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Posts Tagged ‘Oral health Central Leeds’

Keep Your Mouth Happy with Oral Hygiene Checks

Tuesday, March 24th, 2015

529808_blogDental pain can really get you down, so why not make sure your mouth is happy with our oral hygiene checks? Good oral hygiene is the best form of attack against dental disease and a really effective means of ensuring your smile looks bright and beautiful. If you’re eager to maintain good oral health, now is the time to call and book an oral hygiene session.

Oral hygiene treatments

Our amazingly skilled dental hygienists offer a variety of treatments designed to treat and prevent dental diseases and problems such as gum disease, cavities, bad breath and plaque and tartar build-up. Regular oral hygiene sessions are not just beneficial for those at risk of dental disease or those with existing signs of dental problems. They are also effective for those with a clean bill of oral health as a preventative measure.

One really effective cleaning treatment is a scale and polish, which is designed to remove plaque from the teeth and gum line and polish the teeth to give them a lovely glossy shine. Scale and polish treatment doesn’t hurt and it makes a real difference to the feel of the mouth, as well as the look of the teeth. After treatment, your teeth will look bright and healthy and your mouth will feel fresh and clean.

We also offer preventative treatments for children, including fluoride varnish treatment and fissure sealant treatment. These simple procedures, which are completely painless, help to protect the teeth from decay.

Our hygienists work with our dentists to treat cases of gum disease and they can also help to advise about oral hygiene at home, giving up smoking, healthy food choices and preventing dental problems.

If you’d like to book a dental hygiene session for a spring clean for your pearly whites, simply call us or pop in and see us if you’re in Leeds.

Six Sugary Snacks That Will Spoil Your Sparkly Whites

Friday, March 6th, 2015

293756_blogIf you’re desperate for sparkly pearly whites this summer, it’s a good idea to learn more about how your diet impacts your oral health. Often, the foods we eat can make a real difference to oral health as well as the look of the teeth, so here are 6 sugary snacks to avoid in order to enjoy a healthy, bright smile:

  1. Fruit juice: fruit juice is often marketed as a healthy alternative to pop, but it often contains a huge amount of sugar. Juices are also acidic, which contributes to acid wear of the enamel. If you do enjoy fruit juice, try to stick to drinking it at mealtimes only and dilute it with water. Take care to read labels on shop-bought products and watch out for added sugars.
  2. Sweets: many of us admit to having a sweet tooth and a bag of sweets is a popular treat or afternoon pick me up. Sweets may taste delicious, but they are bad news for your teeth. They are laden with sugar and they are also usually acidic. If you are eating sweets, eat them straight after a meal and drink a glass of water or milk afterwards. Healthier alternatives to sweets include natural yoghurt and fresh fruit.
  3. Smoothies: smoothies have become all the rage as part of a healthy eating revolution. However, if you check the nutrition labels of smoothies on offer in cafes and supermarkets, you may be shocked at the sugar content. Smoothies are essentially a healthy option if you make them yourself, as you can control how much sugar is added. However, if you buy ready-made bottles or cartons, you may find that your drink is not as healthy as you hoped.
  4. Yoghurts: yoghurts can be really beneficial for the teeth because they are rich in calcium. However, you need to be careful when choosing which yoghurts to buy. Sweetened, flavoured yoghurts often contain a lot of sugar and this includes low-fat versions. Try to go for natural yoghurt and add natural sugars such as honey or berries if you would prefer something a little more adventurous.
  5. Chocolate: many people admit to reaching for a chocolate bar when their energy levels drop mid-afternoon, but snacking on chocolate is not just harmful for your teeth. It also provides a quick release of energy that will almost certainly cause you to feel tired again shortly afterwards. Sugar-free cereal bars and wholemeal crackers are healthier options, which will release energy over a longer period of time.

 

How we Banish Bad Breath for Good

Thursday, March 5th, 2015

429735_blogBad breath is a problem that affects most of us from time to time. However, if you suffer from bad breath on a persistent basis it can take its toll and make social and professional situations awkward and embarrassing. If you suffer with bad breath, there’s no need to panic. With our excellent hygiene treatments and expert advice, we can banish bad breath for good and ensure you feel confident when you go on a date, arrange a meeting or take to the stage for an important presentation.

What causes bad breath?

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is caused by bacteria in the mouth releasing gases that have a very unpleasant smell. Most cases are linked to poor oral hygiene, but there may be other triggers such as eating strongly flavoured foods, taking some types of medication and smoking.

