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Posts Tagged ‘dental health’

Five Tips to Taking Care of Your Teeth Into the New Year

Thursday, December 28th, 2017

If you’re thinking about what you want to achieve in 2018, why not put keeping your smile in pristine condition at the top of your list of resolutions? There’s nothing more attractive than a bright, healthy looking smile, and thankfully, this is resolution that is pretty easy to stick to. Here are 5 tips you’ll need to take care of your teeth in the New Year:

  1. Brush twice a day, every single day: can you find 2 minutes every morning and evening? If so, use your time wisely and brush your teeth. Good oral hygiene will help you to reduce the risk of decay, gum disease and several other health problems.
  2. Check in with your dentist: if it’s been a long time since your last dental visit, now is the time to start looking after your oral health and ensuring you have a check-up every 6-9 months.
  3. Be mouth aware: with dental issues, the longer you leave them, the worse they get, so being mouth aware can be incredibly beneficial. Look out for signs such as pain, swelling, sore gums, bleeding when you brush and sensitivity and see your dentist as soon as possible if you do have problems.
  4. Floss: brushing does a great job of cleaning your mouth, but you can’t brush properly between the teeth. This is where flossing comes in handy. Floss daily to prevent plaque and keep your smile sparkling.
  5. Watch what you eat (and drink): many of us make a vow to eat well in the New Year, but losing festive weight is not the only reason to improve your diet. Diet has a major impact on oral health, so try and avoid snacking, don’t exceed the recommended daily sugar intake and ensure your diet is packed with vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

Five Foods that Make a Tooth-Friendly Summer Dinner

Monday, June 5th, 2017

It’s summer, and many of us are looking forward to embracing those classic seasonal staples. When you’re planning your summer menu, take a moment to consider how your diet affects your teeth and gums. If you’re hoping to eat well and keep your smile in check, here are five tooth-friendly foods to include in your summer diet:

  1. Strawberries: strawberries are not just packed with vitamin C, which is good for boosting your immunity. They’re also natural stain removers. The rough skin of the strawberry removes surface stains, giving your smile a gorgeous healthy glow.
  2. Raw vegetables: if you’re looking for healthy picnic ideas, look no further than some chopped carrots, cucumber sticks and celery batons. Raw vegetables have high water content, which is good for cleansing the mouth, and when you chew, this also stimulates the gums.
  3. Salad leaves: salad leaves contain water and they’re also rich in fibre, vitamins and nutrients. If you’re eating acidic foods, foods that have high water content can help to neutralise acids.
  4. Cheese: cheese is a staple when it comes to preparing vegetarian barbeque dishes and it can also be added to cold pasta dishes and salads. A cheeseboard is also a popular alternative to sweet desserts. Cheese is a good source of calcium, and it also has high pH value. It’s a great idea to combine wine with cheese if you’re enjoying a drink in the evening, as this will help to neutralise acids in the mouth.
  5. Natural yoghurt: are you looking for a healthier alternative to summer puddings like ice cream, meringues and cheesecake? If so, consider filling a bowl full of natural yoghurt and then adding a spoonful of honey or a sprinkling of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries.

Did you know we treat Tooth Decay in the heart of Liverpool?

Wednesday, May 24th, 2017

Dental decay is one of the most common preventable illnesses among children and adults in the UK. If you have cavities, we are here to help. We provide first-class standards of treatment in the heart of Liverpool.

What causes decay?

Decay is caused by harmful oral bacteria, which release acids that weaken and wear away the protective enamel surface of the tooth. Once the surface is thin, there is a risk of holes (cavities) forming and bacteria can penetrate the tooth. Decay is often associated with poor oral hygiene, but your diet also plays a very important role. If you eat a lot of sugary or acidic foods, your risk of developing cavities will be high.

Treating tooth decay

If you have toothache, your teeth are sensitive or it hurts when you bite down, you may have a cavity. The most common treatment for cavities is a filling. The aim of the procedure is to fill the cavity to make the tooth stronger and prevent infection from spreading to other parts of the tooth. Fillings are usually made from dental composite; this is known as a white filling.

If your tooth is infected, and the infection has reached the pulp chamber, which contains the nerves and blood vessels, you may be advised to have root canal treatment.

Preventing tooth decay

The best way to look at oral health is to embrace the notion that prevention is better than cure. The best ways to prevent tooth decay are to:

  • Stick to a good daily oral hygiene regime
  • See your dentist every 6-9 months
  • Moderate your intake of sugar
  • Avoid snacking between meals

Call us today to find out more about tooth decay treatment and prevention in Liverpool city centre.

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.

Does Vaping Hurt Your Teeth As Much as Regular Cigarettes

Monday, March 27th, 2017

Vaping is a hot topic in the world of health news. Using e-cigarettes is a relatively new thing, and this means that it’s almost impossible to determine the effects of vaping instead of smoking. When you use an e-cigarette, you’re not exposing your body to as many harmful substances as you do when you smoke, and this is hugely beneficial, but this doesn’t mean that vaping is safe.

What are the Effects of Vaping on the Teeth?

