Tag Archives: dental

Conquer Your Fear: Why You Should Book That Overdue Dental Appointment

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Across Australia, it is reported that there are 5.7 million residents who are currently living with dental health issues. Various factors contribute as to why this total is so high, ranging from the lifestyle of the individual, how often a person brushes their teeth and also when their last visit to the dentist was.

However, there is an increasing number of adults avoiding booking an appointment at the dentist, with a significant portion not attending for many years. Whilst the reasons why vary from person to person, the most common reason is out of fear. Dental phobia is a common fear shared by many across the world, preventing many adults from booking to visit the dentist. According to Brisbane City Dentist, 1 out of 6 patients have dental anxiety.

For some, going to the dentist can cause them to feel slightly nervous, worried about what treatments will happen and what the dentist might say. These mild sufferers also highlight how going to the dentist is an unpleasant experience. Whereas for others, a trip to the dentist can trigger them to panic as they are terrified about sitting in the dental chair.

Regardless of the fear, getting to the route of why a visit to the dentist causes such distress and working towards overcoming it is essential. Aside from allowing a person to conquer a fear, it will also prevent them from potentially developing dental problems, some of which are more challenging to fix.

If you are one of the many Australians and beyond who have a fear of visiting the dentist, here are some tips on how to overcome that phobia and the importance of making regular trips to your local dental practice.

Ways To Help Conquer Your Fear

The best way to conquer your fear to find the source of what it is that is causing this dread around the concept of going to the dentist. Is it previous experiences? Use of needles? Embarrassment or the powerless you feel when sitting in the chair? Two of the best ways to help overcome these fears is through researching into the practice you will attend and communicate clearly with the dentist about your fears.

Research Into The Practice

If you have not attended a dentist for many years, you may find that you are no longer on their register. As such, you will have to re-register at the practice. For those that have moved to a new area, you will want to register at a new practice in your area. A simple online search for your local practice, for example, dentist in Brisbane, will bring you a few options including Pure Dentistry in Mt Gravatt. Practices such as this one work closely with their patients to ensure that they feel comfortable and secure during their visit.

In addition to this, read the online reviews written by previous patients about the practice. You might notice there is a common trend with patients who had dental phobia but felt comfortable during their treatment. Read this article from airoop on how to find a dentist.

Talk To Your Dentist

For many adult sufferers of dental phobia, the reason they are nervous is due to bad experiences in the past. This could be due to the attitudes of staff, the equipment that was used or the treatment they received. However, if you have not visited the dentists for decades, you will not be aware that some of the treatments you received or the equipment that was used, which has caused this phobia is no longer used in modern dental practice.

When attending your appointment, voice your fears and concerns to your dentist. Communicate with them what is making you nervous for the appointment, whether it be the treatment or for example, a fear of needles. By informing your dentist of what it is you are afraid of, they might be able to offer alternative ways to deliver you your anaesthetic.

Another option is by deciding on using a hand signal during the moments when you are starting to feel anxious or if you feel as though you need a break. Having a signal in place will mean your dentist knows how you are feeling but you can feel comfortable knowing that they are listening and taking into consideration your fears. This type of service can make a significant difference in how you view taking a trip to the dentist.

Issues That Arise By Not Visiting The Dentist

When visiting the dentist, it is recommended that you make the trip every six months. Although those without any problems are ok to visit once a year, those that do experience issues should visit more frequently, ideally every three to four months.

According to kids dentist Most dental problems are easily avoidable. Brushing at least twice a day, flossing, properly eating and, most importantly, having regular dental check-ups, are essential in ensuring that any dental health issues are prevented.

If you have not made the trip to the dentist for a while or thought about booking an appointment, these issues that can occur from lack of visits might change that.

