Tag Archives: dentist

Teeth Talks: Dentist Helps Us Brush Up On Our Dental Health

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One in three adults in the UK suffers from some type of gum disease, says, Clinical Director and Lead Dentist at Paste Dental, Dr Alan Clarke.  Teeth play an important role throughout our life, so we asked him all the nitty gritty teeth grinding questions to help improve our overall oral health…

 

Aside from regular trips to the dentist, how can we best take care of our teeth at-home? 

“It is so important to have your own bespoke oral care plan. We are all different, at different stages of life and have specific oral health needs, also linked to our general health and if underlying conditions are present. I love creating a specific routine for my patients at Paste Dental in Belfast, it’s never a one size fits all, and it needs to be reviewed as needs change.

 

Flossing is key! Floss daily, honestly it’s a game changer. Interdental cleaning with floss or inter-dental brushes will reduce plaque loading, freshen your breath and prevent baseline inflammation which can progress to gum disease. Right now I am using CocoFloss products – from the US, a great tool.

 

Friends of mine have just released an unbelievable product from their company Parla (as featured on dragons den) which is 100% biodegradable floss, letting us as professionals continue to promote great oral care while being mindful of the impact single use plastic has on our planet!  Brushing twice daily, a balance diet and education about your own needs will serve your gums and teeth well.

 

Not all toothpaste is created equal, so make sure you’re using one that’s right for you. Whether you need fluoride, sensitivity relief, or whitening, there’s a toothpaste out there for everyone. Even better chat to your dentist and plan a bespoke regime, tailored specifically to you.

 

Two minutes may not seem like a long time, but it’s the recommended amount of time to brush your teeth.

 

Be careful with drinks you assume are super healthy! Acid attacks are very common from this sort of potion, leading to tooth translucency, enamel wear and dentine hypersensitivity.

 

Eating a balanced diet can help maintain healthy teeth and gums. Foods rich in calcium, such as dairy products, leafy greens, and almonds, can help maintain bone density. Additionally, eating crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, can help stimulate saliva production and clean teeth naturally.

 

Drinking plenty of water can help alleviate dry mouth and prevent tooth decay. Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day and sip water regularly.

 

What are the dos and don’ts of brushing? 

Brush for 2 minutes when you wake up and 2 minutes before you go to sleep – that’s a great start. I recommend an electric brush (it can easily regulate the force – preventing over-brushing) and with AI now it can show you where you missed in real time.

 

Spit don’t rinse your paste! Leave that gritty texture and coating on your teeth, it will help remineralise, block dentinal tubules to reduce sensitivity and maintain a fresh breath for longer.

 

For a manual brushing fan, check the bristles and make sure they are not frayed or splayed – usually every 6 weeks we should swap to a new brush.

 

Store you brush away from the toilet, not in a closed container and firmness of bristles is really a personal preference. Also hopefully it goes without saying but don’t share your toothbrush! I love the Te-pe manual brushes because you can steep the toothbrush head in boiling water without damaging the bristles, no fear of bacterial contamination here.

 

What are the worst habits we should break for better dental hygiene? 

Not flossing enough! Honestly. It’s the one thing I tell my patients. I would prefer they floss over anything else. Once you personally get into a great interdental cleaning habit, bleeding gums are gone, fresh breath is back and a clean mouth reigns. It will also save you thousands in dental bills in the future, trust me!

 

How often should we floss? What are the signs of gum disease and how can we prevent it?

Daily!  Everyday! – twice if you can! Gum disease is multi-factorial. With genetic components, the presence of specific oral pathogenic bacteria, smoking and oral hygiene playing a role we as professional try to cut through the noise and find out objectively what is the root cause. A great tool we now use is salivary micro biome testing. This objective data will let patients see exactly what bacteria is present and if it is having a truely damaging affect on their oral health.

 

Signs such as chronic bleeding gums, bad breath, mobility of teeth and more seriously tooth loss are all linked to gum disease!

Interestingly we also find patients who have active gum disease present have significantly lower health outcomes in terms of heart disease, diabetes and COVID-19. Our body is a system and as a cosmetic dentist but primarily a dental health professional it’s important that we join the dots for patients and help foster holistic treatment planning. I believe we can help prevent gum disease through patient education on their own health, the causes and risk factors of gum disease, a bespoke oral care plan and patient understanding to self manage at home!

 

What are the benefits of interdental brushes? Should we use them alongside flossing? Can children use them?

