Category “Oral hygiene”

May 8th, 2012

Why 6 Monthly Checks are so Important for Patients from Droylsden

Dental decay and gum disease can develop quickly, but to the untrained eye it may seem like everything is fine.

However, soon tooth pain may cause you agony and pockets around the gums may begin to open up and you now have to undergo root canal treatment and periodontal cleaning to attempt to rectify your problem.

Your dentist can easily spot disorders such as gum disease and tooth decay in their early stages, when they can be treated quickly and affectively. You may not notice the changes in your mouth but your dentist can and if you only leave 6 months between check ups any problems that have started to occur will not have a long time to develop and your dentist can therefore rectify the problem swiftly.

Oral cancer checks

Dental check ups are also becoming more important after a rise in the cases of oral cancer, which reached over 6,000 for the year 2011.

Oral cancer displays some symptoms, but unless you regularly check the inside of your cheeks or are suffering pain these signs may go unnoticed. This isn’t a good thing to occur with oral cancer, as the rates of surviving drops to 50% if the disease is left to develop. However, this increases to 90% if the problem is caught early.

Going to your dentist will mean that any sign of oral cancer can be spotted and treated sooner rather than later, to prevent the spread of the disease. Signs to look out for with oral cancer include:

  • White or red patches found inside the mouth, on the lips and on the tongue.
  • Pain when swallowing or at the back of the throat.
  • Swellings in the neck.
  • Sores that take a long time to heal.

When your health and even your life are potentially at risk a 6 monthly check seems to be a very little ask and will be over in less than half an hour in the majority of cases for patients from Droylsden.

 

Tags: , , ,
Posted in General dentistry, Oral hygiene | No Comments »
May 3rd, 2012

Helping Dental Phobic Patients from Denton Receive the Treatment They Need

Dental phobia affects a large portion of the country, including those living near Denton with many patients avoiding the care they need due to their fears.

Why do people suffer with dental phobia and what can they do?

A person’s dental phobia may be due to negative experiences in the past, such as pain during treatment or an unkind and unsympathetic dentist. However, at Mossley Dental Care we take the time to listen to and understand your fears and help you receive the treatment you need, without the pain, worry or anxiety you may have experienced in the past.

We numb the area to be injected with a numbing gel to help patients with a fear of needles and we never rush or hurry you into any treatment and take the utmost care of all our patients’ needs when they are in the practice.

Helping you receive the dental treatment you need.

Preventing a problem is quick, easy and often pain free, so attending 6 monthly check ups is a must for all patients. We understand that this can be nerve wracking and the cause of much anxiety, but if we are able to stop the development of any problems when they are small with treatments as painless as dental sealants and cleaning, we can prevent you from having to undergo more invasive treatments that may cause you worry.

We have taken the time to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere in the practice and have Dental Phobia certified dentists working at the clinic.

Dentist today have been trained to help nervous patients through their treatments and can help you with your problem, without causing your harm or distress.  Receiving care and treatment will mean your dental health remains at its best and all you will have to attend when next coming the practice is a routine check.

If you would like any more information please get in touch with the practice, we will be happy to help.

 

Tags: , , ,
Posted in General dentistry, Nervous patients, Oral hygiene | No Comments »
May 1st, 2012

The Damage Sugar Causes to the Teeth of Patients from Hyde

Dental enamel is incredibly strong, but it can still be susceptible to wear and erosion and after the damage is done it cannot be replace, as the body is unable to replenish lost enamel.

The main culprit of tooth erosion is sugar, which sticks to the surface of the tooth, providing a meal for the enamel-eating bacteria found in the mouth. When eating their sugary meal these bacteria produce acids, which wears away first at the tooth enamel, then the dentin and finally eats its way into the dental chamber, after which tooth death can soon occur.

What can I do to prevent this damage to my teeth?

A regular oral hygiene regime can prevent the development of tooth problems, which should include:

  • Brushing the teeth in the mornings and at night for at least two minutes.
  • Flossing between the teeth at least 3 times a week, to clean hard to reach places.
  • Using mouthwash after brushing and flossing to cleanse the mouth.

Changing your diet can also be beneficial to your oral health, with changes as easy to follow as:

  • Eating a piece of cheese when eating acidic fruits such as oranges and apples.
  • If you are eating a sweet snack or pudding trying eating it at the same time as one of your main meals. This will decrease the number of acid attacks your teeth undergo throughout the day.
  • Replacing sugary or acidic drinks with milk or water.
  • Be aware of hidden sugars, such as those found in fruit juices and dried fruit.

Small changes such as these can make a big difference to your oral health and can prevent enamel damage from ruining your smile.  However, if damage does occur never fear, as treatments such as composite bonding can be used to restore your missing dental enamel. This will never be as strong or durable as your own enamel, but it is an option for those who have already suffered tooth decay.

 

Tags: , , ,
Posted in General dentistry, Oral hygiene | No Comments »
April 10th, 2012

Patients from Denton pay a visit to the dental hygienist at Mossley Dental Care

The role of a dental hygienist is to professionally clean a patient’s teeth, which is also referred to as scaling and polishing. In addition to the cleaning aspect a hygienist will also advise patients on how to keep their teeth free from plaque and bacteria.

The scaling is carried out with either an electronic scaler or an ultrasound cleaning device. This tool enables the hygienist to carefully remove the build up of plaque on each tooth. These tools can even clean below the gum line and are able to clean far better than any at home cleaning method. Patients from Denton and surrounding areas can easily benefit from this treatment.

The next step is the polishing, which is carried out to ensure no damage has occurred to the tooth’s enamel. The process may seem a little invasive to begin with, but it is an important part of oral health. There may be a part of your mouth that you cannot clean properly on your own, and this is where plaque will build up. If left untreated the build up will eventually cause problems such as tooth decay or gum disease.

