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Posts Tagged ‘Dental check-ups Central Leeds’

Why You Should Check-In for a Check-Up

Monday, October 24th, 2016

shutterstock_51615943Did you know that tooth decay is one of the most common preventable problems around? Both children and adults can fall victim to a cavity, but seeing your dentist every six to nine months can stop those nasty little holes in their tracks. If tooth decay isn’t treated, you might end up having to have root canal treatment or even lose a tooth!

It’s easy to assume that if you don’t have any dental pain, your teeth are A-okay. But there might be tiny problems you can’t see, and these can lead to massive issues later on in life. Many dental problems fall under the radar until it’s too late. Visiting your dentist every six months can make sure these problems stay well away from your mouth.

A typical check-up won’t last longer than 15 minutes. Your dentist will have a good look at your mouth, teeth and gums and ask you about your oral health. They might also offer some pearls about eating habits and damaging habits like smoking and drinking, both of which can take their toll on our choppers. Your dentist might also give you some top brushing tips so you can keep on top of your oral hygiene.

If you need one, your dentist might schedule you in for a follow up appointment for a filling, deep clean or scale and polish.

Going to the dentist might not seem like the most thrilling 15 minutes of your life, but we can’t stress enough how important check-ups are. It helps to spot problems in their early stages and treat issues you didn’t even know you had. When it comes to your mouth, prevention is always better than cure.

Why is a Dental Visit So Important?

Sunday, October 18th, 2015

585811_blogFor many adults, visiting the dentist can be a daunting experience and it is the case that a lot of these individuals suffer from anxiety or dental phobia. However, going to the dentist is really important and should be done regularly. To beat the onset of dental anxiety in adulthood, it is beneficial to introduce children to their dentist from an early age.

Why children should visit the dentist

If children are introduced to the dentist from an early age, they will get used to going to the dentist and can form a trusting and friendly relationship. This bond will go a long way to preventing any negative conditions that can come about as a consequence of not caring for your teeth, which means the child should require less treatment in the future.

Most parents don’t take their children to the dentist until they start school, but with dentists it is said that parents should do this within the first year of their life. Increasingly, young children are suffering from preventable illnesses such as tooth decay, and dentists are seeing children as young as two with cavities – so it is important that children attend regular check-ups.

Oral health problems in children

The increasing number of children with oral health conditions is attributed to the modern diet, which increasingly consists of convenience foods and sugary, fatty snacks. Parents struggle to control what their children eat as shops are full of chocolate bars, sweets, cakes, biscuits and crisps – all these foods can increase the amount of bacteria in the mouth, which can lead to plaque build-up. Plaque is a sticky substance that clings to the surfaces of the teeth, leading to the production of harmful acids that attack the enamel surfaces of the teeth and make them more vulnerable to decay.

In order to prevent harmful oral health conditions, it is important that children learn how to look after their teeth and gums. This involves learning about oral hygiene as well as healthy eating and the potential dangers related to poor oral health.

When In Doubt, Check it Out! The Importance of a Check-Up Explained

Sunday, May 17th, 2015

585804_blogThe trouble with dental problems is that they seldom get better without treatment and in most cases, they get considerably worse. We strongly recommend regular routine check-ups as an effective preventative measure against decay, gum disease and bad breath.

Why are check-ups so important?

Check-ups are essential for good oral health because they enable dentists to identify and treat any problems. When you have a dental check, your dentist will carry out a thorough examination to look for signs of decay, tooth damage, gum disease and oral cancer and any issues that are spotted can then be treated. Oral diseases tend to get worse the longer they are left and nipping problems in the bud will save you from experiencing pain, prevent the situation from becoming more serious and save you money on dental care in the long-run.

What happens when you have a check-up?

When you go for a check-up, you shouldn’t feel nervous or worried. Check-ups are only very short and there’s no pain involved. Your dentist will simply have a thorough look around your mouth under a bright light to see how your mouth is doing, check for signs of cavities or gum disease and identify any changes that may have occurred since your last check-up. Any important information will be recorded in your notes and if you do need any treatment, this will be discussed with you. Your dentist will also be happy to chat to you and answer questions and they may offer advice about oral hygiene or diet.

How often should I see my dentist?

Ideally, we recommend six-monthly check-ups. If you are prone to dental problems, we may advise you to come in more frequently. If you develop problems such as tooth pain, swelling or bleeding gums between check-ups, don’t wait until your next scheduled appointment. Call and make an appointment sooner and we’ll do our best to have you fighting it again as quickly as possible.

