Oral Hygiene

cleaning

Why Frequent Cleanings Are Best for a Healthy Smile

In the past, most experts recommended visiting the dentist every six months in order to obtain a professional cleaning. However, times have changed. Some people tend to have more plaque buildup, so require more frequent cleanings. 

There are a number of advantages when cleaning take place on a regular basis. 

Dealing with Bacteria and Plaque

At-home brushing and flossing techniques are not always effective at removing the harmful plaque and bacteria that can accumulate within the mouth. This is even more relevant for those who have crooked or tightly spaced teeth. Professional dental cleanings are capable of accessing all of these “nooks and crannies”. Therefore, the chances of developing issues such as cavities and gum disease are dramatically reduced. 

Avoiding Common Dental Problems 

One of the concerns with oral health is that some problems are difficult to detect. Tooth decay and gum disease may not show symptoms of problems until later stages. Dentists and dental hygienists are able to look for any tell-tale signals that a more thorough examination may be required. Those who don’t get the cleanings are at a higher risk of needing more in-depth treatments that could have otherwise been avoided. 

The Notion of Early Detection

Regular professional cleanings are great ways to make sure that your oral health is never taken for granted. We are not only referring to cavities and gum disease in this sense. Cracked veneers and damaged bridges may likewise be detected with a cleaning. The same holds true for any fillings that have come loose or partially detached over time. There are even times when cancer screenings can be used to search for any serious concerns at an early stage. 

This is why you should follow your dentist’s advice if they request more frequent dental cleanings. You will be helping to ensure that the health of your teeth and gums is never called into question. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist today!

Learn more:

https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/how-regular-teeth-cleanings-keep-your-smile-healthy/

Dental Health and Bad Breath

 teeth health smile dentistHalitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Halitosis is caused by poor oral health habits and may be made worse by types of food and unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Key takeaways:
– Foods that have strong odors such as onions and garlic will leave an odor until they pass through the body. Brushing and flossing only temporarily masks the odor.
– Halitosis could be a sign of gum disease, dry mouth, chronic acid reflux, dental caries, diabetes, and respiratory problems such as pneumonia.
– Good oral hygiene, regular dental visits, drinking lots of water and quitting smoking are ways to prevent bad breath.
If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and the odor is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the odor source and treatment plan.
Read the full story here
www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/bad-breath#1

How your dentist can brighten your smile

There are many ways a dentist can brighten up your smile. At Danny de Villiers Dentist in Weybridge, we offer a number of cosmetic dental options, with a brighter smile being the most frequently heard request.
brighten-teethTeeth can be stained or discoloured for a number of reasons, so the first thing your Weybridge dentist will do is to establish the cause of your tooth discolouration. It might surprise you to learn that the most common cause to stained and discoloured teeth is visible dental plaque, which is bad news for your health as well as for the appearance of your smile.
Plaque can be tackled with a visit to the dental hygienist, who will perform a professional scale and polish and will also teach you how to improve your home cleaning routine so that the problem doesn’t happen again.
However, even people with a good dental hygiene regime find that their teeth become stained by a number of lifestyle factors. These may include smoking, drinking a lot of tea, coffee, or red wine, or taking certain medications. For this type of staining, teeth whitening is a good treatment option.
Teeth whitening is entirely safe and very reliable when carried out by a dentist. At Danny de Villiers Dentist in Weybridge, we use the Zoom in-chair teeth whitening system. This involves a single visit to the dental practice, lasting just over an hour.
Your dentist carries out the whitening treatment (after protecting your gums and lips) and all you need to do is sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that you will walk out of our Weybridge clinic with beautifully bright, white teeth, and long-lasting results.
When it comes to permanent tooth discolouration, your dentist can use porcelain veneers, which are thin porcelain shells placed over the surfaces of the teeth to improve their appearance.
At our Weybridge practice your dentist will use Spectro Shade to ensure that your veneers (and any other restorations) will match the natural shade of your teeth precisely.
Your Weybridge practitioner can also replace visible metal fillings with tooth-coloured composite alternatives, or porcelain inlays or onlays in cases where more extensive restoration is needed.

