At DentalcareWest we see this all the time, as we're keping our teeth longer than ever before. But in order to stay in optimal health, we need to be vigilant against potential problems. Certain risks can increase as we age.

#1 Tooth Decay Risk Increases
Aging can cause the base of teeth to become softer. In addition, roots can become more exposed. These two issues can cause cavities either around the base or root of the tooth.

#2 Dry Mouth Is A Common Problem
Thanks to medications, hormonal shifts, and the natural results of aging, dry mouth risk increases with age. Saliva is one of the main warriors against tooth decay, and without it, your risk of tooth decay and gum disease spike. Sipping water throughout the day, or chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva.

#3 Gum Disease Is The Most Common Cause Of Tooth Loss
Untreated gingivitis (inflamed gums) can easily become periodontitis. Gums pull away from the tooth and create pockets, where infections develop. Periodontitis can cause tooth loss and deteriorate jaw bone. If you have bleeding, red gums, talk to us. More frequent dental cleanings can help us keep your gums healthy.

#4 Oral Cancer Risk Goes Up
Oral cancer incidences increase as we age. Oral cancer is linked to heavy alcohol use and smoking, but even folks without those risk factors should be regularly screened at our office for early signs.

#5 Crowded Teeth Make Dental Health More Difficult
Many people experience shifting teeth as they age. Teeth can become crowded and more difficult to clean, and put extra stress on your gums and your jaw. Keep your oral health manageable, and your smile beautiful with more frequent cleanings, and perhaps orthodontic treatment to get a retainer or spacer.

Pass This Message On To Someone You Care About!
Even if you're not over 50, you know and care for someone who is. Share this message and let them know that you care about their healthy smile!

If you have any questions about your own oral health, or that of someone you care for, give us a call. We're always happy to talk with you.

Thanks for being our valued patients. We appreciate you!

We know it might come as a surprise but we at Epsom Dentalcare understand how time consuming a difficult flossing can be. Or perhaps you gums are sensitive, you have a small mouth, or you feel like you cutting the circulation to your fingers off. There are lots of seemingly good reasons not to floss and as you can imagine, we've heard them all.

But we are here to make flossing that much easier and more achievable for you. There are many varieties of floss that you can choose from; Satin tape, waxed tape, super floss, ultra floss, and flossettes. When deciding which floss is right for you, don't panic its not about what type you are using its how often you are flossing!

Consider Tools Like Flossettes

After trying several of the various options suggested above, if no brand or particular type of floss seems to be doing the trick for you, look into other tools that are designed to help and make it easier.

Flossettes and floss sticks eliminate the need to wrap floss around your fingers. We like to suggest this option to our patients who are concerned with cutting the circulation off to their fingers. These tools can also make it easier to reach back teeth without having to stick your hands in your mouth. They can also help you more easily manoeuvre the floss for better coverage.

There are many different tools and many different brands available to try. And again, which tool you use isn't nearly as important as the fact you're doing it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9GCF0Ad5bk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l1NDWuqXwc

Never Underestimate The Value Of Flossing!

Flossing is an essential part of effective, daily oral hygiene care. Flossing helps guard against gum disease, the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. In addition to the concerns of gum disease, some studies suggest that gum health is linked to systemic health issues including heart disease and diabetes.

Make Flossing a Daily Priority

If you have questions about how to make flossing easier, come on down and visit us, we would love to help.

Why preventive dentistry should be important to you?
 
Prevention is better than a cure! It’s as simple as that.

Preventive dentistry focuses on preventing dental issues rather than waiting to fix broken or worn down teeth. At the heart of preventive dentistry is the belief that if you follow all the important steps of maintaining good oral hygiene, many dental issues or emergencies can be prevented.

Why do I need preventive dentistry?

If you speak to any of our dentists at Epsom Dentalcare they will tell you that most of the dental issues that their patients experience result from poor oral hygiene. Instead of relying on a cure to treat dental ailments, preventive dentistry focuses on taking care of the patients teeth so the risk of developing a major disease diminishes. Patients who don’t maintain good oral hygiene and ignore their dental health will increase the risk of emergency dental care.

What does preventive dentistry include?

Preventive dentistry generally includes the following:

Regular brushing and flossing– Brushing your teeth twice every day and flossing at least once helps remove plaque from the teeth. If you don’t brush or floss regularly, plaque can build up inside your mouth to create acid-producing bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. An important thing to remember is that while many people make it a point to brush twice a day, the duration for which they brush is often less than a minute. All dentists will recommend that one should brush for at least two minutes.

Healthy diet– In addition to regular brushing and flossing, having a healthy diet also plays a major role in preventive dentistry. Eating cheese, chicken, nuts and meat protects tooth enamel while chocolates and carbonated soft drinks increase the risk of tooth decay and gum diseases. Eating a healthy diet not only benefits dental health but also works wonders for your overall health.