When you smoke, you put yourself at risk of oral cancer, gum disease and halitosis. There’s also a high risk of tooth staining. The early signs suggest that vaping is a healthier alternative to smoking when it comes to your dental health; however, vaping is not without risk. When you use an e-cigarette, you’re still taking in nicotine, and this can be incredibly damaging to your mouth. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which means that it causes the blood vessels to constrict. When you consume nicotine, blood flow to the gums decreases, and this means that you’re at risk of gum disease.

Vaping may not expose you to as many carcinogenic substances as smoking, but it still poses risks. It can often be a successful tool for those who want to quit smoking, as you can reduce nicotine gradually. As your body adapts to lower quantities, you can cut down without having to battle cravings, and this can increase your chances of giving up for good.

If you do want to give up smoking, we are here to offer advice and support. Our dental team has extensive experience, and we’re here to cheer you on and reassure you every step of the way.

Five Foods That You Don’t Realise Damage Your Teeth

Friday, March 24th, 2017

We all know that cakes, biscuits and sweets are bad for our teeth, but what about those so-called healthy alternatives? Here are five foods that you may not realise will damage your teeth:

  1. Popcorn: popcorn is an incredibly popular snack at the moment, and there are many different brands and flavours to choose from. Often marketed as a healthy lower-calorie alternative to crisps, popcorn may contain less fat and sugar, but it’s still bad for your teeth. Popcorn gets stuck in your teeth, which increases the risk of plaque formation and the kernels can also cause damage to your teeth. They’re very hard, and if you accidentally bite down on one, you could break or chip a tooth.
  2. Fruit juice: if you’re drinking fruit juice, you may think that you’re making a really healthy choice. In some cases, juices can be really good for you, as they’re packed with vitamins. However, if you buy juices from a café or supermarket, they often contain a lot of added sugar. They’re also very acidic, which puts your enamel at risk. If you are buying juice, check the sugar content, and dilute each serving.
  3. Salad dressing: salad is one of the champions of the healthy eating world, but once you start adding things to it, it can soon become less healthy. Salad dressings may contain sugar and salt, and some can also have high fat content; however, the main problem for your teeth is the acidity. Acids erode the enamel, which increases your risk of decay and sensitivity.
  4. Smoothies: fruit smoothies are supposed to be brilliant for you, but this may not always be the case. Like juices, if you buy ready-made smoothies, they’re often laden with sugar. If you love smoothies, try making them at home instead.
  5. Dried fruit: dried fruit is often thought of a healthy snack option, but it can be misleading. Fruits contain natural sugars, but often, more sugar is added to bags of dried fruit. Eating whole, natural pieces of fruit is usually much better for you.

If you have any questions about tooth-friendly foods, or you’re worried that your diet may be letting your dental health down, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our dentists will be happy to answer questions, and give you some healthy eating tips.

Give Your Teeth Their Healthiest Christmas Yet!

Monday, December 12th, 2016

Christmas is the most wonderful time of year for most of us, but when it comes to your dental health, there are risks. During the festive period, we tend to relax our diets and indulge on all kinds of traditional treats. This Christmas, spare a thought for your teeth and gums, and give them the healthiest Christmas yet. All you need to do is bear these simple tips in mind:

Book a routine check-up: if you haven’t been to the dentist in the last 6-12 months, now is an ideal tie to make an appointment before Christmas. Nobody wants to spend the festive period missing out on the fun because they’ve got toothache. When you see your dentist, they will carry out a series of checks to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy. If there are problems, they can be treated. If you have signs of decay and gum disease, for example, leaving them can result in serious damage.

Avoid snacking: it’s tempting to graze all day at Christmas time when there are bowls of nuts and crisps scattered around, and family-size tubs of chocolate on offer. Snacking doesn’t just ruin main meals. It also increases your risk of dental disease. When you eat, bacteria release acids that attack your enamel, making it soft. It takes time for the enamel to reharden. If you’re snacking, this means that your enamel never has chance to recover, and there’s a real risk of cavities forming. Try and stick to eating at mealtimes.

Eat in moderation: it’s understandable to go a bit crazy at Christmas time, but try and moderate your intake of sugary foods and drinks. There are plenty of savoury delights that you can enjoy instead. One simple way of reducing your sugar intake is to swap fizzy drinks for sugar-free versions. Fizzy drinks are acidic, so if you are drinking diet versions, use a straw, and drink a glass of water or milk afterwards.

Keep up with your normal oral hygiene regime: at Christmas time, we tend to go into holiday mode and slack off a little. It’s fine to enjoy a lie-in, but don’t relax your oral hygiene regime. It’s essential to clean your teeth twice a day every day for at least two minutes each time.

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6 Dentistry Awards!

Winners for National UK Award

  • > 2009 Best Dental Team

Winners for North West Awards

  • > 2009 Best Dental Team
  • > 2008 Best Dental Practice

Finalists for North West Awards

  • > 2009 Best Practice
  • > 2008 Best Dental Team

Finalist & Highly Commended for

  • > 2007 Best Young Dentist Dr Marius McGovern