Do you suffer from a dry mouth or are about to commence a treatment which is known to cause dryness? Or perhaps you wear dentures and find that throughout the day the become increasingly dry and therefore uncomfortable? Here are some tips which could make your mouth more comfortable.

* Drink plain water frequently throughout the day and chew on sugarfree gum- preferably citrus flavour.

* Suck on sugarfree sweets- the Peppersmith brand is widely available and contains Xylitol which is good for the teeth. Ice/sugarfree ice lollies are useful for severe conditions.

* Eat food that is moist and not too hot, broths are very good for maintaining hydration.

* Some food and drinks best avoided are: high salt, high sugar, alcohol and caffeinated.

* Avoid mouthwashes which contain alcohol.

* Use a humidifier in your home at night time.

* Quit smoking

Here at Progressive Dentistry, we also recommend a sugarfree, pH neutral product called GC Dry Mouth Gel to our patients which provides further relief to dry mouth sufferers and those who wear dentures.

Written by Jenny Wiggins EDT EDH.

You may have noticed the increasing number of adverts for the treatment of tooth sensitivity and tooth erosion. Why is this? The answer is simple; our diets and habits.
 

DIET

In general, our diet has become far more acidic over the years. For example, you may be surprised to learn that certain fruits have a very high acid content that can dissolve healthy tooth enamel. Citrus fruits are especially acidic. Fizzy drinks are also very acidic. Did you know that a typical cola drink could dissolve your entire tooth overnight? Shocking, yet these drinks are a normal dietary item. Not only this, but the non diet varieties contain up to 4 large tablespoons of sugar!
 

HABITS

Did you know that over 80% of the population grinds their teeth at night? Teeth grinding will lead to loss of tooth enamel and cause tooth sensitivity. In conjunction with an acidic diet, this is a recipe for disaster! It is not unusual to see tooth wear that would normally be seen in an elderly person in a twenty or thirty year old. If you have tooth wear or sensitive teeth, then please read on.
 

WHAT TO DO

1. Reduce the acid content in your diet immediately. 
2. Chew sugar free gum after eating or drinking acidic foods and drinks. 
3. Do NOT brush your teeth immediately after eating acidic foods or drinks.
4. Use dedicated pastes and gels as prescribed by your dentist to reduce tooth sensitivity and protect teeth.
5. These pastes and gels should be used TOPICALLY. This means applying them directly to the teeth with your finger tip and allowing direct contact overnight.
6. Do NOT rinse with water or mouthwash after applying the topical paste. This will simply wash the paste away.
7. See your dentist immediately if you develop sensitive teeth or notice your teeth chipping, becoming more translucent at the tips or becoming flat.
 

PREVENTION

Prevention is far better than cure. By spotting the signs early, advanced tooth wear or sensitivity can be prevented. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are concerned with any of the issues mentioned.

Dental emergencies can be a worrying event especially if you are unable to see your dentist immediately. We have a few tips in the event of a dental emergency which will help until you can visit your dentist.
 

BROKEN TEETH

In the event of a broken tooth or teeth, it is important to keep the area clean. It is wise to gently clean the area and remove any debris. The use of a mouthwash such as Corsodyl can also help to keep the area clean and free from bacteria. There are some temporary filling material products available at large chemists such as Boots which can also be helpful. If the teeth are very sensitive, rubbing in sensitive tooth paste such as Colgate Pro Relief or Sensodyne Rapid Response is recommended.
 

GUM SWELLING

Swollen gums are a sign of infection. It is very important to keep the mouth as clean as possible with gentle tooth brushing and using mouthwashes such as Corsodyl or warm salt water. Anti biotics are usually required in the case of an infection which can only be prescribed by your dentist.
 

TOOTH ACHE

Tooth pain such as throbbing, tenderness on biting, a dull ache and sensitivity are common descriptions for tooth ache. There may be different reasons for the pain. If medically allowed, the use of anti inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen can help or paracetamol if you are unable to use ibuprofen. These medications should only be used in the short term.
 

WISDOM TOOTH PAIN

Pain from wisdom teeth is usually due to inflammation or infection of the surrounding gum. This is called 'pericoronitis'. It is very important to keep the area as clean as possible using gentle tooth brushing and mouthwashes such ac Corsodyl, Colgate Peroxyl or simply warm salt water. Due to the difficult access of wisdom teeth, a small headed tooth brush will be required.
 

LOST FILLING

If a dental filling falls out such as an amalgam (metal) filling or a white (composite) filling, clean the area gently. The use of a temporary filling material can help. Avoid biting any thing too hard or crunchy on the area and avoid the extremes of hot and cold as the are may be sensitive. 

