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Archive for February, 2012

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The Importance of Dental Check-Ups in Central Leeds

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

Dental check-ups are essential, there is no question about that. So why do so many people still place visiting the dentist at the bottom of their list of priorities? Perhaps it is the hassle of making time to fit in an appointment, or perhaps the childhood fear of visiting the dentist really has followed us into adulthood. Either way, there should be no excuses; dental check-ups are imperative for maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing the onset of gum disease and tooth decay.

In this day and age, adults are consuming the same, if not more, sugar-laden food than children and are at just the same risk of developing cavities and requiring, sometimes painful, fillings. There are plenty of dental clinics in Central Leeds and an appointment should be made for every six months in order to keep on top of any problems that may be lurking underneath the surface of your teeth.

It may be that when looking at your teeth in the bathroom mirror you see a perfect set of pearly whites. However, neither the bacteria that causes gum disease or the bacteria that causes tooth decay can be seen by the naked eye, only your dentist will be able to inform you of any problems you have and only your dentist will know the correct treatment to offer you.

So whatever your excuses for not visiting the dentist are, forget them. Your oral hygiene is more important than you realise, it can actually affect your overall well-being and if that isn’t worth taking ten minutes out of your day for, I don’t know what is.

 

 

 

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Oral Health-Total Health, What is the Link between the Two in Leeds?

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

It has been known for many years that the oral cavity is the main gateway to the body for infectious diseases. It should not therefore come as a surprise that oral hygiene can play a role in the overall health and well-being of an individual.

Dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay have recently been linked to several other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The risk of heat disease (heart attacks, strokes etc) can be increased in patients who suffer from gum disease, either through inflammation of the blood vessels or due to bacteria travelling in the blood stream and contributing to the formation of blood clots.

Diabetes has also been linked to problems with dental hygiene. It has been shown that individuals who suffer from diabetes have a much higher risk of developing gum disease; diabetes depresses the immune system and automatically puts sufferers at danger from infections. With low control over blood-sugar levels, diabetes patients are at risk of more frequent and more aggressive cases of gum disease, sometimes leading to loss of teeth.

In addition, it has been found that pregnant women in Leeds who suffer from gum disease are seven times more likely to give birth prematurely and to a baby of low weight.

It can therefore be concluded that good oral hygiene is imperative for maintaining over-all good health and to lower the risk of developing related diseases. In order to ensure proper dental hygiene,   one must brush and floss daily in order to remove bacteria and plaque from the teeth and gums. It is also important to eat a healthy and balanced diet to reduce the amount of sugar that enters your mouth and damages your teeth. Finally, bad habits such as smoking or the use of tobacco-based substances should be stopped as not only are they bad for your general health, they are detrimental with respect to your oral hygiene too.

 

 

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Avoid Heart Disease with Good Oral Hygiene in the City of Leeds

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

Heart disease is one of the most common causes of death in the UK, millions of pounds are spent each year treating patients and trying to establish new therapies and preventative treatments. Recently however, research has indicated that preventing conditions such as heart attacks and strokes may be as simple as picking up your toothbrush and maintaining good oral hygiene.

The link between oral hygiene and heart disease is not completely clear at present, but is strongly believed to be related to gum disease. One proposed mechanism is that bacteria found around the diseased gums enters the blood stream when the gums are raw and bleeding. The bacteria that enters the circulatory system has been discovered in several ‘plaques’ (clotted bundles that block arteries ), leading to a theory that bacteria found in gum disease acts directly in the formation of clots in the blood stream, a predisposing condition for heart disease.

Another theory for the City of Leeds to consider is that diseased gums lead to an inflammation of the gum tissue, an immune response to infectious bacteria, and that this in turn could lead to the constriction of arteries and the formation of dangerous clots.

In order to prevent heart disease, several steps towards better oral hygiene should be considered. Firstly, brushing and flossing is essential in order to remove any excess plaque or food debris from between the teeth and on the tongue. Less bacteria in the gaps between teeth will lead to a lower risk of developing gum disease, which should in turn lower the risk of heart disease in individuals.

Secondly, a healthy, low-in-sugar diet is important not only as this has a direct implication on the heart itself, but also as sugary foods put individuals at a higher risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease.

Finally, gum disease can be caused by tobacco-based products and cigarettes. In order to prevent the development of gum disease or to ensure treatment of the condition is successful, it is vital that smoking be stopped immediately.

