Posts Tagged ‘gums’

City of Leeds dentist advises how to keep gums healthy

Friday, June 4th, 2010

The health of your teeth is very important. Just ask anyone who has suffered the pain of serious toothache or losing a tooth to infection. Cleaning with brushing and flossing is very important to remove plaque and keep your teeth safe from cavities and other dental traumas such as tooth abscesses. But it is important not to ignore the health of your gums, as these can be just as important to your overall oral health.

Your gums are the soft tissue around the base of the teeth that hold the teeth in place. They also form a crucial aesthetic part of the teeth and smile. Gum tissue is just as susceptible to attack from bacteria and plaque as the teeth themselves and if not cared for properly will result in painful gum disease.

In its mild form, gum disease is known as gingivitis. This is characterised by a redness or soreness of the gums, and maybe some small bleeding. Gingivitis is relatively easily dealt with by improving your standards of oral hygiene and making an appointment with a City of Leeds dentist. However, if the problem is not addressed in time it can transform into the more serious periodontitis, which is a lot harder to treat and a lot more painful. Treatment for periodontal disease may involve antibiotics, tissue removal or even a stay in hospital and tooth removal.

Gums can be cleaned easily each day by angling the toothbrush towards them as you brush your teeth. Flossing around the base of the teeth will also prevent inflammation and infection. Ask your dentist for advice on how best to look after your gums and tips on what to do and what not to do to keep them in the best possible shape.

Central Leeds dentist explains why you should be flossing daily

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Central Leeds dentists are always stressing the importance of flossing to all patients at dental check ups. This is because despite all the evidence that points to the benefits of flossing, there is still only a relatively small percentage of people who actually do it. Nearly everyone brushes their teeth, but many people are perhaps wrongly convinced that this enough.

Just what is it that makes flossing so important? Whereas brushing cleans the flat surfaces of the front and back of the teeth, removing plaque and bacteria that build up after eating, there are many areas in the teeth and around the gums that are very difficult to reach with a conventional brush. This particularly applies to the areas between the teeth and around the base of the teeth in the gap between the gums. These areas are very susceptible to attack from bacteria and plaque, which if not removed will eventually begin to erode the enamel and irritate the gum tissue.

If this is allowed to happen, tooth decay and gum disease will usually follow and this could result in a series of very nasty dental problems. These will then require treatment, which can be unpleasant and very expensive. By brushing, and importantly, flossing correctly every day for a few minutes, you could help to make this a significantly less likely possibility.

Flossing at least once a day with an appropriate floss will help to remove food particles stuck between the teeth. These are breeding grounds for bacteria and can also cause unpleasant bad breath. Flossing around the base of the teeth stimulates the gums and removes trapped food from the small pockets between the soft gum tissue and hard tooth enamel. Ask your dentist at your next appointment about the importance of flossing and ask them to demonstrate the correct technique to avoid damaging your gums.

Tips on taking good acre of your teeth from City of Leeds dentist

Monday, April 5th, 2010

924884_blogYou should never take your teeth for granted. It is important to keep up good standards of oral health and report any problems to your dentist as soon as possible. Here are some tips on taking good care of your teeth.

You should brush your teeth twice a day for at least three minutes using an appropriate brush, ideally after main meals. You should use a soft bristled brush as it is better for your gums and more effective for removing plaque from flat surfaces. Hold the brush at a slight angle to the teeth pointing towards the gums for maximum cleaning potential. It is important that your gums get clean as well as your teeth but remember not to brush too hard. Toothbrushes get worn out so remember to replace yours every three or four months. Your dentist may also recommend that you use an electric toothbrush as these can be more effective.

Brushing can’t reach all the spaces in the mouth, especially the smaller gaps between the teeth and between teeth and gums. This is why it is so important to floss at least once a day. This helps to remove plaque and small food particles from between the teeth. If you have trouble flossing your teeth you could try using s waxed floss which could make it easier and always remember to floss the back teeth as well as the front, even if it is more difficult.

Finally, always remember to report problems to your dentist as soon as you notice them. Early treatment is better fro al forms of dental treatment and outing it off could make the difference between effective treatment and unpleasant dental procedures. See your City of Leeds dentist every six months and you will be able to keep on top of any dental problems that arise.

City of Leeds dentist restores smile with dentures

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

It can be very embarrassing for people who have lost some or all of their teeth but there is a solution. A denture, or partial denture, is a set of artificial teeth that fit around the gums giving the appearance of a full and healthy set. There are many reasons why people have lost their teeth. Tooth decay and gum disease are usually the main cause, but other patients lose teeth in car accidents and other incidents that involve head trauma.

It is very important to replace missing teeth, even if it is only one or two, because teeth act as rigid supports for facial muscles. When teeth are missing, the facials muscles begin to sag, giving a sunken expression. Existing teeth begin to lean into spaces caused by missing teeth, which can have adverse effects on bite and profile which is difficult to reverse.

A set of dentures will not only restore the cosmetic appearance of healthy teeth but will also prevent any unwanted alteration to facial structure. Modern dentures are far superior to the dentures of the past in terms of strength and appearance. They are currently made from acrylic resin, but further advances in technology have seen the recent introduction of Valplast flexible dentures.

Dentures are often associated with the stigma of adhesive and the embarrassment of them falling out at inopportune moments. Although some patients like to use adhesive for extra security, a good pair of dentures will be perfectly secure with only natural suction alone. If your dentures are falling out they may be too big and need adjustment. Likewise, dentures that cause irritation to the gums are likely to be too small.

Dentures can be a perfectly acceptable substitute for natural teeth if measured and fitted correctly. If kept clean, like real teeth, they will last a long time. Dentures can be cleaned with regular toothbrushes and should be left out over night in water to allow the gums a chance to recover. A City of Leeds dentist will be able to measure and fit a lifelike set of dentures that can restore your smile and prevent missing teeth causing you any further embarrassment.