Dentist in Leeds - Dental Blog - Leeds City Dental Care

Caring for Your Dentures

If you are new to wearing dentures, and have just received partial or full dentures from Leeds City Dentalcare, then you may be wondering about the best way to look after them. Proper denture care will help to prolong the life of your dentures and will help ensure your mouth remains clean and healthy. Tips for looking after them include:

Making sure you handle them gently, as if you accidentally drop them they could break. It is best to handle them over a soft surface such as a towel, or over a bowl of water.
Your dentures need cleaning thoroughly every day, and must be brushed to remove food and plaque. This will help keep them fresh and free from stains. You can buy special denture brushes that are particularly soft, and which won’t damage the surface of your denture. Normal toothbrushes and toothpaste are too harsh for use on dentures and could damage the acrylic, as could household cleaners. For an extra clean finish you may want to invest in an ultrasonic cleaner for use after brushing.
Once you have finished cleaning your denture then rinse it in fresh water, and store it in a container with denture soaking solution or plain water. This will prevent it from warping as dentures need to be kept moist when not being worn. Don’t place them in hot water as this could warp the acrylic base.

Adjustments and Repairs

Brand new dentures often need slight adjustments soon after you begin wearing them, so it is likely that you will need to visit our Leeds surgery for a follow-up appointment shortly after receiving them. Please don’t try to adjust them yourself as you could end up weakening the denture, or even breaking it. If you do happen to break it then please contact us to get it repaired. We’ll get this done as quickly as possible for you so you shouldn’t be without it for very long. Please do not try to mend it yourself, as it is important to get it repaired properly. Household glues will damage the denture, and it can be surprisingly difficult to fit the pieces back together accurately if you do not have the proper equipment and materials. Any cracks or breaks in your denture do need to be repaired using the same acrylic material used for its construction.

Relining, Rebasing and Replacing Dentures

Over time the shape of your gums will change, especially if you wear full dentures or if you have a lower denture. The reason for this is that the bone in your jaw is gradually reabsorbed, so the bony ridge that supports and retains your denture will become flatter. One consequence of this is that your dentures may become more difficult to retain, and they may begin to move around, making eating and speaking increasingly difficult.

At this stage Dr David Brown may suggest you have your dentures rebased or relined. This is where a completely new denture base is fitted to your existing dentures, reusing the existing teeth. This process can help prolong the life of your denture, but you should be prepared for them to need replacing every three to six years. It is important to make sure your denture continues to fit well, not only for your comfort but also to help protect the bone in your jaw. If you wear a poorly fitting denture then your jawbone will reabsorb more quickly.

Stabilising Dentures with Implants

If you find dentures very difficult to wear then there may be an alternative solution. Dentures can be stabilised with as few as four dental implants, a process that is becoming increasingly popular. If you’d like to know more, then contact our dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare for a consultation, and to find out if you are suitable for implants.

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.

What is Dental Fluorosis?

Dental fluorosis is a condition that affects the appearance of the teeth. It is caused by being exposed to too much fluoride before the age of eight when the permanent teeth are still developing. Most people will only have very mild signs of this condition, and it is generally found amongst people who grew up drinking water that was naturally high in fluoride. Anyone who is native to Leeds is less likely to have this condition as the fluoride levels locally are quite low. However people do move around more nowadays and it is something we do see in patients visiting Leeds City Dentalcare.

This phenomenon is nothing new, as it first caught the attention of dental researchers early last century when it was noticed that people living in areas where the fluoride levels were naturally high were more likely to have brown, stained looking teeth. Researchers also noticed that the incidence of dental cavities in this group tended to be lower than in the rest of the population.

While generally caused by naturally occurring fluoride, this condition can also be due to overuse of fluoridated dental products. Some fluoride products such as mouthwash and toothpaste can taste nice, and this may lead to children swallowing the excess rather than spitting it out. This is one of the reasons that Dr David Brown and other dental professionals in our Leeds surgery may advise parents to exercise caution over using fluoride products on very young children, and parental supervision during teeth cleaning is always very important.

At its mildest level this condition simply causes white flecks that can look almost like lace to appear on the surfaces of the teeth, but discolourations can range from yellow to dark brown. If overexposure has been more extreme then fluorosis can even cause pitting on the tooth surfaces, and some of these pits can be quite noticeable. This can be distressing for the person involved, and the effects of dental fluorosis can be tricky to mask.