The main advice is to see your dentist as soon as possible. We have a policy of seeing emergency patients on the day, so feel free to call us in the event of a dental emergency. Our emergency telephone number is 020 7731 1162.

One of the most common questions we answer is whether metal fillings should be replaced. I have complied a list of 10 points about metal fillings and why I think they have had their day and alternative treatments should be sought:

1. Metal fillings contain up to 50% mercury.

2. Mercury is a toxin.

3. Mercury is continuously released from metal fillings via a vapour form.

4. Metal fillings do NOT stick to teeth, they are mechanically wedged in to place.

5. Metal fillings require the tooth to be cut deeper than white fillings as they rely upon an undercut in the tooth i.e wider base than top surface.

6. Metal fillings corrode over time leaving areas open to bacterial leakage.

7. Metal fillings cannot be repaired.

8. Metal fillings leach ions within the tooth to give a grey appearance.

9. Metal fillings cannot be placed next to gold crowns as this may lead to a galvanic effect and increase the corrosion rate.

10. Metal fillings look awful.

Modern replacements include composite resin fillings and porcelain inlay and onlay restorations. My next article will list points why these materials are superior than metal fillings.

Article written by Dr Nissit Patel

If you would like to know more about removing metal fillings, then please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 7731 1162 or e mail info@progressivedentistry.co.uk

Brushing removes most plaque, but flossing tackles the tough spots between teeth, where decay and gum disease love to hide. Our expert hygienist, Beata, can show you the most effective techniques for a squeaky-clean smile. Call 020 7731 1162 or email info@progressivedentistry.co.uk to learn more!

If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, a simple solution is to rub sensitive toothpaste all around the area with your fingertip after brushing and flossing your teeth. Please remember not to rinse with water afterwards and allow the sensitive toothpaste to remain in place for the entire night. After 10-14 days, the sensitivity may well have disappeared. If the sensitivity remains or gets worse, then there may be an underlying problem that your dentist will be able to detect. It is important to see your dentist as soon as possible to ensure that any underlying problem is diagnosed early. 

We recommend very specific pastes for tooth sensitivity, please call us and we will advise you personally. 

Our telephone number is 020 7731 1162 and our email is info@progressivedentistry.co.uk

Our dental tip of the month is to ensure that your oral hygiene is as good as possible. This is the best way to prevent dental disease in the future. Here is a simple oral care regime:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes. 
 

2. Always floss or use in between cleaning aids. 
 

3. Keep sugary foods and drinks to a minimum in between meals. 
 

4. Visit the hygienist on a regular basis. If you have gum disease or have suffered from gum disease in the past, this should be every 3-6 months. 
 

5. Use plaque disclosing tablets occasionally to see where you are missing plaque from the teeth and gums. These can be bought from all good chemists.

Did you know that we routinely check your gums during our dental examinations and provide percentage scores on dental plaque and bleeding levels? This is a great way to monitor your oral health in the long term. Our sophisticated software automatically calculates these scores for us on every check up. Please remember, prevention is better than cure. To book your oral health assessment please call us on 020 7731 1162 for a comprehensive analysis.

Following on from our previous blog about hidden sugars, let's delve into some practical steps you can take to avoid tooth decay.
 

Sugar Savvy:
 

• Limit sugary treats: This one might seem obvious, but it's the cornerstone of preventing cavities. If you have a sweet tooth, focus on indulging in sugary foods and drinks only during mealtimes. This minimizes the amount of time your teeth are exposed to sugar throughout the day.
• Ditch the between-meal snacks: Sugary snacks are a double whammy for your teeth. Not only are they high in sugar, but the frequent snacking exposes your teeth to acid for longer periods. Opt for healthier alternatives like fruits, vegetables, or sugar-free yogurt.
• Neutralize with sugar-free gum: Chewing sugar-free gum after meals or sugary drinks can be a great way to increase saliva flow. Saliva helps wash away food particles and neutralize harmful acids in your mouth, protecting your teeth from decay.

Stay tuned!

We'll be continuing our series on dental prevention with future articles offering more handy tips to keep your smile healthy and bright.

One of the main causes of tooth decay is sugar in the diet. Not only is the amount of sugar a critical factor but also the frequency of consumption. However, some foods which you may think to be safe and sugar free contain surprisingly high amounts of sugar.

For example, did you know that a good dollop of tomato ketchup contains 1 teaspoon of sugar. The same is also for brown sauce. Half a tin of baked beans contains 2 teaspoons full of sugar. The list goes on. It is worthwhile looking on the labels of all foods to check the amount of sugar. Make sure to look for glucose, sucrose, lactose, fructose as these are all sugars.

If you would like a list of the amount of sugar in everyday foods, please ask us and we will send you a copy. There are tips and techniques to neutralise the effect that sugar has on teeth and gums. We will discuss these in upcoming articles.