Posts tagged “dental health”

Dental cleaning at City of London dentists: A shining saviour this Christmas?

December 26th, 2011

We all love Christmas and no matter how old you get the 25th of December is still a time of great excitement; whether it’s because of the snow, the colourful decorations or the gift giving, it’s simply a time of year when there’s a little magic in the air.

But after the excitement has died down and New Year has passed, how many of us spare a thought for how much damage we’ve potentially done to our teeth? It’s not something many of us consider and if you do spare a thought for our general health, it’s usually to make a New Year’s resolution to lose some Christmas weight.

What about the damage to our teeth? All the rich and sugary foods that are traditional around Christmas can really harm our oral health. The constant chocolates, sweets and alcohol that many people affiliate with Christmas can leave a lasting impression on our health.

One option to help repair some of the Christmas damage is to have a professional tooth cleaning. Also known as a scale and polish this is an intensive cleaning of the teeth performed at your dental clinic or practice.

While brushing twice a day is essential to maintaining good oral hygiene, there are always certain areas a toothbrush can’t reach or small amounts of plaque that are missed. A dental cleaning can remove the plaque and tartar that brushing at home misses.

The whole process is painless and will involve the use of instruments to remove larger build-ups of plaque before smaller tools are used to reach hard to reach plaque, tartar and bacteria. The final stages will involve polishing, giving the teeth surface a smooth feel. Some dentists will then apply flavoured fluoride, which will give your teeth an extra layer of protection.

The whole process leaves your teeth feeling exceptionally clean and you can leave the dental office with the peace of mind that your teeth are in the best of health.

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Don’t underestimate the importance of oral cancer screenings at City of London dentists

December 17th, 2011

A malignancy in the oral cavity is called oral cancer. As many as 35,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year and the mortality rate among oral cancer patients is 25%. Many of these deaths are a result of the cancer not being detected early enough for proper treatment. Oral cancer screening helps detect the malignancy, which allows the dentist to effectively treat the disease.

The survival rate among patients who have early cancer detection is 95%, but it is only 5% for those who were treated at a later stage. As the disease progresses the tumour spreads to the lymph nodes and then all over the body. Once the disease has spread throughout the body, the possibility of survival becomes very low.

During the screening the dentist examines the gums, teeth and cavities for Leukoplakia, which looks like a thick white patch on the mucous membranes in the mouth. The thick white patch is a premalignant lesion, which could become an invasive squamous cell carcinoma that causes nearly 95% of oral cavity cancer. Oral cancer screening must be a part of regular oral care. The following symptoms should be looked for during self-examination:

  • Open wounds that are not healing quickly.
  • Slightly raised or thick white patches on the mucous membranes.
  • Irritated and bleeding gums.
  • Tooth loss

The sighting of any of these symptoms must be immediately reported to the dentist or doctor for professional examination. People who are at a high risk of oral cancer are tobacco users, smokers and heavy drinkers. Oral cancer screening can be offered by the dentist as a preventive measure. Individuals that come under high risk for oral cancer must undergo regular oral cancer screening. The dentist will check if there is any history of neck or head cancer or other symptoms, like difficulty with swallowing, enlarged lymph nodes, chronic earaches and neck masses. It is good to discuss with a dentist about your risk of developing oral cancer and steps that could be taken to prevent it.

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City of London dentists look at the relationship between oral health and weight loss

December 11th, 2011

It may seem odd to link oral health and weight loss, but many of the foods that contribute to weight gain also increase the risk of oral health problems. Choosing to lose weight can therefore also improve your oral health as well as your general health.

Eating and oral health

Your body relies on the foods you eat to get all the nutrients it needs to function properly. Some foods are much more beneficial than others, while eating certain foods on a regular basis can increase the risk of health complications. Foods that are high in sugar increase the risk of oral health diseases, including tooth decay and gum disease, because they cause bacteria in the mouth to produce harmful plaque acids that assault the defensive enamel exterior of the teeth. Once the enamel is damaged, it cannot be regenerated and so the tooth is left susceptible to damage and decay.

Eating a lot of sugary foods also increases the chance of weight gain, as these foods are often high in calories and if you take in more calories than you use this leads to weight gain. Foods that are high in sugar include cakes, biscuits, sweets and chocolate. Studies have also shown that poor oral health is linked to an increased risk of serious health problems, including heart disease and strokes, both of which are also associated with obesity.

Losing weight

Losing weight is notoriously difficult, but it can be done and the winning formula is very simple. In the vast majority of cases, eating fewer calories and increasing the sum of exercise you do will help you to lose weight. Healthy eating is very important as a good, balanced diet will provide your body with all the vitamins and minerals it needs. A good diet should include foods from all the major food groups, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fruits and vegetables. The bulk of your diet should be made up from complex carbohydrates, such as potatoes, cereals, bread, rice, pasta, fruit and vegetables.

Most people enjoy a sweet treat now and again but it is important to keep an eye on the amount of sugar you consume, as taking in large amounts of sugar will damage your teeth and increase the risk of developing serious illnesses such as diabetes.

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City of London dentists look at the link between oral health and general well-being

December 9th, 2011

When it comes to one’s general health there are many factors that can have an impact – and that of course includes dental hygiene and regular visits to your dentist. That is why it is important to consider all aspects of your lifestyle to ensure you are able to life as healthy and fulfilling a life as possible.

