Why You Should Stop Smoking

Smoking has a detrimental effect on your health, causing diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease and strokes. Whilst these issues are often at the forefront of people’s minds, they often don’t consider the effects on their oral health.

Mouth Cancer

Reported by the NHS, 93% of cancers in the throat are caused by smoking, and if you smoke you are six times more at risk of developing mouth cancer than non-smokers. The risks increase further when combined with alcohol consumption and poor diet. However, if you stop smoking you decrease your risk of cancer even if you have previously been a heavy smoker. Mouth cancer can grow quite quickly so it is important you attend routine appointments so your dentist can look for early signs. At Newby Dental Practice we provide a cancer check with every check up, so book your appointment now!

Risk of Gum Disease

Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream meaning that infected gums can’t heal. This speeds up the effects of gum disease which can result in bone loss, leading to tooth loss.

Tooth Loss

As explained above, smoking reduces the oxygen flow in the bloodstream, worsening the effects of gum disease. Gum disease can result in bone loss which leads to tooth loss.

Bad Breath

When you smoke, over 4,000 chemicals pass through your mouth. The chemicals collect on the surface of your mouth and can mix with your saliva causing bad breath. Smoking can also cause bad breath by drying out your mouth.

Stained Teeth

Tobacco contains nicotine and tar that contribute to the yellow stain on teeth. After a long period of time, many smokers complain that their teeth are almost brown. Book an appointment with one of our hygienists to help remove the staining.

Should I Brush My Teeth Before or After Eating Breakfast?

Many people would say they like to brush their teeth after they eat their breakfast as they don’t like to have food stuck in their teeth when they leave the house. However, it would surprise some people to know that it is beneficial to your oral health to brush your teeth before your breakfast. The main reason that we brush our teeth is to remove plaque. Plaque is a material that coats your teeth and it contains harmful bacteria that breaks down the sugar in our foods to form acids. These acids can damage the enamel which is the hard protective layer of our teeth.

Overnight, plaque builds up on our teeth. When we sleep, our mouths produce less saliva because they are inactive. This allows bacteria to multiply and bind to your teeth. When eating your breakfast you are feeding the bacteria sugars which they will break down into acids, damaging your enamel

Something that a lot of people don’t realise is that some cereals are very high in sugar. If you combine this with a high sugar drink like fresh orange juice, you can alter the pH in your mouth making it more acidic, leading to weakened tooth enamel. If you brush straight after you eat you could be scraping off the essential enamel. Using a fluoride toothpaste before you eat will give an extra layer of protection against the acid attack.

If you still feel like it fits your routine better to brush your teeth after you eat, wait at least half an hour before doing so. At this point the pH in your mouth will have returned to normal.

It’s National Teeth Whitening Day!

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Tooth whitening is a professional process of removing stains and discolouration from teeth, by bleaching, to reveal a brighter smile. Bleaching is even beneficial to those who do not have staining as it can help to brighten your enamel.

Why You Should Celebrate

Foods and drinks stain our teeth overtime. After your treatment you will notice the difference that it has on your appearance, but also on your self confidence.

You also gain the benefit of a dental exam whilst ensuring that whitening is the best treatment for you.

How You Can Celebrate

  • Eat a balanced diet. If this is not already part of your day to day routine, today is the perfect time to start. Try to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet, as well as high-protein foods.
  • Visit your dentist. You should be attending regular checkups with your dentist. If you haven’t been for a while, now is a good time to book that appointment.
  • Replace your toothbrush. Most people are not aware of how often they should be changing their toothbrush. Did you know that you should be getting a new toothbrush (or toothbrush head if you use an electric toothbrush) every three months?
  • Book a professional tooth whitening appointment with us. Treat yourself with a bright smile.

If you are interested in tooth whitening, call us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment or email us at info@newbydental.co.uk for more information.

Why You Shouldn’t Wear Your Dentures At Night

It is often recommended by dentists to wear your new dentures for the first night as this helps to heal your gums more quickly. However, the long term wear of dentures overnight can cause more harm than good. Follow the advice below to learn how to protect your gums and care for your dentures.

