Posts tagged “brushing teeth”

The Role of a Dental Hygienist at Your Private London Dentist

October 28th, 2011

Dental hygienists are experts in oral hygiene and aim to promote good oral health through oral hygiene. A dental hygienist may also be involved in the treatment of oral health diseases.

Why would I need to see a dental hygienist?

Even people who brush their teeth twice a day may need to see a dental hygienist at some point for an extra level of cleanliness. Hygienists provide cleaning treatments which are much more intensive and effective than brushing with a manual brush and can help prevent oral health diseases from developing.

Cleaning treatments, such as a scale and polish, are powerful cleaning treatments that remove plaque and bacteria and can shift tartar and bacteria from areas that are hard to reach with a brush. Your hygienist will be able to see any problem areas and address them, which will help to reduce the risk of developing symptoms associated with dental problems, such as swelling, pain, soreness and bleeding.

Your dentist may refer you to a hygienist if your teeth could benefit from a thorough clean or you are suffering from gingivitis, an early form of gum disease. You can arrange an appointment if you feel in need of a deep clean, with many people enjoying the feeling of a deep clean as it leaves their teeth feeling smooth and looking shiny and healthy.

Dental hygiene tips

Dental hygiene is key for good oral health and a good everyday oral hygiene habit will help to prevent dental problems and enable you to flash a healthy, radiant smile. Your daily oral hygiene routine should incorporate using toothbrush and toothpaste to brush morning and evening, as well as flossing and using mouthwash. Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups is also really important and most dentists advise patients to attend check-ups every six to twelve months.

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Your City of London Dentist is Here To Help You Know The 5 Do’s of Oral Hygiene

October 5th, 2011

When it comes to oral health, we all have our own habits that we’ve picked up from our parents – or come up with our own over time. But, what things should we keep in mind when we go to brush our teeth in the morning and before we go to bed? Should we brush more than twice a day?

This quick summary of dental do’s is here to help you develop good habits and maybe take you away from some unhelpful ones.

Flossing

While not an uncommon thing for people to do, there are still many who don’t regularly floss. Over recent years flossing has become more and more important and most dentists strongly urge their patients to floss every time they brush their teeth.

Twice or Three Times a Day?

While it can be helpful to your oral health to brush every time you eat, brushing too often can actually do more damage than good. Brushing with a heavy hand can damage gums (I’m sure everyone has found bleeding gums while brushing at some point or another) and can also slowly wear away the enamel of the tooth.

Swilling after Brushing

Just about everyone swills their mouths after brushing their teeth; getting rid of any leftover tooth paste just seems the sensible thing to do. But it can actually be beneficial to leave a the small amount of toothpaste in your mouth to protect teeth for longer. This isn’t recommended for all tooth paste brands, however, and those with a very strong fluoride concentration shouldn’t be used in this way.

Brushing Before or After Meals

It might seem sensible to brush after meals to remove any leftover food particles, but quite often it’s a better idea to brush before meals and floss afterwards. Brushing before meals can protect teeth from damage for a short time, making it very useful to do just before a meal.

Fruit is Good for Teeth

Some fruits can be good for teeth. However, certain fruits, specifically citrus fruits, can be very damaging to teeth. Fruits such as oranges and lemons are very acidic and other fruits, such as apples, that have large amounts of natural sugars can be damaging to teeth as well.

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Patients delaying dental treatment due to cost

April 22nd, 2011

Most of us have been affected by the recession to some degree. Some people have lost their jobs, some their businesses and others have been forced to tighten their belts a little more than usual. For many, the credit crunch meant a reduction in their disposable income, which has affected the amount of money they spend on non-essential items, but for others, the crunch has had a more profound impact and a recent survey has revealed that a large proportion of people are sacrificing their health in a bid to save money.

The survey, which was carried out in conjunction with the Department of Health revealed that 1 in 5 participants had delayed going to the dentist because they couldn’t afford to pay for treatment. The recent rises in dental fees have also not helped matters; in England the cost of a routine check-up has increased from £6 in 2005 to £17 in 2011. Patients are particularly angry because dental fees are much higher in England than other parts of the UK; prices in Wales, for example, have just been frozen for the 5th year in a row.

