Can Anyone Have Their Teeth Whitened?

Leeds City Dentalcare often get asked this question as teeth whitening is one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry in Leeds. The quick answer is that teeth whitening is generally suitable for anyone who has a healthy mouth, but it’s not always right for everybody. People who may not be suitable for teeth whitening include:

  • Anyone under the age of 16 as their teeth are still likely to be developing. Children have much larger pulp chambers than adults. The pulp chamber is a central part of the tooth that contains all the nerves and blood vessels that are necessary for the teeth to develop normally. Using whitening products too soon could irritate the pulp chamber and may cause tooth sensitivity. Most children tend to have beautifully white teeth anyway, and shouldn’t need to use bleaching products.
  • People with particularly sensitive teeth may find it quite uncomfortable to use bleaching products. This doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t, but they may need to take a few extra precautions.
  • Women who are pregnant or who are breast-feeding are better off avoiding teeth whitening. There hasn’t been very much research into whether or not teeth whitening is safe while pregnant so it’s best to avoid it just be completely safe.
  • Anyone with existing oral health conditions should not whiten their teeth. Having untreated gum disease or decay is likely to mean the bleach will penetrate the teeth which is something that could prove to be quite uncomfortable or even painful. People who grind their teeth need to get this problem sorted out prior to whitening as this condition can cause a lot of damage to teeth as the bleach could penetrate through cracks and chips in the teeth unless they are repaired beforehand.
  • Some people may have teeth stains that don’t respond particularly well to bleach. For instance tetracycline staining and dental fluorosis doesn’t always respond particularly well to bleach. However there are always alternative methods of whitening teeth, and this is something that Dr David Brown can advise you about.
  • Any existing dental restorations will not be affected by bleaching so this is something you need to take into consideration if you have a lot of veneers or crowns. It may be that your need to budget to have these restorations replaced in order to get an evenly white smile.
  • If you have any existing health conditions then it’s well worth mentioning this to your dentist when you visit our Leeds surgery just in case this has any effect on your teeth whitening.

We always recommend that you have a complete check-up and professional cleaning before using our custom made whitening trays. Using the bleach on a beautifully clean mouth will enable it to penetrate the teeth more easily, and in any case having your teeth scaled and polished usually leaves them looking a little whiter.

It’s essential that you follow our instructions on whitening your teeth as this will help ensure the process is completely safe. Don’t be tempted to overuse the bleaching gels or to leave them in longer than recommended as you could damage your teeth. As a rule of thumb the colour you are looking to achieve should be no whiter than the whites of your eyes. This will give you a smile that looks beautifully natural and healthy.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Researchers Study Alligator Teeth to Try to Learn How to Re-grow Human Teeth

Humans have a grand total of fifty two teeth in their lifetime, which includes twenty baby teeth, and up to thirty two adult teeth. Although some people have supernumerary teeth, or teeth that appear in addition to the normal quota of teeth, these are relatively uncommon and are often quite small or peg shaped. In contrast American alligators have around eighty teeth, but are able to regenerate them roughly once a year. This can mean that an alligator has approximately 4,000 teeth during its lifetime, replacing its entire set of teeth fifty times. This ability to regenerate is obviously of great interest, given that Leeds City Dentalcare frequently sees patients who are missing one or more teeth.

A team of researchers carried out a detailed study of alligator teeth to see if they could understand how this occurred. Alligators have replacement teeth waiting in the tooth bed, something that is called the dental lamina and these experiments enabled the researchers to see exactly what happened to the mature and developing teeth. Their conclusion was that the dental lamina contains stem cells to help re-grow teeth. The next step is to see if those stem cells can be isolated and used to regenerate teeth in laboratory conditions.

In The Meantime Preventative Dentistry is your Best Option

This type of research is very exciting, but is probably decades away from producing a viable solution to re-growing missing teeth. In the meantime your best option is to make sure you have a good preventative dentistry regime. Your six monthly check-ups with our dentist in Leeds are an important part of this, as are your appointments for a scale and polish.

Preventative dentistry enables Dr David Brown, or other members of our dental team to check your mouth for any early signs of disease. At this stage you are unlikely to be aware anything is wrong as there probably won’t be any discomfort.  The beauty of catching these early signs is that any treatment will be minimal, quicker to complete, and easier on the wallet.

