At Clifton Dental Studio we aim to battle decay and gum disease to make sure our patients have beautiful smiles and healthy teeth and gums. Our aim is to help you keep dental disease at bay and to ensure you enjoy good oral health. Fortunately, tackling decay is fairly straightforward and simply sticking to a few simple rules will stand you in good stead. Here are some tips for preventing cavities:
Oral hygiene
Good oral hygiene is the best weapon in the arsenal for preventing tooth decay, as it eliminates the possibility of plaque formation. Plaque forms when saliva, food debris and bacteria join forces, but if you take steps to remove bacteria and leftovers on a regular basis, there will never be a chance for plaque to materialise. We recommend thorough brushing (for at least 2 minutes each time) every morning and evening and we strongly recommend flossing on a daily basis. We advise patients to use fluoride toothpaste for added enamel protection.
Diet
One of the main risk factors for decay is the diet. If you have a diet that is rich in sugary or acidic foods this can be really problematic for the teeth. Acidic foods erode the enamel surface, while sugary foods cause bacteria to release acids, which have a similar impact. Once the enamel is worn down, the tooth is at risk of decay and there is also a high risk of gum disease. If you are planning to eat or drink something sugary, try to stick to mealtimes, drink through a straw and always wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth. When the enamel is under acid attack, it softens temporarily and brushing during this time period can damage it.
Dental sessions
We cannot stress the importance of regular dental checks enough and we advise all our patients to come for a check-up every 6 months. We also highly recommend sessions with our excellent dental hygienists.
Good oral hygiene is important for a number of reasons, for example preventing gum disease and tooth decay. However, there are now reports that having good oral hygiene can actually save your life. There are a number of studies suggesting that gum disease opens the door to life-threatening illnesses, so brushing your teeth is extremely important to keep the disease at bay.
The importance of brushing and flossing
Not only does daily brushing and flossing keep your teeth looking lovely and white, it also helps to combat bad breath, remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums and hugely reduce the risk of gum disease. If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, bacteria will gather inside the mouth and combine with leftover food particles, forming plaque. Plaque is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
How oral health links to general health
Gum disease and tooth decay are not the only thing to worry about if you don’t take care of your oral hygiene. The bacteria that cause gum disease are also responsible for increasing the risk of systematic illnesses such as strokes and heart disease. It is believed by researchers that harmful bacteria can travel to other parts of the body from the mouth, increasing the risk of serious health issues.
Preventing gum disease
As well as sticking to a thorough daily oral hygiene routine, you should also keep an eye on your diet and have regular check-ups with your dentist. We also recommend regular dental hygiene sessions to keep your mouth clean and free of harmful bacteria.
Another risk factor for gum disease is smoking. Smoking reduces the flow of blood to the gums. Giving up smoking will greatly reduce your risk of getting gum disease as well as being highly beneficial for your overall health. At Clifton Dental Studio, we are happy to offer constructive advice to anyone who is looking to quit smoking.
If you have any questions about oral hygiene, from choosing which brush to use to learning more about tooth decay, give us a call today.
Bad breath is a very common problem that can leave you feeling embarrassed and self conscious. Lots of people suffer from bad breath from time to time, but if it’s a recurring problem for you then it can have a very negative impact on your daily life. At Clifton Dental Studio, our wonderful team of dental hygienists can help you to say goodbye to bad breath for good, so you can be confident when attending social events, work conferences and family gatherings.
Why do we get bad breath?
Many people get bad breath after eating and drinking strong flavours such as coffee, garlic or spicy curries. However, many cases of bad breath are connected with poor oral hygiene, which results in an unnecessary amount of bacteria gathering in your mouth. When the bacteria feed, they realise foul-smelling gases and this is why bad breath occurs.
Smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.
How can bad breath be treated?
If your bad breath is persistent, and you don’t just get it after consuming certain foods or drinks, there is probably an underlying reason for this. Our hygienists will identify the cause and look into the various ways of resolving the issue. Dental hygiene treatment methods are very effective in removing plaque and bacteria from the mouth, as well as providing a deep and intense oral clean. At Clifton Dental Studio we recommend regular oral hygiene appointments, paired with your daily oral hygiene regime at home.
Chewing sugar free gum after eating smelly foods is another way of avoiding bad breath triggers.
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
