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.

Parents will be surprised to learn that most  dentist do not recommend giving children a bedtime bottle for this could lead to tooth decay. Keep in mind that tooth decay may go unnoticed until it is too late to save your child’s teeth.

Health experts have always advised parents to wean their child from the bottle after six months, encouraging them to use a feeding cup instead. If ever you have trouble accomplishing this, make sure you follow these rules:

• If your child needs a bottle to give him comfort during the night, it is best to give him water in a feeding bottle instead.
• If you can not avoid giving your child milk at night time, make sure you do not allow your child to fall asleep with the feeding bottle in the mouth
• Give you child water after every bottle feeding in order to remove the sugar on his teeth

Of course, proper oral care hygiene program should be implemented as soon as your child’s teeth appear. This should include:

• Regular visits to the dentist
• Fluoride supplements
• Avoiding sweets and juices
• Brushing teeth regularly

Eating healthy food such as vegetables, meat, cereals and fresh fruits is also recommended to strengthen your child’s teeth. Recommended snacks include:

• Bananas
• Carrot sticks
• Rice cakes
• Plain popcorn
• Crackers
• Cucumber
• Breadsticks
Your child’s dental health will rely on how you take care of his teeth. You can always ask your Sunbury dentist for advice regarding the proper care of your child’s teeth.

Gum reshaping is increasingly becoming popular in Kingston Upon Thames for it addresses several cosmetic issues such as:

• Uneven gums
• Receding gums
• Gummy smile

With the latest technique in laser  surgery, all of these gum conditions can be treated effectively and efficiently. In no time at all, you will be able to smile without feeling self-conscious about your gums.

There are several advantages to laser  surgery. Among them are:

• Immediate results
• Safe and effective
• Cost-efficient
• Non-invasive
• Long-term benefits
• Less visits to your  dentist

If you are interested in a gum reshaping procedure, here are some of the things that you need to know:

• The procedure is done under a local anaesthetic which makes it pain-free
• On the average, the procedure takes about two minutes per tooth
• Gum reshaping can be done in conjunction with other dental procedures like crowns or porcelain veneers
• Healing and recovery period is usually just for a couple of days

In addition to gum reshaping, laser  surgery can be performed as part of the treatment for soft tissue problems, lesion removal and treatment of periodontal or gum disease.

With laser gum surgery, there is no more reason for you to hide your smile. You can enjoy having even and healthy-looking gums – thanks to this simple yet effective cosmetic procedure!

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.

Approximately 1 out of 5 individuals in the United Kingdom suffers from recurring cold sores. Known to be caused by HSV 1 or herpes simplex virus type 1, this oral condition is characterized by a tiny, painful and fluid-filled blister usually located on the lips. Your Surbiton dentist can provide you with the proper dental care to effectively manage and treat cold sores.

In most cases, the virus is contracted during early childhood, around 3 – 5 years of age. The symptoms usually appear after the individual reached puberty and the primary infection exhibit the following:

• Tingling sensation on the area where the blister will appear
• Appearance of fluid-filled blisters
• Sores become covered with scabs after 8-10 days

Most individuals experience recurrence of cold sores especially at times when the body’s defences are low due to, for instance, a cold. Other things you can do to prevent its reactivation include:

• Washing hands when touching lips
• Avoiding contact with the blisters
• Preventing the spread of the virus by picking at the blisters
• Having a healthy lifestyle to strengthen immune system

If you think you have cold sores, you can always go to the nearest dentist to have them checked out. Diagnosis will usually involve physical examination of the blisters as well as confirmation via blood test.

It is important to treat cold sores to minimize spread of the virus that can lead to other health problems. Your Surbiton dentist can offer you several treatment options including:

• Ointment (aciclovir or penciclovir)
• Anti HSV-agents for recurring cold sores

With the right diagnosis and treatment, cold sores can be easily managed. Simply follow your dentist’s advice in order to avoid any complications.

A great way to attain a perfect smile is to have  porcelain veneers. These thin ceramic pieces are bonded to the front of the teeth and provide a natural way to hide discoloration. They can really improve the appearance of your teeth and bring back that gleam on your smile.
Cosmetic dentists recommend porcelain veneers as a smile-makeover tool that has long-lasting results. They can correct several dental conditions such as:
• Teeth discoloration
• Crooked or misshapen teeth
• Diastemas
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Stained, washed out or unsightly fillings
A little expensive than other cosmetic dental alternatives, porcelain veneers are worth the cost because of their advantages over other procedures. These include:
• Natural looking. Porcelain is white and translucent. It reacts to light by reflecting it back off the layer beneath the dental cement that attaches it. This gives you the natural-looking smile that is the envy of everyone.
• Stain-resistant. Because porcelain has ceramic surface, the stain produced by food that you eat and beverage that you take every day will just roll off and will not stick on it.
• No anaesthesia. Your Worcester Park dentist does not need to use anaesthesia when he places porcelain veneers on your front teeth.
• During the procedure, only a small amount of the structure of your tooth will be removed to place the porcelain veneer.
• The procedure requires less time and cost than placing full crowns.
Now that you have decided on porcelain veneers, you should also know how to take care of them to maintain their shine:
• Maintain regular cleaning and exams
• Oral hygiene at home should be done on a regular basis
• Avoid foods and beverages that could stain your porcelain veneers, such as cherries, tea and coffee
You must keep in mind that porcelain veneers, or any other dental veneers for that matter, are not perfect replacements for your natural teeth. Expect some slight variations in colour compare with your natural teeth.

