Category: Dental Advice

What Is Gum Disease And How Does It Affect Me?

Gum disease is swelling of the gums and the structures that support your teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease, gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the swelling and redness of the part of your gum at the base of your teeth. Symptoms include bleeding gums when you brush, swollen gums, bad breath and receding gums.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis can develop if gingivitis progresses without intervention. It damages the soft tissue and can destroy the bone that supports your teeth, resulting it tooth loss. Periodontitis is irreversible once it has resulted in bone loss so it is important that good oral hygiene is maintained to reduce the risk.

What Causes Gum Disease

Plaque forms on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that forms over the surface of your teeth composed mainly of bacteria. Plaque that isn’t removed through daily brushing remains on your teeth and hardens into tartar (calculus), which collects bacteria. Tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove and causes irritation along the gum line. You will need to visit your dentist to remove the tartar. The plaque and tartar irritate your gum line, causing inflammation and bleeding. This is gingivitis, and if not treated, will progress into periodontitis which causes bone loss.

Preventing Gum Disease

  • Brush your teeth twice a day, spit after brushing, do not rinse.
  • Clean in between your teeth everyday using floss or interdental brushes.
  • See a dentist and dental hygienist for regular appointments.

If you require any further information or you would like to book a check-up with us to check for any symptoms of gum disease please call us on 01723 670500 or email us at info@newbydental.co.uk.

Why It Is Important That Your Child Stops Sucking Their Thumb

Babies have a natural reflex for sucking their thumbs that can even begin before birth. Because it can sometimes help children feel secure and safe, it can often develop into a habit. Most children will stop sucking their thumbs on their own, usually between the age of 2 and 4.

How Can Thumb Sucking Affect Children’s Oral Health?

Thumb sucking doesn’t usually become a problem until a child’s permanent teeth come in. According to the British Orthodontic Society, if the habit stops before the age of seven, the teeth will often correct themselves. However, evidence suggests that one in every eight children between the ages of seven and eleven have an extended habit. If the habit continues once permanent teeth are visible, their position can be permanently affected and self correction is less likely to occur. At this point, thumb sucking might start to affect your child’s palate (roof of their mouth) and how the teeth line up. Problems that can occur include crossbite, an anterior open bite, misshapen palate and difficulty with eating.

What Can I Do to Encourage My Child To Stop Sucking Their Thumb?

Reward your child! Give them praise or offer them small rewards such as a trip to the park or an extra bedtime story. Set them goals such as going a week without sucking their thumb, mark the days off on a calendar using stickers so your child can visualise their achievement.

Identify what is causing them to suck their thumb. Some children will turn to the habit when they are stressed. Recognise the issue and offer them comfort in other ways, such as reassuring words or a hug.

Some children will suck their thumb without thought. Gently remind them to stop but don’t criticise them when doing so.

If you are concerned about your child’s habit and feel that it is negatively affecting their oral health, ask your dentist to speak to them at their next appointment. Some children may appreciate hearing the advice from someone other than their parents, who can offer guidance and explain how it can affect their mouth in a way they can fully understand.

If you require any further guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@newbydental.co.uk

Shocking Truth About Baby Food

In a recent article, the British Dental Association are calling for a change to be made to the surprising levels of sugar in some brands of baby food.

Baby food pouches have become very popular among parents as they provide a convenient grab and go approach. However a recent study has found that some popular branded baby pouches contain high levels of sugar, meaning that children could be getting hooked at an age as young as four months old.

Additionally, as the food can be eaten directly from the pouch, the contents are being left in contact with the teeth for even longer.

Research into 109 pouches found that:

  • Over a quarter contained more sugar by volume than Coca Cola. Infants as young as four months are marketed fruit-based pouches that contain the equivalent of upto 150% of the sugar levels of pop.
  • It appears that high end brands have higher levels of sugar than supermarket own brands, with Ella’s Kitchen being criticised.
  • Some products aimed at four month olds were tested and were found to contain upto two thirds of an adults recommended daily allowance.
  • WHO guidance recommends weaning from six months old, so no products should be marketed at four months plus, yet nearly 40% of the products examined were marketed at this age group.
  • Over two thirds of the products examined exceeded the 5g of sugar per 100ml threshold set for the sugar levy applied to drinks.

Experts say the level of sugar in these foods is a concern as it could lead to your child having a preference for sweeter foods throughout their life. This could lead to oral health problems, such as tooth decay, but also obesity.

