Why is brushing important?
Daily brushing and cleaning between your teeth is important because it removes plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it continues to build up, feeding on the food debris left behind and causing tooth decay and gum disease.
How can plaque cause decay?
When you eat food containing sugars and starches, the bacteria in plaque produces acids, which attacks tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps the acids in contact with teeth. After this happens many times, the tooth enamel can break down forming a hole or cavity.
How can plaque cause gum disease?
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 gum to become irritated and inflamed. The gum 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.
How can I prevent gum disease?
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.
How do I know if I have gum disease?
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.
Which type of toothbrush should I use?
Your dentist will be able to recommend a toothbrush to you. However, adults should choose a small to medium size brush with soft to medium multi-tufted, round-ended nylon bristles or ‘filaments’. The head should be small enough to get into all parts of the mouth: especially the back of the mouth where cleaning can be difficult. Children need to use smaller brushes but with the same type of filaments.
You can now get more specialised toothbrushes. For instance, People with sensitive teeth can now use softer bristled brushes. There are also smaller headed toothbrushes for those people with crooked or irregular teeth. Some people find it difficult to hold a tooth brush, for example because they have Parkinson’s disease or a physical disability. There are now toothbrushes, which have large handles and angled heads to make them easier to use.
How often should I change my toothbrush?
Worn-out toothbrushes cannot clean your teeth properly and may damage your gums. It is important to change your toothbrush every two to three months or sooner if the filaments become worn. when filaments become splayed, they do not clean properly.
How should I brush?
Brushing removes plaque and food particles from the inner, outer and biting surface of your teeth. Here is one method of removing plaque:
- Place the head of your toothbrush against your teeth and angle against the gumline. Move the brush in small circular movements, several times, on all surfaces of each individual tooth.
- Brush the outer surface of each tooth, upper and lower, keep the bristles angled against the gumline.
- Use the same method on the inside surface of the teeth.
- To clean the inside surface of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several small circular strokes with the toe (the front part) of the brush.
- Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath and will clean your mouth by removing bacteria.
How often should I brush my teeth?
Be sure to brush thoroughly with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, more often if you keep getting discomfort or bleeding after brushing go to see your dentist about it.
What do health gums look like?
In a healthy mouth, gums are pink and do not bleed on toothbrushing. They are firm and cannot be easily separated from teeth.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is inflammation of the tissue that supports teeth and attach them to the jaw. In the early stages the disease only involves soft gum tissue and is called gingivitis. Later, disease may spread to the bone and is called periodontitis.
Nowadays, in the UK gum disease is one of the commonest cause of tooth loss in adults.
What does gum disease look like?
This depends on the severity of the disease. In gingivitis, the gum are usually red and swollen, and often bleed during tooth brushing.
As the disease progresses, gums shrink and teeth may loosen as bone underneath is destroyed. Eventually some teeth may fall out or have to be removed by your dentist.
Gum disease is often associated with bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by a thin layer of bacteria called plaque which builds up on teeth. These bacteria release poisons which irritate the gum and other supporting tissues, causing inflammation. Gingivitis is caused by plaque, which forms on teeth near the gum margin. The plaque which causes periodontitis is different – it builds up in the pockets that form between gums and teeth as the disease gets worse. Some people are more susceptible to gum disease than others.
Can gum disease be controlled?
YES
- Careful brushing and flossing reduces the build up of plaque at the gum margins and between the teeth.
- Regular dental visits supplement your own efforts. Your dentist or hygienist can remove any plaque that has formed above and below the gum line. They can also remove calculus (tartar). This hard deposit provides a good surface for plaque to grow on. Since calculus resists normal brushing it needs to be professionally removed.
- Existing gum disease can be treated if it is not too advanced. Where pockets have formed the root of teeth can be cleaned and smoothed to allow the gum to reattach and the swelling to subside. This is called scaling and root surface instrumentation. In deeper pockets it may be useful to reduce the bacteria using antibiotics. In advanced disease, surgery to reshape the gum and bone can help to stabilise teeth and prevent them falling out. Surgery can also make it easier to remove plaque and tartar from these sites.
What is an Interdental brush?
It is a small brush that can beheld between your thumb and you fingers. Interdental brushes are available in various sizes which enables you to choose which size is most suitable for you. You may need to use more than one size to enable you to effectively clean all spaces between your teeth.
Why clean between teeth?
Over the course of a day, food and debris get lodged in between your teeth and in any gaps you may have. If left, this debris can cause dental decay and gum disease. Removing food debris and plaque with an interdental brush will help keep your breath fresh. Cleaning in between your teeth makes sure that you are cleaning your mouth as thoroughly as possible.
Should I use an interdental brush instead of my normal toothbrush?
No. these small brushes should be used as part of your normal oral hygiene routine to be effective.
Why is my normal toothbrush not enough?
You will know that there are certain places in your mouth that are difficult to reach with your normal brush.
there are also some gaps between your teeth that your toothbrush will not be able to access.
How can the interdental brush help?
With its small filaments and tiny bottle type head, the brush can be moved between the teeth to remove debris and plaque that will not have been removed by your usual toothbrush.
They are available in two textures, original and soft giving an effective options for even the most sensitive gums and teeth.
How do I use it?
Select a suitable sized interdental brush. Never force the brush between the teeth. Between front teeth, use a finer brush, turning slightly to ease the brush comfortably between the teeth. Remove the brush by gently pulling thereby removing plaque and debris. Repeating the turning motion to re-insert and pull out several times until you are satisfied the space is clean. For larger spaces nearer the back of the mouth, a larger headed headed brush might be needed. To be as effective as possible, shape the head into slight curve DO NOT bend at right angles. You will then be able to easily locate and clean the space effectively. Always rinse brush in clean water during and after use.
When should I use it?
You need to clean between all your teeth at least once a day.
What is a root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment (also known as endodontics) is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury.
Why is a root canal treatment needed?
If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth. This may eventually lead to an abscess.
If root canal treatment (RCT) is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
Does it hurt?
No. A local anaesthetic is used and it should feel no different to having an ordinary filling done.
What does it involve?
The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. the root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection.
Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits to your dentist.
At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed. Any abscesses, which may be present, can also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle.
The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled.
What will my tooth look like after treatment?
In the past, a root filled tooth would often darken after treatment. However, with modern techniques this does not usually happen. If there is any discolouration, there are several treatment available to restore the natural appearance.
Root canal treatment is usually very successful. However, if the infection comes back the treatment can be repeated.
What if I don’t have the treatment?
The alternative is to have the tooth out, once the pulp is destroyed, it can’t heal and it is not recommended to leave an infected tooth in the mouth.
Although some people would prefer an extraction, it is usually best to keep as many natural teeth as possible.
Will the tooth be safe after treatment?
Yes. However, it is better to restore the tooth with a crown to provide extra support and strength to the tooth.
Where can this treatment be carried out?
Root canal treatment is a routine dental procedure, which your dentist will be happy to do for you.
What about aftercare?
Root-treated teeth should be treated just the same as any other tooth. Remember to clean your teeth at least once a day, preferably with fluoride toothpaste. Cut down on sugary snacks, and keep them only to mealtimes if possible. See your dentist for regular check-ups.
