Starting the Little Ones off Right

We all know that those first visits to the dentist can make us a little anxious, so here are a few things you can do to help prepare children for their first dental visits!

1 – Start by preparing at home

Start to introduce your little one to the dentist by talking about their teeth, and telling them about the special chair that takes them on a fun ride! The chair can be a big, scary place for someone so small.
(Top tip, some childrens cartoons have dedicated dental episodes to help with just this! Pop them on for your little one to watch and see their favourite character go to the dentist too)

2 – Ensure good oral hygiene at home

Brushing at home is the best way to help your little one understand the dentist. Helping them brush and checking their teeth at home will help us to be able to check them here too! Don’t worry, you don’t need to know what decay looks like, just as long as your little one will happily open their mouth for you to check, it helps to develop a routine and make looking at their teeth a normal experience, which equals it being less strange as scary here!

3 – We LOVE to meet your cuddly friends!

Bringing a cuddly toy to the dentist can really help children to be confident for their check ups. Plus, we love to meet them, find out their names and if they are really lucky, their best buddy can even have a check up too to show you how it is done!

4 – Use a positive approach

Use positive language when talking about visiting the dentist, such as saying how fun and exciting it will be! We understand some parents suffer with dental anxieties, and we need to try our best to ensure children don’t develop any too.

Trips to the dentist don’t have to be scary, and instead should be portrayed as a fun experience with lots of praise for happy teeth! Our lovely dentists are all fantastic with children and helping to make check ups a positive experience.

We advise parents to bring children before the age of 1, even if they don’t have any teeth! These first appointments help to reassure children and familiarise them with the dentist, setting them up with dental confidence for life.

Plus…. it is always worth it for a sticker!

Win A Electric Toothbrush

Is your current electric toothbrush starting to fade, or maybe you’ve not had chance to pick one up yet nevertheless here’s your chance to grab one for free!

All you have to do is like and share our Facebook page along with tagging two friends to be in with a chance of winning.

Winner will be picked at random on the 23rd of August 2022

must be collected within 30 days

If you’ve never used a burst toothbrush before here are the specs:-


Whitening Charcoal PBT Nylon Bristles are super soft and naturally antimicrobial
At 33,000 sonic vibrations per minute, we’re blasting plaque with one of the strongest brush motors
The 700mAh Lithium Ion battery in our brush can give you 4 weeks of brushing on a single charge
3 Brushing Modes for all your needs: whitening, sensitive and massage
Brush for the dentist-approved 2 minutes with a movement reminder every 30 seconds
Details: The BURST Sonic Toothbrush will give you whiter teeth and make you feel proud of your smile.

Should I Use Mouthwash?

One of the most common questions we get asked by our patients, is whether they should incorporate mouthwash into their daily oral hygiene routine.

Mouthwash has always been advertised as a key item in any oral hygiene routine… take TV adverts for example….

Brush, rinse, mouthwash = healthy teeth and gums.

….right?

Don’t believe everything you see on TV.

Don’t get me wrong, mouthwash is a fantastic agent to an oral hygiene routine if used correctly. However, it needs to be used correctly.

So when should I use mouthwash?

Mouthwash should only ever be used at a separate time of day from brushing. And at least 1 hour after brushing.

Why?

So when we brush our teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, we are adding that protective fluoride to our mouths and creating a lovely protective coating for our teeth. By using mouthwash straight after brushing, you are rinsing that protective fluoride straight down the drain (literally!).

Mouthwash is also fantastic for aiding gum health in patients that suffer with gum disease. Your hygienist can then recommend a suitable, alcohol free mouthwash that contains fluoride to suit you.

It is worth noting that chlorhexidine mouthwash can cause staining if used too frequently.

Therefore if mouthwash is something you think you could benefit from, just ask your hygienist for some advice! They will let you know if this is something you really require, or if your oral hygiene can be maintained with just your regular toothbrushing and interdental cleaning instead.

Is It Sugar Free?

Numerous times you will come across drinks claiming to be ‘sugar free’….but are they really?

The immediate presumption would be that ‘sugar free’ or ‘diet’ really means sugar free, however this isn’t always the case. Most people are aware of high sugar intake causing tooth decay, but there is also the need to be careful of the acidity too. Diet drinks, fruit juices and other no added sugar drinks can have a higher acidity, meaning a higher risk of tooth erosion due to the lower pH.

Studies carried out by the Oral Health CRC on sugar-free drinks, sugar-free confectionery, and sports drinks found that “many of these products contained multiple acids and had low pH values.” Essentially, many people think that switching from regular to diet soda will keep their teeth healthy. Unfortunately, although they often contain no sugar, diet sodas usually cause about the same amount of dental erosion as regular sodas and can harm your teeth.