Dental treatment can expensive, especially if you are already struggling to stick to a tight monthly budget but experts have stressed that saving money in the short-term could actually end up costing a lot more in the long-run; missing check-ups will increase the risk of serious oral health problems developing and these are a lot more expensive to treat. Complex treatments, known as band 3 treatments, cost around £200 on the NHS, in comparison to the charge of £17 for a check-up. If you have a private dentist, the cost could be double or even treble this figure. Dentists are keen to promote regular check-ups and urge people not to put off going to the dentist, as this could pose a risk to both their oral and general health.

Dental treatment is free of charge for some people; for example, children and people who receive certain benefits can receive dental care free of charge on the NHS. In order to reduce the risk of serious oral health problems developing, dentists recommend brushing twice a day for at least two minutes at a time, using dental floss and mouthwash regularly and avoiding foods and drinks that are high in sugar.

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Rinsing after brushing your teeth

March 21st, 2011

Most people rinse their mouth out with water or mouthwash, or both, after they’ve finished brushing their teeth and spat out the toothpaste. But should you? There are now a large number of people, including a lot of dentists, who believe rinsing the mouth after brushing shouldn’t be done and needs to be expelled as a natural routine of dental hygiene.

To rinse or not to rinse

It’s something that is simply accepted by many people, that you rinse after brushing. But when you sit down and think about it, it makes sense not to. Spitting out the toothpaste once you’re done brushing and leaving the residue on the teeth not only keeps your mouth fresh but means the fluoride in your toothpaste continues to work after you’ve finished brushing and this is exactly what many dentists are now saying.

Many companies that make and sell toothpaste are also preaching the same message. Colgate has stated that leaving fluoride on the teeth can allow the toothpaste to continue to work up until your next meal.

Are there other views?

If you were to follow up reading this article with a look in to other people’s views on the internet you would discover an on going debate between those who believe in rinsing and those who don’t. Despite many dentists advising to not rinse, a large number of people still stick by the idea of rinsing. This can be true for some toothpaste with very high fluoride concentrations such as whiteners and smokers’ toothpaste, or toothpastes with other added chemicals which could damage teeth if there is prolonged contact.

It should be stressed however that these toothpastes are not common, orthodox toothpastes and are usually prescribed or specialised types.

Looking for a London dentist? City of London dentists are here to help

If you are unsure of your toothpaste make and for peace of mind, consult your dentist. Your dentist should also be consulted no matter the type of toothpaste when it comes to dental hygiene for children who still largely have milk teeth.

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Your London City dentist informs on how to care for braces

February 28th, 2011

We would all love to have them. They do the power of good for the look of our teeth. Of course, the topic of discussion is braces.

Modern day braces are remarkably good. They, literally, straighten out any problems which our wonky teeth might have had for quite some time. But, braces of any kind can be distressing to many people. They might not be aesthetically pleasing at all and the person might be self-conscious of each occasion when they open their mouth even to speak. No matter what your opinion is on braces itself, one of the most important aspects is looking after them so that they can fully help your teeth. This can be done in many ways.

Just like your mouth, cleaning a brace regularly throughout the day is very important. As the brace is positioned in your mouth for long periods of the day, the probability of bacteria building up in your mouth is very high. In order to stop a harmful spread of bacteria from entering your mouth, it is advised that you brush your brace with some toothpaste and a toothbrush every day just as you do with your own teeth. It is also a good idea for you to do this over a bowl of water so that if the brace does fall out of your hands it will not make your hard work pointless.

Soaking your brace is also a very good idea. By doing this, you will be able to clean your brace further which conventional cleaning might not quite manage. But be that the water which you put your brace in is cold as hot water will distort the plastic and make them unusable. Asking your dentist about the right solution for your brace is a very good idea as well as they will have a wealth of knowledge that the internet might otherwise miss.

Looking for a London dentist? City of London dentists are here to help.

So, if you’re one of the countless number of people who do have braces then following these steps would be a very good move. By being kind to your brace means that it will help the performance of your teeth as their potential for good will be maximised.

