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Chessington Dental Practice Blog

Facts About Tooth Whitening

teeth health smile dental diabetes teethwhiteningTooth whitening can take on average 30 minutes to an hour. For effective results, you may require a number of sessions spread out over several weeks to get a bright white beautiful smile that is many shades whiter.

Key takeaways:

  • Teeth staining or discoloration may be caused by the aging process, smoking, tartar, or by drinks and foods such as coffee and red wine.
  • Professional teeth bleaching at the dentist?s office is the most common form of teeth whitening. Laser whitening is a new, quicker, and more effective option.
  • Tooth whitening may have side effects such as tooth sensitivity, sore throat and pain along the gum line.
The effects of whitening are thought to last up to three years. However, this will vary from person to person. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, or eat or drink products that can stain your teeth.

https://www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/cosmetic-dentistry/tooth-whitening

Facts About Oral and Throat Cancer

teeth health smile dental diabetes mouthcancer oralcancerCommon signs of oral cancer include difficulty chewing, irritation and soreness, a lump, pain, and tenderness. People should be on the lookout for any of these symptoms and should visit a dentist if any symptom is observed.

Key takeaways:

  • People who smoke and consume alcohol excessively are at the greatest risk of oral cancer.
  • The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has been found to cause cancer of the oropharyngeal region, the base of the tongue and the tonsils.
  • Regular dental visits for checkups will help to identify symptoms of oral cancer at an early stage and treatment commenced early enough.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the first thing you should do before beginning cancer treatment is to see your dentist. After your treatment begins, be sure to check your mouth every day for sores or other changes.

Read the full story here

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oral-cancer

Lesser Known Side Effects of Diabetes

teeth health smile dental diabetesIt is estimated that 8.3 percent of Americans who suffer from diabetes are also at greater risk for tooth loss. This is especially true for diabetes patients who are 50 years and older.

Key takeaways:

  • People suffering from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes had on average ten missing teeth upon oral examination.
  • Diabetics were also at high risk of edentulism which is the total loss of teeth. Diabetics have a 28 percent greater risk of being toothless.
  • High blood sugar levels were found to disrupt the delivery of nutrients and the removal of waste from gum tissue leading to periodontitis and eventually tooth loss.
While those who have poorly controlled diabetes are most likely to experience tooth decay, even well-managed diabetics are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease.

Read the full story here

http://www.prevention.com/health/diabetes/tooth-loss-side-effect-diabetes

Control of Blood Glucose Affected By Dental Problems

smile teeth healthPeople with diabetes should check for painful, bleeding or inflamed gums. Gum disease has been found to adversely affect the regulation of blood sugar.

Key takeaways:
High levels of blood glucose cause problems for the teeth and the oral cavity because it promotes growth of harmful bacteria.

Uncontrolled blood sugar is therefore linked to a greater risk of gum disease.

Serious periodontal disease on the other side has a high potential of causing the progression of diabetes.

Other dental complications related to uncontrolled diabetes include thrush, an oral fungus, and dry mouth, which can cause sores and ulcers. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, the better you control your blood glucose, the lower your risk is for periodontitis.
Read the full story here
http://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/symptoms/why-dental-problems-make-it-hard-to-control-blood-glucose/

Ways You Can Relieve Tooth Sensitivity

teeth health smile dentalDo you sip your coffee and feel shooting pain in your teeth? Your problem is tooth sensitivity, often caused by habits such as chewing on ice and aggressive brushing.

Key takeaways:

  • Brush your teeth gently using a soft-bristled toothbrush twice every day. You should use short strikes following the up and down movement.
  • Rinse your mouth with fluoride mouthwash after brushing to protect teeth from cavities and tooth decay.
  • Stay away from highly acidic foods and drinks such as citrus fruits and citrus fruit-based juices that will cause enamel erosion leading to sensitive teeth and tooth decay.
If you have severely sensitive teeth, you might want to consider an in-office dental treatment. Gel fluoride treatments (available in higher concentrations than you?d find in over-the-counter products), crowns, inlays, or bonding can all help cover sensitive areas on your teeth, the ADA says.

