Healthy Teeth Equals Healthy Heart

New findings have shown that there is a definite link between oral health and problems in other parts of the body.

Problems which may be caused or made worse by poor dental health include:

• Heart disease
• Strokes
• Diabetes
• Lung Disease

In this article we will look specifically at the effect gum disease can have on our hearts. Gum disease is also currently the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK. So be sure to make oral hygiene a top priority for a healthy heart and show stopping smile!

Signs of Gum Disease

The main signs of gum disease are:

• Inflammation of the gums, causing them to be red, swollen and to bleed easily
• An unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Irregular mouth infections

If you notice any of these symptoms you should see your dental team. Everyone will be affected by gum disease at some point in their lives. However if it is effectively treated it should leave no lasting damage. Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque, which provides a breeding ground for bacteria, on the surface of teeth and gums.

If you are smoker you are much more likely to experience gum disease, as smoking has been found to cause higher levels of bacteria in the plaque on your teeth and because of the reduced amount of oxygen in your bloodstream, infected gums will take much longer to heal.

Keeping your heart healthy

People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery heart disease as people without gum disease. Bacteria present in the plaque on teeth enter the bloodstream and produce proteins. These proteins cause the platelets in the blood to stick together in the blood vessels. If this happens in a great enough quantity it can increase the risk of blood clots forming. Blood clots reduce the normal blood flow affecting the amount of nutrients and oxygen reaching the heart. If this happens in enough quantity it can lead to a heart attack.

Treatment

Normally the first sign you will experience if you have gum disease is gums that bleed when you eat or brush yourteeth. You may also notice you have bad breath.

The best treatment for gum disease is to ensure that you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day by brushing and by cleaning in between your teeth.

At each check-up the dentist will assess your teeth and gums for any sign of gum disease. They will use probes to measure the amount of gum present around the teeth and may take x-rays to determine if there has been any bone loss in your jaw.

The dentist will remove the plaque and tartar present on your teeth and will refer you to the hygienist for ongoing cleanings. The hygienist will also be able to advise you on the best oral hygiene routine to ensure that you remove plaque effectively at home, through tooth brushing and inter-dental cleaning.

If left untreated gum disease can progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis causes the gums to recede and can lead to the loss of bone which anchors the teeth to the jaw. Over time teeth may become loose and even fall out.

If you would like help and advice to look after your teeth and gums, do not hesitate to contact West Wickham Dental Practice on 0208 776 1188 and book a consultation to find out how we can help you ensure that your heart stays healthy!

Teeth Whitening- Guide London

Wondering how teeth whitening works? Below is a brief guide with all the essential information on Teeth Whitening. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments in West Wickham, Bromley and London in general.

5 Steps To Help You Smile Proud

Recent studies have shown that people often underestimate the age of someone who has a bright white smile, believing that it makes them look younger and more attractive. Your smile will often be the first thing a person will notice about you. Therefore making sure your smile is in tip top condition has never been so important.

Looking after your teeth can help improve your self-confidence and overall health and wellbeing. With a dazzling smile who knows what you can achieve!

In this article we look at our 5 steps to a great smile.

1. Oral hygiene

The first step to caring for your teeth is to ensure that you have in place an effective oral hygiene routine. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and use interdental cleaning aids such as floss, tape or interdental brushes to clean the 40% of tooth surfaces that brushing alone cannot reach. This ensures that you remove food particles that can become trapped between teeth. If left these provide a food source for bacteria and in the long term can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

2. Regular Dental Appointments

At your dental examination the dentist will complete a thorough examination of your mouth, teeth and gums. This enables any problems to be identified early and should reduce the need for expensive and invasive treatments. The dentist may also advise that you see the hygienist who can provide regular scaling and polishing and oral hygiene advice. By ensuring that plaque and stains are not allowed to build up, you can ensure that your teeth remain as healthy as possible for a long as possible. At the end of each appointment the dentist or hygienist will advise you on when you next need to attend for an appointment.

3. Healthy Diet

Include plenty of dairy and other calcium rich foods in your diet to help maintain strong teeth and bones. Calciumcan be found in milk, yoghurt, butter and fortified breakfast cereals. Vitamin C in citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons and limes, also helps to improve gum health. Sugary and sticky foods that stick to the crevices of your teeth are particularly bad as bacteria feed off the sugars and release acids that cause cavities. It is best where possible to restrict sugary foods to meal times to prevent regular acid attacks on your teeth.

4. Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening is a safe and effective way of brightening the natural colour of your teeth. Teeth whitening can improve staining caused by foods, drinks, smoking, medications and the general ageing process.

There are two main forms of tooth whitening:

• At home tooth whitening

In this case the dentist will take impressions of your teeth, which are used to create custom made whitening trays. The dentist will show you how to load the trays with whitening solution and you will need to wear this for 30 minutes to 8 hours overnight depending on the strength of the gel and the speed at which you are looking for results. This can be done in your own time and so can be fitted in at a time to suit you.

• In surgery tooth whitening

In this case the whitening gel will be applied to your teeth in the dental surgery and will be activated using a blue light. This process may be repeated 3 or 4 times in an hour session. It is often advised that in surgery tooth whitening is followed up with a course of at home tooth whitening in order to ensure the best possible results.

The effects of whitening would normally be expected to last for 2-3 years but this will depend on lifestyle factors. Your dentist will be able to give you an idea of the expected results prior to starting treatment.

5. Smile Makeover

For those people who would like to completely rejuvenate their smile, a smile makeover may be the treatment foryou. The dentist will complete a detailed assessment of your teeth and smile and will put together an individual treatment plan tailored to meet your needs. This may include crowns, bridges, implants, tooth whitening and facial aesthetics to help give you the younger and brighter smile you desire.

Here at West Wickham Dental Practice we are able to offer a wide range of services to help you achieve a great smile, including white fillings, teeth whitening, teeth straightening, dental implants, crowns and veneers.

If you have any questions or would like to find out what we are able to offer you, do not hesitate to contact the surgery on 0208 776 1188 and book a consultation to find out how we can help you Smile Proud today!