Dental HYGIENE

The Importance of Good Dental Hygiene

Not only essential for a beautiful smile, regular dental check-ups help to optimise your overall health and well-being. Current research has discovered significant links between gum disease and heart problems, strokes and a number of other illnesses.

At Loy Dental Care, our dental team evaluate your teeth, gums, bite and total mouth tissue during every check-up.

We’re able to comprehensively analyse your oral health and make personalised recommendations for preventative care and maintenance.

patient practicing good dental hygiene in County Tyrone

How to Care for Your Oral Health

In between dental check-ups and teeth cleaning, taking good care of your teeth, gums and whole mouth is paramount. Brushing and flossing morning and night prevents tooth decay and gum disease while ensuring your oral health is at its best. Our dentists recommend using a fluoride toothpaste and soft-headed toothbrush.

Even with regular brushing and flossing, plaque builds up below the gum line and between teeth. Plaque build-up results in the formation of bacteria that can lead to dental issues if left untreated. No matter how diligent you are with brushing and flossing at home, seeing a dentist regularly is essential.

By attending regular twice-yearly check-ups, our dentists and dental hygienist is able to check for periodontal disease and gum recession and remove hardened plaque through scaling and polishing techniques to minimise risk of gum disease in the future.

Following your check-up and thorough clean, we provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for your teeth and oral health to ensure any avoidable oral health problems can be prevented.

Stain Removal

What causes stains?

There are a number of factors that can cause staining. Poor dental hygiene and overall health problems, such as diabetes, can all affect the appearance of your teeth. Teeth may also change colour as you get older and the enamel naturally thins.

Your teeth also come into contact with everything you eat and drink. Tea, coffee, red wine, spicy foods and tobacco are all things that can contribute to visible discolouration.

A regular cleaning and polishing routine with your hygienist will help keep your smile fresh and maintain great oral hygiene, but sometimes patients may find they need a deeper clean to lift those stubborn stains.

before and after tooth cleaning in cookstown

Stain Removal

Our dentists and hygienist use a jet system to gently remove plaque and visible surface stains, which is suitable for everyone, even for those with sensitive teeth.

This jet cleaning system is a great alternative to chemical teeth whitening and your whiter, fresher smile can be seen immediately!

How often should I visit for stain removal?

How often you visit your dentist or hygienist to remove stains depends on the condition of your teeth. A professional clean and polish with your dental hygienist is an important part of your overall dental hygiene routine, so we recommend that you should visit twice a year. Your Loy Dental Care dentist and hygienist will work with you to advise on the frequency of your appointments and offer guidance on keeping your teeth stain free.

For more information or to book your appointment with a Loy Dental Care dentist or hygienist, call 028 8676 6072 today.

Periodontal (Gum Disease) Treatment

Gum disease, also known as “periodontitis” or “periodontal disease” is a common oral health ailment associated with poor oral hygiene and can be linked to hormonal fluctuations. Furthermore, current research has discovered significant links between gum disease and systemic disease, such as heart problems, strokes and a number of other illnesses.

Gum disease, as well as its precursor (gingivitis) are treatable by the dental team at Loy Dental Care. However, it can still cause damage to your mouth and should be taken seriously. Let’s get a better understanding of what gum disease is and how you can prevent it.

What Is Periodontal/Gum Disease?

Gum disease often appears first as gingivitis. Gingivitis is characterized as the inflammation of the gums.

Patients suffering from gingivitis may frequently experience pain, swelling, redness, or bleeding of the gums when brushing their teeth.

This is largely due to a build-up of plaque, but no long-term or irreversible damage is typically done at this point.

Gingivitis can worsen and develop into full blown periodontitis – otherwise known as “gum disease” – if left untreated. With periodontitis, patients often report experiencing a separation of the gums from the teeth. This leads to the formation of pockets which are prone to infection. Infection and the spread of bacteria in patients with gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. The bacteria produced breaks down the tissue connecting tooth to gum, leading to a gradual loosening and eventual loss of teeth. Periodontitis can be a chronic illness and should be carefully monitored by your dentist or dental hygienist.

Gum Disease Treatment Procedure

Different treatments for gum disease may be appropriate based on how advanced its symptoms are. In some cases, a thorough professional teeth cleaning by your dentist or dental hygienist is all that’s needed. Other cases may call for scaling or root planing. Scaling is a process which scrapes plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing involves smoothing out any rough patches on the teeth which may trap bacteria, leading to a build-up.

