Dentist London Blog » Oral Hygiene http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:05:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 London Dentist Discusses How and Why You Should Practice Good Oral Hygiene http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/london-dentist-discusses-how-and-why-you-should-practice-good-oral-hygiene/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/london-dentist-discusses-how-and-why-you-should-practice-good-oral-hygiene/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:01:08 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3930 It is no secret that people with great oral health lead happier and healthier lives. The overall quality of your life is improved by practicing good oral hygiene and your dentist in London can help. Practicing good oral hygiene for life is not as complicated as you may thing. The most obvious aspect is brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. This routine should have been a part of your life since childhood, but if this isn’t the case, it is never too late to start. Brush with soft bristles and a reliable brand of fluoride toothpaste recommended by your dentist. It is also important that you visit your dentist at least twice a year to detect any early signs of dental disease. Your dentist will also be able to give your teeth thorough clean ups. Speak to your dentist today about healthy eating tips, how to avoid sugary and overly processed foods. You may also want to consider cosmetic procedures that will help you boost your confidence and achieve the smile of your dreams. Tooth loss and dental disease are costly in both time and money for you. If you want to avoid any problems with your teeth, incorporate good oral hygiene into your regular routine and make it a part of how you lead a happy, healthy lifestyle.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/london-dentist-discusses-how-and-why-you-should-practice-good-oral-hygiene/feed/ 0 Coping with an Abscessed tooth in the City of London http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/coping-with-an-abscessed-tooth-in-the-city-of-london/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/coping-with-an-abscessed-tooth-in-the-city-of-london/#comments Sun, 09 Oct 2011 20:16:03 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3849 Lost your way with your oral hygiene have you in the city of London? Well, you better have a plan B because you may well be putting your health at risk. Yes, dentists and companies bang on about the need for oral hygiene, blah, blah- who cares eh, ‘I’ve so much going on- I don’t care’. Well listen up Captain Scarlet before you fire up your Porsche, because the whole of life is a jig-saw where everything fits into place- as long as you keep yourself and your teeth healthy. If you don’t however, your life is on the line. Things can get mad in the mouth very quickly and if you’re the type of flamboyant character that skips the basic rules of oral hygiene for a sexy night out, be aware of one thing, plaque- yes, it develops fast in the mouth and yes, it’s the thing that a dentist will bail you out of- if you bother to go. But left to fester, it can develop into gum disease and tooth decay. Now decay can manifest a tooth abscess and quickly too, and if that happens, you are setting sail in dubious waters if you ignore it. A tooth abscess is extremely dangerous- it erupts from nowhere but it can send you to a hospital bed before you know it and put your life on the line. Before the teeth can be treated, an abscess needs antibiotics before the problem can be addressed. Even then, the fact that the problem has cropped up, in the long term, there is a very good chance that the tooth will be have to be taken out altogether.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/coping-with-an-abscessed-tooth-in-the-city-of-london/feed/ 0 Braces and Oral Hygiene in London http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/braces-and-oral-hygiene-in-london/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/braces-and-oral-hygiene-in-london/#comments Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:09:47 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3839 Yes, you have to have braces and it’s not going to be easy for the up to the next couple of years (if that’s how long the treatment lasts). Living in London can be hard enough at the best of times, without the idea of wearing braces thrown into the mix. If you’re one of the lucky ones that have been fitted with a removable aligner, then bully for you, because it simply means that you can take it out and brush your teeth as normal. But if you have had a fixed brace popped into your mouth, oral hygiene suddenly becomes an art-form that has to be mastered quickly. The perils that a fixed brace poses, is that of bad breath, gum disease and plaque and to avoid it, you have to be doubly vigilant. Your dentist will enlighten you on how to clean your teeth once the brace has been fitted, but when you get home, it’s down to you to care for your teeth. There are certain dyes that have been developed to highlight any growth of plaque around the teeth and this is a great aid for anyone that has a fixed brace, but the biggest struggle is to remove any food that might have got caught up in the wires and this can be the greatest danger to your teeth as bacteria will soon start to attack the teeth and gums. Flossing takes on a whole new meaning for those wearing braces- get it right and your teeth will be healthy by removing any residue of food left in the mouth. But one thing to bear in mind is this:- you come through this phase unscathed, you’ll be far stronger from the experience and look far more attractive than the people that have ridiculed you throughout this period.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/braces-and-oral-hygiene-in-london/feed/ 0 The ongoing fight against Tooth Decay in Central London http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/the-ongoing-fight-against-tooth-decay-in-central-london/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/the-ongoing-fight-against-tooth-decay-in-central-london/#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:09:49 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3831 Tooth decay in central London is the direct result of poor oral hygiene. In the average diet, the foods will consist of carbohydrates and sugar at some point but it’s vital that they are removed from the surface of the tooth, otherwise, the bacteria and acids that emanate from such foods will start to attack the surface of the tooth and then eat into the tooth itself, causing decay- the teeth are at even further risk if saliva levels in the mouth are low (usually caused by medication, stress and/or diet), as this acts as a natural deterrent to bacteria. Good oral hygiene and regular dental excursions will be enough to thwart tooth decay, mess this up however and the first time you realize decay has set in is when you have a tooth ache- this may be remedied with a filling but if it’s bad, you will require root canal treatment. Any further ignorance towards the problem and the tooth will fall out altogether. Of course the side effects of this can lead to gum disease and then you are in a world of hurt that will take some pretty expensive and extensive treatment to put right if you don’t want to end up wearing dentures.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/the-ongoing-fight-against-tooth-decay-in-central-london/feed/ 0 Getting the right Brush in London http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/getting-the-right-brush-in-london/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/getting-the-right-brush-in-london/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:58:39 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3817 Oral hygiene is important to us all in London and one of the most important elements to this is getting the right toothbrush. What we are trying to do by brushing is remove the bacteria and debris left by food and plaque. Many dentists advocate small heads with soft bristles as they are better for getting into the areas that are hard to reach and with a strong grip handle and a scraper for your tongue on the reverse of the head- these are essentially the basic rules of a toothbrush. However, not all of our mouths are the same so getting it right at first can be very hit or miss and if you have any doubts about what your requirements are, you could always ask your dentist first for advice and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction, as they know the shape of your mouth from the inside. It’s important that any brush you use feels comfortable in the mouth; what are very popular these days are electric toothbrushes- they not only do the hard work for you but probably do it better than you could brush. Again these come in various guises- some rotate, some alternate and in the case of a sonic toothbrush, they are specifically designed to break down tartar and plaque. What is fact is that they need to be changed at regular intervals- around every three months as they tend to become worn and hence, their ability to do the job can become hindered and inefficient. The heads also harbour bacteria, so they need to be cleaned each day too…happy brushing!

