A lot of braces and aligners that are fitted in central London these days are removable, which is great for maintaining a good program of oral hygiene. But if you’ve had the misfortune to be fitted with a fixed brace, extra care needs to be taken when cleaning the teeth and brace to remove all the foodstuffs that can promote a build up of bacteria. This can appear quite complex at first, but bacteria is accompanied by plaque and gum disease- followed by decay, so it’s imperative to get the cleaning right; the cleaning will get easier with time and practice. There is a whole program designed for those wearing fixed braces. It starts with the choice of brush and electric brushes are very good for working around wires and plates. But like all brushes, they will not remove foods that are lodged between gum and tooth. This job is down to small, interdental brushes and floss threaders that can be worked in and around the brace, and into the teeth. The choice of toothpaste is also important- some are designed to attack bacteria and plaque more fiercely than others, a perfect choice for the brace wearer. Of course, mouthwashes are priceless too, and are a perfect accompaniment to a good brush and paste. But there is another trick available to the brace wearer in the form of a dye that highlights any traces of plaque in the mouth. Finally, there’s the dentist, who will be able to clean the brace to when you visit.

One of the more common procedures that a London dentist will carry out when you pay a visit is a scale and polish. This is designed to remove any plaque and tartar that may have developed since your last appointment and to remove any stains that have built up. This form of cleaning is there to maintain oral hygiene, along with the flossing, brushing and mouthwashes that you do at home, and to fend off decay and gum disease. Scaling involves very similar techniques to that of sandblasting by firing blasts of air or finite aluminum particles at the affected areas, as well as ultra sound, to break down tartar. The dentist may also use curettes and small scalars that can remove tiny deposits and smooth the enamel. Depending on the level of build up of tartar to the teeth and if there are any signs of gum disease, you may require a deep scaling below the gums to remove any deeper deposits- this is a more delicate operation that may require a local anesthetic. Once this has been done, your teeth will be polished with a spinning, electric rubber cup and paste to restore the sheen to your teeth. It’s at this point your dentist can determine any signs of acid erosion to the enamel of your teeth and apply a fluoride treatment.

If you suffer from any form of periodontitis in London, you are not only running the risk of expensive treatments to correct the problem, but you are tripling the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Gum disease can lead to infection of the blood which can lead to the narrowing and/or the hardening of the arteries. Yet, with a little common sense, these problems can be avoided by having a healthy programme of diet and oral hygiene. What you put in your mouth can affect your teeth and gums, so it’s important to have a fairly balanced diet and maybe cut down on the smoking. But the best way of maintaining your teeth and gums is through good oral hygiene. This begins with regular visits to the dentist and then keeping up a high level of hygiene at home. Of course, this starts with brushing, flossing and mouthwashes at least twice a day, but it doesn’t stop there. It’s also important to get the right toothpaste and brushes that suit you. There are many to choose from on the market and it may be a matter of trial and error until you get the combination that suits you, but you should also confer with your dentist if you have any doubts. If any emergencies arise, dentists are there to help- they can correct any problems in the mouth and put a stop to such diseases developing in the mouth. Heart disease is difficult to fight once it has set in and can seriously disable your life; preventing it should be high on your agenda and this starts by keeping your mouth healthy.

Oral hygiene should fit into your regime in London as importantly as anything else in your life, for it can have very serious implications to your overall health, let alone your bank balance in the long run. If you have any doubts about how you should care for your teeth, the first point of contact should be your dentist (for a check up anyway!). Every mouth is different as are most people’s constitution, so your dentist can advise you on what is best for you. Your choice of toothpaste and brush are the important tools to start with and sometimes this can be a little bit of trial and error to get right at first. Mouthwashes are also useful to have in the bathroom cabinet as they help to fight plaque and tartar. Dental floss and tiny brushes are very good for getting into areas that general brushing misses. Yet, along with these obvious products, it’s also helpful to plan ahead for any crisis that may arise. There is no harm in having a few herbal remedies such tea tree, Echinacea, clove or aloe vera oils lying around the house- all of which can be used with general products anyway, but along with painkillers, they are great for soothing any discomfort that may crop up. Of course, it’s quite important what you put in your mouth too. Smoking, heavy drinking and poor diet can reduce the immune system and allow gum disease to have its wicked way in your mouth. And lest we forget, all this information is readily available on-line so, do a little research yourself and keep your mouth healthy.

It should be fairly obvious to us all in central London by now, that we should maintain a high standard of oral hygiene to keep our mouths fresh and healthy and keep bacteria at bay, especially if we are prone to bad breath or halitosis. It might seem odd then, that using, or the over-use of certain products may be promoting bad breath. In a rush to clean our mouths, we can tend to go over the top. Some products can be very wearing on the enamel of the teeth and on the gums and too much abrasion can lead to gum disease and cavities that house bacteria and lead to bad breath. Other products can break down the saliva and leave the mouth dry- especially those toothpastes that promise to whiten the teeth, and contain peroxides or baking soda. Once the mouth becomes dry, the tongue, gums and teeth are vulnerable because germs and bacteria can cling-on a lot easier. But probably, the most surprising products of all that enhance bad breath are alcohol based. Alcohol is great for slaughtering germs, but can leave the mouth dry and sticky, especially mouthwashes. Once we have brushed and rinsed, the alcohol stays in the mouth and can actually add to bad breath unless washed away with plain, warm water. Any doubts that you may have about the products can be laid to rest by consulting your dentist.

