General dentistry | Cosmetic dentistry Leeds Blog

Posts Tagged ‘General dentistry’

Why not try some Herbal Teeth Remedies in Central Leeds

Sunday, April 15th, 2012

Herbal medicine has been around for centuries and some people firmly believe in the healing properties of natural substances. For those who prefer to try natural remedies before taking medication or undergoing invasive treatment, here are some remedies for common dental problems:

Dental decay:

Green tea
Liquorice
Bay
Myrrh
Bloodroot

Gum disease:

Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Tea tree oil
Cranberry

Bad breath (halitosis):

Herbs and spices
Sage, calendula and myrrh

Dental abscess:

Rub salt into the wound.
Gargle lukewarm saltwater.
Apply ice to the abscess.
Crush a clove of garlic and apply to the abscess.
Take vitamin C and garlic tablets.

Visit your dentist in Central Leeds to learn about the options that can keep your smile healthy and bright.

Tags: Central Leeds, dental check up, General dentistry, General dentistry Central Leeds
Posted in dental disorders, general dentistry, gums, oral hygeine | Comments Off on Why not try some Herbal Teeth Remedies in Central Leeds

Mouth Ulcers are a Cause for Concern for Patients in Leeds

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

What are mouth ulcers?

Mouth ulcers are sores that are found in the mouth, which are usually oval or round in shape and most commonly develop on the inside of the cheeks. Mouth ulcers are very common in Leeds and around the country and most people will develop at least one ulcer in their lifetime.

What causes mouth ulcers?

In most cases mouth ulcers are not a result of infection and possible causes include:

Damage to the mouth (for example, biting the inside of the cheek by mistake).
Brushing very hard.
Damage caused by a sharp or jagged tooth.

If ulcers appear on a regular basis, this may be a result of:

Stress and anxiety.
Hormonal changes in the body, for example during pregnancy.
Oral trauma, for example brushing too hard.
Family history

Eating some foods also increases the risk of ulcers. These include:

Strawberries
Cheese
Tomatoes
Coffee
Peanuts
Almonds

How are mouth ulcers treated?

Most ulcers heal naturally without any treatment. If you have a mild ulcer, you may find it useful to use a soft toothbrush, avoid eating hard foods and avoid stressful situations. If you have a more serious ulcer and it causing you pain, your GP or dentist may advise you to take medication.

Tags: dental hygienist, General dentistry, General dentistry Leeds, Leeds
Posted in dental check up, general dentistry, gums, oral hygeine | Comments Off on Mouth Ulcers are a Cause for Concern for Patients in Leeds

Don’t let Smelly Breath be the End of Your Excitement in Central Leeds

Monday, April 9th, 2012

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a very common problem and most people will suffer from bad breath at some point in their lives. Most of us experience bad breath from time to time after eating foods that have a strong flavour or odour or drinking certain drinks, such as coffee, but for some, bad breath is a chronic problem, which can have serious implications for their confidence and self-esteem.

What causes bad breath?

The most common cause of bad breath is the action of bacteria breaking down the food we eat. This can cause bacteria to produce sulphur-based compounds, which have an unpleasant smell. Bad breath can also be caused by smoking, drinking alcohol and eating foods that have a very powerful odour, such as onions, garlic and spicy food. Poor oral hygiene is another common cause of bad breath.

What can I do to prevent bad breath?

At our Central Leeds practice we recognise that bad breath can be an embarrassing problem, but there are many things that can be done to treat bad breath and prevent halitosis in the future. The most effective way of tackling bad breath is a good daily oral hygiene routine, which includes cleaning the tongue as well as brushing the teeth and flossing. Rinsing with mouthwash can also be very effective and there are various flavours available. Eating sugar-free mints and chewing sugar-free gum can help to neutralise unpleasant odours after eating.

If you suffer from persistent bad breath this may indicate an oral health disease, such as gum disease and it is advisable to see your dentist. Visiting a dental hygienist is also highly beneficial for patients with bad breath. Hygienists provide intensive cleaning treatments, which help to remove food deposits, plaque and tartar for the mouth and leave you with an incredible fresh feeling in your mouth.

Tags: dental hygienist, Dental hygienist Leeds, General dentistry, Leeds
Posted in dental hygeinist, general dentistry, gums, oral hygeine | Comments Off on Don’t let Smelly Breath be the End of Your Excitement in Central Leeds

People in the City of Leeds Understand the Significance of Tongue Cleaning

Sunday, April 8th, 2012

Why is it important to clean your tongue?

Most people are aware of the benefits of brushing their teeth and using dental floss and mouthwash, but you may not realise how important it is to clean your tongue.

The tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria, which collect on the tongue and at the back of the mouth to produce sulphur-based compounds. These compounds are a major contributor to bad breath, a problem that most people experience at some point in their lives. Cleaning the tongue can also help to reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay by decreasing the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth.