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/getting-the-right-brush-in-london/feed/ 0 Central London dentists tell patients that dental cavities can be successfully avoided with the right care http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/central-london-dentists-tell-patients-that-dental-cavities-can-be-successfully-avoided-with-the-right-care/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/central-london-dentists-tell-patients-that-dental-cavities-can-be-successfully-avoided-with-the-right-care/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:00:49 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3800 There are many potential causes of dental cavities but just one course of action if you want to avoid them in the first place. Dental cavities can be painful and inconvenient but by taking the right steps to ensure good oral hygiene you can make sure that you won’t have to deal with the problem in the first place.

Primarily dental cavities are caused by an excess of plaque on the surfaces of teeth. This acidic substance is created when we eat food and drink things that are high in sugar and starch. Plaque is the main reason why we brush our teeth and make sure that plaque is removed from the mouth. Plaque has the capacity to erode the string coating of teeth which is called enamel. This erosion creates holes in the teeth that will not stop growing unless they are filled by dentists.

A period of ill health or an extended lapse in one’s oral hygiene can allow plaque to take hold on teeth. If you have teeth which are particularly bunched up then they might be more prone to the development of cavities because it will be harder to clean them of plaque. In such cases it might be desirable to undergo some sort of tooth straightening treatment to get the requisite levels of spacing between the teeth.

Those who suffer from dry mouth (clinically known as xerostomia) will be more prone to cavities also because they are experiencing a lack of saliva. Saliva not only helps to strengthen enamel but it is also a natural defence against plaque in the mouth. See your dentist in central London if you are having problems with dry mouth or are worried about cavities.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/central-london-dentists-tell-patients-that-dental-cavities-can-be-successfully-avoided-with-the-right-care/feed/ 0 Central London dentists help parents to negotiate their children’s oral hygiene http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/central-london-dentists-help-parents-to-negotiate-their-children%e2%80%99s-oral-hygiene/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/central-london-dentists-help-parents-to-negotiate-their-children%e2%80%99s-oral-hygiene/#comments Sun, 04 Sep 2011 06:52:12 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3787 From as soon as children are born, it is essential that they are given the best care in terms of their health that it is possible to give. This extends to dentistry as much as other aspects of general health and it is important that young children have their teeth looked after. We only get one set of natural, healthy teeth and if a filling needs to happen in a young child, that filling will always be there.

As a parent, it is your responsibility to take charge of the oral hygiene of your child because they will not be able to look after their mouths properly without adult help. You will need to be monitoring their teeth and gums and the way they are looking after them. For very young children, it is important that parents actively lead the process until they are old enough.

Until the age of two, it is not recommended that children use tooth paste containing fluoride but apart from that, children’s teeth need generally the same type of care that adult teeth do. The primary aim should be the successful and consummate removal of plaque from teeth so that it can’t foment dental decay or gum disease. Just be careful that your child is not brushing too hard because that can cause damage to their gums.

