Patients from Birkenhead understand the Importance of oral hygiene for a healthy, white smile

April 28th, 2012

In order to keep your mouth both healthy and clean you should follow a regular routine of both brushing and flossing your teeth. This will stop plaque build up, which ultimately leads to dental decay and gum disease, as well as problems with bad breath and tooth loss.

What are the effects of a good oral hygiene routine?

Regular oral hygiene for patients from Birkenhead can improve your life in ways that most people wouldn’t consider. We all know about gum disease and perhaps bad breath, but good oral hygiene will also make sure that both your speech and eating functions stay intact. Your teeth will last longer, you will need less dental treatments and you won’t be embarrassed by bad breath, bleeding gums, discoloured teeth or, even worse, missing teeth.

How else can you improve your oral hygiene?

As well as flossing and brushing, a healthy diet is also important. Avoid sugary, acidic and sticky foods and eat more foods that are high in fibre, rich but not sugary and fruits that contain a lot of water such as melons and grapes. When you want to reach for a sugary drink, try to replace it with either water or milk, which are much kinder to teeth.

Prevention

Apart from the advice already mentioned above, to keep your mouth healthy go to your dentist regularly, at least every six months, and take advantage of professional dental cleaning as this is much more effective that only cleaning your teeth at home. Have regular checks for any diseases or illnesses and make sure, if you need a treatment such as a filling, you have it as soon as possible.

If you are concerned about your oral hygiene or would like more help or advice do speak to your dentist.

 

Patients from Toxteth receive important screenings for oral cancer

April 21st, 2012

Oral cancer is a form of cancer that affects the tissue in the oral cavity. It is sometimes known as mouth cancer or throat cancer. Oral cancer diagnoses are on the rise, with many people still uninformed about the causes and symptoms. Dental practices and organisations such as the British Dental Health Foundation are trying to raise public awareness of the disease and alert people to the early warning signs. Oral cancer kills more people than testicular and cervical cancer combined, but thanks to media campaigns and high profile cases (such as Jade Goody) more people are aware of these types of cancer.

Causes

The main causes are smoking and drinking and people who do both have a much higher risk of developing the disease. Evidence also indicates a poor diet can increases risk and recent research has identified the HPV (human papilloma virus) as a major risk factor. HPV is a very common infection which people are exposed to. In most cases, the virus is harmless but there are certain strains of the virus that are linked to cancer.

Early diagnosis

Currently, the survival rate for oral cancer is poor in comparison to other types of cancer, and this is largely because the majority of cases are left undiagnosed until it is too late for treatment. Around 50 percent of people diagnosed with oral cancer die within 5 years, but the rate could be much lower if more people were diagnosed earlier.

Dentists are eager for patients to have oral cancer screenings and attend regular check-ups. Dentists are able to identify early warning indicators of the disease and refer patients for further tests, so that they can get treatment as quickly as possible. Symptoms are:

• Patches in the mouth of red or white colour.

• Abnormal lumps in the mouth of throat.

• Ulcers or sores which require prolonged healing.

 

Patients from Birkenhead know how important flossing really is

April 14th, 2012

Flossing is an essential part of a good oral hygiene regime. Most people focus on brushing, but it can be difficult to reach all areas of the mouth with a brush. Flossing helps to remove food deposits and plaque from such areas and reduces the risk of oral diseases. Dental floss is most effective in removing plaque from the gum line and tooth gaps. Flossing involves passing floss, a thin string-like flavoured thread, through the teeth and against the gum line.

Why do I need to floss?

Flossing is important because it is easy to miss areas of the mouth when you are brushing. Manoeuvring a brush into the corners can be tricky and the bristles are often too large to get into the tooth gaps, which can become breeding grounds for bacteria, leading to plaque collection and eventually tartar build-up. Tartar is difficult to remove and an increase in bacteria in the mouth increases the risk of gum disease and decay.

Recently, numerous studies have suggested that oral health plays an important role in determining general health. Gum disease has also been linked to an increased risk of serious medical conditions, including strokes, diabetes and heart disease.

Which type of dental floss should I buy?

If you’ve ever been to the dental aisle of a supermarket, you’ll be aware that there is a huge range of choice when it comes to oral hygiene products and this can be a bit daunting. The best thing to do to ensure you get the right product is to ask your dentist for advice. There are different brands, flavours and types of dental floss and some may suit you more than others. Your dental practice may sell products but if they do not they will definitely be able to advise you which products will best suit your needs.