 

 

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The Importance of Flossing in Leeds

Monday, February 6th, 2012

The main cause of nearly all dental problems starts with the build up of bacteria in the mouth and around the teeth. It is for this reason why both brushing and flossing are so important in preventing the onset of problems such as gum disease and tooth decay.

Everybody knows that it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, this is common knowledge. It isn’t as widely known however, that brushing your teeth does not remove all bacteria and food debris from your mouth. Bacteria are able to ‘hide’ in the gaps between teeth, here they are inaccessible to toothbrushes and can build up to form plaque and create problems for the individual whose mouth they are colonizing.

It is therefore essential to remember flossing as part of your daily dental hygiene routine. Flossing enables you to reach the crevices between teeth where bacteria thrive, removing them ensures that you are taking all the necessary steps in preventing gum disease.

If the people of Leeds do not floss at least once a day they may find that they develop much more serious and complicated problems. If bacteria is allowed to build up in the gaps between teeth, it eventually hardens and turns into tartar, a substance which, unlike plaque, is hard to remove and must be treated surgically by a dentist. The bacteria within tartar can produces toxins, chemicals which will cause inflammation of the gums and lead to a condition known as Gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis can lead to toxic inflammation of not only the gums but the bones beneath them too, ultimately resulting in the loss of teeth.

 

Tags: Teeth cleaning, Teeth cleaning Leeds, Leeds, Oral hygiene

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Parents are Responsible for Dental Care in Central Leeds

Sunday, February 5th, 2012

When discussing the dental care of children, it is important to recognise that the responsibility of ensuring good dental hygiene lies solely with the parents. All parents should provide their young children with a complete education on how to care for their teeth and gums, from what foods to avoid to how to brush their teeth correctly. They should also instil the importance of getting professional help by ensuring they develop the habit of taking their children to see the dentist on a regular basis. Routines from childhood generally stick with us as we become adults, just as bad habits can follow us into our adult lives if they are not curbed in our early years.

Parents should follow a few simple steps in order to ensure they are taking responsibility for their children’s’ dental well-being. Firstly, teach your children how to brush their teeth properly. This includes not only brushing the teeth thoroughly, but also cleaning the tongue and rinsing the mouth with a recommended mouthwash.

Secondly, recognise the importance of a healthy diet, not only does it play a role in your child’s general well-being, it also helps prevent complications such as gum disease and tooth decay in the future. A healthy diet will consist of a variety of fruits and vegetables, these are particularly important for maintaining healthy teeth, and foods low in sugar as these are proven to cause cavities and decay.

Finally, make sure your children visit a Central Leeds dentist every six months. Regular trips to the dentist are important as children will begin to learn they have nothing to fear from going and will form a habit that will hopefully continue in their adult years. Dentist check-ups are the best way to prevent the onset of any tooth decay and or gum disease in children.

 

 

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Dental Implants in the City of Leeds

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Dental implants involve fasten a false tooth, or teeth, to the jawbone of an individual via a titanium rod. The titanium rod is first attached to the jawbone, then dentures or crowns are added and the implant is left to fuse with the jawbone. Normally, one implant is able to support several false teeth and in extreme cases, five or six implants can replace all the teeth in the jaw.

The process of dental implanting is a long one, it can take several months to prepare for and to complete due to X-rays and CT scans. The actual operation, normally carried out under local anaesthetic, involves the dentist drilling a hole in your jawbone and securing the implant into this hole. A second, minor, surgical procedure may then be required in order to uncover the tip of the implant from beneath the gum. Once this has been successful, the false teeth may be screwed or clipped onto the implant.

For the people of the City of Leeds, there are currently two methods of implanting available: immediate and delayed. Immediate implants take place straight after a tooth is removed, the implant is placed directly into that tooth socket and there is no need to form another hole. However, it is possible to perform a delayed implant. Following this procedure, a tooth is removed surgically and the jawbone is left to heal for several months. Once the bone has repaired itself, a new hole will be formed through drilling, and the implant will be anchored at a slightly different location.

It is possible to suffer from temporary side effects after implant surgery; swelling, discomfort and headaches are common. However, there can be some more serious complications related to the procedure such as: neuronal damage in the tissue, infection of the gum or jaw and extensive or severe bleeding. These complications can be dangerous but are extremely rare.

