London cosmetic dentistry

Posts Tagged ‘brushing teeth’

City of London dentists advise patients have regular dental check ups to ensure lasting oral hygiene

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

Taking good care of your teeth begins at home with how you look after your teeth. You should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing so that plaque doesn’t build up between your teeth. This is essential in order to make sure that you don’t suffer from tooth decay and gum disease. But just as important is ensuring that you have regular check ups at your dentist.

You should visit your dentist every six months so that your mouth can be examined by a professional who is expert in all aspects of your teeth and gums. At these check ups your dentist will be able to assess how successful your home oral hygiene routine is and offer you advice about how to improve it if necessary. He or she might say, for example, that you should consider using a softer bristled brush.

Your dentist will be able to spot early signs of things like tooth decay and gum disease and offer diagnosis before the problem gets any worse. It is always better to pre-empt these things and avoid the need to have invasive surgery. Dentists are also trained to spot the signs of oral cancer, early diagnosis of which might just save your life.

No matter how well you take care of your teeth at home there are some things that only your dentist can do. If plaque has built up on your teeth, for example, then it is only your dentist which can remove the tartar which it will be forming into. Don’t delay, book an appointment for a check up at your City of London dentist today.

Central London dentist with important advice about toothbrushes

Monday, October 18th, 2010

Brushing your teeth is one of the most important ways of looking after your teeth as it removes plaque and keeps the teeth free from debris and food particles which attract bacteria and lead to enamel erosion and dental decay. As well as brushing the teeth it is also advised that you floss at least once a day to get to the areas that are hard to reach for a regular toothbrush.

When choosing a toothbrush, dentists recommend using a brush with soft bristles as this removes more plaque and bacteria. Hard bristled brushes can also can also over-stimulate the gums and cause the erosion of gum tissue. Once this tissue has been removed it cannot be restored and will leave the teeth exposed and looking uneven.

As well as having soft bristles, it is also advised that you use a brush with a small head as this will allow you to reach more areas of the mouth. This is important because it is often in these areas where plaque and bacteria build up the most and cause the most damage over time.

You should hold the brush at a forty-five degree angle which and use a small circular motion which will both remove plaque form the teeth and also stimulate the gums keeping them free from gum disease. Central London dentists recommend that you brush the teeth twice a day for at least three minutes. This will be sufficient to keep the teeth clean, although you should also keep up your six monthly check up appointments with the dentist to ensure that no other problems are developing in the harder to reach areas. Catching dental problems early is the key to successful treatment.

Advice from your Central London Dentist about Brushing Your Teeth Right after You Drink Soda

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

People brush their teeth to keep them in good shape and clean. However, if you brush your teeth immediately after soda consumption may accelerate the damage to your teeth rather than help preserve them. This is most likely due to the damaging effect that the soda’s acid has on tooth enamel, and with this acid present, tooth brushing can further worsen the enamel damage. A research study has reported that allowing thirty to sixty minutes following the consumption of the soda can help to protect the enamel. This works by allowing the mineral buffering action of the saliva time to work. The longer the waiting period after soda consumption, the less likely the enamel damage. The normal buffering pH of saliva is 6.2-7.0. If the saliva’s pH drops below 5.5, the tooth enamel can weaken and begin to demineralise. Soda has a pH of 2.5, due to the ingredient phosphoric acid, and can cause a lot of enamel damage. Saliva normalizes this acidic and protects the teeth. If tooth enamel is allowed to weaken, the tooth has a higher probability of breaking. Chewing sugarless gum after soda consumption is a good solution.

London Dental Clinic Offers Dentistry for Children

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

Bring your child to the London Dental Clinic to have a dental check-up, and for prevention and treatment. They have a very understanding and compassionate staff. Oral hygiene performed properly is essential to development and growth of your child. Dental caries is the most common childhood disease. Infants and children both require good oral health.Here is a series of issues that you need to understand to have a healthy infant or child. A strong relationship exists between your child eating sweets and dental caries. Keep your child away from sugars, especially sticky sugars. You may think, well my child is going to lose their baby teeth anyways. Keep these teeth in good shape for as long as possible, as they help with jaw bone development and growth so that the adult teeth have sufficient room to erupt into the mouth. Some individuals have teeth when they are born that need to be removed, and a primary tooth is visible in the mouth by 6 months. From 6-25 months, your infant will start teething and your London dentist can give you advise about your baby biting on different objects, drooling, ear pulling, massaging the infants gums, and use of a teething ring that is cold. There are also teething ointments that your dentist can suggest. By age 3, most of the baby teeth are in the mouth; possibly all of the baby teeth are present. From 6-12 years of age, your child will have a mixture of primary and adult teeth.