Getting a Diagnosis from Leeds City Dentalcare

Our dentist in Leeds at our Cosmetic dentistry Leeds will be able to tell if you or anyone in your family has fluorosis, and will be able to diagnose the degree of severity. Sometimes this condition may only affect the back teeth that are impossible to see, or it may be so mild that no action is necessary. It is important to remember that fluorosis is not a disease, and that the effects are cosmetic.

Treating Fluorosis

Fluorosis can be treated in a number of different ways depending on the severity of the stains. Sometimes teeth whitening may be successful on very mild fluorosis, but the results can vary. Your dentist at Leeds City Dentalcare would be able to advise you on this at the time of consultation, but this would be one of the most cost effective methods of masking the stains.

Other ways of masking the stains include dental bonding, which is where a composite resin material is used to cover up the affected areas. This is another affordable treatment, and the composite resin should last several years before it requires replacement.

Fluorosis can sometimes be improved through a process called microabrasion. This is where a tiny amount of the tooth surface is removed to help improve the stains. Fluoride is then applied topically to the surface. This might seem a strange thing to do to treat fluorosis, but this condition is caused by ingested fluoride rather than fluoride that is applied externally, and the application of topical fluoride helps to harden the treated surfaces.

You could also choose to have the affected teeth veneered, as this is a very effective and long-lasting way of covering up the stains. This solution would be perfect if you had been thinking about having a bit of a smile makeover, and would like to improve their shape and overall appearance at the same time. You may also chose to have your teeth crowned, but this option would involve removing the most amount of tooth structure, and is not something our Leeds surgery is likely to recommend unless these teeth have substantial decay or damage.

Dr. David S Brown

Using Botox and Dermal Fillers

Botox and dermal fillers are a very good way of helping to freshen up your looks without having any radical treatment, but it is important to consult a qualified specialist. This type of treatment is not right for everyone, and you will need to visit Leeds City Dentalcare for an assessment to see if you are suitable. We’ll discuss these treatments with you, and can answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Botox is a very good treatment for helping to rejuvenate your looks, especially for the upper third portion of the face. It can be good for softening the appearance of fine lines around the eyes, as well as for treating lines in the forehead and frown lines. It can also be very effective for treating the lower facial area, and for softening lines caused by smoking. Botox tends to work best on those lines that are caused by the action of the muscles in the face. It is not an effective option for reducing lines or marks that are due to other reasons, for example acne scars.

Dermal fillers help to plump up the skin, giving a younger and fresher appearance. When used by a specialist such as Dr David Brown or another of our dentists, dermal fillers can smooth out wrinkles and lines. They are useful for adjusting the look of the chin, cheeks and lips, and both Botox and dermal fillers are something that can be used in combination to give a subtle but healthier appearance.

Not Just for Women

Botox is no longer the preserve of women, as a number of patients seeking this treatment at our Leeds surgery are men. It is ideal for men who are just beginning to show the early signs of aging, and who would like to minimise these signs for as long as possible. It is quick, discreet and minimally invasive. One thing to bear in mind is that larger men will need a larger quantity of Botox to achieve good results, but this is something that will be carefully calculated prior to treatment.

Using Botox for Migraines

Botox is often thought of as only being suitable for rejuvenating facial appearance, but in fact it is a surprisingly versatile treatment that can be used to help migraine sufferers. Anyone who has ever had a migraine will know just how debilitating this condition can be, but Botox can help relieve the pain. The exact way in which it does this isn’t fully known, but it is thought the toxin works through preventing particular chemicals from reaching nerve endings, reducing pain, as well as relieving the tightness of muscles in the head area. The effects are not immediately felt, as the results can take a week or so to fully manifest, reaching a peak approximately six weeks after being injected. The effects of Botox on migraines usually fade around three months after the injections. Botox can also help ease other symptoms associated with migraines such as fatigue, feeling nauseous or vomiting, neck pain and sensitivity to light.

If you are interested in the use of Botox for relieving migraine pain then please contact our dentist in Leeds for a free consultation.

Dr. David S Brown

Richard III May Have Had Poor Oral Health, But You Don’t Need to!

Richard III was the last English monarch to die in battle and his remains that were recently revealed underneath a council car park, have shown much about his dental health. Apparently it wasn’t too good as our King was likely to have been a teeth grinder, a condition that is often stress-related, and he was also in poor oral health. There is evidence that he may have had several teeth extracted, something that probably was none too pleasant as this process was carried out by barber surgeons without the use of modern anaesthetics and equipment that we all take for granted today.