As we get older, spaces can develop between our teeth as the jaw bone grows overtime. Tooth loss also creates odd spaces as teeth drift or change position. We don’t need to worry but certainly need to be aware of how to look after our mouth as this happens. Floss is great for small spaces but as the bone reduces in height and remodels larges spaces can appear which need a much larger tool for effective cleaning. Floss and interdental brushes are so necessary. You want to use the biggest brush that fits into the space comfortably, with bristles sweeping under the gum line and around each tooth margin. Revise and resize. Every 3 months it is vital you, or ideally in partnership with your dental/hygienist or dental therapist, revise and resize your brushes (spaces will increase as inflammation reduces), we want your cleaning to remain efficient and effective. Children don’t need this level of cleaning as their teeth are much more compactly placed together.

 

What are the benefits of a water flosser? Should we be using one daily?

I’m not a major fan of waterflossers as a tool on their own but some patients swear by them for removing food particles and debris. Certainly not a replacement for effective interdental cleaning but maybe a nice add on to help maintain a fresh breath!

 

How can women best look after their teeth during significant life milestones such as pregnancy and the menopause? Can HRT affect teeth & gums?

Menopause and pregnancy bring a variety of challenges to oral health. Blood flow levels in the oral mucosa and gingiva change, gingivitis and inflammation can increase and deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can cause ulcerative flare ups lasting several weeks. My advice is to try your best to maintain your oral health routine, don’t beat yourself up about missing some element, life is complicated and don’t let perfect be the enemy of simplicity and consistency.

If morning sickness is causing havoc, try to brush at a different time of the day, adapt your routine to suit you but try to aim for some sort of consistency that is achievable! Life is amazing, you are smashing it, remember that!

 

What are the most common dental mistakes / misconceptions you’ve heard about or seen with your patients?

1. People fear judgment from us firstly. At Paste Dental Belfast we cast that aside from the minute people walk into our clinic. As dentists we are here to give you information, to guide but to help you make informed choices for your own health! Don’t fear judgment.

2. Vaping is totally safe, actually not quite true! Also I am seeing an emerging trend towards Swedish tobacco pouches, again not safe (major oral cancer link).

3. Dentistry is expensive! Yes – but a good structured oral care plan will help avoid the need for expensive dentistry in the future.

4. Sugar is evil. Again, no!  A balanced diet is key, it’s all about the frequency of sugar exposures and length of time taken for oral bacterial acid levels to neutralise.”

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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What should you do if you lose a permanent tooth?

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There are two main ways you can lose a tooth: you will either undergo an extraction by your dentist or a nasty accident can result in you losing a tooth. Unfortunately, for many, the latter seems to be the more common scenario. 

If you do lose a permanent tooth, however, the damage can be repaired. If you act quickly, then there’s a better chance your dentist will even be able to save the tooth. So, here’s what to do if you lose a tooth.

Hold onto your tooth

It might sound unpleasant, but you want to hold onto your lost tooth. Once you’ve checked yourself over for injuries, then try to locate the missing tooth. However, you want to make sure to pick it up carefully and lift it by the crown, so as not to damage the root. 

If the tooth is dirty, continue to hold it by the crown and rinse it with milk. You want to keep the tooth moist also, either by dropping it into a glass of milk or carefully placing it between the cheek and gums. 

You can even try placing the tooth back into its socket, so long as it isn’t forced. Carefully push the tooth into the socket with your fingers, place it above the socket and close your mouth slowly. Once the tooth is level with your other teeth, hold it in place or bite down gently. If, however, your tooth will not go back into its socket then just keep it moist like mentioned above. 

Contact your dentist straight away

Losing a tooth is a dental emergency, so you want to contact your dentist right away. If your dental surgery is out of hours, still call as they might have instructions on their voicemail for what to do in the event of an emergency. Depending on your location, you can also look for an Emergency Dentist In London so you can get checked out right away and receive treatment should it be needed. 

It’s important to get help straight away if you have lost a tooth, and when you see your dentist, they will be able to decide the best treatment action. The sooner you can see a dentist, the better chance there is of saving the tooth. If you’ve managed to place your tooth back in its socket, then your dentist will check it’s in the right position and correct it if needed. For any tooth you’ve brought in milk for example, will be cleaned and the put back into socket. 

What if I lose a tooth and it’s damaged? 

Not all cases of a lost tooth are simple. Sometimes, it can be complicated, for example if your tooth or bone is broken. Again, it is important you contact your dentist straight away and get help for such a dental emergency. 

Your dentist will then be able to advise on the best treatment. Some cases may involve undergoing a root canal, while others might require composite bonds or dental implants. This will depend on the damage caused. Following your treatment, your dentist should then examine the tooth again in three to six months. 

 

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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.

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.”