If you neglect your oral hygiene regime, bacteria gather and multiply and when they feed they release unpleasant smelling gases. The longer they are left, the worse the odour. Brushing, flossing and rinsing help to remove bacteria and ensure the mouth smells fresh and clean.

Tackling bad breath

If bad breath is a problem that haunts you on a regular basis, we recommend good oral hygiene and regular dental sessions. Initially, we will examine the mouth and check for underlying causes. We will give the mouth a thorough clean and then discuss treatment options with you. We may advise regular sessions with our hygienists to keep bacteria at bay and cleanse the mouth. We can also offer advice about maintaining a good oral hygiene routine at home and help with brushing and flossing effectively.

If there are certain triggers that make the situation worse, we can help you deal with these. This may include avoiding spicy food or strong flavours such as garlic or coffee and changing the type of medication you take, if this is applicable.

If bad breath is getting you down, don’t suffer in silence! Call us today.

Five Small Changes To Your Diet Can Overhaul Your Oral Health

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014

2429879_blogWhen it comes to your diet, even minor changes can make the world of difference to your oral health. Here are 5 simple ways to change your diet to benefit your teeth and gums:

  1. Drink more water: water is really important, not just to prevent headaches and dehydration, but also to keep your mouth moist and reduce the risk of dry mouth and to cleanse your mouth and wash away bits of leftover food. Drinking water is also a good way of neutralising acids in your mouth. You should aim to drink around 2 litres of water per day. If you don’t like to drink plain water all day every day, add a small amount of sugar-free cordial.
  2. Go for natural sugars to satisfy sweet cravings: sweet foods are really bad news for your teeth, so try to keep an eye on the amount of sugar you consume on a daily basis and stick to the recommended daily guidelines. If you have a sweet tooth, try to stick to foods that contain natural sugars, such as fruits, and create healthier snacks and desserts. Good choices include natural yoghurt with berries, oat-topped fruit crumble, baked apples or pears with cinnamon and rice pudding.
  3. Avoid eating between meals: grazing between meals is not just bad for your waistline, it’s also harmful for your teeth. When you eat, the enamel softens as a result of bacteria releasing acids; it takes time for the enamel to recover and harden. This means that if you eat throughout the day, your teeth are constantly under acid attack and your enamel is vulnerable. If you are hungry and you’d like a snack, avoid anything sugary or acidic and go for a healthy option, such as raw vegetables, a pot of yoghurt (avoid flavoured yoghurts as they contain a lot of sugar) or a wholemeal cracker.
  4. Dilute juice: fruit juice is marketed as a really healthy product, but it actually contains a lot of sugar, as well as being very acidic. Studies show that many of the juices on the market contain more sugar than fizzy drinks, so look out for labels and always dilute fruit juice. It’s best to drink juice at mealtimes and to follow your drink with a glass of water or milk.
  5. Don’t forget your dairy: dairy products are an excellent source of calcium, which is really important for building healthy and strong teeth and bones. Calcium helps to make the teeth stronger and protects them from damage and injury. Always ensure you hit the recommended daily intake of calcium; good sources include milk, yoghurt and cheese.

 

Healthy Diet to Healthy Teeth in Central Leeds

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

A healthy diet is essential for overall well-being, this is common knowledge. Foods high in fat and sugar elevate the risk of heart disease and diabetes whilst fresh fruits and vegetables are powerful anti-oxidants. Everybody knows what foods to eat to stay healthy, but do they know what foods to avoid and which to buy in order to maintain good oral hygiene?

In Central Leeds, dentists have been telling patients for years about the benefits of a balanced diet with regards to their dental health. Sugar is the frequent cause of many cavities, it can result in tooth decay, fillings and even tooth loss. Sugars turn to acid when they come into contact with saliva and it is this acid which attacks the teeth, causing cavities. Avoiding processed foods which are high in sugar can reduce the risk of suffering from such problems. It is essentially better to consume sugars from natural sources such as fresh fruits as they contain a higher concentration of water, this can dilute the effect of the acid that their sugar produces Not only will this be better for your dental health, it will also lower your risk of other conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

In addition to avoiding sugary foods, there are foods that dentists recommended as ‘healthy’ for your teeth. Such foods include cheese, poultry, milk and nuts, as these contain phosphorus and calcium, minerals which can protect the enamel on the surface of your teeth.