We like to see all our patients on a regular basis, regardless of age, but it is worth being aware of the fact that dental care needs can change as we age. Older people may be at risk of an increased number of oral health problems. These can include:

• Dry mouth which is a condition that results from reduced saliva flow. It’s something that can result from treatments for cancer, and it’s a common side effect from numerous medications. It can also be due to certain diseases such as diabetes or Sjogren’s syndrome.
• Gum disease is a risk at any age, but this can increase in older people due to certain factors. It can be caused by poor fitting dental appliances such as dentures or bridges, and can be made worse by having a poor diet. People with certain diseases including cancer, anaemia and diabetes are more at risk.
• Root decay can occur as the gums recede and are exposed to the acids in the mouth. Gum recession often results due to gum disease, or thorugh overenthusiastic tooth brushing.
• Tooth loss can be more frequent in older people due to the increased risk of gum disease, root decay and dry mouth.
• Thrush can occur due to an impaired immune system which can trigger an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans that causes thrush.
• Darker teeth are just a natural part of aging, and are caused by the enamel layer on the teeth becoming thinner, exposing more of the dentine underneath. The dentine contains the natural colour of the tooth. Teeth can also become darker simply due to a lifetime of consuming tea, coffee and red wine and other darker coloured foods such as curries.

Great oral hygiene is important at any age, but especially in older people. If any of the above factors do apply to you then these are things you can discuss with Dr David Brown or another of our dentists Leeds at our Leeds surgery as there may be various things we can do to help.

For instance the symptoms of dry mouth may be able to be alleviated through using saliva substitutes, but there are several other things you can try as well including drinking more water, and sucking on boiled sweets or using sugar-free gum to help stimulate the flow of saliva. If it’s being caused by a certain medication then you may want to make an appointment to visit your GP in Leeds to see if there’s a different medication you might be able to try. However we do want to stress that you should never stop taking prescription medications without first consulting your doctor.

Even though gum disease may be more of a risk in older people, it doesn’t necessarily have to become a reality. Twice-daily brushing and flossing once a day combined with regular visits to Leeds City Dentalcare for check-ups and cleanings will help keep your gums in the best possible health. If you have any other diseases such as diabetes then we may want to see you more frequently so we can keep a close eye on your oral health as this condition can affect your gums. This risk can be minimised through controlling blood sugar levels as much as possible.

Your dental appointment at Leeds City Dentalcare is an excellent chance to discuss any oral health concerns you may have with our dental team. In addition to examining your teeth and gums, our dentists will also give you a thorough oral examination and will check all the soft tissues in your mouth. If you wear dentures or any other kind of dental appliance then these will be checked during the appointment, as we need to make sure they still function properly and that they don’t rub or cause any sore spots in your mouth.

While it’s important to see dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare at regular intervals for check-ups and professional cleanings, and to make sure you brush and floss your teeth thoroughly each day, your oral health can also be affected by your diet. A nutritionally sound diet will not only benefit your general health, but will also ensure teeth are formed correctly, and that oral health can be maintained.

Diet and Its Role in Tooth Decay

Most people will be well aware that eating too many sugary foods is bad for their teeth, but may not be quite sure why this is and how sugar and other foods may increase the risk of tooth decay. The reasons lie in the way tooth decay develops. The crown of the tooth which is the part that is exposed in the mouth is covered with a layer of protective enamel. Dental enamel is one of the hardest substances in nature, but in spite of this it is still susceptible to wear and tear. If you eat something sugary or something full of carbohydrates that’s likely to stick to the teeth, such as crisps, then the plaque bacteria naturally present in your mouth will begin to feed on the left overs.

