Keep your teeth healthy and happy this Christmas

Tis the season ….. for good oral hygiene!

In the run up to Christmas West Wickham Dental Practice will be open as normal until 24/12…. Should you have any problems with your teeth in the run up to Christmas, please ring the surgery by 9.30am as we have a number of emergency appointments available each day and we will endeavour to get you seen as soon as possible.

West Wickham Dental Practice will be closed for Christmas from the 25^th to the 28^th inclusive and will reopen for half days in the afternoon on the 29^th and 31^st and half day morning on the 30^th. If you should you have a dental emergency out of hours, please call the practice on 0208 776 1188 and the answer phone message will give you details on how to contact the dentist for the out of hours emergency service.

With Christmas almost upon us this is the perfect time to remind all our patients how best to enjoy the festive food and drink and look after your dental health. Here at West Wickham Dental Practice we have come up with our top tips to ensure that your teeth stay in tip top condition this festive season.

• During the festive period try to brush your teeth three times a day using a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth using inter-dental aids such as inter-dental brushes, floss or tape. This will help to ensure that you do not develop any food traps which if left can lead to infection.

• Why not treat yourself to a new toothbrush at the start of December. Toothbrushes should be changed every 3-4 months and this will ensure that you are getting the most effective clean possible when you brush your teeth. An electric toothbrush provides more effective cleaning than manual ones, maybe its time to ask Santa for one.

• With all the sweet treats around do not forget to include fruit and vegetables in your diet these will help to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need and help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

• With so much food available it can become easy to just graze all day. To help your teeth and general health aim to eat 3 meals a day plus no more than two snacks. If you do snack stick to crudities and nuts rather than sweets and chocolates. Nuts provide a great source of calcium and vitamin D which have been shown to help improve your dental health.

• Where ever possible try to enjoy your sugary treats after your meals. Dried fruits are also high in sugar and can get stuck to your teeth so try to have mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake after a meal to. This is because we produce more saliva when we are eating which helps neutralise the acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and it also helps to rinse away food particles and sugary substances.

• Red wine can stain teeth so if you don’t mind which you drink try to stick to white wine this Christmas. Cheese is a great accompaniment for wine as it contains calcium and helps to combat the damaging effects of acid.

All the team at West Wickham Dental Practice would like to wish our patients a happy and hopefully trouble free festive period, but should you have any problems do not hesitate to contact the surgery on 0208 776 1188.

4 Embarrassing Dental Health Problems Solved

To ensure your mouth stays in tip top condition you need to ensure a good oral hygiene routine, a balanced diet and regular maintenance visits to the dentist.

However what do you do if you find yourself afflicted with an oral health problem which leaves you feeling embarrassed and reluctant to smile?

Here at West Wickham Dental Practice we have looked at some of these embarrassing oral health problems and what solutions are available to rid you of them forever!

Bad Breath

Treatment for bad breath varies dependent on the cause. The first treatment is always to ensure that you have in place a good oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth twice a day and use inter-dental aids to clean between your teeth. Also use an antibacterial mouthwash to help kill the bad smelling bacteria. This will ensure that no food particles are allowed to get trapped between your teeth, where bacteria break them down producing an unpleasant smell. If you are someone who likes a diet full of garlic, onion and spices, you may want to consider reducing your intake of these. The same is also true of coffee, alcohol and smoking which can all leave your breath smelling less than fresh.

If your dentist gives you a clean bill of health it may be worth visiting your doctor to get the problem examined further, some medicines and medical conditions can also cause bad breath. If you are worried about your breath why not book in to see our hygienist, she will be able to thoroughly clean your teeth and this should remove any trapped food particles, calculus and plaque build-up. She will also be able to advise on the best oral hygiene products to use to keep your breath minty fresh.

Receding Gums

 Gum disease and periodontal disease can lead to further oral health complications. At the early stage gum disease causes the gums to become red and swollen, with more advanced periodontitis the gums will be permanently damaged and in the long term this can cause teeth the fall out. As the gums recede they become sensitive as the dentine inside the tooth becomes exposed. This can also look unsightly. Receding gums can also be caused by over vigorous tooth brushing, clenching or grinding your teeth and scratching your gums with foreign objects. The best way to protect your gums is to use a soft toothbrush when cleaning your teeth, this will have the added advantage of reducing the likelihood of toothbrush erosion on your teeth as well. It may also be necessary to look at straightening your teeth to help improve your ability to clean in between them and improve your bite. At West Wickham Dental Practice we are able to offer teeth straightening treatments to help improve your smile including  Six Month Smiles, Clear Braces: Cosmetic Tooth Alignment.

Mouth Sores

Canker sores and cold sores are two of the most common sores that show up around the mouth. They can be painful, annoying and unsightly. However both of these sores will heal on their own within a week or so. Topical anaesthetics and antimicrobial mouth rinses can help to ease any discomfort. If you are embarrassed by the frequency of outbreaks speak to your doctor who may be able to prescribe medication to help reduce the infections.

Tooth Decay and Tooth Erosion

Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day, and visiting your dentist regularly for exams and cleaning will help fight tooth decay and erosion. Your experienced dentist at West Wickham Dental Practice may also recommend protective plastic sealants to reduce your risk of decay where necessary. Eating a balanced diet and keeping your snacking to a minimum will also help head off plaque and erosion. If you're particularly concerned about erosion, avoid acidic food and drinks, such as citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, pickles, soda, and sports drinks, since studies suggest that they can strip enamel from the teeth. Gastric acid can also contribute to erosion, so if you have a medical condition like acid-reflux disease or bulimia, getting treatment is imperative.

Whatever part of your mouth or smile that you find embarrassing West Wickham Dental Practice will be able to help. Whether that is using crowns, bridges or veneers to improve the appearance of teeth or implants to remove the gaps caused by missing teeth, we are here to help. You may also want to consider a Smile Makeover treatment, in this we can put together a complete package to ensure that you need never be embarrassed when you smile again!

For more information or to book a consultation call today on 02087761188