Tag: Scarborough

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 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.

Interesting Facts About Your Teeth

Your teeth are a vital part of your body and it is important that you know how to look after them and attend regular dental appointments so that your dentists can look out for the things that you can’t see. Did you know about these unusual facts?

Your Teeth Are Like Your Fingerprint

This is why dental records are sometimes used to identify people. Even identical twins have unique teeth.

Part Of Your Tooth Is Hidden

About a third of each of your tooth is underneath your gums. This is why it is just as important to take care of your gums.

Your Enamel Is The Hardest Part Of Your Body

The enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth. It’s primary purpose is to protect your teeth.

Your Mouth Contains Lots Of Bacteria

Your mouth is home to 300 types of bacteria. Plaque contains millions of bacteria. Some of this bacteria is responsible for converting sugar and other carbohydrates into the acids which eat away at your teeth.

Your Teeth Are The Only Part Of Your Body That Can’t Heal Itself

Your teeth are coated in enamel which is not a living tissue, so they can’t repair.

Toothpaste

Before the toothpaste we use today was invented, around 100 years ago, humans used lots of different mixtures including crushed oyster shells, ground chalk, charcoal, pulverised brick, lemon juice and salt.

How To Effectively Floss Your Teeth

There are multiple choices of floss you can use, whether that is the floss picks or satin floss tape.

Key Flossing Technique

  • Make sure that you are using enough floss. Use a length of about 45cm. This may sound like a lot but you need to make sure you have enough to have a clean segment to use on each tooth. Wrap a large a large section of the floss around your middle finger on one hand and then a small section around the middle finger of your other hand. This keeps your index finger free to manipulate the floss around your mouth.
  • Keep a one to two inch length of floss taut between fingers and use your index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.
  • Gently slide the floss between the teeth in a zigzag motion. Contour the floss around the side of the tooth. Slide the floss up and down and below the gumline. Floss each tooth thoroughly with a clean section of floss.
  • Make a ‘C’ shape with the floss as it moves around the tooth. Then carefully pull the floss upward from the gum line.
  • As you move around your mouth, unroll a fresh section of floss.
  • Don’t forget to floss each side of each tooth.

Whether you use floss or interdental brushes, it is important that you clean in between your teeth to prevent the buildup of plaque. This will help to prevent the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Scarborough & District Minor League Football Sponsors

Newby Dental Practice is proud to announce that we are now supporting Scarborough & District Minor League football. Our sponsorship will help support the league so that they can improve the way that football works for families. They do this using two initiatives:

Firstly, using the Fixture List Planner. This has been rolled out to over 150 youth leagues, generating thousands of pounds for youth football across England and Wales. This has helped to raise the profile of each league in their community.

Secondly, the Pitch Finder Handbook is used by tens of thousands of families each week to find out how to get to their next game.

These initiatives, are not only aimed at tackling problems within youth football leagues, but to help raise the profile of youth football in the community. Football is a large part of community in England and Wales, but the cost of running the clubs is constantly rising, making it more difficult to fund. This is why we are the proud sponsors of Scarborough & District Minor Leagues football. We believe that community is very important in keeping people happy and healthy so we wanted to do our part to help the club keep up their fantastic work!

Need A Break From The Hot Weather?

As we enter the heatwave, a trip to the dentist may be the last thing on your mind. However, all of our surgeries are supplied with air conditioning, designed to keep you cool, so now may be the perfect time to book an appointment! Why sit in a sweltering hot room when you could be sat back and relaxed in a refreshing dental surgery?

As the hot weather approaches you may be inclined to indulge on more ice creams or ice lollies. It is important that you try to reduce the frequency that you eat these high sugar treats, as well as maintaining an oral hygiene routine. Book an appointment to see your dentist to make sure your teeth are in the best condition to start the summer. Call us on 01723 670500.

How Stress Affects Your Oral Health

Stress is something that most people will experience in their lifetime and many of us know the implications it can have on our well-being. But did you know that stress can have a negative impact on your oral health?

1. Gum Disease

Your body produces immune cells to protect it against harmful bacteria. However, when the body is under stress, it doesn’t produce enough immune cells. Bacteria plays an important role in the development of gum disease. Healthy gums are firm and pink. Symptoms of gum disease include, bleeding, swollen and sore gums. These symptoms would normally indicate gingivitis which is reversible. However, if it progresses into periodontal disease it is irreversible.

If you are concerned about your oral health, call us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment with one of our hygienists who will be happy to treat you and provide advice to prevent gum disease.

2. Bad Breath

There is a link between gum disease and bad breath, clinically known as halitosis. There is a buildup of plaque and bacteria along the gumline. The bacteria break down proteins and release odours. Stress can also cause you to have an irregular oral hygiene routine. You may also experience dry mouth, which is a common symptom of anxiety and stress. This significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and other diseases. Saliva helps to neutralise the acid that attacks your teeth, helping to fight tooth decay.

3. Clenching And Grinding

Individuals who are stressed may find themselves grinding their teeth a lot, whether it is during the day or while sleeping. This can cause headaches, earache and toothache. It can also cause damage to your teeth overtime, such as chipping, breaking and sensitivity.

Visit your dentist who will be able to assess your jaw and make you a nightguard to wear whilst you sleep.

4. Decay and Erosion

As a result of stress many people often turn to foods, whether it is snacking, high sugar foods or alcohol consumption. Coupled with poor oral hygiene, this can lead to dental decay and erosion.

5. Mouth Ulcer

Stress suppresses the immune system leaving your body open to diseases and infection. Mouth ulcers are a perfect example of this and although they are almost harmless, they can cause discomfort in your day to day life. Minimising your exposure to stressful situations and trying to adopt lifestyle changes can help reduce the frequency of developing ulcers.

How To Minimise Stress

Stress is often unavoidable but there are ways you can try to minimise the impact:

  • Lifestyle changes: stress can sometimes cause us to make unhealthy lifestyle choices. Limiting the consumption of sugary foods and drinks, alcohol and smoking will all help to contribute to a healthier mouth .
  • Exercise: When you exercise, you use physical activity to help relieve stressful thoughts. Any form of exercise will boost endorphins and better help you to organise your emotions in high-tension situations.
  • Develop An Oral Health Routine: Brush your teeth twice a day, once before going to bed and once at another time of day. Floss once a day, using either an interdental brush or floss. In addition, regular use of an alcohol free mouthwash will help to eliminate germs associated with gum disease.
  • Stay hydrated: A common reaction to stress is dry mouth which can cause the buildup of bacteria, leading to bad breath. If you keep your body hydrated, you will minimise your chance of developing dry mouth.
  • Talk to your dentist and make regular check-ups: Your dentist is the best source of advice and they will be able to check for any stress related issues.

If you are concerned about how stress is affecting your oral health, make an appointment with one of our dentists who will be happy to provide any treatment required and give you some advice about how you can prevent any stress related issues. Please call us on 01723 670500.