The British Dental Health Foundation has welcomed the news that food labelling will become more consistent and hopes this will help improve oral health in Britain. The whole idea behind the new labelling system is to enable people to make healthy and informed choices about the food they eat. The system will be coded like traffic-lights and will show nutritional information including the number of calories, fat, salt, saturated fat and sugar content. This will enable people to easily compare similar foods. Major retailers including the big four supermarkets and food manufacturers are to use the consistent labelling system on their packaging.

Poor diet choices are a huge problem for the NHS and are estimated to cost billions of pounds annually. In addition a poor diet can negatively impact oral health. In the past, dentist in Leeds have criticized the amount of hidden sugars in foods, as sugar can be used as a cheap way of bulking out a product. However the chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, has commented that it’s the frequency of sugar consumption that’s of real concern, as more and more people have moved away from the traditional three square meals to a regime of constantly snacking throughout the day. Many of these snacks can contain high levels of sugar.

Why Do Even So-Called ‘Healthy Foods ‘Contain Hidden Sugars?

It’s hoped the public will become more aware of hidden sugars which are often listed under names such as fructose, glucose, sucrose and maltose, and cutting down on these substances will help both general and oral hygiene. One of the problems is that manufacturers can add sugar to a product as it helps to disguise a bland taste. This means some products that we tend to consider and being healthy, such as yogurt and cereal, and even fruit flavoured water can contain quite high amounts of sugar. Adding sugar to food can also give it a longer shelf life, especially in the case of foods such as breakfast cereals, tinned vegetables and fruits and bread. This makes it all too easy to eat more sugar than you realise.

Leads City Dentalcare definitely advocates of following a healthy diet that is low in sugar as part of a preventative dental care regime. Preventative dental care is about implementing a great dental care regime at home, combined with a good, healthy diet. This doesn’t mean cutting out everything containing sugar, but rather eating it in moderation, and being sensible about the frequency of snacks in between meals, and of course reading the labels. Patients are encouraged to visit Dr David Brown or another dentist at our Leeds surgery biannually or as often as recommended, and to book an appointment with a hygienist at the same time.

The problems caused by eating an unhealthy diet that contains too much sugar can be far-reaching. It can increase the risk of Type II diabetes, a condition that in turn can affect the whole body, including oral health. Eating too much sugar can also increase the risk of obesity, in turn raising the likelihood of developing heart disease, yet another condition that has been linked with poor oral health.

It’s estimated that more than 1 million people in the UK have some sort of eating disorder, and although it can affect anyone at any age it’s most prevalent amongst the 14 to 25 age group. It’s something that’s more likely to affect women and girls as they are up to 10 times more likely to have an eating disorder compared to men or boys. Unfortunately it can be very difficult for people with an eating disorder to discuss it with others, but it can have a hugely detrimental effect on health, including oral health.

Oral Health Changes Caused by Eating Disorders

People with eating disorders are likely to be nutritionally deficient, and without the proper nutrients the gums and soft tissues are likely to bleed more easily and will be less able to heal properly. Eating disorders can also affect the saliva glands as they are more likely to become swollen, and sufferers may experience a condition called dry mouth or xerostomia.

Those who are bulimic and who throw up at frequent intervals are likely to notice changes in their teeth quite quickly. If the strong stomach acids are repeatedly flowing over the teeth then acid erosion will quickly occur, causing tooth enamel to be permanently lost. It is likely the teeth will change shape and may become shorter as they begin to look more worn. The biting edges are likely to become a lot sharper and thinner and may break off or crumble. Teeth can also look darker or almost discoloured and the reason for this is that more of the dentine layer will be exposed. This contains the natural tooth colour and is normally covered by quite a thick layer of enamel, especially in younger people which is the reason why their teeth tend to appear whiter than those of someone older.

If you have an eating disorder then it’s quite likely it will be noticed by our dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare, but you can rest assured you’ll receive sympathetic treatment. Dr David Brown or any of our dentists will do everything possible to help you try to maintain and improve your oral health. We can offer treatment for the effects of acid corrosion on your teeth, as well as practical advice on how to deal with the effects of having an eating disorder.

Looking After Your Teeth

It’s really important to be meticulous about your oral health care when you’re in the grips of this kind of disorder, but if you do throw up its best to rinse your mouth with a solution of baking soda immediately afterwards as this will help to neutralise the effects of the stomach acid. Wait a while before brushing your teeth as this will allow the pH levels in your mouth to return to normal, hopefully enabling your tooth enamel to re-harden slightly as it re-mineralises.

