What Are The Worst Foods For Your Teeth?

Most people are aware that exercise plays an important role in keeping them healthy, but did you know that your diet is vital due to the impact on your general well being and your dental health? Here are the foods that are the worst for your teeth.

1. Sugary Sweets

When you eat sugar, the bacteria in your plaque starts to breakdown the sugar into acid. This acid is harmful to your enamel and starts to dissolve it, creating cavities in your teeth. Sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time, such as hard boiled sweets, make it harder for your saliva to wash away the sugar.

2. Soft Drinks

Soft drinks, whether they are fizzy or not, contain acid, which is harmful to the enamel on your teeth. The enamel is the hard outer layer of your teeth. Try drinking water instead to help protect your teeth from decay.

3. Wine

Red and white wine contains acid which softens your enamel, causing your teeth to look yellow. Red wine contains compounds that stain your teeth. Risks associated with drinking wine, including risks to your health, can be minimized by drinking it in moderation. To help minimize the risks try drinking water after your wine to neutralise the acid.

4. Citrus Fruits

Fruits are an important part of a well balanced diet. However, when you eat a lot of citrus fruits, the citric acid can wear down your enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay. Examples of citrus fruits include limes, lemons, grapefruit and oranges. When drinking fruit juices, try to use a straw to reduce the contact with your teeth.

5. Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are harmful to your teeth due to their high sugar content and acidity. The acid causes your enamel to become weakened making the teeth more susceptible to decay. The high sugar content encourages bacterial growth on your teeth, further promoting cavities.

6. Dried Fruits

Dried fruits such as raisins and apricots contain highly concentrated sugar and consuming them regularly can lead to tooth decay. Instead try snacking on tooth friendly foods, such as nuts, cheeses and non acidic fruits and vegetables.

If you need any further advice, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@newbydental.co.uk.

Hidden Sugar Found In Everyday Food

Every time we eat something sugary, the plaque on our teeth interacts with the sugar, creating acid which is harmful to your teeth, causing tooth decay.

Here are some foods that we eat often that contain more sugar than you would expect.

Salad Dressing

Getting your greens from a salad is essential for diet and nutrition but you should be careful of the salad dressings you are using. Sweet French dressings can have up to seven grams of sugar in one serving. Look out for ingredients such as dextrose, honey, glucose, and maltose which are just variations of sugar.

Soups And Sauces

Although they are savoury foods, many store bought pasta sauces have between 6 and 12 grams of sugar per serving.

Vegetable soups and pasta sauces that contain tomatoes can also be acid and lead to enamel erosion and dental decay when consumed regularly. It is recommended that you rinse your mouth out with water after eating to reduce the damage.

Breakfast Smoothies

Fruit’s natural sugar, fructose, is a common cause of cavities as the bacteria in the mouth feed on it. Fruit and vegetable juices also tend to be extremely acidic which can cause severe damage to the enamel on your teeth. Although fruit and vegetables are considered as healthy, this is when they are considered whole and not as a concentrated juice. Adding milk to your smoothies can help to counteract the acid damage to the teeth. It is also advisable to drink through a straw.

Breakfast Bars And Yoghurts

Although they can be a quick and easy breakfast option, processed foods contain a lot of sugar. Plain yoghurts contain naturally occurring sugars, but often the fruity ones add lots of sugar to enhance and sweeten the flavour.

Energy and granola bars can be very deceiving as to the amount of sugar they contain. They are often advertised as the healthy option when this is not always the case.

Bread

Depending on the type of bread you buy, it can contain a lot of sugar. White bread contains the most sugar which is why we advise you to eat brown or wholemeal.

Bread has a gummy consistency when chewed, meaning that small particles can get trapped between teeth, making it difficult to remove them.

Alcohol

The excessive amount of sugar that is present in alcoholic drinks is often overlooked. However, not only is it damaging to your liver, but also your oral health.

The large amount of sugar in alcohol erodes your tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay.

When eating these types of foods, make sure you are checking the sugar content to ensure that you are not falling for the hidden sugars.

How To Cope With A Lost Filling

If you lose a filling when you are eating, brushing or flossing you will need to book an appointment with your dentist to have it replaced. In the meantime, here is what you should do.

  • Call your dentist. Schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If your dentist can’t see you right away, ask their advice of what to do to protect your tooth.
  • Keep the tooth clean: If you can’t see your dentist straight away, you need to keep your mouth very clean. An unfilled tooth can trap food which then causes harmful bacteria to accumulate. Brush gently and carefully inside the hole to remove the debris. You can rinse your mouth out with warm salt water after eating.
  • Avoid chewing on the area of the exposed tooth.

