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Posts Tagged ‘Advice’

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Three Reasons Why A Root Canal Isn’t Something to be Scared Of

Tuesday, August 1st, 2017

Even the hardiest dental patients can come unstuck when the words root canal are mentioned. For some reason, this procedure has gained a bad reputation and it’s very common for patients to feel very anxious when their dentist tells them that they need root canal treatment. In reality, there’s nothing to be scared of at all. Root canal treatment is a commonly performed procedure, which can help to save an infected tooth. Here are 3 reasons why you shouldn’t be scared of having a root canal:

  1. Treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic: before your dentist does anything, they will numb your tooth using local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel any pain at all.
  2. You can trust our experienced dentists: our dentists are incredibly skilled and experienced and you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands. Root canal treatment is a routine procedure, which will help to prevent further damage to the tooth, stem the spread of infection and prevent you from feeling any more pain. Our dentists will be on hand to talk you through the process, and they’ll also be there if you have any questions or you need some reassurance.
  3. Treatment seems much worse than it is: many people are terrified by the prospect of having root canal treatment mainly because there’s a myth that runs through the ages that this is a painful treatment. In truth, this procedure is nothing to worry about at all. You won’t feel any pain, you’ll be treated by expert dentists, and you’ll emerge the other side wondering what all the fuss was about. We promise you that we’ll look after you and you’ll leave us with a big smile on your face again.

 

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Four Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay in Liverpool

Friday, July 28th, 2017

At Liverpool Dental Spa, we’re keen to give our patients the best chance to prevent dental issues. Tooth decay is very common, but it is almost always preventable. Here are 4 easy ways you can protect your teeth from cavities this summer:

  1. Book a dental check: if you haven’t been to the dentist yet this year, now is a good time to pick up the phone and book an appointment. Even if you haven’t had any pain or any other problems, it’s important to see your dentist on a regular basis. Dentists are trained to identify early warning signs, and the sooner we can act the lower the chance of cavities forming or infections developing.
  2. Get to grips with dental hygiene: if you don’t spend at least 2 minutes cleaning your teeth every morning and evening, it’s time to improve your dental hygiene regime. Set a timer, cover every tooth, and devote an equal amount of time to each quadrant of the mouth. Brushing helps to reduce the risk of plaque formation, which will protect both your teeth and gums. We recommend using fluoride toothpaste to strengthen your enamel.
  3. Invest in an electric toothbrush: electric toothbrushes are proven to remove bacteria and food debris more effectively than manual brushing. You don’t have to spend a fortune. Electric toothbrushes are available from around £15 and once you’ve bought the brush, you only have to replace the head every 3-4 months.
  4. Reduce your sugar intake: sugar is a major cause of cavities. If you eat sweet foods or flavoured drinks on a regular basis, there’s a chance that you could be exceeding your recommended daily sugar intake. Use an app to keep track of what you eat and always read food labels.

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Top Five Tooth Friendly Summer Foods

Thursday, July 27th, 2017

Summer is a time when many of us try our best to be healthy and get in shape. If you’re keen to keep your smile looking great, as well as working on your beach body this summer, here are 5 tooth-friendly foods to add to your diet:

  1. Yoghurt: yoghurt is rich in calcium and it’s a great substitute for desserts like cheesecake, ice cream and biscuits if you’re looking for a healthier alternative. Stick to natural yoghurt rather than sweetened versions, which can contain a lot of sugar, and add flavour with berries or a spoonful of honey.
  2. Blueberries: blueberries are packed with antioxidants and they are a good source of vitamin C, which is good news for your gums.
  3. Strawberries: strawberries are not just a good source of vitamin C. they can also help to clean and polish your teeth thanks to their rough skin. When you eat strawberries, the dimpled texture scrubs off surface stains, giving you a radiant, glowing smile.
  4. Cheese: cheese is a great addition to salads and cold pasta dishes and a staple picnic snack. Cheese contains calcium, which is important for strong teeth and bones, but it also has a very high pH value, which reduces acidity in the mouth.
  5. Raw vegetables: if you’re searching for a healthy snack idea, don’t reach for crisps or sweets. Instead, peel some carrots or chop up some celery, cucumber or peppers. These foods often have high water content, and chewing on them stimulates your gums and increases saliva production.

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Do you know what to do if you have a toothache?

Thursday, June 29th, 2017

If you’ve ever had toothache before, you’ll know that it’s very unpleasant. Toothache can be incredibly painful, but many people try and tough it out and hope it goes away. If you develop toothache, we’re here to help.

What causes toothache?

There are many possible causes of toothache, including dental injuries, infections and decay. If you have toothache, we strongly recommend seeking advice from a dentist, as pain can often be a symptom of underlying issues. If you have pain when you bite down, for example, this may indicate that you have a cavity. Toothache can also be a sign of dental infection. Abscesses can cause severe, throbbing pain, as well as making you feel unwell, and it’s best to get them checked out as quickly as possible. Unlike other types of abscess, dental abscesses need to be drained and removed, so you’ll need to see your dentist.

