Posts tagged “oral hygiene”

Dental hygiene therapy

March 3rd, 2011

Dentists urge people to improve their dental hygiene

Visiting your dentist once every 6 months as recommended is very important but that dreaded moment when your dentist says you need some treatment can often be avoided simply by improving you dental hygiene at home.

To maintain good dental hygiene, dental products need to be used. The market in this area is huge and it can be confusing when trying to find which product is best, especially when the ‘best’ product can vary from person to person. For example, sensitive teeth toothpaste would typically contain more potassium chloride than standard toothpaste, which in turn may have more fluoride than other toothpastes, such as children’s.

It’s recommended that we should all brush our teeth at least twice a day, as well as regularly use mouthwash and floss. But, when and for how long? Ideally when you brush in the morning you should do so before you eat or about an hour after eating. This is because some foods, especially those containing acid such as citrus fruits, can temporarily weaken the enamel of your teeth, making brushing more damaging than helpful. Brushing too hard or for too long can also wear down enamel, especially when using smokers’ or whitening toothpaste, which is generally harder than traditional toothpaste.

If you feel your dental hygiene isn’t up to scratch or that you struggle to maintain good dental hygiene, professional dental hygienists are now not uncommon at dental surgeries and practices. A dental hygienist works with the dental team, focussing on cleaning, scaling, root planing, and applying dental sealant. The treatment has a much more thorough result than one you would achieve at home and, as well as this, your hygienist will often give you advice on how to improve dental hygiene within your own home to prevent any further dental damages.

Sparkle Dental are here to add a little ‘sparkle’ to your smile

There are qualified and experienced dental hygiene therapists in Kew where you can be helped to attain optimum oral health.

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Are you looking after your child’s smile?

February 22nd, 2011

It may seem a little neurotic to think about taking your child to the dentist the minute their milk teeth come through.

However, the fact is that from the minute your child’s teeth show they are susceptible to all the little nasties that yours are and so your child’s dental health should be taken seriously from the start.

Children’s dental health in the UK is actually amongst the best in Europe but it is still the case that only 6 in 10 children start school with a perfectly healthy mouth. For 4 in 10 children problems such as tooth decay or acid erosion have already taken effect by the age of 5. Young children cannot be held responsible however for the state of their oral health; it is up to parents to make sure that their child’s teeth are kept healthy.

Keeping a Small Smile Mighty

The first thing to do is to get your child interested in brushing right from the start. As soon as their first milk tooth comes through you should start to clean their teeth. Starting as you intend to go on will mean that your child gets into a routine that they will continue for life. As your child grows you should start to teach them the art of effective brushing but not until the age of 7 should you leave the kids to it when they’re brushing their teeth – be sure they are doing it correctly.

As with brushing, trips to the dentist should start as early as possible. Take your child along with you for your check-up and they’ll get used to the surroundings and will not fret when it’s their turn to climb into the dentist chair. The dentist will also have an informal look around your child’s mouth while you’re there and will be able to keep a check on any early problems.

A final thought is your child’s best friend: sugar! Keeping the kids sugar free is impossible but being clever with the sugar allowance will go a long way in keeping tooth decay at bay. Try to keep sugary foods confined to meal times and finish meals with alkaline foods such as cheese or milk to neutralise the acid left behind. The less time sugar is left to linger, the less damage it can do.

Sparkle Dental are here to add a little ‘sparkle’ to your smile

When your child’s teeth are shiny and new it may seem unimportant to take oral health seriously but your child’s teeth are just as susceptible to oral problems as yours. Starting early will keep their smile brighter than the lights of the Hanwell and not only this but young minds follow good example and a good example set by you will ensure your child learns to take oral health seriously.

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Healthy teeth for a healthy you

February 21st, 2011

Oral hygiene isn’t just about keeping your teeth looking clean, but also about keeping your mouth – and the rest of your body – healthy.