If you think about it, the mouth is the gateway to the rest of you, and what you put in it and how you look after it, can directly affect the health of your whole body. In central London, oral hygiene should be high on everyone’s list because if gum disease is allowed to develop in the mouth, it not only leads to oral problems such as tooth decay and loss, but it has been linked to more serious problems throughout the body. For starters, gum disease can lead to inflammation in the heart, causing disease and stroke; also, the problem can cause digest problems, leading to diabetes and kidney disease. But women are further at risk- when pregnant, they are more vulnerable to gum disease because of hormonal changes and this can lead to premature birth. Aside from this, the occlusion of the mouth is very important- this is how the jaws come together, or the ‘bite’. A bad bite needs to be rectified (normally done through orthodontic procedures such as braces) because there is a lot of pressure placed upon to small joints where the jaws are hinged. A bad occlusion can lead to the joint becoming worn, causing the jaw to click and directly affects the upper body. Head, ear and eye aches and neck pains are directly caused by a bad occlusion and can lead to the whole upper back being put at risk.

If you want to make sure that your mouth is healthy you ought to make regular appointments to see your dentist. These check ups involve professionals assessing your mouth for any problems with your teeth or gums. Early diagnosis means that any conditions you might have are far easier to treat and you can relax knowing that you have a nice smile and won’t have to worry about difficulties with eating, drinking or talking.

In conjunction with this it is very important that you are brushing your teeth for about three minutes, twice every day and flossing to clear debris from the parts of your mouth that your brush cannot reach. Nine out of ten people suffer from gum disease at some point in their lives so it is very important that your meet your dentist every six months. This can nip any problems in the bud early and lessen the chances of painful conditions and invasive procedures.

Even if you have not seen your dentist in a while there is no need to be embarrassed. Your City of London dentist will help you attain a life time of oral hygiene if you see him or her every six months for a dental check up. They are trained to thoroughly examine your mouth for diseases and problems affecting your teeth and gums as well as look out for signs of oral cancer.

Make an appointment today to see your City of London dentist for a dental check up that will put you at ease as to the state of health in your mouth.

Any dentist in the city of London will tell you that good oral hygiene is central in the fight against tooth decay. If bacterial plaque is allowed to build up it forms tartar- leading to cavities and infection of the gums. Cavities (or caries) occur on the chewing surface of the tooth. These are hard to reach and the build up of acids begin the decay process. Gums will bleed and infection will set in. Brushing is paramount- choosing the right brush and tooth paste is too. Dentists recommend cleaning at least twice a day and after meals with a brush that is designed for you. Bleeding gums can be combated by rinsing with warm, salty water. But food has a habit of getting in places where the brush will not reach. This calls for flossing to remove the food and check the build up of plaque. Keeping the tongue clean is important, by light brushing and mouthwashes. A dentist will also advocate professional cleaning twice a year, de-scaling and polishing the teeth, and if required, debridement, followed by a good fluoride treatment. A good diet helps in the growth of healthy, strong teeth. Vitamin’s A and C, and polyphenol antioxidants can be found in fruit and vegetables, green tea, milk and cheese, all will maintain a ph balance in the mouth. Keeping your mouth healthy is important to the whole of body. Bad oral hygiene can lead to pneumonia, heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis (weak bones}. Always consult with your dentist

Toothpaste is the soft substance that is applied to toothbrushes to aid with the cleaning of teeth. It is very effective at removing plaque and bacteria from the surfaces of the teeth and often contains fluoride, which helps to protect the teeth against gum disease and tooth decay. It is also a great way of keeping the breath fresh and the smile looking healthy. Toothpaste, along with dental floss and mouthwash make up a strong defence against al forms of dental disease.

Toothpaste is mostly made of fluoride, thickener, detergent, flavouring, humectant and flavouring and in the case of specialist toothpaste for sensitive teeth, also contains potassium chloride which helps to stop the pain of sensitive teeth.

There are many types of toothpaste available on the market to suit different types of teeth. As well as the toothpaste for sensitive teeth there is also different kinds for dealing with tartar, pastes that offer extra protection against cavities and pastes that aim to whiten the teeth. Some pastes may suit one person but not the other so it is always a good idea to check with your London dentist before you start to use a particular brand. It is also necessary to check with your dentist when using toothpaste that contains fluoride, specially if children are using it as excessive amounts can be damaging for children’s teeth and can cause fluorosis.

Toothpaste forms an integral part of the dental hygiene routine and helps to keep the teeth safe and protect against damage. Toothpaste is especially effective against sugary foods which is why dentists always recommend brushing your teeth after eating meals.

Bad breath can be a very embarrassing and often unpleasant social condition more often than not caused by insufficient oral hygiene. There have probably been times in our lives when we have all suffered with bad breath because of certain circumstances but if it is happening on a regular basis then you need to consider making some serious changes to your oral hygiene routine.

However, one of the really cruel things about bad breath is that it is very hard to know if you are suffering from it. Therefore you need to be aware that by not brushing and flossing properly each day, you could have bad breath that everyone notices except you.

In almost 90 per cent of cases, bad breath is caused by oral problems. While in some cases it may be to do with digestion issues, it is always worth exploring the most simple explanation first and in this case it is due to bad brushing of the teeth. Bad breath is caused by food particles getting caught in the teeth. Bacteria then breeds on these particles and release foul smelling gases as they decompose. This is then carried out on the breath causing the problem. The simple solution therefore is to remove these food particles by brushing and flossing twice a day. Then the bacteria will have nowhere to breed and your breath will stay fresh.

Your Central London dentist will be able to tell you more about how best to clean your teeth and what you need to do to avoid bad breath. Treating bad breath really is that simple in most cases despite what the thousands of internet sites promising miracle cures may say.