What to do if you have toothache

If you have toothache, it’s a good idea to take some over the counter painkillers and call your dentist. If your pain has got worse or it is coming on more frequently, this is a sign that you need to see your dentist. Applying an ice pack to your tooth can also help to ease discomfort while you wait to be seen. When you go to the dentist, they will have a good look at your mouth and try and ascertain the cause of the problem. Once they’ve determined the cause of your pain, they will discuss treatment options with you. You may be advised to have a filling or you may need treatment for an abscess.

If you’re in pain, don’t suffer in silence. Call us today, and we’ll have you smiling again in no time!

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Four Everyday Things You Can Do To Make Your Teeth Shine

Wednesday, April 26th, 2017

Who doesn’t want a sparkling smile for summer? If you’re keen to make your teeth shine, there are lots of easy steps you can take. Here are just four things you can do to give your smile a healthy glow:

  1. Learn to brush properly: most of us brush our teeth without even thinking about it. It’s part of our daily routine, and we may not give it much attention, especially if it’s one of those days when you’re running late and there’s lots to do. The reality is that brushing is really important, not just for your health, but also for your appearance. If you brush properly, you’ll reduce your risk of decay and gum disease, and your smile will look brighter and whiter.
  2. Give up your cola and coffee habit: do you rely on a coffee to fuel you in the mornings or are you keen on cola? If so, these habits are bound to take their toll on your smile. Both of these popular drinks contain staining agents. If you can’t kick the habit completely, try and cut down and drink through a straw. Wash your mouth out with water immediately after drinking.
  3. See your dentist: if you haven’t seen your dentist in a while, make today the day you call up and arrange a check-up. It’s so important for your health to have regular checks, but seeing your dentist can also improve the look of your smile. When you go to the clinic, your dentist will polish your teeth, and you’ll leave with a beaming, bright smile.
  4. Set a timer: are you guilty of rushing your daily clean? If you spend a few seconds guiding your brush around your teeth, you’re not going to do a very effective job of keeping harmful bacteria and plaque at bay. To do a proper job, you need to devote at least 2 minutes to cleaning. Set a timer on your brush, or if you don’t have one, use your watch or phone.

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Five Tooth Friendly Foods

Monday, April 24th, 2017

It’s common to hear dentists talking about foods that are bad for your teeth, but what about the foods that are super for your smile? If you’re hoping to improve your diet, here are 5 tooth-friendly foods:

  1. Cheese: cheese is often one of the first things to be sacrificed when you go on a diet to lose weight, but it’s really good for your teeth. Cheese is rich in calcium, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth, and it’s also alkaline, which helps to reduce acidity in the mouth.
  2. Yoghurt: yoghurt is another great source of calcium, and it’s a much healthier dessert option than cakes, biscuits or chocolate bars. If you are eating yoghurt, make sure you go for natural yoghurt, rather than sweetened, flavoured versions, which are filled with sugar. If you’re keen to liven up your pudding, add a spoonful of honey, a chopped banana or some fresh blueberries or raspberries.
  3. Leafy green vegetables: leafy green vegetables offer a host of health benefits. They contain calcium, which is great news for your teeth, and they’re rich in fibre and sugar-free.
  4. Raw carrots: if you’re in need of a healthy snack, which will benefit your teeth and gums, look no further than raw vegetables like carrots. These foods contain barely any sugar and the chewing motion increases the production of saliva, which reduces acidity in the mouth, and also gives your mouth a good clean.
  5. Eggs: eggs are a really versatile food, which are packed with protein. They also contain phosphorous, which is good for your enamel.

If you need more healthy eating tips, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist.

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Four Ways to Protect Your New Crowns

Friday, April 7th, 2017

When you have a tooth crowned, you want it to stand the test of time. If you have a new crown, here are four ways to protect your tooth:

  1. Maintain good oral hygiene: the best way to protect your teeth from harm is to maintain good oral hygiene at home. Although a crown cannot become decayed, the area where the restoration joins the natural tooth tissue can, so it’s essential to brush twice-daily and floss.
  2. Wear a mouth guard: if you’re playing sport, and there’s a risk of dental injury, always wear a mouth guard. Even if you’re just messing around or training, it’s essential to protect your teeth and gums. If you don’t already have a mouth guard, we strongly recommend investing in a dentist-made gum shield. These guards offer a perfect fit, and they’re very good quality. We recommend using a mouth guard for rugby, hockey, boxing, martial arts, kickboxing and lacrosse.
  3. Avoid hard foods: eating certain foods can damage your teeth, and your new crown will not be invincible. Avoid hard foods like boiled sweets and popcorn and don’t crush ice between your teeth. We also advise against using your teeth to bite labels off clothing or take tops off glass bottles.
  4. Check in with your dentist: we cannot stress the importance of seeing a dentist on a regular basis enough. If you keep up to date with check-ups, you have a much lower risk of dental disease. Every time you have a routine check, your dentist will have a good look at any fillings or crowns you have and make sure they’re in tip-top condition.