Plaque bacteria create a sticky film you can sometimes feel on your teeth at the end of the day, and they produce acids as a by-product of feeding. These acids attack the tooth enamel causing minerals and other essential elements such as phosphate and calcium to be leached out of the tooth. This leads to the enamel becoming softer and more likely to be eroded away. Some of these minerals are redeposited back into the tooth surfaces once the pH levels in the mouth become less acidic, but some will be lost permanently. Repeated attacks by these acids will lead to greater levels of erosion. One of the first signs that this may be happening is noticing your teeth become more sensitive to hot and cold foods, something that patients as our Leeds surgery often complain about.

Small Modifications to Your Diet Can Help Lessen the Risk of Tooth Decay

Obviously cutting down on sugary foods will help, as will cutting down on the number of snacks in between meals. Every time you eat something your mouth will become more acidic and these acids will gradually erode away your tooth enamel. Sticking to regular meals, and ending the meal with something that isn’t so sweet, such as cheese or crunchy fruits and vegetables that have a high water content will help. It’ll also help if you avoid eating too many foods that are naturally acidic such as strawberries, tomatoes and citrus fruits. You may also want to drink plain water after a meal, or to rinse out your mouth with tap water as this will help to wash away any excess pieces of food, and will reduce the acidity in your mouth.

Fluoride and Its Role in Reducing Tooth Decay

While modifications to your diet can help, so can using good quality toothpaste containing fluoride. The effect of fluoride on teeth is topical as it helps to make the tooth enamel more resistant to acid erosion. It also helps to re-calcify tooth surfaces that have been softened during an acid attack. If you are more susceptible towards tooth decay then you may want to incorporate a fluoride mouthwash into your daily routine. These are all things you can discuss with Dr David Brown or any of our dental staff here in our Leeds surgery.

Many people in Leeds may be concerned about keeping their heart healthy, and probably think the best way to do this is to keep fit, eat healthily and maybe visit their doctor at regular intervals. While all these things will undoubtedly help, so will visiting Leeds City Dentalcare at regular intervals for check-ups and professional cleanings.

Clinical Studies into the Link between Heart Disease and Gum Disease

There have been a number of clinical studies into the connection between heart disease and oral health, in particular gum disease. Although the link between the two conditions isn’t yet clear, it is intriguing. It’s been found that people with periodontal disease (the advanced form of gum disease) are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease. This may be due to the fact that gum disease is a bacterial infection. As it progresses it causes the gums to begin pulling away from the teeth, creating open wounds in the mouth.

These provide the perfect entry point for bacteria in the mouth to enter the bloodstream. From there they are able to travel freely around the body, and can attach to the fatty deposits in the blood vessels around the heart, creating fatty plaques. This can increase the risk of blood clots, and therefore the risk of heart attacks. Another theory lies in the body’s own response against bacterial infection which is to create inflammation or swelling. It’s thought that as these bacteria travel through the bloodstream they could trigger this immune response, causing inflammation that may mean the blood cells begin to swell. As they swell the arteries could narrow, increasing the risk of clots developing.

It’s thought that common dental problems including the early signs of gum disease Leeds (gingivitis), missing teeth and cavities could be nearly as good at helping health experts to predict heart disease as checking cholesterol levels.

Protecting Your Heart through Excellent Dental Care

Protecting yourself against periodontal disease could be a valuable tool in helping to lower the risk of developing heart disease. An important part of this is to make sure your daily oral health regime is the very best it can be through twice-daily brushing, and flossing once a day. If you are unsure of whether or not you’re brushing and flossing correctly, then ask Dr David Brown or another dentist Leeds for advice. You’ll also find all our hygienists are more than willing to give you a demonstration on how to brush and floss correctly. Leeds City Dentalcare also recommends that patients visit us every six months or so for check-ups and professional cleanings. Having all the hardened plaque bacteria removed from your teeth will help lessen the risk of any infection and inflammation, keeping your gums in the peak of health.

