Archive for the “General dentistry” Category
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
Is your oral health putting your heart’s health at risk?
The link between poor oral health and increased risk of heart disease is just one of a long list of health warnings we are bombarded with on a daily basis. Most of us will go with the notion that if we listened to every health warning out there then life would be incredibly boring. Nevertheless, the growing evidence to support the claim that the risk of heart disease is as much as doubled when a person’s oral health is poor means that it is probably worth paying that little bit of extra care and attention to your teeth.
The figures speak for themselves
A number of studies have been carried out in this area after it was discovered that there was a link between gum disease and heart disease. Although researchers are as yet unsure as to the exact cause of this link the figures speak for themselves and the one thing researchers are sure about is the fact that there is a very real correlation between gum disease and heart disease.
Many believe that the link is based on the fact that when a person is suffering from gum disease there is a significant build up of harmful bacteria in the mouth; another symptom of gum disease is regular bleeding and if blood can get out it follows that bacteria can get in. It is believed that these bacteria once in the bloodstream can increase the chance of clotting or cause a build-up of arterial plaque that restricts blood flow and eventually leads to heart attacks and strokes.
What’s the link?
Gum disease is a much more serious problem than you may assume it to be and not taking its potential seriously is naïve to say the least. When you think about the biological explanation for the link between gum and heart disease the possibility does become a little more logical and although it seems far-fetched it is probably best to consider the scientific proof research has already uncovered.
Gum disease is a widespread problem due to the fact that it can be present without symptoms and without pain but eventually a mild case will develop into something very serious. Preventing gum disease is one thing that, luckily for us, is simple. A good oral hygiene routine which involves effective brushing twice daily; flossing before bed; using a bacteria-busting mouthwash; and visiting the dentist regularly for check ups will keep your oral health in tip top condition and gum disease at bay.
The idea may seem a little dramatic and it may seem like one more health risk you don’t have time to worry about but heart disease is a very serious condition that most certainly changes the life of any sufferer. Keeping your oral health in check takes just a few minutes of your time each day and now, it seems, it has the potential to prevent some life-threatening illnesses.
Posted in: General dentistry
Tags: Dental Health, Dental Hygiene, gum disease, Heart Disease, oral health
| April 27, 2011 at 11:14 am | No comment
The ins and outs of tooth enamel
Tooth enamel is the hard, outer layer of your tooth. It is a translucent layer of calcified substance that protects the main portion of the teeth. This tough shell covering is the hardest tissue in the body and is responsible for the colour of our teeth. The enamel can be easily stained from food and drink such as red wine, fruit juices and coffee. Smoking cigarettes can also stain the enamel on your teeth resulting in an unsightly smile.
It is important to maintain healthy tooth enamel because it helps to protect teeth from repeat use from chewing, grinding and biting. Proper maintenance of teeth enamel is especially important because, once broken, unlike bones, it cannot be restored. Enamel does not contain any living cells and the body is incapable of producing this particular material.
Enamel that has worn away from the tooth is said to have eroded. Enamel erosion is caused by a variety of lifestyle habits including excessive consumption of colas and soft drinks, acid reflux, a diet rich in starch and sugar and genetics, just to name a few.
Environmental factors that can cause enamel erosion include bulimia. Since bulimia is marked by binge eating and induced, excessive vomiting, this correlation is not surprising. Vomit is a source of acid and frequent exposure to acid can strip teeth of their enamel.
Other environmental factors associated with enamel erosion include wear and tear associated with biting extremely hard objects such as bottle caps, pens and fingernails, and attrition, natural tooth-to-tooth friction created from teeth grinding.
Early symptoms of enamel erosion include teeth sensitivity, discoloration and indentations on the surface of the teeth. Since enamel loss is irreversible, it is extremely important to prevent its erosion. This can be done by chewing sugar-free gum between meals, brushing and or rinsing your mouth out following meals and snacks and eliminating highly acidic foods (lemons and soft drinks) from your diet.
Getting in touch with your London cosmetic dentists for diagnosis is the best route to take should you notice any of the symptoms mentioned in this article.
Posted in: General dentistry
Tags: enamel, enamel erosion, stained enamel, tooth enamel
| February 8, 2011 at 11:08 am | No comment
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