There is also evidence that he had decay in several of his teeth, as some of those right at the back are missing, and he almost certainly had a build-up of tartar or hardened plaque bacteria on his teeth. Interestingly these tartar deposits were less on some teeth than on others, showing that people during this time may have had a basic understanding about dental hygiene. It is expected that analysis of this tartar will give an insight as to which strains of bacteria were present at the time.

The king was unusual in that his diet was much richer in carbohydrates and sugars than the ordinary people of the time, increasing the chances of developing gum disease and tooth decay. History can be very interesting, but most of us are probably thankful we did not have to live in those times when dental technology had yet to make much progress. While Richard III may have had some excuse for having poor teeth there is no reason for Leeds residents to have poor oral health.

Decent Dental Care Can Make Your Teeth Last a Lifetime

Nowadays dentists, especially those at Leeds City Dentalcare, have the knowledge and the technology to take care of patients teeth. Combining great dental hygiene at home with regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings at our Leeds surgery will help keep your smile looking good for longer, and will ensure you don’t have any significant tartar build ups on your teeth. Our surgery believes patient education is very important, and our dental team can advise you on how best to improve your oral hygiene, and can even demonstrate techniques to make this daily task easier. Access to fluoride toothpaste, quality toothbrushes and dental floss are something we all take for granted, and when properly used can really make a difference in getting and maintaining oral health.

If you are like royalty, and are prone to grinding your teeth, then it does pay to take action to protect them, and to try to break this habit. We can supply you with a mouthguard that can be worn overnight, and which will protect your teeth while you are asleep, and we can suggest various things you can try to help bring down your stress levels so you no longer grind your teeth.

If you are missing teeth then talk to Dr David Brown or another of our dentist in Leeds about the best way to replace them. Wherever possible we would recommend dental implants as this method is the most natural and permanent method of replacement. However this method isn’t always the most suitable option as you do need to be in good general health. If we don’t feel it is right for you then we can still replace your teeth with either a bridge or partial denture, making it easier for you to eat and speak.

Dr. David S Brown

Adding Fluoride to Water Supplies Finds Favour with Many

A recent survey found that some 86% of people thought it was a good idea to have fluoride added to their drinking water. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in some drinking water in the UK and is naturally present in many foods. However the public water supply in Leeds has a low level of naturally occurring fluoride especially compared to some areas. The idea of adding fluoride to public drinking water supplies is nothing new as research has been on-going over the past 50 years and it’s quite a controversial subject. While some people may be happy for fluoride to be added to the drinking water, others are completely against it. Fluoride may be toxic if ingested in sufficient quantities, but public water supplies are strictly monitored. At the moment approximately 12% of the population in the UK have access to fluoridated water, and only the water in Hartlepool and Essex contains enough natural fluoride to be beneficial to teeth.

Numerous studies have found fluoride to be safe, and a recent Australian study has found even more evidence that fluoride can help prevent tooth decay in adults regardless of whether they began drinking fluoridated water in childhood. The chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, certainly feels that fluoride has been very important in improving oral health in the UK and that generally speaking the UK would support fluoridation. He feels it would be the most important measure that the UK government could make to improve the country’s dental health and has pointed out that the addition of fluoride toothpaste has reduced tooth decay by up to 50%.

Receiving Adequate Fluoride through Dental Care and Diet

Even though Leeds has low levels of naturally occurring fluoride it is still possible to receive adequate amounts through your diet, and through using fluoridated dental care products. Fluoride is found in many vegetables as well as some fruit juices and even in certain cereals. You are almost certainly using fluoridated toothpaste, and some people may choose to prolong the effects by using fluoride mouthwash.

This will be enough for many people, especially when combined with regular dental care checks at Leeds City Dentalcare. Dr David Brown or any of the dental team here in Leeds is more than happy to give patients advice on which products may suit their dental needs, and how to lower the risk of tooth decay through having a great oral hygiene regime at home.

It’s certainly true that fluoride can help to strengthen the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay, but the benefits provided through brushing and flossing your teeth properly account for a great deal. If we think you are at risk of tooth decay then we may suggest additional fluoride treatments to help strengthen your tooth enamel. We may prescribe fluoride treatment at the end of your dental checkup or professional cleaning just to give you an extra boost. Fluoride can be supplied in a number of ways as it can be used in dental trays, or it can be painted onto the teeth as fluoride varnish.

Our dentist in Leeds can also advise you on the use of fluoride products for children as we may not recommend you use fluoride toothpaste before your child is able to spit out the excess, and if you choose to use fluoride mouthwash then it should be kept out of the reach of very young children just in case they think it looks good enough to drink.

