oral health | Liverpool Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Posts Tagged ‘oral health’

The Relationship Between Oral Health and Weight Loss

Wednesday, June 8th, 2016

It may seem odd to link oral health and weight loss, but many of the foods that contribute to weight gain also increase the risk of oral health problems. Choosing to lose weight can therefore also improve your oral health as well as your general health.

Eating and oral health

Your body relies on the foods you eat to get all the nutrients it needs to function properly. Some foods are much more beneficial than others, while eating certain foods on a regular basis can increase the risk of health complications. Foods that are high in sugar increase the risk of oral health diseases, including tooth decay and gum disease, because they cause bacteria in the mouth to produce harmful plaque acids that assault the defensive enamel exterior of the teeth. Once the enamel is damaged, it cannot be regenerated and so the tooth is left susceptible to damage and decay.

Eating a lot of sugary foods also increases the chance of weight gain, as these foods are often high in calories and if you take in more calories than you use, this leads to weight gain. Foods that are high in sugar include cakes, biscuits, sweets and chocolate. Studies have also shown that poor oral health is linked to an increased risk of serious health problems, including heart disease and strokes, both of which are also associated with obesity.

Losing weight

Losing weight is notoriously difficult, but it can be done and the winning formula is very simple. In the vast majority of cases, eating fewer calories and increasing the sum of exercise you do will help you to lose weight. Healthy eating is very important as a good, balanced diet will provide your body with all the vitamins and minerals it needs. A good diet should include foods from all the major food groups, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fruits and vegetables. The bulk of your diet should be made up from complex carbohydrates such as potatoes, cereals, bread, rice, pasta, fruit and vegetables.

Most people enjoy a sweet treat now and again but it is important to keep an eye on the amount of sugar you consume, as taking in large amounts of sugar will damage your teeth and increase the risk of developing serious illnesses such as diabetes.

Tags: healthy teeth, oral health, oral health liverpool, weight loss Liverpool
Posted in oral hygiene | Comments Off on The Relationship Between Oral Health and Weight Loss

The Importance of Keeping Your Teeth Healthy and Clean

Tuesday, May 24th, 2016

Brushing your teeth helps to keep your smile looking healthy and bright, but there is so much more to teeth cleaning than this, and research has revealed that looking after your gums and teeth is more important than ever before.

Gum disease and general health

Studies have shown that oral health has a connection with general health and researchers have discovered that oral health issues, especially gum disease, can increase the risk of serious medical conditions. In studies conducted in the UK and America, researchers have found that poor oral health can increase the risk of strokes, heart disease, diabetes and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Gum disease has also been linked to an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and premature birth.

The importance of oral hygiene for good oral health

The best way to keep oral health problems at bay is to adopt a good daily oral hygiene regime. Regular brushing removes food debris and bacteria from the teeth, preventing the formation of plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that adheres to the tooth surfaces and the gum line, increasing the risk of gum disease and dental decay.

Good oral hygiene also helps to keep bad breath at bay and ensures that your teeth feel smooth and look white and healthy.

Preventing oral health problems

It’s really easy to maintain good oral health and you only need to dedicate 5 minutes per day to your oral health routine to notice the benefits. Brushing twice a day and flossing helps to rid the mouth of potentially harmful bacteria, thus reducing the risk of gum disease, decay, bad breath and discolouration.

Watching what you eat can also make a huge difference to oral health. Foods that contain sugar and acidic foods and drinks are bad news for your teeth because they can cause enamel wear. This is because the bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and this causes them to release acids that attack the enamel outer layer of the teeth.

Another great way to reduce the risk of oral health issues and boost the appearance of your smile is to see your dentist for regular routine check-ups. Seeing a dental hygienist is also really beneficial, especially if you are prone to plaque or tartar build-up, you have a high risk of gum disease or you suffer from bad breath.

Tags: gum disease Liverpool, oral health, oral health liverpool, oral hygiene liverpool
Posted in oral hygiene | Comments Off on The Importance of Keeping Your Teeth Healthy and Clean

What Does a Healthy Oral Hygiene Routine Look Like?

