Get advice on chewing gum benefits from Bristol dentists
There are many things you can do to help ensure continuing good oral hygiene. Of course brushing and flossing in the proper manner is very important and it is crucial that you let your dentist examine your mouth every six months so that harmful condition can be spotted and dealt with. Chewing gum has benefits too that can help your mouth to stay in good health.
Chewing anything stimulates the production of saliva, which is one of your mouth’s natural defences against the buildup of plaque. Plaque needs to be stopped because a sufficient build up will begin to attack the protective enamel on your teeth. Too much plaque will begin to interfere with the nerves in your teeth and cavities might start to form.
You can chew gum after meals, particularly if the food you have eaten contains lots of sugar and starch, both of which aid the formation of plaque. Of course it is better to brush your teeth but if you find yourself in a situation where this is not possible then chewing gum is the next best thing.
An added chewing gum benefit is that it freshens your breath. If you have just eaten food that might make your breath smell, chewing gum will give you a minty, fresh feeling that can increase your confidence.
Most chewing gums are sugar free so you are not doing further damage to your teeth when you are chewing it.
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Your dentist can give you lots more advice about which chewing gum to choose and the benefits it can offer your mouth.
Did you know that around three quarters of those over thirty five years of age in the United Kingdom are currently suffering from gum disease in some form? And did you know that gum disease is actually a greater cause of tooth loss than tooth decay itself? Gums need to be taken care of just as much as teeth to make sure that you don’t suffer the pain and indignity of losing a tooth.
Types of gum disease
The most common type of gum disease is called gingivitis. It is not serious in itself but, if left to progress, it can lead to worse problems. Gingivitis is signified by reddening of the gums and sometimes bleeding during brushing and pain while eating. It is easily avoided by pursuing the recommended routine of brushing and flossing twice a day, every day.
Periodontitis is a more serious condition that can occur if gingivitis is not dealt with. This is where the danger of tooth loss comes in as periodontitis is an extreme inflammation of the gums, which eventually leads to teeth becoming loose in their housings and falling out.
You can be vigilant for signs of gum disease at home by looking for reddening to the gums and being aware of any pain you experience when eating. Persistent breath or a metallic taste can indicate that gum disease is present. In extreme cases, sudden weight loss or a feeling that your teeth don’t quite fit as well as they used to can mean that gum disease has taken hold.
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Carry on with your routine of having your teeth checked by your Bristol dentist every six months. This is the best way to guard against gum disease as they are trained to spot the early signs so that any problems can be dealt with early.
Dental hygienists are experts in oral hygiene and aim to promote good oral health through oral hygiene. A dental hygienist may also be involved in the treatment of oral health diseases.
Why would I need to see a dental hygienist?
Even people who brush their teeth twice a day may need to see a dental hygienist at some point for an extra level of cleanliness. Hygienists provide cleaning treatments that are much more intensive and effective than brushing with a manual brush and can help prevent oral health diseases from developing.
Cleaning treatments, such as a scale and polish, are powerful cleaning treatments that remove plaque and bacteria and can shift tartar and bacteria from areas that are hard to reach with a brush. Your hygienist will be able to see any problem areas and address them, helping you to reduce the risk of developing symptoms associated with dental problems. Such symptoms include swelling, pain, soreness and bleeding.
Your dentist may refer you to a hygienist if your teeth could benefit from a thorough clean or you are suffering from gingivitis, an early form of gum disease. You can arrange an appointment if you feel in need of a deep clean; many people enjoy the feeling of a deep clean as it leaves their teeth feeling smooth and looking shiny and healthy.
Dental hygiene tips
Dental hygiene is key for good oral health and a good everyday oral hygiene routine will help to prevent dental problems and enable you to flash a healthy, radiant smile. Your daily oral hygiene routine should incorporate using a toothbrush and toothpaste to brush morning and evening, as well as flossing and using mouthwash. Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups is also really important and most dentists advise patients to attend check-ups every six to twelve months.
Daily dental flossing forms part of an oral hygiene regimen for keeping the mouth clean and healthy. Flossing maintains healthy teeth and gums for a beautiful smile.
Removing plaque
Getting between hard-to-reach dental contours, floss removes debris that sticky plaque may adhere to. When plaque builds up between teeth and the gum line, it may cause bacteria to over-colonise, triggering the start of tooth decay and gum disease.
Dental floss ensures food debris, plaque and bacteria are removed for good oral health. If left, these agents cause rotting in the mouth, smelly breath and raise the risk of oral trauma, leading to tooth loss. Ideally, teeth should be flossed after meals and when teeth are brushed in the morning and before bedtime.
