Posts tagged “Dental health”

How important is your six month check-up with London dentists?

January 27th, 2012

Well all know the importance of regularly visiting the dentist and – whether those visits are scheduled biannually or a bit more frequently – it’s imperative that we have routine check-ups. Your dentist can speak with you and determine if you would need to visit more often than just twice a year.

Typically, a dentist will make this assessment based on your oral health and any risk you may have for future problems. As a general rule of thumb the healthier your gums, teeth and mouth are the longer you can go between visits to the dentist, but this is a decision that should be made by a dental professional.

Although they may seem like pointless activities, six-month check-ups provide an opportunity for your dentist to examine your mouth, teeth and gums, and provide you with appropriate advice and/or instructions should you have any concerns. For instance, your dentist can advise on the effects your diet, smoking and alcohol use may be having on your teeth.

Another benefit of attending frequent dental check-ups is the opportunity for monitoring your teeth and preventing potentially serious problems from developing. Often, many dental ailments can be stopped before they progress into being something that requires loads of treatment. By visiting regularly, your dentist can keep an eye on problem areas, including checks for problems that you may not feel or see. For example, cavities, gum disease and oral cancer are often painless until they have progressed into the more advanced stages, but can be prevented with thorough, routine checking.

In addition to check ups, some dentists suggest that their patients have regular visits with a hygienist as well. This is another preventative method that could save you from unnecessary pain and problems. During a routine check up, a hygienist would be able to look for clues that could lead to the prevention of oral cancer and gum disease. Regular hygienist appointments will benefit patients because it ensures teeth, gums and mouth are maintained and in good physical health.

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Dental check-ups with London dentists can save you money

January 17th, 2012

It can be difficult in these days of financial hardship to work out how best to spend your family’s precious money. Food has to be put on the table, bills have to be paid and it can be tempting to look upon the six-monthly dental check-up as something of a luxury. However, skipping your regular trips to the dentist could easily become a false economy, as while you save yourself a few pounds on the cost of a check-up, you could face a much larger bill when you develop serious dental health problems in the future.

Most dental check-ups these days also include a scale and polish appointment with a dental hygienist. This is a vital part of keeping your teeth healthy as possible, as there are some parts of  the mouth that are difficult to keep clean no matter how hard we try. The dentist is also a good source of information and advice, especially if you have been having problems cleaning your teeth. They may be able to suggest a particular product that can prevent problems from developing, advice that you won’t hear if you skip your six-monthly check-up to save some money.

Perhaps even more importantly, it is at regular appointments where many potentially serious dental health problems are identified. Anything from tooth decay and gum disease, which could end up with the patient losing teeth if no action is taken, to children who may need orthodontic work, to correcting crooked teeth before they become fixed in position – early identification of all of these problems means they are easier, and therefore cheaper, to fix.

Imagine that a patient decides to skip your scheduled appointment at the dentist, not realising that they are already exhibiting the early signs of gum disease, perhaps because they are not flossing correctly. Soon the problem will become more serious, but by the time there are obvious symptoms, such as pain or bleeding gums, the problem has started to attack the tooth itself. All of a sudden, the cost of the initial missed dental check-up will pale into comparison with the costs of root canal work, false teeth or dental implants to fix a damaged smile. Dental check-ups are an essential expense and appointments shouldn’t be missed if possible.

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Oral health and a visit to dentists in London is the staple of good dental health

December 18th, 2011

Oral health is a lot more important than many people realise as it can actually contribute to general health. Recent studies have found a link between poor oral health and cardiovascular disease, so it is extremely important to look after your gums and teeth.

Most parents also realise that it is important to take care of their children’s teeth, but some may think this is only necessary once their child has got all their teeth. This is not the case and dentists recommend starting to brush the teeth as soon as the first teeth begin to appear. Some dentists will also recommend using gels to keep children’s gums healthy and clean.