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Bishopsgate London dentists offer expert advice on brushing and flossing

December 6th, 2010

Brushing and flossing advice from Bishopsgate London ensures good oral hygiene

Having a healthy mouth makes a number of activities which you might take for granted so much easier.  Your mouth is designed in a specific way so that all the parts work together.  If your teeth or gums develop a condition it could make it more difficult to eat and drink.  The first and easiest step that you can take to be sure of good oral hygiene is to be sure to brush and floss in the correct fashion.

You ought to be brushing at least twice a day for around three minutes each time.  Sometimes you might wish to also brush after a meal, especially if it was especially sugary or starchy.  This is so that plaque is unable to build up on the teeth.  Plaque compromises the enamel which is the hard substance that protects your teeth.  It doesn’t take long for plaque to form after a meal so it is important that plaque is not left to develop.

Be sure not to brush too vigorously as this can damage the gums themselves.  Use a fluoride tooth paste because the fluoride actually helps to strengthen enamel and seek to brush all the parts of your mouth that you can.

Brushing should always be done in combination with flossing.  Your tooth brush will be unable to reach every single part of your mouth and plaque is able to build up between the teeth unless it is removed by dental floss or tape.  If you have not flossed before then you might experience a little bleeding as the floss creates small lacerations in the gum.  This is nothing to worry about unless it persists and you should continue to floss.

Looking for a cosmetic dentist? City of London dentists are here to help

Ask your Bishopsgate London dentist for more advice if you are not sure about any aspect of how to take care of your teeth at home.

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Improve your oral health with advice on chewing gum benefits from London dentists

October 8th, 2010

London dentists advise on chewing gum benefits to enhance oral hygiene

Fresh breath is not the only benefit that chewing gum can give you.  It is an activity that can really help your oral hygiene.  It is one of the simplest ways to achieve increased production of saliva which helps to protect your teeth from being damaged by build ups of plaque.

Having fresh breath can increase your confidence in social occasions by ensuring that you are not worried about the smell of your breath while talking and smiling.  Chewing gum is an easy and convenient way to achieve this and can be pleasurable by increasing saliva production and combatting any uncomfortable sensation of having a dry mouth.

When you eat sugary and starchy foods, the acids which are produced in the mouth form into plaque.  Plaque breaks down your teeth’s natural defence, enamel and can lead to cavities and painful tooth decay.  Saliva is another of your mouth’s natural defences as it neutralizes these harmful acids.  You can produce saliva by chewing gum.

Another chewing gum benefit is that it actually helps to clean your teeth.  Of course it is no substitute for brushing and flossing but you might find yourself in a situation without access to your brush and chewing gum will be the next best thing for after dinner at a party, for example.  The activity of chewing means that some debris will be moved from the teeth and gums and plaque finds it more difficult to form.

Chewing gum also helps teeth to retain a degree of whiteness by preventing stains from taking hold.

Looking for a cosmetic dentist? City of London dentists are here to help

Your London dentist can advise you which of the chewing gums on the market are best for enhancing your oral hygiene.

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Bishopsgate London dentists give advice on brushing and flossing

October 4th, 2010

Get more information about brushing and flossing from Bishopsgate London dentists

Although have a check up with your dentist every six months is hugely important, it is just as vital that you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home in your everyday life.  In order to do this you should pursue the recommended regime of brushing and flossing that will help to keep gum disease and tooth decay at bay.

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day to stop the build up of plaque.  Plaque forms from the sugary and starchy foods we eat and attacks the enamel which protects our teeth.  Just brushing your teeth once a day will not be enough as plaque takes four to twelve hours to form.  An even better solution is to brush your teeth after every meal, especially if it was particularly sugary or starchy.

Fluoride toothpastes are ideal because they actually help to strengthen enamel.  You ought to brush for about three minutes and use a soft-bristled brush.  An overly vigorous technique or an especially hard brush can damage your gums and, in time, wear down your enamel and leave your teeth more exposed.

Flossing is important too because it reaches and cleans parts of your mouth which brushes cannot.  Floss is made from thin nylon or Teflon and is pulled between the teeth to remove plaque and debris which can form there too.  If you are not a regular user of floss and begin using it you find your gums become a little sore or even bleed but this will pass.

Looking for a cosmetic dentist? City of London dentists are here to help

Contact your Bishopsgate London dentist for more advice how brushing and flossing helps maintain good oral hygiene.

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