oral hygiene liverpool | Liverpool Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Posts Tagged ‘oral hygiene liverpool’

How to Scare off Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

Friday, September 16th, 2016

If you don’t brush your teeth, plaque will form in your mouth. If plaque is left to its own devices, it will eventually harden in to tartar. Tarter is a tougher beast to remove than its infant stage and, once it has formed along your gum line, the plaque it conceals will quite happily excrete harmful poisons which will, in turn, inflame your precious gums. Predictably, your gums don’t like this and will in fact recede from said poisons. This can then affect surrounding bone tissue and, because your gums have shrunk away, eventually lead to tooth loss. Not nice, eh?

Okay, I’m a little worried now. What can I do about it?

Look at that first sentence: ‘If you don’t brush your teeth…’ All this pain and palaver can easily be prevented provided you brush your teeth regularly. The ‘two times a day for two minutes’ brushing mantra should have been ingrained into your psyche long, long ago… Flossing, rinsing with mouthwash and attending periodic dental check-ups are also beneficial, but the brushing is really your absolute first line of defence against gum disease.

The time and the place

Now might be a good moment to raise one ill mentioned fact: Brushing at certain times can actually cause a little damage. These times, however, aren’t concrete; they are in fact relative to your eating. The acid present in many foods and drinks can soften your tooth enamel, meaning that brushing immediately after can in fact help in wearing down your tooth enamel! Thankfully, if you wait an hour after eating before brushing, you should have nothing to worry about.

Top tips for brushing

This seems basic, but make sure you cover all areas of the mouth. Be thorough! Plaque can get anywhere. When brushing, rest the bristly head of the toothbrush at an angle against your gum line and move the brush in a tiny, circular motion. Make sure to brush each tooth separately (both outer and inside surfaces) and ensure to keep the brush at angled as this will help target the gum line. When brushing the tops of your teeth, you also move the brush in a similar circular motion; you just keep the brush vertical this time!

Tags: brushing your teeth, gum disease Liverpool, gum disease prevention liverpool, oral hygiene liverpool
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The Ultimate Cleaning Experience

Monday, June 20th, 2016

Nothing feels better than smooth, clean teeth and what better way to celebrate the first day of summer than with a clean bill of oral health? We encourage our patients to maintain good oral hygiene at home, but nothing beats the feeling of an intensive cleaning treatment. Our expert hygienists will give your smile a healthy glow and banish harmful bacteria to help you lower the risk of decay and gum disease.

What do hygienists do?

Dental hygienists are experts in oral hygiene. They provide a range of hygiene and preventative treatments, which help to lower the risk of oral diseases and keep the teeth looking strong, healthy and shiny.

Our dental hygienists play a very important role in the treatment of gum disease, but a visit to the hygienist can be beneficial for all patients – even those with good oral health! For patients who have a high risk of gum disease and those who have been diagnosed with severe gum disease, regular hygiene sessions can help to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Hygiene treatments

Our hygienists provide a range of services for patients of all ages, including preventative treatments, cleaning treatments such as scale and polish and gum disease management. Our hygienists are also available to offer advice about oral hygiene and teeth cleaning and to help with issues such as healthy eating and giving up or cutting down on smoking.

Why is dental hygiene so important?

Good dental hygiene is important for keeping your teeth and gums healthy, but it also plays a role in maintaining good general health. A number of studies have now suggested a connection between oral and general health and gum disease has been found to increase the risk of general health conditions, including strokes and heart disease, as bacteria from the mouth is able to travel through the bloodstream, contributing to harmful effects in other areas of the body.

Tags: Dental hygienist clean Liverpool, hygiene, oral hygiene, oral hygiene liverpool
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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
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How to Make Brushing Fun for Your Children

Wednesday, May 18th, 2016

It is quite an exciting time for both children and parents when kids start to learn how to take on more responsibilities. Starting off with their first steps and words, then onto potty training and later learning about general and dental hygiene, a child can progress quickly and thoroughly if they have a good teacher.

It doesn’t have to be a chore!

A general rule of thumb is to brush your children’s teeth until they are seven years of age and then show them how to do it themselves. There are many ways to make something as mundane as brushing teeth entertaining for your children. The best way to teach them how to take care of themselves is by making the chore fun!

Another approach to encouraging your children to brush their teeth correctly is to create a positive environment. When you show enthusiasm, your child will follow suit, so why not entertain while you brush, by tap dancing, singing, or making jokes? You could also find a radio or CD player that plays their favourite music, as a reward for brushing their teeth.