In addition to this, diet or sugar-free drinks also contain phosphoric acid which is also found in regular fizzy drinks. Citric and tartaric acids are just a couple of the added ingredients in diet drinks and fruit juices that can cause harm to your teeth. This happens by the frequent acid attacks occurring to your teeth whilst you drink, therefore weakening the tooth enamel, and causing decay over time.

But what should I drink that won’t harm my teeth?

Of course we still need something to drink! Sugary and sugar-free drinks should only be consumed with a meal, in order to minimise harmful attacks on the teeth.

In between meals, the drinks of choice should be water, plain sparkling water (no flavourings!) and milk.

After any acidic meals or drinks, you should rinse your mouth with water, drink milk or even snack on a little bit of cheese. Dairy and other calcium-rich foods can help neutralize acids. It’s also good to limit snacking between meals, so your saliva has time to rebalance its pH.

Cutting down on sugar is the perfect lifestyle choice to make. However remember to be mindful of what replacements you choose, and to take optimal care of your oral hygiene!

If you would like any further tips and advice on your oral hygiene and diet, our fantastic oral health educator, Beth, could help you. Just get in touch with us to make an appointment!

Electric Vs Manual – Which to choose?

When it comes to dental and hygiene appointments, one of the most frequently asked questions is “should I use an electric or a manual toothbrush?” – we are here to provide the information you need to be able to choose which would work best for you.

Electric Toothbrush: A rechargeable electric toothbrush is the kind you plug into the wall to recharge, keeping the handle and replacing the brush head every three months. Rechargeable electric toothbrushes differ among the kind of cleaning technology they use, such as oscillating-rotating (3D Cleaning Action) or sonic technology.

Electric toothbrushes now come with multiple features, such as a pressure sensor, multiple brushing modes, timers and even Bluetooth to track where you have brushed and how effectively!

Electric toothbrushes have built in timers to help you record how long you are brushing for – something that a manual toothbrush can’t do. This then helps you to make sure every part of your mouth is getting the attention it requires to maintain good, effective cleaning.

The movements of the Electric toothbrush does almost all of the work for you, alongside the correct technique it is said in a recent new study to have healthier gums, less tooth decay and also prolong the life of teeth, compared to a manual toothbrush. If you are unsure of which technique to use, your Hygienist or Dentist would be more than happy to go over an efficient technique that would work for you!

If you are someone that struggles with dexterity or arthritis, then this would be the better option for you as there is less brushing work needed from you.

There is also an added benefit of less waste from replacing a manual toothbrush to a small replacement electric head, which is always an added bonus!!

Colorful toothbrushes on blue background. Top view.

Manual Toothbrush: Although manual toothbrushes don’t provide the benefits and features of a rechargeable electric toothbrush, they can still have their own benefits such as textured bristles, ergonomically designed handles, gum stimulators and tongue cleaning pads.

Manual Toothbrushes also come with their benefits, they have been around for a very long time, and are still an effective way of removing plaque build up from your teeth and gums, again with the correct technique this can be very effective.

So which should I choose?

Choosing a toothbrush is completely personal preference, and whichever you feel gives you the most effective clean. If you are comfortable using a Manual Toothbrush, and have found that your dentist feels as though you are doing a great job, then what’s the need to change? The most important thing to us is that you have something which you feel confident to brush well with and twice daily.

However, if you would like to take the plunge from a manual toothbrush to and electric, or would just like some advice on what you should be looking for when buying a new toothbrush; your hygienist/dentist would be more than happy to recommend a suitable brand and model for you at your next appointment!

Some of our favourite options can be found here:

Oral B:

https://amzn.to/2SAVBIT

https://amzn.to/3bcecl4

Phillips Sonicare:

https://amzn.to/3uFdNyY

https://amzn.to/3b9CpZj

Find out more about the hygienist treatments we have to offer at Newby Dental Practice here:

https://www.newbydentalpractice.co.uk/hygienist-treatments-shiny-teeth/

Tooth Decay and your Health

Dental decay is a disease that destroys the tooth’s enamel and its underlying layer, the dentine.  It occurs when specific types of bacteria in your mouth produce acid after you have eaten or drunk anything containing sugar. ‘Dental decay’ is the same as tooth decay and is also known as ‘dental caries’.

Dental decay is caused by plaque acids that gradually dissolve away the enamel and dentine of the tooth. Decay damages your teeth and may lead to the tooth needing to be filled or even taken out.

