Bad breath is a social problem that will lose you more friends than anything else in life, says a Surbiton dentist. The problem usually arises out of a lax or badly orchestrated oral hygiene program, although eating spicy foods heavily laced with garlic, raw onions and chillies will also give you bad breath. Bacteria builds up in the mouth, and the odour is a by-product of the reaction between bad bacteria and those food bits. Rinsing will cure the problem temporarily, but you can’t beat a good and vigorous brush, floss and rinse every time you eat. It often isn’t possible to do this after every meal, and then flossing at least will help a lot in eliminating it. Cupping the hands and sniffing is a waste of time, the nose is filled with the odour and cannot usually detect it, and a bad taste will normally be a good indication of the problem. Sugar in coffee or tea, and these drinks themselves will encourage the production of acids and this will increase the smell quite quickly. Chewing will produce not just a minty taste and smell, but it will also produce saliva that will quickly neutralise acid build up and therefore bad breath. Smoking will also give you a bad breath problem, as will a beer breath the morning after a drinking session, the two combined will make it even stronger and harder to get rid of. It isn’t a good idea to keep disguising the problem; you need to work at eliminating the cause in order to have some long term relief. Giving up smoking and excessive drinking will not only make you healthier, but it will make your breath healthier as well. Flossing every time you clean your teeth, along with using the proper brush and brushing method is a must to keep your mouth healthy and your breath clean.

Braces aren’t designed for easy access to the teeth surfaces when they need cleaning; says a Weybridge dentist. Food residue get into the most smallest of places, and most braces have all the hidey holes that bacteria thrives in. The result of a bad or lax regime in cleaning your teeth and braces will be bad breath, stains and more visits to the dentist. The solution is quite simple though, and there are some very good devices to help you overcome the problem. Rinsing first will help to dislodge any bacterium that has built up in the night, when we sleep our saliva glands stop working and that gives bacteria a better chance to breed. Flossing is important as well, so floss with extra care and vigour to dislodge food residue and bacteria build up. Then comes the brushing, and this needs to be done with more visual contact than usual, making sure that you get in between the teeth and around the braces. Whether you use a hand brush or an electric one there are extra brushes you can get to help with braces. A proxabrush is what you are looking for in the chemist shop, these are designed to allow you to get under the braces and under the solder edges to remove that plaque. When flossing, remember that you need to also floss in between and under the wire, it will take a little longer, but it will reap you big rewards in the end. Remember that you will also need to see your dentist every 3 months as opposed to every 6 months on normal visits; they will rid you of any tartar build up. This will make your breath fresher and keep it fresher for longer, but drinking water throughout the day will also help a lot with acid production.

It is the contact points between teeth and chewing surfaces that are most prone to tooth decay, because food particles and plaque easily get stuck in those areas. Plaque is the filmy substance that coats our teeth attacking the enamel. An accumulation of mucus, decaying food matter and bacteria, plaque increases the acidity of the pH in the mouth which gradually erodes tooth enamel causing cavities and gum disease (also known as gingivitis). Food particles and bacteria in the mouth are also one of the man causes of halitosis, or bad breath, as it is more commonly known.

This happens because the food particles that get stuck, in and between teeth, are decayed by the bacteria present in the plaque. This causes the release of foul smelling sulfurous deposits that are expelled when you breathe out. Worcester park dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day with an appropriate toothbrush and flossing at least once a day to combat bad breath and tooth decay. Brushing and flossing helps to fight plaque, which can eventually turn into tartar and removing by a dentist.

Brushing and flossing are the two most important weapons in the war against plaque, but some conventional toothbrushes find it hard to get to those hard to reach places. This is why flossing is so vital to get to those tricky between teeth areas. There are several types of floss including dental tape and superfloss. Your dentist will be able to recommend the most suitable kind for you.

You might also consider using an interdental brush. These brushes are designed to get to the parts that other brushes can’t reach. Single tuft brushes are particularly good at removing trapped food particles from between the teeth. A Worcester Park dentist can show you how to effectively use interdental brushes. Toothpicks and sticks are also useful to remove any unwanted particles.

As with most areas of oral hygiene, prevention is the key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Effective brushing and just a few extra minutes of care a day to clean between your teeth, could save you a lifetime of appointments and painful procedures.

