Dentures explained….
July 5th, 2010Dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth. The denture is usually put in the mouth in the morning and taken out before bedtime.
Partial denture: a denture that replaces a few missing teeth and anchors with a tight fit to the existing teeth.
Full denture: a denture that replaces all the teeth in one jaw.
Why dentures?
- When a bridge cannot be used because the supporting teeth are not fit to carry it. For example when the teeth are loose due to gum disease.
- When implant treatment is not an option because of the quality and quantity of the jawbone. Or, if the patient’s health does not allow undergoing the surgical procedure.
- To temporarily replace a tooth/teeth straight after an extraction to allow time for healing before bridge or implant treatment.
- When cost is an issue. Dentures are usually a cheaper option compared to bridges and implants.
Dentures are made of acrylic (plastic) or acrylic and special metal alloys.
Tips and advice
- Visit your dentist regularly even if you have a full denture. Your dentist will be able to detect any oral tissue disorders or any tumours that may grow unnoticed.
- Reline your denture if you notice that it is becoming loose. This is very common if patients lose weight or if the denture has been used for several years.
- Take out the denture before bedtime to prevent fungal infections from developing under the denture.
- If you have low bone level and your denture is wobbling, use fixatives. These are sold over the counter at the chemist’s.
- Modern techniques can now combine dentures and implants, with this technique loose, unstable dentures can be stabilised with as little as two implants.
- New dentures can affect the speech and the pronunciation of certain letters. Practise talking in front of a mirror before meeting with people. The tongue and the lips will adjust to the new situation.
- Clean your dentures regularly with a soft brush and small amount of toothpaste. Make sure you do not scratch the surface when brushing. This can make the denture discolour easily. Clean even the gums and the tongue. Make sure the denture is kept moist when not in the mouth.
- Clean your denture above a sink or a bowl filled with water in case you drop it.
- Keep your old dentures as spares even if you are getting new ones.
- New dentures can feel uncomfortable and strange. Try to use them all the time for the first few days. The more you have them in, the quicker you get used to them.
Oral health tips
July 2nd, 2010Some simple tips for keeping your mouth in tip-top order….
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily or use interdental brushes for those hard to reach areas
- Change your toothbrush at least every three months
- Chew sugar free gum after meals to neutralise the harmful acid that can cause plaque and tooth decay
- Try eating sugar-free yoghurt, as this lowers the levels of hydrogen sulphide, the major cause of bad breath
- Eat plenty of vitamin C in the form of citrus fruit – this promotes wound healing and can help fight gum disease
- Eating iron-rich foods can help improve the condition of gum tissue
- After eating sugary or acidic foods, trying eating a small amount of cheese to counteract the effects of plaque acid
- Quit smoking and limit your alcohol consumption to reduce your chances of contracting mouth cancer
- Visit your dentist regularly for check ups and keep up to date with your hygiene treatment
BAAD
June 30th, 2010Last Friday Dr George took a day out from seeing patients to attend the BAAD summer meeting in Windsor.
BAAD is the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry, it is an organisation which encourages dentists to strive for excellence in cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry. It facilitates learning within the membership and invites world class dentists to lecture at it’s meetings. BAAD is discerning in whom it allows to join, so a few years ago when Dr. George’s application was successful she was delighted.
Fellow members of BAAD are committed practitioners who are well respected by colleagues and patients alike, so there is plenty of dialogue during the formal lectures and afterwards in the bar!
Foods that stain your teeth:
June 30th, 2010These can include:
- Soy sauce
- Berries
- Curry
- Coffee
- Red wine
- Dark fizzy drinks
- Dark fruit juice
- Tea
- Extremely hot or cold liquids are dangerous to your white smile because they change the temperature of your teeth. Temperature change causes teeth to expand and contract, allowing stains to penetrate your teeth.
- Slightly acidic foods open up the pores of the tooth enamel allowing stains to more easily move into your teeth.
- Tobacco from cigarettes and cigars quickly stains teeth yellow.
How to get rid of stains
If your teeth are mildly discolored, stains can be removed by tooth whitening, bleaching and/or microabrasion. If the stain is severe or deep in the tooth, it can be covered with some bonding or porcelain veneer.
Tips to keep your teeth free of stains
Limit the intake of foods that stain your teeth. Brush and floss your teeth every day. Use an electric toothbrush (electric toothbrushes can remove 98.2 percent of plaque).
- Use a mouthwash with an antibacterial action to help dissolve plaque.
- Have regular hygienist visits.
The ‘pros and cons’ of teeth whitening
June 28th, 2010Teeth whitening, a cosmetic procedure offered by most dentists, has become increasingly popular in recent years, but dental insurance providers don’t always provide cover for these procedures, so be sure to check what your insurance provider does cover.
Dentists can safely lighten the colour of your teeth without removing any of the surface enamel.
There are various factors that affect teeth colour, external and internal.
- Drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine and blackcurrant.
- Smoking.
- Certain antibiotics can also discolour teeth and it’s important to tell your dentist if you are taking medication.
- Genetics.
Bleaching or whitening:
The most common form of teeth whitening is professional bleaching. A rubber shield or gel protects your gums before a whitening product is applied to your teeth. This whitening product contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
The procedure takes two to four weeks, depending on how your teeth react to the treatment. The teeth whitening process begins in your dentist’s surgery and you continue to apply the product at home, between 45 minutes to 90 minutes at a time. Sensitivity can be a side effect of teeth whitening, but it is transient and can easily be controlled with the use of products such as ‘Tooth Mousse’ or Sensodyne toothpaste.
Teeth whitening can be improved through the use of light, also known as power whitening. The product is applied as before, a light is then used to activate the chemical which accelerates the active agent and improves the results. Good results can be achieved within an hour.
Treatment such as this is generally not covered by dental insurance because it is classified as a cosmetic procedure, it’s not available from the NHS. Your dentist will inform you of the full cost of the procedure before any work is carried out.
Why should I floss?
June 22nd, 2010Brushing your teeth only cleans about 60 per cent of the surface of your teeth, which is why dentists recommend that ‘flossing’ become an essential part of your oral care routine. Using dental tape is however more effective than floss and can be easier to use as it is flat and often coated to slide more easily between the teeth.
Flossing (using dental tape) helps to remove the plaque and bacteria from between the teeth and under the gum line, helping to prevent decay and gum disease.
It can be an uncomfortable feeling at first but with regular flossing your gums will get used to the sensation.
The British Dental Association recommends using about 45 cm (18 inches) of floss or tape and wrapping the ends around the middle fingers of both hands. Pinch the floss between the thumb and index finger leaving about 2.5 to 5 cm (1-2 inches) of floss in between your two fingers, giving you control.
Pull the floss tight and slide it up and down against the tooth surface and under the gum line. DON’T use a sawing action, this will cut into your gum, an unpleasant sensation. Floss in a slight circular movement, this will help you to get under the gum line without any problems.
Wind the floss through your fingers to a fresh section before moving on to the next tooth. Continue until you have flossed both upper and lower teeth.
If you have difficulty holding the floss, or find it uncomfortable, use a ‘flosser’. This piece of apparatus holds the floss in place for you while you floss, allowing you to concentrate on moving the floss around your mouth.
You may experience slight bleeding in your gums when you start to floss but persevere, this will soon reduce as your gums become healthier. Your dentist or hygienist can provide you with further advice on how to floss, or also show you how to use other cleaning aids such a tiny ‘interspace’ brushes which can also be very effective at cleaning between the teeth.
