Archive for the ‘dental hygeinist’ Category

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City of Leeds dentist helps you to brush plaque away

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

The most important part of dental care happens at home according to dentists. Regular check ups can help to prevent more serious dental concerns and ensure that your teeth are being kept as healthy as possible, but it is really effective brushing and flossing that are the most important defence against decay and disease. This is because when it comes to dentistry, prevention is much better than cure.

To keep teeth as healthy as you can, you need to remove plaque. This is a filmy substance that accumulates on the teeth and around the gums. It consists of bacteria and food particles, which can cause the erosion of tooth enamel and gum tissue, which leads to infection. Brushing removes this plaque before it is able to cause any harm or damage to the enamel. Brushing also helps to stimulate the gums, keeping them clean and in good condition.

Brushing with toothpaste is also good because toothpastes contain ingredients, which help to fight plaque and bacteria. Some toothpastes also contain fluoride, which can help to protect teeth against enamel erosion and decay. It is necessary to check with your dentists if fluoride is suitable for your teeth as it can cause staining in some cases.

City of Leeds dentists can give you more advice about effective brushing and flossing. It is usually a good idea to use a toothbrush with a small head as this makes it easier to reach difficult parts of the mouth. Brushing your teeth well will not only remove plaque and bacteria, but can help to preserve enamel keeping your teeth strong and free from sensitivity.

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Leeds dentists warn mouthwashes not effective against bad breath

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Many people’s answer to dealing with bad breath is to reach for the nearest bottle of mouthwash and have a gargle but is this the best solution to treating halitosis? It would seem that the answer is no. Indeed in the United States, after rigorous testing in the 1970s by the Food and Drug administration, mouthwash products are no longer allowed by law to claim that their products stop bad breath.

During the testing it was found that mouthwashes were no more effective at stopping bad breath than drinking plain water. Although the mouthwash did mask the odour for up to two hours at its longest point it never addressed the source of the smell and it soon returned. Mouthwashes also have the effect of destabilising the bacteria in the mouth. Millions of bacteria exist in the mouth in a balance with saliva, the body’s natural regulator of oral bacteria. Mouthwashes disturb this balance limiting saliva production and stimulating the growth of more bacteria, often accentuating the problem.

While some mouthwashes may have some beneficial effects for some patients with certain conditions they certainly do not combat bad breath in all people and it is always worth asking a Leeds dentist before using any product. The best way to cure bad breath is to improve your standards of oral hygiene by better brushing and flossing. Most cases of bad breath are caused by decaying food debris or bacteria in the mouth but this can almost always be removed by correct brushing and flossing techniques. Drinking water with meals can also help to remove plaque and the presence of food and bacteria.

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Keep children’s teeth looking healthy with advice from City of Leeds dentist

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

As parents, we always want the best for our children and that includes them having clean and healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. Unfortunately, dental hygiene is very rarely at the top of the list of priorities of most children. They can often be very reluctant to clean teeth or even go to the dentist and sometimes our choices as parents can affect our children’s teeth.

Central Leeds dentists have some expert advice for parents about how to keep their children’s teeth as healthy as possible. Firstly, it is never a good idea to force children to clean their teeth as this may only make the resent the activity. Try explaining how important it is and even making it fun. If this proves difficult, try rewarding your children for cleaning their teeth properly. This will encourage good behaviour not just now but for the rest of their lives. The more they understand the importance of keeping their teeth clean in their developing years, the better their teeth will be as they grow.

Regular trips to the dentist are also crucial for keeping your children’s smile looking healthy. Although not nearly as bad as they used to be, dentist’s surgeries can still be quite intimidating places for young children so it is important that you explain what is going to happen and make sure they are completely comfortable. This again can encourage good long-term dental health.

Try and keep a close eye on your children’s teeth. Avoid letting them eat too many sweets or sugary food or drink. This can rapidly accelerate tooth decay in developing teeth and lead to a whole series of future dental problems. By following these few simple rules you can help to give your children’s teeth the best chance of staying clean and healthy for life.

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City of Leeds dentist recommends daily flossing for healthy teeth

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Second only to brushing, flossing is the most important way of keeping your teeth clean and healthy and helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Dentists recommend that patients floss at least once a day to help remove plaque, the main cause of decay and infection, and to remove trapped food particles which are responsible for over 90 per cent of cases of bad breath.

Flossing is important because it reaches parts of the teeth and gums that cannot be cleaned by the bristles of a toothbrush. Brushing removes plaque from the front and back surfaces of the teeth and from the gums, but in the narrow areas between the teeth and parts of the tooth just below the gum line, flossing is required to keep these areas clean. It is often the most difficult areas to clean that are the location of tooth decay, as bacteria and plaque can build up there unchecked.

Proper flossing technique involves using about 40 cm of floss wound tight around one finger from each hand and made taught using the thumbs. Placing the floss between the teeth you then use a forward and backward motion moving the floss up and down the gap, cleaning the surface of the teeth and removing any matter trapped there. Slight rotation of the floss at the bottom of the tooth will help to clean the small pockets located under the gums where tooth enamel is still at risk. City of Leeds dentists can demonstrate the most effective way to floss at your next check up appointment to help you keep your teeth as healthy as possible.

