Posts Tagged ‘plaque’

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Chewing gum benefits explained by Leeds dentist

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

Chewing gum is believed to be the world’s most common habit. Over 100,000 tonnes of it are chewed each year. While some people see chewing gum as a bad habit, and we’ve all experienced the annoyance of stepping in it at some point, there are also several major health benefits of gum chewing. It can relieve stress and tension and help with weight loss but by far and away the major benefit is for oral health.

Chewing gum after meals can help stimulate saliva production which can help to neutralise the enamel damaging plaque acid that causes both tooth decay and bad breath. Teeth are at their most vulnerable right after eating meals as that is when the bacteria has the most food particles to break down into acids. Also, by encouraging jaw movement it can help to relieve tension that builds up in the ears and sinuses. Contrary to popular belief it would seem, chewing sugarfree gum is good for your teeth. It has even been recognised by the British Dental Association.

The increased saliva production caused by gum also has the advantage of containing more calcium and fluoride which can help the enamel to repair early decay. However, it is important to remember to chew sugar free gum or even better, gum that contains the natural sweetener xylitol. This has the sweet taste of sugar but also helps to neutralise the damaging acids produced by plaque.

Chewing gum is certainly not for everyone, but chewing sugarfree gum after a meal can certainly benefit the teeth. It is advisable to rinse your mouth with water after chewing gum, especially if you are chewing gum with sugar. Ask a Leeds dentist about the further benefits of chewing gum and which is the best gum for you to chew after meals.

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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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Brushing and flossing advice from Central Leeds dentist

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

The two most important weapons in the fight against dental disease are brushing and flossing. By taking the extra few minutes each day to properly brush and floss your teeth you could save yourself a lifetime of complicated, painful and costly dental procedures. It sounds like a fairly straightforward deal but many patients do take dental hygiene for granted.

Unlike the rest of the body where disease can strike at any time and can be unpreventable, almost all forms of dental disease are caused by our own oral hygiene deficiencies. By failing to brush and floss regularly we allow plaque to build up in the mouth. Plaque is a filmy substance made up of bacteria and other debris such as food particles. This acidic film breaks down the protective layer of tooth enamel that coats the teeth and causes cavities. These cavities penetrate to the heart of the tooth where infections can take hold in the incredibly sensitive inner part of the tooth. This can lead to toothache, abscesses and eventually tooth loss. All of this can be prevented by stopping the build up of plaque in the first instance. Effective brushing with a suitable brush and paste can remove the majority of plaque.

Another concern if plaque is allowed to build up is tartar. This is a hardened form of plaque that cannot be removed by conventional brushing and will need a dentist to remove using a process called scaling. Tartar also attacks enamel and leaves brown/yellow stains on the surface of the teeth.

It is hard for brushes to reach all parts of the mouth, such as the difficult gaps between the teeth. Plaque can build up here and food particles can get stuck. If these food particles start to decay they release foul smelling sulphurous compounds which are the cause of over 90 per cent of cases of bad breath. By flossing each day you can remove these particles and prevent the build up of plaque in these hard to reach places.

By brushing and flossing properly, and by making sure to visit the a central Leeds dentist every six months you will be able to keep your teeth clean and free form any nasty and painful dental problems.

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Battle tooth decay with help from City of Leeds dental hygienist

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

It is very likely that any visit to the dentist today, will also involve a visit to the dental hygienist. This is a fairly new system of treatment that is being employed, but one that can greatly improve its quality. Dental hygienists use treatments called scaling and polishing to professionally clean teeth. These processes remove excess plaque and tartar that cannot be removed by conventional brushing.

However, dental hygienists are about more than just teeth cleaning. They are sources of advice on how best to avoid dental decay and the most effective methods of keeping plaque at bay. They can demonstrate to the patient the best ways of brushing and flossing and recommend products that will be particularly suitable to the patients teeth. Also, by working in unison with your dentist, they can produce a dental hygiene plan that can help to reduce any future risk of dental complications.

Professionally qualified specialists, dental hygienists are becoming more and more common in dental practices. They are usually available to be booked by the hour, often immediately following a check up with the dentist so they can act on any advice. And because they are not subjected to the same caseload as the dentists they can often spend more time with individual patients.

In recent years, dental hygienists have also received further training in taking x-rays, which has allowed them further input into possible treatments. They can also suggest action for more minor dental problems such as fluorosis. All of this has meant that waiting times have been reduced for all patients. Hygienists are also in the front line of smoking cessation and will be fully trained to help you quit. As smoking can be very bad for teeth and associated with all sorts of oral health conditions, a dental hygienist is perfectly placed to offer you advice.

The dental hygienist is a valuable new ally in the fight against tooth decay and gum disease. They can help to keep teeth clean and healthy, and by working with the dentist can solve any oral health problems that may arise. When booking your next appointment at a City of Leeds dentist, ask about the availability of the dental hygienist.

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Replace your missing tooth with a dental implant from a City of Leeds dentist

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

A missing tooth that has been caused by decay or has been knocked out in an accident can not only be cause of embarrassment but can also cause further dental complications if not replaced. Existing teeth tend to lean into empty spaces in the toothline causing sagging of the facial tissue and complications that can alter bite and profile. A missing tooth can also allow bacteria to develop on food particles that become lodged in the recess. This develops into plaque, a filmy substance that covers teeth and causes tooth decay. It is therefore very important that missing teeth are replaced as soon as possible.

There are several options to replace a missing tooth, but one of the most popular is a dental implant. An implant offers the most stable substitute for a missing tooth and also one of the most realistic.

The implants themselves are cylindrical screws that are anchored into the jawbone, which act as a stable base for an artificial tooth (also known as a crown). They are suitable for most patients but work especially well for those who have a strong jaw, healthy gums and existing teeth that are in good condition. The implant is usually made of titanium or other lightweight metal that is suitable for use in the human body. Because the implant is fixed, it is incredibly sturdy and eliminates the need to use messy adhesive or occasionally fragile dental bonding. This means that unlike other cosmetic dental procedures certain foods are not off limits. Also, because of the stability and lifelike structure of a dental implant, it will help to prevent any muscle alteration in the cheeks and jaw.

The procedure is completed over two or three visits to the dentist. In the first place, the screw is anchored to the jawbone, just slightly proud of the surface. It is then allowed plenty of time to heal and fuse with the bone and gums, in a process called osseointergration. A post is then attached to the screw before finally the crown is secured to the post.

A dental implant is certainly the most authentic replacement for a real tooth. Many patients who have implants are less aware of them being artificial than patients who opt for dental bridges. A City of Leeds dentist can assess your bone structure and gums to see if a dental implant would be viable treatment for your missing tooth and advise as to how much the procedure may cost.

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