What Should You Do If You’re In Pain

  • Take an over the counter pain killer like ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Use a cold compress to relieve pain and swelling.
  • Apply a topical numbing agent.

Can A Loose Filling Cause Complications?

If a filling isn’t replaced in good time, it could cause damage to the unprotected tooth. Bacteria and food particles can stick to the empty space and cause decay. The missing filling could also expose the dentine which is softer than enamel and more susceptible to decay.

If more of the tooth becomes damaged, the tooth may require extra work. This is why the sooner you get it repaired, the better.

How Long Do Fillings Last?

This depends on the materials used and your personal hygiene. If you look after your teeth and see your dentist regularly, your filling is likely to last longer.

The lifetime of the filling is also affected by the position and size. If the filling is large and expected to experience high pressure from chewing, it is likely that it won’t last as long.

How To Prevent A Filling From Coming Loose?

The key to looking after a filling is to maintain good oral hygiene and attend regular check ups. Here are some oral hygiene tips:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste.
  • Floss your teeth everyday.
  • Replace your toothbrush regularly (every three months)
  • Brush your tongue to remove build up food.
  • See your dentist regularly for check-ups.

Here are some other preventative measures that might help protect your fillings:

  • Avoid grinding your teeth.
  • Avoid chewing hard objects.
  • Try not to clench your teeth.
  • Be careful with sugary, sticky foods that could dislodge your filling.
  • See your dentist if the filling area becomes sensitive to hot or cold, or becomes painful.

If you need help with a lost filling, please call us on 01723 670500 to see one of our dentists.

8 Ways To Care For Your Oral Health This Christmas

Everyone likes to treat themselves over the festive period with more indulgent foods and drinks. However, this can have a significant impact on your oral health. In this post we will explore how you can take care of yourself to make sure that your mouth doesn’t cause you any problems.

Don’t Forget Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Amongst all of the parties and rushing to buy last minute presents, don’t forget to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once. It is understandable that after a long day, you might want to skip your normal routine. However we stress that it is extremely important to keep up with your brushing and flossing to keep gum disease and tooth decay away.

Treat Yourself Or A Loved One

Christmas is a time to be generous. Have you considered purchasing a new electric toothbrush for you or a relative? It is recommended that you change your toothbrush regularly, either if it is a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush head. Electric toothbrushes are more effective at consistently reducing the buildup of plaque that can lead to decay and gum disease. You and your dentist will notice the difference.

Moderation Is Key

There are plenty of festive treats to choose from, whether its a mince pie or christmas cake, but they are all high in sugar. You don’t need to completely compromise on your sweet treats this winter, however, as the main problem is the frequency that you eat them. The more times that you eat a sweet treat throughout the day, the more acid attacks that you are putting your teeth through. This weakens the enamel that coats your teeth, which leads to tooth decay. Try to minimise the number of these occasions to help protect your teeth.

Try These Foods

Cheese is good for your teeth as it helps the mouth to return to its normal pH, reducing the change of tooth decay occurring, so go ahead and try that cheeseboard. Turkey contains phosphorus which are great for fighting decay and strengthening teeth. Nuts have a great amount of fibre, folic acid, calcium and other vitamins.

Alcohol

Everyone enjoys a few glasses of wine at christmas but did you know that this can affect your teeth? White wine is very acidic, contributing to enamel erosion, putting you at higher risk of tooth decay. Also, red wine can increase the risk of your teeth becoming stained. For these reasons, it is recommended that you only drink wine at meal times.

Drink With A Straw

This is a great idea for kids (and adults too!). There are likely to be more fizzy drinks than normal at this time of year so try drinking them with a straw. This limits the amount of contact that the sugar has with your teeth.

Sugar Free Gum

Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, helping to remove any remaining plaque after eating. It also helps to keep your breath minty fresh!

Don’t Use Your Teeth As Tools

Don’t use your teeth for things they weren’t designed for such as tearing through packaging or opening beer bottles. This can damage your teeth and potentially result in a dental emergency, which is the last thing you need on Christmas Day!

Amongst the festivities, it can be difficult to keep up with your dental hygiene. We hope that these tips have helped and you can enjoy the Christmas period to the fullest! If you do struggle with a dental emergency over the festive season, or simply need some advice, don’t hesitate to call us on 01723 670500.

5 Things Every Person With Dentures Needs To Know

We are told from a young age how important our oral hygiene is to keep our mouth and teeth healthy. However, even if looked after to the best standard, there is a high chance that you will need dentures at some point in your life. To be able to experience the benefits of your dentures, you need to understand how to care for them.

Dental Hygiene Is Still Crucial

Even though your dentures are not natural teeth, they still need cleaning frequently to keep them looking good and to keep the rest of your mouth healthy. To clean your dentures you should soak and brush them using a soft bristled toothbrush and non abrasive denture cleaner. Soak them overnight. Dentures get stained easily if not cleaned properly.

