Category “Gums”

Top 10 Teeth Treats

July 20th, 2011

Water 

Essential for transporting calcium and other essential minerals in and out of the cell membranes for optimal dental health.

Cherries, blackcurrants and blueberries

High in bioflavonoid to protect gums.

Low fat milk and cheese

Calcium-rich for teeth and bones. If you’re lactose-intolerant find alternatives made from ewe, goat or buffalo milk.

Tea

The flavonoid in tea is thought to prevent plague from sticking to the teeth and protect the gums while tannins can inhibit bacteria growth.

Apples

High in vitamin C and boron for strong teeth as well as fibre to help keep teeth and gums clean.

Fish

Healthy, mineral-rich protein for healthy teeth and gums.

Nuts

Especially calcium-rich almonds are high in protein as well as other essential minerals.

Seeds

Pumpkin, sunflower, poppy and sesame seeds are all high in calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals. Look out for breads and crackers containing these seeds.

Pulses

Such as chickpeas (the main ingredient of humus) are high in protein and fibre as well as the essential minerals for healthy teeth, such as zinc, magnesium and calcium.

Sunshine

Your body cannot absorb calcium without vitamin D and the best source is sunshine. Expose your skin to 15 minutes of daylight a day to strengthen your bones and teeth.

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Choosing the Right Gum Shield

June 28th, 2011

A gum-shield is an appliance you wear in your mouth if you play a sport that involves contact to the mouth e.g. rugby, soccer, boxing, hockey etc. The first report of gum-shields being worn was in boxing in 1913, even then it was realised that this simple device reduced the incidence of knock-outs following blows to the jaw. Gum-shields are also know as sports-guards or mouth-guards. They are designed to protect the teeth and surrounding tissues from trauma. It does this by absorbing the pressure of the trauma and distributes it evenly over the whole jaw minimising the risk of injury. In addition it will also protect the lips and cheeks from laceration against the teeth.
There are different types of gum shields but the 3 main categories are:

Off the shelf gum-shields which are ready to use, can be used a temporary while waiting for a custom made gum-shield. Unfortunately they are a poor fit as they are designed to fit all mouths which are not all the same! They easily drop out and are sometimes uncomfortable to wear.

Boil to fit gum-shields. These are made of thermoplastic material and can be softened in boiling water then put into the mouth to shape. They are better than off the shelf ones due to the fit, again they can fall out easily and can be a bit fiddly to mould.

Custom made gum-shields are the gold standard gum-shield. They offer the best protection as they are made to fit exactly to the patients teeth. Numerous studies have shown between 80 and 90 percent reduction in dental injuries by wearing a custom made gum-shield. They remain fixed, never wear out and are tough enough to resist the toughest blows. They come in a variety of colours, stripes and checks.
 
Come along to see us at Creative Smiles so our staff can advise which gum-shield is best for you!

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Posted in Creative Smiles, Creative Smiles Services, Creative Smiles Team, General Wellbeing, Gum Shields, Gums, Migraine, Modern Dentistry, Mouth Guards, Oral Health, Preventative Dentistry, Prevention | Comments Off

Why is oral health important in Pregnancy?

April 12th, 2011

We hear it all the time, “I lost all my teeth when I had my children”, “My teeth were never the same” “I lost a tooth for every child” there are a lot of old wives tales about pregnancy and teeth but most are not true! Providing you practice excellent oral hygiene and cut down on sugar your teeth and gums will survive!!

Hormone changes during pregnancy increase the risk of inflammation of the gums, as a result of this the gums will bleed more easily. This condition is known as Pregnancy Gingivitis and it occurs in almost half of all pregnant women. In most cases the gingivitis will resolve after the birth as long as the patient is thorough with their oral hygiene and attends the Dentist/Hygienist on a regular basis so that they can be monitored. This will prevent the gingivitis progressing to a more serious condition known as Periodontitis, which is an advanced and irreversible form of gum disease.

Evidence of a link between poor oral health and how it affects unborn babies is growing stronger. Recent studies have suggested that poor levels of dental health in pregnant women can result in a greater chance of premature births. This is due to high levels of Prostaglandin a lipid compound found in oral bacteria which may induce labour. Pregnant mothers should maintain good oral health and a balanced diet. By snacking on healthy food while pregnant is key to preventing caries, so cutting out sugary snacks and drinks between meals will prevent your teeth from decaying. This will have an overwhelming positive effect on the development of the baby’s bodily health and dental health.

If you suffer from morning sickness during pregnancy you should not immediately brush your teeth as the enamel is weakened by the acid from vomiting. Instead you should rinse your mouth out with some water. It is also a good idea to eat little but often. We would also recommend sensodyne pronamel a daily toothpaste which has been specifically designed to help protect teeth from the effects of acid erosion.

If you have any concerns about your gums or teeth during pregnancy the staff at Creative Smiles would be only too happy to talk to you.

All of this means that now, more than ever, it is vital to look after your teeth during pregnancy!

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Posted in Gingivitis, Gums, Oral Health, Oral Hygiene, Periodontitis, Pregnancy, Preventative Dentistry, Prevention, Toothbrushing | Comments Off

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