Dr. David S Brown

Nervous Patients Needn’t Worry When Visiting Leeds City Dentalcare

The most recent Adult Dental Health Survey was published in 2009, and backed up findings of earlier surveys, confirming that many people feel some level of anxiety when visiting the dentist. The most recent study found nearly half of adults have moderate or extreme anxiety when visiting the dentist, with increased levels of anxiety being felt at the prospect of injections or drilling. It is enough of a problem to prevent some people from seeking dental care, even when they are in pain. This is something we take very seriously at Leeds City Dentalcare, as we want all our patients to feel at ease and relaxed as possible when paying us a visit. Our staff aregenuinely interested in helping patients who feel anxious when entering our cosmetic dentistry Leeds, and are very experienced as we have been successfully treating anxious patients for years.

We realise that some people have felt unable to visit a dentist for years, possibly even decades, and if this resonates with you then you can rest assured that we will work with you to provide treatment at a pace you feel comfortable with. We won’t do anything unless you give us permission, and we’ll explain everything to you so you fully understand what is happening. We do not judge in any way, and only want to help you regain and maintain good oral health.

Your First Appointment with Leeds City Dentalcare

It is important to remember your first appointment with our dentist in Leeds is simply for a check-up, and will not involve any treatment. We make every effort to see our patients on time, so you won’t be kept hanging around in our waiting room as we realise this is something that can add to many peoples anxieties. This is your chance to become familiar with our surgery, and it gives us a chance to get to know you. You’ll find we take the time to talk to you, to discuss your concerns, and we’ll offer workable solutions to help alleviate anxiety. If you require any treatment then Dr David Brown or another of our dentists will discuss this with you, and can work with you to construct a treatment plan that you feel will work for you.

Receiving Treatment

Once you feel ready to receive dental treatment then you can be sure that you will remain in control at all times. We will stop the treatment at any time should you feel too uncomfortable to continue. If we think you look at all uncomfortable then we’ll stop to see how you are doing, and will continually check to ensure you still feel able to continue. Anxious patients often feel helpless when receiving dental treatment, and we find putting control back into their hands is very reassuring.

Oral health is very important, and once you are in the habit of receiving regular dental care then we hope you’ll feel far more comfortable about visiting Leeds City Dentalcare. The reality is that six monthly check-ups, combined with good dental care at home should help keep dental problems to a minimum. Any treatment you may need is likely to be quick and straightforward.

Still Concerned? Why Not Book a Hygienist Appointment First?

Recent changes by the General Dental Council mean it is now possible to see one of our hygienists in our Leeds surgery, without the need to see a dentist at the same time. If you are particularly apprehensive over receiving treatment you may find it easiest to book a scale and polish first. You’ll find our hygienists are very sympathetic towards anxious patients, and are able to help improve dental health through professionally cleaning your teeth and through education.

Dr. David S Brown

You Can See Our Hygienist without Booking a Check-up

Did you know you can visit Leeds City Dentalcare to see one of our hygienists, without the need to see Dr David Brown or another of our dentists? Of course we do hope to see you still for regular dental check-ups. The General Dental Council recently implemented new rules allowing this important change to the way patients receive dental care. If you are already a regular patient at our Leeds surgery then you’ll probably already be familiar with the high standard of care offered by our hygienists who are an essential part of the dental team.

Dental Hygienists Offer Great Preventative Dental Care

Visiting one of our hygienists at Leeds City Dentalcare is a great way to help gain and maintain a healthy mouth. Good dental hygiene will greatly help to reduce the risk of you developing any dental diseases such as gum disease or tooth decay, and will help your teeth to last for longer.

Your hygienist will scale and polish your teeth. This is a process that is familiar to many, and involves having the tartar removed from your teeth. Tartar consists of hardened plaque bacteria, and if left on the teeth is likely to irritate and inflame the gums as it produces toxins. Its removal will help ensure there is less risk of you developing gum disease.

If you do have any early signs of gum disease, a condition known as gingivitis, then our hygienist can offer you treatment and advice on how to cure this condition. One of the most noticeable signs of this condition is having gums that bleed when brushed or flossed, as healthy gums should never bleed. Quick action is essential to stop this disease in its tracks before it can progress into its more serious form which is called periodontal disease.

Your hygienist can offer you lots of useful advice on how to cure gingivitis. This is something that can be done simply by making sure you clean your teeth thoroughly, and that you floss once a day. However technique is very important, and this is when it can really help to have a professional assess your oral hygiene routine, as they will be able to identify any areas of weakness, and can work with you to improve it.