If you do have any signs of gum disease, or have periodontal disease then it’s well worth taking action to try and clear up this condition or to at least keep it in check. Heart disease is obviously very serious and is not something to be taken lightly. If something as simple as improving your oral health can help lessen the risk of developing this condition than it has to be worthwhile. If you haven’t visited the dentist for a while and would like a regular check-up and cleaning then please give Leeds City Dentalcare a call to arrange an appointment.

This is something our patients at Leeds City Dentalcare often ask, and while its use is generally not strictly necessary, many people do like to freshen up their breath by using mouthwash. There are lots of different types for sale, and the choice can often seemed quite bewildering. It is worth paying a bit of attention to the label, as mouthwashes can be considered to be either therapeutic or cosmetic.

Therapeutic or Cosmetic?

Therapeutic mouthwashes contain ingredients that actively help oral health, for instance they might help fight plaque bacteria and they may contain antimicrobial agents, or other useful ingredients such as fluoride. You’ll find some are designed to help reduce the risk of gingivitis or gum disease, while others help fight tooth decay. Some even contain small amounts of bleach to help whiten teeth, although their effects will be very subtle. In contrast cosmetic mouthwashes are merely used to freshen up breath, and will only have a temporary effect. Most mouthwashes have at least a few other ingredients in common including water, flavouring, colouring and some type of cleansing agent.

Deciding If Your Mouthwash Needs to Be Alcohol Free

A lot of mouthwashes, including some of the most popular brands contain alcohol, and this particular ingredient can produce a burning sensation when used. It may be well worth choosing a mouthwash that doesn’t contain alcohol, especially if you are in a busy household with young children who might accidentally swallow this liquid instead of spitting it out. It’s also worth avoiding if any of your family members have ever had a problem with alcohol in the past.

Mouthwash for Sensitive Teeth and Gums

Many of our patients looking for dentist Leeds for their sensitive teeth and gums, and this problem may be exacerbated by using a strong mouthwash. In this case it’s well worth looking for a mouthwash especially made to soothe the gums rather than irritate them, and to choose one that doesn’t contain any alcohol. You may even find some mouthwashes contain natural ingredients.

Using Mouthwash Correctly

It is important to read the label on your mouthwash and to use it correctly. The label should tell you how long you need to swirl it around your mouth before spitting it out, and whether or not you need to dilute it. You’ll definitely get maximum benefits from following the instructions. You should never swallow mouthwash, and if somebody in your household accidentally swallows a large quantity then it’s worth seeking professional advice, just in case.

Prescription Mouthwashes or Those Containing Chlorhexidine

If you have recently had some form of oral surgery or are currently fighting gum disease then Dr David Brown or one of our other dentists may prescribe you a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. You can also buy mouthwash containing this active ingredient from your local chemist. Chlorhexidine is a very powerful antibacterial agent, but it can sometimes stain the teeth brown, and this is one of the reasons it’s not generally recommended for longer-term use. However these brown stains can be removed during a professional cleaning with one of our hygienists at Leeds City Dentalcare so these effects are purely temporary and it is a very useful ingredient in helping patients regains their oral health.

Most people have at least one cavity in their teeth, and this is highly likely to develop in the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The reason for this is that the surfaces of the molars and premolars are covered with lots of tiny fissures and grooves to help grind up food more effectively. However these fissures can be very difficult to clean thoroughly and it’s all too easy for plaque bacteria and food particles to get trapped in these areas, eventually causing cavities to develop.

Dental sealants can help protect these areas and are something Dr David Brown may recommends for younger patients as they are most effective when applied to the newly erupted permanent teeth of children and teenagers. Although they are most commonly used in younger patients there’s nothing to stop them being applied to adult teeth provided they are cavity free. The sealants are made out of a thin plastic like substance that doesn’t affect the way the teeth bite together. Once it’s applied it’s virtually invisible, or it may appear slightly white very close-up.

