General Dentistry in Byford

Children and adults should visit a dentist twice a year for cleaning and oral examination. A patient who practices good oral hygiene only needs to see the dentist every six months. However, patients with dental concerns such as tooth decay, gum disease or bite problems are advised to schedule more frequent visits for closer monitoring.

Yes, regular dental check-ups keep your teeth and gums healthy. Dentists use these visits to check for problems you might not feel or see. Your dentist can detect early signs of decay, although it doesn’t present itself or cause pain until later stages.

It is important to take good personal care of your teeth and gums between regular dental visits. You can remove plaque on your teeth by brushing and flossing regularly. Here are a few tips.

• Make sure you brush twice a day. Fluoridated toothpaste is recommended.
• Floss daily.
• Use mouthwash to reduce plaque bacteria. It will also keep your breath fresh.

Patients who visit the dentist with an emergency may have had the problem for some time. Here are some early signs of dental trouble:

1. Bad breath. Bad breath can result from gum disease, cavities, oral cancer, or bacteria on your tongue.
2. Tooth decay. Plaque forms on your teeth and then combines with sugars and food to cause tooth decay.
3. Gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease causes bad breath, red/swollen gums, bleeding gums, or painful chewing.
4. Tooth sensitivity. When you have tooth sensitivity, pain or discomfort is felt when you eat anything hot or cold. In cases like this, your dentist must determine the cause of sensitivity to avoid infection in your tooth or tooth loss.
5. Toothaches. Routinely seeing your dentist can prevent toothaches. The broken, cracked, or abscessed teeth that cause toothaches can be caught early and handled with appropriate treatments.

In moderation, sweets are a wonderful luxury! Sweets, such as desserts and candies, can be detrimental to your teeth if you consume too many. Sweets react with the plaque and create an acidic reaction that erodes tooth enamel. Try to choose candies and desserts that are not sticky or gooey if you have a sweet tooth. You want sweets that wash off your teeth easily and don’t stick. Just remember to drink plenty of water to wash away the sugar from your teeth and brush your teeth thoroughly.

Gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss. If you notice any of these signs, please see your dentist:

• Frequent gum bleeding while brushing or flossing
• Discoloured gums (Healthy gums are pink and firm, not red, swollen, or tender.)
• Gums pulling away from teeth or your teeth appearing longer than they used to.
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose teeth

Follow these tips to avoid potential gum problems

1. Floss Daily.
When you floss, you remove food and plaque stuck in places your toothbrush cannot reach. It’s hard for the toothbrush’s bristles to get between each tooth, but plaque and food can easily accumulate there. Dental floss can clean those hard-to-reach areas, reducing the chance of gum disease.
2. Brush at Least Twice Daily.
Brushing your teeth can significantly reduce your risk of developing gum disease and other oral complications. Brush your teeth after every meal to remove food and plaque left on your teeth and prevent it from staying there long enough to cause tooth decay or gum disease. Don’t forget to brush your tongue to remove bacteria that tend to sit there as well.
3. Use a Fluoride Toothpaste.
Fluoride is an ingredient used in most toothpaste to prevent tooth decay by increasing remineralization rates and slowing enamel deterioration. Fluoride also strengthens exposed roots and weak spots in your teeth’s enamel to prevent decay.
4. Avoid Smoking.
Smoking is terrible for your teeth. Smoking can lead to gum diseases, such as gingivitis or periodontitis, and a weakened immune system if not handled right away. Smoking can also lead to long-term damage to gums.
5. Visit Your Dentist For Regular Cleanings.
Regular dental care can boost your oral health by preventing tooth decay and gum disease.Preventing major dental problems starts with catching problems early. Additionally, your dentist can advise on the oral habits to maintain, such as flossing and brushing correctly.

Teeth cleaning is the first step in maintaining good oral health. Cleaning removes plaque, which is the cause of the most common oral diseases. Patients are advised to have teeth cleaning at least twice a year. Patients who fail to have their teeth cleaned are at higher risk of having one of the following dental problems:

• Plaque buildup.You can get tooth decay and plaque buildup when you don’t brush regularly. If not removed immediately, plaque will thrive on the sugar in the mouth and form bacteria. Then, it will get thicker and heavier. Minerals in saliva will harden the soft, sticky substance into tartar if it’s not removed.
• Bad breath.You will likely have an unpleasant odour in your mouth from all the bacteria not being cleaned away. Bacteria in your mouth also release sulphites, which contribute to bad breath. If you fail to brush your tongue, it can accumulate dead cells and attract more bacteria.
• Tooth loss. If you fail to clean and care for your teeth long-term, you’ll lose your teeth. The bacteria in your gums can produce enzymes that damage your bones, resulting in loose teeth.