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Central Leeds dentist discovers the cause of embarrassing bad breath

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Suffering from bad breath can be very embarrassing as it can be very difficult to disguise. It often leads to a loss of confidence and the avoidance of social situations altogether but it is relatively easily treated. Over nine out of ten cases of bad breath are caused by poor standards of oral hygiene which if improved could mean an end to horrible halitosis.

Bad breath is often caused by sulphurous smelling bacteria that thrive on decaying food matter caught between teeth and on the surface of the tongue. This smell is then carried out on the breath. By removing this food matter, usually trapped between teeth, by flossing and brushing thoroughly, you should be able to limit the effects of bad breath.

Many people resort to using anti-bacterial mouthwash, which while they do kill bacteria, also limit the production of saliva, the body’s natural defence against bad breath. This can cause the bad breath to come back as bacteria are again allowed to thrive. Some mouthwashes may work for certain types of mouth but it is always a good idea to consult a dentist.

If you have tried improving your oral hygiene by better brushing, flossing and perhaps even using a tongue scraper, and nothing is working, you can always pay a visit to the dentist. A Central Leeds dentist will examine your mouth to look for other possible causes, which may include gum disease, or in the worst case an infected tooth. If there is no evidence of an oral cause the dentist may be able to refer you to see if you are one of the ten per cent of cases where the bad breath is caused by internal issues.

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Extra dental care from dental hygienist at Leeds dentist

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

A relatively new weapon in the war against dental disease is the dental hygienist. More and more dental practises across the country are using hygienists to supplement the treatment offered by the dentist, to provide the most comprehensive dental care possible.

Hygienists offer patients additional teeth cleaning work carried out in tandem with other dental treatment from the regular dentist. With longer, more focussed appointments than are often available from dentists themselves, hygienists can work on recommendation from the dentist on specific dental hygiene problems faced by patients.

This may include carrying out thorough cleaning involving scaling and polishing, removing plaque and tartar and offering more detailed advice on suitable products and cleaning advice for patients. They can also work with you to devise specialised cleaning plans to tackle any specific problems you may be having. This enables dentists to focus more on specialised treatment during appointments and has reduced waiting times for all patients. Dental hygienists generally have more flexible appointment hours than dentists so they may be able to provide cleaning treatments recommended by your dentist on a regular basis.

Recently it has also been approved for hygienists to use x-ray equipment, further expanding their feild of influence and ability to help patients. At your next appointment with a Leeds dentist, enquire about the possibility of also seeing the hygienist to give your teeth the best possible chance of staying healthy. As the role of the dental hygienist broadens they may be key to your future dental health so why not see for yourself, today.

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Maintain good oral hygiene with regular check ups from Leeds dentist

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Maintaining a good standard of oral hygiene can help keep teeth and gums healthy for life, reducing the risk of dental decay and gum disease and saving you from the pain and cost of dental treatment in the future. Oral hygiene is usually understood to mean keeping a clean and healthy mouth by regular brushing and flossing and by keeping up regular six-month check ups with the dentist.

Regular and effective brushing and flossing helps to remove plaque. This is a filmy, bacteria-rich substance that produces acids which erode the tooth enamel causing dental decay and eventually tooth loss. Plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing also hardens and turns into tartar which cannot be removed by conventional cleaning methods and will need to be removed by a dentist using a process called scaling.

Other problems that can occur by not maintaining a good standard of oral hygiene include gum disease, also known as gingivitis. Gum disease is characterised by an inflamed and irritated gum that can be painful and even begin to bleed. Eventually gum tissue will start to shrink away from teeth exposing the vulnerable root. Gingivitis will eventually become the more serious periodontitis if left untreated. This is a more serious form of gum disease which may require antibiotic treatment or even surgery. Gum disease has also been linked to heart disease.

Tooth decay and gum disease can cause years of painful and costly dental treatment which can all be avoided by a few minutes a day of effective cleaning. Good oral hygiene can also help to prevent the 90 per cent of cases of bad breath caused by bacteria allowed to grow in the mouth.

Eating habits can also affect oral hygiene with food with a high concentration of sugar being particularly damaging to teeth. Low sugar food and food such as fruit with a high fibre content stimulate saliva production which helps to keep teeth healthy.

It is also important to regularly visit the dentist for check ups. Dentists can undertake thorough teeth cleaning and offer advice on how best to maintain good oral hygiene. A Leeds dentist will also be able to treat the first signs of any tooth decay or gum disease and help to keep your teeth strong and healthy.

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Battle tooth decay with help from City of Leeds dental hygienist

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

It is very likely that any visit to the dentist today, will also involve a visit to the dental hygienist. This is a fairly new system of treatment that is being employed, but one that can greatly improve its quality. Dental hygienists use treatments called scaling and polishing to professionally clean teeth. These processes remove excess plaque and tartar that cannot be removed by conventional brushing.