  • Cavities – One of the most common dental issues that are a result of not visiting the dentist for a while are cavities. They are likely to occur for those who have not made the trip to the dentist for an examination or clean. Over time, the plaque, and bacteria in your mouth will have built up so much it will begin to slowly decay your tooth enamel. This will cause holes in the tooth, which can be an easy fix or a challenging one depending on the hole.
  • Bad Breath – Brushing your teeth and flossing will only help you so far. Over time, the buildup of bacteria, tartar, and plaque can, unfortunately, lead to you experiencing having unpleasant smelling breath. While using mouthwash will help to cover up the smell caused by a dental issue, it is only a temporary solution. Aside from being an unpleasant smell, bad breath could be an indication that you are experiencing a dental condition, such as cavities or gum disease. As such, it is best to go visit your dentist as gum disease can easily be spotted during your appointment.
  • Gum Disease – Maintaining healthy gums can easily be forgotten, especially when they are not causing you any issues such as pain or discomfort. Gum disease is incredibly common, with everyone at risk of developing it. However, those who are over 30 are the most at risk of developing some form of gum disease. Currently more than half of adults over the age of 30 are experiencing gum disease in some form. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing will help to prevent gum disease but taking regular visitors will be the most beneficial.
  • Tooth Stains – The gradual buildup of both plaque and tartar can cause more than just an increased risk of developing cavities and tooth decay. The longer you delay your trip to the dentist, the more you risk further staining your teeth – something which is not easy to remove with home whitening kits.

Avoid Waiting Too Long

It is important to not put off going to the dentist any longer than you already have. In doing so, you will put your oral health, as well as your general health and overall wellbeing at risk. Almost all dental issues that can occur are easily preventable with a trip to the dentist. A quick 10/20-minute appointment could help you achieve a perfect smile.

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Women ‘reluctant’ to believe pregnancy and oral health link

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Pregnant_woman2More than 20 million women in the UK are reluctant to believe the existing link between poor oral health and pregnancy complications.

In a new survey, two in every three (67 per cent) of women said they did not think the two problems were related while only one in four (25 per cent) said they would take steps to improve their oral health despite knowing it could cause complications during pregnancy.

In the last 12 months the Foundation has reported on a number of scientific studies showing possible links between the two health problems. Research has revealed a 34 per cent reduction in risk of preterm births for expectant mums suffering with gum disease if they underwent simple treatment at the dentist or hygienist.

Further studies have also shown mums who are more able to handle stress in their environment had children with better oral health. Karen Coates, Dental Advisor at the British Dental Health Foundation, encourages all women not to ignore the wealth of evidence suggesting a link.

Ms Coates said: “Taking care of your own oral hygiene is important at all times, but none more so than when you’re expecting a baby. As many women will testify, the significant changes to the body mean taking extra care, and that includes oral health.

“There has been a lot of research that shows poor oral health can lead to complications during pregnancy, and it should not be overlooked. If a good oral hygiene routine means mums to be experience less problems during their pregnancy, it is important to educate this particular group about how they can go about doing just that.

“Many women find that hormonal changes cause their oral health to get worse during pregnancy. Some women find their gums bleed more easily, while people who already have gum disease may find that it progresses more rapidly.

“If you are pregnant, it really is vital to take extra care of your mouth. You should brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and take extra care that you are brushing for the full two minutes and clean every surface of every tooth. You should also clean between the teeth using interdental brushes or floss. Visit the dentist regularly as often as they recommend, and cut down on the frequency of sugary foods and drinks.

“NHS treatment is free for expectant mothers up until their child’s first birthday. All you need is to be an NHS patient and to have a current maternity exemption certificate.”

The findings have been revealed as part of National Smile Month, a month-long campaign run by the British Dental Health Foundation. The campaign, which draws to a close on 20 June, promotes three key messages for oral health:

– Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste,

– Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks,

– Visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

Common Mistakes Made When Brushing Your Teeth

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Ah, brushing your teeth; It’s one of theimages most ingrained habits in the UK, and it’s something that everyone knows how to do, right?  Well, not always.  There is actually evidence that quite a lot of people still make some fairly basic errors when brushing their teeth.  Because we’re nice, we’ve put together this little list of some of the most common mistakes that people make:

Not picking a brush with the right bristles.  As time goes by, toothbrushes are becoming more and more varied in terms of their design and the way in which the bristles work.  Though they still come down to the same patterns – straight and angled – the materials used for them has changed quite a bit, with everything from solid plastic to the traditional fibres a part of modern bristles.  This means that the tougher brushes are even more unsuitable for those with weaker gums, and yet many people who suffer from small amounts of bleeding without brushing still use them.  Needless to say, this is a seriously bad idea.