The signs of tooth decay

In the early signs of tooth decay there are no symptoms, but our Team at Newby Dental Practice may be able to spot early tooth decay when we examine and x ray your teeth.  This is why you should visit us regularly, as early tooth decay is much easier to treat than more advanced decay.

When tooth decay is not treated early, you may have:

  • Toothache.
  • Tooth sensitivity to sweet things.
  • An unpleasant taste in your mouth.
  • Dark spot on the surface of your tooth.

Without treatment, these symptoms could get worse and you may need a root canal treatment or even risk losing a tooth that could have been saved.

If you have any of these symptoms, contact us for an appointment.  If you’re not registered with us, now is your chance, our new patient consultations are just £50 and include a full examination, all the x rays you might need, a bespoke treatment plan and a Denplan Assessment if required.

There are also a number of ways you can help prevent and manage tooth decay at home.

Treating tooth decay

In the very early stages of decay, our Team may apply a fluoride varnish onto the area.  This can help stop decay getting worse and help ‘remineralise’ the tooth.

If the decay is not too serious, we will plan to remove all the decay and repair the tooth with a filling.

The extent of the decay in your tooth will be discussed with you before any treatment is completed.

In some instances, teeth cannot be repaired, and teeth are required to be extracted.

The risk of having tooth decay

Anybody can suffer from tooth decay and it is very common.  Around eight in ten UK adults have one or more teeth with decay, are filled or have been extracted out due to dental decay.  It is also extremely common in children, with more than one in five showing signs of tooth decay.

Despite this, there are a few groups that are more at risk of tooth decay.  These include:

  • The elderly.
  • Those on medication containing sugar.
  • Dry mouth sufferers, or those on medications that cause dry mouth.
  • People undergoing cancer treatment causing dry mouth.
  • People with diabetes.
  • Those having orthodontic treatment.
  • People with receding gums
  • Those with poor oral hygiene.
  • People with high sugar diets.
  • Those who do not attend a dental appointment regularly.

If you fall into one of these groups, book an appointment with us for an assessment. We will be able to guide you to reduce your risk factors and offer you a range of different options for preventing and treating tooth decay at home. One of which may be prescribing you a high fluoride toothpaste.

We also offer Oral Health Educator sessions- where your risks can be discussed and management strategies planned.

Preventing tooth decay

New Dentist in Scarborough. Dental health Education, Emergency Dental Care. we’re here to help

The best way to prevent tooth decay is by brushing your teeth thoroughly last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a 1450ppm fluoride toothpaste.  This should take around two minutes.

Make sure that you brush the inner, outer and biting surfaces of your teeth and carefully along the gumline.  Using ‘interdental’ brushes, or dental floss or tape, also helps to remove plaque and food from between your teeth.  These are areas an ordinary toothbrush can’t reach.  Daily use of a fluoride mouthwash at a different time to brushing can also help.

Talk to us to see how we can help.

As the new dentist In Scarborough “We’re here to make you smile”

Worried about bad breath?

Worried about bad breath? Your new dentist in Scarborough can help!

If bad breath is something you worry about, you’re not alone. Studies show that over 60% of the population worry about havng bad breath, but only 20% of these people seek advice from their dentist.

Bad breath can be caused by lots of factors, smoking and diet are the main causes, both of these can be changed to reduce the effects. Our oral health educator can help you make some improvements to your habits which will reduce the causes of bad breath.

Gum disease and dental decay can also cause bad breath, and this is where we can help. By maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, regular dental and hygienist check ups, we can help make bad breath worries a thing of the past.

Another concern that can result in bad breath is also oral cancers. This is the most important reason for keeping up to date with your routine dental checks, as at each visit we complete a thorough soft tissue check to make sure your mouth is nice and healthy.

If you’re concerned about bad breath see how we can help you keep your mouth fresh and healthy.

Want to know more about the dental treatments we offer?

If you would like to know more about the different treatments we offer at Newby Dental Practice, why not book a complimentary appointment with one of our Treatment Coordinators. 

Our Treatment Coordinators can discuss with you any dental treatment that you might be interested in, so you can get a better idea of what is involved, how it can help you, and further information on cost. 

Beth and Beth are particularly experienced in discussing our more complex treatments such as Implants (to replace missing teeth), Invisalign (to get you straighter teeth), Dental Sedation (to help keep you relaxed) and facial aesthetics procedures. 

Why not get in touch with the new dentist in Scarborough, see if we can help you 

Call now on 01723 670 500 

E mail info@newbydental.co.uk

We’re here to make you smile!