How many of us really take proper care of our teeth? Proper care involves brushing for at least two minutes twice a day and after every meal if possible with fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities. Dental floss and mouthwash can help clean those areas of the mouth that brushing misses; at the back of the mouth, between teeth and even below the gum line. You should even brush your mouth, to get rid of the bacteria that can live in the mouth, causing not just bad breath but other more serious conditions.

Don’t forget that visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and/or thorough sessions with the hygienist is an important part of your oral healthcare routine too. Your dentist will be able to pick up on anything they think you might be doing wrong, and correct it. Or advise a new product that could fix a particular problem you are having. Nothing beats a good clean at the dental office by a qualified hygienist. You only have to think about how clean your teeth feel when you leave the surgery to realise that you can’t match it at home!

Maintaining good oral hygiene will not just keep your smile pretty and your breath fresh, but can stop tooth decay, cavities and gum disease. All these conditions are caused by bacteria that if left untreated can even get into the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body. Experts have often thought there was a link between oral health and general health, which emphasises the importance of following these oral hygiene tips and making sure you visit your dentist regularly.

Young children should be brushing their teeth as soon as they have them, though obviously Mums and Dads should help out with the very little ones. Make sure they don’t eat too many sugary snacks and educate them as to why brushing your teeth is so important. Even when they have taken over the job for themselves, keep supervising them to make sure they are doing a good job! Visits to the dentist are very important for children, as early diagnosis of problems like cavities or tooth decay are essential to treat the condition effectively.

Sparkle Dental are here to add a little ‘sparkle’ to your smile

Make sure you register with a local dentist in the Ealing area to check that your oral hygiene routine is keeping you and your family healthy.

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Yoghurt Reduces Cavities For Kids

June 22nd, 2010

Eating yoghurt regularly could slash a child’s risk of developing tooth decay, according to new research.

Consuming the dairy product at least four times a week reduced the chances of three-year-olds developing cavities by 22 per cent, compared to those who ate it less than once a week.The findings, published in the Journal of Dentistry, came from a Japanese study which was investigating earlier claims that dairy foods generally could ward off dental decay in children.

But while butter, cheese and milk appeared to have no major benefit, high consumption of yoghurt did have a protective effect in young children.It’s not clear why yoghurt reduces the need for fillings.

But one theory is that it contains proteins that ‘bind’ to the surface of teeth and seals them against attack from harmful acids.This seal means the calcium and phosphate which makes up tooth enamel is not broken down over time.The research, by experts at Fukuoka University and the University of Tokyo, supports earlier work by Australian scientists who exposed extracted teeth to yoghurt and found it kept decay at bay.

Fears over children’s dental health in the UK were raised last year when figures revealed a steep rise in the number of children being admitted to hospital for emergency dental work due to tooth decay. Nearly 30,000 children a year in England need hospital treatment, many to have rotten teeth pulled. Children from poorer areas are twice as likely to need treatment as those from affluent families.

In the latest study, Japanese researchers looked at more than 2,000 children aged three and quizzed parents on their eating habits. Each child also had a dental check to assess the state of their teeth. The results showed a clear link with yoghurt but not with other popular dairy produce.

In a report on their findings the researchers said: ‘High consumption of yoghurt may be associated with a lower prevalence of dental cavities in young children.’ But British Dental Health Foundation chief executive Dr Nigel Carter warned: ‘It should be remembered that many yoghurts in the UK contain added sugar and it is well established that increasing the frequency of sugar containing foods and drinks leads to an increase in dental decay.

‘Yoghurts are also quite thick and will tend to coat the teeth for longer which can also lead to problems. If parents wish to increase their children’s yoghurt intake it is therefore important that this be confined to meal times.’

Source: Daily Mail

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Ask Sunita a Question…

May 24th, 2010

“I got a new bridge two months ago at another practice. Two weeks after the bridge was fitted, I cleaned under the bridge using superfloss. There was a horrible smell.  I have been cleaning the area three times a day, but it remains the same. What can I do?”

