March 7th, 2010
Dental care is quite straight forward if you follow a few simple rules given to you by your Toxteth dentist. Although each patient is different and our teeth do differ, there are certain bits of advice that are almost universal.
Firstly, remember that your dental health is in your own hands. With effective cleaning you can help to prevent painful tooth decay and nasty gum disease. Your dentist will be there to support you and check on your progress but ultimately it is up to you to keep your teeth as clean as possible.
This can be achieved by better tooth brushing. Dentists recommend that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day (after lunch as well if it is feasible but this is often not the case) for three minutes. Use a soft bristled brush unless instructed otherwise by your dentist as this removes more plaque from the surface of your teeth. Try to use a brush with a small head as it has a greater degree of mobility in the mouth. Finally, hold the brush at a forty-five degree angle to the gums so that they are also cleaned simultaneously and never press too hard as you can damage the gum tissue.
As well as correct brushing it is advised by dentists that you floss daily also. Flossing removes bacteria and plaque from hard to reach places, which can often be the first places where decay begins. Flossing cleans between the teeth and round their base removing pockets of bacteria and trapped food particles. Your dentist can demonstrate the proper technique.
Lastly, although it is up to you to keep your teeth clean, it is very important that you see your dentist every six-months so he can assess your progress.
Tags: dental hygiene, flossing, gum disease, tooth brushing, tooth decay
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March 5th, 2010
Many people refer to dental hygienists as the ‘unsung heroes of dental care’. The role of the hygienist has grown more important over the last ten years to the point that now you would be hard pressed to find a dentist that doesn’t have one in their surgery.
The dental hygienist serves many purposes. Firstly, they lighten the load of the dentists meaning that the dentist can see more patients and spend more time treating dental problems than dealing with cleaning and routine oral care. This means the dentist is free to use his time to treat those in greater need of dental care and those of us lucky enough to just need the odd clean up can see the hygienist after a short check up.
The hygienist is specifically trained in the areas of dental cleaning and oral health. Although not qualified to carry out dental surgery, they are fully capable of conducting a thorough deep clean of your teeth and their role is even expanding to include the use of x-rays. Hygienists will use techniques such as scaling and polishing to remove tartar and make your teeth look and feel clean and healthy.
Hygienists are also able to draw up a cleaning plan as part of a preventative dental measure. This is the practice of doing all you can in tandem with your dentist to prevent any future dental complications. This often involves seeing the hygienist and sticking to a dental care routine. Don’t however make the mistake that the hygienist works independently of your Wirral dentist. They are closely linked and will discuss your teeth and together decided on the best course of action.
Tags: hygienist, oral care, scaling and polishing, tartar
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March 1st, 2010
Diabetes affects thousands of people in the UK each year and if you are one of them you may know that diabetes can affect your nerves, kidneys and heart but you may not have been told how it can affect your teeth. Diabetes can have very negative effects on your oral health because it lowers your resistance to infection and also slows recovery time.
Dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, fungal infections and taste impairment are all associated with diabetes and its effects on the health of your mouth. If you are a diabetic, it is important to let your dentist know when you were diagnosed and any medication you may be taking.
If you are a diabetic the chances of suffering from a serious problem of tooth decay or disease are greatly heightened so you must contact your Everton dentist if you notice anything unusual about your teeth. This could include bleeding gums, swollen or tender gum tissue, persistent bad breath or bad taste or any change in your bite.
It is also important, even more so than for none sufferers, that you make regular visits to the dentist to check for the first signs of dental problems. Dentists recommend that everybody should see a dentist every six months but if you have diabetes it may need to be more often. In addition, it is important to keep up a very strict routine of oral hygiene, brushing and flossing correctly for the suggested time each day and making sure your teeth are free from plaque and tartar.
Tags: diabetes, gum disease, tooth decay
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February 16th, 2010
Cracked, chipped or broken teeth can be a great source of pain as any kind of structural damage can affect the very sensitive dental nerve in the centre of the tooth. Likewise, a dental cavity that has not been treated will eventually penetrate to the soft and sensitive central part of the tooth and cause infection or pain. But there is a dental treatment specifically designed to protect teeth from this happening.
A dental crown is an artificial tooth cap that is fixed over the top of the damaged tooth protecting all parts of it exposed above the gum line. Usually made of porcelain, metal or a combination of both, dental crowns can last up to twenty years if properly cared for and act as barrier against pain, decay and infection.
In the last few years new technology has been developed that has improved the quality and appearance of crowns. Chair-side reconstruction now allows the dentist to design, manufacture and fit a dental crown in the same appointment using the very latest digital x-raying and computer-guided equipment.
The cost of a dental crown from a Bootle dentist will depend on the severity of the damage and the nature of the treatment you want to have. Porcelain crowns may be more expensive but they are better quality and will often last longer but there are many options available to you.
