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Archive for the ‘oral hygeine’ Category

The City of Leeds has an Unwelcome Visitor in Tooth Abscesses

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

What is an abscess?

A tooth abscess, known as periapical abscess, is a collection of pus, which develops inside the tooth structure. Abscesses that develop in the gums are known as periodontal abscesses.

What causes an abscess?

Abscesses develop as a result of bacterial infection. Bacteria infect the tooth and spread, causing the pulp of the tooth to become infected. The pulp contains all the living tissue, including the nerves and blood vessels, but once the pulp is infected, the tooth can effectively die. Bacteria will continue to spread through the tooth until they reach the alveolar bone and this is where the abscess forms.

Bacteria enter the teeth through caries (also known as cavities). Cavities develop as a result of poor oral hygiene and eating a lot of sugary and acidic foods. Once the tooth is infected, the bacteria can spread through the tooth is the cavity is left untreated.

How is an abscess treated?

Dental abscesses do not go away on their own and it is important to get treatment as quickly as possible. A tooth abscess is removed by means of root canal treatment. Your City of Leeds dentist will drill through the infected tooth to reach the abscess and drain the pus, before removing any infected tissue and cleaning and sealing the root canals to prevent further infection. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort.

Preventing tooth abscesses

The best way to prevent a tooth abscess is to maintain dental health and visit your dentist every six to twelve months. It is also advisable to avoid eating a lot of sugary and acidic foods, which cause decay and to visit your hygienist for regular cleaning treatments.

Tags: dental hygienist, Leeds, root canal treatment, Root canal treatment Leeds
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Mouth Ulcers are a Cause for Concern for Patients in Leeds

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

What are mouth ulcers?

Mouth ulcers are sores that are found in the mouth, which are usually oval or round in shape and most commonly develop on the inside of the cheeks. Mouth ulcers are very common in Leeds and around the country and most people will develop at least one ulcer in their lifetime.

What causes mouth ulcers?

In most cases mouth ulcers are not a result of infection and possible causes include:

Damage to the mouth (for example, biting the inside of the cheek by mistake).
Brushing very hard.
Damage caused by a sharp or jagged tooth.

If ulcers appear on a regular basis, this may be a result of:

Stress and anxiety.
Hormonal changes in the body, for example during pregnancy.
Oral trauma, for example brushing too hard.
Family history

Eating some foods also increases the risk of ulcers. These include:

Strawberries
Cheese
Tomatoes
Coffee
Peanuts
Almonds

How are mouth ulcers treated?

Most ulcers heal naturally without any treatment. If you have a mild ulcer, you may find it useful to use a soft toothbrush, avoid eating hard foods and avoid stressful situations. If you have a more serious ulcer and it causing you pain, your GP or dentist may advise you to take medication.

Tags: dental hygienist, General dentistry, General dentistry Leeds, Leeds
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Don’t let Smelly Breath be the End of Your Excitement in Central Leeds

Monday, April 9th, 2012

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a very common problem and most people will suffer from bad breath at some point in their lives. Most of us experience bad breath from time to time after eating foods that have a strong flavour or odour or drinking certain drinks, such as coffee, but for some, bad breath is a chronic problem, which can have serious implications for their confidence and self-esteem.

What causes bad breath?

The most common cause of bad breath is the action of bacteria breaking down the food we eat. This can cause bacteria to produce sulphur-based compounds, which have an unpleasant smell. Bad breath can also be caused by smoking, drinking alcohol and eating foods that have a very powerful odour, such as onions, garlic and spicy food. Poor oral hygiene is another common cause of bad breath.

What can I do to prevent bad breath?

At our Central Leeds practice we recognise that bad breath can be an embarrassing problem, but there are many things that can be done to treat bad breath and prevent halitosis in the future. The most effective way of tackling bad breath is a good daily oral hygiene routine, which includes cleaning the tongue as well as brushing the teeth and flossing. Rinsing with mouthwash can also be very effective and there are various flavours available. Eating sugar-free mints and chewing sugar-free gum can help to neutralise unpleasant odours after eating.

If you suffer from persistent bad breath this may indicate an oral health disease, such as gum disease and it is advisable to see your dentist. Visiting a dental hygienist is also highly beneficial for patients with bad breath. Hygienists provide intensive cleaning treatments, which help to remove food deposits, plaque and tartar for the mouth and leave you with an incredible fresh feeling in your mouth.

Tags: dental hygienist, Dental hygienist Leeds, General dentistry, Leeds
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People in the City of Leeds Understand the Significance of Tongue Cleaning

Sunday, April 8th, 2012

Why is it important to clean your tongue?

