Having healthy teeth isn’t a gift, it isn’t a lucky thing either, it is a by-product of having a healthy attitude to oral care. That attitude is best taught when someone is a child; eating habits and dental hygiene are an important part of our education. We teach our children the rights and wrongs of life, so if we exclude dental care we aren’t doing our jobs properly as parents. There’s an old saying that goes “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for life”, what great wisdom there is in that saying. If we take the literacy of that and apply it to dental and oral care, we will be doing our children a great service. Not only will they have their teeth longer, but we won’t have to sit outside the dentist room so often, while they get treatment that could be avoided with a little common sense. Eating the right food isn’t only good for our diet, but it is also good for our teeth. When we eat food we chew it first, and in this process we produce saliva that helps us swallow and break down the food into energy. However, this process also produces bad bacteria that damage our teeth, often beyond repair. Teeth aren’t only just for childhood; they can be for life if we use a little common sense, and an early learnt routine of oral care. Oral care isn’t just about brushing, flossing and mouth washes, it is also about healthy eating and keeping bad bacteria to a minimum. Fish, fresh fruit and vegetables as well as sugarless drinks will help us to keep tooth decay to a minimum, as well as those expensive dental bills as adults.

The old adage that prevention is better than cure is nowhere more true than when it comes to your teeth. The most important weapons in the war against dental decay, gum disease and tooth loss is effective cleaning and regular six-month dental check ups.

Dentists recommend that patients brush their teeth twice a day for three minutes using an appropriate brush and the correct toothpaste for their teeth. Brushing helps to remove plaque, which is a filmy substance that builds up around the tooth enamel. Plaque is made up of bacteria and other debris that attacks enamel, eventually breaking it down and causing cavities. If a dentist does not repair these cavities they will penetrate to the root of the tooth causing pain and eventual tooth loss. Plaque can be removed by normal brushing but if it is not it will turn into tartar which cannot and will require a dental hygienist to remove it.

It is also very important to floss everyday. Flossing cleans the spaces in between the teeth that cannot be cleaned by regular brushing, where plaque can build up undisturbed. Flossing also cleans below the gum line, another hard spot to reach with a regular toothbrush. Brushing and flossing are the front line defence against dental problems and should prevent most dental disease. However, brushing and flossing alone are not sufficient to prevent all dental concerns. It is crucial that patients visit their dentist every six-months so that they can check for the first signs of any problems. Even the most ardent of brushers may still be susceptible to tooth decay and catching it early really can save a lot of pain and financial burden in the future.

Dentists are also trained to examine patients for the signs of other oral concerns such as cancer. Oral cancer is a particularly virulent form of the disease but has an 80 per cent survival rate if caught sufficiently early. A City of London dentist will examine for the signs of oral cancer as part of a regular check up and can take a swab of any suspicious looking material.

Maintaining a good standard of oral hygiene could save you a lifetime of costly and painful dental problems. Most dental issues are easily remedied at early stages but treatment becomes more and more difficult the more advanced the problem. A few minutes spent brushing and flossing each day, combined with a twenty minute check up every six months from a City of London dentist could be all it takes to keep your teeth and gums healthy for life.

Bleeding gums caused by poor dental hygiene can end up causing heart disease according to health professionals.

People who don’t brush their teeth correctly, or who don’t floss regularly enough, often suffer from bleeding gums. It is thought that this might provide an entry to the bloodstream for the hundreds of millions of bacteria that call your mouth their home. This could result in an increased chance of heart disease and even a heart attack.

The mouth is one of the dirtiest places in the human body when it comes to bacteria. Allowing the bacteria into your blood stream from the mouth can be very dangerous. Once in the blood it sticks to the platelets, the cells responsible for coagulating to heal cuts and wounds. Once bacteria have attached themselves to the platelets it can cause blood vessels to become blocked which is obviously bad for the heart.

The only treatment for this kind of bacterial blockage is an aggressive course of antibiotics. But as bacteria become ever more resistant to modern antibiotic medicines this form of treatment is becoming less and less effective.

The one sure-fire way of beating this form of heart disease is prevention. Maintaining a healthy standard of oral hygiene can limit the number of dangerous bacteria in the mouth and ensure that they have no pathway into the bloodstream. Dentists in Central London recommend brushing teeth at least twice a day to help prevent the build up of plaque, the filmy substance around the teeth that is the breeding ground for bacteria. Flossing at least once a day can also help to destroy plaque, and kill bacteria.