 

 

Patients from Toxteth receive help for their occlusion problems

April 7th, 2012

Dental occlusion is the relationship between the top and bottom teeth. Occlusion is also known as the bite. The teeth should fit together, with the top row protruding slightly over the bottom row when the jaw is closed and in a relaxed position. If the occlusion is not right the teeth will be misaligned, and this can apply additional pressure to the jaw bone. It can cause problems in the gums, jaw joint and the muscles that control the jaw (occlusal problems).

Symptoms of occlusal problems

Few people from Toxteth or anywhere in the country have perfectly aligned teeth and occlusal problems are common. Some people adjust to the misalignment and do not suffer from symptoms, but there are signs to look out for (some people experience symptoms when they are suffering from stress or anxiety, for example):

• Worn teeth

• Heightened sensitivity

• Headaches

• Toothache which seems to have no specific cause

• Cracked or damaged teeth and broken crowns or fillings

• Stiffness in the jaw (most common in the mornings)

How can occlusal problems be treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of the problem and the nature of the symptoms. If the teeth are poorly positioned and this is contributing to misalignment and problems with the bite, your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist. Orthodontists are specialists that deal with abnormally positioned teeth. Treatments aim to straighten the teeth, usually involving wearing braces or a removable orthodontic device for a period of time.

If symptoms are caused by clenching or grinding teeth (known as bruxism), your dentist may advise you to wear a protective mouth guard or splint during the night to prevent contact between the teeth.

 

Patients from Merseyside are benefiting from Paedodontics

April 1st, 2012

Paedodontics is a branch of dentistry concerned with the treatment of children. It is commonly known as paediatric (UK) or pediatric (USA) dentistry.

What do paediatric dentists do?

The aim of Paedodontics, or paediatric dentistry, is to promote good oral health, prevent oral health diseases and treat existing conditions in children. Children are often nervous and scared when they go to the dentist, which is why paediatric dentists undertake years of training to equip themselves to provide emotional support for children. There is of course training in the treatment and prevention of oral health conditions as well.

In recent years, the emphasis for children’s dentistry has been preventative care and dentists work on the basis that prevention is better than cure. They use different techniques, including oral health education, dental hygiene, healthy eating advice, and preventative treatments, such as fluoride varnish and fissure sealants, to try and reduce rates of decay and gum disease and improve standards of oral health among children.

Paedodontics is an area of dentistry in Merseyside with a lot of scope. Dentists carry out a wide range of treatments and procedures, from routine check-ups to complex treatment for facial abnormalities, and some also have training in treating children with special needs.

The importance of good oral health for children

Recently, dentists across the world have reported an increase in the number of young people requiring complex dental treatment and this is alarming as dental health during childhood is often an indicator of oral health during adulthood. Children who have good oral hygiene habits and good oral health are more likely to enjoy good oral health later in life. Dentists have attributed the increased rates of decay to an increase in sugar consumption (usually in fizzy drinks and sweets) and poor oral hygiene habits.

 

Patients from Wirral benefit from Fluoride therapy

March 28th, 2012

Fluoride therapy involves using fluoride to reduce the risk of tooth decay. Fluoride is a mineral that is added to oral hygiene products and the water supply in some communities to protect the teeth and make them stronger. The process usually involves applying fluoride topically to the teeth. This may include having fluoride varnish treatment or rubbing fluoridated toothpaste onto the enamel surfaces of the teeth.

The pros and cons

Fluoride is widely regarded by dentists as one of the most effective ways of protecting the teeth against decay. However, there is a great deal of controversy and debate surrounding the use of fluoride. This is particularly the case when it comes to adding fluoride to municipal water supplies, as some people believe that fluoride can be harmful and others believe every individual should have the choice whether or not to drink fluoridated water.

Most dentists and public health officials support the use of fluoride, and the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control describe fluoridation as one of the most influential public health initiatives of the 20th century.

Fluoride varnish

Fluoride varnish is routinely applied in Wirral to young children’s teeth as part of an effort to bring down national rates of tooth decay. The procedure is quick and there is no pain involved, as the fluoride is simply painted onto the teeth.

Fluoridated toothpaste

Fluoridated toothpaste is widely available from pharmacies, supermarkets and dental practices. Dentists recommend using fluoridated toothpaste twice a day to strengthen the teeth. Children should use oral hygiene products that are specially designed for young teeth, as they contain a smaller amount of fluoride. In addition to fluoridated toothpaste it is also possible to buy fluoridated mouthwash. If you have any questions about the use of fluoride or concerns about the safety of fluoride, ask your dentist.