Dental sealants are available for children and this can help with the fight against plaque. Many Central London dentists feel that the most important thing in childhood oral health is the instillation of a sense of personal responsibility so that once they grow out of childhood they have oral hygiene as part of their natural routine.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/central-london-dentists-help-parents-to-negotiate-their-children%e2%80%99s-oral-hygiene/feed/ 0 You and Oral Hygiene in London http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/you-and-oral-hygiene-in-london/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/you-and-oral-hygiene-in-london/#comments Sat, 27 Aug 2011 08:43:22 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3773 We all know how beautiful London can be and how it gently seduces you into playing hard- that’s why we love it. Nothing wrong in that at all, but as long as when we play hard, we should also know when look after ourselves hard as well. If you think about it, your mouth is always going to be at the forefront of anything you do, so it’s vitally important that care and attention is at the top of your to-do list when it comes to oral hygiene- that’s if you want to remain the best thing on two legs ever! First, get into a rhythm of a routine everyday that involves using a good brush, toothpaste floss and mouthwash, especially after eating. This will ensure that the bacteria from foodstuffs, is kept to a minimum in the mouth. Secondly, you should always try to keep a balanced diet: this will help to prop up your immune system that maintains the natural saliva in the mouth- the greatest agent against tooth decay and gum disease. Finally, never miss a check-up at the dentist- this is two-fold. A dentist will be able to pick up on anything you may have missed and rectify it. But it is also the best opportunity to ask about any doubts or concerns that you have about oral hygiene. Lest we forget, dentists know more about your mouth than you probably do so they will be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to looking after your teeth at home.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/you-and-oral-hygiene-in-london/feed/ 0 How to best look after your children’s teeth with London dentists http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/how-to-best-look-after-your-children%e2%80%99s-teeth-with-london-dentists/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/how-to-best-look-after-your-children%e2%80%99s-teeth-with-london-dentists/#comments Mon, 18 Jul 2011 05:06:28 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3698 When you have children you are responsible for their health and it is something that you won’t want to compromise on. Health problems that develop during childhood can hinder them for the rest of their lives and so you’ll want to ensure that they have the best possible start in life when it comes to health. This includes taking the best care of their teeth too and so you should establish a rapport with a London dentist early on in their lives.

Childhood oral hygiene is not that much different to adult oral hygiene really. You should make sure that your children are brushing their teeth at least twice a day so that plaque cannot wear away the enamel and start to cause cavities and the resulting necessary fillings. Very young children should not use fluoride tooth paste but once over the age of about two years old they ought to so that their enamel is being strengthened.

Supervise your children so that they are brushing all of their mouth and not doing so too vigorously. In time though it will be important to give them autonomy over their tooth brushing so that they take ownership over the activity and it becomes part of their routine. Providing incentives and rewards for successful patterns of brushing can be very effective in this regard.

It can be difficult but try and restrict the amount of sugary snacks that they eat. Adults are not alone in yearning for sweet treats but children need to be careful with them so that they are not exposed to excess plaque. Try to explain why this is important so that they see the sense behind it.

]]> http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/how-to-best-look-after-your-children%e2%80%99s-teeth-with-london-dentists/feed/ 0 Find the key to long lasting oral hygiene with help from expert dentists in Central London http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/find-the-key-to-long-lasting-oral-hygiene-with-help-from-expert-dentists-in-central-london/ http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/find-the-key-to-long-lasting-oral-hygiene-with-help-from-expert-dentists-in-central-london/#comments Sat, 16 Jul 2011 05:12:13 +0000 admin http://www.bakerstreetdental.com/blog/?p=3706 Having health teeth can easily be taken for granted. Such a situation allows us to eat, drink and talk with the minimum of effort and fuss. Thankfully it needn’t be something that takes a huge amount of effort either; just a few minutes each day and making the right decisions when it comes to lifestyle. If you are worried about your oral hygiene, read on for some tips that come straight from the experts.

The main aspect of maintaining optimum levels of oral hygiene is the care you take of your teeth at home. This ought to comprise a rigorous routine of brushing and flossing at least twice a day. By doing so you are removing the plaque which is the enemy of good oral hygiene in all of our mouths. It is plaque that causes teeth to decay by eroding enamel and it is plaque that causes gums to become diseased too.

Think about your lifestyle choices too. Smoking is not good for most parts of your body and your mouth is no exception. It has links with oral cancer and inhibits saliva production which constitutes an important natural defence against plaque. The same can be said of consuming excessive amounts of alcohol too.

Make sure you go and see your Central London dentist too. No matter how well you take care of your teeth at home, accidents can happen or ailments might develop that you simply have not noticed. Dentists are trained to spot the incipient signs of dental hygiene concerns so that they can be rectified before they become a major issue. A check up every six months ought to be sufficient.

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