Archive for June, 2012

Patients from Bootle know how to brush their teeth the right way

Friday, June 29th, 2012

Brushing our teeth is one of the first oral hygiene tasks we learn as children. It is recommended that we should brush our teeth twice a day. If you don’t brush your teeth properly, plaque will form, build up and lead to tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.

Hints and tips

People from Bootle should brush their teeth first thing in the morning before breakfast and the same before you go to bed. Don’t forget the small gaps either so as to eliminate as much plaque and left over food bits as possible.

Most people think that even better oral hygiene would be to brush teeth immediately after you have finished a meal but this is false. You should never brush them straight after a meal as this can damage the teeth, in particular if you have just had fizzy drinks, fruit, wine or acidic foods. The reason for this is that tooth enamel will soften and it can then be worn by brushing.

Is an electric toothbrush better than manual?

Generally it doesn’t matter which form of tooth brush you choose if you brush properly. Some individuals find electric toothbrushes easier to use but it is all down to personal taste. You should try to replace your brush every three months and of course never share your toothbrush as this spreads bacteria. Ask your dentist for advice if you have any queries or problems. Call 0151 520 2766 for a free consultation at Saving faces in Bootle.

 

Patients from Bootle take on the treatment choice of dental bridges

Thursday, June 21st, 2012

Dental bridges are used for replacing a missing tooth and are a very popular method of solving this issue. A false tooth is used, often called a ‘pontic’, and is fused onto the neighbouring teeth, therefore bridging together both the teeth on either side of the false tooth and the false tooth itself.

The false tooth is usually made of porcelain, gold or alloys, with appearance factors such as skin colour and hair colour being taken into consideration when deciding on the shade of the false tooth.

Why have dental bridges?

A dental bridge is needed when one or more teeth are missing. Having a missing tooth has many serious side-effects affecting your dental health but also it can affect many other areas.

A missing tooth can affect both your smile and your appearance and it can give you low self-esteem and make you self-conscious about smiling or speaking. A missing tooth can also affect your bite, speech and shape of face.

Apart from these issues missing teeth can lead to gum disease and tooth decay, when food goes into the gaps in your mouth and bacteria grows.

Types of treatment

There are three types of dental bridges available for patients from Bootle, the first being a traditional fixed bridge that cannot be moved. Then there are resin-bonded bridges which are used when a front tooth is missing. The third is called Cantilever bridges which again are used for the front teeth but when only one tooth is present on one side.

Dental bridges can last anything between 10-15 years if you maintain good oral hygiene and eating habits.

Other advantages

Dental bridges are natural in appearance and often only take two appointments at the dentist, so they are fast and efficient. They have a good life period and give an improved appearance. Call 0151 520 2766 for a free consultation at Saving faces in Bootle.

 

Patients from Merseyside continue the fight against dry mouth

Thursday, June 14th, 2012

There are a number of reasons why people suffer from a dry mouth. These include side-effects from medication, illnesses such as diabetes, mouth breathing (often occurring when you have a blocked nose) and fretfulness.

Saliva helps to absorb food and make it easier to munch and swallow, and it is also a natural way of cleansing the mouth. If saliva is absent this would make the mouth more prone to gum disease and tooth decay, and so it is very important to treat dry mouth problems as soon as possible.

Treatments available

Your dentist or doctor can look at and manage any underlying medical conditions that may be causing dry mouth. They can also look at preventing tooth decay and ways of escalating the flow of saliva. They may also recommend other things such as drinking water regularly, sucking on ice cubes, using chewing gum (sugar-free) or an artificial rinse or spray. You can also get mouthwashes, toothpastes and moisturising gels over-the-counter.

Scientist are also developing ways of repair damaged salivary glands and artificial salivary glands that could hopefully be implanted into the body one day.

Preventing dry mouth

If you are worried about dry mouth or simply want to prevent it, speak to your doctor or dentist for advice and keep up with a good dental hygiene schedule. You should brush your teeth following meals, but not immediately, and at bedtime, floss regularly and use toothpaste that contains fluoride. Having regularly dentist checks will also help. Call 0151 520 2766 for a free consultation at Saving faces in Bootle.

 

Patients from Wirral use the proper equipment to avoid dental injuries in sport

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

If you regularly participate in contact sports such as boxing, rugby, hockey or martial arts you are at high risk of dental injuries unless you wear a guard to protect your mouth. Mouth guards are like wearing a bike helmet when riding a bike. They prevent injuries and a lifetime of dental procedures and costs. They cover both the teeth and gums and can prevent injury in contact sports.

Types of mouth guards

There are three main types of mouth guards available for patients from Wirral. The first is known as the stock or ready-made mouth guard. This is the cheapest of the types and is preformed, does not fit the individual’s mouths and can be bought in most sport shops. In fact it is a ‘one size fits all’ type of mouth guard. You can probably guess this type is the least effective and the least protective from dental injuries.

The next type is mouth formed and is often called ‘boil and bite’. This is the most common type and is usually fitted by immersing the mouth guard into boiling water and then placing it in the mouth in order to fit it. Again, whilst it is marginally more protective than the stock mouth guard many dentists still consider it inadequate when it comes to the safety of your teeth.

The last type is the custom-made mouth guards which come in two types, vacuum form and pressure laminated. They are both fitted by a dentist who takes into consideration the particular sport it is needed for, the age of the patient, dental history, design and comfort. The pressure laminated is seen as the most superior as it is multi-layered for the ultimate fit and comfort.

Whichever mouth guard you decide to use, many sports and even schools these days make wearing a mouth guard compulsory. If you have any questions or queries about avoiding dental injuries talk to your dentist. Call 0151 520 2766 for a free consultation at Saving faces in Bootle.

 

Overcoming a Dry Mouth on Merseyside: Saving Faces has the facts

Friday, June 1st, 2012

One of the many dangers that can affect your mouth is when your saliva dries up and leaves your mouth dehydrated on Merseyside. Now compared to some conditions in the mouth, this can be a bit of a luxury, yet if the condition persists, it can lead to the more serious problems in the mouth. The lack of saliva can be caused by many things; for a start, if you have an unhealthy lifestyle, smoke and debauch yourself regularly, it can start to affect your immune system and in the end, your saliva will start to dry up- the one thing that helps to stave of bacteria in the mouth. Heavy medication can also have the same effect as well. It isn’t an easy condition to get to the bottom of, but you should address the way you go about living your life. This should start with your diet and habits: these should be turned over in order to give yourself a chance; avoid caffeine based drinks, fast foods and heavy drinking, at least until the balance of your mouth is back on track. You should also attempt to keep your mouth in a high state of hydration and use sweets and gum that are sugar-free in order to stimulate your mouth. You can get all of the information you need from Saving Faces in Bootle. Call 0151 520 2766 for a free consultation at Saving faces in Bootle.