Enhance their enjoyment of teeth brushing, by turning it into a number game, counting up to ten for each part of the mouth they clean. This will also allow them to know when the tooth brushing will end and thus they won’t become as restless and fidgety, wondering when the chore of tooth brushing will be over.

The key to teaching your children great hygiene practices is to make it fun. You can make your own technique, tweak it to their personality and observe the results!

Tags: Children's dentistry, Liverpool children's oral health, oral health liverpool, oral hygiene liverpool
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Everything You Need to Know About Brushing and Flossing

Thursday, May 12th, 2016

Although having a check up with your dentist every six months is hugely important, it is just as vital that you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home in your everyday life. In order to do this you should pursue the recommended regime of brushing and flossing that will help to keep gum disease and tooth decay at bay.

Brace yourself to brush

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day to stop the build up of plaque. Plaque forms from the sugary and starchy foods we eat and attacks the enamel that protects our teeth. Just brushing your teeth once a day will not be enough, as plaque takes four to twelve hours to form. An even better solution is to brush your teeth after every meal, especially if it was particularly sugary or starchy.

The truth is in the toothpaste

Fluoride toothpastes are ideal because they actually help to strengthen enamel. You ought to brush for about three minutes and use a soft-bristled brush. An overly vigorous technique or an especially hard brush can damage your gums and, in time, wear down your enamel and leave your teeth more exposed.

Fabulous flossing

Flossing is important too because it reaches and cleans parts of your mouth that brushes cannot. Floss is made from thin nylon or Teflon and is pulled between the teeth to remove plaque and debris which can form there too. If you are not a regular user of floss and begin using it you find your gums become a little sore or even bleed, but this will pass.

Tags: brushing your teeth, flossing, inter dental brushing liverpool, oral hygiene liverpool
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Awesome Oral Hygiene Tips

Friday, May 6th, 2016

Oral hygiene should be practiced daily to keep the mouth clean and fresh. At Liverpool Dental Spa we make it a priority to teach patients the importance of oral hygiene and how to improve their oral health. We recommend regular dental check-ups and teeth cleaning with our dental hygienist as needed.

Remove food debris and plaque

Daily oral hygiene such as teeth brushing and flossing after meals is necessary to remove trapped foods debris and plaque from around the teeth and gums. When food debris is left in the mouth it causes sticky plaque to form that hardens causing dental tartar and bacterial growth that erodes teeth and inflames the gums. For a clean mouth and fresh breath, the teeth, gums and tongue should be cleaned daily after meals, before sleep and on awaking.

Prevent tooth decay and gum disease

Tooth decay and gum disease arises when oral hygiene is poor. There is then greater risk of dental damage and tooth loss. Irritated gums become inflamed and this is known as gingivitis, the start of gum disease. As teeth become damaged by tooth decay, cavities form and infection or dental abscess may set in. Dentists may have to perform root canal treatment to save the tooth and to restore it with a dental restoration such as a crown. Most commonly, people have cavities filled with white fillings made of porcelain or dental composite.

Care for dental restorations and prosthesis

At Liverpool Dental Spa, we recommend that those receiving orthodontic treatment with a modern or invisible braces system will need to follow the guidance of our dentists in properly cleansing their oral devices. Dentures need to be gently brushed then soaked in a denture solution or warm water overnight. Caring for dental restorations and prosthesis should form part of the daily oral hygiene regimen.

Tags: gum disease Liverpool, oral health liverpool, oral hygiene liverpool, tooth decay Liverpool
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Brushing, Flossing and Mouthwashing for Beautiful Smiles

Thursday, April 28th, 2016

Oral hygiene is incredibly important. Over the course of the day, as we eat and drink, tiny particles of food will become stuck in our teeth and between the gaps in our teeth. If these particles are not cleaned, they will begin to rot and decay, leading to bad breath and then to bacteria in the mouth. This can lead to a build-up of plaque, a sticky substance that coats the outside surfaces of teeth, and eventually tartar, which discolours teeth. The ultimate consequences of bad oral hygiene are gum disease and tooth decay, which are unsightly, painful and can lead to tooth loss, affecting speech function and the ability to eat as normal.

Brushing and mouthwash

Brushing your teeth regularly is essential. Fluoride toothpaste should be used, as fluoride helps to strengthen teeth by binding with the enamel. Brush thoroughly, being sure to cover all tooth surfaces – front, back and the biting/chewing surface – but do not brush too vigorously as this can damage sensitive parts of the mouth. In addition, use an antiseptic mouthwash. As this liquid is swilled round the whole mouth, it works in addition to brushing, to reach parts that a brush cannot. Mouthwash like this helps to remove the bacteria that causes plaque.