To begin with diet is an extremely important part of a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthily helps to boost the body’s immune system and ensures you take in all the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals to function effectively. If you can’t eat certain foods because of an allergy or an existing health condition, you may benefit from taking supplements and you should ask your doctor for advice on this issue. To prevent issues with teeth you should limit your intake of food containing high levels of sugar.

Exercise is also key to living a healthy life and you should try to exercise three to four times a week for at least half an hour. Team sports and activities such as cycling, swimming and canoeing can make exercise more exciting – you don’t have to force yourself to attend the gym as there are alternatives. Exercise can be a great outlet for stress, anxiety and is a good way to meet other people.

Oral health is also important because it can contribute to your overall health. Many people are aware of the importance of having a healthy mouth but they don’t follow a rigorous daily oral hygiene routine. It is also advisable to visit your dentist so they can check for any problems and a dental cleaning can also help eradicate many developing concerns.

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City of London dentists examine the reasons why a visit to the dentist is so important

December 5th, 2011

For many adults visiting the dentist can be a daunting experience, and it is the case that a lot of these individuals suffer from anxiety or dental phobia. However, going to the dentist is really important and should be done so regularly. To beat the onset of dental anxiety in adulthood it is beneficial to introduce children to their dentist from an early age.

If children are introduced to the dentist from an early age, they will get used to going to the dentist and can form a trusting and friendly relationship. This bond will go a long way to preventing any negative conditions that can come about as a consequence of not caring for your teeth, which means the child should require less treatment in the future.

Most parents don’t take their children to the dentist until they start school, but dentists it is said that parents should do this within the first year of their life. Increasingly, young children are suffering from preventable illnesses, such as tooth decay, and dentists are seeing children as young as two with cavities – so it is important that children attend regular check-ups.

The increasing number of children with oral health conditions is attributed to the modern diet, which increasingly consists of convenience foods and sugary, fatty snacks. Parents struggle to control what their children eat as shops are full of chocolate bars, sweets, cakes, biscuits and crisps – all these foods can increase the amount of bacteria in the mouth, which can lead to plaque build-up. Plaque is a sticky substance that clings to the surfaces of the teeth, which leads to the production of harmful acids that attack the enamel surfaces of the teeth and make them more vulnerable to decay.

In order to prevent harmful oral health conditions, it is important that children learn how to look after their teeth and gums. This involves learning about oral hygiene, as well as healthy eating and the potential dangers related to poor oral health.

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Your London dentist informs you of the benefits of chewing sugar free gum for dental health

September 30th, 2011

Chewing gum is an unusual food because it does not contribute any nutritional value and hardly contains any calories – however, sugar-free gum does have oral health benefits. Many people assume that chewing gum is bad for your health, but sugar free chewing gum is actually endorsed by many dentists due to it helping prevent cavities.

Fresh breath

Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help to stave off unpleasant odours and keep your mouth smelling clean and fresh. Chewing gum is especially beneficial if you have eaten foods with a strong odour, such as onions, spicy food or garlic. Chewing gum can also help to keep your mouth feeling fresh between brushing.

Preventing cavities

Clinical studies have proven that chewing sugar-free gum can help to prevent cavities because it stimulates saliva production, which blocks the harmful plaque acid attacks. Plaque acids are produced when the bacteria in plaque reacts with sugary and starchy foods, which then weakens the enamel surfaces of the tooth and leaves the teeth vulnerable to damage and decay. Studies have shown that the most beneficial time to chew gum is around 20-30 minutes after eating.

Remineralisation

Chewing gum stimulates saliva production and this helps to clear starchy food deposits out of the mouth and promotes remineralisation of tooth enamel. Remineralisation helps to prevent decay.

Healthy gums

Chewing gum encourages saliva production, which keeps the gums moist and also stimulates the gums and this helps to keep them in healthy working order.

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What to do when a dental emergency strikes

May 12th, 2011

Dental emergencies can strike at the worst of times. Often when it’s that time of year when we need to renew our car insurance, pay car tax and then get repairs done for the failed MOT. Not to mention the money that goes on other living costs, and then to add a dental emergency to the mix is not what you were hoping for. But a dental emergency is an urgent problem just like any other medical emergency.

Can I not just take a pain killer?

Certainly not! A pain killer will not treat the root cause of the problem and the repercussions for your dental health could be serious, not to mention unnecessary. For example, not responding to a dental emergency such as a chipped tooth can result in damage to the nerves and blood vessels causing a serious infection that may spread to the back of the head and neck.

There is a very valid reason why the scenarios outlined above are classed as dental emergencies; you are not merely dicing with cosmetics.

How to prepare for a dental emergency

To prepare for a dental emergency have a first aid kit to hand which contains pain killers, antiseptic mouthwash and cotton wool pads to stop any bleeding. Other materials such as gauze and sugar free chewing gum (yes, sugar free chewing gum) are also essential for your dental emergency kit. See the ‘emergency procedures’ section below to find out why.

Be vigilant

If you attend your regular 6 month check-up with the dentist you can prevent dental emergencies from occurring. For example, your dentist will be able to detect cavities and decay before serious pain and damage is caused.

Remember to brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss daily and rinse with an alcohol free mouthwash such as Corsodyl after brushing.

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