Saturday, April 16th, 2016

A healthy oral hygiene routine may differ for each person depending on when oral cleaning is done and the type of tools used for cleaning the teeth, gums and tongue. Some people wear dentures and these may require special care, as may orthodontic devices such as modern braces systems.

A good oral hygiene routine involves time set aside for proper cleaning of all oral parts. The routine time should include daily home cleaning and periodic professional oral cleaning with a dental hygienist.

A dental hygienist cleans scales and polishes the teeth using the latest technologies to reach where toothbrushes cannot. Regular six-monthly dental check-ups screens for tooth decay and gum disease so that the right treatment may be provided.

A healthy home oral hygiene routine comprises:

Teeth and tongue brushing

Gum and palate cleansing

Teeth flossing

Cleaning of dental devices

Brushing teeth according to dentist-recommended technique is important to avoid erosion of dental enamel and to remove all food debris and plaque from attaching around the tooth surface and gum line. Using fluoride-containing toothpaste and an antibacterial mouth rinse ensures that infection-causing bacteria are eliminated.

Part of healthy oral hygiene practice is to use a tongue scraper or brush for removing residue left by food, medication or smoking from the tongue surface. Cleaning the teeth alone is not sufficient as bacteria may colonise on the tongue, causing oral infection. Similarly, brushing the palate and massaging the gums helps to keep them clean and improve circulation.

Teeth should be brushed and flossed after every meal and before sleep. Gentle flossing around tooth restorations such as bridges and crowns maintains their quality. Dentures should be removed and soaked in cleansing solution over night. Depending on the type of orthodontic device, the team at Liverpool Dental Spa will provide advice for cleaning and care.

Tags: oral health, oral health liverpool, oral hygiene, oral hygiene liverpool
Posted in oral hygiene | Comments Off on What Does a Healthy Oral Hygiene Routine Look Like?

Tooth Decay Detection For Patients In Liverpool

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

Clichés are so familiar that we often dissociate them from the point they actually make. Yes, some seem a little out of touch, but others have become well-worn phrases because they carry something valuable within them. In dentistry, one such phrase is ‘prevention is better than cure’. Decay is one of the major roots of dental difficulty, and stopping it before it causes damage is paramount. Sadly, tooth sensitivity and other tell-tale signs only appear once the damage has already been done. What then is one to do? Never fear! We at Liverpool Dental Spa are always on hand to help!

Regular Check Ups

Take advantage of our regular six month check-ups at Liverpool Dental Spa, that way we can look out for those signs of decay that will evade even the most observant lay person. During check-ups we utilise intense magnification and specialist lighting so as to highlight even the teensiest hint of decay’s occurrence. Also, as you are already in a dental practice, we can then take immediate action and treat the problem. Minute holes in your teeth may be invisible to the naked eye, but, with our specialist tech, we can find them and then fill them in so as to prevent the development of decay and the later need for more extensive surgery.

Peace of mind

Looks can be deceiving; a seemingly healthy tooth may be decaying without your knowing. Tooth decay is also incredibly common, second only in fact to the common cold, so there is a large likelihood that it is going on without you knowing. Thankfully, piece of mind is readily available. Simply contact us at Liverpool Dental Spa for an expert examination.

Tags: liverpool, oral health, tooth decay, tooth decay Liverpool
Posted in tooth decay | Comments Off on Tooth Decay Detection For Patients In Liverpool

How Can We Detect Tooth Decay At Liverpool Dental Spa?

Monday, April 29th, 2013

One of the major problems with tooth decay is that it’s very hard to notice that your tooth is rotting until you have a full-blown problem on your hands. The dentist is highly trained in detecting the slightest sign of decay so if you don’t visit the dentist on a regular basis, your decay is more likely going to go unnoticed and cause major problems in the future. If the decay goes undetected, it can continue to work its way through your tooth, causing more and more trouble. If it becomes deep seated, you may have to have the tooth removed, which is a lot more hassle than visiting the dentist every six months.

