Archive for the “Dental Health” Category
The difference a dental cleaning from your London dentist can make to your smile
Most people think the only way to achieve a perfect smile is to undergo numerous cosmetic dental treatments, such as tooth whitening, veneers and invisible braces. While these are all excellent options to transform dull, tired smiles, one of the most underrated procedures, dental cleaning, can make a world of difference to your smile, without the need for expensive or costly cosmetic dental treatments.
Dental cleanings are commonly known as a scale and polish and thoroughly rid the mouth of plaque and tartar deposits, which may have built up over time. Teeth can gradually develop a build up of a chalky deposit (a calcium build up), in much the same way that a kettle can develop limescale over the duration of its life. This build up is referred to as tartar, which can greatly damage a person’s teeth and gums if it goes unchecked and can also affect a person’s smile, as tartar can be an unsightly brown colour.
Fortunately, dental cleaning is a quick and simple procedure that leaves the teeth both clean and smooth, which makes it very difficult for bacteria to spread. As well as providing a healthier mouth and smile, dental cleaning also leaves the teeth feeling incredibly slick, smooth and radiant.
Dental cleaning can be performed with a variety of instruments, including an ultrasonic vibrator (which ‘tickles’ tartar loose), fine hand tools and polishing devices.
The procedure is extremely quick and painless and can go a long way towards making a difference to a person’s smile.
Posted in: Dental Health
Tags: dental cleaning, oral bacteria, oral health, scale and polish
| November 6, 2011 at 1:17 pm | No comment
Hygiene your way to success
In generations gone by, the quality of dental hygiene was nothing short of awful. Tooth decay was common place and losing one, two or several teeth was the norm. However, there wasn’t the range of technology available to us which if presented to our descendants might shock them as they would be overwhelmed by how far technology has come since those days when only the wealthy could afford dental treatment.
The importance of oral health
There is no arguing in the fact that oral health is very important. Not only does is it make good common sense for our teeth to be presented in the way which nature intended for them to be but they also feel great after being cleaned. Even after they have been scaled and polished at the dentists (if you have not had this done to you before I highly recommend it) the smooth feeling which your tongue experiences afterwards is a joyous feeling. As we cannot rely on our dentist to clean our teeth, it is down to the individual to be the one responsible for looking after your own gnashers and there are a number of ways in which you can do this.
Cleaning them twice a day with a strong toothbrush is very important. Circular motions rather than from side to side is the correct style of brushing, as is using fluoride rich toothpaste. By doing this allows for all the excess parts of food which have become dislodged in our teeth to be fully removed via a thorough cleaning method and using a product which is healthy not just for teeth but also our gums.
Flossing daily is not the recommended advice, but on three different occasions a week. Normal brushing might not remove every single piece of foodstuff and any extra help which assists our teeth is surely a positive, and not a hinder.
Posted in: Dental Health, General dentistry
Tags: dental treatment, oral health, Oral Hygiene, tooth decay
| June 10, 2011 at 12:02 pm | No comment
The Role of a Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists carry out a very important role in preventing oral health problems and promoting good oral hygiene. Dental hygienists are trained dental professionals; they can work in a variety of different settings, including different primary care settings but usually work alongside the dental team at a dental practice.
Preventative dental treatment is based on the old adage, prevention is better than cure; preventative treatments are designed to try and prevent dental health problems, rather than waiting for conditions to develop and then treating them. Examples of preventative treatments include fluoride varnish, sealant treatments and cleaning treatments.
Cleaning treatments are very popular; most of us notice the difference a dentist’s clean can make compared to normal brushing; the teeth feel much smoother and look glossy and sparkly. Intense cleaning treatments remove plaque, bacteria and tartar and therefore reduce the risk of conditions such as decay and gum disease.
Fluoride varnish treatments are commonly given to children; fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel surfaces of the teeth and therefore protects against oral health problems. Fluoride can be found in many oral hygiene products and is added to the water supply in some areas of the country.
Oral hygiene is key for good oral health and hygienists help to promote good oral hygiene and encourage people to adopt a good oral hygiene routine. A good daily routine should include brushing the teeth for two minutes twice a day and using mouthwash and dental floss on a regular basis; electric toothbrushes are generally more effective than manual brushes.
Posted in: Dental Health, News
Tags: Dental Hygiene, dental hygienists, Fluoride varnish treatments, oral health
| May 15, 2011 at 10:34 am | No comment
National No smoking Day: Is It time for you to quit ?