Most people are aware of the benefits of brushing their teeth and using dental floss and mouthwash, but you may not realise how important it is to clean your tongue.

The tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria, which collect on the tongue and at the back of the mouth to produce sulphur-based compounds. These compounds are a major contributor to bad breath, a problem that most people experience at some point in their lives. Cleaning the tongue can also help to reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay by decreasing the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth.

How should I clean my tongue?

You can clean your tongue using your toothbrush or a specialist tongue cleaner. We can offer advice and information about products and talk you through the tongue cleaning process, so please ask City of Leeds dentist or hygienist if you want to find out more.

The tongue cleaning process involves running the brush or tongue cleaner across the surface of the tongue to remove dead cells, food deposits and bacteria. Repeating the action will help to target areas that may have been missed during the first cleaning session. Once you have cleaned your tongue, use mouthwash to rinse out your mouth and you should experience a fresh, clean feel.

If you have a good oral hygiene routine and you clean your tongue on a regular basis and still suffer from bad breath, see your dentist, as this may be indicative of an oral health condition.

Tags: dental hygienist, General dentistry, General dentistry Leeds, Leeds
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The Joys of Inter-dental teeth cleaning for Patients in Leeds

Saturday, April 7th, 2012

Most people in Leeds know how important it is to brush their teeth, but it can be extremely difficult to brush in-between the teeth and this can cause plaque to develop, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease. Inter-dental cleaning involves using specialist brushes to clean between the teeth and remove plaque from the cracks between the teeth.

Methods of inter-dental cleaning

There are two main methods of cleaning between the teeth; these are:

flossing
inter-dental brushing

Flossing

Flossing involves passing dental floss (specialist flavoured tape), between the teeth and along the gum line. Dental floss helps to remove plaque and food deposits from between the teeth and is an effective way of reducing the risk of oral diseases.

Inter-dental brushing

Inter-dental brushing involves using specially designed brushes to clean between the teeth. Inter-dental brushes are available in different sizes and most are colour-coded to distinguish between the sizes. Inter-dental brushes remove plaque from between the gum but they do not target the gum line. If you have any questions about inter-dental brushing or you want to find out more, we will be more than happy to offer you information and advice.

Tags: dental hygienist, General dentistry, General dentistry Leeds, Leeds
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Brushing Teeth in Central Leeds is More Important than Ever

Friday, April 6th, 2012

Brushing your teeth is something you learn when you are very young, but it never stops being important. Brushing is the most effective way to remove plaque and bacteria from the mouth, helping to keep your mouth clean and fresh. It also reduces the risk of dental health problems, such as gum disease, decay, bad breath and staining.

How often should I brush my teeth?

Dental polls show that many people skip brushing their teeth –this is not advisable and we recommend that all our patients to brush their teeth twice a day. Most people find it convenient to brush in the morning and before they go to bed, while some also like to brush after lunch to prevent bad breath.

How long should I brush for?

It is important that you brush your teeth thoroughly. Simply dusting over your teeth will not do the job, so try to aim for at least two minutes of brushing, twice a day. If you struggle to stick to a 2 minute brushing period, try using a toothbrush that has a timer.

Brushing technique

When you brush your teeth it is important to cover all areas of your mouth. Tip the head of the brush to a 45 degree angle, polish the teeth and remember to brush along the gum line, as this is a common place for bacteria to gather. Brush the teeth with circular motions and take care not to brush too hard, as this can damage the surface enamel of the teeth and the gums. If you find that your gums are bleeding during brushing, this may mean that you are brushing too hard.

Manual toothbrushes versus electric toothbrushes

Manual toothbrushes have been around for decades and they can do a highly effective job – but electric toothbrushes remove more plaque, can be easier to use and many come with additional features, such as different brushing modes and a timer. If you have any questions about choosing a toothbrush, ask our friendly dentists in Central Leeds.

Tags: dental hygienist, General dentistry, General dentistry Leeds, Leeds
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People in the City of Leeds Know the Importance of Routine Flossing

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

Flossing is an undervalued action. Most of us are aware that we should brush our teeth twice a day, but the importance of flossing is not so well-documented. Brushing is very important, but it only removes a certain amount of plaque from the mouth and flossing must also be part of the daily oral hygiene routine for truly clean teeth and gums.

Why is flossing so important?

Flossing is important because it targets the areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. Flossing removes plaque, food particles and bacteria from the gum line, the corners of the mouth and tiny cracks between the teeth. These areas are prone to bacteria collection, which contribute to decay and gum disease.