Preventative Dentistry and Gum Disease

Gum disease is a real problem, and is one of the main reasons teeth are lost. The early signs can be easy to miss but are something that will be picked up on during your dental check-up. The health of your gums will be assessed, and a probe is used to measure the depths of the gum tissue nearest to the teeth. Healthy gums have a depth of between 3-4mm, whereas those with gum disease will have depths in excess of these figures. Regular measurements provide your dental team with a good picture of your gum health. If you subsequently develop any early signs of gum disease then quick action will ensure it doesn’t create any lasting damage.

Treatment for early gum disease, or gingivitis usually involves having your teeth thoroughly cleaned to help remove the first signs of inflammation in the gums. The next step is to make sure you pay closer attention to brushing and flossing each day, and your gums should improve within a few weeks. Preventing gum disease is vital, as this disease has been linked with numerous other health conditions including heart disease and diabetes.

Regular preventative dental care will help your mouth to remain healthy, improving the chances of your teeth lasting a lifetime. Booking a scale and polish at the same time will freshen up your smile and your breath, so although you may not have as many teeth as an alligator, they’ll definitely look better.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Blackberries May Help Prevent Gum Disease

A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontal Research found that blackberry extract has antibacterial properties that could help to treat or even prevent gum disease. Apparently researchers looked at the antimicrobial effect of blackberry extract and tested it on 10 different oral bacteria. The results showed that the extract was able to significantly reduce the activity of two bacteria known to contribute towards periodontal or gum disease. These bacteria are called Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, and activity was reduced by 40%. The blackberry extract was also found to help inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans the primary bacteria found in the tooth decay by approximately 30%. Obviously this is just one study, but the findings might be promising for developing treatments for gum disease in the future.

It’s not the first time that blackberry extract has been studied, as it’s also been linked with being able to prevent the spread of cancer cells, and contains more antioxidants than other berries including blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and redcurrants.

A Balanced Diet Is Essential for Oral Health

Certainly all the dentist at Leeds City Dentalcare would agree having a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals and which contains plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is important for oral health.  Foods such as fish oil, leafy green vegetables and fish are all thought to be important for gum health. Your body needs these nutrients to be able to fight gum disease, and a healthy diet will help ensure you have a healthy mouth. It’s also well worth getting into the habit of reading food labels, as many foods may have hidden sugars, and it’s a good way of helping you make healthier choices.

If you like to snack in between meals then your choice can make a huge difference to dental health. For instance if you choose foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugars then this will increase the acidity of your mouth for longer as they are an excellent source of energy for plaque bacteria. A better choice for snacking in between meals would be a small piece of low-fat cheese, low-fat yogurt or raw vegetables or fruit. If you want to have a drink then try to avoid having too much fruit juice as this can be high in sugars. A better choice is to drink diluted fruit juice or to simply have a glass of water or milk.

There’s No Escaping the Need for Great Dental Care

Whatever you choose to eat it’s still absolutely essential to have a great oral hygiene routine, as both tooth decay and gum disease are easily preventable. Everybody should be brushing their teeth for at least 2 minutes twice a day and should use good quality fluoride toothpaste. It’s also essential to floss once a day, or if you can’t get on with flossing to try other means of cleaning in between your teeth. For example many people find interdental brushes a lot easier to use, or you may wish to invest in a WaterPik that works by squirting water in between your teeth to remove plaque bacteria and excess food. These choices can be better for people with limited dexterity who find it difficult to manipulate dental floss.

Visiting our Leeds surgery at regular intervals for check-ups with Dr David Brown is also an important part of your preventative dental care regime. All of the dental team at Leeds City Dentalcare can give you lots of great advice on how to improve your daily dental regime as we believe patient education is extremely important. Our aim is for you to have all the tools and knowledge necessary to have a healthy smile.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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What are Dental Bone Grafts?

There’s little doubt that dental implants are an excellent way of replacing missing teeth, but although they are suitable for most people traditional dental implants do need a minimum amount of healthy bone. When the dental implant is inserted into the jawbone it begins to osseointegrate or bond with the surrounding bone, but if there isn’t enough bone then this osseointegration can’t take place and the implant is likely to fail.

Your initial consultation at Leeds City Dentalcare will be to discuss whether or not you have sufficient bone, and CT scans and dental x-rays are often used to determine the exact height and width of the bone present in your jaw. If there isn’t enough bone then Dr David Brown may recommend you have a bone graft. This is a very straightforward procedure to build up the bone, enabling the implant to go ahead. The bone can come from several different sources.