Fluoride use- Fluoride has been used as a defence against tooth decay. We use it in toothpastes as well as our water supply to give daily protection to our teeth. While there is a general amount of fluoride recommended to patients some patients however need more than others. So if you think you would benefit from more fluoride but are unsure have a chat with your dentist!

Routine dental visits– Many dental problems don’t have any major signs or symptoms until they reach an advanced stage. Therefore, it is important to visit a dentist every six to twelve months to detect any problems before they become ‘cavities’.

Snack what it’s really doing

Your alarm didn’t go off this morning so your late for work. You quickly get yourself ready, grab a banana and rush out of the house. Finally its morning tea time eureka! Just what you needed a nice dose of caffeine to see you through the next couple of hours. Which no doubt you’ll sit day dreaming about what lunch has in store for you; BLT sandwich, diet coke and maybe a side of something sweet. You survived your day and you can finally head home, relax and enjoy dinner. Not long after dinner you find yourself rummaging around the fridge for something sticky sweet to curb the hungry – because what is the point of having something so delicious just sitting in the fridge?? With your hunger now satisfied you can brush your teeth and happily rest your head on the pillow knowing you looked after your teeth today.

But wait a minute is brushing your teeth going to stop any damage to your teeth??

Everyone knows that snacking on sugary and processed foods is bad for your waistline. But what about the effects of an unhealthy diet on your oral health? Would you believe us if I told you that in this scenario, a banana did more harm to your teeth than that sweet treat you snuck in at lunch?

When you eat, the bacteria that naturally live in your mouth feed off of dietary sugars and produce the acid that, if not cleared away, destroys dental enamel. This demineralisation process can lead to decay and the bacteria can cause infection.

So, why did your banana cause more harm than the chocolate cake? The answer lies in the texture. Soft and sticky foods provide the perfect environment for bacteria to adhere to and accumulate over time. Snacking contributes to the development decay by:

1.Frequency of consumption

2.Amount of time that food is left in contact with teeth

Snacking between meals leaves your teeth susceptible to decay as you are constantly feeding these bacteria and increasing the pH level in favour of demineralisation. You ate the banana, and then drank coffee with milk and sugar an hour later. You ate lunch, had the sweet treat, and before you realised, it was dinnertime. Food was left in contact with your teeth all day, forcing constant acidity and preventing neutralization.

Here are our top snacking tips to help prevent demineralisation in your mouth;

Our top Snacking Tips:

1.Avoid added sugar and acidic beverages

2.Brush at least twice a day and flossing daily

3.Use fluoridated toothpaste

4.Keep snacking to a minimum by consuming your snacks at one time, don't graze on your snack for the next hour.

5. Allow enough time in the morning to eat a proper healthy breakfast and to brush your teeth before you leave the house.

Why preventive dentistry should be important to you

Prevention is better than cure – which should now be common knowledge in maintaining not only good health but oral health.

Preventive dentistry focuses on preventing dental issues rather than waiting to fix broken or worn down teeth. At the heart of preventive dentistry is the belief that if you follow all the important steps of maintaining good oral hygiene, many dental issues or emergencies can be prevented.

Why do I need preventive dentistry?

If you speak to any of our dentists at Dentalcare West they will tell you that most of the dental issues that their clients experience result from poor oral hygiene.  Patients who don’t maintain good oral hygiene and ignore their dental health until it creates major issues for them increase the risk of emergency dental care and a not so happy wallet. Instead of relying on a cure to treat dental ailments, preventive dentistry focuses on taking care of one’s teeth so the risk of developing a major disease diminishes.

What does preventive dentistry include?

Preventive dentistry generally includes the following:

Regular brushing and flossing– Brushing your teeth twice every day and flossing at least once helps remove plaque from the teeth. If you don’t brush or floss regularly, plaque can build up inside your mouth to create acid-producing bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. An important thing to remember is that while many people make it a point to brush twice a day, the duration for which they brush is often less than a minute. All dentists will recommend that one should brush for at least two minutes.

Healthy diet– In addition to regular brushing and flossing, having a healthy diet also plays a major role in preventive dentistry. Eating cheese, chicken, nuts and meat protects tooth enamel while chocolates and carbonated soft drinks increase the risk of tooth decay and gum diseases. Eating a healthy diet not only benefits dental health but also works wonders for your overall health.

Fluoride use- Fluoride has been used as a defence against tooth decay. We use it in toothpastes as well as our water supply to give daily protection to our teeth. While there is a general amount of fluoride recommended to patients some patients however need more than others, so if you think you would benefit from more fluoride but are unsure have a chat with your dentist!

Routine dental visits– Many dental problems don’t have any major signs or symptoms until they reach an advanced stage. Therefore, it is important to visit a dentist every six to twelve months to detect any problems before they become ‘cavities’. 

Which tooth paste should I use?
 

These days you can buy plenty of different tooth pastes that whiten your teeth, fight plaque, freshen your breath and reduce tooth sensitivity. But what tooth paste is right for you?