What’s so Important About a Dental Check-Up?

Friday, March 20th, 2015

944335_blogDentists recommend regular routine check-ups, but why are they so important and what actually happens when you have a dental check?

The importance of dental check-ups

Check-ups are a really effective way for your dentist to keep tabs on your oral health and they ensure that any issues or problems are identified at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful. In the case of dental diseases, such as tooth decay and gum disease, the longer symptoms are left, the worse they get, so early intervention is always beneficial. Check-ups can also help to prevent dental health problems and they give you the chance to talk to your dentist, seek advice and ask any questions. Your dentist can help you with all kinds of things, from choosing the best toothbrush and toothpaste to giving up smoking.

Dental checks also give dentists a chance to look out for potential warning signs of oral cancer, such as red or white patches in the mouth and slow-healing mouth ulcers.

What happens when you have a check-up?

When you have a check-up, your dentist will go through a check-list and examine your teeth, gums and the soft tissue in the mouth. They will look for signs of decay, gum disease and oral cancer and ask you if you’ve had any problems, such as toothache, sensitivity or swollen gums. Your dentist will also check fillings, crowns and bridgework. Any changes or observations will be recorded in your patient notes and your dentist will give your teeth a quick clean and polish. If you need treatment, your dentist will explain what the problem is and talk to you about your treatment options.

If you don’t need any further treatment, we will book you a check-up in six months’ time. If you do need treatment, such as a filling, we will arrange an appointment for you at a suitable time.

 

The Danger of Ducking a Dental Check-up in Central Leeds

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012

Dental check-ups are designed to help care for your teeth in central Leeds and so avoiding one because you can’t be bothered or are just too busy would be a very foolhardy thing to do. Other people also make the mistake of missing an appointment on the basis that their teeth have been well looked after with all of the best products on the market- again, wrong. Sure, no-one doubts that you look after your teeth well and that’s admirable, the problem with all of this though is it only takes 24 hours for bacteria and acids to start eating away at the enamel of your teeth and so, the damage has begun, any longer and you are into the early stages of tooth decay. Even though you think you can skip appointments, you should bear in mind that your dentist can pick-up on this where you can’t. You will also be checked for any other anomalies as well- gum disease, tooth erosion, tooth alignment and if there are things wrong, your dentist will fix them or if not, at least know someone who can. It’s a time where you can have any tartar or plaque removed, followed by a good clean around the gum-line. Then after a little bit of a polish, you’re free to go. Just by spending 15 minutes with your dentist could mean the difference between having a healthy, trouble-free mouth or a very complex disease strewn one that will also cost a lot to turn around.

Tooth Decay is Not Something We Advocate in Central Leeds

Monday, April 30th, 2012

What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay, also known as dental cavities (or caries) occurs when the protective enamel surfaces of the teeth are worn down by bacteria. Bacteria produce harmful plaque acids, which break down the outer layers of the teeth, creating holes in the teeth. If holes are left to grow, bacteria can invade the living tissue of the tooth, known as the pulp and cause the tooth to die, until eventually the tooth will fall out.

How common is tooth decay?

Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems, affecting the majority of people. More than half of adults in the UK have one or more decayed teeth and rates of decay are increasing in children.

What are the symptoms of tooth decay?

Tooth decay does not usually cause symptoms until decay is severe and this is why regular dental checks are so important. One decay has become advanced, symptoms include tooth pain, bad breath, heightened sensitivity and spots of grey and yellow discolouration on the teeth.

How is tooth decay treated?

In the very early stages, fluoride varnish can be applied to the teeth to prevent further decay; however, if decay is more advanced, a filing may be required. Fillings are used to fill cavities and prevent the spread of decay. If bacteria have infected the pulp of the tooth, root canal treatment will be performed. This procedure involves removing decayed pulp tissue and cleaning and sealing the root canals to prevent further infection. Root canal treatment is often a very effective means of saving an infected tooth.

Preventing tooth decay

Fluoride is a very effective means of preventing tooth decay, which can be applied to the surfaces of the teeth in varnish form and is also present in toothpaste and in drinking water in some areas of the country. Fluoride helps to strengthen the teeth.

Regular dental check-ups with your Central Leeds dentist, every six to twelve months, are essential for good oral health.