The Process for Applying Dental Sealants

The process for applying dental sealants is very quick and straightforward, and should only need one visit to our Leeds surgery. It doesn’t require the tooth to be modified in any way, and no tooth structure is removed. First of all the teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and dried before a special gel is applied which slightly roughens the tooth surface, increasing the bond between the tooth and the dental sealant. The next step is to remove the gel, dry the teeth once more and apply the dental sealant. The sealant doesn’t take very long to harden, and only covers the fissures and grooves in the teeth, and that’s really it. There’s no need to do anything special to look after the dental sealants as dentist Leeds will be checked at every visit to Leeds City Dentalcare. They generally need reapplying every 5 to 10 years.

Preventative dental care at Leeds City Dentalcare

Dental sealants are a great part of a preventative dental care plan as they can prevent cavities from forming in the teeth, lessening the need for any fillings. The problem with fillings is that they do need replacing periodically, and may require a little more tooth structure to be removed each time. Dental sealants are a non-invasive way of protecting the chewing surfaces of the teeth. In spite of this it still necessary to have a great oral hygiene routine, and to brush twice a day and floss once a day.

While dental sealants are generally used on healthy teeth that are free from any signs of disease, it can sometimes be possible to use them on teeth that are only showing very early signs of dental caries but which don’t yet have any cavities. It’s thought that sealing in the bacteria with dental sealants can greatly slow down the progression of tooth decay. This is only possible in a small minority of cases, and is something we’ll discuss with you when you visit our Leeds surgery.

Dental sealants have been successfully used for decades, so they’ve been extensively studied for their effectiveness, and the technology used is extremely safe.

Bad breath or halitosis is something many of us worry about having as no one likes to offend! Most of us have it at least occasionally due to eating something that’s highly flavoured, but this quickly passes as soon as the food has been eliminated from the body. Proper halitosis is quite another matter. The easiest way to tell whether or not you have bad breath is to simply ask a friend or relative to tell you the truth. The next thing to do is to try and find out what’s causing it. Common reasons for bad breath include:

• Bacteria building up in the mouth can cause infections and inflammation, and can create sulfurous odours.
• Most cases of bad breath are due to some kind of oral disease or inflammation. One of the most common reasons is gum disease, and bad breath can be one of the first symptoms.
• Poor oral hygiene can result in pieces of food becoming trapped in between the teeth which will gradually begin to rot and smell.
• Failing to clean dental braces or dentures properly can also cause bad breath as the appliances are likely to be covered in plaque bacteria and old food.

Bad breath can also be due to certain medical conditions including infections of the respiratory tract, acid reflux, bronchitis and diabetes. If you’ve gently been informed by someone that your breath is less than fresh then why not make an appointment to come and see us at Leeds City Dentalcare? An appointment with Dr. David Brown or another Leeds dentist should help discover the reason for your halitosis, and then we can work with you on clearing up the problem. If we can’t discover any reason for your bad breath then we might recommend you visit your doctor, just to make sure there isn’t any underlying medical cause. There are lots of different things you can do to improve your breath, and which will help prevent you from developing any problems in the first place.

Improve your Oral Hygiene Routine

One of the most essential is simply to practice good oral hygiene. Our Dental Leeds surgery recommends all our patients brush at least twice a day and floss once a day. Good quality fluoride toothpaste should help keep the teeth and gums clean, and if you want to use a mouthwash it might be worth choosing one that contains antibacterial agents. These will help fight bacteria that could cause noxious smells.

Regularly cleaning your tongue will help remove bacteria and food particles, and this can either be done with your toothbrush or by using a proper tongue scraper. If you’re not sure how to brush correctly or how to floss then ask one of our hygienists for a quick demonstration.

Visit Our Leeds Surgery for Checkups and Cleanings

Visiting our Leeds surgery every six months or so for regular checkups and cleanings will help make sure you don’t have any underlying dental problems. Getting early treatment for gum disease on Leeds or tooth decay will help keep your breath fresh. Regular cleanings are a great way to freshen up your smile as they help remove all the hardened plaque bacteria that build up on the teeth.