Initially, when your baby starts to develop teeth they will obviously be too small to clean their teeth by themselves. You can use a damp cloth on the gums when they are young but in a gentle manner. Then, you can begin to clean their teeth when they are old enough. Once old enough, if you encourage your child to get involved in oral hygiene from an early age, they will be more likely to integrate brushing in their daily routine and it will become part and parcel of everyday life.

To encourage your child to take care of their teeth and gums you can buy oral hygiene products including toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash which are brightly coloured, fun and decked out with child-friendly features. Many brands have toothbrushes and toothpastes that feature children’s favourite television and film characters and most products have bright, colourful packaging.

Healthy eating is also an important part of good oral health, so try and keep sweets and chocolates as treats, rather than daily snacks. Get children involved in the preparation of food and encourage them to cook with you. This will get them interested in food and they will want to learn about the benefits of healthy eating. Adopting good oral hygiene and eating habits from an early age will stand your child in good stead for the future and they will be more likely to benefit from good health during their adult life.

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London dentists take a look at the issue of water fluoridation

December 13th, 2011

While it may seem that water fluoridation to curb dental decay could be nothing but helpful, it’s not as clear cut as that. Though water fluoridation has proven to greatly diminish the number of people to be stricken with cavities, which can in turn help with other dental issues such as gum disease, it’s also a costly investment. For every person in a country that uses water fluoridation each costs approximately $0.95, which for the United States, a population of 308,745,538, comes to just over $293 million. How could such a large figure be worth it for a few cavities? Simple, for every tooth restoration, it costs on average $86.

Who can benefit?

However, with the advent of new fluoride rich toothpastes the need for fluoridated water is much lower for those that are able to afford such products. Countries in Europe have shown this to be true, with the number of cavity stricken individuals steadily decreasing despite the lack of fluoridated water. That doesn’t hold true for those individuals which are a part of the lower economic bracket that cannot afford such luxuries. With drinking water being the most accessible provider of fluoride, water fluoridation allows for even the poorest of families to maintain at least some form of dental health.

A violation of human rights

Many are quick to praise the effects of water fluoridation, with it being hailed as one of the best medical achievements of the 20th century, but others feel it is a violation of a number of basic rights; the most significant being the opinion that an individual should not be subjected to forced medical treatment, which the use of water fluoridation could be considered. Where the line is drawn between a basic health safety and unjust or infringed rights is a matter of opinion, but despite this the amount of countries using water fluoridation is increasing rapidly.

Do we need water fluoridation?

For centuries oral health was of little concern to the average citizen. Even the most famous and rich individuals were affected by the downsides of cavities, yet today, with the use of water fluoridation and other dental improvements, these problems can be made far less likely to occur. This isn’t to say that water fluoridation is a cure all for your dental problems, rather it is simply an aid meant to subtly improve and limit the oral health problems you might face in your lifetime should you not be drinking water that has been fluoridated. While some maintain a sense of scepticism about it, it’s hard to argue against the evidence and the effects that water fluoridation has had on the public’s health.

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London dentists look at some funky green toothbrushes to improve your dental health

December 2nd, 2011

The very first aspect of a toothbrush to look at when we’re thinking in eco-mode is the composition, what materials are used to make it. Think recyclable, reprocessed and reprocess-able materials. Using a type of toothbrush that is mostly a large sturdy handle to which replaceable brush heads are attached reduces the amount of material discarded each time a replacement is needed.

Natural materials used for the bristles instead of nylon are also a great choice. Their intrinsic softness helps those people with sensitive gums and gum disease or anyone who would rather not scratch their tooth enamel. Natural bristles are harvested from animals that are treated humanely – no slaughter is involved.

