Teeth under attack… by Vrajesh Ruparelia

Tooth decay occurs when plaque bacteria react with sugars in our diet to produce acids which dissolves tooth enamel.  If this happens continuously, a hole appears in the tooth called a cavity.

Teeth can be under attack every time you eat something sugary for up to an hour afterwards, therefore try to eat sugary foods only at meal times and between meals only eat foods that do not contain sugar.  Cheese, fruit and vegetables are ideal.

Plain water or milk is ideal as a drink as fizzy drinks can dissolve tooth enamel or the sugar in them can cause decay. Sugar free squashes are less damaging to teeth especially if well diluted if water seems tasteless. You can neutralize acids on your teeth by eating something alkaline like cheese afterwards.

Brushing with a fluoride containing toothpaste is best done twice a day before breakfast and just before you go to bed. It is not a good idea to brush just after a meal as enamel is at its weakest and the surface of it can be easily damaged.

Remember many processed foods contain high levels of sugar. Get used to reading labels on foods and drinks; the higher up it is mentioned in a list of ingredients the bigger the amount of sugar it contains. Also remember no added sugar means none has been added but still may contain sugars already in the food in the form of carbohydrates.

Chewing sugar free gum after meals will stimulate saliva which neutralizes acids produced by plaque.

Finally remember it is not the amount of sugar you eat it is how often you eat it in between main meals that is important.

Don’t forget sugary foods not only affect the health of your teeth. Too much sugar can cause heart problems and cause you to become overweight.

Keep Flossing… by Vrajesh Ruparelia

A healthy smile is an important asset therefore it is vital to look after it. Flossing is an important aid to keeping the gaps between your teeth clean. It helps remove plaque and food debris that your toothbrush cannot reach.

Hold about 18 inches of floss between your forefinger and thumb. Hold it tight and pass it between your teeth taking care not to jerk it into the gap thus injuring the gum. Scrape the tooth surfaces with an up and down motion. Floss systematically to avoid missing any areas. Don’t forget to clean around crowns, bridges and implants. You made need ‘ Superfloss’. Your dentist or hygienist can show you how to use it properly.

At first your gums might bleed whilst flossing but this should disappear as the plaque and bacteria are reduced with regular flossing. If not you may be flossing incorrectly or you need a more thorough clean by a dentist or hygienist.

If you have difficulty using floss you can use a floss holder or any the other interdental cleaning aids e.g. small bottle brushes specially designed to go through the gaps between your teeth.

Remember for best results try to floss at least once a day.

Hello world!

Smile Matters….

By

Vrajesh Ruparelia

PIT & FISSURE SEALANTS

Sealants are a risk free and pain free way of safeguarding your kids teeth from decay.

These are normally placed on the biting areas of back teeth and act as a shield on them akin to a frozen puddle stopping any food debris and plaque bacteria from sitting in the grooves and crevices causing tooth decay.

They are done on the premolars and molar teeth depending on whether the teeth are deemed to be at risk from decay especially if the naturally occurring pits and grooves are deep. Shallow groves that can be cleaned with the aid of a tooth brush are not always sealed. I can usually advise. They are usually applied to teeth that have recently fully erupted either at 6 or 7 years old or between 11 and 14 years. The procedure is quite simple and straight forward and can be done without the aid of an anaesthetic injection. The surface of the tooth is cleaned out following which a special solution is applied to the surface of the tooth. This is then ‘cured’ or hardened by the use of a ‘blue’ light for a few seconds. 

The treated teeth will probably feel a bit smoother afterwards but there should be no discomfort.

They can last for several years and will need to checked by your dentist to make sure they are providing a good seal if not they can be replaced or added to as needed.The treated teeth still should and need to be cleaned but they may feel smoother allowing the toothbrush to clean them well.

Sealants may mean that your children will end up with fewer larger fillings later on. Please ask us at your next check up for this easy and pain free way of helping to protect your children’s teeth.