Improve your Brushing and Flossing Habits

It is all too easy to fall into bad habits when brushing and flossing, and to be unaware of areas that you may be missing. In addition, having great technique and using the right tools can help a lot. If you struggle with flossing there are a lot of different things to try to make this task easier. It is well worth discussing all these things with our hygienists when you visit our cosmetic dentistry Leeds, as they’ll be more than happy to demonstrate the correct and easiest way to floss, or to suggest alternative tools to try.

If you can’t get on with floss then there are alternative methods that can be very effective. These include soft picks that are made out of a rubber material. These are very easy to insert in between your teeth, and can be very good at removing food and plaque from the areas where the teeth contact each other. You could also try interdental brushes which are small wire brushes that come in a large variety of widths, and they work in much the same way as the soft picks. These will help to stimulate and massage your gum tissue, something that is very important in helping to prevent gum disease.

Dr. David S Brown

What are the Advantages of Having a CEREC Restoration?

Leeds City Dentalcare offers patients CEREC restorations. These are all-ceramic restorations that are completed in just one visit to our dental surgery, but what are the advantages of having this type of treatment?

The most immediate advantage has to be the speed at which the restoration can be made. They can be completed while you are still in the dental chair, and have an extremely good reputation. This type of restoration has been in use for quite a while, as CEREC technology was originally introduced some twenty five years ago. This means there have been a significant number of longer term studies conducted into how well these restorations last. After five years in the mouth 95% to 97% of CEREC crowns are still in place. After ten years in the mouth, between 90% and 95% of inlays and onlays are still intact. These figures are just as good, if not better than those achieved by treatments regarded as being the gold standard. It has also been shown that 98% of patients rate the results provided by this treatment as being either good or very good.

CEREC is an extremely versatile system that can be used to create inlays and onlays, crowns and partial crowns, and even small span bridges. The restorations produced by our milling machine are impressively accurate, and ensure all margins are sealed against bacteria. Dr David Brown or another one of our dentist in Leeds can create beautifully natural looking replacement teeth that give excellent aesthetics. Our particular machine is very fast, precise and quiet, and enables us to complete several restorations in one treatment session. This type of restoration is also a very good choice if you require a longer term temporary bridge.

Oral Health Benefits of CEREC

CEREC restorations offer a couple of significant health advantages over conventional restorations. They have been found to be very good for inlays, and are likely to lessen the risk of cracks developing in the tooth enamel as there is no need to fit a temporary inlay while the permanent restoration is being made by our dental laboratory. A study that compared CEREC inlays with more traditional gold inlays and laboratory fabricated ceramic inlays found CEREC to be superior. The fact that the restorations can be fitted immediately helps to stabilise the remaining tooth structure. This type of restoration is extremely conservative, meaning the minimum amount of tooth structure needs to be removed, something that is an enormous advantage.

How it Works

The CEREC system uses the latest technology to scan your tooth using a small infra-red camera. The camera produces a digital image of your restoration that is perfected by your dentist before the details are sent direct to the milling machine. The beauty of this system is that you won’t need to have any impressions taken of your mouth. We know many of our patients find this uncomfortable so this system is of huge benefit. We will have matched the shade of your tooth to one of the blocks of porcelain. The blocks come in a wide variety of shades and translucencies giving very natural results. Once the restoration is milled it is characterised and stained, before being glazed or polished so you leave our cosmetic dentistry in Leeds with your treatment completed.

While this system is fantastic for many restorations, it is not suitable for all. There are certain times when it may be better to place a traditionally fabricated crown. This is something Leeds City Dentalcare will discuss with you at the time of treatment.

Dr. David S Brown

What is Demineralisation and Remineralisation, and Why is it Important?

The process of demineralisation and remineralisation is something that occurs throughout the day in everyone’s mouths. Demineralisation is where essential minerals, including calcium and phosphate are removed from the hard, protective layer of tooth enamel. This is the outermost layer of the tooth, and it is essential it is kept strong to protect the tooth from decay. Demineralisation results in this layer becoming weaker and softer, and more susceptible towards decay. One of the first signs that this is occurring can be noticing your teeth are more sensitive towards hot and cold foods, and tooth sensitivity is something we see quite a lot of in our Leeds surgery.

Why Does Demilitarisation Occur?