Dr Sunita Verma in Brentford says:

Firstly, I think it would be a good idea to have your bridge checked to ensure that the bridge is fitting well. When a bridge is first fitted, you need to get into a good oral hygiene routine straight away.

At Sparkle Dental Boutique, I routinely encourage my patients to see our hygienist, particularly if they have had restorations fitted including a bridge, crown or porcelain veneers.

After eating and before you go to bed, you need to brush your teeth and gums with a soft brush, especially where the bridge meets the gum line (margin). At the margin, harmful bacteria can gather to cause tooth decay and gum disease. You also need to floss at least once a day using superfloss. This will help to remove plaque under and around these areas to maintain good oral hygiene. With a bridge you must clean under as well as around the bridge to prevent food debris and plaque gathering and the area becoming infected.

My advice would be for you to see a dentist so that they can check your bridge and also check whether you have an infection under the bridge. I would also advise you to see a hygienist for professional cleaning so that any build up around your bridge and teeth can be removed. The hygienist can also show you you how to look after your bridge and maintain good oral health.

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Teeth 4 Life – National Smile Month 2010

May 10th, 2010

National Smile Month is run by the UK’s leading independent oral health charity, the British Dental Health Foundation. Dedicated to improving the public’s oral health, this year’s campaign of ‘Teeth4Life’ highlights the importance of looking after your teeth and maintaining them for life.

The three key messages of the campaign are

  • Brush teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste
  • Visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend
  • Cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks

To support the event, at Sparkle Dental Boutique, Hounslow all patients visiting the practice during this month will receive a toothbrush and toothpaste kit to help keep their teeth for life!

In the lead-up to this year’s campaign, evidence of the first documented link between a foetal death and the mother’s pregnancy-related gum disease emerged in the United States. The case emphasized the importance of preventive dental treatment and good oral health practice. The foundation continues to report the latest evidence of systematic links between oral health and overall health.

Premature Births

In January 2010, Microbiologist Yiping Han, the lead author of a U.S. case study conducted a Cleveland’s Department of Periodontics at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine in Ohio, identified oral bacteria originating from a 35 year-old woman’s gingivitis as the cause of her stillborn baby. Findings were published in the February issue of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

Heart

In May 2009, new research findings on gum disease and heart disease reveal evidence of the specific genetic variant linking aggressive periodontitis and coronary heart disease.

Diabetes

May 2009, when new evidence was presented at the 2009 International Association of Dental Research Conference which supported casual links between oral health and diabetes. The importance of dental care as an ideal opportunity for early diabetes screening came after studies suggested that those with periodontitis and unchecked gum disease were linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Source: BDHF

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Hello Aloe…

September 2nd, 2009

 

Did you know that apart from being magically beneficial for sunburns, minor cuts, skin irritation, and many other ailments, aloe vera’s healing power extends to teeth and gums. 

Recently, aloe vera has gained some popularity as an active ingredient in tooth gel, where it is used to cleanse and soothe teeth and gums, and is as effective as toothpaste to fight cavities.

Sunita Verma Principal at Sparkle Dental Boutique, Hanwell says “New research indicates that aloe vera tooth gel is just as effective, and in some cases more effective, than normal toothpastes in controlling cavity causing organisms. In addition, it is less abrasive on teeth and therefore is a great alternative for people with sensitive teeth or gums”.

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Dental Facts and Figures

July 20th, 2009

  • Scientific research has linked gum disease to heart disease, strokes, diabetes and premature and low birth weight babies

  • Eating sugar free foods isn’t just good for your waistline – it’s also much better for your teeth

  • Whilst fruit smoothies can help in providing some of your 5 a day fruit portion – they an be really bad for your teeth as it coats them in sugar – the tooth enemy

  • One third of people in Britain admit to brushing their teeth once a day or less

  • One out of every five people questioned couldn’t even remember when they last changed their toothbrush* (it is recommended to change it every 3 months)

  • People have admitted picking between their teeth with everything from pierced earrings to business cards and paperclips to screwdrivers – instead of cleaning with the recommended floss or an interdental brush

  • Fluoride is added to many toothpastes to help prevent decay – yet one in every three people thought it was either a mint flavour or a marketing gimmick

  • Fluoride is scientifically proven to be a “magic – bullet’ that helps prevent tooth decay – yet surprisingly its only added to less than 12% of UK water.

