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Interdental brushes: the facts

TePe_Interdental_Brushes_originalInterdental brushes do exactly what it says on the tin: they’re designed to work between the teeth to remove food debris and plaque that ordinary toothbrushes can’t get to.

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we tend to think of them as a more precise (and reusable) upgrade of dental floss, and one that can significantly improve gum health. We offer the following advice;

Check the wire

There are cheaper versions on the market, but we recommend brushes with plastic-coated wire, particularly if you have implants. An uncoated brush could scratch the implant and give bacteria somewhere to hide.

One size doesn’t fit all

Just like each tooth is unique, so are the gaps between them. Your first experiences with interdental brushes will take time, as you need to work out which brushes provide the perfect fit for each individual gap.

Don’t push too hard

The ideal brush size is one that provides a snug fit in each gap. If you experience resistance or discomfort when using an interdental brush, stop immediately and try approaching the gap from another angle – and if that’s not working, step down and try a smaller brush that fits.

Mind the gap

Over time, you may find that the brush you’re using in a certain gap doesn’t provide a snug fit any more. No need to panic: this is most likely a good thing. In most cases, it means that the inflammation of the gum is receding. Swap in a brush that fits and carry on.

It’s a supplement, not a replacement

In other words, you’ll still have to use an ordinary toothbrush as part of your daily oral hygiene regime. Also, using interdental brushes should be a daily routine – once or twice a week isn’t good enough.

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How to get your kids over their fear of the dentist

children-961685_960_720Although dental care is very low on the list when it comes to your child’s health issues, it won’t be too long before they’ll need to be registered for treatment – and the importance of getting them into the routine can’t be overstated.

A lot of adults with dentalphobia can point to a bad experience in their childhood which explains their fear of the dentist, which can lead to all manner of problems in later life.

CK Dental of Bristol has put together the following guide for parents:

Start them early

Dentists recommend that your children’s first visit to the dentist should commence around their first birthday. Two reasons for this: it’s essential that your children get their teeth checked out as soon as possible in order to keep on top of any potential problems, and it gets your kids used to the idea that regular dental check-ups are nothing to be scared of.

Don’t tell them about your early experiences

…even if they were positive ones, and especially if they weren’t. It’s unfair on your child to be told that things are better now than in your day – they’ll only pick up on the negative experiences.

Let them play at dentists

They’re probably already playing Doctors and Nurses, so make sure to add dental treatment into their routine. Use their toothbrush to count their teeth, and let them do likewise to you. And keep it simple: no drill sounds or extractions.

Let them see you get checked out

This always helps. Kids are endlessly fascinated in what their parents get up to, so letting them get used to the environment (whilst not having anything done to them) is a great introduction to dental care.

Schedule appointments as early as possible

As with adults who fear the dentist, the earlier in the day appointment is set, the less time your child will have to fret about the visit.

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Can vaping affect your dental health?

vapingYou can’t fail to notice that thousands of regular smokers are switching from cigarettes to vaping. According to a government review in 2015, the current best estimate is that vaping is 95% less harmful than cigarette smoking, and the use of e-cigarettes is a proven aid to help smokers quit for good.

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we’re getting a lot of enquiries from clients who have either already made the switch from smoking to vaping, or are giving it serious thought. So what are the implications for your dental health?

Does vaping stain the teeth?

Whilst being completely aware that the study of vaping and its health implications are still in their infancy, we know that the majority of staining from cigarette smoking is caused by tar.

Vape ‘smoke’ consists of a mixture of Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin, flavouring and optional nicotine. Therefore, switching to vaping is far kinder to the colour of your teeth.

However, this doesn’t mean that vaping is completely off the hook when it comes to dental health. Although ex-smokers will experience cosmetic benefits after making the switch, there’s still a chance that they risk long-term gum damage.

Nicotine and oral health

Even though the delivery of nicotine via vaping is much safer than from traditional smoking, that nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor – meaning it reduces the flow of blood around the gum area, denying your gums the oxygen and nutrients they need and destroying tissue.