There are a range of flosses or dental tapes at various shop outlets that may be used as part of a daily oral cleansing schedule. The dentist or dental hygienist may advise on what dental cleaning instruments are most suitable, particularly for those with dexterity problems.
Flossing technique
Take about 18 inches of floss, with sections enough for each tooth along a dental arch. Wrap the dental floss section between the index fingers and slide between the teeth, back and forwards and along the gum line. Think of the motion as making a C shape, scraping debris from the surrounds of the each tooth.
Be gentle and use separate sections of the 18 inch floss for each tooth along the arch. If you started with the upper arch, get a new 18 inch of floss to do the lower arch of teeth one by one. Work in a pattern from side to side, not missing any teeth out so that all are cleaned.
Some bleeding during flossing is normal, however persistent bleeding should be checked by a dentist as it may be a sign of gum disease.
Brushing and cleaning your teeth should be a daily occurrence for everyone. But you may wonder whether you are doing it right. It may sound strange but there is a right and wrong way to brush your teeth, and this may be the difference to having a healthy smile and one troubled with tooth decay and gum disease.
The key components to brushing your teeth are:
Timing
You should always spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth to ensure that you have thoroughly cleaned away the plaque and bacteria (most adults throughout Bristol and the UK don’t spend anywhere near this amount of time brushing).
Thoroughness
Make sure you get every single space there is. This is because the hardest places to reach are where the majority of bacterial build up will occur, which can result in erosion. The backs of the teeth are particularly important, along with the tongue and roof of your mouth, as these are the areas most people forget.
The gum line
Bacteria congregates on the gum line quite a lot and if left unattended can result in gum disease, bad breath and tooth decay. To avoid sensitivity issues, just brush along the gum line gently at a 45-degree angle.
Use the right brush
Firm bristles aren’t the most effective way of cleaning your teeth and soft bristles are actually much more efficient at removing plaque and food particles between your teeth, which could be missed with firmer bristles. A smaller head will also allow you to get into more places than a bigger headed toothbrush.
Do more than brush
You may think that by just using a toothbrush and some toothpaste you are doing everything in your power to protect your teeth. Make sure you floss regularly and use mouthwash to clear any bacteria that may be hiding or managed to escape your toothbrush.
Bristol dentists advise on chewing gum benefits to enhance oral hygiene
Fresh breath is not the only benefit that chewing gum can give you. It is an activity that can really help your oral hygiene. It is one of the simplest ways to achieve increased production of saliva, which helps to protect your teeth from being damaged by build ups of plaque.
Having fresh breath can increase your confidence in social occasions by ensuring that you are not worried about the smell of your breath while talking and smiling. Chewing gum is an easy and convenient way to achieve this by increasing saliva production and combatting the uncomfortable sensation of having a dry mouth.
When you eat sugary and starchy foods, the acids produced in the mouth form into plaque. Plaque breaks down your teeth’s natural defence, enamel, and can lead to cavities and painful tooth decay. Saliva is another of your mouth’s natural defences as it neutralizes these harmful acids. You can produce saliva by chewing gum.
Another chewing gum benefit is that it actually helps to clean your teeth. Of course it is no substitute for brushing and flossing but you might find yourself in a situation without access to your brush and chewing gum will be the next best thing for after dinner at a party, for example. The activity of chewing means that some debris will be moved from the teeth and gums and plaque finds it more difficult to form.
Chewing gum also helps teeth to retain a degree of whiteness by preventing stains from taking hold.
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Your Bristol dentist can advise you which of the chewing gums on the market are best for enhancing your oral hygiene.
If you’re fed up of spotting unsightly metal fillings when you pose for photos, you have old fillings or you’re eager to find an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fillings, allow us to strengthen your teeth and transform the appearance of your smile using beautifully prepared tooth-coloured fillings. Our fillings produce a natural look, so you can smile away without any worries at all.
In addition to white fillings, we are also able to offer custom-made porcelain inlays and onlays.
About white fillings
White fillings are made from dental composite and resins and they strengthen and protect decayed teeth without any negative impact on the aesthetic of the tooth. Modern materials are strong and durable, so you can enjoy both substance and style.
We are able to use white fillings in most cases and we can replace old fillings, as well as fitting new ones. If you’ve had a filling for several years or you simply want to replace visible metal fillings with tooth-coloured fillings, we can help.
What happens when you have a filling?
If you are having an old filling replaced, the filling will be removed and disposed of before the new filling is placed; the tooth will be cleaned thoroughly and bonding agent will be applied to the surface of the cavity. Once the cavity is completely clear and clean, the composite will be inserted and shaped to fit the hole; it will then be hardened using a curing light. The procedure to place a filling is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel a thing! It usually takes just one hour and you’ll be free to go home afterwards.