Not brushing enough.  This is possible the most common mistake, with a great many people simply not brushing either enough times a day or for a long enough period.  The typically recommended time period is for at least two minutes each time, at least twice a day taking place.   Any less will often lead to problems in the long run.

Brushing too hard.  The other main error is to actually brush too hard or for too long, as this can both expose the root of the tooth to some irritation, as well as erasing the enamel on the teeth.    It can also cause serious damage to the gums if over a prolonged period of time.

Not brushing the inside.  Watch any toothpaste advert, and you’ll inevitably be confronted with the sight of some gorgeous person, frantically brushing away at the front and centre teeth. Unfortunately, this has led to a great many people not taking their inside cleaning as seriously as the outside, meaning that plaque will quite often build up the mouth side.  Needless to say, you should spend just as much time cleaning the inside as the outside.  A lack of inside cleaning will likely lead to you visiting a dentist like Kool Smiles.

Not replacing their toothbrush often enough.  If you wash up in the old-fashioned way, imagine having to use the same sponge or scourer for six months.  Not a pleasant thought, is it, all that muck and dirt being scrubbed back onto those clean dishes?  As an item that spends half of its time soaking wet and cleaning up dirt, a toothbrush needs to be replaced around every couple of months to ensure it is helping and not hurting.

Not rinsing.  Again, the best way to think of this is to imagine having a good bath and then not rinsing the tub down afterwards!  A good rinse is the perfect way to ensure all of the bacteria and food that the brushing has scrubbed away from the teeth is sent back down the plughole.  Not doing so means it will linger around the mouth, which isn’t what anybody wants.

Expecting a kiss this Valentine’s day? Freshen up with DS Healthcare and Thursday Plantation

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Valentine’s day. You either love it or you hate it. It’s a time of love and a day of romantic gestures – and so compared to candle-lit dinners and red rose petals scattered throughout the bedroom, mouthwash and oral-health supplements aren’t the first things that come into your head when you think of 14th February. They could, however, prove to be a saviour – the deciding factor of whether a second date is on the agenda.

Whether you are expecting a kiss on your first date with that new romantic flame or snuggling up with your loved one you should make sure that your mouth is in tip-top condition. Bad breath or poor oral hygiene are certain to kill any romance that may be in the air. Here are a few hints and tips that you should practice on the run-up to the big day to ensure that you are looking and feeling your best. We will leave the rest up to you…

This goes without saying…but make sure that you brush your teeth twice daily (for a minimum of two minutes per brushing session).

Use a high quality mouthwash after brushing your teeth to remove any remaining bacteria and leave your breath smelling and feeling fresh. Try Thursday Plantation’s Tea Tree Mouthwash. It’s made with 100% Tea Tree which has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties – leaving your mouth and teeth feeling brand new. Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Mouthwash available from www.revital.co.uk. £4.95 for 250ml.

If you are prone to suffering from mouth ulcers then start treating them with something like metronidazole 500mg tablets a week prior to your date or Valentine’s day. Kissing when you have painful ulcers isn’t a comfortable experience. You will gain increased confidence knowing that your mouth holds no hidden surprises. We recommend Bye! Mouth Ulcer (£7.95 for 15ml). It’s a pain-free and quick solution to mouth ulcers. The unique formula forms a protective shield over the ulcer, allowing you to continue with everyday life. The best part if that it’s non-acidic and so doesn’t disturb the mouths natural flora – the perfect way to get rid of those pesky mouth ulcers.

Sometimes it’s not always convenient to brush your teeth or use mouthwash. When you are in the office why not use Oraldiet. Oraldiet is an innovative oral probiotic lozenge that contains the probiotic lactobacillus reuteri. The formulation binds to your saliva and therefore stays in the mouth – allowing you to feel fresh for longer. The presence of aloe vera gel ensures that your mouth flora kept healthy at all times, leaving you to concentrate on more important things. Oraldiet is available from www.revital.co.uk. £6.35 for 30 lozenges.