Flossing

Flossing also helps to remove debris and bacteria that can ultimately lead to plaque or tooth decay. Flossing is important in addition to brushing as it cleans the gaps between teeth, where a brush cannot reach and so food is liable to get stuck here. Use a length of floss held between fingers of each hand, and gently curve it around each tooth, moving it from side to side to clean, down to the gum line. Be sure to cover both sides of each tooth, top and bottom. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash should be used daily, preferably in that order, to ensure your teeth are kept as healthy as possible.

Tags: brushing your teeth, flossing, oral health liverpool, oral hygiene liverpool
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Brilliant Bad Breath Remedies

Wednesday, April 20th, 2016

Bad breath is an embarrassing problem for many patients from Liverpool. It is medically called halitosis and can occur due to poor dental habits or due to other health conditions and the issue can get worse depending on the type of food you eat, along with other unhealthy habits.

Avoid food that cause bad breath

When you eat, the food is digested and is then absorbed by the blood and transported to the lungs, which can then lead to oral odors. So if you ate raw onions, garlic or other strong odor food, then brushing, flossing and even mouthwash would not help. It’s true that right after you use the mouth wash you will feel that the odor is gone, but it’s a temporary effect and within no time your mouth will smell bad again. Avoiding foods with strong odors can significantly reduce bad breath.

Don’t miss out on healthy dental habits

In the absence of regular brushing or flossing, particles of food can remain accumulated around the teeth and the gums. These accumulated food particles will facilitate the growth of bacteria between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums and will subsequently cause bad breath. Stuck food particles can also cause bad smells, especially if you are using a denture, so make sure to brush at least twice every day and floss at least once a day to keep the bad breath away.

Chewing tobacco and smoking are also major reasons for bad breath, reduced sensitivity of the tongue, stained teeth and irritated gums, so avoiding tobacco-based products will surely reduce bad breath.

A medical condition call xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth, is also a major cause for bad breath. In the absence of saliva the mouth is unable to neutralize the toxins released by the bacteria found in the plaque and is unable to remove all the dead cells accumulated on the cheeks, gums and tongue. If not removed, these cells will decompose and cause severe bad breath. Xerostomia can be caused due to problems with the salivary glands, regular breathing from the mouth and side effects of regular medication. In case of xerostomia you can increase the intake of water and drink at regular intervals. In case it does not help, you will then have to consult a dentist.

Tags: bad breath Liverpool, bad breath treatment liverpool, Dental hygienist clean Liverpool, oral hygiene liverpool
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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
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Bring on the Brushing!

Monday, April 4th, 2016

Prevention is better than cure and the first line of defense you have against tooth decay is brushing, which is why it’s important to brush twice a day for two minutes each time.

Why is brushing so important?

Brushing removes plaque from the mouth. If plaque is left to its own devices, it can and eventually will instigate gum disease and tooth decay.

How is tooth decay caused?

Plaque is ever present in the mouth and it feeds on sugary and starchy foods, turning them into harmful plaque acids. These acids will gradually wear away the enamel of your tooth and, if allowed to wear enough away, will eventually produce cavities which the bacteria will invade. Once the inner pulp of the tooth gets infected, this can lead to you requiring root canal surgery or tooth extraction.

When to brush

Now is probably a good time to mention that you can inadvertently help plaque by brushing at the wrong time. It is advisable that you wait an hour after eating before you brush your teeth. The acid in many foods and drinks can soften tooth enamel, which means that if you brush just after partaking of these substances, then you are actually wearing down your own tooth enamel!

What about gum disease?

If plaque is allowed to collect in your mouth, it might well start hardening into tartar. Tartar is much trickier to get rid of than plaque is. If tartar forms along your gum line, then the plaque beneath can start to release toxins which will cause a swelling of the gums and can leave your mouth a little sore. Your gums can then start to shift away from your teeth, leaving pockets which risk becoming infected.

So…?

Brush! That’s the gist of it. When brushing, make sure to brush all over (including the corners of your mouth). Make sure to brush each tooth individually and try to keep the brush angled so that is also brushes the gum line. For more information on oral hygiene please contact the team at Liverpool Dental Spa.

Tags: brushing your teeth, electric toothbrush, oral health liverpool, oral hygiene liverpool
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