Dental check ups

At Liverpool Dental Spa, they have all the tools necessary to detect and tackle tooth decay. By looking at your teeth, the dentist can assess the status of each tooth and use magnification and lighting to search for any small holes. These are signs of decay in the tooth and may be fixable by fillings.

Sometimes, the dentist may need to take an X ray in order to assess the full extent of the damage. A picture will be taken of your mouth so that the dentist can see how far down the decay has gone. If it has travelled to the roots, you may have to have the tooth removed. It is surprising how much damage can actually be hiding in your tooth. You may think that you have a healthy set of teeth but bacteria and plaques can cause a lot of damage before you notice any pain. Therefore, by visiting the dentist frequently, you reduce the risk of deep-rooted decay as the dentist can catch the problem in the early stages and take preventative measures to ensure that the decay doesn’t develop further.

Tags: liverpool, oral health, tooth decay, tooth decay Liverpool
Posted in oral hygiene | Comments Off on How Can We Detect Tooth Decay At Liverpool Dental Spa?

Liverpool Patients Learn all About Gum Disease

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012

In order to understand what is the difference between these two gums related issues, we need to understand what each disease entails. The signs and symptoms of both are similar but the underlying issue is very different.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the term used for non-destructive periodontal disease. This is caused by the bacteria in plaque which attaches itself to the tooth’s surface throughout the day. If left untreated it can lead to the more serious form of periodontal disease which is termed as destructive as it attacks and destroys the gingival tissue.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of this include swollen gums that may appear either bright red or even purple in colour. There may well be pain or tenderness in the gums and they may bleed during and after brushing. Treatment revolves around the removal of excess plaque and improving oral hygiene routine.

Gum disease or destructive periodontitis and occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. This is when plaque and bacteria have spread and gone below the gum line. The toxins produced by the bacteria begin to attack the gums and creates severe inflammation. As time goes on, the gum tissue itself as well as the bone structure that holds the teeth in place is attacked and broken down.

The gums will begin to separate from the teeth allowing more plaque and bacteria access to the gum tissue. Over time the teeth will become loose and will have to be removed. The signs and symptoms of this are very similar to gingivitis however it may be accompanied by bad breath, gum recession and loose teeth.

Treatment available

Treatment for this advance stage of gum disease begins with the removal of the plaque and can include root planning, scaling and even surgery.

Tags: gum disease, gum disease Liverpool, Liverppol Dental Spa, oral health
Posted in gum disease, oral hygiene | Comments Off on Liverpool Patients Learn all About Gum Disease

Women are better than men when it comes to taking care of their teeth.

Monday, May 16th, 2011

A recent study showed that women are almost twice as likely to have received a regular dental check-up in the past year, and women were more likely to book the recommended treatment after going for a dental check-up.

The woman who took part in the study also had better indicators of periodontal health, which included lower incidence of dental plaque, calculus and bleeding on probing; all of which can be used as markers of periodontal disease.

The study also suggested that women have a better understanding of what oral health entails, and showed a more positive attitude towards making dental visits.

‘Here at The Liverpool Dental Spa we inform all our patients how important it is that everyone maintains good periodontal health, and maintain their dental checkups.

‘With increasing research indicating that people’s periodontal health may be related to their overall health, it has never been more important to ensure the health of your teeth and gums. Your not healthy until you are periodontally healthy.’

To assess your risk for periodontal disease come in to the Liverpool Dental Spa today and book a cosmetic consultation with one of our dentists.

Tags: calculus, cosmetic, dental plaque, liverpool, liverpool dental spa, oral health, perio, periodontal
Posted in Dental News, Dentistry | Comments Off on Women are better than men when it comes to taking care of their teeth.

Providing word class dentistry in the heart of Liverpool city centre

Dental Care for all the family

Teeth Straightening

Teeth Whitening