Posts tagged “plaque”

Routine Dental Visits at Your City of London Dentist to Keep Your Oral Health In Check

October 24th, 2011

We all know that our teeth are probably one of the most important parts of our bodies – Why not when they are the key element to a dazzling smile, and who doesn’t want one of those? But, in order to make sure that your smile is perfect you should have a regular check-up, because even though your smile may look good to you there may be serious underlying problems. These can have a serious effect on the teeth and ruin your smile later on.

The routine dental visit

When you have finished eating plaque starts to build up on the teeth within 15 minutes. If this is not removed thoroughly and effectively then this can lead to tooth decay, which will flourish if not treated correctly.

Tooth decay itself is the most common of all disorders and, believe it or not, is second only to the cold. It is caused due to the acid of the plaque left on the teeth liquefying the enamel and this then leads to cavities (holes) in the teeth, which result in tooth decay. These cavities can be painless and remain undetected at first but can result in the nerve and blood vessels in the tooth being destroyed. Ultimately, it can result in the loss of your tooth and a great deal of pain.

Prevention

If you go for regular dental check-ups then this can be avoided, because cavities can be detected in their early stages during a routine check-up, as they may show up on x-rays before they are even detectable to the naked eye.

There are other issues as well, such as periodontitis and gingivitis, which can occur by not treating your teeth properly; you may not even be aware of them until it is too late. So make sure you make regular visits to your dentist to keep your teeth in check, because you don’t want to lose that wonderful smile now do you?

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Gum disease advice at London City dentists

May 22nd, 2011

Take care of your gums with London City dentists.

Over time, it’s completely natural for your gums to experience pain – especially the two main forms of disease being gingivitis and periodontitis.  With gingivitis, a build-up of plaque (such as food and bacteria) occurs in your gums, and, if your teeth aren’t cleaned regularly, your gums will become irritated – turning red and shiny, eventually leading to possible bleeding.

However, gingivitis can be reversed.  If the plaque is removed then the gums will recover; but if the plaque remains on the teeth then the gingivitis will worsen and may develop into periodontitis.  Resulting in the gums receding from the teeth, this creates a small pocket around the tooth which then traps plaque that cannot be reached by a toothbrush.  Over time the plaque will begin to harden and turn into tartar (calculus), and the combined build up of plaque and tartar will eventually cause further irritation – leading to the shrinkage of both bone and gum, known as periodontitis.  By the degradation of the gum, some roots of your teeth may be left exposed leaving them wobbly and sensitive; and if left untreated, your teeth will come loose and fall out.

Whilst gingivitis is reversible, periodontitis is not – as it is rarely possible for bone structures to grow back.  Yet if treatment is administered straight away as well as regular brushing and flossing, the disease can be prevented.

Symptoms to look out for include red and swollen gums, and bleeding from the gums when brushing your teeth.  If gingivitis has progressed into periodontitis, then your teeth may become wobbly and you may get gum abscesses – but should you suffer from any of these symptoms then see your dentist immediately.

Usual forms of treatment include scaling, where your dentist will carry out a thorough clean of your teeth using gritty toothpaste and special toothbrushes.  If the disease is in quite a severe stage, then gum surgery may be the only option – but is relatively pain-free and effective.

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

To maintain healthy gums, a good oral hygiene routine must be practiced regularly – including visits to your dentist as well as regular brushing and flossing. But for some who experience teeth irregularities this can only be removed by your dentist through scaling.  For tips on prevention of gum disease, visit the hygienists at the City of London dentists and see how their professionalism can benefit you.

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Cleaning Your Tongue – An Easier Business Than You Thought!

April 1st, 2011

Many people neglect their tongue when they clean their mouths, either simply from not knowing it should be cleaned or from not knowing the correct way to clean it. Many people simply don’t see the point in thoroughly cleaning their tongue, but it is actually strongly recommended by dentists.

It is advised to brush your teeth multiple times a day to dislodge plaque and food debris from your teeth and gums, and to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, amongst other things. In comparison, the smooth surface of your tongue makes it hard for plaque to take root and it is often washed away by saliva. As such it isn’t as necessary to clean your tongue as often in regards to preventing gum and tooth decay.