It Takes Time To Get Used To Them

When you put your dentures on, you are placing something artificial in your mouth so it is normal for this to feel strange. It could also result in the development of some mouth sores. However, your dentist will tell you how to minimise the initial discomfort and avoid sores. After a short while, your dentures will start to feel natural in your mouth.

Dentures Should Be Removed When Possible

Whenever you do not need to wear your dentures, you should remove them. Extended wear can place pressure on the gum, which could lead to a receding gum condition. If in place too long, they can also cause bad breath. Taking them out will allow your gums to relax.

Practice Makes Perfect

The reasons for wearing dentures are to allow you to eat and talk naturally. However, this may take a while to get used to.

Dentures Require Maintenance

Once you get used to your dentures, you will almost forget that they are there. However, because they are subject to so much wear, they need regular maintenance and there may be times that they need repairing. If they do need repairing, make sure you take them back to your dentist who will ensure that they are repaired correctly.

Your dentures will give you the confidence to smile and go about your day to day life as if you had your natural teeth, as long as you care for them correctly. If you have any issues with your dentures, please call us on 01723 670500 and one of our dentists will do everything they can to help.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Dental anxiety can create a huge barrier when trying to access routine dental care. A visit to the dentist for some people can be extremely difficult. This is where sedation dentistry could work for you.

Types Of Sedation

There are two types of sedation available, intravenous sedation and inhalation sedation.

Intravenous sedation is administered by the dentist through your vein. IV sedation provides several benefits:

  • It starts working quickly, and you feel minimal to no pain during the procedure.
  • The dentist can monitor your vitals and easily adjust the the dosage.
  • It creates a long period of amnesia so you won’t remember the procedure at all when you wake up.
  • It allows you to cooperate for a more extended period so more than one procedure can be performed in one appointment.

Inhalation sedation involves breathing in nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. The gas helps you to relax and your dentist can control the amount of sedation you receive. The gas tends to wear off quickly.

Who Can Have Sedation?

Sedation is most appropriate for people who suffer with moderate to severe dental anxiety. It may also be appropriate for people who:

  • Have a low pain threshold.
  • Can’t sit still in the dentist’s chair.
  • Have very sensitive teeth.
  • Have a bad gag reflex.
  • Need a large amount of dental work completed.

What Your Dental Symptom Could Mean

Toothache

Toothaches usually indicate a cavity but they can also be a sign of gum disease. In some cases, toothache could also be a sign of an abscess or impacted tooth. If the pain is significant, you should visit your dentist so that they can examine it and sort a treatment plan.

Sensitive Teeth

If your teeth are painful when you drink hot or cold drinks, you might have sensitive teeth. This could be the result of tooth decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn tooth enamel or an exposed tooth root caused by gum recession. If you are concerned about the sensitivity, please contact your dentist who will be able to give you some advice.

Bleeding Or Sore Gums

Bleeding gums could be a sign of gingivitis, which is an early sign of gum disease. Or it could simply be a sign that you are brushing too hard or starting a new flossing routine. If your gums are continually bleeding, visit your dentist.

Mouth Sores

Mouth sores vary in their severity and causes. They could be caused by a disease or a disorder, infection from bacteria, viruses or fungus, or irritation from appliances such as braces or dentures.

Bad Breath

Bad breath can be caused by what you eat, not cleaning your mouth, dry mouth, smoking or other medical conditions. Persistent bad breath could be a sign of gum disease. To help reduce bad breath and prevent gum disease, make sure you are maintaining your oral hygiene routine, brushing twice a day and flossing daily. It is also important that you are brushing your tongue as it can hold onto food debris, causing bad breath. If you are concerned about what is causing your bad breath, you should visit your dentist.

Jaw Pain

Many things can cause jaw pain so it can be difficult to diagnose and find the cause. Possible causes include sinus problems, toothache, arthritis, teeth grinding, gingivitis or injury. Your dentist will conduct a thorough exam which may include x-rays to determine the source of the pain.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth could be the symptom of a medical disorder or a side effect to certain medications. Saliva helps to prevent tooth decay as it washes away food and other debris and neutralises acids. Your dentist will help to diagnose the source of the problem and recommend ways to solve the issue.

Cracked Or Broken Teeth

A cracked or broken tooth can happen for a variety of reasons including brittle teeth, teeth grinding or injury. The crack may not be visible to the naked eye but if left untreated it can lead to more problems such as tooth decay. If you experience pain when chewing, you should see your dentist.