It is estimated that roughly 70% of bacteria present in the average human mouth live on the surface of the tongue. Thriving on the protein-rich areas of the tongue they multiply rapidly and are then transported around the rest of the mouth by saliva. The bacteria contribute significantly to periodontal problems such as tooth decay, gum disease and recession, and even tooth loss. Bacteria on the tongue are also one of the major contributing factors to halitosis or bad breath. When the bacteria decay they release volatile sulfurous compounds that release a foul odour that causes bad breath.

Bacteria on the tongue has also been linked to a number of larger systemic problems that can occur in the body including cardiovascular problems, pneumonia, osteoporosis and has been attributed to causing diabetes. Dental health professionals and other physicians have linked the bacteria on the tongue to these wider problems and emphasise the importance of a clean tongue as a major factor in oral and general well-being.

Tongue cleaning devices have been used since ancient times and form a significant part of both Chinese and Indian natural medicine. Modern tongue cleaners can help to remove some of the 500 million types of bacteria that can live on the average human tongue, fungi such as candida (the cause of oral thrush), as well as decaying food debris caught in the grooves of the surface.

Tongue cleaning can also help treat the 90% of cases of halitosis which are said to originate on the tongue. Surbiton dentist can provide you with further information about the use of tongue cleaners and when it is appropriate to use them. Regular tooth brushes are often not sufficient for thorough cleaning of the spongy surface of the tongue. Dentists recommend using a specially designed tongue cleaner.

Dental hygiene is of utmost importance for the complete well-being of our body. Research studies have shown poor oral hygiene to be linked to various diseases like stroke, heart disease and diabetes. It has also been proven that poor oral health can lead to low birth weight babies in pregnant women.

These are some tips given by a well-known Surbiton dentist to protect your teeth and gums;

1. Brushing – There is no short cut to this tip. It is very important to brush everyday in the morning and at bedtime. Take time to brush and do not make it a hurried affair. The correct brushing technique goes a long way in protecting your teeth and gums from harmful oral bacteria that cause plaque, cavities, dental caries and other forms of tooth decay.
2. Diet and lifestyle – Consume foodstuffs that cause minimum damage to your teeth. Excess consumption of soft drinks causes corrosion of the tooth enamel. Eating ice cubes and popcorn kernels can also damage your teeth. Do not drink tea or coffee too hot or too cold as this will cause excessive staining and discolouration of the teeth.
3. Flossing – Flossing regularly with a good dental floss helps to remove plaque deposits.
4. Smoking – This causes staining and discolouration and smokers are also more prone to developing gum diseases.
5. Medications – Many drugs also cause tooth and gum diseases as a side-effect.
6. Regular check-up – Routine dental check-ups can detect tooth decay or gum diseases in the initial stage itself and appropriate treatment can be followed.

Take good care of your teeth and gums for a healthy and beautiful smile.

Smoking has an immense detrimental effect on oral health causing oral cancers, gum diseases and poor wound healing apart from causing plaque, tooth decay and dental caries. Studies have shown that smokers are more prone to losing their teeth faster than non-smokers.

Of all the medical practitioners, dentists can play an important role in aiding a person to quit smoking. Since most smokers suffer from periodontal disease, a dentist is always approached for regular check-ups which give them a chance to help kick the habit. Recent research studies have shown that quitting smoking along with gum treatment gives a person healthier gums.

Dentists in Sunbury can also perform the twin role of a smoking cessation counsellor which is very helpful for people who are chain smokers. A dental practitioner or a dental hygienist can hold counselling sessions and is at a much better advantage to advice people on the harmful effects of smoking like development of oral cancer, severe periodontal disease and tooth decay which ultimately leads to premature tooth loss.

Dental practitioners must also educate their patients that poor oral health caused by smoking can lead to other diseases like heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other respiratory problems. It is a common fact that patients often listen to their doctor’s advice, hence the brief time spent with the dentist can actually be turned into an advantage by talking to the patient about the health benefits of giving up this dreadful habit. Showing pictures of periodontal diseases in other smokers can also be helpful in gaining the patient’s attention and promote smoking cessation.

Anything that you eat has to go through the mouth. The process of chewing and drinking involves the interaction of the teeth with the food particles and this is why you must take good care of your teeth.

Regular brushing and flossing at times fall short of keeping your teeth in a healthy condition since not everyone is aware of the exact procedure involved in it. In several cases it is the people who brush and floss regularly who have dental problems. And if you smoke, things just get worse.

There are certain areas which are difficult for us to floss resulting in food particles getting deposited in them. The food particles are constantly in touch with the saliva and hence the decaying process begins. No matter how much you adjust yourself in front of the mirror, your flossing will never be as perfect as that done by a dentist. There are several efficient dentists in Worcester Park from where you can get your teeth cleaned. If you wish to avoid dental problems then it is best that you get it done twice or thrice every year.