  • British is best in the eyes of the public. A resounding 8 out of 10 people would not consider travelling abroad for dental treatment – 6 out of every 10 still said that they would call their UK Dentist if things go wrong when they got home.

Source: Brush for Health, British Dental Health Foundation

Check back with Sparkle Dental Boutique, Chiswick for more info on relevant dental research.

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Brits Lag Behind Rest of Europe on National Kissing Day

June 29th, 2009

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It’s official – the Brits aren’t kissing enough. The latest survey from online magazine getlippy.com reveals that a staggering 95% of young women believe they aren’t getting enough when it comes to kissing.

This isn’t surprising considering that nearly a third (29%) of women polled claim that they don’t even manage to pucker up once on an average day. National Kissing Day (6 July) could be the perfect opportunity for Brits to join the lucky lot who claim they kiss up to 10 times a day (19%).

What’s more nearly a quarter of women (24%) have experienced a kissing drought and gone for over a year without so much as a hint of a kiss. The average period of non-lip action is three to six months for nearly a third (30%) of women. The forecast is not so bad for a fifth (21%) of women who don’t go any longer than a month without a kiss.

The good news is, what we lack in quantity, we definitely make up in quality. In the league of best and worst kissers, the Brits sweep the board with nearly half (42%) of the vote for great kissing. The Italians – the Casanovas of Europe come in second with 15%, closely followed by the French with 13%.

When it comes to kissing etiquette, there are some things you just shouldn’t do. Well over a third (35%) of women voted bad breath as the worst offender. Slobbering all over your partner is a passion killer for a third (31%) of women and nearly a fifth (18%) are put off kissing someone who smokes.

Sunita Verma, Sparkle Dental Boutique, Hounslow says `National Kissing Day is a great way to show affection and we should all pucker up more often – not just for National Kissing day.’

If you are concerned about discoloured teeth or bad breath for the big day, then don’t forget to visit your dentist and hygienist.

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National Smile Month comes to Hanwell, West London

May 14th, 2009

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Sparkle Dental Boutique is helping to spread the message of good oral health in Hanwell, West London by organising an event for National Smile Month.

National Smile Month 2009 is taking place between May 17 and June 16 under the tagline ‘Look After Yourself, Brush for Health.’

The campaign is focusing on the vital importance of looking after your mouth to your body – as systemic links between oral health and overall health are made ever clearer. Research has linked gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, strokes and premature and low birth weight babies.

To get into the spirit of things Sparkle Dental Boutique in Hanwell is organising a food tasting in its waiting room on May 17. By offering free healthy snacks the practice is hoping to teach patients about the importance of a healthy diet.

Dr Sunita Verma, Principal from Sparkle Dental Boutique commented: “We are delighted to get involved in National Smile Month and to give a little bit back to our patients. Good oral health is very important and it promises to be great fun!”

This year’s National Smile Month maintains the British Dental Health Foundation’s key messages: brush twice-a-day with fluoride toothpaste, cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and visit the dentist regularly as often as they recommend.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, who organise National Smile Month, commented: “We are delighted that Sparkle Dental Boutique has joined the many dental practices, schools, health professionals and community groups promoting good oral healthcare beneath the umbrella that is National Smile Month.

A good oral healthcare routine can help guard against all sorts of oral and general health conditions from bad breath and decay to gum disease, which has been linked to a number of more serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes.

By promoting good oral healthcare in a fun and imaginative way we hope to persuade more people of the importance of taking care of their teeth.”

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