Nicotine also prevents the mouth from producing sufficient saliva (causing bad breath) and in some cases causes teeth-grinding.

The solution for new vapers is simple: start stepping down on the nicotine intake as soon as possible, with a view to vaping 0% nicotine e-juice as soon as possible.

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Dental care during pregnancy

pregnantIt goes without saying that pregnancy is one of the most stressful times of a woman’s life, with all manner of changes and accommodations occurring to her body.

And while dental treatment is obviously going to be lower on your list of priorities than usual, the team from CK Dental Practice in Bristol feel there are a few things you’ll need to know while you’re expecting.

Keep tabs on your gums

The hormonal charge running through your body is going to impact on a lot of things, and in certain cases, your gums are more likely to bleed.

This isn’t necessarily a danger sign for you (and certainly not for your baby), but it does create a greater chance of gum inflammation and open you up to gum infection, which could cause you dental problems in the long run. It could also mean your health isn’t as good as it could be, so don’t ignore the warning signs.

Keep on top of your dental hygiene

Another by-product of hormonal change in the gums is an accelerated build-up of dental plaque, meaning that you may have to step up your dental regime.

Can I have local anaesthetic during pregnancy?

While you’re probably not going to want to indulge in extensive dental work during this phase of your life, you (and your baby) have nothing to worry about should you need a correction or two.

For starters, local anaesthetic is precisely that: a procedure that focuses on the desired area, and not an injection into the bloodstream, so your baby won’t be affected at all.

What treatment should I avoid?

The only treatment that dentists stay away from during pregnancy is the use of mercury amalgam fillings – although there’s no evidence that they’re a health risk, they’re still not recommended, just to be on the safe side.

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Do teeth-whitening hacks actually work?

Banane-A-05_croppedWe’re all more concerned about keeping our teeth as gleaming as possible these days; like most practitioners, CK Dental practice in Bristol provides a teeth-whitening service.

And there are an ever-increasing range of products available over the counter. But is it possible to bypass all that and create a homemade solution?

You’d certainly think that was the case after a cursory glance at the internet, which now contains a welter of articles promoting the use of a bewildering range of recipes and quick-fixes designed to knock the stains from your smile.

So let’s take a look at the ingredients in these ‘hacks’ and see if any of them actually work – and if there are any hidden dangers in using them.

Baking Soda

Certain normal toothpastes use it as an ingredient, so a concentrated dollop of it mixed into a paste has got to be more effective, right? Well, not exactly: high levels of baking soda are highly abrasive when brushed against the teeth, and can play havoc with their enamel coating.

Lemon juice

Great for getting nicotine stains out of your fingers – but an absolute no-no for teeth, due to the high levels of acidity. And combined with baking soda, it’s the worse-case scenario for tooth enamel.

Oil

Be it olive, sesame or sunflower, the practice of oil-pulling (swishing a teaspoon or two in the mouth for 20 minutes) isn’t going to hurt your teeth. But it’s not going to remove the stains, either.

Banana skins

Some people are hugely excited about the properties of banana skins, packed as they are with teeth-whitening potassium, magnesium and manganese, but rubbing them onto the teeth over a period of time doesn’t really do much.

If you’re looking to un-stain your teeth, your first port of call should always be your dentist. The team at the CK Dental practice in Bristol are well-versed in the dos and don’ts of teeth whitening, and can recommend a proper and manageable regime as well as treatment that works.

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There’s no holiday for tooth decay

child at beachThe school holidays are here, and those with kids probably have enough on their plate already. But with the possible exception of December, this time of year can be the most problematic for your children’s’ dental health, with more snacking, lax dental care and cold, fizzy distractions. Bristol’s CK Dental Practice offers the following tips to help keep the plaque away this summer…

The most important meal of the day

With no school to go to, the lie-ins get longer this time of year. So if your kids are getting up later and sorting out their own breakfasts, make sure you’re not driving them towards quick fixes that could bring on tooth decay.