Most individuals are unaware of the process and hence have preset notions about it. There have been several queries regarding the pain involved. Interdental cleaning is a painless process and when done by experienced hands, it will be over within a matter of minutes.

It is always better to count on professional help as they are well versed with the problems relating to the teeth and will make sure that all measures are undertaken to render you with clean teeth.

If you have bad breath (halitosis), chances are everyone around you has a way of letting you know about it. Without a question, if you are tired of people grabbing for their nose each time you speak, it is time to visit a Surbiton dentist. Today, there are a number of medications and procedures that can be used to help get rid of bad breath. Your dentist can also give you some valuable information about foods and dental products to avoid.

Even though you may realize that halitosis is caused by germs, you may mistakenly believe that antibacterial mouthwashes will solve the problem. Interestingly enough, if they contain alcohol, they will kill off the good bacteria in your mouth. This, in turn, can make your bad breath problem even worse. In a similar way, your dentist can give you a good bit of information on how sugary foods and sweets can also contribute to bacterial growth.

When you need to get rid of bad breath, your dentist will systemically search for the cause. This includes referring you to your regular doctor for blood work. Oddly enough, if you are diabetic, or have kidney problems, they may be causing bad breath. Aside from this, you dentist may also give you some medications that will help while you are working on resolving other health issues.

There is no question that the social impact of bad breath is a matter of concern. Nevertheless, it is also very important to realize that halitosis may also be a key warning related to some other heath condition. Regardless of whether that condition is oral in nature, or in other parts of your body, it is very important to visit your dentist in order to find the cures and answers that will restore your health, and help you have good smelling breath.

Parents in East Molesey should prevent their children from immediately brushing their teeth after consuming foods or drinks that are acidic.

According to a study conducted by Jimmy Steele, professor of dental sciences at the University of Newcastle, acidic foods cause tooth erosion and tooth decay. By brushing the teeth immediately after an acidic meal, the soft enamel of the teeth which have been softened by the acid will be further damaged by brushing.

Over brushing and using hard toothbrushes would aggravate even more the damage.

Steele’s survey also found that more than 50 percent of five-year old children have problems with tooth erosion due to acidic foods and drinks. The survey also found that 30 percent of 12-year-old children have been suffering from the worst types of tooth erosion due to acid.

Some of the techniques to help your children avoid tooth erosion and tooth decay are:

• Advise your children to drink acidic juices with a straw. The straw lessens acidic fluids from getting into contact with the teeth.

• Teach them how to drink acidic drinks with the straw placed away from the teeth.

• Advise them to wait for some time before brushing their teeth after consuming acidic foods or drinks.

• Teach them which foods are acidic and which are not. Among the more popular acidic foods are oranges and other citrus fruits and foods with dressings or sauces.

• Look for toothpaste products that highlight their gentleness on the teeth enamel.

All the same, one of the best options is to bring your children to your dentist in East Molesey and ask about tooth erosion and tooth decay due to acid.

The soft deposit forming on the teeth’s surface is referred to as plaque. It is home to a variety of oral bacteria and actually forms a part of the teeth’s natural defence. However, if plaque is not removed, it can calcify and lead to periodontal or gum disease. For this reason, regular visits to remove calcified plaque by your Weybridge dentist are recommended.

Considered to be a biofilm, plaque is mainly composed of Streptococcus mutans and other anaerobic bacteria like Actinobacteria.

Normally, these bacteria does not cause any harm but if the plaque is not removed, they undergo anaerobic respiration and start producing acid. This can lead to:

• Demineralization of the tooth which leads to dental caries
• Inability of saliva to penetrate the plaque build up preventing it from neutralizing the acid and re-mineralizing the tooth
• Irritation of the gums which could result to periodontal diseases
• Formation of calculus or tartar

Surprisingly, all these can be prevented since it is relatively-simple to get rid of plaque. Consider the following tips:

• Brush teeth least twice a day
• Floss teeth at least thrice a week
• Avoid eating foods and drinks high in refined sugar
• Use antiseptic mouthwash as part of your oral hygiene regimen
• Visit your  dentist regularly for professional cleaning and routine check up
• Avoid smoking

By knowing what plaque is and how you can get rid of it, you are reducing your chances of suffering from periodontal or gum disease and other plaque-related oral condition.