Your children need to brush, and watch them to make sure they do it correctly and don’t swallow toothpaste. Replace your child’s toothbrush every 2-3 months. Use a very small amount of toothpaste. Buy new toothbrushes every few months and throw away the old ones. If your baby takes any type of medication, make sure that you wipe their teeth after giving them the medication, as acids in the medication can dissolve the teeth.

Your infant/child should visit your London dentist at 1 year old. This way you set the groundwork for a long-term relationship with both the dentist and the dental hygienist. Remember it is much better for you and your child to keep their gums and teeth healthy. Prevention is the key, and is a lot less expensive than dental treatment. Your London dentist may recommend sealants for your child’s adult teeth once they erupt, to help to prevent cavities. Also, fluoride treatments should be performed during your child’s regular checkups. Your child will also be taught how to floss their teeth, and mouth washing may also be recommended. You should also get an orthodontic consultation for your child at around the age of seven. So, bring your infant or child to your London Dental Clinic to maintain their oral health.

Londoners, it’s all about the fluoride

Friday, August 29th, 2008

I was once asked if brushing teeth is fine to do even without toothpaste. He further explained that since it is the brushing motion that dislodges the food particles and sweeps away bacteria in the oral cavity, then why do need toothpaste for? If it only were for having that minty fresh breath, then you can just use some mouthwash.

However, using toothpaste is also an essential part of oral hygiene. It supplies the needed fluoride that the teeth use for strength and the prevention of decay and caries. It can also re-mineralize certain areas of the teeth that have weakened due to decay.

Even during the 1960s, tap water in several parts of the world, including London and the US has undergone fluoridation, given low levels of fluorine in the water. According to the local dental associations, this augments the fluoride need of each person. It meets the daily allowance of fluorine in the body which is often lacking in the diet.

Unfortunately, several people are also opposed to this fluoridation, saying that there is no difference between the oral conditions of children using fluoride filled water and those without fluoride. In fact, there are also studies showing kids having dental fluorosis due to too much intake of fluorine. Dental fluorosis is a condition wherein the surfaces of the teeth weaken and get discoloured.

In conclusion, anything should be taken in moderation. Fluorine can be an enemy and a friend, depending on how it is used. It will just be up to you on how to deal with it.

The Basic Information on Gum Disease for people of London

Thursday, August 28th, 2008

This disease affects people of all ages. Periodontal is also referred to gum disease. Generally it is an infection of the tissues and bones that support the entire network of teeth. If this disease is not treated it can become so serious causing the teeth to become loose and hence they will gradually fall out.
This disease is often caused by the buildup of plague, which is an accumulation of germs which form around the teeth and gums. The plague consists of bacteria which produces toxins that damage the gums.
There are several hundreds of bacteria which live in our mouth. Hence we battle every time by brushing, flossing our teeth and also visiting your London dentist regularly in order to fight these germs.
Gingivitis and Periodontitis are the gum diseases which are often known as serious infections.
Gingivitis – It is often known as the mildest form of gum disease and it causes the gums to be come red and swollen. The gums become very week and at times they bleed. This disease is often caused by lack of oral hygiene.
Periodontitis – is known as the advance stage of gingivitis. The plague spreads and grows below the gum. The bacteria produced causes discomfort to the gums. The gums begin to separate from the teeth since the tissues and bones that support the teeth will be destroyed.
There are several forms of Periodontitis and the commons ones are Aggressive Periodontitis, Chronic Periodontitis, Periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic diseases, Necrotizing periodontal disease.
The symptoms of gum disease are that gums start to bleed whilst sleeping or brushing your teeth. Gums begin to turn red and become swollen.
This disease can be cured by the use of professional treatment or oral home care that includes healthy eating, flossing and brushing of teeth regularly.

Have a healthy mouth by cleaning the spaces between your teeth and visiting my dental clinic here in London as often as you can

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

Everyone wants to have a radiant smile and healthy teeth. A lot of people pay attention to the beauty of teeth from the outside. The truth is that you also have to take care of the little spaces between your teeth in order to have a completely healthy mouth. It is impossible to have a radiant smile and a healthy mouth if you do not clean the spaces between your teeth.