Stained Or Discoloured Teeth

Overtime, as you age, your teeth can become stained and change colour. This can be emphasised by certain foods such as tea and coffee. It can also be caused by a variety of other reasons such as smoking, aging, genetics, injury or certain medications. Whitening treatments could work for you but you should discuss this with your dentist first.

If you have any concerns about your oral health, please call us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment and a dentist will try to diagnose your problem.

Mouth Cancer Action Month

Mouth Cancer Action Month is a charity campaign to help raise awareness for oral cancer. The campaign takes place throughout November and thousands of people help to raise awareness in their community.

The number of people being diagnosed with mouth cancer is on the rise so it is important that you know how to spot it early and what to do if you notice something unusual. This will help us learn more about cancer so we have a better chance of beating it.

Although there are many risk factors related to the disease, mouth cancer can affect anyone, which is why it is so important that we know what to look out for.

How Can You Take Part?

This November, we need your support. There are lots of ways you can take part:

  • Knowing how to spot mouth cancer early and regularly checking for unusual changes in the mouth.
  • Understanding what is likely to cause mouth cancer and reducing your risk.
  • Acting quickly when you see something out of the ordinary by visiting your dentist.

Fundraising

Fundraising is a great way to raise awareness whilst raising funds. These donations help the Oral Health Foundation continue their important work in learning more about oral cancer and how we can beat it.

For more information about the campaign, visit the Oral Health Foundation website and for more information about oral cancer, please click here to read our blog.

What Is A Dental Crown And What Types Are Available?

A dental crown or cap is a fixed prosthetic object used to repair a tooth that has been damaged, possibly due to decay. Crowns are made by reducing the size of your tooth so that the crown fits perfectly. Next an impression is made. Your dentist may place a temporary crown whilst you permanent one is made.

Why Might I Need A Crown?

  • A large cavity that is too big for a filling
  • Your tooth is severely worn down
  • Your tooth is cracked
  • Following a root canal

Types Of Dental Crown

  • Ceramic – These are used for fixing your front teeth as they blend in with your natural teeth. The crown is made of a porcelain based material. However, they are not as strong as metal crowns. They can last a long time but they need to be looked after.
  • Porcelain fused to metal – This crown provides a stronger bond because it is connected to a metal structure.
  • Gold alloys – This is a mix of gold, copper and other metals. As well as providing a strong bond to the tooth, it doesn’t fracture or wear away the tooth.
  • Base metal alloys – This crown is made of metals that are highly resistant to corrosion and make a very strong crown. This material also requires the smallest amount of tooth to be removed prior to fitting.

What To Consider When Deciding What Type Of Crown You Need

When selecting a material for your crown, your dentist will consider multiple factors when deciding what crown they think is best for you:

  • Your tooth’s location
  • How much of your tooth is visible when you smile
  • Position of your gum tissue
  • The function of the tooth that requires the crown
  • How much natural tooth is remaining
  • Colour of the surrounding teeth.

How To Care For Your Dental Crown

  • Be careful when brushing. If you are not already brushing your teeth twice a day, you should definitely start now. If your crown or the teeth around it are sensitive to hot or cold, try using a sensitive toothpaste.
  • Avoid hard foods. Chewing hard foods could cause your crown to crack.
  • If you grind your teeth at night, your dentist might recommend a night guard to protect your crown.

If you need any more information, visit the healthline website, or contact us on info@newbydental.co.uk

What Are Your Tooth Whitening Options?

Whitening Toothpastes

The idea of whitening toothpastes has been around for over 50 years, but the science involved has improved drastically. Previously they were extremely abrasive and harmful to your teeth as they removed stain and enamel layers. Modern versions are much more tooth friendly and can help to maintain whiter teeth if used regularly. However, they rarely whiten to a huge degree.

Whitening toothpastes contain detergents and a mild abrasives to gently scrub the staining from the surface of the enamel.

Internal whitening

Teeth can darken for a variety of reasons, such as external trauma. When a tooth experiences trauma, the pulp becomes nectrotic (dead). Blood is released as a result of the inflammation and tubules in the teeth become stained black. Non-vital teeth usually respond well to external bleaching, however it is sometimes necessary to whiten the tooth from within the root canal.

Supervised Home Whitening

Dentist-supervised home whitening is the safest, most popular, well researched whitening procedure. The first step is an assessment and diagnosis, coupled with good quality photographs showing the closest matching shade tab.

This method requires the manufacture of custom made trays by a laboratory.

In Office Whitening

The dentist will apply a fine layer of the bleaching gel and leave it for a period of time before using the suction to remove it and repeating the process.

To further speed up the process, the dentist may shine a special light at your teeth once the gel has been applied. This procedure takes less than an hour and can brighten your smile by upto 6-7 shades.