What funky eco-oriented toothbrushes are out there?

o The Recycline Company produces the Preserve Toothbrush out of materials that have been recycled from cleaned and reprocessed plastic yogurt cups. The toothbrush itself is also recyclable – Recycline provides a postage-paid return envelope at your point of purchase into which you simply put your used toothbrush and mail. The company reprocesses the plastic material into artificial lumber that is used for decks, walks and outdoor tables.

o The RADIUS company produces the two-piece Source Toothbrush from cellulose captured from the harvesting of sustained forests, making the material a renewable resource plastic. The strong handle is made from wood fibre and from plastic processed out of corn-fibre; the small heads are easily replaceable.

o Eco-DenT produces the TerrAdenT Replaceable Head Toothbrush, again using the same model of a large handle with small replaceable heads that are discarded when no longer usable. Thermo-welding bonds the bristles to the toothbrush head, reducing sites for germs to grow at the bristle base.

o Home Dental and several other company produce toothbrushes with natural-fibre bristles, all called by the name Natural Bristle. One caveat for these types of toothbrushes is that the natural bristles should be rinsed and left to dry more often than nylon ones simply because natural bristles absorb more water.

o Green Sprouts has a Baby Toothbrush that’s easy to hold and gentle on the teething gums of a baby because of the natural silicone coating. The entire item is made of materials that are free of Nitrosa, PVC and BPA.

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A look at the link between diabetes and oral health by your London dentist

November 29th, 2011

Most people are concerned with the appearance of their teeth and maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is key to keeping a smile looking bright and healthy. However, oral hygiene is also important for preventing oral health diseases and helping to promote good general health.

Many people assume that looking after your teeth and gums is a means of reducing the risk of oral health diseases, such as gum disease and decay. However, a growing number of studies have also indicated that oral health is important for health in general. Dentists often refer to the mouth as the window to the rest of the body and studies have confirmed that a link between poor oral health and a host of serious medical conditions, including heart disease, strokes and diabetes does exist. There is a growing body of evidence to support the notion that poor oral health increases the risk of developing these life-threatening conditions.

Diabetes and oral health problems

Research suggests that diabetes and oral health problems have a two-way relationship. Not only are people with diabetes more likely to suffer from gum disease, but people who have gum disease also have a higher risk of developing diabetes, as severe gum disease could affect blood glucose levels.

Diabetes increases the risk of oral health problems, because people with the condition are generally more susceptible to bacterial infections. Bacteria associated with gum disease have also been linked to an elevated risk of heart disease, strokes and complications during childbirth and labour in pregnant women.

Preventing oral health problems

Regular dental visits are important for everyone, but they are especially important for people who have a high risk of developing oral health problems. Patients with diabetes should stick to a good daily oral hygiene routine and visit their dentist for a check-up on a regular basis. This will allow the dentist to spot early warning signs of decay or gum disease and treat the condition before it progresses.

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Good manners could lead to good health!

July 8th, 2011

Did your mother ever tell you to be nice to people and have good manners? Well, new research may have proved that mother knows better than even she believed! New research conducted by Dettol and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has found that those with good manners, a pleasant attitude and who are generally more ordered in their day to day life are more than twice as likely to lead healthy lives compared to those who are unpleasant and have bad manners.

Is that it?

No. According to a recent report in the Daily Express, a positive and caring attitude and outlook on life goes hand in hand with leading a healthy lifestyle, including having a better attitude to hygiene, as well as eating better and doing more exercise.

Good mannered people are therefore less likely to be affected by colds and diarrhoea, as well as being two and a half times more likely to be in good health. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has also discovered that elderly people attempt to look after their health more than younger people, and it is also proved that elderly people also have better manners.

Do good manners mean you’re healthy, then?

Obviously, this doesn’t mean having good manners automatically makes you a healthier person, but the report has generally found that those who have respect for other people and treat others with respect, are more likely to respect themselves as such.

Unsurprisingly, the report also discovered that some of the least healthy people in the country are in fact students, as well as office workers. Men are also less hygienic than women in general. It was also found that some of the healthier and most hygienic people in the country were home-makers.

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