If throwing up has affected your saliva glands and you find yourself frequently suffering from dry mouth then we can also offer some practical advice to help you deal with this side effect. For instance there are various over-the-counter saliva substitutes that can help keep your mouth more moist and comfortable and which will help to lessen the effects on your teeth. You’ll also find it will help to make sure you drink plenty of plain water so you remain well hydrated. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking a sugar-free sweet will help to stimulate the flow of saliva. Saliva is important as it helps to keep the pH levels within your mouth fairly neutral, something that is vital if your teeth are continuingly being exposed to stomach acid.

Are looking for a preventive and cosmetic dentistry in Leeds? Although we cannot cure eating disorders, we can work with you to help minimise the effects while you hopefully receive help from healthcare professionals to resolve this issue.

If you have children then you probably spent a considerable amount of time making sure they cleaned their teeth properly when they were little, and attempting to get them to floss on a daily basis. However once they are teenagers it can become a little more difficult to keep an eye on their dental health, even though this age can bring about a whole new set of oral hygiene issues. So what can you do to make sure your teen has a healthy smile right into adulthood?

Make Sure They Attend Our Leeds Surgery Regularly for Check-ups

Regular dental check-ups are important for all ages, and Dr David Brown or whoever your child sees here at Leeds City Dental care will want to make sure your teenager’s teeth are developing normally. We can also check to make sure they are cleaning their teeth properly, and are always available to offer advice and help on how to improve brushing and flossing techniques.

Dental Sealants

Once they have all their adult teeth it’s likely that our surgery will recommend dental sealants be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth provided they don’t yet have any cavities. These are an excellent preventative measure as they protect these vulnerable surfaces against decay. Dental sealants do need replacing every so often, and this is another thing that will be assessed at every check-up.

Orthodontic Treatment

This is also the time for orthodontic care and if necessary our dentists can recommend the best type of brace for your teenager. Although traditional braces are still popular, many systems now use clear brace brackets or ceramic brackets that are far less easy to spot and invisible or removable braces can also be a good choice. These are clear plastic aligners that can be removed for brushing and flossing and when eating, and which are very easy to keep clean.

Sports Mouth Guards

If your teenager is keen on playing sports then you’ll probably want to continue encouraging this healthy habit. However sports can sometimes be rough on teeth and a sports mouthguard is designed to cover the upper teeth, protecting them against damage. It doesn’t cost very much to have a custom made mouthguard and it could save a lot of tears and money further down the line.

Smoking

Unfortunately this is also a time when some teenagers will take up smoking and this habit can be hard to discourage, and even harder to break a few years later. As well as being bad for general health, smoking is also pretty awful for oral health. It can take to help to stress the fact that it yellows teeth and leads to bad breath.

Oral Piercings

This is also a time when some teenagers think about getting an oral piercing as a way of expressing their individuality. While it certainly does this, any kind of jewellery in the mouth can lead to problems. The constant presence of a barbell or hoop is likely to chip or crack the teeth or can irritate the gum tissue leading to gum recession. The actual process of piecing the tongue or soft tissues can also be hazardous as it creates an open wound in the mouth that can be prone to infection.

Eating Disorders

This can have a serious effect on oral health, as bulimia will continuously expose the teeth to strong stomach acids. If your teenager does have this disorder then it’s highly likely that your dentist in Leeds will be one of the first to notice during regular check-ups as it doesn’t take long for acid erosion to occur. Although our dentist in Leeds may be able to treat acid erosion and any signs of cavities, they cannot treat the actual eating disorder, and it is important to get specialist help in order to resolve this issue as soon as possible.

Recent research by the British Dental Health Foundation has shown that two thirds of people in the UK tend to snack throughout the day as opposed to having three regular meals. It’s thought this constant snacking could be holding back improvements in oral health, and the reason why snacking is so bad is quite straightforward.

Dental Plaque and Its Role in Your Oral Health

Everyone’s mouth has plaque bacteria, and these adhere to the surface of your teeth and gums forming a sticky layer of dental plaque. This layer begins building up within just an hour of cleaning your teeth so it’s a constant problem. The plaque bacteria contained within this layer use particles of leftover food and drink for energy, but produce toxins and acid as a by-product.

This means your mouth becomes more acidic every time you eat or drink something containing large amounts of sugar or carbohydrates, and it takes up to an hour for the pH levels to return to normal. During this time the acid attacks your tooth enamel, causing it to weaken and soften, increasing its susceptibility towards tooth decay. The toxins produced by dental plaque irritate and inflame your gum tissue, increasing the risk of gum disease.

If you stick to eating three regular meals a day then this increase in acidity isn’t such a problem, but if you constantly snack in your mouth will remain acidic for longer periods of time, something that could potentially cause long-term damage to your teeth.