I’ve been practicing dentistry for years already and I always tell my patients that you have to take care of the spaces between your teeth. There are a lot of ways to take care of the spaces between your teeth. In my dental clinic here in London, I offer total cleaning of the teeth or what is also known as prophylaxis. I recommend that you have total teeth cleaning once a year or more.

Aside from visiting your dentist, you also have to do your own interdental cleaning at home. Keep those spaces between your teeth as clean as possible by using dental floss. After you brush your teeth, you can reach the spaces between your teeth through dental floss. Try to brush and floss your teeth twice a day.

Flossing has evolved. There are several types of floss for your teeth nowadays. You can use super floss which is a foamy and spongy type of floss. This floss cleans spaces between your teeth much better because of its spongy nature. Dental tape is a type of floss that is wider than the usual floss. Since the area of flossing is bigger, dental tape can cover larger surface areas between your teeth. The last type of floss involved floss holders. With floss holders, the floss is usually stronger than the average floss and the holder makes it easier for you to navigate through the spaces between your teeth.

If you aren’t flossing regularly then consider getting floss as soon as possible. Prevent the onset of any kind of tooth decay or gum disease by cleaning the spaces between your teeth. I never fail to reiterate to my patients to brush and floss twice or more daily.

Brushing is not enough to prevent gum disease so you should visit your dentist in London as often as possible

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

Aside from telling my patients that they have to take care of their teeth, I never fail to stress the importance of taking care of their gums as well. If you do not take care of your gums then there will be no place for your teeth. The gums are the foundation for your teeth and if you don’t take care of them then don’t expect to have healthy teeth too.

I’ve seen a lot of patients here in London who always brush their teeth but still complain that their gums hurt. How can this happen? The most important thing that you have to understand is that there are spaces between your teeth and your gums. We’re not talking about the evident little spaces between your teeth. We’re talking about the spaces that are snuggled between your teeth and your gums. This is the kind of space that you can’t see with your bare eyes.

Gum disease is caused mainly by bacteria and germs. The build up of bacteria and germs is caused by accumulated plaque. Plaque is a mixture of food and different kinds of bacteria that accumulate in the mouth. There are a lot of people who brush their teeth but fail to clean these spaces between the teeth and gums. When this plaque accumulates, you will end up getting some sort of gum disease.

Gingivitis is the most common type of gum disease. This is characterized by swelling gums, bleeding gums after brushing, and smelly breath. If you do not treat gingivitis then the gum disease may get worse and become periodontitis. This is when your teeth start falling out of your mouth. It’s scary to go through this so don’t tempt fate!

Brushing your teeth everyday is great for your teeth but there are some areas in your mouth that need expert cleaning. Visit your dentist once or twice a year so that you can have these tricky places cleaned. Preventing gum disease is the best way to have a healthy mouth and a radiant smile. Don’t wait for gum disease to happen and don’t let it get worse if you have it already.

Teeth straightening in London with Invisalign

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

Invisalign is the undetectable way to set straight your teeth without putting on formal metal braces.

Invisalign makes use of a sequence of clear, detachable specially made plastic aligners to budge your teeth. This engineering is also easy, annulling the mouth scratches that can be induced by the metal and wires of conservative braces. This method is more convenient because the person undertaking invisalign treatment need not spend too much of time in a London dental clinic.

Why People Prefer Invisalign Over Metal Braces?

• People prefer invisalign to metal braces because they are hygienic.
• No metal bands or wires which can trap food or plaque in your teeth.
Oral hygiene can be easily maintained.

Pros and cons of invisalign:
Pros:
 When compared to the conventional metal and rubber band braces the invisalign aligners are removable. This helps you to remove them when you eat or brush your teeth

 You need not worry about the breakage of rubber bands because invisalign aligners are convenient. You need not visit your dentist often.

 The transparent colour of the invisalign aligners does not make it noticeable. Your teeth are perfectly aligned without feeling self conscious.

Cons:
 People with sensitive gums or teeth will feel some discomfort when they wear invisalign aligners. But this discomfort will be only temporary. Once you get used to invisalign aligner you will not feel it.
 In rare cases some people break aligners due to teeth grinding habit. And the constant removal of the aligners is a bit risky.
Invisalign aligners are a bit more expensive than the regular metal braces.
 Consider the following before going in for invisalign:

Before Choosing Invisalign seek the advice of your dentist:
Your oral health is of course vital and your decision to straighten it is a great idea. But it is always better if you get your dentist check the complete condition of your mouth and find out if you are fit for this treatment. Some people may have to undergo gum treatment before invisalign.