It is a common misconception that dentists and orthodontists are the same profession. Despite this, there is a big difference between what a dentist does, and what an orthodontist does. Orthodontia is a specialism a dentist can choose to go down, much like if a doctor wanted to specialise within a specific area, such as neurology. You may never have the need to visit the orthodontist, however, if you should need an appointment with one, it is best to have an understanding of who they are, and what they do.
Gum Disease
The causes behind severe toothache
If you have recently found yourself suffering with toothache, you are not alone. Toothache is a common problem amongst adults and children alike. The most common causes behind this are usually down to an infected or cracked tooth. However, that’s not to say they are the only possibilities for toothache being bought on. In this article, we will look at the different causes behind tooth decay, so we can help you to understand and combat it more effectively.
Methods of straightening teeth
Everybody wants to have a perfect smile, however there are few who are naturally blessed with perfectly straight teeth. However, this is not to say that your teeth have to stay the way that they are forever. If you are self-conscious about your teeth, there are plenty of solutions available to rectify this, which we will begin to explore within this article.
How important is flossing?
Although many people forget or skip flossing during their brushing routine, it is recognised as an important part of a daily hygiene process. The question is how important is it when compared to brushing your teeth? Is it really worth the extra time to do? In this article we will look at the benefits of flossing, and look at how important it is in improving your health and day to day life.
The benefits of flossing
Flossing is recommended from a young age. Generally speaking, as soon as you develop two teeth that touch, you are able to start flossing. So why is this practice so heavily recommended by dentists? Well, to start with; through flossing you remove up to 40% of plaque and sticky bacteria from your teeth. Plaque can develop acids which can lead to gum irritation, cavities or gum disease.
Without flossing, we aren’t cleaning all five sides of our teeth exposed, leaving two unclean and therefore able to produce more bacteria. Through flossing, you are able to reach and cleanse all regions of your mouth effectively, removing bacteria and improving your overall oral hygiene.
Flossing, in some cases, can also help with keeping your youthful looks for longer, as preventing gum disease means less damage caused to your gums, teeth and jaw. People who floss look better as they age due to their bones being better maintained and preserved.
The damage of not flossing
Your dental hygiene is important and by not flossing, you are putting yourself at risk of developing detrimental dental problems in the future, such as gingivitis and cavities in between your teeth. This is due to the bacteria in your dental plaque building up after not being removed, irritating the gum tissue. The gums will become inflamed and start to bleed if left untreated, leading to more bacteria being created and gingivitis developing.
The same bacteria harming your gum tissue, is also wearing down the enamel in between your teeth, leading to holes in your teeth known as cavities.
Conclusion
It is very clear that flossing should be incorporated into all of our daily routines, just as much as brushing. You should floss at least once per day, the optimal time being just before bed to remove any excess food debris and plaque left over from the day.
Through flossing more, you will gradually notice the benefits to your oral health, and add more protection from potential oral diseases and cavities!
If you are concerned about your oral health, why not contact Ascent Dental Care Tamworth today, to see how we can help you!
Preventing gums from bleeding
Bleeding gums are often disregarded and ignored, however they may be a sign of an underling problem with your oral health. If you are noticing that your gums are bleeding more and more commonly, it may be time to consult with your dentist about what you can do to prevent this. In this article, we will look at the causes of gum bleeding and how we can prevent them from bleeding.
What causes bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums can be caused by multiple factors, such as vigorous brushing, pregnancy, gum disease and inflammation. If your gums do feel inflamed or tender, this could be a sign of you developing gingivitis or periodontitis, which occurs when there is a build-up of plaque.
Determining the cause of your bleeding gums means that you can choose an effective treatment in order to stop the bleeding. These treatments are varied in their length and intensity.
Practicing good oral hygiene
Gums most often start to bleed when there is a lack of oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day for a good amount of time can go a long way to help keeping your mouth healthy. Plaque starts to build up along the gum line when your teeth are not being brushed. It is a sticky substance containing bacteria, it covers your gums and teeth and, if not removed, can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Stop smoking
Smoking is notorious for causing havoc all over your body. Not only can it lead to serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease and causing strokes, it is also a major cause of gum disease. This is partially due to smoking reducing your immune system, making it harder to fight of the bacteria found in plaque, leading to gum disease.
Reduce stress and anxiety
There may be a link between high stress levels and dental diseases, according to one study. Researchers have found that emotional trauma or stress can have a highly negative impact on your immune system, so much so that it can begin to struggle with fighting off gum disease. Emotional stress may also lead to the neglect of your oral health, causing a build-up of plaque on your teeth.
Increase vitamin intake
Eating foods that are high in Vitamin C can greatly improve upon your oral health; strengthen your immune system and fight of gum infections. Vitamin C is essential to preventing gum disease and bleeding, so be sure to consume foods such as oranges, sweet potatoes, red peppers, carrots, kiwi, mango and pineapples.
Vitamin K can also prevent gum bleeding, as it helps with blood clotting. Foods rich in vitamin K are Spinach, kale, parsley, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. You can also get vitamin supplements relatively easily, to enhance your intake.
Eating less carbs
Carbohydrates and sugary foods lead to the growth of plaque and bacteria inside of your mouth. The more you intake, the more likely you are to have bleeding gums, so it is important to limit your intake of these foods. Although brushing and flossing goes a long way to reducing the build-up of plaque, it is also important to reduce your intake of carbs and sugary foods to limit the build-up of plaque.
Should I seek professional help?
If you are still suffering from bleeding gums after 10 consecutive days, it is time to seek help. Deep dental cleaning will remove plaque from your teeth and your gums, as well as helping the gums to heal.
You should also go to the doctor to see if you have any vitamin deficiencies causing the bleeding gums.
Are you suffering from bleeding or sensitive gums? Why not visit Ascent Dental Care Tamworth today to see how we can help you!
Bleeding Gums And Gum Disease
There are many dental problems or issues that we could experience during our life time. One of the most worrying and one of the ones which warrant greatest concern is that of bleeding gums (called gingivitis.) This is because if the problem is left untreated it can get worse, (leading to gum disease – called periodontitis.) This makes the problem become essentially past being treatable, and ultimately results in bone decay and tooth loss. Knowing what to do and how to stop it is key. In this article we will explore these points more.