In the city of Leeds, dental decay, at some point, affects over 60% of adults and an alarming 80% of children. It’s normally caused by a lack of oral hygiene combined with the consumption of starchy and sugary foods and drinks. Smoking, drinking and bad diet can lead to a dry mouth. Together, these factors can lead to gum disease and bacteria building up very quickly in the mouth and if not removed, leads to plaque forming and breaking down the surface of the teeth. At worst, cavities or caries can form, resulting in tooth loss over time. Yet, dental decay is also very easy to avoid. It starts at home with good diet and oral health care. Brushing correctly with the right tooth brush and paste, combined with flossing and rinsing should be enough to keep decay at bay. However, some bacteria will break through, so it’s always important to keep up with regular visits to the dentist. It’s the best way of having plaque and tartar removed. Early signs of decay can be spotted with a simple x-ray and treated immediately and if the decay is advanced, the inside of the tooth can be cleared out with a root canal and then filled or capped. Tooth decay spreads fast and looks ugly in the mouth and can be expensive to rectify but with a good hygiene program, there’s no reason why it should be a problem.
Posts Tagged ‘oral hygeine’
Fixing dental decay in the city of Leeds
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010Make your bad breath go away. A Leeds dentist advises
Monday, June 21st, 2010
Bad Breath is the bane of everyone, whether it is in your work place or just socialising in the local hostelries, we need to be close to people when we chat and that’s when the problem starts. A Leeds dentist explains that bad breath is usually an Oral Hygiene problem that results from a lax regime. Bad breath can also be a sign of a liver disease or other problem; it is a symptom of a few diseases so always seek medical advice if the problem persists. A good oral hygiene program is the best way to avoid bad breath; it is caused by the production of by-products in the mouth by bacteria which feeds off the residue food left behind after a meal. Bad breath in the morning is due to a dry mouth in the night, as the saliva gland is also asleep when we are asleep. Just keeping a glass of water beside the bed will help the problem. In the morning floss first as this will get in between the teeth and remove hidden debris, brush and rinse to remove any leftover bits of bacteria. Tartar will build up on the teeth and eats away at the enamel, so removing bad bacteria debris is also important throughout the daytime, especially after we have eaten a sandwich or even a bar of chocolate. The fat and sugar residue that gets in between our teeth is the food that bacteria feeds off and makes acid out of, so washing it away by swigging water and flossing is very important.
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.
Protect your teeth with good oral hygiene and check up from Leeds dentist
Monday, March 1st, 2010
Oral hygiene is one of the only aspects of our health over which we have almost total control. No matter how fit and healthy we are we are always at risk of any number of internal or external health conditions. But when it comes to our teeth it is our own actions that determine how healthy they are.
The two main threats to the health of our teeth are tooth decay and gum disease. Both of these conditions can be particularly nasty and incredibly painful, as anyone who has suffered a toothache can tell you. Yet they are both completely preventable by sticking to a disciplined oral hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft bristled brush will remove plaque, the substance responsible for much of the inflammation in gum disease and for the erosion of tooth enamel that causes tooth decay. Backing up this brushing with flossing will remove the plaque, bacteria and trapped food particles that may be lodged or hiding in the difficult spaces in between the teeth. These spots are especially important to clean, as they are often the place where decay or disease first starts.
Cleaning and brushing effectively will also prevent bad breath, of which nine out of ten cases are caused by poor standards of oral hygiene. Dentists also recommend that some patients can benefit from a special tongue cleaner to remove bacteria from the warm and moist groves of the tongue.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, always remember to make a regular six-month visit to a Leeds dentist. Even the healthiest teeth still need to be checked regularly for signs of decay and infection. This will back up all the good work you do at home and help to keep your smile looking beautiful for years to come.
City of Leeds dentist spots and treats first signs of periodontal disease
Friday, February 26th, 2010
Periodontal disease, often commonly referred to as gum disease, is seen in two degrees of severity. Milder gum disease is called gingivitis and involves a mild inflammation of the gum tissue. It is estimated that three quarters of all adults in the UK will experience some gingivitis at some point. It is usually easily remedied by improved oral hygiene and some treatment from a dentist. The other more serious form of gum disease is called periodontitis and requires much more substantial treatment. It usually stems from a failure to address or treat the milder form of the disease and can cause significant dental problems such as infections and tooth loss. In fact, periodontitis is responsible for more tooth loss in the UK than tooth decay.
Gum disease is caused, like tooth decay, by plaque. This is a sticky substance that forms in the mouth and coats the teeth and gums. Consisting of food debris and bacteria, plaque releases acid that gradually erodes enamel and destroys gum tissue. Proper brushing and flossing can usually remove most plaque keeping the teeth and gums safe but if this is lacking the plaque begins to harden becoming tartar which is much more difficult to remove.
It is important that you make regular visits to the dentist every six months who can examine teeth for the symptoms of gum disease. Catching periodontitis early gives the patient a much better chance of successful treatment and avoiding any of the more unpleasant treatments for serious disease such as tissue removal and even extractions.
Gum disease has also recently been linked to heart disease which means there is now more reason than ever to have your gums checked by a City of Leeds dentist.
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.
