Dental Hygiene and your Dental Health

On this Dental Hygiene page you’ll find information on:

Tooth erosion
Tooth decay
Dental Plaque
How to brush your teeth
Interdental brushing
What you can eat to avoid damaging your dental health

Your general health depends a lot on eating a healthy balanced diet. However, eating and drinking habits also affect the health of your teeth and mouth. Eating and drinking foods and liquids with high sugar content results in the build up of plaque, a soft sticky substance that consists of bacteria that feed on these sugars. The bacteria produce acid waste that attacks the teeth, resulting in tooth erosion and then tooth decay. If plaque is not removed, it hardens and becomes tartar, which makes the teeth feel rough and can be visible in the mouth, making any smile unsightly. Whitening can often help with this, but only after seeing the hygienist

To maintain your dental health we strongly recommend visiting the Hygienist at our East Grinstead practice twice per year. For members of the practice we offer free dental hygiene appointments, memberships is available form £13.97 per month and provides access to our members price list, plus gives free check ups and hygiene appointments – the easiest thing to do now is to call the practice now on 01342 321094 to discuss how our Dental Practice Membership Plan could work for you..

More about Tooth & Gum Disease…

What is Tooth Erosion?

Tooth erosion is the thinning of the enamel on teeth, due to over consumption of sugary, acidic foods and drinks, or inadequate brushing. Eroded teeth are more likely to suffer tooth decay.

What is Tooth Decay?

The acid waste let out by the bacteria in plaque soften the tooth surface, by dissolving the minerals in the tooth enamel. As more and more acids are produced a small hole will appear, known as a cavity. the hole will gradually get bigger and deeper towards the living part of the tooth, called the pulp. You will be aware of the process, as the tooth will become sensitive to hot and cold food and drinks. If the process is left to continue, the hole will become so large that the pulp will become damaging and will eventually die to leave an empty space in the tooth, which consequently can lead to a whole host of other problems.

It is important to see a dentist as soon as a tooth becomes sensitive. Dentists can repair holes with fillings to save the pulp, and save the tooth.

How To Reduce The Build-up of Plaque

Try to cut down on your intake of sugary, acidic foods and liquids.

Various fruits, particularly the citrus varieties, contain sugars and acids. All fizzy drinks (including ‘diet’ versions and fizzy mineral water), all squashes and fruit juices are acidic. Obviously a can of cola contains more sugar than a glass of orange squash, but they are all detrimental to your teeth to some degree.

Most dental problems can be avoided if you remove the plaque build up by brushing twice a day, for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. It is also a good idea to use a mouthwash to remove an plaque you may have missed during brushing. Consult your dentist on the best mouthwashes to use.

DID YOU KNOW………… chewing sugar-free gum also helps as it increases the flow of saliva in the mouth, which helps teeth to repair themselves. However, chew in moderation, as excessive gum chewing can cause problems in the stomach, due to the build up of digestive juices preparing for the intake of food.

Are You Brushing Your Teeth Properly?

You may be wondering why, if you brush twice a day, are you still having to receive dental treatment. This is usually because, despite brushing twice a day, you are not brushing correctly.

Put the bristles of the brush at the join between the teeth and gums, pointing towards the gums and brush using short circular movements
Brush all around every tooth, making sure you can feel the brush on your gums.
After brushing, spit out the toothpaste BUT DO NOT RINSE. The effect of the fluoride will work much better if it is left on the teeth

Think of your mouth in four separate sections: top left, top right, bottom left and bottom right. Spend 30 seconds on each section. This will ensure you spend the recommended 2 minutes brushing your teeth.

Change your toothbrush every 3 months minimum this will hep prevent gum disease and ensure your brush is working properly. If the bristles bend out of shape, replace your brush immediately. Purchase a toothbrush with a small head, to make sure that every tooth is cleaned.

Here at the St James Practice, we recommend you invest in an electric toothbrush. These ensure a superior clean and will be much more effective in preventing gum disease, tooth erosion, tooth decay, periodontitis and other problems. We recommend ultrasonic electric toothbrushes with lateral movement, compared to the round brushes that oscilate. Ask your Dentist for further information and advice.

Interdental Brushing

Dentists and Hygienists nowadays prefer the use of interdental brushes to dental floss. Apart from being more gentle to the gums, it also carries less risk for hard dental tissue damage. There are different sizes of brushes that are recommended according to the size of the interdental space. Please ask for more advice on interdental brushing at your first (or next!) visit!

So what can I eat that won’t be detrimental to my teeth and to my oral health?

Foods that help muscles and bones also help teeth and gums. Breads and cereals are rich in vitamin B while fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C, both of which contribute to healthy gum tissue. Lean meat, fish, and poultry provide magnesium and zinc for teeth. Some people recommend that teeth be brushed after every meal and at bedtime, with the addition of interdental brushing at least once per day, preferably at night before sleep.

Some foods may protect against tooth decay. Fluoride is a primary protector against decay. Fluoride makes the surface of teeth more resistant to acids during the process of remineralisation. Drinking fluoridated water is recommended by some dental professionals while others say that using toothpaste alone is enough. Milk and cheese are also rich in calcium and phosphate, and may also encourage remineralisation.