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Dental Hygiene – How we stop dental problems before they occur

Friday, January 27th, 2017

It’s well documented that dentists love the saying, ‘prevention is better than cure.’ It’s always better to prevent dental disease if possible. Thshutterstock_409712314is saves you from unpleasant symptoms like swelling and tooth pain, keeps your smile looking good and reduces dental bills. The good news is that most dental diseases are preventable, and good oral hygiene will stand you in good stead for trouble-free teeth. Here are some simple hygiene tips that could make all the difference to your teeth and gums.

Brushing and flossing

It takes just a few minutes each day, but it could make the difference between losing your teeth and developing sore gums and having a healthy smile for years to come. Brushing is essential for good oral health because it prevents plaque formation. Plaque is a sticky film-like substance, which forms when saliva, food debris, and bacteria combine. Plaque sticks to the enamel, and it can also irritate the gums. When you brush, you dislodge food particles and bacteria. You also polish your teeth to prevent staining and give your smile that extra sparkle.

When you’re brushing at home, take care to do a thorough job, but be gentle. Brushing vigorously can damage the enamel. Use a brush with a small head, and angle the brush, so that you can clean along the gum line. Set a timer to ensure that you brush for 2 minutes each time. We recommend waiting an hour to brush after eating to avoid enamel erosion.

Flossing should never be used to replace brushing; it should be used in addition to cleaning your teeth. When you floss, don’t pull at the tape, as this can harm your gums. Gently guide the floss through the cracks in your teeth.

Seeing your dentist

If you have any questions about oral hygiene, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are happy to offer tips and answer questions. We also strongly recommend regular check-ups, and annual sessions with the dental hygienist.

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The Importance of Inter-Dental Brushing

Friday, July 22nd, 2016

2823674_blog

Most people are aware of the benefits of regular brushing, but have you ever heard of inter-dental brushing? This effective oral hygiene technique targets the cracks between the teeth to reduce the risk of dental disease and keep your teeth looking white and clean.

About inter-dental brushing

Inter-dental brushing is used to brush between the teeth. You may have noticed that it’s particularly hard to clean these areas with a normal toothbrush and they can be prone to staining and plaque build-up. Inter-dental brushes are specially designed to target these areas. They are much smaller than normal toothbrushes and they are flexible, so you can bend them to get right into the gaps.

Ideally, you should try to include inter-dental brushing in your oral hygiene regime on a daily basis.

Why is inter-dental brushing important?

Inter-dental brushing is a means of cleaning areas of the mouth that are commonly missed when cleaning the teeth and this helps to reduce the risk of decay and gum disease. If you aren’t able to clean properly, there is a risk that plaque will form. Plaque is a sticky substance that comprises of bacteria, food particles and saliva. When they feed, the bacteria in plaque release acids and these erode the enamel, increasing the risk of decay and irritating the gums. Poor oral health does not just increase the risk of pain and other unpleasant symptoms, such as swelling and irritation, it can also increase your risk of general health problems.

Help with inter-dental brushing

If you need help with inter-dental brushing or you would like to find out more, our dentists and hygienists will be happy to help. There are various different sizes available and your dentist or hygienist can show you how to use the brush effectively.

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Helpful Hygiene Hints

Tuesday, June 28th, 2016

iStock_000006052729XSmallMaintaining a good oral hygiene routine will benefit more than just your teeth! If your mouth is healthy, then your body will usually follow suit. In addition giving you a clean, fresh smile, it can work towards preventing tooth decay, bad breath and other associated oral conditions.

What should I do on a daily basis?

It is important to brush twice a day and floss every night. The reason flossing is best done in the evening is to ensure that all the days food debris is removed before you go to sleep. If this is left, it can begin to rot and cause decay in between the teeth. You must also remember to clean your tongue on a daily basis, usually in the morning. A little known fact is that around 90% of the mouth’s bad bacteria can be found at the back of the tongue. This is where the root cause of most cases of bad breath comes from.

What about the gums?

Whilst brushing you should take a little time to gently massage your gums with the tooth brush. This will increase the blood flow to the gums and help keep them healthy and ward off gum disease. Healthy gums keep the plaque and bacteria on the surface where it can be easily cleaned away, but unhealthy gums allow the bacteria and food debris to get inside and this can lead to decay, gum disease and tooth loss.

Professional cleaning

Regardless of how good your oral hygiene may be, it is recommended that your teeth are professionally cleaned at least once a year. During this cleaning, the surfaces will be properly cleaned and polished and a high pressured jet of water will be used to clean below the gum line. This action helps to clear out plaque and bacteria that have sunk below the gum line and helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

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Why You Should Visit a Hygienist

Thursday, May 26th, 2016

585811_blogAt City Dental we provide appointments for a range of cosmetic dentistry treatments and dental care including hygiene visits. Dental hygiene check-ups form part of the regular dental check-ups that we offer, such as for tooth decay and gum disease screening.