So why should I clean my tongue?

The main reason it is advised to clean the tongue is to prevent bad breath. Although it is very hard for plaque to get a foothold on the tongue, bacteria that can cause bad breath is often found at the rear of the tongue, towards the throat; although not dangerous in the same way as plaque, this can lead to very poor smelling breath if it is allowed to build up.

How should I clean my tongue?

Using a regular tooth brush on your tongue at the same time as you brush your teeth is an effective and simple way of getting rid of bacteria. When you brush your tongue you don’t need to put too much force behind it, this could cause more severe damage than good. Because the area mostly affected by this bacteria is the back of the tongue, using a toothbrush can sometimes make you gag. To stop this, specifically designed tongue cleaners, known as tongue scrapers, can be bought from many drug stores or supermarkets, many dentists can also provide them.

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

Anyone who is suffering from bad breath should clean their tongue on a regular basis if they are not already doing so as it is one of the leading reasons for bad breath. It should also be remembered that the best way to go about this is to clean the very back of the tongue, using either a tooth brush or a tongue scraper.

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Visit your London City dentist regularly to maintain excellent oral hygiene

January 19th, 2011

Get advice on oral hygiene issue from London City dentists

Having a healthy mouth has many benefits.  The ability to eat, drink and talk without discomfort is something that many of us take for granted but can easily be compromised if oral hygiene is allowed to slip.  Oral hygiene is not just about looking after your teeth; your gums need to be taken care of too, especially as gum disease is actually a greater cause of tooth loss than dental decay itself.  Thankfully there are a number of simple ways in which you can ensure good oral hygiene.

The most important thing to do to make sure that your teeth are in good health is to guard against the build up of plaque.  Plaque is a substance which forms on the teeth after sugary and starchy foods have been eaten.  It attacks the enamel which is the durable coating of teeth.  Once compromised then cavities can form and you will experience sensitivity when you eat and drink.

Being sure to brush and floss at least twice a day is the most straightforward way to ensure this isn’t happening but it is important to pursue a healthy and balanced diet too.  Brushing and flossing regularly should also take care of your gums but it is worth being vigilant for signs of the gum diseases which affect so many people in Britain.  Red spots on the gums or sensitivity while eating or drinking substances which are especially hot or cold can be signs that gum disease is taking hold.

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

These practices, which ought to become a routine, need to be undertaken in conjunction with regular visits to your London City dentist so that the trained professionals there can thoroughly examine your mouth.  Make an appointment today and take the first step towards a life time of good oral hygiene.

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London City dentists diagnose and treat tooth decay

January 7th, 2011

Tooth decay diagnosed and effectively treated by London City dentists

Simple activities like eating, drinking and talking rely on having a full set of teeth in place.  Yet the health of your teeth is constantly placed at risk by the acids released by the food you eat.  Taking simple steps to guarantee your oral hygiene will help in ensuring that tooth decay is not allowed to happen.

The main reason for tooth decay is a build up of plaque.   Plaque is a substance that forms on teeth after you have eaten sugary or starchy foods.  This attacks the enamel which protects the tooth and can eventually break it down and lead to sensitivity.  In worst cases, the actual nerves inside the tooth are interfered with, which can be very painful indeed.  Cavities might begin to form, which are small holes in the tooth.  If these are allowed to progress then the tooth itself can begin to break down and might ultimately be lost.

Pursuing an adequate home dental hygiene regime is vital to stop tooth decay.  Brush and floss at least twice a day and again if required after sugary or starchy foods.  The bristles on your tooth brush clear away plaque and the fluoride tooth paste strengthens enamel against future plaque attacks.

As well as taking good care of your teeth at home, you should be sure to visit your dentist every six months so that your mouth can be thoroughly checked over by a trained expert.  If you experience undue sensitivity of the teeth, this should also be reported to your dentist as it might be an early sign of tooth decay.

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

Talk to your London City dentist today if you need any more information about tooth decay and how to prevent it.

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London dentists advise on chewing gum benefits to aid oral hygiene

December 10th, 2010

Get advice on chewing gum benefits from London dentists

There are many things you can do to help ensure continuing good oral hygiene.  Of course brushing and flossing in the proper manner is very important and it is crucial that you let your dentist examine your mouth every six months so that harmful condition can be spotted and dealt with.  Chewing gum has benefits too that can help your mouth to stay in good health.