There are multiple health reasons why you shouldn’t wear your dentures whilst you sleep. Here are the main benefits of removing your dentures on a night:

Prevents Gum Inflammation

Wearing your dentures overnight can affect the flow of saliva around the mouth as it blocks the saliva’s path. This can result in a condition called Denture Stomatitis, more commonly known as thrush. Denture stomatitis is a condition found commonly in denture-wearers as the base of the denture attracts a buildup of plaque allowing the growth of bacteria. This can be painful as it leads to red and swollen gums, sometimes resulting in yeast infected gums.

Maintains a Tighter Fit

Wearing your dentures overnight can result in bone loss. This can cause your dentures to become loose resulting in them to slip, therefore reducing the ranges of foods that you are able to comfortably eat.

Prevents The Growth of Bacteria

The area where your gums and denture meet is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. This causes bad breath and can eventually result in gum disease. By not wearing your dentures at night, you are allowing your gums to rest without being damaged by bacteria.

Reduces Bone Loss

Dentures put pressure on the gums and the bone underneath. This can quicken the rate of bone resorption. Bone resorption is a natural process but when it happens faster than the bone can be replaced, it can increase your risk of fractures and breakage.

How to Care For Your Dentures Overnight

Now you know that you shouldn’t wear your dentures overnight, it is important that you know how to look after them. Here are our top tips to ensure that your dentures are in the best condition.

Gargle With Warm Water

Gargling with warm water will help to loosen the seal between the adhesive and your denture, making it much easier to remove.

Rinse the Dentures

Once you have removed your dentures rinse them under running water to remove any remaining food particles.

Brush Dentures With a Soft Toothbrush

To brush your dentures use water, denture paste or a non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid using regular toothpaste as it contains abrasives that can cause damage to your dentures.

Remove Adhesive Residues in Your Mouth

Gargle with warm salt water and use a clean washcloth to remove any residue left on your gums and the roof of your mouth. Rinse your mouth out with warm water again. You can also use a soft toothbrush to clean your gums. If you wear a partial denture, don’t forget to brush your natural teeth.

Clean Your Dentures

Soak your dentures in water or a denture cleaning solution overnight. If you use a fast acting cleaning solution, clean your dentures in the solution first and then soak in water overnight. If you have a partial denture make sure you use a solution designed for partials.

In the morning, thoroughly rinse your dentures under running water.

5 Bad Brushing Habits To Avoid

How To Brush Your Teeth Effectively

Regular visits to the dentist are important to maintain a healthy smile, but good oral hygiene starts at home. Although brushing your teeth may seem like a simple task, there are some mistakes you should avoid to ensure that your dental health is in excellent condition.

1. Not Brushing For Long Enough

Most people will know that it is important to brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice daily, but many fall short of that. To make it easier, divide your mouth into 4 sections and spend 30 seconds on each quarter.

2. Brushing Straight After Eating

The food we eat contains acid which weakens our enamel. Therefore, if you brush straight after eating, you’re helping to erode the enamel away. Make sure to wait at least 40 minutes after eating.

3. Don’t Forget the Gums and Tongue

Your tongue and gums can harbour bacteria which can lead to gum disease and bad breath.

4. Not Flossing

Although flossing might not be considered a ‘bad brushing habit’, it is still vital that you use dental floss daily. Only using a toothbrush will not effectively clean all areas of your mouth. Using dental floss or interdental brushes will help to disturb the bacteria in between your teeth, preventing the build up of harmful plaque that can lead to gum disease.

5. Keeping Your Toothbrush for too Long

It is Important that you change your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3-4 months. If not changed frequently, the bristles begin to breakdown meaning that the toothbrush isn’t effectively cleaning your teeth anymore.

Following this advice will help to guide you in the right direction to a healthy mouth. If you would like any extra information please ring the practice on 01723 670500 or email us on info@newbydental.co.uk