Meet our dental hygienist

Our dental hygienist is there to listen to your oral health concerns and provide you with information, screening and treatments. The role of the dental hygienist is to provide care in prevention of oral diseases and dental care maintenance for better health.

There are certain treatments that may be provided at dental hygienist visits, such as professional teeth cleaning, and others that may involve both the dentist and dental hygienist, such as for management of gum disease.

Visit our dental hygienist for power teeth cleaning

Appointments may be made to scale, clean and polish teeth as part of helping you maintain good oral health through home oral hygiene practice. Plaque and tartar are removed from tooth grooves that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. Power teeth-cleaning prevents development of tooth decay and gum disease.

The dental hygienist for screening of oral disease

As part of their role in preventing oral disease, dental hygienists screen for caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, and mouth cancer. The screening helps identify early signs of an oral disease so that the right treatment may be provided to restore oral health. Regular check-ups with the dental hygienist maintains a healthy mouth, body and mind. Contact the team at City Dental in the heart of Leeds for more information.

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Why Taking Care of Your Tongue is So Important

Sunday, October 25th, 2015

357249_blogYou may assume that brushing your teeth is enough to keep oral health diseases at bay, however bacteria is present in all areas of the mouth and it is important to keep your tongue and gums clean, as well as your teeth.

Brushing and cleansing your tongue

You may be unaware but the back of your tongue has the highest concentration of microorganisms in your mouth and therefore keeping it clean is of vital importance. These microorganisms can contribute to oral health conditions, such as gum disease and decay, as well as bad breath (also known as halitosis). This is a very common problem, affecting 90% of people at some point in their lives.

Cleaning your tongue can help to prevent gum disease and tooth decay and keep your mouth feeling and smelling fresh and clean. You can use a traditional toothbrush and toothpaste to clean your tongue, but it is better to use a special tongue cleanser. Research shows that tongue cleansers are seven times more effective in reducing bacteria associated with bad breath than using a toothbrush alone.

Why is tongue cleansing important?

The tongue is a hotspot for bacteria and bacteria contribute to bad breath and oral health diseases. Removing bacteria helps to reduce the risk of these conditions and also keeps the mouth smelling fresh. Bad breath is a very common problem and can affect people’s confidence and the way they behave around other people. In the vast majority of cases bad breath reflects problems in the mouth and it is advisable to see your dentist.

Adding tongue cleansing to your usual oral hygiene routine will help to protect your teeth and gums from disease and ensure that you enjoy good oral health.

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Dos and Don’ts for Your Children’s Teeth This Autumn

Thursday, October 1st, 2015

318711_blogAutumn is a time beloved by kids, with celebrations such as Halloween and Christmas around the corner and plenty of presents and treats to be had as the nights start to draw in.

But while it is a fun and exciting time for children, it can also be a time when their oral health is put at risk.

The array of sweet foods that become very popular during Halloween and Christmas can add more sugar to the system and this has the potential to really damage teeth!

To help avoid any serious damage to your children’s oral health during the autumn months, here is a list of do’s and don’ts.

  • DO take additional care to ensure they maintain their oral health routine. Brushing at least twice a day is important all year round, especially if they’ve been eating sweet treats, so make sure your kids stick to it.
  • DON’T bring home snacks. While it may seem obvious, if there aren’t sugar snacks in the house then none can be eaten. The occasional snack around the festive period is okay, but don’t allow your kids or yourself to overindulge.
  • DO find replacement snacks. Oral health is becoming ever a central theme of public attention and as such there are now many snacks being sold with lower sugar content. The best type of snack would be fruit or vegetables with low acidic levels, but as every parent knows, it can be hard getting kids to eat these during meals, let alone as a replacement for sweets.
  • DO get dental check-ups. Before and after the Halloween or Christmas it is a good time to book check-ups, allowing any serious damage done to be fixed before it gets any worse.

 

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Come And See Our Dental Hygienist

Tuesday, September 1st, 2015

585811_blogMany people are aware of the benefits of seeing a dentist on a regular basis, but have you ever thought about booking a session with a dental hygienist? Seeing our incredible dental hygienists can help to keep dental diseases at bay and ensure your pearly whites look lovely and bright.

What do dental hygienists do?

Dental hygienists provide a range of services, which are designed to prevent and treat common dental issues, including bad breath, staining, decay and gum disease. Our hygienists are experts in dental hygiene and they offer advice to help patients remain free of dental disease, as well as providing treatments for those with existing or underlying dental problems.

Some examples of the services provided by our dental hygiene team include:

  • fluoride varnish treatment
  • fissure sealant treatment
  • cleaning treatment, including surface stain removal and scale and polish
  • gum disease treatment
  • oral health and hygiene advice
  • help with quitting smoking
  • bad breath treatment and advice

How could I benefit from a trip to the hygienist?