Read the full story here

http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/dental-health/8-ways-relieve-tooth-sensitivity/#09

Prosecco Ruining the Teeth of Many Women

teeth health smile dentalThe consumption of Prosecco in the UK has grown tremendously in the last few years owing to the low amount of calories. However, the wine is responsible to damage to the outer surface of the teeth.

Key takeaways:

  • The odd glassful of prosecco, a sparkly wine, has been blamed for enamel erosion on the teeth.
  • Prosecco is a popular drink among women, but has caused great damage to their teeth without their knowledge.
  • The wine damages teeth through sugar that feeds bacteria in the mouth and through high amounts of carbon dioxide that is highly acidic. Acid causes enamel erosion and weakening of teeth.
And dentists know if the erosion in your mouth is being caused by drinks rather than food because the front teeth - which are in contact with liquid the most - are the first to be affected.

Read the full story here

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3474103/How-PROSECCO-ruin-teeth-Think-favourite-fizz-healthy-option-Sorry-dentist-won-t-agree.html

What to Do During Baby Teeth Extractions

#teethhealth smile dental childrenEven though tooth extraction can be made stress free during the procedure, it can turn painful post the procedure. Control of pain and prevention of infection after tooth extraction is important.

Key takeaways:

  • Tooth extraction is associated with bleeding. The dentist will use a small piece of gauze to prevent excessive bleeding.
  • Your child should get some rest after tooth extraction to avoid strenuous exercise.
  • You should keep the mouth clean by swishing some saline water. It will help to prevent infection at the site of extraction.
You can also give your child painkillers such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen after the blood clot has formed. However, remember not to give your child any pain medication before the extraction appointment as it can lead to blood clotting issues.

Read the full story here

http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/how-to-take-care-of-baby-teeth-extractions-t0916/

Do You Suffer From Fear of the Dentist?

teeth health smile dentalIf you dread a visit to the dentist, you're certainly not alone. It is estimated that one in four people are fearful about dental work.

Key takeaways:

  • Some people have serious dental problems,including severe pain, because they are afraid of dentistry.
  • Today's dentists are trained to provide stress-free, pain-free dental treatments, using new technology and techniques. They can provide gentle sedation, if necessary, to keep patients comfortable.
  • There's nothing more to fear, and every reason to get the dental treatment you need. Your dental health affects your overall health, including heart health. And, no one should live with dental pain.
  • Often, simply booking an early morning appointment will help combat the phobia - as you have less time to think about the visit. Also, meeting the dental team helps provide comfort. Talk to the dental team, and share your fears. They will be very helpful in overcoming the phobia, and very encouraging.
Some people have such bad dental phobia that they haven't seen a dentist for years. It's common to hear from someone in their twenties or thirties or even older who hasn't been to the dentist since childhood.

Read the full story here

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/Fearofthedentist.aspx

High-Tech Brushing of Your Teeth

teeth health smile dentalThe Genius Pro 8000 gives you such a good clean brush, as it's ultra-21st century.

Key takeaways:

  • The Genius Pro 8000 was one such toothbrush that has been developed by Oral-B with fancy features just as the name suggests.
  • The toothbrush can be paired with the Oral-B smartphone app which can provide real-time feedback on your brushing procedure.
  • The app helps to track the position of the toothbrush in the mouth ensuring that you do not leave out areas of the mouth or over brush in certain areas.
The toothbrush can be personalized with 12 different LED colours, and features a round head that surrounds each tooth while it oscillates.

Read the full story here

http://dailyhive.com/toronto/dh12days-2016-oral-b-toronto

Eating Disorders May Damage Teeth

teeth health smilePeople with eating disorders are often in denial and will not come out openly about the problem. Eating disorders therefore bring about adverse outcomes to your dental health.

Key takeaways:

  • Eating disorders can cause severe and irreversible damage in the mouth.
  • Highly corrosive stomach contents in vomit will cause erosion of tooth enamel which leads to sensitive and brittle teeth and makes them vulnerable to decay.
  • Failure to get the required nutrients such as iron and vitamin B will lead to canker sores and bad breath
Although it can be difficult to talk about your eating disorder, it's a good idea to tell your dentist about your eating problem. Having said that, eating disorders are often characterized by denial and even shame and so suffers may not be immediately open.

Read the full story here

http://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/2016/11/30/news/ask-the-dentist-eating-disorders-are-damaging-to-teeth-807222/

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