Sugary cereals are an obvious no-no, but white breads are also notorious for raising acidity levels in the mouth – wholegrain bread is better. The best options are yoghurt (not only low in sugar, but also contains healthy bacteria), dairy produce (for the obvious calcium boost), and non-citrus fruits.

Avoid fizzy drinks

It’s the time of year when fluid intake rockets up – so be prepared and steer your kids towards tooth-friendly drinks like ice water and milk.

Fruit juice can be an absolute nightmare for your child’s teeth and should be restricted to meals. The same goes for cordials: keep them to the low-sugar variety. Remember, eating fruit is far better for your child’s teeth than drinking it.

Keep on top of the brushing regime

Your kids may be in the habit of brushing during school time, but can easily forget about it when they’re off school – and the more lax schedules of the summer holiday could lead them to drop their dental duties. Make sure they don’t.

Get them checked out at the dentist

This is a perfect time of the year to do this, because they won’t be missing any school time, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to correct any problems they’ve developed, and they’ll be getting a timely reminder of how important it is to take care of their teeth.

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Dental emergencies on holiday: what you need to know

holidayHoliday season may be in full swing, but there’s no rest period for dental emergencies – and there nothing worse than developing one during your time off, especially when you’re abroad. Here are a few things the team from CK Dental Practice in Bristol believe you should be aware of…

Does your travel cover include dental treatment?

Almost all of us take out travel insurance without thinking about it these days, and for obvious reasons. But in a survey conducted a few years ago by the British Dental Health Foundation, a mere 12% of Brits surveyed knew for sure that their insurance covered emergency dental work, while 55% admitted they didn’t know.

While most travel insurance policies do include dental emergencies, some don’t – so make sure you check the fine print or ask in advance.

Are you having extensive work on your teeth?

If you’re midway through a prolonged course of treatment and your holiday is going to get in the way, always consult your practitioner – they may recommend you hold off from certain procedures until you get back, suggest certain ‘quick fixes’ that can be done in advance, and advise on dental dos and don’ts while you’re away.

Is your toiletries bag properly stocked?

If you’re worried about potential dental disasters flaring up while you’re away, it pays to be prepared. If you have problems with fillings, pick up a temporary filling kit from the chemists.

While you’re there, stock up on desensitising toothpaste, as chances are you’ll be consuming acidic fizzy drinks and wine than usual. And when you’ve arrived, look for some antiseptic mouthwash to counter any gum infections that might arise.

What if I have a dental problem while abroad?

If it’s a minor problem, like a missing crown or a lost filling, and you aren’t in discomfort, it’s perfectly fine to put off treatment until you get home. If that’s not an option and you need immediate treatment, make doubly sure you keep all receipts.

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How to brush your teeth

We all know the importance of brushing our teeth thoroughly, twice a day, but do you know the best way to do it?

Here, the team from CK Dental practice in Bristol explains the most effective way to brush your teeth if you want to reduce plaque and save yourself from having to undergo expensive and invasive dental work in future.

For a really thorough clean, most dentists recommend using an electric toothbrush, but you should be able to get good results from a manual brush if you follow these tips.

Set a timer

The two minute rule is more than just a guideline. You really should brush your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day, aiming to spend 30 seconds on each of the four sections of your mouth – upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left.

If you do use an electric toothbrush, it will probably have a built-in timer that will tell you when your two minutes is up, but if you are using a manual brush, it can be useful to have a clock, or even an egg timer close to hand. Egg timers are particularly useful for children.

Get the position right

It isn’t necessarily about brushing your teeth as hard as you can – in fact, brushing too hard can damage the enamel of your teeth and erode your gums – but about getting the angle of the brush right, so you remove all food particles and plaque-causing bacteria.

When brushing the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth, you should hold the brush at about a 45 degree angle and use short, gentle strokes, remembering to target the gum line where most food gets trapped.

For the chewing surfaces, hold the toothbrush flat against the tooth and brush backwards and forwards using slightly longer strokes.

For the insides of your front teeth, use just the tip of the brush to brush gently upwards and downwards.

