The Mulberry Dental Blog » oral health

Sunbury dentists are experts in kids teeth too

admin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:41:36 +0000

Dentists are not only expert in the area of adult teeth. During their rigorous training they also come to know all about the way that children’s teeth work and need to be cared for. This is good because kids teeth need just as much care as adult teeth and any problems that are developed during childhood can lead to life long difficulties that are frankly best avoided.

Essentially the maxims at the heart of looking after the oral health of children are not much different to that of adults. They should be avoiding plaque and looking to strengthen the enamel on their teeth as much as possible. Alongside this, dietary considerations can help with avoiding tooth decay. But the difference is that children have to be taught to take responsibility for the health of their teeth because they are in the care of their parents or guardians.

This is the real challenge of those looking after children: trying to instil in them a sense that they need to take care of their own teeth. Starting early with this idea will do no harm at all. Encourage children to brush their own teeth from a young age but be careful to keep an eye on them. Sometimes children can brush with some aggression and this can damage their gums. Be careful with how much tooth paste they are using and be aware that infants are advised not to use fluoride tooth paste.

Take your children to see their Sunbury dentist so that they feel relaxed and comfortable with being in the dental surgery. This will equip them for the routine of adulthood where they should be going for a check up every six months.

Got problems with dental phobia? Surbiton dentists can help you with it

admin — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 03:47:07 +0000

It probably isn’t something that you think about very often but if you feel anxious about going to the dentist it will come to mind once in a while when you are brushing your teeth and wondering about the health of your mouth. Because the fact is that dentists are experts in the health of your teeth and gums and it is very much worth your while going to see them regularly so that, should a problem occur, it can be dealt with in the correct fashion.

Dental phobia is common in adults who have bad childhood memories of not enjoying going to the surgery. It can also stem from a fear of needles or the dentist’s drill. Pain free gels are now common in dental surgeries and they ease the feelings that are associated with injections. In some surgeries, where possible, targeted jets of water are now being used instead of the drill to achieve the same results but without the vibrations from the drilling.

Some people are anxious about visiting the dentist because they have had a dentist in the past who is not sympathetic to their issues. What should always be borne in mind here is that there are plenty of other dentists available and you should find another one. The customer services revolution that has hit the high street has also affected the way dental surgeries are run and you should be able to expect a warm welcome and a comfortable environment at your surgery.

Book an informal appointment with your Surbiton dentist and they will be able to explain all of the changes which are helping patients to overcome the dental phobia that can be so damaging for your oral health.

A Dentist’s Practise Of Periodontal Examinations In Shepperton

admin — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 03:59:29 +0000

We all have to get the car MOT’d once a year right, so why not our mouths? A dentist at Shepperton feels that more often than not, we turn a blind eye to our own health problems and favour concentrating our efforts on more material pursuits. A periodontal examination is the only way to effectively gauge the state of our oral health and rectify any problems that may be diagnosed- just like the motor. So starting with the gums, dentists will check for any signs of gum disease, bleeding gums, swelling gums, receding gums, gum pockets, periodontitis and gingivitis. The colour of your gums, tongue and cheeks will indicate any precancerous conditions. They will also check for lesions in the mouth. Then they will check the teeth- build up of plaque and tartar, teeth colouration, worn teeth, missing teeth, any signs of grinding and root exposure before moving on to any restoration work- bridges, crowns, implants, dentures and fillings. Most importantly, they will measure the alignment of the occlusion. Once every detail is recorded and analysed, they can make a complete diagnosis of your oral hygiene and if there is any indication of a problem, they can advise you on treatments or refer you to a specialist. Impressions and x-rays may be taken to help in your diagnosis and in special cases, they may insist on a panoramic radiograph of the skull. This will highlight any sinus or jaw joint problems. If certain treatments are required, the dentist can then chart your progress to see if the treatments are affective and let’s not forget that prevention is better than cure and a dentist will advise you on the best course of oral hygiene to take.

Molesey dentist advises on how to keep your gums healthy

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:29:37 +0000

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.

A Sunbury dentist advises on children’s oral health

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:51:44 +0000

Just because our children will lose their milk teeth and grow adult ones, doesn’t mean they don’t need to be taught oral care. A Sunbury dentist has spoken out about the lack of oral health care in children; it seems that children aren’t being taught about oral hygiene until later in life. The problem may be that we tend to think about our children’s teeth at a much later stage in their development, than we do about talking and walking. A baby can develop teeth problems from the moment they are born, even before our children get their milk teeth they can develop dental disorders. Acid build up in their mouth is a by-product of milk formula which is counteracted by their saliva production, but we tend to feed them just before they are due for a sleep. When sleeping their saliva gland stops producing and acid builds up, this eats at the enamel when they get their first molars. If we start associating cleaning the teeth with a fun attitude, then they will pick up good oral hygiene habits early. We also need to make sure that they have the right tooth brush, use the correct tooth paste and learn to floss as early as possible. It is also important that they get into the habit of regular dentist visits; this is to get them into the habit and also to eliminate any dental phobias they may develop. As we teach them to do simple things like learning to swim, so they don’t develop a fear of water, we would be doing them a big service in our parental duty in teaching them to keep their teeth and have no fear of getting treatment when they need it. A nice smile and a building of confidence will also be a reward of early learning in oral hygiene care.

