Toothache & Sensitivity

Tooth Decay

The causes of tooth decay are complex and multifactorial however, there is no doubt that carbohydrate foods, which include sugars, play a role in the development of tooth decay (dental caries). The frequency of drinking sweetened drinks and eating these foods, as well as other factors such as cleaning teeth and the use of fluorides all play a role in the etiology of dental caries.

How often we eat can influence dental health. It’s therefore important to allow time between snacks and meals so that the natural saliva in our mouths can go to work counteracting the acid that causes tooth decay. Saliva can even repair some of the damage caused by acid. This natural process needs time to work. It can’t happen while there is food in the mouth, so it’s important to leave at least two hours between eating for saliva to start the repair process. The key health message here is to “Give teeth a rest”.

Tooth Mousse What is it. Tooth Mousse is a water-based creme containing Recaldent©CPP-ACP (Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate.) It is sugar free with a special blend of polishing, cleaning and dentinal tubule sealing agents. When CPP-ACP is applied in the oral environment, it will bind to biofilms, plaque, bacteria, hydroxyapatite (tooth structure) and soft tissue localising bio-available calcium and phosphate. This will help fight the root decay battle.
After cleaning your teeth with your normal tooth paste at night you can then apply Tooth Mousse simply rub a smear over all the tooth surfaces. Then use dental floss or TePe’s and floss the mousse between the teeth. Leave alone for 3 minutes. You can choose your preference of flavour. Saliva will enhance the effectiveness of CPP-ACP and the flavour will help stimulate saliva flow. The longer CPP-ACP and saliva are maintained in the mouth, the more effective the result. Recaldent Tooth Mousse provides extra protection for teeth. It helps to neutralise acid challenges from acidogenic bacteria in plaque.

Root Decay & Sensitivity

Root decay occurs as the gums recede from the teeth, the roots of the teeth are then more exposed to bacteria and more susceptible to decay.

Sensitive teeth are common, affecting up to 81% of adults in the UK, yet many do not know that the twinges they experience are a sign of sensitivity which is caused by exposed dentine.  Rather than addressing the problem, a large number of sufferers try to ignore the twinges or develop ways to avoid them, without realising their teeth have vulnerable areas.

This new formulation Sensodyne Repair & Protect is the first everyday fluoride toothpaste to contain patented NovaMin technology, which is scientifically proven to repair sensitive teeth by forming a tooth-like layer over exposed dentine to help continually repair and protect sensitive areas.

Used twice daily, as you would a regular toothpaste; Sensodyne Repair & Protect will continually help repair sensitive teeth and help prevent sensitivity. Plus, it provides the benefits of an ordinary daily fluoride toothpaste including all-round protection, cleaning and freshness.  Please ask a staff member for a sample today.

Salivary Function

Saliva plays an important role in dental health. Not only does it assist in washing foods away from teeth, and neutralising the acids, but it also re-mineralises teeth and repairs minor damage caused by plaque acids. There are some circumstances where individuals may not be producing sufficient saliva. This occurs with some illnesses and medications. One way to stimulate saliva is to chew gum after eating. Sugar free gums usually contain sugar-alcohol based products like xylitol which can also help to protect your teeth.

Oral Hygiene

Regular brushing and flossing of teeth not only removes foods which might cause decay but also harmful plaque bacteria. It is very important in the fight against root decay to have regular hygiene visit to minimise further decay and prevent build-up of plaque on teeth which leads to root decay.

Using the right brush is very important, if you are using the wrong brush you could be damaging your gums and cause recession.

If gum recession occurs, a tooth's root will be exposed (no longer covered over by gum tissue). Because the root surface of a tooth is relatively "soft" (as compared to dental enamel) and also their location exposed root surfaces can be hard to clean (and thus dental plaque is continually present) decay can start easily, putting a person through another period of cavity prone years.

Top teeth tips

There are many ways in which we can keep our teeth in top condition. Here are some simple strategies:

· Use a fluoride toothpaste.  This is one of the most effective means of reducing decay

· Limit the amount and frequency of intake of sweetened drinks in order to minimise dental erosion.

· Drink rather than sip sugar sweetened beverages.

· Take dental hygiene seriously. Brush and floss twice daily and make regular visits to your dentist, therapist/hygienist.

· Restrict the amounts of sugary foods eaten. If consumed keep to meal times, or special occasions, rather than snacking throughout the day.

· Eat a combination of foods and include dairy foods with fermentable carbohydrates and other sugars. Try to consume these foods at meal times rather than between meals.

· Rinse the mouth with water, chew sugarless gum (especially those containing sugar-alcohols) and eat dairy products after the consumption of fermentable carbohydrates.

· Chew sugarfree gum after meals and only have safe snacks between meals.