Posts Tagged ‘flossing’

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Leeds dentist stresses the importance of flossing

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

There are a number of very important reasons why you should floss every day. Flossing is often seen as not as important as brushing but this is not necessarily true. Brushing your teeth cleans the flat surfaces of the front and back of the teeth but it can’t reach certain parts of the teeth that are harder to get to. This includes the area between the teeth, which is too narrow for the bristles of a brush, and the areas around the base of the teeth and below the gum line.

It is important to clean these parts of the teeth, as this is where bacteria and plaque are most likely to gather. Bacteria and plaque can then begin to attack the tooth enamel breaking it down and causing decay. Food particles can also get stuck in between teeth, which become breeding grounds for bacteria, one of the main causes of unpleasant bad breath.

Flossing helps to remove these food particles and plaque that cause decay and gum disease. Leeds dentists recommend that you floss at least once a day, making sure to clean the areas around the base of the teeth. There are various types of floss available for different teeth so ask your dentist which is the most suitable for you.

If you haven’t flossed in a while, there may initially be some blood on the floss or when you rinse out your mouth. This is a sign that your gums are inflamed and in desperate need of a good floss. This will eventually clear up with regular flossing. It is never too late to start flossing and giving your teeth the protection they need.

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Central Leeds dentist highlights need for more than just brushing for healthy teeth

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

With gum disease and tooth decay on the increase amongst children and adults in the UK, dentists are keen to stress the importance of effective teeth cleaning. For many people, cleaning their teeth simply involves giving them a quick brush in the morning when they get up and before they go to bed but a thorough dental hygiene routine should be so much more than that.

Looking after your teeth is very important and something that will actually make a real visible difference. Dental care is one of the few aspects of the body where we have almost complete control over the diseases and disrepair that affect it. As well as brushing for three minutes at least twice a day (after every meal is desirable although not necessarily always practical) patients should be flossing at least once a day. The importance of flossing is to remove plaque, bacteria and food debris from hard to reach areas such as between the teeth and in the gum pockets below the gum line. This helps to limit gum disease and tooth decay, both of which are caused by plaque acid.

Dentists also recommend the use of tongue cleaners to remove bacteria from the soft grooves of the tongue. This can help to lower plaque production limiting decay. Cleaning your tongue with your toothbrush is often not that effective as the bristles are too soft to remove the bacteria. Chewing gum and using mouthwash do have a place in dental hygiene but it is always best to check with your dentist first as they can also have adverse side effects such as destabilising the bacteria levels.

Most importantly of all however, is the need to visit a Central Leeds dentist every six-months, to monitor the teeth and keep an eye open for the first signs of decay and disease.

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Central Leeds dentist prevents unpleasant bad breath

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Bad breath, or halitosis, is a particularly unpleasant oral hygiene condition that affects not just the sufferer but also everyone else around them. Everyone has probably had bad breath at some time or other in their life and may not even have known about it as it is notoriously difficult to detect yourself. It is caused by the presence of bacteria in the mouth which decay and release a nasty smelling sulphurous odour that is then carried out on the breath.

Contrary to what some people believe, most cases, over 90 per cent in fact, are caused by this and only a small percentage by digestion or internal concerns. For most people this will only happen on occasions when they have forgotten to clean their teeth properly. For others it may be more common as everyone has different levels of bacteria in the mouth but the treatment is still the same for everyone. Keeping teeth clean by brushing for three minutes at least twice a day helps to remove bacteria and food particles which are the main cause of bad breath. Flossing at least once a day is also essential to keeping the mouth looking and smelling clean. Flossing removes trapped food particles that stimulate the production of bacteria. It is also a very good idea to clean the surface of your tongue using a tongue cleaner. The grooves of the tongue are also a prime location for bacteria to live.

In the majority of cases improved cleaning can prevent bad breath but in some cases it may still persist. Under production of saliva, the body’s natural defence against bad breath may be the underlying cause in some cases. Ask a Central Leeds dentist at your next check up if you are concerned about bad breath as no matter what the problem there is always a way to treat this unpleasant condition.

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Win the battle against tooth decay with regular check ups form City of Leeds dentist

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

In the fight against dental decay there are several key defences. The most important is regular and correct brushing and flossing of teeth. Brushing and flossing help to fight plaque, a filmy substance made up of bacteria and other debris, that covers the teeth and attacks the enamel. If plaque is not removed by brushing it will break down enamel causing tooth decay. This can lead to painful toothaches and abscesses that can lead to tooth loss. Flossing is particularly important for removing plaque and food debris from between teeth that causes tooth decay and is also responsible for 90 per cent of cases of bad breath. If allowed to remain plaque will also transform into tartar, a hard yellow/brown substance that also destroys enamel but that is impossible to remove by conventional cleaning.

Behind effective tooth cleaning and good oral hygiene in the fight against dental disease is regular dental check ups. Dentists recommend a dental check up every six months. Check ups are very important as dentists will be able to regularly examine for the first signs of dental decay. Even the most effective cleaning regimes can be susceptible to decay and it is impossible to tell if you have early onset tooth decay or gum disease without examination by a dentist. As with all things to do with dental health, and health in general, the earlier you catch a disease, the easier it is to treat.

Dentists will not only check for evidence of tooth decay and gum disease but can also carry out for routine checks for all types of oral cancer. A simple mouth check can catch oral cancer early, giving you a greater than 80 per cent chance of surviving this particularly virulent form of the disease. Half an hour every six months is a small price to pay to win the battle against dental disease and oral cancer. Make an appointment with a City of Leeds dentist today and it might save you years of costly and painful treatment in the future.

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