One of the prime directives for any dentist in Birkenhead is to prevent any form of decay developing in the teeth. What can start from something as innocent as forgetting to brush your teeth for a couple of days can quickly lead to plaque forming on the teeth, leading to decay, and in extreme circumstances, tooth loss. Oral hygiene is imperative to fighting plaque and it starts at home. Choosing the right toothpaste and toothbrush, that’s right for you, could also influence the forming of plaque, as can, how you use your brush. All teeth and gums have different sensitivity thresholds, so a consultation with your dentist is required before you make your choices, as using the wrong methods can add to the problems. Toothpastes should contain fluoride, as this is a proven defense against plaque. But a regular regime of oral hygiene should be maintained at all times. Anyone in the dental trade will advise brushing at least twice a day. Flossing, and the use of inter-dental brushes as well help remove foodstuffs that linger in places normal brushes cannot reach. Back this program up with the use of mouth washes, and your visits to the dentist will become a lot easier over time, allowing you to have a healthy mouth throughout your life with the minimum of treatment.
Archive for the ‘dental hygiene’ Category
Removing Plaque with your Toothbrush in Birkenhead
Tuesday, March 1st, 2011Good hygiene habits make Bootle dentists happy
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Like with anything you have to do in life: be it learning to drive or any other skill, learning how to do it properly is the key to success. The same is true of learning to look after your teeth. In the UK at the moment, the health of the nation’s teeth is on the slide so it is important we all learn or relearn the good habits that help to keep our teeth healthy and clean. One of the biggest problems at the moment is people not visiting the dentists often enough. Bootle dentists recommend that we should visit the dentist every six months for a check up appointment. This is the most important habit that we need to get into.
Other important good habits that are fundamental to keeping your teeth as healthy as possible are brushing and flossing correctly. Not only will this keep the teeth looking clean, but it will also significantly reduce the chances of developing dental health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Brushing should be performed twice a day for three minutes. Your dentist will be able to demonstrate the correct way of brushing. This will also help to keep the gums stimulated and clean, which in turn will be good for the teeth. Flossing is important because it helps to remove bacteria and plaque from between the teeth. These are areas that are very hard to reach and often the starting point for many dental problems. These habits are not hard to learn and will only take an extra one or two minutes a day to master. A small sacrifice when you consider the alternative: hours in the dentist’s chair undergoing painful and unpleasant dental surgery. I think you know which is the right decision to make.
Wirral dentist advises which foods to avoid for healthy teeth
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010
Eating can be one of the finest pleasures we can experience but like with so many good things in life it’s not always good for you. This is especially true when it comes to your teeth. So much of the tastiest food is bad for the teeth but this doesn’t mean we have to live a life of deprivation. Eating foods bad for your teeth in small amounts and making sure that you thoroughly clean your teeth afterwards and drink water will usually help to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Foods that are bad for your teeth are mostly those high in sugar. Anything with lots of sugar of overly sticky will probably be not great for your dental health. This includes chocolate, sweets, fizzy drinks and even some fruits. Although it must be said that the natural sugars in fruit are far better for the teeth than artificial sugars. Sugars and starches are so bad for the teeth because they cause plaque and bacteria to stick to the surface of the teeth. This will eventually lead to dental cavities and then decay which will not only be painful but require serious dental treatment.
Other foods bad for your teeth are anything too hard, such as nuts, and food or drink with lots of colouring. This includes coffee and red wine, both of which can leave stains on the surface enamel of the teeth, which can often be permanent. The same is true if drinking too much tea. Wirral dentists recommend brushing your teeth after every meal to remove food particles and traces of bacteria and sugar that have become stuck. Also, drinking water will help to cleanse the teeth after eating, helping to keep your teeth clean. Wirral dentists can give you a bigger list of the foods to avoid and the oral hygiene methods that will hopefully keep your teeth in the best possible condition.
Brush your plaque away with advice from Wirral dentist
Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Plaque is the filmy substance that coats the teeth releasing acids that gradually erodes the tooth enamel and causes decay. It is important to remove plaque as soon as possible to prevent long-term damage to the teeth, which will then need to receive dental treatment.