The Best Food For Babies

Parents should look for single ingredient foods when their children are younger than six months. A child’s taste preferences are formed and solidified during their first year of life. Parents should avoid baby food that contains a mixture of fruits and vegetables as it can teach a child that vegetables only taste good when sweetened.

5 Tips For Children Who Are Afraid of The Dentist

Our practice provides a friendly, comfortable environment to help keep all of our patients as calm as possible. However, it can be a scary experience for young children to visit the dentist. Children worry about being separated from their patients and being alone with a dentist that they might not have met before. They also fear certain procedures such as injections and drilling. This is why it is important that your child attends regular dentist appointments from a young age so that they get used to the sounds and smells that make up the dental environment. Here are our tips and tricks to help your child move past their anxieties:

Good Role Models

Children are very perceptive and will listen to what you say about your experience of dental treatments. Make sure that you talk positively about your dentist to ensure that your child feels safe. You could try bringing your child to one of your appointments to show them what the dentist does and try to make it a positive experience so that they look forward to their turn in the dental chair.

Also, whilst at home, make sure that you stress the importance of oral hygiene to your child. Encourage them to watch you whilst you brush and floss your teeth so that they can see a good oral hygiene routine and learn how to do it themselves.

Use Positive Words

When talking to your child about the dentist, make sure you are using positive words. Even if you feel negatively about the dentist, do not project this onto your children as they are very impressionable and may refuse to visit the dentist due to something bad that they have overheard you saying. If you are unsure of how to talk to your children about the dentist, give our team a call on 01723 670500 and they will help to provide any advice they can.

Relax and Distract

Another tip for parents would be to bring along cuddly toys, books, games etc for them to play with. These can act as a distractor and help them to link the dentist with positive things so that in the future they look forward to attending their appointments.

Help Your Dentist Form Common Ground With Your Child

Talk to your dentist about things that your child enjoys, such as hobbies or certain foods that they might appreciate. This will help your child feel more comfortable visiting the dentist as it will help to establish a friendly relationship.

Discuss

Briefly explain to your child what their appointment is likely to entail. Describe the appointment in a way that makes your child excited to attend. However, do not create unrealistic scenarios. For example, telling your child that it ‘won’t be painful’ is a promise that could be easily broken and it may cause you and the dentist to lose your child’s trust.

If you require any extra information, visit the NHS website or give our team a call on 01723 670500.

How Stress Affects Your Oral Health

Stress is something that most people will experience in their lifetime and many of us know the implications it can have on our well-being. But did you know that stress can have a negative impact on your oral health?

1. Gum Disease

Your body produces immune cells to protect it against harmful bacteria. However, when the body is under stress, it doesn’t produce enough immune cells. Bacteria plays an important role in the development of gum disease. Healthy gums are firm and pink. Symptoms of gum disease include, bleeding, swollen and sore gums. These symptoms would normally indicate gingivitis which is reversible. However, if it progresses into periodontal disease it is irreversible.

If you are concerned about your oral health, call us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment with one of our hygienists who will be happy to treat you and provide advice to prevent gum disease.

2. Bad Breath

There is a link between gum disease and bad breath, clinically known as halitosis. There is a buildup of plaque and bacteria along the gumline. The bacteria break down proteins and release odours. Stress can also cause you to have an irregular oral hygiene routine. You may also experience dry mouth, which is a common symptom of anxiety and stress. This significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and other diseases. Saliva helps to neutralise the acid that attacks your teeth, helping to fight tooth decay.

3. Clenching And Grinding

Individuals who are stressed may find themselves grinding their teeth a lot, whether it is during the day or while sleeping. This can cause headaches, earache and toothache. It can also cause damage to your teeth overtime, such as chipping, breaking and sensitivity.

Visit your dentist who will be able to assess your jaw and make you a nightguard to wear whilst you sleep.

4. Decay and Erosion

As a result of stress many people often turn to foods, whether it is snacking, high sugar foods or alcohol consumption. Coupled with poor oral hygiene, this can lead to dental decay and erosion.

5. Mouth Ulcer

Stress suppresses the immune system leaving your body open to diseases and infection. Mouth ulcers are a perfect example of this and although they are almost harmless, they can cause discomfort in your day to day life. Minimising your exposure to stressful situations and trying to adopt lifestyle changes can help reduce the frequency of developing ulcers.

