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Archive for the ‘oral hygeine’ Category

Daily dental hygiene: get the facts from Leeds dentists

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Leading a busy life can sometimes lead you to forget just how important it is to take good care of your teeth. But the fact is that many of the activities that you take for granted depend on you having a healthy mouth. If you contract gum disease or start experiencing dental decay then eating, drinking and even talking can be rendered much more difficult. So it is best to take care of your mouth in the way that dentists advise.
First of all, you should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day to remove the plaque which is a major cause of tooth decay and gum disease. You ought to brush for about three minutes and make sure that you are covering all the areas of your mouth from front to back and top to bottom. As well as brushing you should floss as well to remove the plaque which forms in between your teeth.
All food causes plaque to some degree but sugary and starchy foods produce the most and you should restrict yourself in how much of these foods you eat. Sometimes you might wish to brush your teeth after you’ve had a sugary snack or a starchy meal. Activities such as smoking tobacco and drinking a lot of alcohol can have a detrimental effect on your oral hygiene too and are leading causes of oral cancer.
All of these measures should be done in conjunction with regular visits to your dentist so that your oral health can be monitored by a professional. Dentists can spot the signs of any problems early on and offer effective diagnosis before the problem gets too bad. Talk to your Leeds dentist if you need more advice about these matters.

Leeds dentists answer patients’ queries about mouth washes

Sunday, March 20th, 2011

As part of taking care of your teeth, some people turn to mouth washes. But the picture is not that clear as to how beneficial they actually are. If you want some answers about mouth washes and whether they are the best choice for you then you should read on.
Mouth washes are clinically formulated substances designed to be swilled around your mouth after brushing and then gargled with. They usually have bacteria killing properties and are available in a variety of flavours so that your breath will take on certain aromas after use.
The problem with the fact that they kill bacteria is that not all bacteria in your mouth is actually bad. Some of it is highly beneficial to the way that your mouth works. Mouth washes are unable to discriminate and they just kill all of it, leaving you lacking the good bacteria that has to be formed all over again.
Further, particularly mouth washes containing alcohol can actually create ideal conditions for plaque to flourish. These mouth washes make the mouth rather dry and then plaque can stick to teeth far easier than they would normally be able to. Increasingly alcohol mouth washes are becoming rather rare but mouth washes generally have this tendency.
Sometimes your dentist might advise that you use a certain type of formulated mouth wash as part of the treatment of gingivitis but this should be done sparingly for the above reasons. It would be an irony indeed if by using mouth wash you actually created conditions ideal for plaque to thrive and cause further gum disease!
Whether you use mouth washes is your choice and they can be effective at freshening breath in the short term but you should talk to your Leeds dentist for more expert information.

Leeds dentists advise patients about the use of fluoride in oral care

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

There are many decisions to be made when considering how best to take care of your mouth such as what type of brush to use and which, of the many, tooth pastes. One of the decisions that people have wrestled with over the years concerns fluoride and it is not without controversy. Read on for more information.
Fluoride is chemical which helps to strengthen your teeth’s enamel. Enamel is a vital part of the protective army in your mouth and guards your teeth against the formation of cavities. If enamel breaks down or is weakened them you are more likely to suffer from dental decay and require fillings in order for your teeth to maintain healthy functionality.
Fluoride is found in many tooth pastes and, perhaps most controversially, in tap water in most areas of the United Kingdom. Some people believed, and still do, that the government ought not to have started adding fluoride to the national water supply. They cite cases where an over exposure to the substance has had detrimental effects of peoples’ health.
In fact this is very rare. You need to be exposed to an awful lot of fluoride for it to harm you in any way. Most dentists will recommend that, as well as using tooth paste that has been enhanced with fluoride, patients drink tap water to top up the amount of fluoride they are consuming. Those who only drink bottled water might not be taking on enough fluoride. Fluoride supplements are available too for those who live in areas where there is a lower fluoride contant in their tap water.
If you require any further information about fluoride, don’t hesitate to arrange a meeting with your Leeds dentist at which you can ask for all the facts.