However, dental hygienists are about more than just teeth cleaning. They are sources of advice on how best to avoid dental decay and the most effective methods of keeping plaque at bay. They can demonstrate to the patient the best ways of brushing and flossing and recommend products that will be particularly suitable to the patients teeth. Also, by working in unison with your dentist, they can produce a dental hygiene plan that can help to reduce any future risk of dental complications.

Professionally qualified specialists, dental hygienists are becoming more and more common in dental practices. They are usually available to be booked by the hour, often immediately following a check up with the dentist so they can act on any advice. And because they are not subjected to the same caseload as the dentists they can often spend more time with individual patients.

In recent years, dental hygienists have also received further training in taking x-rays, which has allowed them further input into possible treatments. They can also suggest action for more minor dental problems such as fluorosis. All of this has meant that waiting times have been reduced for all patients. Hygienists are also in the front line of smoking cessation and will be fully trained to help you quit. As smoking can be very bad for teeth and associated with all sorts of oral health conditions, a dental hygienist is perfectly placed to offer you advice.

The dental hygienist is a valuable new ally in the fight against tooth decay and gum disease. They can help to keep teeth clean and healthy, and by working with the dentist can solve any oral health problems that may arise. When booking your next appointment at a City of Leeds dentist, ask about the availability of the dental hygienist.

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Keep your breath fresh everyday by visiting a Leeds dentist

Friday, October 9th, 2009

Everyone wants to have fresh breath, but the chances are that all of us, at one time or another, has suffered form bad breath. You’ve all seen the adverts on TV promising minty fresh breath all day and all night by using certain gum or mouthwash products but the reality is slightly different. Although these products will mask the smell of bad breath, they don’t prevent the causes of it, and more than likely you will notice it coming back. The only real weapon against bad breath is to take preventative measures. This almost always involves maintaining good standards of oral hygiene.

While it is true that some cases of bad breath, or halitosis as it is otherwise known, are caused by intestinal or digestive problems, over 90 per cent of cases are caused by poor standards of oral hygiene such as inadequate brushing or lack of flossing. In fact, most cases of bad breath are caused by an excess of bacteria in the mouth. The mouth is one of the dirtiest places in the human body, which while unpleasant, is unfortunately true. The conditions in the oral cavity are perfect for bacteria to thrive. Astonishingly, over 500 million bacteria live on the human tongue alone, in the warm and moist grooves of the surface. Food particles get trapped between the gaps in teeth, where normal brushes find it hard to reach, and when they decay release foul smelling sulphurous compounds which are one of the major causes of bad breath.

To combat these bacteria, Leeds dentists recommend that you brush your teeth correctly twice a day, for at least three minutes. Flossing once a day is also essential to remove decaying food matter form the parts conventional brushing cannot reach. It is also advisable to use a special tongue cleaning brush, as most toothbrushes are ineffective at thoroughly cleaning the tongue because the bristles are too soft. Effective cleaning can help to fight plaque, which is a filmy substance full of bacteria that covers the teeth causing bad breath and cavities, so not only will good cleaning keep your breath fresh, but it will also protect your teeth. Definitely two birds with one stone.

At your next dental check up, ask your Leeds dentist about the most effective methods of keeping your teeth and mouth free of bacteria and you can have that feeling of fresh breath confidence everyday.

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Central Leeds dentist helps patients beat bad breath

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

At one time or another, whether we are aware of it or not, we all will have suffered from bad breath. Bad breath, or halitosis as it is otherwise known, can strike anyone at any time unless you take preventative measures. Mouthwashes and chewing gum can mask the smell of bad breath but they don’t get to the causes so it is likely to return. Because it is so difficult to tell if your breath smells (we’ve all done the hand cupping move at some point) only a strong regime of preventative measures can alleviate the anxiety that you have bad breath.

People commonly believe that bad breath is caused by internal issues, such as poor digestion or stomach issues, but this is generally not the case. Studies have shown that nine cases out of ten are caused by poor standards of oral hygiene. Food matter that gets caught in the gaps between teeth can start to decay when acted upon by bacteria in the mouth. This releases foul smelling sulfurous compounds which can be one of the main causes of halitosis. Bacteria thrive in the human mouth, where conditions for them are almost perfect. There are over 500 million on the human tongue alone where they live in the warm and moist crevices. This bacteria can also build up in a filmy substance called plaque that covers the teeth and decays the enamel. This bacteria and plaque live on decaying organic matter so the more you have in your mouth the more it is going to smell.

The most effective way to deal with bad breath is to make sure you are brushing your teeth correctly, twice a day, for three minutes. As well as this you should be flossing once a day. Flossing helps to clean small gaps in the teeth that conventional brushes can’t reach. This can remove the decaying food particles which cause many cases of bad breath. Using a mouthwash may also help kill bacteria but only as part of a wider oral hygiene routine.

Bad breath can be a warning sign that your oral hygiene needs improving. Ask a Central Leeds dentist about the correct ways to brush and floss at your next check up. They can also recommend the most suitable brush for your teeth. Just a few minutes extra cleaning a day could help you keep bad breath away for good.

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