The most effective way to remove plaque, before it has the opportunity to cause any damage, is by brushing. Wirral dentists recommend brushing your teeth for three minutes twice a day, at least. Ideally it would be after every meal but this isn’t always practical. You should brush your teeth with a brush that has soft bristles for maximum plaque removal. This also has the advantage of not causing any unnecessary gum erosion, which can happen with harder bristles. Dentists also recommend using a brush with a small head so that it can reach more parts of the teeth.
You should hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums so that they are gently cleaned at the same time as the teeth. It can also make a difference what toothpaste you use. For some patients it is beneficial to use a toothpaste with a high fluoride content but it is always a good idea to check with your dentist first.
As well as brushing, it is also necessary to use dental floss at least once a day. This removes plaque from the smaller areas of the teeth and gums that it is difficult to reach with a regular toothbrush. Both brushing and flossing not only keep your teeth free from plaque but they also help to prevent bad breath, 90% of cases of which are caused by insufficient oral hygiene. Ask your dentist for more advice on effective tooth brushing and which brush and paste would be most suitable for your teeth.
Dental hygiene tips from Toxteth dentist
Sunday, 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.
Hygienist at Wirral dentists works to keep your teeth healthy
Friday, 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.
You Can Obtain Flurosis Treatment From Your Kirby Dentist
Sunday, July 12th, 2009
Even though fluoride is very important for dental health, excesses can cause damage under certain circumstances. In particular, when children between the ages of 1 and 4 are exposed to too much fluoride, it can cause spotting and pitting of the enamel surface. Unfortunately, this condition may not be noticeable until permanent teeth begin erupting. It is still very important to take your child to a Kirby dentist in order to make sure that you can reduce the risk of this condition developing. At the same time, if you are older and have flurosis, you can obtain treatment for you condition.
Typically, children wind up getting too much fluoride when they drink from natural water supplies that have naturally high levels of fluoride. If you are not aware of the fluoride content of a well or spring, it will be best to have your water tested. This condition can also develop if your son or daughter has a habit of swallowing toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fortunately, your dentist can teach you how to manage these issues when you bring your child to routine dental exams.
Once natural teeth come in, it is possible to remove the external signs of flurosis. In mild cases, this can be accomplished by bleaching the teeth in order to create a uniform colour. Typically, your dentist will make use of air abrasion in order to reduce pitting and other imperfections caused by excess fluoride during childhood. Depending on the situation, you may also need to have veneers installed.
There is no question that flurosis is an unsightly condition. Even if you have perfect oral hygiene, brown and white stains can make your teeth look awful. Regardless of whether or not you are planning to have a smile makeover, you should include getting treatment for flurosis.
Your Bootle Dentist and Dental Hygiene
Saturday, May 9th, 2009
In order to enjoy healthy teeth and gums, it is important to establish excellent dental hygiene practices. Taking care of your teeth should begin at an early age and should continue from then on. Consider these tips from your Bootle dentist:
• Dental Hygiene for Infants – parents should make sure that their babies are checked by the dentists as soon as their first tooth appears. Proper cleaning tips will be provided as well as tips concerning nutritional requirements. Your dentist will also be able to tell you what to do to prevent tooth decay and how to manage teething.
• Dental Hygiene fro Older Children – as your child grows older, dental hygiene practices should also improve. Your dentist will require regular visits to ensure that the permanent teeth are growing properly and there is no sign of tooth decay or gum problems. In addition, this is the age when you should stress the importance of brushing and flossing.
• Dental Hygiene for Adults – as people grow older, dental hygiene will be focused on gum care. Again, you will need to make regular trips to your dentist for proper cleaning. At this age, you are more susceptible to all kinds of oral conditions because of your lifestyle and diet.
• Dental Hygiene for Elderly – as you reach your twilight years, your dental hygiene practices should be adjusted as well. During these years, you might be more prone to oral conditions such as dry mouth, darkened teeth, periodontal diseases and tooth loss. Aside from poor dental hygiene, you may also have certain medical illness that could aggravate these oral conditions. For this reason, it is vital that you check with your Bootle dentist for advice and proper dental care.