City of Leeds advise patients about scaling and polishing

Sunday, March 6th, 2011

Even the most rigorous and careful brushing at home cannot reproduce that feeling of having had your teeth cleaned by the dentist. They use special equipment that will leave your teeth feeling incredible clean and help to maintain your oral health.
This technique of cleaning by dentists is often referred to as scaling and polishing. In the process of scaling, dentists scrape away plaque and tartar that has built up on your teeth. To do this a small, sharp hook is used. Getting rid of plaque and its hardened form, tartar, is vital in the fight against tooth decay because if it just left there on your teeth then it can cause tooth decay.
In fact tartar cannot be removed by brushing at home, only dentists with their specialist equipment can manage it. Removing tartar has the added benefit of making your teeth look better too because tartar can give your teeth an unsightly discoloured appearance. It is not a particularly painful business and modern dentists go to great lengths to relax their patients while they are in their care.
An electric polisher is then used to buff the teeth, making them look whiter as any further stains are removed. The added smoothness that polishing achieves actually makes it harder for plaque to cling onto teeth, leaving your mouth in a better position to cope with plaque once you leave the surgery.
If you are interested in scaling and polishing you should make an appointment to see your City of Leeds dentist. The benefits of having your teeth professionally cleaned will leave you with a healthy smile, free from the plaque and tartar which can cause damage to your teeth and gums.

Leeds dentists advise patients on how to keep their teeth as healthy as possible

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Dentists are the place to go in order to get the best advice about how to take care of your teeth. Having excellent oral hygiene will ensure that you can eat, drink, smile and even talk in comfort. Your mouth is a complex, finely honed organism in which all the parts are meant to work together in order for it to function. Allowing parts of it to become unhealthy can mean that the activities you take for granted are jeapordised.
There are a number of simple ways in which you can take the best possible care of your mouth though. The first and most important in many ways is that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and again after meals if you feel it is necessary. This is so that plaque does not build up and cause your teeth to start decaying. You ought to brush for about three minute, making sure that you are covering all the areas of your mouth.
Once you have brushed, don’t forget to floss. This is essential in removing the plaque which can hide between your teeth. It might be a little painful to begin with if you have not done it before but you should persist so that your teeth and gums can stay healthy.
Diet can play and important part in the health of your mouth too. Plaque is produced by all foods but the most is produced when you eat or drink sugary or starchy substances. It is best to cut down on these things and eat things like cheese afterwards which can help to remove the sugar and starch from the teeth.
Finally, get into the habit of visiting your Leeds dentist every six months so that your mouth can be checked by a specialist.

Getting the Right Tooth Paste in Leeds

Sunday, February 6th, 2011

When it comes to buying toothpaste in Leeds, you’d have probably noticed that there is a lot to choose from- there are powders, pastes and gels and you may have to experiment at first to get one that suits you. And if you have a family of course, you have to take into consideration their needs too. Generally, most pastes come with certain ingredients already added. Calcium carbonate is used as an abrasive that aid the removal of bacteria and stains. All will contain some form of flavouring, thickeners and detergents, but the most important ingredient that toothpaste should have, and is widely supported by dentists, is fluoride. This natural mineral has proven to be quite a deterrent over the years to plaque and tooth decay. It enhances saliva and hardens (and enriches) the tooth’s enamel- although caution should be taken when children are involved. Once you are happy with all these, there are a few other matters to consider. Some toothpaste will include some form of tartar control, very important if you are prone to it. If you have sensitive teeth, there are products out there designed specifically to overcome this problem. Finally, for those of us that seek the Hollywood touch, there are pastes, gels and powders that contain a whitening agent to keep your teeth ‘pearly white’- a smokers’ choice too. If you are still unsure, you can always ask your dentist- they know as much about your teeth as you.

Choosing a Tooth Brush in Central Leeds

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

In the ongoing rush to keep our teeth clean in central Leeds, it should always be remembered that it all starts with a good toothbrush and choosing the right type that suits you can be a bit of a minefield. There are so many shapes and sizes, hard bristles, soft bristles, angled brushes- and then you can move into the world of electric brushes and as fantastic as they are in their cleaning actions, some may be very abrasive and completely unsuitable for your mouth. It can be a matter of trial and error until you get this right, as all our mouths tend to be different, with different agendas and requirements; it’s not a good idea, for example to continue brushing with the same brush if it is making your gums bleed. The best person to ask advice on this subject is your dentist. They have seen more of the inside of your mouth than you; they know how delicate your gums are and how your teeth are angled and can point you in the right direction. One thing is for sure, you should change your brush regularly- they wear down and then work inefficiently, and they are a great home for bacteria. If you persevere with your search for the right brush and keep a few rules in mind, you should have no problems with cleaning your teeth.

