Teeth Care - Edgware dentist : Middlesex dentists : cosmetic dentist Edgware

What is preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry is the modern way of reducing the amount of dental treatment necessary to maintain a healthy mouth. With joint efforts of the dentist, the hygienist and the patient, the aim is to prevent the need for treatment, and so to avoid the traditional pattern of fillings and extractions.
It is likely that a course of treatment will be recommended to get your mouth into excellent condition, and a plan worked out to help you keep it that way.

Is prevention possible?

Yes. With modern dentistry and constant new developments, it is possible to prevent or considerably reduce dental disease.

What does preventive dentistry really do?

It helps you to keep your teeth. the two major causes of tooth loss are decay and gum disease. The better we prevent or deal with these two problems, the more chance people have of keeping their teeth for life.

Can everybody benefit from preventive dentistry?

Yes. Preventive dentistry will benefit anyone with some of their own teeth. It is excellent for children and young people, but it is never too late to start.

What is involved?

Your dentist will first assess your teeth and gums, and discuss with you any treatment that is necessary. The primary aim is to help you to get you mouth really healthy, so that dental problems do not recur in the future. In a healthy mouth it is unlikely that decay and gum disease will continue to be a problem. Your dentist will make sure that all your fillings are in good repair and there are no rough edges to make cleaning difficult. The hygienist will thoroughly 'scale and polish' your teeth. The dentist or hygienist will show you the best methods of brushing and flossing to remove the bacterial 'plaque' which forms constantly on the teeth and gums. You will be advised which is the ideal brush for use, very probably one with a small head. The hygienist will probably discuss diet with and will also advise you on the importance of cleaning between your teeth.

What is plaque?

Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria which forms constantly on the teeth and gums. When sugar is present in the mouth, the plaque turns the sugar into acid, which will cause tooth decay. Plaque will also cause gum inflammation if it is not regularly and thoroughly removed. the hard tartar (or 'calculus') deposits, which build up on the teeth also start off as plaque.

What can the dentist and hygienist do to help prevent dental decay?

Fluoride helps teeth resist decay. If your dentist thinks added fluoride would be useful, they may recommend the application of topical fluoride. They may also suggest the use of fluoride rinses, tablets or drops as an extra help against decay for use at home. Only use these if you have been advised to do so, and follow the instructions carefully.
The biting surfaces of children's teeth can be protected by the application of 'sealants'. These make the tooth surface smoother and easier to clean, and stop decay starting in the difficult to clean areas.

What can I do at home?

The process of getting your mouth health will be a continuing one. It is very important that you keep up a good routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy at home. This will involve brushing and flossing as you have been shown, and being careful to monitor the frequency of foods and drinks that will encourage decay. It is important to brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. There are now many specialized formulations of toothpaste available including Tartar Control, for sensitive teeth and Total Care toothpastes. Mouthwashes can be beneficial and again, there are many different formulations available. Look for products carrying the BDHF logo, which means that the claims made by the manufacturer have been independently validated and clinically proven.
You will need regular sessions with your dentist or hygienist to monitor the improvement and give you help and encouragement. Achieving a healthy mouth does not happen instantly - it may take several months to achieve, and will need continual care to maintain in the future.

How can diet affect my teeth?

Food and drinks containing sugar cause decay. A reduction in the frequency of consuming sweet things will help considerably. Food such as cheese, fruit, nuts and vegetables make good substitutes.

What your dentist may recommend:

A 'preventive dentist' will often recommend treatment to reinforce a tooth to make sure that it does not break. For example, if the dentist sees that a tooth is cracked, or is weak and in danger of breaking, they may advise a new filling or perhaps a crown or 'onlay' to protect it. this is always better than waiting till the breakage happens, and then working out how best to deal with it, perhaps as an emergency.

With the right partnership between patient, dentist and hygienist, preventive dentistry can change the traditional pattern of continuing treatment to one of continuing dental health.

Summary

• Effective daily removal of plaque.
• Good eating habits - be aware of the danger of consuming sweet food.
• Regular visits to the dentist to check the condition of the teeth and gums.

When should I take my children to the dentist?

Recommend that children should go to the dentist with their parents as soon as possible. You should then take them regularly, on average once every six months. This will let them get used to the noises, smells and surroundings, and prepare them for future visits. The earlier these visits begin, the more relaxed the child will be.

How should I clean their teeth?

Cleaning your child’s teeth should be part of their daily hygiene routine.
You may find it easier to stand or sit behind your child, cradling their chin in your hand so you can reach their top and bottom teeth more easily. When the first teeth start to come through, try using a children’s toothbrush with a small smear of toothpaste. It is important to supervise your child’s brushing
until they are at least seven.
Once all the teeth have come through, use a small-headed soft toothbrush in small circular movements and try to concentrate on one section at a time. Don’t forget to brush gently behind the teeth and onto the gums. If possible make tooth brushing a routine – preferably in the morning, and last thing before your child goes to bed. Remember to encourage your child, as praise will often get results!