How To Minimise Stress

Stress is often unavoidable but there are ways you can try to minimise the impact:

  • Lifestyle changes: stress can sometimes cause us to make unhealthy lifestyle choices. Limiting the consumption of sugary foods and drinks, alcohol and smoking will all help to contribute to a healthier mouth .
  • Exercise: When you exercise, you use physical activity to help relieve stressful thoughts. Any form of exercise will boost endorphins and better help you to organise your emotions in high-tension situations.
  • Develop An Oral Health Routine: Brush your teeth twice a day, once before going to bed and once at another time of day. Floss once a day, using either an interdental brush or floss. In addition, regular use of an alcohol free mouthwash will help to eliminate germs associated with gum disease.
  • Stay hydrated: A common reaction to stress is dry mouth which can cause the buildup of bacteria, leading to bad breath. If you keep your body hydrated, you will minimise your chance of developing dry mouth.
  • Talk to your dentist and make regular check-ups: Your dentist is the best source of advice and they will be able to check for any stress related issues.

If you are concerned about how stress is affecting your oral health, make an appointment with one of our dentists who will be happy to provide any treatment required and give you some advice about how you can prevent any stress related issues. Please call us on 01723 670500.

Why You Should Stop Smoking

Smoking has a detrimental effect on your health, causing diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease and strokes. Whilst these issues are often at the forefront of people’s minds, they often don’t consider the effects on their oral health.

Mouth Cancer

Reported by the NHS, 93% of cancers in the throat are caused by smoking, and if you smoke you are six times more at risk of developing mouth cancer than non-smokers. The risks increase further when combined with alcohol consumption and poor diet. However, if you stop smoking you decrease your risk of cancer even if you have previously been a heavy smoker. Mouth cancer can grow quite quickly so it is important you attend routine appointments so your dentist can look for early signs. At Newby Dental Practice we provide a cancer check with every check up, so book your appointment now!

Risk of Gum Disease

Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream meaning that infected gums can’t heal. This speeds up the effects of gum disease which can result in bone loss, leading to tooth loss.

Tooth Loss

As explained above, smoking reduces the oxygen flow in the bloodstream, worsening the effects of gum disease. Gum disease can result in bone loss which leads to tooth loss.

Bad Breath

When you smoke, over 4,000 chemicals pass through your mouth. The chemicals collect on the surface of your mouth and can mix with your saliva causing bad breath. Smoking can also cause bad breath by drying out your mouth.

Stained Teeth

Tobacco contains nicotine and tar that contribute to the yellow stain on teeth. After a long period of time, many smokers complain that their teeth are almost brown. Book an appointment with one of our hygienists to help remove the staining.

Should I Brush My Teeth Before or After Eating Breakfast?

Many people would say they like to brush their teeth after they eat their breakfast as they don’t like to have food stuck in their teeth when they leave the house. However, it would surprise some people to know that it is beneficial to your oral health to brush your teeth before your breakfast. The main reason that we brush our teeth is to remove plaque. Plaque is a material that coats your teeth and it contains harmful bacteria that breaks down the sugar in our foods to form acids. These acids can damage the enamel which is the hard protective layer of our teeth.

Overnight, plaque builds up on our teeth. When we sleep, our mouths produce less saliva because they are inactive. This allows bacteria to multiply and bind to your teeth. When eating your breakfast you are feeding the bacteria sugars which they will break down into acids, damaging your enamel

Something that a lot of people don’t realise is that some cereals are very high in sugar. If you combine this with a high sugar drink like fresh orange juice, you can alter the pH in your mouth making it more acidic, leading to weakened tooth enamel. If you brush straight after you eat you could be scraping off the essential enamel. Using a fluoride toothpaste before you eat will give an extra layer of protection against the acid attack.

If you still feel like it fits your routine better to brush your teeth after you eat, wait at least half an hour before doing so. At this point the pH in your mouth will have returned to normal.

It’s National Teeth Whitening Day!

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Tooth whitening is a professional process of removing stains and discolouration from teeth, by bleaching, to reveal a brighter smile. Bleaching is even beneficial to those who do not have staining as it can help to brighten your enamel.

Why You Should Celebrate

Foods and drinks stain our teeth overtime. After your treatment you will notice the difference that it has on your appearance, but also on your self confidence.

You also gain the benefit of a dental exam whilst ensuring that whitening is the best treatment for you.

How You Can Celebrate

  • Eat a balanced diet. If this is not already part of your day to day routine, today is the perfect time to start. Try to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet, as well as high-protein foods.
  • Visit your dentist. You should be attending regular checkups with your dentist. If you haven’t been for a while, now is a good time to book that appointment.
  • Replace your toothbrush. Most people are not aware of how often they should be changing their toothbrush. Did you know that you should be getting a new toothbrush (or toothbrush head if you use an electric toothbrush) every three months?
  • Book a professional tooth whitening appointment with us. Treat yourself with a bright smile.