Last but not least…do not forget to smile!

Top Tips to stop a dental disaster this Christmas

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Food plays a big part in our Christmas celebrations, adding excitement and an excuse to eat our favourite treats! Recent stats from Denplan, the UK’s leading dental payment provider, show that 74 per cent of people consider themselves to have a good diet – but we all over-indulge at Christmas. In fact last year’s dental emergencies peaked for Denplan patients around the festive season, seeing a whopping 1946 claims in January.

To help you avoid any dental pain this Christmas here are some top tips on what to eat, as well as how to deal with a dental emergency, from Denplan’s Chief Dental Officer, Roger Matthews.

“Christmas is a time to enjoy, and we all like to treat ourselves at this time of year, but because we are eating and drinking more than usual, we can put ourselves at risk of damaging our teeth, and the last thing you want is a dental emergency over the festive period. If you do damage a tooth, it’s always best to get it looked at as soon as possible, to avoid further damage or discomfort. Here are my top tips on foods that won’t harm your teeth and which ones to eat with care!”:

Top Five Tooth Friendly Foods

1. Cheese! Christmas isn’t complete without a decent cheeseboard, so as you’re tucking into a chunk of cheddar you’ll be pleased to know that not only is it rich in calcium, which promotes healthy teeth, it also balances out the PH in your mouth which lessens the damaging effects of acid from a festive glass of wine on tooth enamel and helps kill bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease

2. We often have bowls of snacks lying about at Christmas, but instead of opting for crisps, why not opt for nuts instead? Peanuts (unsalted if possible) contain calcium and vitamin D, both vital for oral health as well as your general health. Walnuts, which are often used in puddings and cakes, also contain zinc fibre, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, vitamin E & B6, potassium and zinc – all of which play an important role in keeping our teeth and gums healthy

3. Christmas lunch is renowned for its abundance of vegetables. Broccoli and carrots in particular are great for your oral health as they contain vitamin A which help strengthens the tooth enamel

4. Crudités will promote good oral health as, because they are eaten raw, they massage your gums, which encourage blood flow, and clean your teeth too

5. The humble turkey provides us with a great source of protein, which is rich in phosphorus. This combines with calcium and vitamin D to make our teeth (and bones). By eating plenty of protein you will help reduce tooth decay and keep your teeth strong and healthy

Top Five Teeth Rotters:

1. Sweets, biscuits and cakes – Although the endless supply of chocolate and puddings it so tempting, try to keep them to a minimum as sugars are a prime cause of the acidic biofilm which causes dental decay. Acid resulting from frequent consumption of refined sugar dissolves the minerals essential for healthy teeth. When you do indulge, its best to have sweets in one go after your meal, rather than picking throughout the day

2. Fizzy drinks – If you like a bit of fizz in your soft drinks or mixers why not opt for soda water. Fizzy drinks are loaded with sugar and even sugar-free or diet drinks are still acidic and in excess can cause tooth enamel to erode away. But, if you can’t resist them, use a straw as this will lessen direct contact with your teeth

3. Processed cereals – Breakfast may not be the most important meal when it comes to the festive season, but if you’re looking to grab something quick and easy to set you up for the day try to avoid processed cereals as you’ll be amazed at how much sugar is hidden in these, much better to opt for porridge or bran based cereals – or, better still eggs! Either clean your teeth before you eat or half an hour after, to avoid damaging your enamel

4. Crisps – Cooked starch breaks down into component sugars – the main enemy for teeth. Why not opt for carbs low on the glycaemic index such as vegetable crisps instead?

5. Wine – We all love a glass of wine or two at Christmas, but white wine can be very acidic and contribute to enamel erosion, try drinking it just at your main meal, as drinking little and often is far worse than drinking once a day. Red wine can also increase the risk of staining, especially if you forget to brush your teeth as often as you should with the distractions of festive fun! If you are drinking red wine, try to remember to leave a gap before you brush your teeth to remove any stains

“However, if you do find yourself unlucky, falling over after a festive night out or cracking your tooth on your favourite Christmas sweets, here’s my step-by-step guide on what to do,” Roger continues:

What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?