Sunbury dentist helps patient to quit smoking

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:42:44 +0000

Smoking can have a massive detrimental effect on your health in general and specifically on your oral health. It is responsible for causing oral cancers, gum disease and tooth decay and cavities. Smokers are far more likely to have dental problems and loose teeth than non-smokers.

Patients may see a dentist more regularly than a doctor and as dentists will be able to see visible evidence of smoke damage, they can play an important role in helping patients to kick the habit. Most smokers suffer from periodontal disease at some point, as well as other dental problems, and a dentist is well placed to offer advice about how to avoid these problems by quitting. By giving up, patients greatly increase their chances of having healthy teeth.

Dentists are increasingly receiving training in smoking cessation, meaning that they will be able to serve a dual role of dentist and cessation councillor. Using their unique position they can warn patients about the dangers of smoking to their oral health and can offer advice on the most successful ways to give up. They will also be able to inform patients about the greatly increased further health risks of smoking such as heart disease and lung cancer. The state of a smoker’s teeth might be indicative of this further damage and the brief consultation with a dentist can help to make them aware of this fact.

Sunbury dentists are trained, or receiving training, in smoking cessation. They are taking advantage of their unique position and regular contact with patients to offer the most effective and up to date methods of quitting. Hopefully they can greatly improve patients’ dental health and health in general.

Consult a Sunbury Dentist to Quit Smoking

admin — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:04:03 +0000

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.

A Shepperton Dentist Can Get Rid of Gummy Smiles

admin — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:51:46 +0000

Even though gummy smiles may not be as unsightly as crooked teeth, they can still make you feel very self conscious. Today, there are a number of things a Shepperton dentist can do to alleviate this condition. You may even be surprised to find that some of these treatments will help restore some elements of your oral health.

As you may be aware, excess gum tissue can be caused by a number of factors. For example, certain medications can cause this type of problem. Without a question, if the gum tissue interferes with chewing, or starts causing your teeth to drift, it may best to have the excess material removed. Today, these procedures can be accomplished in just a few minutes.

If your concerns are more related to your appearance, your dentist can use other procedures to make your gums look smaller without actually altering them. Interestingly enough, when your teeth look longer, it will lessen the visual impact of your gums. In most cases, your dentist will be able to use veneers to make your teeth look longer. He/She may also be able to remove some gum tissue in order to make the gum line appear higher.

Depending on your situation, some treatments may be more suitable than others. For example, if you are concerned about tooth sensitivity, it may be better to have implants. In addition, if your gummy smile is caused by certain medications, you may want to see if you can eliminate these medicines. Chances are, you would be surprised that this is possible in numerous situations. As may be expected, the last thing you will want to do is have gum tissue removed, only to wind up with receding gums once you stop taking certain medications.

Visit our Dental Hygienist in Sunbury

admin — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:04:27 +0000

Dental hygienists are very important in helping to maintain your oral health. They will clean your teeth and gums, and train you on how to brush and floss your teeth properly. Proper oral hygiene should begin at a very early age. Our dental hygienists are extremely well trained to help you to learn how to best care for your mouth. When visiting your Sunbury dentist for the first time, the dental hygienist will perform an oral exam and point out any gum problems and/or tooth decay to the dentist. Your Sunbury dentist will again perform this oral exam to double check your teeth and gums, as well as collect other information about your dental and medical health. The dental hygienist will then be given the go ahead to clean your teeth, teach you oral hygiene, and perform a fluoride treatment if required. Your teeth should feel very clean when the dental hygienist completes their services. Dental plaque is a very sticky material that adheres to your teeth and gums. The main goal of the dental hygienist is to clean and help you learn to clean your mouth properly, and to help keep your mouth healthy and odourless. Your dental hygienist may also suggest several dietary and lifestyle changes. Thus, it is not only crucial to see your dentist regularly, but your dental hygienist regularly, as well.

Worcester Park Dentist Speaks Out About the Harmful Effects of Fizzy Drinks For Children

admin — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:43:52 +0000

Your Worcester Park dentists will help your children prevent possible dental problems and maintain good oral health. They will also treat any dental problems that may exist in a comfortable atmosphere for your child. Our dental staff is very compassionate and understanding.Drinking fizzy drinks can damage your child’s teeth. These drinks contain a lot of sugar that is harmful to teeth. Even if your child drinks fizzy drinks that do not contain sugar, the balance of vital minerals that are essential for strong teeth are out of wick! Children, along with adults, require two and a half times more calcium in their diets than phosphorus for the proper development of teeth and bones. The high levels of phosphorus in these drinks used for carbonation and other functions, basically robs your child’s body of calcium, thus leading to teeth that are more susceptible to dental caries. Although many dentists suggest drinking fizzy drinks over sticky sugar candy, because the sugar does not adhere as strongly to the teeth, the downfall remains the imbalance of vital minerals in these drinks.

It is essential that your child learn how to clean the bacteria and plaque off of their teeth properly. Your Worcester Park dentist and dental hygienist can help to teach your child how to properly do this. You should watch your child brush to make sure that they do not swallow the toothpaste. So, bring your infant or child to your Worcester Park Dental Clinic to maintain their oral health.