Different Types of Grafts That Can Be Used

One of the most common ways is to harvest bone from another area in your body, something that’s called an autogenous graft. The advantage of this type of bone graft is that it won’t be rejected by your body, but the downside is that it does require a small additional procedure, and the harvesting site can sometimes be quite sore afterwards. The bone can be harvested from another site in your mouth, or it may be harvested from your hip.

A second type of bone graft is called an allograft, and is where bone is taken from a donor. This might sound a little creepy but in fact this type of graft is being used very successfully and the bone is properly tested and sterilised before being placed.

The third type of graft is called a xenograft and is where animal bone that is usually bovine in origin is grafted onto your jawbone. Once again this donor bone will have been thoroughly tested and sterilised before it is used.

There is also a fourth type of graft that uses artificially produced materials that can help promote natural bone growth. These types of grafts may take the form of a mesh that creates a framework for healthy new bone cells, or they can be in powder form.

Sometimes the bone graft can be placed at the same time the dental implants, but traditionally the bone graft is left to fuse with your existing bone for quite a few months. These are all things that will be discussed with you by the dental team at our Leeds surgery.

What Are the Most Common Reasons for Bone Loss in the Jaw?

Bone loss can be due to a variety of different reasons. If you lost teeth due to advanced periodontal or gum disease then it’s likely the bone loss will have occurred at this time, as the infection and inflammation not only destroys the gums but also the jawbone. Bone loss can also occur if you lost your teeth quite some time ago and chose to replace them by other means, for example with a denture. Once the jawbone loses the stimulation provided by natural tooth roots then it begins to reabsorb, and is one of the reasons why our dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare recommends replacing missing teeth with dental implants as soon as possible following tooth extraction. Bone loss can also be due to an accident, bone may lose its density due to certain diseases, or it can even be genetic.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Are Your Dental Problems Related to Stress?

Dental technology has moved on significantly over the past few years and it’s amazing what can be done to restore or replace teeth. In spite of all these advances, dental problems related to stress still present dentists with a challenge.

Stress and Its Effect on Oral and General Health

Stress is already known to be a contributing factor towards numerous health problems including autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases and the connection to dental problems is nothing new as it has been well known for hundreds or even thousands of years. Common problems related to stress includes mouth ulcers, teeth grinding or bruxism and periodontal or gum disease. Being under stress can worsen existing gum disease, and can lead to inattention towards oral hygiene and an increase in unhealthy eating habits.

Mouth ulcers can be triggered by a stressful event or by skin abrasion, sunburn or fever. They can appear on the inside of the mouth and look almost white or greyish with a red border. Nobody’s quite sure what causes mouth ulcers but it’s thought it could be due to the immune system being impaired, or could be viral or due to bacteria. In addition to stress, it’s thought being overtired and having allergies can also increase the risk of getting them. Most mouth ulcers disappear without any medical intervention, but it is possible to buy over-the-counter products that will help reduce the pain and irritation. It also helps to avoid spicy foods or highly acidic foods. If you have a mouth ulcer that fails to heal then make an appointment to see one of our dentist in Leeds just in case it’s due to some other problem.

Teeth grinding can do a loss of damage to the teeth and gums and is often subconscious. It usually occurs during the night and one of the main symptoms is waking up with a headache or a sore and aching jaw. If you’re already prone to teeth grinding or bruxism then stress may well make it worse. It’s really important to seek treatment from Leeds City Dentalcare as this problem can damage your temporomandibular joint which is a joint responsible for moving the jaw. It’s likely that Dr David Brown will recommend wearing a night guard to help protect your teeth and gums. A night guard works by putting your jaw into a position where the teeth are unable to grind against each other. Bruxism is often considered to be a learned behaviour, so anything that interrupts this behaviour can sometimes be enough to bring it to a halt. However if it is stress related then you’ll need to take action to try to reduce your stress levels.

Inattention to oral hygiene is often a problem during stressful times, as it’s all too easy to ignore the need to brush and floss every day. However failing to do so can worsen any existing dental problems and can lead to new ones developing, in particular gum disease and dental decay.

Poor diet is often a problem during stressful times as it easier to grab something that high in fat and sugar but which takes minimal time to prepare. A diet that’s low on nutrients will affect oral health as your body will have a reduced ability to heal the gum tissues.