There are many benefits to be enjoyed from seeing a hygienist frequently, including:

  • reduced risk of dental diseases, including decay and gum disease
  • fresh, clean breath
  • bright, radiant, white teeth
  • advice about oral hygiene at home

It is now possible to organise appointments directly with a dental hygienist, rather than waiting for a dentist referral; to book a session, don’t hesitate to call!

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Which Toothpaste Should You Be Using?

Monday, August 31st, 2015

297243_blogIf you’re often faced with the retail dilemma of selecting a single tube of toothpaste from hundreds of different products, you’re certainly not alone. Today, consumers have a huge choice of toothpastes and it can be incredibly hard to know which one to go for and which is the best for your teeth.

Choosing the right toothpaste

There are lots of different brands and types of toothpaste product on the market now and often, making the right choice comes down to catering for your individual needs and preferences. In addition to more general products, which are suited to the mass market, there are lots of speciality toothpastes, for example those that are designed for sensitive teeth, so it’s worth looking out for those that appeal to your dental needs. Some people also have preferences when it comes to flavours, colours and additional features, such as enamel protection or whitening properties.

If you find the whole scenario of choosing toothpaste difficult and confusing, the best thing to do is to ask your dentist or dental hygienist for advice. They can offer recommendations based on their knowledge related to oral health and they experience of working with you as a dental patient; they will be able to make suggestions based on what they think would suit you best.

Fluoride toothpaste

We recommend using fluoride toothpaste, as fluoride helps to strengthen and protect the tooth enamel. Fluoride is a mineral, which is found naturally in water and sometimes added to water supplies to reduce the risk of dental decay. The amount of fluoride in commercial toothpaste products is carefully monitored. Take care if you have young children, as the level of fluoride in adult toothpaste is higher; if you have children aged under 7, you should buy children’s toothpaste.

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5 Top Tips for Tooth Brushing

Friday, July 31st, 2015

iStock_000006052729XSmallEffective brushing makes a huge difference when it comes to our oral health. Here are five top tips to help you maximise the benefits of your daily brushing routine.

  1. Use an electric toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes have been proven to remove plaque more effectively than manual brushes. This is because the brush head rotates at high speed and covers a lot of ground. You don’t need to pay a lot of money for a decent electric toothbrush and even the most basic models will provide you with an excellent clean.

  1. Don’t brush too hard

It’s understandable to believe that the harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth will be. In reality, brushing too firmly can cause damage to the enamel so it’s more beneficial to go gently. Guide the brush head around the teeth and softly clean along the gum line. If you use an electric toothbrush your brush will do most of the work for you!

  1. Use fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel and protect your teeth from decay and acid erosion. Follow the guidelines on your toothpaste tube for details regarding quantities and advice for children.

  1. Try inter-dental brushes

Inter-dental brushes are small brushes designed to target the cracks between the teeth, which we can’t reach with a standard toothbrush. For more information about inter-dental brushes and flossing, ask our friendly hygiene team!

  1. Set a timer

Mornings can be stressful and we often neglect our teeth during the mad rush. It’s important to take just two minutes each morning and evening to get a thorough clean, so why not set a timer on your phone or brush along to your favourite song?

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Happy Hygiene: The Importance of a Healthy Mouth

Friday, July 24th, 2015

2823674_blogOur dentists strongly believe that the mouth is a window to the rest of the body and a healthy mouth often reflects a healthy body. At City Dental Leeds, we can’t stress the importance of looking after the teeth and gums enough and we are always here to provide preventative treatment and offer advice to help you maintain good oral hygiene at home and keep dental disease at bay.

Oral hygiene

Dental diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease are preventable and good oral hygiene is the best means of keeping the teeth and gums healthy. Daily hygiene practices are essential because they remove potentially harmful bacteria and clear away food debris. If leftovers and bacteria are left lurking in the mouth, this increases the risk of plaque developing and consequently increases the risk of decay and gum disease. Plaque is a sticky substance that clings to the tooth enamel and the gums. When the bacteria within the plaque feed, they release acids that erode the enamel and irritate the gums.

A good daily oral hygiene routine should include twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing. Brushing should be thorough but gentle to avoid damage to the enamel and you should devote at least two minutes to cleaning in the morning and evening. We also highly recommend sticking to six-monthly check-ups and regular dental hygiene sessions.

Oral health and general health

We have always known that oral health is important, but in recent years there have been a number of studies published linking poor oral health to compromised general health. Studies show that oral diseases, particularly gum disease, can increase the risk of heart disease, strokes and even Alzheimer’s disease.

If you have any questions or queries about oral hygiene or oral health in general, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist or call the clinic for advice.

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