Every toothpaste sounds like it might be worth trying. After all, we all want white teeth, fresher breath and a tooth paste that fights decay. But using three or four different toothpastes everyday is a definite no go for anyone. But how do we know what toothpaste is going to give us the results we want. With the ever growing toothpaste market many consumers are confused by all the different toothpastes available. But the fact is that many toothpastes have the same basic ingredients – most recognised toothpaste brands are actually made using a similar formula but the extra element that makes one more special than the other is just an added 'something' to the original recipe. Toothpastes will normally include flouride, which actively protects your teeth from decay. It will also include powdered calcium, which helps to strengthen teeth and to remove stains.

It is agreed by all dental professionals that a toothpaste that follows this basic recipe should be enough to keep your teeth healthy and free of decay. However, of course the toothpaste by itself is not enough – you have to put the effort in too! We recommend brushing twice every day, using a flouridated toothpaste, for at least two minutes along side daily flossing. It can be assummed that a toothpaste suitable for myself may not be suitable for you -so ask your dentist to recommend the right one for you at your next regular dental check up appointments. 

What is dry mouth?

Dry mouth is a condition that usually results from decreased production of saliva. At times, xerostomia can make it difficult to speak and may lead to malnutrition. Extreme dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction can produce significant and permanent mouth and throat disorders and can impair a person's quality of life. Dry mouth is also called xerostomia.

How common is dry mouth?

Dry mouth affects about 10% of all people and is more prevalent in women than men. Disorders of saliva production affect elderly people and those who are taking prescription and nonprescription medications most frequently.

What are the benefits of saliva?

Saliva is an essential part of a healthy mouth and is often taken for granted. The lubricating properties of saliva provide comfort and help protect the oral tissues against ulcers, sores, and other effects of friction. Saliva neutralizes acids and provides antibodies against bacterial threat. Saliva helps digest food and helps teeth in remineralization. Saliva is also a very essential contributor to a person's ability to taste, as it acts as a solvent for the taste stimuli.

What causes dry mouth?

There are many causes of dry mouth. Dry mouth most commonly occurs as a side effect of medications that cause decrease saliva production, including blood pressure medications, antihistamines,antidepressants, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and many others. Other causes of dry mouth are radiation treatments to treat cancerous tumors of the head and neck, salivary gland diseases, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, mouth breathing, sleep apnea, and autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemiclupus erythematosus. Eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia, are other risk factors for developing xerostomia. Salivary production can be decreased if a major salivary duct becomes blocked, such as from a stone or infection. Dry mouth will often occur during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to dehydration and hormonal changes. Other causative factors include stress, anxiety, depression, and dehydration.

What is an x-ray and how often should I have them?

Even the name, x-ray is a little intimidating. Why do you need x-rays? How many are too many? How often should you have them? Are they dangerous? What if another dentist took them? What if I don't want x-rays? These are all important and often asked questions.

What are x-rays and what do they do?

With some different characteristics x-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation much like visible light. However the important difference is that x-rays can penetrate or pass through human body structure and produce a shadow like image showing signs of disease or injury. Another characteristic of x-rays that makes it different from light is that it carries much more energy and deposits a part of this energy within the body as it passes through. It is the absorbed energy that has the potential to produce biological effects within the tissues. However, the amount absorbed known as the radiation dose during dental treatments is very low.

Why do you need x-rays?

Dental x-rays are an important diagnostic tool that helps the dentist detect damage and disease between your teeth and surrounding tissues that cannot ordinarily be seen in the mouth during routine dental examinations. In addition, x-rays help your dentist find and treat dental problems early in their development, which can potentially save you money and unnecessary discomfort.

What problems can dental x-rays detect?

Areas of decay that may not be visible with an oral examination

Identify decay occurring beneath an existing filling

Reveal bone loss

Reveal changes in the bone or in the root canal resulting from infection

Assist in the preparation of tooth implants, braces or dentures

Reveal abscesses (infections)

Reveal other developmental abnormalities, such as cysts and some types of tumours

In children dental X-rays are especially important to:

Check for decay

Determine if there is enough space in the mouth to fit all incoming teeth

Determine if primary teeth are being lost quickly enough to allow permanent teeth to erupt properly

Check for the development of wisdom teeth and identify if the teeth are impacted

How often should someone have an x-ray? 

How often X-rays should be taken depends on your present oral health, your age, your risk for disease, and any signs and symptoms of oral disease. X-rays are usually recommended by dentists every six to 24 months depending on the individual patient. If you are a new patient, the dentist will recommend X-rays to determine the present status of your oral health and have a baseline to help identify changes that may occur later. People who fall into the high-risk category who may need X-rays taken more frequently include smokers, those with gum disease, active caries and oral health conditions such as dry mouth.

What if another dentist took them?

If paid for, your x-rays are yours and you can request to have them sent to your new dentist if you wish.

What if I don’t want x-rays?

It is entirely up to you if you wish not to have x-rays taken. However this does mean the dentist has less of a chance at detecting early decay and preventing it from becoming worse resulting in a bigger cavity.