There’s certainly no need to put up with bad breath, and preventative dental care at our Leeds surgery can help prevent this problem from occurring in the first place.

We put a strong emphasis on preventative dental treatment at Leeds City Dentalcare as we believe it is better to prevent periodontal disease or gum disease from occurring, or to be able to treat it early before it can cause significant damage. Periodontal disease doesn’t only damage the teeth and gums, but can also affect general health. There have been numerous studies into the link between periodontal disease and overall health, and although many of the mechanisms aren’t yet known, there is a significant connection.

Gum disease is estimated to affect a large percentage of the population to some degree or other during their lifetime, and while it’s very easy for our Leeds dental surgery to treat it as a in the early stages, it becomes far more serious if allowed to develop into periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition caused by toxins produced by plaque bacteria in the mouth. It can create open wounds in the mouth allowing plaque bacteria to enter the bloodstream where they can travel freely around the body, potentially creating further sites of inflammation.

A healthy person may be able to deal with the type of inflammation, as their immune system will respond to the attack. Someone whose general health is compromised is less able to fight off this inflammation. Periodontal disease has been linked to a number of other serious health conditions, including diabetes.

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

Diabetes is becoming far more prevalent, and many diabetics will also suffer from some degree of gum disease, while up to a third will have periodontal disease. Diabetics aged over the age of 45 are nearly 3 times as likely to have severe periodontal disease compared to people without this condition.  Diabetes is a systemic disease and it affects the whole body, weakening the immune system. One of the side effects of diabetes is that it can cause the blood vessels to become thickened which means the body is less able to transport essential nutrients to tissues to aid repair and healing. It’s also more difficult for toxins and waste products to be removed.A healthy person is more able to fight off periodontal disease but a diabetic is less able to do this and the problems it can cause can be quite considerable.

Once plaque bacteria enter the bloodstream they can make it more difficult for diabetics to control blood sugar levels. The reason for this isn’t exactly known but it’s thought the inflammation could increase insulin resistance. In addition a diabetic’s saliva may contain more glucose which only helps plaque bacteria to thrive. It really is a bit of a vicious cycle. Being in poor oral health can make it difficult or even painful to eat which again can make it tricky eat a balanced diet and to regulate blood sugar levels properly.

Taking Extra Care of Oral Health

Anyone who is diabetic may need to attend our Leeds surgery more frequently for checkups and cleanings. This will help our dentists pick up any signs of gum disease, hopefully before it can create significant problems. Regular cleanings help to reduce the number of plaque bacteria present in the mouth so there’s less chance they can create infection and inflammation. It is also vitally important to have a great daily oral hygiene routine which should include flossing. Diabetics with periodontal disease may find it very uncomfortable or even painful to floss, and may wish to try an alternative method of cleaning in between the teeth such as using a WaterPik. The dentist in Leeds dental surgery will be able to advise patients on the best method for them.

Diabetes isn’t the only condition to be linked to periodontal disease, as it’s also thought to have a connection with heart disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis, and has even been linked to one recent study even linked it to impotence.

Tooth sensitivity is incredibly common, and it’s something we see in a lot of our patients and Leeds City Dentalcare. It can be temporary or permanent, and many people find exposing their teeth to hot or cold foods or specific types of foods increases sensitivity, and may even cause pain. If you do suffer from tooth sensitivity and haven’t been to the dentist Leeds for a while, then it’s worth booking appointment at our Leeds dental surgery as it could be due to an underlying oral health condition. In addition we may be able to suggest ways of lessening the sensitivity.

Reasons for Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can be due to a number of different reasons, and we’ve listed the most common below.