Although it may be difficult to concentrate on oral hygiene when under stress, it is vitally important, and having a healthy mouth positively impacts general health and makes it easier to deal with stressful situations.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Reducing Your Risk of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is relatively uncommon, but it is on the increase. In 2010 there were 6,539 people in the UK diagnosed with this disease, and in the same year there were 1,985 deaths from oral cancer, which is more than testicular and cervical cancer combined. There are several well known risk factors for oral cancer and in 2011 a study estimated that 93% of oral and pharyngeal cancers in men and 85% of these cancers in women are linked to environmental and lifestyle factors.

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

One of the biggest factors is tobacco usage and the same 2011 study estimated 70% of oral and pharyngeal cancers in men and 55% of these cancers in women were caused by smoking tobacco. Smokeless tobacco usage is also a risk factor as it’s still carcinogenic but its usage is rare in the UK. Another major risk is alcohol usage, and is estimated this accounts for 37% of oral and pharyngeal cancers in men and 17% in women. The risk increases according to alcohol intake, and is greater in smokers than in non-smokers. There is evidence that being infected with the human papillomavirus can increase the risk of cancer especially for cancers of the oropharynx. It’s estimated that approximately 14% of cancers in the oropharynx and 8% of cancers in the oral cavity may be linked to human papillomavirus infection.

Things that Might Reduce Your Risk of Oral Cancer

Having a good diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruits can significantly reduce the risk of oral cancer, especially in people who drink or smoke. Obviously cutting down on drinking and smoking will reduce the risk considerably.

It’s also been discovered that taking aspirin weekly or monthly could help to cut the risk of developing head and neck cancers. A recent study at Queen’s University in Belfast found that taking a weekly or monthly dose of aspirin could reduce the risk of getting head and neck cancer by up to 22%. The study showed a significant reduction in the risk of these cancers in those aged between 55 and 74 who regularly took aspirin. Apparently it’s most effective in helping to prevent throat cancer, and it is thought aspirin may act as a chemopreventive agent. Although this is good news, experts have urged caution and are quick to point out that people shouldn’t think of taking aspirin just to try to mitigate the effects of bad diet or excess alcohol or tobacco usage.

Regular Dental Check-ups are an Important Preventative Measure

Even though oral cancer is quite rare, early diagnosis is very important and is a key part of your check-up with our dentist at Leeds City Dentalcare. Dr David Brown or whoever you’re seeing at our Leeds surgery will examine all your oral tissues for any signs of this disease. You can also help yourself by keeping an eye out for anything that looks unusual in your mouth. This may be a mouth ulcer that fails to heal within a few weeks, or feeling unusual swellings or lumps in your mouth. If caught early enough the survival rates for oral cancer are extremely high at nearly 90%. However one of the problems with this cancer is that it’s all too easy to miss which is why it’s important you don’t ignore reminders for your check-up at Leeds City Dentalcare.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Are Your Children Sitting Exams This Year? They Might Be at Risk of Dental Decay

The British Dental Health Foundation recently pointed out that children sitting SATs, GCSEs and A-levels could be at increased risk of dental decay. This is based on a recent study that assessed the oral health of a group of students, before, during and after their exams. Students who found the exams particularly stressful were found to have higher levels of tooth decay compared to those students who found exams less stressful. Apparently female students are more at risk than male students, and 18-year-olds are nearly twice as likely to develop tooth decay compared to 22-year-olds.

Good Dental Care Only Takes A Few Minutes Each Day

The research is interesting because there is plenty of information on how to reduce stress levels during exam time, but there’s very little on anything related to oral health. Anyone facing exams is likely to be studying hard, and it can be tempting to skip brushing and flossing each day. However it’s worth remembering this just takes a couple of minutes, and using good quality fluoride toothpaste will help protect the teeth against tooth decay. Just as importantly, keeping a clean healthy mouth also lessens the chances of catching other bugs which could hamper efforts to complete exams successfully. Lots of students choose to snack during revision and it’s quite common to pick sugary snacks and drinks to help give an extra burst of energy.

The Problem with Sugary Snacks

Sugar isn’t a particularly good choice as it only provides a short-term burst of energy and the effects quickly wear off. Consuming foods that give a longer and more sustained energy release could be more effective for concentration, and will obviously help oral health. The problem with snacking on sugary foods over a long period of time is that the teeth will come under acid attack for longer. Every time something sugary is eaten the plaque bacteria in the mouth get to work on the leftovers, producing acid as a by-product. This acid attacks the teeth and gums for up to an hour afterwards before the effects are gradually neutralised by saliva.