Fitting a crown may involve some enamel removal so that it can fit naturally in the mouth over the exiting tooth, but as crowns become thinner and stronger this may not always be the case. They are usually cemented in place with a composite resin bonding which is tooth coloured to add to the cosmetic appearance of the crown.
Tags: chipped teeth, dental cavity, dental crown
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February 12th, 2010
Kirby dentists have a sure fire way of beating bad breath, a hygiene problem that can be very unpleasant and very hard to stop. It doesn’t involve any kind of specialist oral hygiene products like mouthwashes or breath sprays, it simply involves good old-fashioned dental care and improved brushing and flossing.
Nearly nine out of ten cases of bad breath are caused by problems in the mouth, so the chances are, by making changes to your dental healthcare routine you can prevent it coming back. Many people turn to mouthwashes or sprays because they think they solve the problem of bad breath but in reality they only address the symptoms not the cure. Mouthwashes have been proved to only mask the smell of bad breath for as little as two hours and in some cases can even make it worse. This happens because it upsets the natural bacterial balance in the mouth and disrupts the production of saliva.
Better brushing and flossing removes more of the bacteria and trapped food particles that decay and cause most cases of bad breath. When bacteria breaks down food trapped between teeth or in the small grooves of the tongue it releases a series of foul-smelling chemicals which are the root of most bad breath. By making the extra effort to remove these you could stop halitosis once and for all.
Dentists in Kirby can give you more information about improved dental care and the best ways to keep teeth clean so bad breath doesn’t affect your life.
Tags: bad breath, brushing and flossing, mouthwashes, oral hygiene
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February 10th, 2010
Of all the personal hygiene problems people have, bad breath is definitely one of the worst. It can make being around someone very unpleasant, yet the fact is we have probably all had breath at one time or another, although it is true that some people suffer far more than others. The worst thing about bad breath, or halitosis as it is otherwise known, is that it is very difficult to know when you have it unless you experience the embarrassment of somebody telling you.
It is important to remember that there are several easy steps to getting rid of bad breath. This does not include the use of mouthwashes or breath sprays as many people think. Mints, sprays and mouthwashes in fact do little more than mask the smell temporarily and it will return in anything between ten minutes and two hours. In some cases, mouthwash can even make the problem worse because it destabilises the delicate bacteria/saliva balance in the mouth, the body’s natural defence against bad breath.
The key to stopping bad breath is better oral hygiene. Over 90 per cent of cases of halitosis are cause by poor oral hygiene. The main reason for this is that food particles that get trapped in between teeth and in the grooves of the tongue attract bacteria. When this begins to decay it releases nasty smelling chemicals that are carried out on the breath making it smell. More thorough tooth brushing and crucially, flossing will remove these food particles before they can begin to break down. A Merseyside dentist will be able to explain in more detail how best to clean your teeth to stop bad breath at your next appointment.
Tags: bacteria, bad breath, flossing, halitosis, mouth wash, oral hygiene
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February 6th, 2010
Having yellow or discoloured teeth can be quite unattractive and can really add years to a person’s appearance. There are many reasons why teeth turn yellow that are both man-made and completely natural. Obviously one of the biggest causes is smoking. The nicotine in cigarettes and cigars is yellow and can stain very easily. Persistent smoking over the years can cause a yellowing of the teeth that is impossible to remove with normal brushing.
The other significant cause of yellow teeth is simply age. Teeth naturally lose their colour as we get older as one of the signs of aging so anyway to reverse this process will make us look younger. That’s where teeth whitening comes in. Whitening can really change the appearance of discoloured teeth and as it has become more popular over the last decade or so, is now affordable for almost any budget.
Whitening works by applying the active ingredient, hydrogen peroxide, to the surface enamel of the stained teeth. It seeps in gradually and bleaches the enamel back to a healthier white colour. There are many different treatments on the market, some more suitable for some patients than others but results are achievable in every case.
Kirby dentists offer various forms of teeth whitening as a standard cosmetic dentistry treatment and if you have it performed in surgery there are no safety risks associated with some home-whitening kits. Ask your dentist for detail and you could whiten your teeth by up to an incredible ten shades.
Tags: discoloured teeth, teeth whitening, yellow teeth
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February 4th, 2010
If you are happy with your teeth but not happy with the wrinkles and sagging facial tissue that frames it, you may consider having the tissue artificially firmed using one of a range of dermal fillers. Cosmetic dermal fillers include collagen, fat, hyaluronic acid and various other substances and come under several brand names, the most popular being ArteFill, Radiesse and Sculptra. The main purpose of these dermal fillers is to add volume to specific areas of the face and eliminate wrinkles. In doing this they give the face a fuller, more youthful appearance that can best enhance a beautiful smile.
Once the sole preserve of the rich and famous, dermal fillers are now more readily available to everyone, and the increase in popularity and use means that a collagen injection is now as easy and accepted as going for a haircut.