• Brushing your teeth too hard. While it’s important to brush your teeth regularly, it’s also important not to brush them too hard or to use a toothbrush with very hard bristles. If you use too much pressure then you could damage your gums, causing them to recede, and you could brush away the tooth enamel.
• Receding gums are another common reason for tooth sensitivity as they expose the tooth roots. The tooth roots aren’t covered in enamel, but in a substance called cementum which is much softer and easier to wear away. This increases sensitivity and leaves the tooth vulnerable to decay. Although receding gums can occur due to over brushing, they frequently pull back from the teeth due to gum disease.
• Teeth grinding can place great stress on the teeth, wearing away or chipping the enamel, or causing small cracks to form in the teeth. Anything that damages the tooth enamel will increase sensitivity, and small cracks can open up every time you bite down allowing foods and drink to penetrate the tooth more easily.
• Eating acidic foods can increase to sensitivity as the acid helps to wear away the protective layer of tooth enamel. The average diet has become far more acidic in recent years, increasing the likelihood of this occurring.

Methods for Preventing and Controlling Tooth Sensitivity

Having a great daily oral hygiene Leeds routine will help reduce the risk of tooth sensitivity. This is because it will help ensure the gums are healthy, and that tooth enamel is protected as much as possible against the risk of erosion and damage. An important part of this routine is to make sure you have the right tools, including a soft toothbrush with rounded bristles that won’t damage your teeth and gums. Brushing gently around the gum line will help ensure plaque and food particles are removed while not damaging this sensitive tissue.

It’s worth asking the staff at our Leeds surgery for advice on the best products to use. Many of our patients find it helpful to use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. These help keep the tooth enamel strong, and contain ingredients designed to block up the tiny tubules in any exposed areas of dentine. These tubules lead directly to the central pulp area, allowing hot and cold foods to be transmitted directly to the pulp, potentially causing pain and discomfort. These toothpastes have to be used consistently for several weeks as the effects slowly build up. If Dr David Brown or another of our dentists thinks your teeth are sensitive due to a highly acidic diet, then we may recommend you modify your eating habits to help counteract tooth sensitivity.

Visiting Leeds City Dentalcare for regular check-ups and cleanings is an important part of helping to prevent and control tooth sensitivity. We’ll be able to identify any potential problems so they can be treated quickly, minimising sensitivity.

Tooth decay is extremely common, and most people will have had at least one filling by the time they reach adulthood. Although tooth decay generally occurs in children and young adults, and is one of the most common reasons younger people lose teeth, it can affect any one at any age. It’s something we see all too frequently in our Leeds surgery.

The reason it develops is down to the presence of plaque bacteria in the mouth. Everyone has these bacteria, and they live off food particles left in the mouth after eating. You can sometimes feel a sticky film over the teeth before brushing at the end of the day, and this is the plaque biofilm that is removed through brushing and flossing.

One of the most common sites for plaque is right at the back of the mouth, just above the gumline, and around the edges of fillings that may be slightly rough. Plaque begins building up on the teeth within half an hour of eating, and if not thoroughly removed will result in tooth decay. The reason for this is that plaque produces acids which will attack the enamel covering your teeth, and this process begins in as little as five minutes after eating.

Demineralisation

The acid causes a process called demineralisation to begin. This means essential minerals, such as phosphate and calcium are leached out of the enamel with the effect of softening it. At this stage your tooth enamel is more vulnerable to developing cavities as this acid erosion can lead to permanent loss of tooth enamel. The pH levels in the mouth remain acidic for at least half an hour after eating, before gradually returning to normal. At this stage a process call remineralisation begins.

Remineralisation

The minerals leeched out of the teeth during demineralisation remain in the saliva, and as the mouth becomes less acidic some of these minerals are re-deposited back into the tooth enamel, helping it to re-harden slightly. However, over time repeated acid attacks will gradually wear away the tooth enamel, leaving it more vulnerable to developing cavities.

Symptoms of early tooth decay can be easy to miss, but include noticing your teeth feel more sensitive to hot and cold foods, or that they may feel slightly achy after eating particular foods. Sometimes there may be visible signs of decay in the form of holes or pits in the teeth. Early intervention is part of the key to helping to prevent tooth decay.