During a visit to the hygienist a set of x-rays may be taken. This enables them to diagnose issues and plan the correct treatment with the patient. Regular visit to the hygienist are recommended, as this will help keep your mouth healthy and reduce the risk of tooth loss.

It is recommended that a professional cleaning be carried out every 6-9 months and at the very least it should be done once a year.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Oral hygiene | No Comments »
March 15th, 2012

Fillings the Gaps at Mossley Dental Care for Patients from Stockport

For adults, tooth loss can be a stressful and unpleasant experience because, unlike baby teeth, permanent teeth are not naturally replaced by another tooth. Having a gap in your smile can make eating and speaking difficult and uncomfortable, not to mention the effect it can have on your confidence. It is therefore important that you look after your teeth and maintain good oral hygiene in order to prevent tooth loss.

Mossley Dental Care, which provides treatment for patients from Stockport, look at some of the main causes of missing teeth:

Injury

It is possible to lose a tooth through injury no matter how old or young you are. Although accidents happen, precautions can be taken in certain circumstances. For instance, it is important to wear mouth guards when participating in contact sports or any other activities where your teeth may be at risk of trauma.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is caused by foods that are high in sugar or are particularly acidic, which lead to the formation of plaque – the sticky, white substance found on teeth. The bacteria in plaque gradually break down the tissue in the tooth, causing cavities that can lead to infection or tooth loss.

Gum disease

Gum disease is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. If left untreated, the gums recede from the teeth and the supporting bone tissue fixing the teeth in place is eventually lost. The teeth then become loose and fall out.

Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of developing periodontal (gum) disease. Smokers are more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers, and are therefore more likely to suffer from tooth loss.

Whilst it is important to prevent tooth loss before it happens, if you have missing teeth and you want to fill the gap, at Mossley Dental Care we have a number of options. You might want to consider dental implants – porcelain teeth that are attached to titanium metal rods. These metal rods are inserted into the jaw bone in place of the tooth root. Implants can be inserted into both the top and bottom jaw to replace one tooth or multiple teeth. They can even be used to secure a full set of dentures.

If you’re worried about tooth loss or have missing teeth that you’d like to replace, contact reception to arrange an appointment.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Dental implants, Oral hygiene | No Comments »
March 8th, 2012

Patients from Droylsden are Learning to Live with Braces from Mossley Dental Care

The mouth is a sensitive area and any changes made within will take time to adjust to. Braces at dentists serving patients from Droylsden can initially be uncomfortable and learning to live with them can take time as well, but here are a few basic pointers, which can make the adjustment easier.

Care for Braces

Eating with braces: There are a number of things to avoid when you have a brace fitted, such as hard foods like apples, nuts and corn on the cob. Sticky food is another one to steer clear off, such as toffee and gummy bears and foods high in sugar and acid should also be avoided.

Brushing with braces: the braces themselves present a challenge when it comes to brushing the teeth – but for good oral health you must ensure that every surface is thoroughly cleaned. Small interdental brushes can help clean between the bracket and the tooth and washing the mouth out with mouthwash can also help clean the hard to reach areas. A soft brush may also be a better option, as it is able to spread out and clean in between the braces and the teeth.

Problems with Braces

There may be times when minor problems arise with your braces; however, some of these difficulties can be remedied at home.

If you find that you have loose or broken braces, or a loose band it is not considered an emergency unless you are suffering any pain, but you should avoid connecting any elastics or headgear until you visit your orthodontist. Book an appointment as soon as they become loose, so you can continue with your treatment.

Poking wires can usually be moved with the use of a cotton swab or pencil eraser, if a wire moves out of the tube or slot they can usually be put back in place using tweezers and this will hold until you can make an appointment to see your orthodontist.

The main thing to remember is that it may take a little time to adjust to the feeling of your new brace. Your mouth will feel sore for a while and there may be sores or ulceration inside the mouth during the first week or so, but in time this will settle down.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Braces, Oral hygiene, Orthodontics | No Comments »
January 28th, 2012

Dental hygiene and braces go hand in hand at Dukinfield dentists

Orthodontic braces are a wonderful invention and have helped millions of people to get the smile they have always dreamed of. Unfortunately having all that metal and plastic in your mouth does make it much harder to keep your teeth and gums clean and your general oral health can suffer if you don’t monitor the situation closely. There are specialist brushes and tools that you can use to clean the gaps between teeth and braces, and regular check-ups with your dentist can help with the early detection of any potential problems.

The best thing you can do, if you know you are going to have braces fitted in the near future, is to make an appointment with a dental hygienist. At Mossley Dental Care, Dukinfield we recommend that all our orthodontic patients attend a session with our hygienist prior to being fitted with braces, as well as making regular appointments throughout the course of their treatment.

Making sure that your teeth and gums are as healthy and clean as possible before you have your braces fitted can help you in the long run to maintain the health of your smile during your orthodontic treatment. The hygienist will give all your teeth a thorough clean and polish, especially the teeth at the back which are difficult to reach at the best of times and will only become trickier once you are wearing braces. Dental hygienists will be able to give you a few tips on how to keep your teeth clean depending on what braces you are going to get and may even be able to recommend some helpful products.

Some modern braces are removable, which means that you can take them out while eating to stop pieces of food getting trapped. Obviously it also makes keeping your teeth and gums clean much easier if you don’t have to work around metal or plastic braces. However, even if you have removable braces a session with the hygienist before you start to wear them will do no harm at all, and you should still attend regular check-ups with your dentist to ensure that your orthodontic treatment is progressing well and that your oral health is still good.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Braces, Oral hygiene | No Comments »