Chewing anything stimulates the production of saliva which is one of your mouth’s natural defences against the build up of plaque.  Plaque needs to be stopped because a sufficient build up will begin to attack the enamel on your teeth which protects them.  Too much plaque will begin to interfere with the nerves in your teeth and cavities might start to form.

You can chew gum after meals, particularly if the food you have eaten contains lots of sugar and starch which will aid the formation of plaque.  Of course it is better to brush your teeth but if you find yourself in a situation where this is not possible then chewing gum is the next best thing.  Perhaps if you are at a business meeting then chewing gum after the meal might be possible.

Add added chewing gum benefit is that it freshens your breath.  If you have just eaten food which might make your breath smell then chewing gum will give you a minty, fresh feeling that can increase your confidence.

Most modern chewing gums are sugar free so you are not doing further damage to your teeth when you are chewing it.

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

Your London dentist can give you lots more advice about which chewing gum to choose and the benefits it can offer your mouth.

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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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Liverpool Street London dentists help prevent tooth decay

November 9th, 2010

Stop tooth decay with regular visits to your Liverpool Street London dentist

Tooth decay can be a painful process which might require invasive surgery to correct.  The best way to stop tooth decay in its tracks is to be vigilant in guarding against plaque in your mouth.  Plaque is a substance which attacks the tooth enamel, a hard material that exists to protect your teeth.  If enamel is sufficiently weakened your teeth can be compromised by acids found in sugary and starchy foods and cavities might form.  Tooth decay, although found mostly in children, can strike at any age and is fairly common in older people whose teeth have been subject to years of wear and tear.

It is important to pursue a healthy, balanced diet in tandem with a good home oral hygiene regime.  Too many foods containing lots of sugar and starch can form acid which attacks teeth, exposing the nerves in your teeth and causing great pain.  This is why brushing and flossing twice a day is so important.  Doing so clears the mouth of the plaque which can be so damaging to your teeth.

Smoking tobacco can be a major cause of tooth decay because it lessens the production of saliva.  Saliva is a vital substance which helps the fight against plaque and if there is not enough of it, plaque can do its work.  Tap water is fortified with fluoride, a substance which helps strengthen enamel, so it is preferable to drink lots of it rather than bottled water.

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

You should contact your dentist if you experience tooth ache which will not go away.  If your teeth become unduly sensitive to foods of different temperatures, you might be experiencing the early signs of tooth decay.  Further indicators include bad breath and unpleasant and unusual tastes in your mouth.  Avoid the need for fillings by telling your Liverpool Street London dentist about any of these symptoms.

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Dental check ups with London dentists ensure good oral hygiene

October 18th, 2010

London dentists offer dental check ups to maintain good oral health

It is vital that you maintain a routine of regularly visiting your dentist.  If you don’t allow a specialist to examine your mouth, any problems you might have could get worse.  Having a healthy mouth is important not only for eating, drinking and talking but gives you confidence if it means you can smile with pride at social occasions.

Having check ups with your dentist are best complimented by a good home oral hygiene regime.  Simply brush your teeth twice a day for about three minutes and ensure that you floss too.  You should visit your dentist every six months as well so that your mouth can be assessed for its health.  Shockingly, about nine in ten of us will experience gum disease at some point in our lives.  It is a condition that is easily treatable but it is very important that your dentist can is allowed to examine you to spot the early signs.

Your dentist will examine your whole mouth thoroughly to look for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, excessive plaque, tartar and even oral cancer.  All of these problems can be dealt with only if the symptoms are spotted early.  You should of course be vigilant at home but it is best to let a professional look too.

If you feel anxious about seeing your dentist, for whatever reason, you should be aware that dental practice has changed a lot.  A good dentist will be concerned with keeping you relaxed and be an excellent communicator.  If you do not feel comfortable with your dentist then you should look for another one.

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

Start getting into the routine of making an appointment to see your London dentist every six months.  This will significantly lessen your chances of having to undergo invasive surgery if a condition is allowed to progress.

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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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