New parents should understand that newborn babies are more prone to oral conditions such as infections and oral thrush because of their relatively-weaker immune system. For this reason, you should work with your Surrey dentist to ensure that the correct oral hygiene program is implemented to ensure your child’s oral health.

Newborn Babies
Breastfeeding can actually transmit bacteria and germs to your baby via the skin. It is therefore important that you clean the area around your nipple before feeding your baby. Since most babies are bottle-fed, parents should make sure that the bottles and plastic nipples are sterilised before use. If your baby uses a pacifier or a dummy, this should be sterilised as well.

Although oral thrush is quite common among babies, it might be a good idea to buy a new set of feeding equipment especially if the oral disease is recurring.

Older Babies
Since teeth begin to appear during the sixth month, your baby should be checked regularly by a Surrey dentist in order to monitor signs of dental cavities. If your baby drinks plenty of juices and eat sweets, then they are more prone to cavities. To minimize this, make sure you give juices in a feeding cup and softly brush the baby’s teeth daily. The gums and tongue should also be cleaned using gauze or cotton dipped in sterile water.

During teething, it is best that you consider these tips:

• Remove dribble and saliva gently
• Put Vaseline around mouth if soreness or irritation occurs
• Ask your dentist fro a mild pain reliever

Most dentists prescribe fluoride supplements as soon as the first set of teeth appears to strengthen them. Again, you can ask your dentist regarding this.

Considered to be the sixth most common cancer in men, oral cancer spreads quickly accounting for the high rate of death. Early diagnosis is important in order for the patient to enjoy a good prognosis. In recent years, saliva test has been used to detect oral cancer. You can ask your  dentist regarding such test.

Patients diagnosed with oral cancer at an early stage can enjoy an 80 to 90 percent survival. Before, diagnosis of oral cancer relied on physical signs and symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Mouth ulcers
• Red or white patches
• Other unusual changes in the mouth
• Risk factors such as smoking

Usually, any suspicious findings will prompt the dentist to run further tests such as:

• Biopsy
• Blood test
• Body scans
• X-rays

But with the discovery of saliva testing, diagnosis becomes more efficient. The saliva test involves analysis for certain bacterial species which were found to be present in high amounts in patients with oral cancer. These species include:

• Prevetolla melaninogenica
• Streptococcus mitis
• Capnocytophaga gingivalis

Although these bacteria have been suspected to be the cause for the oral cancer, their presence certainly confirms the disease.

Once the oral cancer has been diagnosed, your dentist will work with an oncologist to present your with several treatment options. These options usually include:

• Radiotherapy
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy

Again, early detection of the disease is important for a higher chance of survival. Visit your Molesey dentist regularly to monitor your oral health.

Even though you may have broken a tooth, or it has a significant number of cavities, it can still be saved. While crown lengthening can be an expensive procedure, it will allow you to keep your natural teeth a little bit longer. Today, you can have this procedure done at a dentist office located in Molesey.

Before you have crown lengthening done, it is important to make sure that you understand the procedure. As you may be aware, your teeth are made up of a visible portion, or crown, and a root system that is embedded into the bone underneath your gums. In some cases, bone and gum can be removed in order to expose more of the tooth. Typically, this will be covered with an artificial crown, or materials to fill a cavity.

Depending on your situation, the crown lengthening process may require several visits. For example, your dentist may opt to remove small amounts of bone and gum tissue over the course of two or more visits. During that time, you will most likely need to wear temporary crowns. As may be expected, it can take several months before you are done healing from this type of procedure.

While crown lengthening can help you save one tooth, it can cause irreversible damage to the bone surrounding your other teeth. In some cases, this can lead to weakness later on that will result in the loss of one or more teeth. Your dentist will need to review your xrays and medical history carefully in order to evaluate this risk factor.

There is no question that saving your natural teeth will always be the best option to pursue. Typically, crown lengthening will be one of the last efforts that you dentist can make before having to extract a tooth. On the other hand, your dentist will also have to weigh the consequences that bone and gum removal will have on the rest of your teeth.

As you may be aware, once burning mouth syndrome starts, it may be very difficult to get rid of it. In many cases, medications, menopause, and diabetes can cause this condition. On the other hand, it is equally important to realize that burning mouth syndrome can also have a dental origin. When you visit your dentist in Shepperton, you will be able to rule these factors out as quickly as possible. If your pain is being caused by certain conditions, your dentist may be able to treat it with a minimal amount of difficulty.

To begin, dentures and broken teeth can abrade your mouth more than you realize. Eventually, this may cause your entire mouth to feel like it is on fire. As may be expected, tending to these matters will also help stop burning mouth syndrome. If this is the cause of your burning mouth syndrome, you should experience relief as soon as your gums, tongue, and inner cheeks heal up.

Surprisingly enough, you may have thrush infection and not realize it. When you visit your dentist, they will be able to do a simple test to find out if bacteria are present. From there, you will be given an antifungal mouth rinse, which should alleviate your pain.

In some cases, burning mouth syndrome can be caused by a reduced amount of saliva. Aside from advising you to drink more fluids, your dentist may also recommend saliva replacement medications. You may also feel better if you stop drinking coffee, or other beverages that have a lot of acid in them.

Today, many people start out by asking their regular doctor for assistance with burning mouth syndrome. While this makes sense under a number of different circumstances, you may also want to see your dentist. Among other things, if you have thrush, or issues with broken teeth, your dentist can address these matters easily and efficiently.