Every time you eat something then the plaque bacteria present in your mouth will feast on the excess food particles that remain in between your teeth and on your teeth and gums. They produce acid as a by-product which attacks in the enamel layer on your teeth and it’s this action that causes essential minerals to be leached out of the tooth surface. The acid is produced within just a few minutes of eating or drinking, and your mouth is likely to remain acidic for between half an hour and an hour after eating. Demineralisation can also occur as a result of eating foods or drinking liquids that are particularly acidic such as citrus fruits and juices. After a while your mouth will become less acidic as the pH levels return to normal, allowing the second part of the process to occur.

Re-mineralisation of Your Tooth Enamel

Some of the phosphate and calcium ions will remain in your saliva, and as the pH levels return to normal these irons are redeposited into the tooth enamel helping it to re-harden. This is one of the reasons why our dentist at Leeds City Dentalcare may recommend you wait a while after eating and drinking before brushing your teeth. This will allow these essential ions to be redeposited into your teeth, as brushing too soon could mean they are brushed away and are lost forever. Even so it is important to brush and floss every day.

You Can Help Protect Your Tooth Enamel through Having a Great Oral Hygiene Routine

The plaque bacteria on your teeth play a major part in this process of demineralisation and re-mineralisation, as they gradually build up throughout the course of the day creating a sticky biofilm layer over your teeth and gums. This can be removed through regular brushing and flossing and the most essential times to brush your teeth are first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Flossing last thing at night will help ensure you go to bed with a clean mouth. This regime is especially important as the flow of saliva decreases overnight allowing plaque bacteria to build up on the teeth and gums so brushing first thing in the morning and last thing at night will help decrease their numbers.

Visiting our Leeds surgery at regular intervals for check-ups with Dr David Brown and for professional cleanings will also help to protect your tooth enamel. This is because our dental hygienist will remove all the hardened plaque bacteria from your teeth so there will be fewer bacteria to attack your tooth enamel. Our dental team will also be able to check how well you are cleaning your teeth and can give you lots of helpful advice on how to improve your daily routine.

Dr. David S Brown

The Importance of Having Healthy Gums

People often think good dental health means having healthy teeth, but it is vitally important to take good care of your gums, something we do stress to all of our patients in Leeds. Your gums and the ligaments surrounding your teeth have an important job to do as they help to hold your teeth firmly in place, and without their support your teeth would become loose and will eventually fall out. Healthy gums that are in good shape should be pale pink in colour, and should fit snugly around the necks of the teeth. There should be no gaps or signs that the gums have begun to pull away from the teeth. These are all things we assess during your regular check-ups at Leeds City Dentalcare.

It is pretty easy to look after your gums, and provided you clean your teeth properly and floss once-a-day you are unlikely to have any significant problems. However it is all too easy to become complacent over your daily oral hygiene routine and that is where we can help. Next time you visit our Leeds surgery why not ask Dr David Brown, or any of our dental staff for their advice on how you can improve your daily regime. Your hygienist is a wealth of information as they can identify areas of the mouth that you may regularly be missing, and can show you various techniques on how to brush and floss more thoroughly. It can also help to take a methodical approach to cleaning your teeth as this will ensure you don’t miss any sections of your mouth.

Flossing is Essential for Healthy Gums

We know many people find flossing a real chore, but it is important to do something to remove food and plaque bacteria from in between the teeth. With the correct technique this essential task should only take a few minutes to complete and really does help keep your gums healthy. If you can’t stand the thought of flossing in the conventional way then try out alternative methods. You can buy interdental brushes from your local chemist, and these look a little like tiny Christmas tree shaped brushes that come in a variety of different sizes. These can be used to clean in between the teeth and help to stimulate the gum tissue. Another option is to purchase a water or air flosser. These literally squirt away the debris from in between your teeth using water, or both water and air. The concept may sound strange but they are pretty effective and can be very good for anyone who finds it difficult to manipulate dental floss.

Come to Visit us regularly at Leeds City Dentalcare

Regular visits to our Leeds surgery are an essential part of maintaining your healthy gums. We will check to make sure you do not have any signs of gum disease, and can take action to ensure treatment is quick and effective. You can also help yourself by keeping an eye out for any early symptoms of gum disease.

Important things to look out for include any changes in the colour of your gums, for instance noticing that they look redder than normal, and any signs of bleeding when you brush or floss. If you notice these symptoms then do make an appointment to visit a dentist at Leeds surgery as early treatment is essential. Having your teeth professionally cleaned will help considerably, as will paying extra attention to your brushing and flossing regime. You should notice your gums begin to look healthier in just a few weeks so they can continue their important task of supporting your teeth.