Oral Hygiene advice is free, and anyone who ignores it does so at their own peril. It is a tried and tested preventative way of keeping our mouths, teeth and gums free from early decay and disease, says a Worcester Park dentist. Flossing is something that most people over look, yet it is so important in the prevention of all problems our teeth encounter. Flossing will remove most of the food particles trapped in between the teeth; this debris is full of natural and unnatural sugars and fats. The bad bacteria in our food lives off this debris and then dies, it is then deposited onto the enamel of our teeth and forms a hard material called Tartar. Tartar is the off white deposits that usually lay at the bottom and top of the teeth, sitting initially on the border between the root and the gum line. When this gets out of control it starts to eat away at the protective layers of gum that guard the root, when this happens infections will set in. One of the most devastating consequences is a receding gum line, this exposes the vulnerable part of the enamel and it wears down quite quickly. This will lead to the tooth breaking off and causing us more problems. The bacteria can also leak into the blood system and cause heart and other problems, and all for the sake of a few minutes flossing.

Keeping your gums healthy isn’t an easy job, and you are the only person, who can do this important job in oral care, says a Molesey dentist. The most important thing to remember is that once your gums recede the damage is done and is irreparable, not even your dentist can save them. The best you can hope for is to be able to keep the periodontal disease at bay and slow its progress. Just brushing alone won’t solve the problem of keeping the gums healthy, it needs much more of an effort and that must include flossing in between and around the back of the teeth. Plaque is the enemy of gums, and a build up of plaque will not just weaken the root of the tooth, but it allows the gums to become soft and that’s when they are prone to cuts. Once a gum is cut then bacteria can infect the inside and that’s when the problems really start, if an infection isn’t dealt with straight away then a more serious problem like an abscess will occur. Receding of the gums leaves the tooth and its root exposed to the build up of tartar, this is a hardened version of the dead bacteria that starts off producing acid that eats away at our enamel. Tartar is scraped off when we go for our 6 monthly check up, but by then the damage is usually already done. Flossing at night is the most important job in oral hygiene care, for when we sleep we stop producing saliva that neutralises acid production. It is when we are asleep that the most damage is done to our teeth and gums. The gums are as important as our teeth are, as they protect them from the harshness of what we put in our mouths, therefore it is a good idea to look after them well.

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.

If you’ve ever been unfortunate to suffer any kind of dental health problem you’ll know full well that it’s no laughing matter. Toothache doesn’t have a bad reputation for nothing after all, and with over 90 per cent of people in the UK admitting some kind of fear of the dentist, it would seem our teeth are something we should be keen to look after.

The key to good dental health is prevention. Although the advances in technology have meant that modern dentistry is able to cure most dental concerns relatively painlessly, the procedures are often costly and can still be unpleasant. The only way to avoid dental problems is to prevent them occurring in the first place. This is easily achievable by following three easy steps. Firstly, by brushing correctly twice a day using an appropriate toothbrush for your teeth (your dentist will be able to recommend a suitable brush) for three minutes. Secondly, by flossing at least once a day you will be able to clean the parts of the teeth that conventional brushing is unable to reach. This includes between the teeth and below the gumline. Flossing also removes food particles that get stuck in the teeth which are one of the main causes of plaque and bad breath. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, is by having regular six-month dental check-ups. Even though many people are afraid of the dentist, by visiting regularly there really will be nothing to fear. In fact, the more you visit the less likely the chance of any problems occurring, the less scary your check-ups will be. It really does make sense.

There are other things you can do to protect your teeth and gums, such as drinking water after meals, eating the right foods and not snacking in between meals. These will all help to maintain good oral hygiene but will only work in tandem with effective cleaning.

The alternatives to protecting your teeth and gums is a lifetime of tooth decay, gum disease and costly dental procedures that doesn’t bear thinking about. A Surbiton dentist will be able to offer you regular check-ups and offer you advice about the proper cleaning methods.

Numerous causes exist as to why a tooth or teeth become or are discoloured These include but are not limited to: tobacco use, food and drinks consumed, inadequate oral hygiene, disease(s), drugs dental restorations, ageing, genetics, and/or trauma. Your Surbiton dentist will review your health history and thoroughly examine your mouth, to help determine the causes of tooth/teeth discolouration. In terms of your dental and health history, your Surbiton dentist will asks many questions. These will include:
1) Do you use or have you ever used chewing tobacco or smoked? If so, how much, how often, and for how many years?
2) Do you eat dark coloured fruits and vegetables, drink coffee, colas, tea, or red wine? If so, how much, how often, and for how many years?
3) Show me how you brush and floss your teeth? How often and for how long do you brush and floss your teeth?
4) Are there any disease(s) that you have that will discolour your tooth enamel or dentin?
5) Are you taking any medication(s), or have you in the past, that will cause tooth discolouration? Did you mother take any medication(s), while she was pregnant with you, such as tetracyclines, antihistamines, anti-hypertensives, or antipsychotic, that would have discoloured your teeth?
6) Was there any previous trauma to your teeth, and when and how did this occur?
7) Where did you grow up? Was there fluoridated water? Was the water hard or soft? Was the water from a well or public water supply?
Also, advanced age can be the cause of tooth/teeth discolouration. The enamel layer of the tooth/teeth can be very thin, and more of the dentin (coloured layer) may be visible. Dental amalgams, mostly those that contain sulfides, can discolour your teeth, leaving them gray. Heredity is also a large factor, and if your parents had whiter teeth, chances are that you will also have whiter teeth.
If you want to prevent tooth/teeth discolouration, you may consider making several lifestyle changes in terms of eating, drinking and smoking. Cut back on dark foods and beverages, and try to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Perform the best oral hygiene you possibly can, and visit your Surbiton dentist and have your teeth cleaned by a trained and certified dental hygienist. If you want a whiter smile, your dentist can help. The dentist will suggest teeth whitening, bonding, and/or porcelain veneers.