If this sounds like your kids then you can help them by trying to steer them in the direction of healthier snacks such as cheese and fruits and vegetables that are high in water or you can buy them some sugar-free gum to chew after eating something sweet. This helps to stimulate the flow of saliva, reducing the time taken to neutralise the acids in the mouth.

Great Dental Care Helps a Lot

Of course having great dental care helps a lot, and we hope you’re already regular visitors to Leeds City Dentalcare. If we’ve seen your children since they were young then we may have already recommended dental sealants to help protect the chewing surfaces of the back teeth against decay. Regular check-ups with Dr David Brown or any of our other dentist in Leeds will help ensure these dental sealants remain in good condition as they do need renewing periodically. Visiting our Leeds surgery will also help ensure that any early signs of dental decay are picked up quickly and can be treated before they cause any problems. Fluoride treatments can help to halt the progression of cavities, and if any dental fillings are required then hopefully they’ll be pretty small.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Coeliac Disease and Its Effect on Teeth

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease in which gluten prompts an immune reaction, and eating foods containing this substance can cause damage to the lining of the small intestine. This disease is becoming increasingly common and is estimated to affect one in 100 people, but just 10-15% of people with this condition will receive a proper diagnosis. This condition can affect oral health as it can cause mouth ulcers, osteoporosis and problems with tooth enamel which is the hard outer surface that protects the tooth.

Other problems that may be related to coeliac disease include atrophic glossitis which is a condition that causes a painful tongue, and chelosis, a condition that causes cracks around the lips. People with coeliac disease can also suffer from oral lichen planus which is an inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth and which can cause painful sores and white or red patches. This disease can also increase the risk of oral cancer in coeliacs who choose not to follow a gluten-free diet, but the risk for oral cancer is exactly the same for those following a gluten-free diet as in people without this disease.

At the moment the number of studies carried out into the connection between coeliac disease and dental problems is relatively low, but an American study in 2009 found that defects in dental enamel were present in 87% of children diagnosed with this disease compared to just 33% who did not have this condition. Some 42% of people with coeliac disease were found to suffer from recurrent ulcers compared to just 22% of those without this condition.

Theories on How Coeliac Disease Affects Oral Health

At the moment very little is known about why this disease affects oral health, but there are several theories. One that makes particular sense is that the disease means the body has trouble absorbing important nutrients, in particular calcium and vitamin D and that this could lead to defects in tooth enamel formation in childhood. It is also thought that people with coeliac disease may have certain antibodies that influence the development of the tooth enamel, but one of the problems faced by dentists is that dental enamel defects can also be due to a number of other problems.

Let Your Dentist Know If You Have Coeliac Disease

If you have been diagnosed with this condition then it’s important to let Leeds City Dentalcare know so that the appropriate treatment plan can be worked out to help protect your teeth and gums. You may have nothing to worry about if your teeth and gums are healthy, as a gluten-free diet should help to protect them. Certain problems that are related to mineral and vitamin deficiencies are likely to improve if you’re following a gluten-free diet. If you have a child who has been diagnosed with this condition before the age of seven been a gluten-free diet should mean tooth enamel defects are less of a problem in the adult teeth. If you are diagnosed with this condition as an adult then you’re probably stuck with any dental enamel defects, and this could mean that your tooth enamel is weakened. You need to take extra precautions to help strengthen the tooth enamel and to minimise the risk of cavities. These are all things that Dr David Brown or any of dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare will be able to advise you on.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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DIY Dentistry Just Isn’t Worth the Risk

A recent report in a popular tabloid stated that some people have given up on going to the dentist in an effort to save money and are attempting DIY dentistry, sometimes with horrific results. Apparently there’s been an increase in sales of dental kits available in chemists to mend or stick down crowns. However these kits are only designed to be a stopgap until you can get the dentist for proper dental care and are perfect if you’re going on holiday and are worried about any of your crowns or veneers coming loose. There’s also been a huge increase in the sales of home teeth whitening kits.

People have been attempting to pull out their own teeth with pliers, or have been sticking back crowns with superglue. Superglue will damage the tooth, and could result in the need for surgery. Other attempts at DIY dentistry have involved using household bleach to whiten teeth, and popping abscesses and ulcers with pins. It doesn’t bear thinking about.

Regular Dental Care Is Much More Affordable Than You Might Realise

Not visiting the dentist at regular intervals is extremely short-sighted, as regular dental check-ups actually have the potential to save your life, and are much more affordable than you might think. Leeds City Dentalcare publishes its price list online so you know exactly what you’re in for before you even pick up the phone to make an appointment. If you do require any treatment then you’ll receive a treatment plan that gives you a full breakdown of all the costs involved.