Fillings don’t last forever but they should last up to 5 years provided that you care for your teeth well.
In addition to providing our patients with the latest cosmetic innovations, we are also committed to promoting good oral health and providing preventative and general dental treatments to free your mouth from oral disease and ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy. Bad breath (halitosis) is a very common problem, which is usually easily treated. If you’re suffering, call us and we will help you to banish halitosis for good and boost your confidence.
About bad breath
Bad breath affects most people from time to time, but if you have persistent bad breath, this can really take its toll on your confidence. Occasional bad breath is usually linked to your diet, but if you have bad breath on a regular basis, this is commonly associated with poor oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene is an effective means of getting rid of bacteria; if you don’t brush and floss frequently, these bacteria gather in the mouth and multiply, increasing the risk of bad breath, as well as gum disease and decay.
When you eat, the bacteria in your mouth feed, and this causes them to give off gases that have a very unpleasant odour. This is why you experienced bad breath.
How we can help
Our dentists and hygienists are experienced in treating bad breath and they use oral hygiene treatments such as scale and polish, and offer advice about oral hygiene at home, to help you get rid of harmful bacteria and enjoy clean, fresh breath.
We can provide regular intensive cleaning treatments and give you advice about brushing and flossing at home to prevent bad breath in the future. We can also offer lifestyle and diet and nutrition tips to help to reduce the risk of bad breath.
If you’ve read the news this week, you’ll probably have noticed many articles devoted to dental decay and tackling high rates of decay among youngsters. At Clifton Dental Studio, we take dental health very seriously and we are determined to do all we can to ensure our patients have a clean bill of oral health.
Decay is extremely common, but it is preventable and we are committed to ensuring that our patients have the knowledge and tools to keep their teeth healthy and cavity-free.
About tooth decay
Tooth decay is a common dental problem, and it is almost always preventable. It is caused by harmful bacteria, which attack and erode the enamel and create holes known as cavities. Plaque is the main risk factor for tooth decay. Plaque is a colourless film that forms when saliva joins together bits of food and bacteria. When the bacteria feed, they release acids, and these acids weaken the enamel, eventually creating cavities. Once there are cavities in the enamel, there is a risk of infection spreading to the dentin, which contains the nerve tissue and blood vessels.
Dealing with decay
If you have a cavity in your tooth, we will usually fill the tooth, a process that involves placing a filling inside the cavity. Before the filling is placed, the tooth is cleaned and all the decayed tissue is taken away. Fillings make the teeth stronger and more durable and they also help to stem the spread of bacteria through the tooth, reducing the risk of infection.
If decay is left untreated, it can get worse and infection can spread to the living pulp tissue. If this is the case, root canal treatment may be required.
Preventing decay
The best ways to prevent decay are to maintain good oral hygiene at home, to keep up to date with dental visits and to avoid consuming excessive amounts of sugar. It’s also advisable to keep an eye out for hidden sugars in foods and to avoid acidic foods and drinks.
A good daily oral hygiene regime will go a long way to keeping your teeth and gums free from oral disease. We are on hand to offer advice about daily cleaning and we will also be happy to discuss oral hygiene products, healthy eating and giving up smoking with patients. We really believe that prevention is better than cure and we do everything we can to make sure our patients have the knowledge and information to practise good oral hygiene at home and ensure they are free from pain and discomfort caused by decay and gum disease.
A good daily oral hygiene regime
We strongly recommend following a set daily oral hygiene regime, which includes brushing and flossing. We advise patients to brush twice a day, every day, using fluoride toothpaste and a brush with soft to medium bristles and a small head. Electric toothbrushes have been proven to remove plaque more effectively than manual brushes, but you should be able to achieve a good clean regardless of the brush you use. It’s advisable to brush for between 2 and 3 minutes each time and to ensure you cover all the teeth and reach right into the corners. Angle your brush head to clean along the gum line and don’t brush too hard, as this can damage the enamel.
Flossing is really important because it takes over from where you leave off when you brush your teeth and it removes bacteria and food debris from the gaps between the teeth. It’s essential to remove bacteria and bits of leftover food from the mouth because it prevents the formation of plaque. Plaque is a sticky film made from bacteria, food products and saliva. Plaque is the main cause of decay and gum disease, so it’s of paramount importance to keep on top of oral hygiene. When you floss, gently pass the tape through the gaps between your teeth and along the gum line. Avoid pulling on the floss, as this will make your gums sore.
If you have any questions about brushing or you need help with flossing, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