Choosing a Healthier Diet for Your Teeth and Gums

Most people visiting Leeds City Dentalcare for a check-up with Dr David Brown or another of our dentists are all too well aware of the need to brush twice a day and to floss once a day, but not everyone realises the role diet plays in oral health. If your diet is poor then it is likely to negatively affect your general health and your teeth and gums.

If snacking in between meals is something that sounds familiar then you may want to modify your choice of snacks to help protect your oral hygiene. Resisting foods that are high in sugar or carbohydrates, or which are likely to stick to teeth for long periods of time will help. For example, sticky sweets such as toffees are worse than chocolate, as this sweet treat will at least melt easily. Crisps are another problem snack, as they can easily get stuck in between your teeth, increasing the length of time your mouth remains exposed to acids.

Healthier choices include crunchy vegetables that have a high water content and which contain large amounts of fibre as these will have a slight cleansing effect on your teeth, and low-fat dairy products that don’t contain lots of sugar, for instance a small piece of cheese. Acidic fruits should be eaten in moderation, as should dried fruits, as although these are often considered healthy, they do have a tendency to stick to your teeth so you may find yourself enjoying them some hours later.

Regular check-ups with our dentist in Leeds are always important, as this will enable us to see if you have any signs of damage that could have been caused by acid erosion. Our staff at Leeds City Dentalcare can also give you lots of advice on how to look after your teeth, and can suggest improvements that could help your oral health.

Being pregnant should be a time for celebration, and just about all pregnant women are well aware of the need for good general health. However a new survey has found that approximately two thirds of women don’t believe there is any connection between poor oral health and complications during pregnancy. A worrying 67% didn’t think these two conditions were related, and just 25% were prepared to implement measures to improve their oral health in spite of being informed that it could cause problems during pregnancy.

Quite a bit of research has been conducted into this problem recently, and it’s been found that the risk of having a preterm birth for mothers with gum disease could be reduced by up to 34% if they simply undergo treatment with their dentist or hygienist. It’s not uncommon for women to find that the hormonal changes during pregnancy can negatively impact oral health. This is something that definitely concerns the dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare as we are well aware that expectant mums may notice their gums bleed more easily, while pregnant women already suffering from gum disease are likely to find that the condition progresses more rapidly.

Ensuring You Have Great Oral Health before Pregnancy

In an ideal world it would be best to ensure you have great oral health before becoming pregnant. This is something that is probably easily achieved if you already visit our Leeds surgery at regular intervals for check-ups and regular cleanings. If you do intend to become pregnant in the near future then it’s well worth mentioning this at your next check-up just so we can make sure there are no potential problems that could affect your pregnancy. We may also want to make sure you are up-to-date with your dental x-rays as obviously this is something we will not want to while you are pregnant. If you do have any signs of gum disease then we will want to treat this, preferably before you become pregnant as this will help reduce the risk of any complications such as preterm birth.

Dental Care during Your Pregnancy

During your pregnancy we may suggest you visit us more frequently so we can check to make sure you don’t develop a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. This is quite a common condition that develops due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy that cause the gum tissues to become more sensitive to plaque bacteria. It’s something that generally clears up once your baby is born and your hormonal levels return to normal but is something that’s worth paying close attention to.

It’s important to ensure your dental hygiene routine is up to scratch during your pregnancy, and that you brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least 2 minutes each time. It’s also important to floss regularly, but if you find this difficult then to ask our Leeds surgery for help and advice as there are various other methods you can try to keep your teeth clean. It can be useful to carry around a small dental kit consisting of a toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash just in case you have morning sickness.

Your dental health doesn’t have to suffer just because you’re pregnant. Dr David Brown or any of our other dentists can help you maintain good oral health during this important time.

Many of our patients at Leeds City Dentalcare will be all-too-familiar with that sensation that can be felt when eating ice cream or drinking a refreshing can of fizzy drink. We’re not talking about the pleasurable feeling of drinking or eating something cold on a hot summer’s day, but rather that sensation of pain or sensitivity that’s associated with these foods.

Many people suffer from sensitive teeth and often seek to manage this sensitivity in ways that are not particularly great for dental health. If you find you chew on one particular side of the mouth and avoid foods that cause sensitivity then you may need to book an appointment with Dr David Brown to find out if you have any signs of cavities or gum disease that could be causing this condition. If this is the case then treating your tooth sensitivity could be relatively straightforward and easy to put right, allowing you to enjoy icy cold drinks and ice cream on those all too rare days when British summertime chooses to put in an appearance. However some people simply have a thin layer of tooth enamel that puts them more at risk of suffering from tooth sensitivity, but even so there are plenty of things you can do to help reduce the symptoms.