In more severe cases, surgical treatment may be required, however, most serious cases of gum disease can be avoided through diligent and disciplined oral hygiene at home - brushing and flossing regularly.

If you believe you may have or are at risk of developing gum disease, contact Loy Dental Care to make an appointment for a thorough oral health check, call 028 8676 6072 today.

Oral Hygiene Routine

Good dental health is a clean, bacteria- and plaque-free mouth. The best way to avoid troublesome dental issues is to stay on top of your dental care routine, be well-informed and maintain a good relationship with your dentist through regular check-ups.

Your oral hygiene routine

Most importantly, for good dental health you need to have a good oral hygiene routine.

1.
Twice a day, brush your teeth thoroughly with a brush. Make sure to brush the surface of all your teeth, paying special attention to your back teeth as these are the ones often missed, and where hidden bacteria can become plaque.
2.
In addition to brushing, flossing between every tooth is important for removing any trapped food and keeping your gum line clean.
3.
Make sure you have a dental check-up and hygienist appointment every six months. A deep, professional clean is essential to a first-class dental care routine.

Lifestyle and diet

There’s truth in the saying you are what you eat, and food has a huge impact on your overall dental health. A good balanced diet means a healthy mouth, strong gums and bright teeth.

Dark leafy greens, such a kale and spinach, green tea, celery and apples are all gum-loving foods, keeping them healthy from the inside out. Dairy foods, such as cheese, milk and natural yoghurt all harbour a helpful bacterium called casein, which is great for keeping the pH balance in your mouth neutral.

Shiitake mushrooms are another lesser known, but equally delicious way of helping your gums stay bacteria-free. They contain an antibacterial compound called lentinan, which wards off harmful bacteria that can build up along the gum line.

Fresh Breath

Bad breath is a delicate and complex topic. It’s something that has many causes but ultimately results in a knock to your self-confidence.

It can also be daunting to raise the issue. However, it’s important that if you recognise bad breath as an issue, that you do speak to your dentist. At Loy Dental Care, our team will be sensitive to your concerns. Not only will they help you on the road to fresh breath, but their professional advice is invaluable for uncovering the cause.

What causes bad breath?

The causes of bad breath (or halitosis) can vary from simply lifestyle and the food in your diet to more serious underlying health problems, such as gum disease and gum inflammation (gingivitis).

It can even be telling of issues in different parts of your body. Bad breath can be a sign of throat or lung infections, or of liver or kidney disease.

Halitosis can be a result of:

Strong foods, such as garlic and onions
Poor dental hygiene
Regular consumption of alcohol and cigarettes
Food caught between teeth
Dry mouth
Bacteria on the tongue
Gingivitis and periodontal disease (the two most common types of gum disease)
Health issues in another part of your body e.g. throat, liver, kidneys, lungs

How do I get rid of bad breath?

When was the last time you visited the dentist? It could be simply a build-up of bacteria from lifestyle habits, such as drinking coffee and smoking, eating strong-tasting foods or not brushing thoroughly enough. However, it could be an indication of a dental health concern.

Bad breath is a symptom, and with many possible underlying reasons, it is best to get a professional opinion. Your dentist is best placed to help decipher the cause.

If you are concerned about bad breath, speak to your dentist. They will be able to perform a routine examination to discover the cause and offer treatment and advice. Treatment will range from a hygienist appointment for a thorough clean and polish, to antibiotics for throat bacteria or a suitable plan to treat gum disease.

By treating the cause of your bad breath, your dentist or hygienist can help you achieve fresh breath and restore your confidence. Fresher breath means a healthier mouth.

Stop bad breath before it happens

The most common cause of bad breath is simply bacteria in the mouth, caused by an inefficient oral care routine.

The most effective way of battling bad breath, and preventing it happening in the first place, is to keep up a regular routine. Brush all areas of your mouth thoroughly, ideally for around two minutes, twice a day; brush or scrape your tongue to remove bacteria, and floss between all of your teeth. It is best to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing, especially if you have eaten anything acidic, such as oranges. The acid weakens your natural enamel and you could damage it further by brushing too soon.

You want to enjoy your food, without being concerned about your breath or trapped food, so keep some sugar-free chewing gum to hand. Chewing gum after a meal will help to subtly dislodge any trapped food, and chewing stimulates saliva that will naturally wash away tiny particles and bacteria.

Visiting your dentist and hygienist regularly for a professional check-up and scale and polish should be part of your dental care plan. It will go a long way in keeping your breath fresh.

Contact Loy Dental Care on 028 8676 6072 today to book your next hygienist check-up.