If you’re like the majority of the population you probably stick to the same brand of toothpaste, or maybe you choose the one that’s on special offer at the supermarket or in the chemists. But is it always the best choice, or is there something else out there that might suit you little better? This is something we get asked quite often at Leeds City Dentalcare so we have put together a quick overview of the most popular types available. It’s true the choice can be confusing, and toothpaste can be bought in several different forms including gel, paste and powder. However some of the ingredients are quite similar and include:

• Some sort of flavouring or sweetener to improve the taste. Most toothpastes are mint flavoured, but it is possible to find alternatives if you hate the taste of mint.
• Some sort of agent to help the paste or gel stay moist.
• Most contain thickening agents to give them the right texture.
• Your toothpaste may have some sort of mild abrasive designed to help remove surface stains, excess food particles and plaque.
• Ever wondered why your toothpaste foams up when you use it? This is because it’s likely to contain some sort of detergent.

So now you know what’s in them, but what are they all supposed to do? The most common types of toothpaste include:

Fluoride toothpaste

Most people will choose to use toothpaste containing fluoride, and it’s something we’re likely to recommend our Leeds dental surgery patients use regularly. Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally, it’s found in certain foods, and may be present in some people’s water supplies. It’s a great ingredient as it helps to harden the tooth enamel and protects the teeth from decay. This helps to lessen the chances of acid erosion. Whenever you brush your teeth some of the fluoride ions will remain in the saliva for quite some time afterwards, helping to prolong the protective effects. It’s best to simply spit out excess toothpaste after brushing rather than rinsing your mouth with water. If you have children under the age of two then ask Dr David Brown or another of our dentists for advice on using fluoride toothpaste. It’s possible we may recommend using non-fluoride toothpaste until they are old enough to be able to spit out the excess.

Tartar control toothpaste

This type of toothpaste is designed to help prevent the build-up of tartar on the teeth. Tartar is sometimes called calculus, and consists of hardened plaque bacteria that haven’t been removed through brushing and flossing. This is the substance that is gently scraped away by your hygienist during visits to our Leeds dental surgery. It’s important to try to control the build-up of tartar as it can irritate and inflame the gums, leading to infection and disease. Toothpastes designed to control the build-up of tartar generally contain anti-plaque agents such as zinc citrate or pyrophosphates. You’ll generally find that most tartar control toothpastes also contain fluoride.

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth

Lots of our patients have sensitive teeth, and it can help to use the toothpaste designed to tackle this problem. Sensitivity can be caused by areas of dentine becoming exposed. Dentine contains lots of tiny tubules that lead to the centre of the tooth where all the nerves are located, allowing foods to penetrate the tooth more easily. This toothpaste works by helping to block up these tiny tubules, reducing sensitivity. You’ll probably need to use the toothpaste for several weeks for optimum results.

Whitening toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes are very popular, but most don’t contain bleach. Instead they contain a very mild abrasive designed to remove surface stains. They won’t really make much difference, but can help to freshen up a smile. If you’re interested in teeth whitening then you may want to make an appointment with Dr. David Brown or another dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare to find out about having them professionally whitened.

Dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva, and the correct medical term for this condition is xerostomia. It’s a very uncomfortable condition, but can also put the sufferer at increased risk of developing dental diseases such as gum disease and tooth decay. It also increases the risk of other diseases such as fungal infections and thrush. Saliva has an important role to play in keeping the mouth healthy and fresh.

The Importance of Saliva to Oral Health

Saliva not only keeps the mouth comfortable, but also enables it to remain healthy as it helps to wash away excess plaque bacteria and excess pieces of food that could otherwise linger in the mouth creating potential problems. Every time we eat the pH levels in the mouth become more acidic due to the presence of plaque bacteria. This acid can soften the tooth enamel and can lead to dental problems. Having plenty of saliva helps ensure pH levels return to normal more quickly and the saliva can contain important minerals that help to re-harden teeth. Saliva has another important role to play while eating, as it contains an enzyme that aids digestion, helping to break down food before it is swallowed. A lack of saliva can make swallowing much more difficult.