Regular Check-ups

This is one of the reasons why we recommend you visit our Leeds City Dentalcare at six monthly intervals for a check-up. Dr David Brown, or another of our skilled dentists will be able to detect any early signs of tooth decay. They’ll do this by probing the tooth very gently to discover if the enamel is softer, or may take dental x-rays to identify small pockets of decay in hidden areas such as the contact areas between the teeth. Early detection means they can be treated far more easily. You’ll keep more of your tooth structure, treatment will be quicker as any fillings will be smaller, and it’ll be cheaper.

Watching your diet can also help, as frequent snacking will increase the number of times your teeth are exposed to acid. Eating sticky foods such as crisps and biscuits will also increase your risk. If you want a snack in between meals then try to aim for more tooth friendly foods such as cheese or crunchy vegetables.

There is no escaping the fact that flossing can seem like a pretty tedious task, especially at the end of a long day when all you want to do is go to bed, so is it really necessary to floss every single day? You probably already know the answer this one, as yes unfortunately it is. Flossing is the only way to reach plaque and food particles that can build up in between the teeth and right down at the gum line.

These are places where a toothbrush can’t reach, but unless the plaque is thoroughly removed from these areas it will begin to harden within just forty eight hours or so.

Hardened plaque is called calculus or tartar, and can only be removed by being scraped away during a professional cleaning at our Leeds surgery. In addition, the contact areas between your teeth account for approximately a third of your tooth surfaces, so by failing to floss you are only cleaning two thirds of your teeth. Failure to clean these areas will greatly increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease Leeds.

What is the Best Way to Floss?

There is definitely a bit of a technique to flossing correctly, and the best way to learn how to do it properly is to ask for a demonstration next time you visit Leeds City Dentalcare. However until then we have put together a quick summary below.

• Use an adequate length of floss, as most people make the mistake of being too stingy. Ideally you need a length of approximately eighteen inches. This means you have enough floss to wind it around your middle fingers.
• There should be an inch or so of floss in between your middle fingers. Slide this length down in between the tooth to just below the gum line. Then hold the floss against the tooth before sliding it back up, as this will help to give maximum coverage.
• Wind the floss onto a fresh section before repeating for each tooth.
• You shouldn’t force the floss in between each tooth as this could damage the gum tissues.

It may well be worth experimenting with a few different types of floss until you find one you are comfortable using, as there are quite a few different kinds on the market including waxed and unwaxed, and nylon flosses. You may even need to buy more than kind to accommodate different members of your household.

I Can’t Get on with Floss, What Can I Do?

Some people simply cannot get on with floss and find it impossible to use, especially if their teeth are particularly crowded and it is tricky to get the floss in between each tooth without it getting stuck. The good news is that there are alternatives, and we strongly recommend you persevere until you find a method you are happy with. The choices include:

Interdental brushes or soft picks. Interdental brushes look a little like tiny Christmas tree shaped brushes, and come in a wide variety of sizes. You may already have been recommended to use them by Dr David Brown, or another dentist at our Leeds Surgery, as they are very good for cleaning around dental implants and underneath bridges. A lot of people who struggle with floss find these much easier to use, and they are pretty effective.

Water flossers, or air flossers. Water flossers use pressurised water to remove food debris and plaque from in between the teeth. They are very effective and easy to use, and can be a lot quicker than manual flossing. Studies have shown them to be very good at removing the plaque biofilm, and they may be a good choice for anyone with limited dexterity. Air flossers work in a similar way using a combination of air and water. These devices can also be used to deliver medicated mouthwash into pockets around the teeth of people with gum disease. The disadvantage of these flossers is the cost, as they are the most expensive way of flossing.

The main thing is to do something in the way of flossing every day, and to ask our dentist Leeds dental surgery for help and advice if you find this task difficult, or if you think you may not be doing it correctly.