How to Clean Your Teeth in the City of Leeds

Friday, February 4th, 2011

It’s probably safe to assume that most of us know how to keep our teeth clean in the city of Leeds, but it’s also a fact that, cases of people suffering from tooth decay, throughout the country, is on the increase. If you want to keep your teeth healthy, it’s essential to maintain a program of good oral hygiene and if your have any doubts about this, you should consult your dentist. The basic principles have never been in doubt- clean, twice daily with a suitable brush and a fluoride based toothpaste, rinsing and flossing after eating, and a bi-annual dental check-up. But this is only scratching the surface of keeping your teeth clean. It’s also important to understand what we are putting in our mouths- some foods are acidic and sugar based, and are the main causes of tooth decay. It’s important to make sure these foods are removed from mouth correctly. Small brushes, flossing, dental gum and mouthwashes are a great source of back-up to the general cleaning process and are always useful to have at your disposal- especially as we get older and gaps appear between the teeth. As well as all these tips, it is also handy to remember that over cleaning can be detrimental to teeth and should be cleaned in moderation Once you have mastered a technique and regime that suits you, you shouldn’t have a problem keeping your teeth clean.

Need advice about tooth brushes? Talk to your Central Leeds dentist

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Keeping your teeth clean is vital in ensuring that you have good oral hygiene which will allow you to eat, drink and talk with ease. You should brush at least twice a day for about three minutes at a time with a tooth brush. But which tooth brush to choose? There are many on offer in super markets and pharmacies in a variety of styles and at a range of prices and your dentist can give you the best advice about which is best for you.
It is important that tooth brushing, which ought to be protecting your teeth is not damaging them. This can happen if you are brushing too vigorously and you might want to choose a brush with softer bristles so that brushing doesn’t make your gums bleed and compromise your enamel.
Many dentists recommend that electric tooth brushes are used. These devices which can be charged up like a gentleman’s shaver, offer optimum cleaning because of the way they vibrate and rotate against the teeth. The down side is that they can be expensive.
Whatever brush you choose, you should make sure that you are replacing it regularly. As tooth brushes are used the bristles will become frayed and less effective in cleaning your teeth. Also they will pick up bacteria and dirt over time and using them can only make problems such as gingivitis worse.
At your six months check ups with your Central Leeds dentist you should ask for advice about tooth brushes to ensure that you are taking the best possible care of your teeth at home.

What are the pros and cons of fluoride? Get the answers from Leeds dentists

Saturday, January 15th, 2011

In taking care of your teeth you face many dilemmas such as the strength of the bristles you choose for your brush and whether you ought to use dental floss or dental tape. Another issue that many people wrestle with is that of fluoride and whether it is helpful to use it to aid in the fight against plaque.
Although many studies have shown that the consumption of fluoride can help combat plaque – reducing levels of decay in teeth by some forty to sixty per cent – it is not without controversy. Fluoride is added to the water supply in many countries and some say that it is harmful to humans.
The benefits of fluoride to your teeth are hard to debate, however. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel, the hard substance which is coats your teeth and protects them from the effects of plaque. It is vital that plaque is stopped because it can cause the breakdown of teeth which then might have to be removed if they decay to a great extent.
It is true that a condition called dental fluorosis can develop in children who consume too much fluoride, perhaps by swallowing large amounts of fluoride enriched tooth pastes. But this is a rare happening indeed and the amount of fluoride needed to bring on dental fluorosis is very large. There are about three hundred million people around the world who consume fluoride every day from their tap and many more who do so in the form of tooth paste and negative effects are rarely seen.
Dentists advise that fluoride enhanced tooth pastes are used when brushing teeth but children under two should avoid doing so. For older children, however, fluoride is vital in getting a head start in the development of strong, healthy teeth and supplements are available if you live in an area which has less fluoride in the tap water.