Avoiding Foods That Could Cause Tooth Sensitivity

So what foods should you be avoiding if you do suffer from sensitive teeth? In general acidic and sugary foods tend to be the main culprits for tooth sensitivity, so avoiding foods that are high in acid and sugar will help keep your mouth more comfortable. It could be that your tooth enamel is particularly thin due to repeated exposure to acids and sugars, while some people simply have a thinner layer of tooth enamel than others.

Choosing foods that are more alkaline, especially those that contain valuable minerals that could help strengthen your tooth enamel will be beneficial. Instead of reaching for a piece of chocolate, try munching on a small piece of cheese, or eating a yogurt as these can be valuable sources of calcium. Swapping out citrus fruits for crunchy vegetables such as carrots will also help reduce sensitivity.

Modifying Your Dental Hygiene Routine

Other things that can help include modifying your dental hygiene routine through using fluoride toothpaste designed to reduce tooth sensitivity. These toothpastes can be very good, but you shouldn’t expect to find they give immediate results as it can take a while for the effects to build up. This is because these toothpastes have a cumulative effect in helping to block up the tiny tubules in your dentine.

When your tooth enamel is particularly thin then it can expose this underlying layer of dentine, in turn exposing the thousands of tiny tubules present in this layer. These tubules lead directly to the pulp in the centre of the tooth which contains all the nerves and blood vessels. Blocking up these tubules through using special toothpastes helps to reduce sensitivity, keeping you more comfortable. If you have particularly sensitive teeth then the dentist at Leeds City Dentalcare may also suggest further measures such as using fluoride supplements or a fluoride mouthwash to help strengthen your tooth enamel, reducing the sensitivity. If you do have sensitive teeth then there is no need to suffer in silence, as our experienced dental team at our Leeds surgery are always more than willing to offer advice and possibly treatment.

The results of a study released last year showed a link between severe periodontal disease or gum disease, and impotence. The study was carried out over a five-year period, and showed a clear link between these two conditions especially in men aged below 30 or over the age of 70. One thing the study didn’t show was whether or not periodontal disease was responsible for impotence, or exactly what the link might be. It’s been speculated that it’s probably due to the fact that periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition, and the inflammation in the blood vessels could cause erectile dysfunction.

You’d have thought this type of information would be enough to make men pay more attention to their dental health, but recent research by the British Dental Health Foundation revealed that only 55% of men who were aware of this possible link would take steps to improve on their oral hygiene. Not surprisingly the study also showed that less than a quarter of men were aware of the possible connection. The chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, is concerned that men don’t take these claims seriously in spite of the fact that many research papers have shown a link.

Simple Preventative Measures Can Greatly Improve Oral Health

There is no need to develop gum disease or periodontal disease as this condition is preventable through having regular check-ups combined with a scale and polish at Leeds City Dentalcare. Regular appointments with Dr David Brown or any of our dentist in Kent will help ensure any early signs of gum disease are picked up before they can cause any health problems.

Regular professional cleanings are an essential preventative measure, as it is all too easy to miss areas of your teeth when brushing and flossing, allowing dental plaque to remain in place. The problem with this is that dental plaque can harden into a substance called calculus or tartar within as little as 48 hours. This substance is so hard it can only be removed through scaling the teeth, something that can only be done by a dental professional. Failure to remove tartar or calculus within a reasonable timeframe will increase the risk that your gums will become irritated by the toxins produced by tartar. This irritation can lead to the gums becoming inflamed, and this can herald the start of gum disease, something that in its early stages is called gingivitis. If left untreated gingivitis can easily develop into periodontal disease, a much more serious inflammatory condition that has the ability to affect the whole body.

This is because the inflammation present in the mouth can easily enter the bloodstream, causing the kind of problems that can lead to impotence. However this is not the only worry with periodontal disease, as it’s also been linked with the numerous serious health conditions, including heart disease, due to its inflammatory nature. The reasons for trying to maintain a healthy mouth are compelling. Good oral health can easily be achieved simply through putting aside 10 minutes each day for oral care at home, combined with just an hour or so at our Leeds dental surgery every six months.

Have you ever noticed that when you run your tongue over your teeth at the end of a very long day you can feel a sort of film over your teeth and gums? If so this is the layer of dental plaque that forms over the course of the day. It’s a sticky substance made up of various kinds of bacteria and is most noticeable if you haven’t been able to brush your teeth for quite a few hours. This build-up of dental plaque bio film needs to be removed regularly, and is the reason why Leeds City Dentalcare asks that patients brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day.