Dry mouth can be caused by a number of different things, and it may be purely temporary or can be permanent. It can often be more prevalent in older people. Common causes include:

• As a side effect of taking certain prescription or non-prescription drugs. Certain cold medications, pain relief medications, antidepressants and allergy medications can cause xerostomia. They can also be caused by a huge number of other drugs including those commonly described for Parkinson’s disease. If you think you may have dry mouth due to certain prescription medications than it’s worth discussing it with your doctor in Leeds, but obviously you should never stop taking prescription medications without first seeking medical advice.
• Dry mouth can also be caused by a number of illnesses including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and HIV AIDS.
• Sometimes it can be due to damage to the salivary glands, especially if someone has received treatment for head and neck cancers. These glands can also be damaged due to trauma, or during surgery.
• Occasionally it’s necessary for the salivary glands to be surgically removed due to specific medical conditions.
• Sickness and diarrhea can cause temporary dry mouth.
• Xerostomia can also be due to smoking or chewing tobacco.

Visit Our Leeds Surgery If You Think You May Have Dry Mouth

If you’ve noticed you’re thirstier than usual, or that you have more difficulty in chewing and swallowing or that your throat is frequently sore then you may have xerostomia. Other common symptoms include noticing you have developed bad breath or that your lips are frequently chapped or cracked. In this case it’s well worth booking a check-up with Dr David Brown at Leeds City Dentalcare.

There are a number of things our dentist in Leeds can do to help you increase the flow of saliva. One of the things we might do is to describe an artificial saliva substitute to help you feel more comfortable, but there are a number of other things to try as well. If you are a smoker then it’s well worth trying to quit or least cut down to see if it helps to improve your symptoms.

Other things that can be useful include sucking on sugar-free sweets, or chewing sugar-free gum to help stimulate the flow of saliva. Making sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day will help, and it is a good idea to check your bedroom isn’t too dry during the night. If it is then you may want to invest in a room humidifier, or simply place a bowel of water in the room overnight to increase humidity. Some people also find it helpful to cut back on alcohol and caffeine, as well as fizzy drinks.

Make sure you visit Leeds City Dentalcare regularly for checkups and cleanings, as this will help to minimise the risk of you developing dental diseases due to xerostomia. We may also recommend you use additional products containing fluoride to help protect your teeth and gums.

Wisdom teeth are well known for causing problems, and this is something we often see in our Leeds surgery. Wisdom teeth are the third molars, and generally begin erupting from the age of 17 onwards, but they may not erupt fully until some people are well into their 20s and they may never erupt in others. They are called wisdom teeth precisely because they come through when we’re a little older, and supposedly a little wiser. The reason we have wisdom teeth dates back to a time when our diet was a lot rougher and harder to chew, but this isn’t exactly the case nowadays. In fact people’s jaws have evolved to become smaller, and this can cause problems when they do try to erupt as there is simply insufficient room for them to do so.

Common Problems Caused by Wisdom Teeth

One of the most common problems is that the wisdom teeth try to erupt underneath existing teeth, or that they partially erupt. When this happens it’s quite common for food and bacteria to get trapped in the gum tissue, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease Leeds. This can be quite a problem, as many people find it difficult to clean their teeth thoroughly this far back in the mouth, and signs of disease can go undetected.

Sometimes an impacted wisdom tooth can cause a cyst to form in the soft tissue, and these can be potentially quite serious as they can damage the teeth and bones nearby.

On dental team here at Leeds City Dentalcare will be keeping an eye on your wisdom teeth at every visit, and if we think they may cause problems then we’ll recommend they are extracted. It’s often better to have them extracted sooner rather than later, as the teeth can fuse to the bones later in life making extraction more complex.

This may seem a little strange, especially if your wisdom teeth seem fine to you, and don’t really cause you any problems, but it’s been estimated up to 80% of wisdom teeth will eventually need extracting. A lack of pain doesn’t mean that everything is fine, even if they seem to have erupted normally. Another problem caused by wisdom teeth is that they can exacerbate overcrowding, making it more difficult to clean in between the teeth thoroughly.

Surgery to Remove Wisdom Teeth

You have probably heard a lot of horror stories about people having their wisdom teeth removed, but the truth is that it’s usually not complicated and really is nothing to be worried about. Most people are able to have their wisdom teeth removed relatively easily, and the surgery is quite quick. It’s likely to be done under a local anaesthetic, although you may be able to opt for a little extra sedation if you’re particularly nervous.