In the longer term regular dental check-ups with Dr David Brown or one of our other highly skilled dentist at Leeds City Dentalcare will save you money while preserving your teeth and gums, as it’s far less expensive to have smaller fillings replaced than to be faced with tooth extraction and replacement at a later date. In addition our dentists are highly trained and can identify other problems such as mouth cancer, and oral conditions that may be linked to other serious diseases such as heart disease or diabetes.

Making Your Teeth Last a Lifetime

Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime, but can only do so if you look after them properly, and regular appointments with one of our hygienists are an extremely important part of your oral maintenance plan. They will scale and polish your teeth, removing any plaque bacteria that may have built up on the teeth, lessening the risk of infection and inflammation in your gums. Another nice side effect of this treatment is that your teeth will probably look a little whiter afterwards, so you may not need to bleach them after all.

If you do decide to go ahead and whiten your teeth then it’s really important to have a full check-up beforehand. Purchasing a whitening kit online or at the chemists can be risky if you don’t follow their instructions precisely. The whitening trays supplied with these types of kits often fit extremely badly and can allow the bleaching gel to leak out onto your gums. If you have any signs of dental diseases such as tooth decay or gum disease then you’re likely to find this very uncomfortable, and it could even end up damaging your teeth and gums. The whitening trays provided by Leeds City Dentalcare are an affordable and safe way of whitening your teeth as the trays are custom-made to exactly fit over your teeth, protecting your gums. Your dental health is important to us so we won’t supply these whitening trays unless your teeth and gums are strong and healthy.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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The Connection between Body Mass Index and Periodontal Disease

Lots of people struggle with their weight and increasing numbers are losing this battle. However it’s well worth making the effort, as while many of us know that’s being overweight has been linked to a number of serious health conditions such as Type II diabetes, heart disease and respiratory problems, there is also increasing evidence that it could affect your gum health. Scientists have recently reviewed previous research on obesity and gum disease and have found an association between both conditions.

Periodontal disease is an infectious disease that causes an inflammatory response in the body as it tries to fight the plaque bacteria. If it isn’t promptly treated then it will eat away at the jawbone and the ligaments surrounding the teeth. Particularly severe cases of periodontal disease can result in tooth loss. Another problem with periodontal disease is that it can cause the gum tissue around the tooth to become ulcerated as it pulls away from the tooth, creating deep pockets that make ideal living conditions for anaerobic plaque bacteria that don’t require oxygen to thrive. Eventually these bacteria will be able to enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body.

The Link between Periodontal Disease and Being Overweight

Being overweight can make this problem worse as the adipose tissue or fat contains substances that also prompt an inflammatory response in the body. This reduces the body’s ability to regulate appetite, and also affects the way it uses insulin to regulate glucose levels. Adipose fat can increase the production of the C reactive protein that has been linked to cardiovascular disease and which is thought to increase the risk of diabetes. This protein is also associated with gum disease and can be more prevalent in the gums of people with periodontal disease. These findings are nothing new, as this link was first noticed in animal studies carried out in the 70s. Since then a number of studies have confirmed the link in humans. What isn’t yet known is whether gum disease or obesity came first, but it’s very clear the link between the two diseases is the chronic inflammation that both are capable of causing in the body.

Although periodontal disease is usually more common in older people, another recent study has found a link between obesity and gum disease in those aged between 18 and 34. It’s thought this might be due to a change in dietary patterns as younger adults are consuming less milk and more soft drinks than in the past. This means they’re gaining less vitamins C and calcium, both of which are important for helping to protect the gums against periodontal disease. Another problem is that soft drinks tend to contain more sugar and are higher in calories, increasing the risk of putting on weight.

Periodontitis or gum disease is a real problem, and is one of the reasons that Leeds City Dentalcare requests patient’s book regular check-ups and professional cleanings. Dr David Brown or any of our dentists will be able to detect the early signs of gum disease before it progresses into periodontal disease. The early stages of gum disease or gingivitis are pretty easy to treat, and simply require that you pay much closer attention to your daily oral routine and that you brush and floss more thoroughly than before. Our dentist in Leeds are always more than willing to help patients improve on brushing techniques, as even if you think you’re doing a good job it can be easy to miss areas of the mouth, allowing this disease to gain a foothold.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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