 

 

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Combat Bad Breath from Gum Disease in Leeds

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Bad breath can be an embarrassing problem for many people. Caused by a build up of bacteria in the mouth, bacteria that can produce foul smelling odours, bad breath is commonly associated with gum disease.

Gum disease occurs when there is an accumulation of infectious bacteria colonising the area below the gum line, it can be caused by smoking, diabetes or general poor dental hygiene.  Alongside gum recession and tooth loss, bad breath is one of the most embarrassing symptoms of gum disease. The smell, akin to rotten eggs, is hard to hide and can damage confidence and personal relationships, it is not a problem to be taken lightly.

Luckily for the people of Leeds, there is a solution, several in fact. For temporary relief from bad breath, the common treatments such as mouthwashes, menthol sprays and chewing gum are all very effective. However, if the symptoms of bad breath prove to be chronic, there are some professionally recommended treatments that tackle the root of the problem and eliminate the source directly.

Firstly, ensure that when brushing your teeth you thoroughly clean your tongue as well as your teeth. Most bad breath-causing bacteria is found at the back of the tongue and so paying careful attention to this area when brushing will prove effective. Secondly, use a fluoride toothpaste as this will ensure the removal of any plaque or digested food fragments from around the teeth and gums.

Throughout the day, make sure you are drinking plenty of water, this will keep your mouth moist and wash away any build up of bacteria. Finally, it is essential that smoking and the use of any tobacco-based products is stopped immediately. Smoking increases your risk of developing gum disease and also interferes with any treatment to combat the symptoms. If problems with bad breath persist, surgery may be required to remove all the infected tissue from around the gums in a process which eliminates disease pockets.

 

 

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Emergency Dental Treatment in Central Leeds

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Dental emergencies can be a pain, not just in the physical sense of the word. Whether it be severe toothache or an abscess, sometimes waiting for an appointment with your local dentist just isn’t an option. In these cases it is possible to organise an ‘out -of -hours’ appointment with a local clinic through their emergency service.

In central Leeds there are several emergency clinics that can be contacted if you experience any of the following: toothache, broken or chipped teeth, lost fillings, abscesses, swelling or oral bleeding. In the case of most emergency dental practices you should ring the number provided and arrange an immediate appointment to address your problem. However, some clinics may utilise a ‘request emergency call back’ system by which you can enter your details online and a member of the practice will contact you as soon as possible in order to book an appointment or give professional advice.

In some cases, the emergency practice may advise going straight to A&E for serious dental problems, these include: facial swelling due to an abscess, a fractured or badly injured jaw, loss of consciousness due to a blow to the head and excessive oral bleeding.

There are NHS emergency clinics available and your local clinic can be found by ringing NHS direct or using the services directory. Out-of-hours dental care will cost £17.00 unless you are eligible to receive free NHS dental treatment. There are also private emergency clinics available to call, but the cost of treatment from any of these practices will be significantly higher than the NHS.

 


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Are the Smoker of the City of Leeds at a Higher Risk of Developing Gum Disease?

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

It has been common knowledge for many years now that smoking can lead to gum disease, but how does this happen? Currently, there are several theories surrounding the mechanisms by which gum disease may be triggered by smoking. Firstly, restricted oxygen delivery to the gums may be caused by blood vessels constricting in response to the tobacco smoke and nicotine found in cigarettes. In addition, a recent study has shown that smokers themselves are more likely to be infected with bacteria that his highly aggressive and effective in causing gum disease. Finally, it has been proven that the excessive consumption of cigarettes can lead to a depressed immune system, one that is less able to fight off infections as and when they occur, leading to a dangerous build up of bacteria in the oral cavity.

Gum disease manifests itself in several different ways, but the most common symptoms are gum recession, bleeding gums, bad breath, inflammation of the gums and loose teeth. If you are found to be suffering from any or a mixture of these symptoms there are treatments available. Treatment can either be via a non-surgical root planning procedure, in which your dentist will scrape away the diseased gum tissue to remove the bacteria or a surgical therapy to eliminate disease pockets by removing all of the infected gum tissue.

For smokers in the City of Leeds this may serve as a wake-up call. The current prevalence of smokers in the city is 30%, that’s 175,000 individuals at the highest risk of developing gum disease.

Luckily there is also good news; it has been found that former smokers respond better to treatment of this disease than those who currently still smoke. Therefore, it can be concluded that patients with gum disease who stop smoking prior to their therapy will respond and recover much better than if they chose to continue to feed their habit.

 

 

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