If you need any more advice about caring for crowns, our dental team will be happy to help.

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Top Five Ways to Teach Your Children to Keep Their Teeth Healthy

Tuesday, March 28th, 2017

Every year in the UK, hundreds of children have treatment in hospital for dental issues. At Liverpool Dental Spa, we’re passionate about prevention, and we’re eager to encourage good habits from an early age. If you’re a parent, here are 5 ways to teach your children to keep their teeth healthy:

  1. Supervise brushing: when you have young children, they may need help with brushing, and when you have older children, they may need that extra incentive to do a good job. Kids tend to whizz a brush around their mouth, and this constitutes brushing their teeth. By supervising them, you can make sure they’re doing a thorough job each time.
  2. Play a song: many of us don’t brush for long enough, and this can damage our teeth and gums. Try and make teeth cleaning fun and encourage your children to brush for longer by putting a song on, and challenging the children to brush from start to finish.
  3. Arrange regular check-ups: it’s really important for children to see the dentist. If they’re used to having check-ups, they’re much less likely to feel anxious when they get older.
  4. Make it fun: many children moan about having to brush their teeth, so try and make it a more appealing use of their time. Make up some games, set challenges, and brush together as a family. You can also get some great child-friendly toothbrushes and toothpastes, which may help them to get a little more excited about cleaning their teeth.
  5. Healthy eating: one of the biggest problems facing dentists at the moment is a sugar-heavy diet. Dentists see children all the time who have lots of cavities as a result of their diet. Sugary foods should be given only as treats, rather than as part of the daily diet. Try and reduce your sugar intake as a family by swapping sugary cereals for porridge or whole grain cereals, replacing fizzy drinks with water or sugar-free cordial and avoiding foods like crisps, popcorn, sweets and biscuits, especially between meals.

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Missing Tooth? How To Know if Dental Implants Are Right For You

Tuesday, March 21st, 2017

If you have a missing tooth, you may be weighing up your options. As dentists, we strongly recommend replacing missing teeth to boost your oral health and restore your smile, and we have various options available. One treatment you may be thinking about is dental implants.

What are Dental Implants and Are They Right for Me?

Dental implants are specially designed oral prostheses, which take on the role of the tooth root. These titanium rods are implanted into the jaw bone tissue, and once they have settled, they can be attached to new crowns, bridges and dentures. The result is a fully-functional, natural looking new tooth. Titanium is often used because it is a biocompatible material, and this means that it can integrate with the bone. This produces a new root, which is capable of anchoring the tooth in exactly the same way as a healthy natural root.

One of the best things about dental implants is the fact that they can be attached to a range of restorations, and this means that they are suitable for almost all patients with missing teeth. Whether you’ve lost a single tooth, or a whole set of teeth, implants could offer a solution. Implants also last a lot longer than other restorations, and they produce incredibly lifelike results. When you have implants, it’ll be very difficult to tell the difference between the new tooth or teeth and your natural teeth.

If you have a missing tooth and you’re looking for a long-term solution, implants could be the option for you. If you’re interested in implants, we can arrange consultation, and you can go through the treatment options with one of our experienced dentists and find out everything you need to know about implants. Your dentist can also carry out some tests to check that you are a suitable candidate for treatment, and talk you through the treatment process.

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What You Need to Know About Gum Disease

Friday, March 17th, 2017

Gum disease is one of the most common oral diseases. If you have gum disease, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as you notice symptoms.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an oral disease, which occurs when acids released by harmful bacteria irritate your gums, and cause them to become inflamed. Most cases of gum disease are linked to plaque, which is a sticky substance that forms when bacteria and food debris combine with saliva. If you don’t brush your teeth on a regular basis, plaque can form, leaving you at risk of both decay and gum disease.

Symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Swollen, sore gums
  • Redness in the gums
  • Bleeding gums

If you notice these signs, see your dentist. These are often symptoms of mild gum disease, which can be treated relatively easily. If you have advanced gum disease, additional symptoms may include an unpleasant taste in the mouth, bad breath, and receding gums. Advanced gum disease, known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, is much harder to treat, and it causes irreparable damage to the mouth. Gum disease is the most common cause of adult tooth loss in the UK at the moment.

Preventing Gum Disease

The good news about gum disease is that it can be prevented. The best ways to prevent gum disease are:

  • Maintaining good oral hygiene
  • Seeing your dentist every 6-12 months (or sooner if you spot potential signs of gum disease)

Avoiding smoking and moderating your intake of sugar can also help to reduce gum disease risk. If you’re worried about gum disease, or you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, now is the time to pick up the phone, and make an appointment.

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  • > 2007 Best Young Dentist Dr Marius McGovern