Afterwards the extraction site may feel a little uncomfortable, but you should be held to keep this under control with over-the-counter painkillers. The tooth socket may bleed for a while, but this should have completely ceased within 24 hours. Some people find it helpful to use moist heat to relieve any pain or discomfort, while an ice pack can be useful for reducing any swelling. Sticking to soft, easy to eat foods for a few days will allow the tooth socket to heal. Our dentist Leeds team at Leeds City Dentalcare will give you lots of advice on how to care for the extraction site, and how to keep the area clean. It is important to take a little bit of care as you don’t want to dislodge the blood clot that forms in the tooth socket. This blood clot protects the bone and nerves from infection and helps it to heal cleanly.

It’s quite common for many people to feel a little bit of apprehension about visiting our dental surgery in Leeds, even though we’re all very friendly! It’s estimated approximately three quarters of the population feel slight anxiety about dental appointments, but another 10 to 15% are so anxious they actively avoid dental treatments, and many choose to put up with considerable dental pain rather than to ask for help. Dental fear is something we take very seriously here at Leeds City Dentalcare, as the implications can affect far more than just your mouth.

People who haven’t seen the dentist for a while, and who know their teeth are in poor condition are more likely to avoid social situations due to embarrassment about the way their teeth look, and may even have to avoid certain foods due to difficulties in chewing. This not only makes it more difficult to achieve a balanced diet, but can affect overall health. The connection between oral health and general health is becoming increasingly well studied, and has been linked to a number of serious health conditions including diabetes and heart disease.

Why do People Become Afraid of the Dentist?

Dental fear is something of a learned behaviour, so for example if your parents were afraid of visiting the dentist they are likely to have passed at least some of this fear on to you. It can also be as a result of having a bad experience in the dental chair, especially if this happens when you’re a child. Other people simply hate the loss of control they feel when they’re in the dental chair.

The trouble is that these feelings can escalate, and can result in even the mere mention of the dental appointment creating what’s called an ‘automatic fear response.’ You might find the thought of visiting the dentist makes you feel sick or that it brings you out in a cold sweat. One way to move past these feelings is to replace the bad experiences with good experiences, and we’d certainly hope that every visit to our Leeds surgery will be positive.

You’ll Find a Sympathetic Reception at Leeds City Dentalcare

We realise some people find it extremely difficult to come and see us, but would like to reassure these patients that we are extremely sympathetic towards dental fear. Dr. David Brown and all of our dentists are used to treating people who haven’t seen the dentist Leeds for a while due to their fears. You’ll find we won’t judge you in any way, but simply want to help you overcome your anxiety so you can receive any dental care that’s necessary.

The first step is simply to let us know how you feel when you visit our Leeds surgery. You’ll find we are willing to listen to all your concerns, and will take the time to explain treatments and to answer any questions you may have. Your first appointment will only be for an examination, and is a chance for you to meet the dental team, and to start feeling more comfortable in our Leeds surgery. At this stage we’ll discuss any dental problems you may have, and how we’re going to plan treatments.

We’ll make sure you’re comfortable during treatments and that you know you can stop at any time as you’re always in control. We’ve successfully treated patients who haven’t seen the dentist for decades. Dr David Brown and the dental team here at Leeds will make sure your treatment proceeds at a pace you’re comfortable with, so you leave our surgery with a happier and healthier smile.

Root canal treatments are something people seem to associate with a lot of pain and discomfort, but in fact this shouldn’t be the case. This conservative dental treatment is designed to save teeth that would previously have needed extraction, and most people shouldn’t feel any more discomfort than having a filling. All our dentists in Leeds at Leeds City Dentalcare are highly experienced at carrying out a root canal therapy, and we have the very latest facilities to treat infected teeth with the minimum of fuss.

Why Might I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal treatment is necessary if the pulp of the tooth becomes infected. This is the central part of the tooth that contains all the nerves, but if it becomes exposed, either due to decay or trauma, then there is a strong possibility it could become infected. One of the earliest signs that something is amiss is noticing your tooth has begun to throb, or that it feels very painful whenever you bite or chew. At this stage your best course of action is to make an appointment with Dr David Brown or another of our dentists for a full diagnosis, even if the pain seems to subside. This is because leaving an infected tooth untreated means the nerves will eventually die, and you could be at risk of developing access underneath the affected tooth. Anyone who has ever had an abscess will tell you it can be incredibly painful, and it never happens at a convenient time.