What does flossing involve?

Dental floss is passed through the gaps between teeth and along the gum line. It is a very fine cotton-like thread, which is available in various flavours.

Dental hygiene in Leeds

Dental hygiene is extremely important for good oral health. Our dental practice in Central Leeds encourages all patients to adopt a good daily oral hygiene routine, in addition to regular dental check-ups and visits to the hygienist. A good regime should consist of brushing the teeth and rinsing with mouthwash. Floss also helps. Dental hygiene helps to keep common problems, such as tooth discolouration, bad breath and oral health diseases, at bay and teeth looking healthy.

Tags: dental hygienist, Dental hygienist Leeds, General dentistry, Leeds
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Dry Mouth is Giving Patients in the City of Leeds a Rough Ride

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

Dry mouth is a condition that affects the flow of saliva in the mouth, causing the mouth to feel very dry. Dry mouth is most common among older people. Symptoms of dry mouth include a prickly, itchy sensation in the mouth, increased sensitivity to certain foods and the mouth becoming shiny and red. Dry mouth can also increase the risk of gum disease.

What causes dry mouth?

Dry mouth may be symptomatic of many different conditions, including lupus, diabetes and blocked salivary glands. It can often be a side-effect of taking medication (most commonly blood pressure medication). If you are taking medication your dentist, doctor or pharmacist can tell you whether this may be causing dry mouth. Dry mouth can also be more common during the menopause.

How is dry mouth treated?

There are a number of different products available for patients in the City of Leeds, including gels, sprays and lotions, which can help to increase moisture in the mouth. Ask your dentist or GP for advice about which products would suit you best. We can offer advice about oral hygiene products, which are specifically designed to reduce the symptoms of dry mouth, and our dental team will be happy to provide in-house treatment or advice.

Is it possible to prevent dry mouth?

There is no single means of preventing dry mouth – but you should see your dentist or doctor if you are experiencing symptoms and they will be able to suggest a suitable treatment.

Tags: dental check up, Dry mouth treatment, Dry mouth treatment Leeds, Leeds
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Give Gum Disease the Elbow in Leeds

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

It is very easy to underestimate the damage gum disease can cause until it has wreaked havoc not only in your mouth, but also within the rest of your body as well.

Gum disease is a serious condition in Leeds that needs to be recognised and stopped as soon as possible, as a high percentage of people suffer from it at some point in their lives. The problem is, there can be a number of reasons that cause gum disease. This can range from poor diet and lifestyle, which breaks down the immune system, to the more obvious- poor oral hygiene.

Once plaque is allowed to form into tartar around the base of the teeth, the gums will become infected and start poisoning the blood stream and then the most vital organs in the body.

The first signs of this will be blood on the toothbrush after brushing and a bad taste in the mouth during the day, as gum disease can also lead to halitosis. The gums will also start to recede and you teeth may become sensitive around the root of the tooth.

Fighting gum disease can be a problem depending on how bad it has become. In the early stages, it can be deterred by a good level of oral hygiene, which involves everything from natural, herbal products to some regular cleaning from the dentist. However, in advanced stages, it may take physical surgery to remove the damaged tissue and involve some form of grafting. Of course, whilst this is going on, the infection will not only damage the teeth and the bone that holds them, but will also caused coronary problems and potentially the failure of other organs in the body.

Tags: Gum cleaning, Leeds, Periodontal cleaning, Periodontal cleaning Leeds
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Keeping an Eye on Your Oral Hygiene in the City of Leeds

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

Now be honest, what do you look for in a toothbrush, or similarly, a toothpaste?

Do you read the labels, simply see words like ‘plaque’ and ‘gum disease’ and say ‘yes, that’s the one I should get?’ Okay, we can all have our methods and reasons behind our oral hygiene choices, but do we know what we are really doing when we buy these products?

And let’s not forget, oral hygiene is not just about the products we buy to clean our teeth, it’s also about our diet and lifestyle as well. The next time you pop into your dentist for a check-up, you should sit down and talk about such issues, even if it means a session with the hygienist as well. If you have a healthy diet and a ‘so-so’ lifestyle as well, then you can set off on your daily pilgrimage of dental hygiene, knowing that your body is strong enough to help back up your teeth and gums in the fight against decay and disease.

Now you can get the toothbrush and paste to work with on your teeth and buy flosses and mouthwashes to tackle harmful plaque and bacteria. And least we forget, if you get into a state and things get a little out of hand, you always have the dentist to put things right.

Tags: City of Leeds, dental cleaning, Dental cleaning City of Leeds, General dentistry
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