How should I clean my tongue?

You can clean your tongue using your toothbrush or a specialist tongue cleaner. We can offer advice and information about products and talk you through the tongue cleaning process, so please ask City of Leeds dentist or hygienist if you want to find out more.

The tongue cleaning process involves running the brush or tongue cleaner across the surface of the tongue to remove dead cells, food deposits and bacteria. Repeating the action will help to target areas that may have been missed during the first cleaning session. Once you have cleaned your tongue, use mouthwash to rinse out your mouth and you should experience a fresh, clean feel.

If you have a good oral hygiene routine and you clean your tongue on a regular basis and still suffer from bad breath, see your dentist, as this may be indicative of an oral health condition.

Tags: dental hygienist, General dentistry, General dentistry Leeds, Leeds
Posted in dental hygeinist, general dentistry, gums, oral hygeine | Comments Off on People in the City of Leeds Understand the Significance of Tongue Cleaning

The Joys of Inter-dental teeth cleaning for Patients in Leeds

Saturday, April 7th, 2012

Most people in Leeds know how important it is to brush their teeth, but it can be extremely difficult to brush in-between the teeth and this can cause plaque to develop, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease. Inter-dental cleaning involves using specialist brushes to clean between the teeth and remove plaque from the cracks between the teeth.

Methods of inter-dental cleaning

There are two main methods of cleaning between the teeth; these are:

flossing
inter-dental brushing

Flossing

Flossing involves passing dental floss (specialist flavoured tape), between the teeth and along the gum line. Dental floss helps to remove plaque and food deposits from between the teeth and is an effective way of reducing the risk of oral diseases.

Inter-dental brushing

Inter-dental brushing involves using specially designed brushes to clean between the teeth. Inter-dental brushes are available in different sizes and most are colour-coded to distinguish between the sizes. Inter-dental brushes remove plaque from between the gum but they do not target the gum line. If you have any questions about inter-dental brushing or you want to find out more, we will be more than happy to offer you information and advice.

Tags: dental hygienist, General dentistry, General dentistry Leeds, Leeds
Posted in dental hygeinist, general dentistry, gums, oral hygeine | Comments Off on The Joys of Inter-dental teeth cleaning for Patients in Leeds

Brushing Teeth in Central Leeds is More Important than Ever

Friday, April 6th, 2012

Brushing your teeth is something you learn when you are very young, but it never stops being important. Brushing is the most effective way to remove plaque and bacteria from the mouth, helping to keep your mouth clean and fresh. It also reduces the risk of dental health problems, such as gum disease, decay, bad breath and staining.

How often should I brush my teeth?

Dental polls show that many people skip brushing their teeth –this is not advisable and we recommend that all our patients to brush their teeth twice a day. Most people find it convenient to brush in the morning and before they go to bed, while some also like to brush after lunch to prevent bad breath.

How long should I brush for?

It is important that you brush your teeth thoroughly. Simply dusting over your teeth will not do the job, so try to aim for at least two minutes of brushing, twice a day. If you struggle to stick to a 2 minute brushing period, try using a toothbrush that has a timer.

Brushing technique

When you brush your teeth it is important to cover all areas of your mouth. Tip the head of the brush to a 45 degree angle, polish the teeth and remember to brush along the gum line, as this is a common place for bacteria to gather. Brush the teeth with circular motions and take care not to brush too hard, as this can damage the surface enamel of the teeth and the gums. If you find that your gums are bleeding during brushing, this may mean that you are brushing too hard.

Manual toothbrushes versus electric toothbrushes

Manual toothbrushes have been around for decades and they can do a highly effective job – but electric toothbrushes remove more plaque, can be easier to use and many come with additional features, such as different brushing modes and a timer. If you have any questions about choosing a toothbrush, ask our friendly dentists in Central Leeds.

Tags: dental hygienist, General dentistry, General dentistry Leeds, Leeds
Posted in general dentistry, gums, oral hygeine, sonicare toothbrush | Comments Off on Brushing Teeth in Central Leeds is More Important than Ever

People in the City of Leeds Know the Importance of Routine Flossing

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

Flossing is an undervalued action. Most of us are aware that we should brush our teeth twice a day, but the importance of flossing is not so well-documented. Brushing is very important, but it only removes a certain amount of plaque from the mouth and flossing must also be part of the daily oral hygiene routine for truly clean teeth and gums.

Why is flossing so important?

Flossing is important because it targets the areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. Flossing removes plaque, food particles and bacteria from the gum line, the corners of the mouth and tiny cracks between the teeth. These areas are prone to bacteria collection, which contribute to decay and gum disease.

What does flossing involve?

Dental floss is passed through the gaps between teeth and along the gum line. It is a very fine cotton-like thread, which is available in various flavours.