Inadequate brushing or flossing can lead to cavities or gum disease (gingivitis) which can cause weakened gums to bleed and recede. Shutting this door once and for all could save your life and help you have a healthy heart, and for a few extra minutes a day, that really can’t be bad.

Next to brushing, flossing is the most important method of maintaining healthy teeth and good oral hygiene. Millions of bacteria can live in the gaps between your teeth, especially on particles of food that are lodged there. Flossing is crucial in removing these particles that are breeding grounds for nasty bacteria which can cause tooth decay, bad breath and other assorted oral health problems.

If these areas are not regular cleaned the bacteria will eventually produce acid, which will eat into tooth enamel and cause cavities. It will also produce foul smelling sulfurous compounds which are the major cause of embarrassing bad breath.

The bacteria live in a substance called plaque, which is made up of mucus and other debris. Brushing can get rid of plaque but often misses harder to reach places such as between the teeth and below the gumline. Flossing regularly can ensure that these harder to reach areas are kept clean and prevent the build up of plaque.

If plaque is not removed by brushing or flossing it will eventually harden into a substance called tartar which can only be removed by a dentist. If tartar is left to build up it can produce nasty toxins which can cause gingivitis, a disease that causes painful irritation of the gums. Eventually, this can lea to the erosion of the bone structure that hold the teeth in place and will result in tooth loss. There is a also evidence to suggest that flossing regularly can prevent oral cancer and other cancer in the body.

The American Dental Association recommends flossing the teeth at least once a day. For advice on how to floss your teeth properly consult your London dentist who can show you how to protect your smile for a lifetime.

A bundle of thin filaments made of Nylon, Teflon or Polyethylene ribbon is known as a dental floss. They help to remove dental plaque and food particles present on the teeth. Regular use of dental floss will help in controlling tooth decay and gum diseases that is commonly seen nowadays. Floss can reach those places like the gum line which is not possible using a toothbrush. It is highly recommended to do flossing everyday for maximum results.

Flossing is a technique which should be performed in the right way to achieve results. Use an 18 inch floss to clean you teeth everyday from the accumulation of plaque and food substances. Wind both ends of the floss on your middle finger and leave around 2 to 3 inches with which you can work on your teeth. Hold the thread strongly between your fingers and scratch the sides of your teeth. When it reaches the base of the tooth, slowly and gently rub the floss on the gums. Do not use your floss harshly as it can lead to bruises on the delicate gums. Repeat the same techniques till you clean every teeth and performing this act everyday will give you a healthy and strong teeth.

There are two types of dental floss which are present nowadays.
• Nylon- It is available in various flavours. As it is composed of many strand of nylon it can sometimes be harmful for the gums especially when it comes to tight contact places.
• PTFE- It is made up of monofilament and slides easily in between the teeth and helps in removing debris and plaque.

Dental flossing is recommended by all the dentists in London for protecting your teeth from decay and preventing gum diseases.

Bad breath or halitosis can be a caused for people to stay away from you. Covering your mouth every time you speak can be tiring and degrading. Good news is, fresh breath is not that hard to achieve. You just have to understand what causes bad breath and to follow some tips on how to maintain fresh breath.
The bacteria that live in the whitish coating on your tongue’s posterior portion are the major reason why you could lose your fresh breath. A secondary cause of halitosis is the bacteria that could gather in other areas of your mouth.
Here are some tips from London dentists on how to maintain fresh breath:
• Always practice and maintain good oral hygiene. A good oral hygiene can eliminate the bacteria that are the main cause of bad breath.
• A good oral hygiene consists of brushing your teeth two to three times daily, flossing once a day, using an oral rinse and regular check up with your dentists. Using sprays, breath mints, gums and mouthwash may only give you a limited time of having fresh breath.
• Avoid dry mouth as it promotes bad breath. Drink plenty of water regularly, stop smoking and stay away from alcohol.
• Brush your teeth after eating protein-rich foods such as cheese and fish. Protein is said to contribute to bad breath.
• Clean your dentures regularly using antiseptic solutions.
• If symptoms of bad breath still persist despite taking the necessary steps to maintain fresh breath, consult your London dentist. Halitosis can be a sign of faulty dental work, gum disease or other medical problems.

It refers to removal of the plaque in between two teeth where the normal brushes cannot reach. Brushing with the normal brush removes only 60% of the plaque. We have to floss constantly to remove the remaining parts of the plaque. Tooth decay usually starts in between to teeth. Therefore inter dental cleaning is essential for the lifelong health of your teeth and gum. There are many devices available in the market for inter dental cleaning .That includes,
1. Inter dental Brush
2. Dental Floss
3. Tooth Picks
4. Inter space Brush
5. Irrigation Devices
6. Floss Threaders

Inter dental Brush
This brush has a long narrow handle with an extra fine bristled tapered brush head. Inter dental brush is used for patients with periodontitis and whose teeth has wide spacing.