What Makes Dental Plaque so Bad for Your Teeth?

Dental plaque begins forming on your teeth in as little as an hour after you have brushed and flossed. Its formation begins with a pellicle layer that makes it easier for the initial film of bacteria to stick to your teeth. Once this initial layer has formed and then another layer of anaerobic bacteria will adhere to them. These bacteria rapidly divide allowing the population to increase at an extremely fast rate.

The bacteria have a ready-made energy source right inside your mouth that consists of leftover food particles that stick to the layer of dental plaque. As the bacteria feed of these leftovers they produce toxins and acids that attack your teeth and gums. The acids can soften your tooth enamel, increasing the chances of cavities while the toxins can irritate and inflame your gums, leading to the formation of gum disease. This may sound dramatic, but gum disease and cavities can be prevented through proper dental care.

Even if you are extremely vigilant over brushing and flossing, it’s all too easy to miss out certain areas of your teeth. This is one of the reasons why we recommend having your teeth professionally cleaned at every check-up. This allows the dental hygienists at our Leeds surgery to remove hardened plaque bacteria which are called calculus or tartar, and this process is important for helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Regular Dental Home Care Helps Prevent the Build-up of Dental Plaque

Leeds City Dentalcare recommends that patients brush at least twice a day to remove this layer of plaque bacteria. This is easily done through using a soft bristled toothbrush that is small enough to reach right to the back of your teeth. It’s important to pay particular attention to the junction where the gums meet your teeth as this is the area where plaque bacteria tend to stick. Ideally you should be holding your toothbrush as a 45° angle so it can penetrate right down to the gum line and just below to help remove as much of the plaque bacteria as possible. It’s also important to pay close attention to the contact areas in between your teeth, and this is the reason why we strongly recommend all our patients floss once a day. This really is the best method for removing plaque from the contact areas, and will help ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy.

Not sure if you’re brushing correctly? Why not ask Dr David Brown or any of our dental team for help and advice. We regard patient education as being an essential part of the dental services offered at our surgery in Leeds, and you’ll find our dentist in Leeds are never too busy to help you improve your brushing and flossing techniques.

Next time you run your tongue over your teeth and feel that sticky layer you’ll know exactly what it is, and hopefully will want to remove it as soon as possible through brushing with good quality fluoride toothpaste.

Children can be quite prone to injuring their teeth, especially if they are keen on sports. While this may be less of a worry when they still have their primary or baby teeth, it can become a real concern when they have their permanent teeth. If a child visits our Leeds surgery with a damaged permanent tooth, then Dr David Brown or another of our dentists will always to their best to try to save it. It is particularly important to try to do so while their jaws are still growing and developing, as having a full set of teeth will help ensure normal development. Another problem with losing a tooth during adolescence or in early adulthood is that they may not be mature enough to receive a permanent artificial replacement tooth.

Injuries to the Pulp of a Child’s Tooth are More Problematic

The reason for this is that this particular age group present dental professionals with additional challenges to those seen in adult patients. If an adult has an injured tooth then it is frequently possible to save it through having root canal therapy. This is an excellent conservative treatment that simply involves removing the damaged pulp area of the tooth. This is located in the central part of the tooth and contains the connective tissue and blood vessels that are necessary for the growth of the tooth, and for its sensory perception. The removal of the pulp doesn’t present a problem in adult teeth, as it has done its job and the tooth can function perfectly well without it. It is a different story in a child’s tooth as the pulp is required for the healthy development of the tooth and its roots. Tooth development also affects facial growth, bite development and the growth of the jawbone. These developmental aspects make it more difficult to replace lost teeth, and it is often impossible to do so properly until the child is fully grown.

Leeds City Dentalcare makes extensive efforts to rescue the pulp of young teeth so that the tooth can continue forming properly. There are a number of techniques that can be tried to help teeth injured in childhood to continue to become fully formed. The hope is obviously to save these teeth, or at least to make them last into adulthood when they can be permanently replaced with dental implants. At the very least, saving them at this stage will allow the face and jaws to develop normally, and will help minimise any problems in the longer term.

If your child does suffer an injury to their tooth then it is best to make a appointment for them to visit our Leeds surgery as soon as possible. Our dentist in Leeds can also give you lots of advice on what to do in the meantime, as well as information on how to prevent these types of injuries. Children that love to play sports may be better off wearing a custom made sports mouthguard, as this will help to protect their teeth from injuries, and they are a relatively inexpensive item to purchase. These can easily be made at our Leeds surgery, and will be comfortable enough for long term use.