If you are interested in tooth whitening, call us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment or email us at info@newbydental.co.uk for more information.

Why You Shouldn’t Wear Your Dentures At Night

It is often recommended by dentists to wear your new dentures for the first night as this helps to heal your gums more quickly. However, the long term wear of dentures overnight can cause more harm than good. Follow the advice below to learn how to protect your gums and care for your dentures.

There are multiple health reasons why you shouldn’t wear your dentures whilst you sleep. Here are the main benefits of removing your dentures on a night:

Prevents Gum Inflammation

Wearing your dentures overnight can affect the flow of saliva around the mouth as it blocks the saliva’s path. This can result in a condition called Denture Stomatitis, more commonly known as thrush. Denture stomatitis is a condition found commonly in denture-wearers as the base of the denture attracts a buildup of plaque allowing the growth of bacteria. This can be painful as it leads to red and swollen gums, sometimes resulting in yeast infected gums.

Maintains a Tighter Fit

Wearing your dentures overnight can result in bone loss. This can cause your dentures to become loose resulting in them to slip, therefore reducing the ranges of foods that you are able to comfortably eat.

Prevents The Growth of Bacteria

The area where your gums and denture meet is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. This causes bad breath and can eventually result in gum disease. By not wearing your dentures at night, you are allowing your gums to rest without being damaged by bacteria.

Reduces Bone Loss

Dentures put pressure on the gums and the bone underneath. This can quicken the rate of bone resorption. Bone resorption is a natural process but when it happens faster than the bone can be replaced, it can increase your risk of fractures and breakage.

How to Care For Your Dentures Overnight

Now you know that you shouldn’t wear your dentures overnight, it is important that you know how to look after them. Here are our top tips to ensure that your dentures are in the best condition.

Gargle With Warm Water

Gargling with warm water will help to loosen the seal between the adhesive and your denture, making it much easier to remove.

Rinse the Dentures

Once you have removed your dentures rinse them under running water to remove any remaining food particles.

Brush Dentures With a Soft Toothbrush

To brush your dentures use water, denture paste or a non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid using regular toothpaste as it contains abrasives that can cause damage to your dentures.

Remove Adhesive Residues in Your Mouth

Gargle with warm salt water and use a clean washcloth to remove any residue left on your gums and the roof of your mouth. Rinse your mouth out with warm water again. You can also use a soft toothbrush to clean your gums. If you wear a partial denture, don’t forget to brush your natural teeth.

Clean Your Dentures

Soak your dentures in water or a denture cleaning solution overnight. If you use a fast acting cleaning solution, clean your dentures in the solution first and then soak in water overnight. If you have a partial denture make sure you use a solution designed for partials.

In the morning, thoroughly rinse your dentures under running water.

5 Bad Brushing Habits To Avoid

How To Brush Your Teeth Effectively

Regular visits to the dentist are important to maintain a healthy smile, but good oral hygiene starts at home. Although brushing your teeth may seem like a simple task, there are some mistakes you should avoid to ensure that your dental health is in excellent condition.

1. Not Brushing For Long Enough

Most people will know that it is important to brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice daily, but many fall short of that. To make it easier, divide your mouth into 4 sections and spend 30 seconds on each quarter.

2. Brushing Straight After Eating

The food we eat contains acid which weakens our enamel. Therefore, if you brush straight after eating, you’re helping to erode the enamel away. Make sure to wait at least 40 minutes after eating.

3. Don’t Forget the Gums and Tongue

Your tongue and gums can harbour bacteria which can lead to gum disease and bad breath.

4. Not Flossing

Although flossing might not be considered a ‘bad brushing habit’, it is still vital that you use dental floss daily. Only using a toothbrush will not effectively clean all areas of your mouth. Using dental floss or interdental brushes will help to disturb the bacteria in between your teeth, preventing the build up of harmful plaque that can lead to gum disease.

5. Keeping Your Toothbrush for too Long

It is Important that you change your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3-4 months. If not changed frequently, the bristles begin to breakdown meaning that the toothbrush isn’t effectively cleaning your teeth anymore.

Following this advice will help to guide you in the right direction to a healthy mouth. If you would like any extra information please ring the practice on 01723 670500 or email us on info@newbydental.co.uk