Dental hygiene in Leeds

Dental hygiene is extremely important for good oral health. Our dental practice in Central Leeds encourages all patients to adopt a good daily oral hygiene routine, in addition to regular dental check-ups and visits to the hygienist. A good regime should consist of brushing the teeth and rinsing with mouthwash. Floss also helps. Dental hygiene helps to keep common problems, such as tooth discolouration, bad breath and oral health diseases, at bay and teeth looking healthy.

Tags: dental hygienist, Dental hygienist Leeds, General dentistry, Leeds
Posted in dental check up, dental hygeinist, general dentistry, oral hygeine | Comments Off on People in the City of Leeds Know the Importance of Routine Flossing

Keeping an Eye on Your Oral Hygiene in the City of Leeds

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

Now be honest, what do you look for in a toothbrush, or similarly, a toothpaste?

Do you read the labels, simply see words like ‘plaque’ and ‘gum disease’ and say ‘yes, that’s the one I should get?’ Okay, we can all have our methods and reasons behind our oral hygiene choices, but do we know what we are really doing when we buy these products?

And let’s not forget, oral hygiene is not just about the products we buy to clean our teeth, it’s also about our diet and lifestyle as well. The next time you pop into your dentist for a check-up, you should sit down and talk about such issues, even if it means a session with the hygienist as well. If you have a healthy diet and a ‘so-so’ lifestyle as well, then you can set off on your daily pilgrimage of dental hygiene, knowing that your body is strong enough to help back up your teeth and gums in the fight against decay and disease.

Now you can get the toothbrush and paste to work with on your teeth and buy flosses and mouthwashes to tackle harmful plaque and bacteria. And least we forget, if you get into a state and things get a little out of hand, you always have the dentist to put things right.

Tags: City of Leeds, dental cleaning, Dental cleaning City of Leeds, General dentistry
Posted in dental hygeinist, general dentistry, gums, oral hygeine | Comments Off on Keeping an Eye on Your Oral Hygiene in the City of Leeds

Avoid Sugar to Avoid Gum Disease and Bad Breath in Leeds

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Fighting the cause of gum disease and bad breath can be difficult when there are so many known factors that contribute to the conditions. It has always been known that sugar can increase the risk of gum disease, but it is knowledge that seems to be being ignored in today’s society.

Gum disease and bad breath are both essentially caused by the build up of bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria is known to feed on sugar, so when the sugar intake of an individual is elevated, their buccal content of plaque and tartar will also increase, possibly leading to periodontal disease and bad breath.

In order to lower this risk, it is important that we find alternatives to sweets that are heavily laden with sugar. It is not just children who are at risk from eating too many sweets, adults also consume far too much processed food, all of which contains extremely high levels of sugar.

In order to combat gum disease and bad breath, the people of Leeds should limit the amount of sweets and chocolate they eat, substituting them with fruits such as raisins and cranberries. The healthy properties of fresh fruits such as these include anti-oxidants and a high water content. This means that although they contain natural sugars, they are diluted by their own concentration of water and so are harmless to the teeth and gums. Water also helps wash away the build up of bacteria and food in the mouth and around the teeth, so foods with a high water content will contribute to lowering the risk of developing gum disease and bad breath.

Tags: General dentistry, Leeds, Periodontal cleaning, Periodontal cleaning Leeds
Posted in dental check up, general dentistry, gums, oral hygeine | Comments Off on Avoid Sugar to Avoid Gum Disease and Bad Breath in Leeds

Find Out from a Central Leeds Dentist Why Some Oral Products Worsen Bad Breath

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

Bad breath is one of the most common yet feared dental problems you could suffer from. Bad breath can lead to a decrease in an individual’s self-confidence and an awkwardness in social interactions. Seeking advice from your Central Leeds dentist on how to avoid this embarrassing condition may provide some news that might just surprise you.

As it turns out, many of the commercial products on offer that promise to fight your bad breath do exactly the opposite. It is the ingredients within them that cause the mouth to dry out and to harbour more of the bacteria that causes bad breath,

For example, many toothpastes contain either baking soda or peroxide as these are materials that are known to increase the whiteness of teeth. However, using these products when you suffer from bad breath will prove to be detrimental to your condition, as both baking soda and peroxide are drying agents that will dry out your mouth and make it even harder to remove the stubborn bacteria that is causing your problem.

In addition, many mouthwashes contain alcohol, another drying agent that will dehydrate your mouth and turn it into the perfect environment in which bacteria can grow and thrive. In order to prevent this problem, it is essential that when using an alcohol based mouthwash, you rinse thoroughly with water afterwards to moisten the mouth and remove any remaining bacteria.

Tags: bad breath, Central Leeds, General dentistry, General dentistry Central Leeds
Posted in dental check up, general dentistry, oral hygeine | Comments Off on Find Out from a Central Leeds Dentist Why Some Oral Products Worsen Bad Breath

Up to 15% off treatment

Invisalign

Dental Implants

Get in Touch