Prevent gum disease at Leeds dentist
Friday, January 1st, 2010
Gum disease happens when the gum tissue in the mouth becomes infected due to the presence of bacterial acid found in plaque. Plaque is allowed to build up on the teeth and gums when oral hygiene is insufficient. Initially this causes gums to become red and irritable and possibly bleed when being cleaned, but mores serious gum disease can lead to tooth loss, hospitalisation and even tissue removal during surgery.
Luckily, gum disease can be easily prevented with more effective cleaning methods. Brushing your teeth at a forty-five degree angle to the surface allows the bristles to clean the gums simultaneously. Although you must remember not to brush too hard and always use a suitable brush. A Leeds dentist can offer advice about appropriate products at your next check up.
It is also important to remember to floss, as this cleans the areas just below the gum line of the teeth where it is hard to reach with a conventional brush. This will also help to keep gum tissue clean and healthy. Although cleaning can help, most people will suffer with some mild gingivitis at some point in their life so it is always necessary to visit your dentist regularly. The key to successful prevention is to have your gums examined thoroughly by a professional every six months. This will help to keep your gums, teeth and whole mouth healthy and clean and could save you a lot of pain and discomfort in the future.
Cure embarrassing bad breath with Central Leeds dentist
Monday, December 21st, 2009
When it comes to personal hygiene, without question one of the most common and unpleasant qualities is bad breath. Having breath that smells can be very unpleasant for others and make you significantly less attractive to the opposite sex. What most people don’t realise however, is that in over 90 per cent of cases, bad breath is caused by poor standards of oral hygiene and easily treated.
The smell itself is caused by decaying bacteria or food matter that is stuck between the teeth and in the grooves of the tongue. This releases nasty smelling sulphurous chemicals which are carried out on the breath. These bacteria and chemicals can easily be stopped with more effective brushing and flossing. If you are unsure about the proper oral hygiene methods you can ask advice from a Central Leeds dentist who can instruct you how to properly clean your teeth.
The two most important factors are brushing twice a day for three minutes with a suitable brush held at a 45-degree angle to the teeth. This removes bacteria and food from the surface of the teeth, helping to prevent bad breath. Flossing the gaps between the teeth removes other debris that is hard to reach with a normal brush and cleans below the gum line.
Other dental hygiene tools may be used such as inter-dental brushes or mouthwash but it is always a good idea to consult your dentist before using these products. In some cases mouthwash can remove some of the saliva production from the mouth making the problem worse.
Effective oral hygiene advice from Leeds dentist prevents tooth decay
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
Everybody knows the saying that prevention is better than cure. Nowhere is this more true than with regards to oral hygiene. In the rest of the body illness and disease can strike no matter what the patient’s lifestyle. Even the healthiest of patients are still susceptible to most diseases. However, when it comes to dental hygiene, effective cleaning and maintenance can prevent both tooth decay and gum disease. While there are treatments available for both gum disease and tooth decay, ask anybody who has suffered from either and they will certainly tell you that a few minutes a day looking after your teeth is far more preferable to hours of painful, uncomfortable and costly repair work and treatment.
Dentists advise all patients to brush their teeth for three minutes twice a day and to floss at least once a day. It is also important to use a brush that is suitable for your teeth. A Leeds dentist will be able to advise you which kind of brush will be most effective for your teeth. Brushing and flossing are the first line of defence against all forms of decay and oral disease and their importance cannot be underestimated.
If patients do not brush and floss regularly enough then it allows plaque to build up in the mouth. Plaque is a filmy substance made up of bacteria and other debris that attacks the enamel of the teeth causing decay and cavities. If this decay is allowed to continue it will eventually reach the pulp of the teeth which will be become infected and destroyed. This will eventually lead to tooth loss and the spread of infection to other areas in the mouth, not to mention being excruciatingly painful. If the infection is allowed to enter the bloodstream in the mouth it can also lead to a more widespread infection of the body and even contribute to heart disease.
The oral cavity is one of the dirtiest places in the human body. This is an unpleasant thought but nevertheless true. Over 500 million bacteria call the moist and warm conditions in the human mouth home. Not only can this bacteria cause disease and decay, but it is also responsible for over 90 per cent of cases of bad breath. So brushing and cleaning are not only good for your health but also your social life. Bad breath is caused by decaying food matter that releases foul-smelling sulphurous compounds that can easily be removed by effective cleaning.
Good oral hygiene doesn’t involve too much of a sacrifice. Effective cleaning and regular check ups with a Leeds dentist can help to keep all forms of disease and decay at bay and could save you from a lifetime of unpleasant dental problems.
Good oral hygeine can prevent toothache
Thursday, June 18th, 2009Unfortunately many people don’t visit their dentist until they get toothache. In most cases this pain can be avoided by good oral hygeine and regular dental check ups. Good oral hygeine means effectively removing decay causing plaque from your teeth and gum surfaces. At City Dental we can show you how to do this and also show you which toothbrush is most suitable for your mouth. Our hygeinists are highly skilled and will use professional polishes and pastes to remove any plaque and tartar which cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. At your six monthly dental check up we look for early signs of decay and gum disease so that we can easily treat them before they progress and cause toothache which becomes more difficult to treat. At City Dental we strongly believe in the motto – prevention is better than the cure!!