Call your dentist immediately and book an emergency appointment, ideally within an hour of the incident as your tooth will have the best chance of surviving the trauma during this time
Handle the knocked out tooth by the crown (the top), not by the root (the pointed part on the bottom) as touching the root can damage cells that are needed to re-attach the tooth to the bone
Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove any dirt, but be careful not to scrub it. It is very important that the tooth doesn’t dry out – if you can, place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and gum to keep it moist. Alternatively, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth and cover it with milk or a salty saline solution (the solution used for contact lenses)
If a baby tooth is knocked out, don’t try to insert it back into the mouth. The patient should be seen as soon as possible to make sure that none of the tooth remains in the mouth

How should I handle a chipped or fractured tooth?

If you fracture a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce any swelling. Take ibuprofen, not aspirin, for pain, as this is an anti-inflammatory
Book an appointment to see your dentist at the next most convenient time, depending on how much pain you’re in
Minor fractures and chips can be smoothed out by your dentist with a sandpaper-like disc, while larger ones may be fixed using restorative procedure
Denplan patient, Dawn Schier, added: “One recent Christmas Eve most of one of my teeth fell out. I rang the dentist, who arranged that I could go to the surgery on Christmas morning. He did a wonderful job and I had a lovely Christmas lunch eating all the things that I didn’t think I could. Can you imagine how awful it would have been not to have been able to use Denplan’s services on Christmas day? It temporarily sorted my tooth out and I had a lovely Christmas lunch! I went back after Christmas and had the tooth fixed permanently.”*

Denplan as approximately 1.8 million registered patients whose products include a 24-hour worldwide dental emergency cover. To find out more about how you can be covered this season visit www.denplan.co.uk.**

* All dentists have different emergency opening hours, please check with your practice

** Terms and conditions apply

TV STAR CRISSY ROCK’S JOY AS SHE SHOWS OFF “ROLLS ROYCE OF TEETH”

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Comedian Crissy Rock is proudly showing off her new set of “Rolls Royce teeth” after enduring years of agony and embarrassment.

Crissy, who is also one of the stars of the hit TV show Benidorm, saw her teeth destroyed after she took chemotherapy-based drugs for vulval cancer in 2003.

Her teeth crumbled causing her to have all of them removed and she went on to have dentures fitted while living in Spain during the filming of Benidorm.

She said: “I spent £10,000 having dentures fitted with a Spanish dentist, but the result was devastating. When I saw my teeth I cried. They looked like something out of a joke shop. It was a real botch job that left me looking like Hannibal Lecter.”

Crissy resolved to get her teeth looked at again after appearing on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here last year during which she had to remove her dentures as she prepared to jump out of a helicopter.

Now, after four months of treatment with the UK’s leading denturist Barrie Semp, of The Smile Centre in Manchester, Crissy is proudly showing off what she has dubbed the “Rolls Royce of teeth” which cost £20,000 to fit.

Crissy said: “My teeth have been individually handmade and tweaked to look a bit worn and slightly crooked to appear more natural. Even the gum looks real.

“For years I couldn’t bite into an apple and had to check restaurant menus for things I could eat. These new teeth are rock solid and I can eat whatever I want. They have given me my dignity back as well as a nicer smile.

“They have already made a huge difference, not just to my mouth but to my life.”

Barrie Semp said: “The problem with Crissy’s teeth was that she had them fitted abroad and there was no aftercare. Also the dentistry work she had done was very poor and had completely failed. It was a total mess.

“Each new tooth has been handcrafted with faint cracks and blemishes where necessary to make them look very real. The gum work is also hand-stained to blend in with the patient’s gum colour, so it looks as if the patient’s natural teeth are growing from the natural gum.

“Crissy can eat anything she likes now and can even jump out of a helicopter without having to take her teeth out.”