Dental Floss
Dental Floss is a kind of tape made of round or flat extra strong nylon fiber. Dental floss generally recommended for people with tight contacting teeth.

Tooth picks
These are the traditional and most convenient device to clean the plaque in between teeth. These are commonly found in every restaurant and can provide sudden relief from food stuck in between teeth.

Irrigation Devises
In this method of dental cleaning, a strong pressured stream of water is passed through mouth to clean the plague in between teeth. Instead of water, sometimes mouth was solution swill be used in this method of cleaning.

Your City of London dentist talks about the advantages and disadvantages of available mouth rinses. Often used to mask bad breath and tastes, prevent plaque accumulation, and help protect against dental decay, some mouth rinses can also be harmful. Most mouth washes don’t wash well. Mouth rinses are divided into therapeutic, cosmetic, or both. Cosmetic mouth rinses are found over-the-counter (OTC) and are helpful for removing food debris, masking bad breath, and reducing bacteria in the mouth. Fifteen OTC mouth rinses have been investigated, and have been shown to work for 10 minutes, with none working after 2 hours. Therapeutic mouth rinses also have the above benefits; however contain additional ingredients that can be protective against several oral diseases. In contrast to cosmetic mouth rinses, therapeutic mouth rinses are controlled by a government body. These mouth rinses are classified into either: 1) anti-plaque or anti-gingivitis mouth rinses; and 2) fluoride mouth rinses that fight cavities.
Your City of London dentist suggests that the use of mouth rinses is up to you, and what your needs are at the time. Although mouth rinses can curb bad breath for 2-3 hours, they are of limited benefit in the prevention of dental decay and gum disease(s). They can mask bad breath, however bad breath can be to sign of something bad occurring in your mouth. You should always brush your teeth, use a fluoride toothpaste, floss, and visit your City of London dentist regularly!

Numerous individuals were never shown how to floss their teeth during childhood. Flossing is crucial for the maintenance of healthy gums; it’s not too late to begin flossing. Any newly formed habit will become easy after a few weeks. While at your London dentist or dental hygienist have them give you a personal lesson. However take these suggestions. Floss daily, your London dentist and dental hygienist suggest flossing once daily, however the jury is still out as to how many times a day is best. Also, floss after meals if you have a tendency to collect food between your teeth. Don’t rush when flossing, good flossing practices take time and coordination. Select a regular time to floss, select the best time for you to floss and try to set up a routine so that you do not forget to floss, and have floss with you. Dentists and dental hygienists feel that one of the better times to floss during the day is prior to bedtime. Don’t be cheap with the floss, pull off about 18 inches of floss, and move along the length of the floss while cleaning each side of all of your teeth, even the back side of the last teeth. Try not to reuse sections of floss, as it is believed that you may redistribute the bacteria to other areas of your mouth; though no research exists that demonstrates this belief. Select floss that performs what you want it to do, numerous flosses exists. Find the floss that best suits you and your oral hygiene needs. The type of floss that you like and how you hold the floss is a matter of personal preference.

Halitosis, or bad breath, is an embarrassing problem. The majority of people with bad breath aren’t even aware of it. Visit your London Dental Clinic if you think you have, or know that you have, bad breath. Your London dentist will help to find the cause and the cure of your bad breath problems. Certain foods can cause bad breath; including onions and garlic. Even after you feel the food smells have gone away, they may not have, as these food smells linger on until they are completely metabolised and expelled through the lungs. Mouthwashes and brushing your teeth are only temporary fixes when you have halitosis.
Good oral hygiene; brushing and flossing twice daily for 2 minutes at a time, and brushing your tongue is very helpful in preventing bad breath. Food debris usually remains in your mouth after you eat. Proper oral hygiene removes this debris as well as the bacteria and plaque that form on your teeth and gums. This build-up of bacteria, plaque, and food debris, is the beginning of your problem. Dryness of your mouth is another cause of halitosis, as foods and bacteria cannot be washing away if your salivary flow is really slow. If this problem exists, you should have some sugarless gum or sugarless candy to use to combat this problem. Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages can also increase the risk of bad breath, as well as certain medical problems. Your London dentist may refer you to a physician if it a felt that this is the problem. So visit your London Dental Clinic for your bad breath problems, as well as other dental needs.