When do my child’s teeth come through?

All children are different and develop at different rates. The diagram below gives an idea of when the teeth come through. However, teeth can come through in a different order so do not be worried, as your dentist will be able to keep check on your child’s teeth.

Should I use a fluoride toothpaste?

Fluoride comes from a number of different sources including toothpaste, specific fluoride applications and perhaps the drinking water in your area. These can all help prevent tooth decay (caries). If you are unsure about using fluoride toothpaste, ask your dentist, health visitor or health authority. You can get low-fluoride toothpastes, and the general rule is to use a small smear of toothpaste up to 5 years; from 5 to 7 use slightly less than a pea size and normal pea size from 7 years upwards. Children should be supervised up to the age of 7, and you should make sure that they spit out the toothpaste and don’t swallow any if possible.

What sort of brush should I use?

There are many different types of children toothbrushes available, including brightly coloured brushes, some of which change colour, those with favourite characters on the handles and timers that all encourage children to brush their teeth. The most important point is to use a small-headed toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles, suitable for the age of your child.
If in doubt, look for the British Dental Health Foundation logo on toothbrush and toothpaste packaging. This logo means that the product claims made on the packet are supported by scientific testing.

What could cause my child to have toothache?

Toothache is painful and upsetting, especially in children, the main cause is still tooth decay. This is due to too much sugar, too often, in diet.
Teething is another problem and starts when children are around six months old. Symptoms may include high temperature, red cheeks, swollen gums and a tendency to dribble. It can be painful, but is often eased by biting on a cold, smooth surface.
A child’s sugar-free pain relief medicine or teething gel will often ease teething pains. However if the problem continues, get advise from your dentist.

How can I prevent tooth decay in my child?

The main cause of tooth decay is not the amount of sugar in the diet, but how often it is eaten or drunk. The more often your child has sugary foods or drinks, the likely they are to have decay. It is therefore important to keep sugary foods to mealtimes only. If you want to give your child a snack, try to stick to cheese, vegetables and fruit, but not dried fruit.
It is also worth remembering that some processed baby foods also contain quite a lot of sugar. Try checking the list of ingredients: the higher up the list sugar is, the more there is in the product. Thorough brushing twice a day, particularly last thing at night, will help to prevent tooth decay.

What if my child is very nervous about going to the dentist?

Children can sense fear in their parents, so it is important not to let your child feel that a visit to the dentist is something to be worried about. Try to be supportive if your child needs to dental treatment, and if you have any fears of your own about going to the dentist, don’t discuss them in front of your child.
Regular visits to the dentist are essential in helping your child to get used to the surroundings and what goes on there. A child can be much more anxious if it is their first visit to a dental practice. Pain and distress can happen at any time and it is important to prepare your child with regular visits.
If your child already has a good relationship with the dentist, it is much easier for the child, parent and dentist if treatment does become necessary later on.

What are sealants?

Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your children’s teeth from decay. A sealant is a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant forma a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.

Which teeth should be sealed?

Sealants are only applied to the back teeth – the molars and the premolars. These are the teeth that have pits and fissures on their biting surfaces. Your dentist will tell you which teeth should be sealed after they have examined them, and checked whether the fissures are deep enough for sealing to help. Some teeth naturally form with deep grooves, which will need to be sealed, others with shallow ones which will not need sealing.

What is involved?

The process is usually quick and straightforward taking only a few minutes per tooth. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution, and dried. The liquid sealed is then applied and allowed to set hard – usually by shining an ultraviolet light onto it.

Will my child feel it?

No, it is totally pain free, and the teeth do not feel any different afterwards.

How long do they last?

Sealants usually last for many years, but your dentist will want to check them regularly to make sure that the seal is still intact. That can wear over time, and sometimes the dentist needs to add or replace some sealant to be sure that no decay can start underneath them.

How do they work?

The sealant forms a smooth, protective barrier, by covering all the little grooves and dips in the surface of the tooth. Dental decay easily starts
in these grooves.

When should this be done?

Sealants are often applied as soon as the permanent teeth start to come through. This is usually between 6 and 7 years of age. The rest are usually sealed as soon as they appear which can be any time between 11 and 14 years of age.

How much does it cost?

Most dentists offer fissure sealing. It may be available on NHS and is not expensive. But in many cases it is available only privately. The cost varies from dentist to dentist, but usually good value.

Do my children still have to clean their teeth?

Yes. It is still vital that they do this. The smooth sealed surface is now much easier to keep clean and healthy with normal tooth brushing. Using a fluoride toothpaste will also help to protect your children’s teeth. Pit and fissure sealing reduces tooth decay and the number of fillings your child might need.