What is involved in Root Canal Therapy?

You’ll need to visit our Leeds surgery for a full diagnosis, and we’re likely to want to take x-rays of the affected tooth so we can see exactly what’s going on. The next stage is to open up the infected tooth so the pulp can be removed and the area thoroughly cleaned. If the infection is substantial then we may place a topical medication into the cleaned out pulp chamber to help eliminate any bacteria, or we may prescribe you a course of antibiotics. Once we’re happy all the infection is cleared up then you’ll be able to have the tooth restored to full function. Sometimes we might place a post in the tooth to help give the remaining tooth structure strength before fitting a dental crown over the top. Sometimes it may only be necessary to place a filling. Although it may require several visits to our Leeds surgery for treatment to be completed, root canal therapy really is an excellent way of saving teeth. Most cases of root canal treatment are extremely successful, but occasionally the infection may recur, or the remaining tooth structure could fracture in which case the tooth will need retreating or you may need to consider another course of action.

Is There Any Way to Prevent the Need for Root Canal Therapy?

Leeds City Dentalcare always advocates preventative dental care. Visiting our dental surgery at regular intervals for checkups and professional cleanings is the best way to help prevent the need for root canal in Leeds. This is because any signs of tooth decay will be picked up quickly and can be treated by filling the tooth. Early treatment will hopefully prevent the decay from reaching the pulp area of the tooth, and will prevent the nerves from becoming infected, and you won’t have to suffer the pain of a dental abscess.

General dental care is designed to help you maintain your oral health. The kinds of services that fall under this heading include restorative and emergency dental care, but preventative dental care is one of the most important. It’s something we place a great deal of emphasis on, as we feel it’s the best way for our patients to enjoy good oral health at a reasonable cost. Regular dental visits are an essential part of preventative care.

Preventative Dental Care Is Best

You may the very best oral hygiene routine possible, but problems can still arise, and this is why those six monthly check-ups are so important. We will be able to detect any small signs of decay before they cause any symptoms, and can spot any other problems before they require extensive treatment. You’ll benefit from lower dental bills in the longer term, and better oral health. It only takes an hour or so to visit our Leeds surgery, and you’ll enjoy greater peace of mind knowing your smile is properly cared for.

One of the main things our dentists check for is any early signs of gum disease, as this condition is easily curable if caught early, but if left, it may develop into periodontal disease which is far more serious, and more difficult to treat. It has also been linked with numerous other health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. It is also a great idea to book an appointment with one of our dental hygienists at the same time to have your teeth professionally cleaned and polished.

The Importance of Dental Hygiene Appointments

Our dental hygienists work closely with our dentists to help patients achieve the very best oral health they can. They will remove all the hardened plaque (calculus) from your teeth by gently scraping it away, before polishing your teeth. One of the advantages of this treatment is that it will help to polish away some of the surface stains, so your teeth will look a little whiter, and your breath will be fresher.

Your dental hygienist is the person to ask if you have any questions about the best way to brush or floss, and they’ll work with you to help you find a technique right for your specific needs. This is especially true for flossing, as we realise many people find it tricky, but it is so important! It’s a great idea to ask your hygienist for tips and advice, and they’ll also be able to point out any areas you might be missing. The truth is it’s all too easy to get into a regular routine of brushing your teeth without really thinking about what you’re doing and whether you’re covering all the tooth surfaces.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Part of your dental exam will include a screening for oral cancer. This disease is thankfully rare, but like all cancers treatment is much more successful when it’s caught early. Our dentist in Leeds will examine all your oral tissues for signs of any changes. They are looking for signs that the colour of the oral tissues has changed, or for any signs of lumps, rough patches, or thickened areas. Other indications that something may be amiss include sore patches that don’t heal easily, or noticing teeth meet together slightly differently. While this disease is more prevalent amongst smokers and heavy drinkers, some 25% of cases occur in people who have neither of these habits.

General dental care at Leeds City Dentalcare will help you maintain good oral health with the minimum of fuss. Regular dental visits help greatly to lessen the possibility of any nasty surprises and big dental bills, and are well worth the effort.