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Posts Tagged ‘General dentistry Leeds’

The Destruction of Teeth Grinding in Leeds

Thursday, June 28th, 2012

It is one of the problems that tends to dip below the radar of oral issues because it can go unnoticed  for a very long time until it becomes serious- teeth grinding or bruxism, but this is a condition that needs to be addressed quickly in order to stop damage throughout the body. Stress and anger are the two main protagonists here and in a bustling little city like Leeds that places a lot of demands on people, it is rife. A lot of need to de-stress after a heavy day, otherwise we can take this angst into the bedroom and into sleep, and this is where a lot of grinding may well take place. A gum-shield can protect damage to the teeth, but it will not stop damage happening to the jaws, head a neck. Hopefully, with some anger management and stress counselling, these problems can be identified and avoided before they become a problem elsewhere. If however, the problem is allowed to continue, the damage to the jaws and neck (this can also affect the central nervous system) will require some pretty complex surgery to rectify. If you visit your dentist regularly, they should be able to spot any signs of wear in your teeth and then advise you as to which direction you should take in order to stop the grinding getting out of hand.

Your Mouth Saving Oral Hygiene Routine in Leeds

Friday, June 22nd, 2012

If there is any legacy that the modern world has given us, it must truly be the art of looking after our teeth and gums. Just take a look at how the market for oral hygiene in Leeds has been flooded with an amazing array of products to help us look after ourselves and let’s not forget that we have our prince, the dentist to save us as well, so how could it ever go wrong….?! Toothbrushes are remarkable these days, from brilliant hand held ones with different angled neck and a array of styles built into the brush-ends to ensure they reach in like never before; this could be also said of electric toothbrushes that also do the most amazing things inside your mouth, whilst you just point it in. The latest is a brush that fires a jet of water below the gum-line for a deep clean. Your daily brushing is also supported by dental floss and small inter-dental brushes to give you a deep clean as well. The main aim of all this is to stop the catalyst of all oral problems, plaque, from getting a foothold in the mouth and toothpastes and mouthwashes are generally concentrated on doing this, while the fluoride in these products helps to re-mineralise the enamel in your teeth at the same time- making them stronger. If that isn’t enough, there is also a massive range of herbal products to choose from to keep your mouth healthy- these are great oral times.

Inter-dental Cleaning in Leeds

Monday, June 4th, 2012

It is remarkable, and comforting to know that somewhere in the world, someone is sitting down and coming up with more and more ways to help us look after ourselves and if you need any more convincing that this is going on, delve into the world of dentistry and just take a look of the incredible array of cleaning products on the market in Leeds today, designed to look after the health of our teeth and gums. Products evolve, and from tooth pick, to brush, to paste we get to dental floss, mouth-washes and one of the cutest of all- the inter-dental brush. Toothbrushes are great in what they do, but they often fail to remove stuff from between our teeth and this is where the inter-dental brush comes in; being tiny, the brush can clear away any rubbish that may have got stuck. It is the perfect back-up to normal brushing and extremely easy to use- it is the modern tooth pick, only with the tiny brushes, it ensures complete clearance as it goes. Inter-dental brushes are also great for anyone that has been fitted a bridge as they can be worked between the fitting and the gums. They are cheap and you can buy them in packs; they are also re-usable. Every bath cabinet should have some- they may just save your teeth in the long run.

Caring for Your Mouth Every Day in Leeds

Friday, May 25th, 2012

Although people ‘bang on’ about oral hygiene everywhere you go in Leeds- from shops to TV- it is for a reason and if you get it right and do it well, you will not only save a packet by avoiding treatments, but you should keep your teeth for a very long time. Some of us get a little lazy overtime and we often forget how to do things properly, especially if we are doing them over and over again. So from time to time, it is important to refresh your daily oral hygiene program as newer, more remarkable products are coming onto the market all the time. First though, you should pay a visit to your dentist and get an update on how your teeth and gums are and remind yourself the correct way to care for your mouth- your dentist will only be too willing to give you advice as they would rather not have to work on you if things get out of hand. Then with all this information in your head, it’s time to get to the shops and invest in the latest and the best. Your toothbrush is essential and seeing as you will using it at least three times a day, it’s important to get one that is sympathetic to your teeth and gums yet gets the job done; and all of that applies to your toothpaste too. Then you need back-up: inter-dental brushes and flosses are the only way that you can get up close and personal with your teeth and gums in a way your normal toothbrush can’t. And too cap of the cycle of goodness for your mouth, you can’t go wrong by having a suitable mouth-wash in the bathroom cabinet either.

The Pain of Mouth Ulcers in Leeds

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Mouth ulcers are quite common in most people in Leeds, though that doesn’t make them any less painful when they erupt. They are generally caused by damage; such damage can stem from having a sharp filling or tooth, bad use of the toothbrush or an accidental biting of the cheeks- certain foods have also be known to cause ulcers to erupt as has specific types of medication. As sore as they can get, they do often heal themselves, though that doesn’t help the discomfort in the meantime. You should try to avoid using a hard tooth brush when brushing your teeth and best to eat soft, easy to chew foods until the ulcer disappears. During this time, you can get soothing gels from your chemist (who will also advise you what to choose) that speed up the healing process. After brushing, rinsing with warm salty water is also soothing and before you sleep, rub plenty of gel into the ulcer. Ulcers do have a habit of repeating but generally this dies off over time (ulcers are more common in children) but if they constantly re-offend, it could indicate something more serious going on so needs to be checked out immediately.

The Benefits of Inter-Dental Teeth Cleaning in Leeds

Monday, May 7th, 2012

As we learn more about our teeth and how to look after them, the more new products are designed to help us in all our oral hygiene plights and one such product you can buy in Leeds and that does an incredible job is the inter-dental brush. A lot of food debris can get caught between the teeth and gums and a normal toothbrush is just too big to get into these delicate areas- inter-dental brushes are designed to just that. They are soft because you are worker in sensitive areas of the mouth, but they also come in different, colour coded sizes in order that you get the one that suits these areas of your mouth although each space is going to be different from tooth to tooth so a range of sizes may be preferable (it would be wise to ask your dentist about the size of brush suitable for the inter-dental spaces in your mouth). They should be worked in gently, never forced, and worked around   to remove any food and to avoid inflaming the gums. One of the advantages of an inter-dental is that they can be bent at different angles in order to reach difficult areas; another is that they can be great to use with therapeutic gels or herbal remedies in order to soothe sensitive or inflamed areas of the gums and once you’ve cleaned, you simply rinse the brush out between your thumb and forefinger- they are superb in the fight against plaque and gum disease and are just another fantastic product in a large range, all designed to help you maintain a high level of oral hygiene.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.