Once a year No Smoking Day provides smokers with that extra little nudge to kick the habit for good. On the 9th March this year campaigners, supporters and health organisations rallied round once more in a bid to encourage more and more smokers to quit.
There cannot be many of us left that aren’t very aware of the killer diseases that smoking causes: cancer, heart disease and strokes are the big names in the Government’s attempt to scare the ciggie out of our hands. Whilst these are some scary words though it is often the case that smokers brush it off with the ‘it’ll never happen to me’ attitude.
What consequences does smoking have?
Something that may be more relatable however is the negative effects smoking most definitely has on your looks: the tired-looking skin; those few extra wrinkles; the drab hair; the nicotine-tinged fingers and the unsightly stained smile. These are the things that will greet you every morning in the mirror. A perfect white smile will most definitely be the first thing to which a smoker says farewell.
Smoking has massive effects on your mouth due to the constant fuelling of toxic chemicals it has to withstand. A smoker’s oral health will always be jeopardised even if they are lucky enough to escape any of the other health problems associated with their bad habit. Smoking not only stains your smile but also makes the mouth more susceptible to gum disease; gum erosion and tooth loss not to mention complicating the healing process of any dental treatment you receive.
No pressure
However, again warning smokers of the dangers, the risks and the drawbacks is never going to be enough to satisfy that nicotine craving when trying to give up. No Smoking Day recognises the fact that pressurising people into quitting is not the right way to go; quitting because you want to is the only way to be successful. For this reason No Smoking Day doesn’t just preach about the risks and drawbacks of smoking but concentrates on raising awareness about the help, support and advice available to quitters whenever they decide the time is right to stop smoking.
No Smoking Day is a highly successful campaign and to date has supported a massive 1.5 million smokers in the UK through their fight with the fags. Taking a non-judgmental approach is probably one of the main reasons that No Smoking Day is so successful – people know that smoking is not good for your health; they know that smoking kills; they know it smells and stains your teeth; they know it is a preventable drain on the bank balance; but none of these facts are useful when you are helplessly addicted to your nicotine fix.
Figures show that a massive 20% of the UK population are smokers – even more bewildering is the fact that of these nicotine addicts a whopping 63% would like to kick the habit. National No Smoking Day gives all of those thousands of people the opportunity, the guidance, the support and the gentle encouragement that is needed to kick the habit and restore their health; their bank balance and their beauty for good.
Posted in: Dental Health, News
Tags: gum disease, oral health, smoking, teeth staining
| May 9, 2011 at 12:00 pm | No comment
Missing Teeth Spoil More than Just Smiles
Every year a number of people lose teeth either through injury, decay or necessary removal for dental reasons. Obviously losing a tooth is impractical, but in certain situations a missing tooth can lead to further problems. (more…)
Posted in: Dental Health
| October 28, 2010 at 2:55 pm | No comment
More Halloween Dental Horrors
It is thought by many dentists that childhood tooth decay is a good indicator of oral disease and problems in later life, which is why the Halloween season has raised concerns to many dentists throughout America as we reported yesterday. (more…)
Posted in: Dental Health, News
| October 27, 2010 at 12:28 pm | No comment
Halloween Sweet Hauls Give US Dentists a Fright
Halloween, a popular annual event in the USA is slowly creeping into the UK with more people every year dressing up, putting on parties and encouraging their children to go trick or treating. However, dentists in America are concerned that the national holiday encourages children to go on sweet eating binges, which obviously can have an impact on oral health. (more…)
Posted in: Dental Health, News
| October 26, 2010 at 10:55 am | No comment
Replace Your Worn Tooth Brush
Using a clean, good quality tooth brush with plenty of life left in it is vital for maintaining a high standard of oral health. You should replace your toothbrush at least every three months as they tend to become worn out over this time. This is why a dental practice in Burnley is offering a ‘toothbrush amnesty’ for patients. (more…)
Posted in: Dental Health
| October 22, 2010 at 3:00 pm | No comment
Sugarless Tea Improves Oral Hygiene?
NHS Wales has recently announced a decision to forbid the sale of tea or coffee with added sugar in hospital vending machines. This decision has been met with praise, particularly from Dr. Nigel Carter of the British Dental Health Foundation who welcomed the news stating that it will help to encourage improved oral hygiene. (more…)
Posted in: Dental Health, News
| July 7, 2010 at 3:15 pm | No comment