Don’t forget your tongue

Food particles can get caught on the surface of your tongue, so it’s important to brush the surface of your tongue from back to front, using long sweeping strokes, to remove these particles along with any bacteria, freshening your breath.

To check up on how effective your toothbrushing routine is, why not book a routine dental exam here at Bristol dental practice CK Dental.

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I’ve broken a tooth – what do I do?

Cracked_tooth_lateral_periodontal_abscessBreaking a tooth can be a traumatic experience, particularly as it usually happens as a result of a fall or a blow to the mouth. Once the initial shock has subsided, however, the cosmetic impact of a broken tooth can also be a lot to deal with.

So, what can you do if you’ve broken a tooth? The team here at CK Dental practice in Clifton, Bristol, have come up with some tips to help you deal with the problem as quickly and effectively as possible.

First things first: call the dentist

A broken tooth is a dental emergency, so you need to call your dentist straightaway. S/he will then be able to assess the damage and let you know the best options available to mend your broken tooth as quickly as possible.

Here at CK Dental, Bristol dentist Cornelius Krause says there are three main types of broken tooth from a knock to the mouth:

A chipped tooth

A chip in the tooth’s enamel or the surface of the tooth is unlikely to be a major problem. It can be an annoyance, however, so depending on the severity of the chip your dentist may use filling material to even it out, or just polish the area smooth. For a more permanent cosmetic option, dental veneers might be a good choice.

A broken cusp

The cusps are the pointed, chewing surfaces of the teeth. If these are broken, it will impact on the practical use of your teeth, so some dental work will definitely be required. It may be possible to repair the damage using filler material, but often a dental veneer or crown will be needed.

A serious break

A serious break in a tooth is one which causes the nerve to be exposed. This will cause some pain, and there will often be blood involved. If you have a serious break in your tooth, you may need root canal treatment on the exposed nerve, as well as a crown on the tooth to allow you to chew food normally.

If you have broken a tooth recently and have not seen a dentist about it, please contact us to find out how we can help.

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Get your teeth picture perfect for National Smile Month 2016

smileLeading dental health charity, The Oral Health Foundation has announced the return of National Smile Month for 2016 – this year, the event will take place from 16th May to 16th June.

National Smile Month aims to raise awareness of the key messages surrounding good oral health – frequent tooth brushing, the avoidance of sugary foods, and regular trips to the dentist. Here at CK Dental practice in Bristol, we are delighted to support this important campaign. Here is our summary of why these three key messages are so important.

Brush your teeth twice a day

According to the information on the Oral Health Foundations’s website, the message is that you should brush your teeth last thing at night and on at least one other occasion during the day.

The last tooth brush of the day is the most important, as it allows you to rid your teeth and gums of any residual plaque-causing food residue from the day. However, it is worth remembering that the longer this residue stays on your teeth, the harder it will be to remove, so if you can brush your teeth after every meal you will be saving yourself a lot of trouble in the long run.

Here at our Bristol dental practice, we recommend – as a minimum – that patients brush their teeth after breakfast and before bed. If you can floss on at least one of these occasions, that will also help to save you a lot of dental health issues in the long run.

Avoid sugary foods and drinks

We all know by now the damage that sugar can do to our teeth. While regular brushing can help alleviate some of the problems caused by sugary foods, the ideal is to avoid those foods all together.

Try to substitute healthier snacks for sweets, biscuits and cakes, and – where possible – choose water over fruit juices, squash or fizzy drinks. If you really can’t avoid consuming some sugar, try to ensure that you do so at the same time as, or shortly after, eating a meal, and drink plenty of water to help wash the sugar off your teeth.

Pay regular visits to the dentist

Dentists are wonderful people. They don’t just help to keep your teeth clean and healthy, they can also help you to avoid more serious problems, such as gum disease and even mouth cancer.

If you can, see your dentist every six months, as this will ensure early diagnosis of anything untoward, as well as keeping your general oral health in check.

If you are looking for a dentist in Bristol, why not give us a call today to organise a check-up.

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