This section deals with the most common concerns and questions people are faced when approaching dentists. If you require any further information about your dental health, please do not hesitate to contact us ……
 
Q: Why is brushing important?
A: Daily brushing and cleaning between your teeth is important because it removes plaque. If the plaque isn't removed, it continues to build up, feeding on the food debris left behind and causing tooth decay and gum disease.

Q: How can plaque cause decay?
A: When you eat food containing sugars and starches, the bacteria in plaque produce acids, which attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with teeth. After this happens many times, the tooth enamel breaks down forming a hole or cavity.

Q: How can plaque cause gum disease?
A: Plaque can harden into something called calculus another name for it is 'tartar'.As calculus forms near the gumline, the plaque underneath releases poisons causing the gums to become irritated and inflamed. The gums begin to pull away from the teeth and the gaps become infected. If gum disease is not treated promptly, the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed and healthy teeth may be lost. Gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss in adults and can lead to dentures, bridges or implants.

Q: How can I prevent gum disease?
A: It is important to remove plaque and food debris from around your teeth, as this will stop your gums from swelling and becoming infected. If you leave plaque on your teeth it can develop into tartar, which can only be removed by the dentist or hygienist. It is important to keep up your regular appointments so that your teeth can have a thorough cleaning if they need it.

Q: How do I know if I have gum disease?
A: Gum disease (gingivitis) will show itself as red, swollen gums that bleed when brushed or flossed. Many people are alarmed when they notice this bleeding and will then brush more gently, if at all. It is important that you continue to clean regularly and firmly in order to fight the condition.

What causes bad breath?
The most common cause of bad breath is bad smelling gases that are by-products of bacterial activity in the mouth, or a form of gum disease.

How can bad breath be cured?
Improving oral hygiene in the following ways can help cure bad breath. However, if it persists, a visit to the dentist may be necessary to find out the exact cause.

• Use a quality toothpaste, with fluoride – you may want to use an antibacterial toothpaste.
• Don’t forget to clean behind the back teeth.
• Bad breath can be associated with gum disease, particularly if rubbing the areas between the teeth and gums yields a foul odour.
• Try cleaning the tongue gently.
• Using a mouthwash can help, but don’t give it to small children.
• Floss or clean between your teeth.
• Chew sugar-free gum if your mouth feels dry. Chewing parsley, mint, cloves or fennel seeds may also help.
• Clean your mouth after eating or drinking.
• Avoid drinking too much coffee, as it tends to make bad breath worse.

What is the correct way to brush teeth?
I recommend you take at least two minutes to clean teeth thoroughly in the following way:

How often should I change my toothbrush?
It is important to change your toothbrush on a regular basis – at least every three months. This is because:

Why do teeth become sensitive?
Teeth become sensitive when their nerve endings become exposed. Neither tooth enamel nor the ‘cement’ covering the root have nerve endings, but in some teeth, gum disease, excessive brushing, tooth grinding or general wear can expose nerve endings in the dentine.
This makes the tooth sensitive to touch and to hot, cold and sweet things. Toothpastes for sensitive teeth, can really help by protecting the exposed nerve endings.

When should I start taking my baby to the dentist?
It’s never too early to take your child to the dentist – even if it’s not for an examination they will get used to the environment and appreciate that the dental surgery is not a frightening place. However, if you tend to be nervous and edgy when visiting the dentist, let someone who is more relaxed take the baby on their first visit.

How should I choose a toothbrush?
It’s important that your toothbrush can reach all the surfaces of your teeth. So a brush with a smaller head is generally better than one with a larger head. Whether you choose a toothbrush with a straight handle or not depends on the shape of your mouth and how easily you can manipulate the brush.

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