 

Banishing Bad Breath in Toxteth by Saving Faces of Bootle

March 21st, 2012

Bad breath can be invisible and unless you realize that you have it, it will not only make you perilously unsociable in Toxteth, but also put your health risk. One of the causes of it could be your lifestyle; poor oral hygiene, poor diet, smoking and heavy alcohol abuse contribute to bad breath, but then so does tooth decay and gum disease. Bad breath indicates an imbalance somewhere in the body and it needs to be addressed immediately, and it will mean you turning your lifestyle upside down. The first remedy is to get down to your dentist and check for any problems in your teeth and gums and if so, get them fixed. Then, it is down to oral hygiene at home: brushing and flossing needs to be changed in order to keep your mouth fresh and free from bacteria. Herbal treatments are great in the fight on halitosis, but equally, bad breath can stem from having a dry mouth, so you need to keep your mouth watered whilst you go through this recovery period. Then you need to look at your bad habits, such as drinking and smoking, and try to peg them back so that your mouth can get its balance back. But most importantly is diet; you haven’t got a hope in hell of beating bad breath if you are eating badly and not building up your immune system on a daily basis. Your dentist can give you all the advice you require on how to get over the problem, but this does come with a health warning: if you have tried all of these methods and the problem persists, you may need to seek advice from your doctor as there could be something worse going on deeper inside of you. Call 0151 520 2766 for a free consultation at Saving Faces in Bootle.

Caring for your Jaw-joints in Bootle

March 14th, 2012

There are lots of dental treatments available to you in Bootle, all designed to keep your mouth healthy for the long haul; from the basics of fillings, scaling and polishing through to more delicate procedures such as having braces, bridges, crowns and implants fitted- it’s all there for you. Now, you may well be fooled into thinking that this is all done to keep your teeth not only healthy, but pretty as well. True, but underlying all of the above, these more delicate treatments are done to ensure that you have the perfect occlusion- this is how the jaws bite together, most dental treatments are designed for this very reason. If your bite is out of synch, you will be placing extreme forces on the point where the jaws come together and causing excessive damage. To rectify damage here may require physical surgery, but it goes a lot deeper as well. Once you start to have problems with your jaws, it can spread quickly into the head, causing tinnitus in the ears and headaches. Further on, the neck and upper back can become damaged and even threaten the central nervous system that runs down to the lower half of the body. Only by looking after your teeth can you look after your jaws and prevent serious issues arising throughout your body in the future. Call 0151 520 2766 for a free consultation at Saving Faces in Bootle.

Getting to the Root of Tooth Decay in Birkenhead- Consult Saving Faces of Bootle.

March 7th, 2012

There is a common set of rules laid down on how to look after our teeth; most you do at home in Birkenhead through oral hygiene- brushing and flossing and if this fails, you have your dentist to save you. But it doesn’t always go to plan and sometimes, the longer you let things get out of hand, the more intricate the treatment becomes to overcome problems. Tooth decay is such a problem to avoid; if caught early, a filling will remedy the problem, but if it goes unchecked, a simple filling will not be enough and you are then into the world of root canal treatment. Bacteria and acids constantly attack the surfaces of teeth- it is only when they break through, they infect the pulp and roots and need to be cleared away in order to save the tooth. The pulp is first cleared away so that the roots can be drilled out and once done, the tooth can then be filled and then capped. This treatment was always seen as a painful operation in the past, but thanks to laser technology, having a root canal has become extremely easy; it doesn’t save the tooth indefinitely and you may well need to follow up the procedure with a crown in order to restore the length of the tooth to protect the ‘bite’ of the mouth, but it will help to prevent any further infection in other teeth. Call 0151 520 2766 for a free consultation at Saving Faces in Bootle.

The Wirral gets the immaculate Inman Aligner from Saving Faces of Bottle

March 1st, 2012

There is nothing better to see than everything that has ever come from the history of engineering taken to different levels and into all walks of life and in dental surgeries in the Wirral right now is a device that epitomizes just that- the Inman aligner. Tooth alignment has come of age and there are some treatments around that just blow away the old images of braces, but none more pragmatic than the Inman- it is an engineering miracle. Someone, somewhere came up with a theory that if you keep teeth on the move all the time, they can be straightened very quickly, then you need to make the device that will do this. Because of its design, the Inman can only straighten the teeth in the front of the mouth: a wire wraps itself around the outer surfaces of the teeth pulling them into place- it is then attached to a spring system. This operates a bar on the inside of the teeth which then pushes the teeth the other way hence rocking them to and fro. Such rapid movement means that the teeth are in the desired place in as little as 6 weeks! Now, amongst this being the prime reason to have an Inman fitted, the device is not fixed, allowing the wearer to remove it whenever necessary say, when cleaning the teeth or eating. For what it gets done and in the time it does it, the Inman is not expensive either- starting from around £1200 and so if you measure up and want an extremely quick fix, this is the device for you. Call 0151 520 2766 for a free consultation at Saving Faces in Bootle.