Whom do I ask about the treatment?

If you would like to know more about the treatment, ask your dentist or hygienist. They will tell you if fissure sealing will help your children’s teeth, and if it is the right time to do it.

What is tooth whitening?

Tooth whitening can be highly effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surface. It cannot make a complete colour change; but it will lighten the existing shade.

Why would I need my teeth whitened?

There are a number of reasons why you might get your teeth whitened. Everyone is different; and just as our hair and skin colour vary, so do our teeth. Very few people have brilliant-white teeth, and our teeth can also become more discoloured as we get older.
Your teeth can also be stained on the surface through food and drinks such as tea, coffee red wine and blackcurrant. Smoking can also stain teeth.
Calculas or tartar can also affect the colour of teeth. Some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or tiny cracks under the teeth which take up stains.

What does tooth whitening involve?

Professional bleaching is the most common form of tooth whitening. Your dentist will be able to tell you if you are suitable for the treatment, and will supervise it if you are. First the dentist will put a rubber shield or a gel on your gums to protect the soft tissue. They will then apply the whitening product to your teeth, using a specially made tray which fits into your mouth like a gum-shield.
The ‘active ingredient’ in the product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the active ingredient is broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel on the teeth and the tooth colour is made lighter.

How long does it take?

The total treatment can usually be done within three or four weeks. First, you will need two or three visits to the dentist. Your dentist will need to make a mouthguard and will take impressions for this at the first appointment. Once your dentist has started the treatment, you will need to continue the treatment at home. This means regularly applying the whitening product over two or four weeks, for 30 minutes to one hour at a time.
However, there are now some new products which can be applied for up to eight hours at a time. This means a satisfactory result can be achieved
in as little as one week.

What other procedures are there?

There is now laser whitening or ‘power whitening’. During this procedure a rubber dam is put over your teeth to protect the gums, and a bleaching product is painted onto your teeth. Then the light or laser is shone on your teeth to activate the chemical. The light speeds up the chemical reaction of the whitening product and the colour change can be achieved more quickly using this procedure. Laser whitening can make teeth up to five or six shades lighter.

How long does it take?

Your dentist well need to assess your teeth to make sure that you are suitable for the treatment. Once it has been agreed, this procedure usually
takes about one hour.

How much does teeth whitening cost?

You cannot get whitening treatments on the NHS. Private charges will vary from practice and region to region. Laser or power whitening will be more expensive than professional bleaching. We recommend you get a written estimate of the cost before you start ant treatment.

How long will my teeth stay whiter?

The effects of whitening can last up to three years. However, this may vary from person to person. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, or eat or drink products that can stain your teeth. Ask your dentist for their opinion before
you start treatment.

What are the side effects?

Some people may find that their teeth become sensitive to cold during or after the treatment. Others report discomfort in the gums, a sore throat or white patches on the gum line. These symptoms are usually temporary and should disappear within a few days of treatment finishing.
If any of these side effects continue you should go to your dentist.

What about home kits?

Home kits are cheaper. But because tooth whitening is a complicated procedure you should only have it done by a dentist, after a thorough examination and assessment of your teeth.
Over-the-counter kits sold in the UK are not recommended as they usually contain only a small concentration of hydrogen peroxide (the whitening product). The legal limit in the UK is 0.1% of the hydrogen peroxide and the effects bleaching products need to have about 3.6%. So home kits will not be able to lighten your teeth noticeably.
Also, some contain mild acids and other abrasive. This can cause ulcers and damage to the gums if the product is not used properly.

What about whitening toothpastes?

There are several whitening toothpastes on the market. Although then do not affect the natural colour of your teeth, they may be effective at removing staining and therefore may improve the overall appearance of your teeth. Whitening toothpaste may also help the effect last, once your teeth have been professionally whitened.

Can a single tooth which has been root filled be whitened?

Yes. Many dead teeth go discoloured after a root filling. If the tooth has been root treated, the canal (which previously contained the nerve) may be reopened.
The whitening product is applied working from the inside to whiten the tooth.

When might tooth whitening not work?

Tooth whitening can only lighten your existing tooth colour. Also it only works on natural teeth. It will not work on any types of ‘false’ teeth such as dentures, crowns and veneers.
If your dentures are stained or discoloured visit your dentist and ask for them to be cleaned. Stained veneers, crowns or dentures may need replacing;
again ask your dentist.

How can I look after my teeth once they have been whitened?

You can help to keep your teeth white by cutting down on the amount of food and drink you have that can stain teeth. Don’t forget, stopping smoking can also prevent discolouring and staining.

We recommend the following tips to care for your teeth:

• brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks.
• visit your dentist a least once a year.