If applied by a trained professional such as a physician or a dentist there is little or no risk involved when using dermal fillers and because treatments are temporary, the results will fade in time, reducing the risk of permanent damage form a bad treatment. The most common form of dermal fillers used today contain the compound hyaluronic acid, a substance that naturally occurs in the skin. This is the substance that gives skin its natural plump and healthy appearance.
Treatments usually begin with a local anaesthetic administered by the dentist to minimise discomfort during the procedure. This can either be in the form of an injection, or for those who aren’t so fond of needles, a topical anaesthetic cream applied half an hour before treatment. The whole procedure will take little more than half an hour from start to finish, and involves no surgical cutting of the skin.
After treatment, patients may experience some swelling and redness but this will subside in time and you should start to notice results within two to three days. Results will continue to improve for a month and should last up to four months before a new treatment is required. Ask a Wirral dentist about the benefits of dermal fillers and you can rejuvenate your smile
Tags: collagen, dermal fillers
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January 27th, 2010
Smiling is one of the most important methods we have of communicating with each other. A beautiful and genuine smile can break down barriers and put people at ease. For people with less than perfect teeth smiling can be the cause of great embarrassment and the source of self-confidence and esteem issues.
A smile makeover is a complete dental overhaul of your teeth aimed to give you the beaming, confident smile you’ve always wanted. Utilising a variety of dental procedures, a Bootle dentist will be able to radically transform your smile into one that will be the envy of everyone.
There are many options for the dentist to improve your smile. Firstly, they will take into account your features such as skin and hair colour, size and shape of teeth and your profile. They will be able to create a natural and appropriate looking smile according to your existing features. With the advances made in dental technology in the last twenty years there is very little the dentist will not be bale to do with your teeth.
Any existing damage can be repaired with composite bonding, crowns or veneers, Size and spacing issues can be addressed using a process of bonding and the latest in ultra-thin, computer manufactured veneers. Worn down or discoloured teeth can also be treated with the latest porcelain veneers.
Your dentist will be able to discuss any work with you beforehand when you construct your smile blueprint using the latest 3D imaging and digital x-rays. This digital information can also be used to create microscopically accurate repairs, so you can be assured total satisfaction with the results. Once straightened and prepared, the dentist will be able to apply a variety of whitening techniques to improve the colour of your teeth and produce the winning smile you’ve always wanted.
Smile makeovers can include as little or as much work as you require, and there are few limits to what modern dentistry is able to achieve with your teeth. Ask your Bootle dentist about smile makeovers at your nest check up.
Tags: dental bonding, dental crowns, dental veneers, self-confidence, smile makeover, teeth whitening
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January 14th, 2010
Everybody wants to have a beautiful smile and straight teeth but for those of us not naturally blessed there is the option to have our teeth straightened by orthodontic procedures. Twenty years ago this would have meant having an uncomfortable and ugly metal brace fitted for the best part of two years. But treatments have come along way thanks to advances in dental technology. There is now a whole host of alternative straightening methods on the market, ranging from the very fast to the very discreet. Even metal braces have come along way and do have the advantage of being very effective.
For patients looking for the most discreet straightening possible there is the Invisalign retainer form Align technologies. Introduced in 1999 it was the first plastic brace to be really effective. By using a series of computer designed and manufactured retainers, teeth are gradually moved into the desired position. Invisalign retainers are made form one millimetre thick clear plastic that is almost invisible unless up very close to the patient’s mouth. On average about twenty sets of retainers are needed to complete the treatment, each worn for two to three weeks, although it does vary on a patient to patient basis. The retainers also have the advantage of being completely removable, so no foods are off limits during treatment.
Although very discreet, Invisalign retainers can take a long time to be fully effective. For the patient less concerned with discretion than speed of treatment there is the Inman aligner or Six-Month Smile treatments. Six-Month Smile braces achieve results in, you’ve guessed it, six months, by only focussing on the teeth that can be seen when smiling. This increased focus makes these braces ideal for quick ‘finishing touch’ type straightening. Also fast working, the Inman aligner works by using a coiled spring to push the side teeth out and the front teeth forward while encouraging them to straighten. Achieving visible results after only six weeks, the Inman aligner is effective but also expensive.
In the world of metal braces, The Damon system has created a revolutionary slide mechanism that removes the need for painful and regular tightening. Incredibly strong, and far more discreet than old-fashioned metal braces, the Damon brace creates very straight teeth.
Straight teeth can give you the confidence to smile as well as limiting the chance of developing painful complications with bite. They can encourage good profiles and most importantly, give you a reason to smile. A Wirral dentist will be able to discuss with you which system would be most appropriate to straighten your teeth.
Tags: clear plastic retainers, Inman aligner, invisalign, orthodontics, teeth straightening
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