Here are some oral hygiene tips:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste.
  • Floss your teeth everyday.
  • Replace your toothbrush regularly (every three months)
  • Brush your tongue to remove build up food.
  • See your dentist regularly for check-ups.

Here are some other preventative measures that might help protect your fillings:

  • Avoid grinding your teeth.
  • Avoid chewing hard objects.
  • Try not to clench your teeth.
  • Be careful with sugary, sticky foods that could dislodge your filling.
  • See your dentist if the filling area becomes sensitive to hot or cold, or becomes painful.

If you need help with a lost filling, please call us on 01723 670500 to see one of our dentists.

What To Do About Wisdom Tooth Pain?

Wisdom 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 Pain

Your 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.

Symptoms

Impacted 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 gums
  • Tender or bleeding gums
  • Jaw pain
  • Swelling around the jaw
  • Bad breath
  • An unpleasant taste in your mouth
  • Difficulty opening your mouth

How To Ease The Pain

  • Saltwater 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

Brushing 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 Minutes

Keeping 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 Daily

It 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 Regularly

As 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 Regularly

Your 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 Diet

Avoiding 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 Day

Keeping 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 Smoke

Smoking 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 Mouthwash

Mouthwash 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 Tongue

Food 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 Toothbrush

When 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

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.