What your dentist can do about bad breath

Bad breath is a problem that dentists are frequently asked about. There are many causes of bad breath – also known as halitosis – and the first thing we will do when you come to our Weybridge dental practice for treatment is to establish what is causing the problem, so that we can recommend an effective way to treat it.
bad breathMost people will experience bad breath at some point in their life – particularly after eating strong-smelling foods, or drinking too much alcohol. Occasional bad breath shouldn’t cause too much concern, but if the problem is persistent, you should contact your dentist for advice. We offer both dentist and hygienist services at our Weybridge clinic, both of which can help combat halitosis.
Common causes of bad breath
Bad breath can be caused by many factors. Here are some of the most common causes:
Food and drink
Spicy foods such as curries, plus onions and garlic, are common causes of temporary bad breath. Drinking too much alcohol or coffee can also dry out the mouth and cause bad breath. Brushing your teeth after every meal can help alleviate this type of halitosis.
Smoking
Smoking cigars, cigarettes, or pipe tobacco can all cause bad breath, along with staining the teeth and increasing your risk of gum disease. Your dentist can provide you with smoking cessation advice if you are interested in stopping or cutting down.
Medicines
Some medicines, particularly those used in chemotherapy and angina can have the side-effect of causing bad breath. Your GP will be able to advise you on how best to treat or manage this.
Crash dieting
Crash dieting causes the body to break down fat, releasing chemicals called ketones that can cause the breath to smell unpleasant. Following a sensible, balanced diet will help.
The most common cause of bad breath is inadequate dental hygiene. Regular visits to our Weybridge dental practice help to treat and address these issues, so you can be bad-breath free for life.

The Ultimate Confidence Killer: Unpleasant Breath

Nothing ends a conversation or ruins a first impression faster than bad breath.
bad breathBad breath (also known as halitosis) can easily deter the people around you. Anyone dealing with this condition can attest to how difficult it is physically and emotionally. Whenever you attempt to talk to someone, you find them edging away instead of listening intently. Of course, there is that old play of a friend suddenly offering you mints out of nowhere.
Unpleasant breath can make you terribly self-conscious, but apart from that, it also affects your self-esteem.
How Your Breath Affects your Confidence
Cases of bad breath are common and it should not be an embarrassment, but it is. It can be hard to feel good about yourself when you offend others with your breath. When you see others flinch when you speak, it can be detrimental to your view of yourself. Initially, you think it is just your breath, but as you see the effects, you cannot help but feel bad.
It can also affect your intimacy with family and friends. Chronic or recurring bad breath is unattractive for most people and affects your chances of socialising with others.
The Culprits Behind Unpleasant Breath
There are numerous factors behind your condition. Usually, failure to practice good dental hygiene causes a build up of food particles on your teeth, tongue and gums. Your body’s breakdown of bacteria results in the release of strong odours from your mouth.
Your diet also contributes to how your breath smells. For example, if you always eat meals with pungent food items, such as garlic and onions, these ingredients will definitely spoil your breath.
There is Still Hope
Fortunately, all hope is not lost! You can still regain your confidence by stepping up to halitosis with a few simple tricks. For example, brush and floss your teeth multiple times each day to rid your mouth of bacteria build-up. Also, drink lots of water to increase your saliva, which removes halitosis-causing food particles.
Your dental practice is also your best mate when it comes to battling bad breath. By visiting your dentist, you receive recommendations on how to properly deal with halitosis.
Danny de Villiers Dentist takes the time to come up with the appropriate health plan to improve your oral health. Get in touch with our certified Weybridge dentists and we will help you regain your confidence with fresher breath.

The Problem with Worry: Anxiety and Oral Problems

Whilst anxiety is more of a mental issue, it has many physical symptoms that it almost feels like a physical disorder. Anxiety or constant worrying causes problems that end up having an effect on oral health too. In fact, anxiety tests can determine whether your dental problems are due to nervousness or worrying.

Tooth Grinding

anxiety and oral problemsOne oral issue related to anxiety is bruxism or tooth grinding, especially at night. It occurs while sleeping and many people with this problem have no idea that they are grinding their teeth. Bruxism can wear down the tooth’s enamel and give you headaches at night. You may only start to notice the problem when you start to feel pain around the jaw.

Acid to the mouth

Anxiety and stress are associated with acid reflux, although it is a completely different condition. This brings acids up to the mouth, possibly damaging your teeth and the enamel. High levels of stress are also linked to gum disease, even though this is mostly because of the habit of anxious and stressed-out people such as disregarding oral hygiene and eating too much sugar as a way of coping emotionally.

Obsessed Over Teeth

Anxiety can cause you to obsess over your teeth, and make you believe that every toothache means a serious problem. This may cause you to overbrush to the point that you are already damaging your teeth and gums. There are also those who may note that during an anxiety attack, they feel a toothache or as if their teeth are loosening.

The Case of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth may occur with anxiety and can affect the health of your teeth. It may happen during periods of intense anxiety. Whilst dry mouth is not a serious medical problem, it may contribute to poor nutrition, mouth infections, tooth decay and psychological discomfort.

It helps to maintain a good oral healthcare, but you still need to see your dentist and listen to their recommendations. Your dentist may give you an insight into what likely caused your tooth problem and what you can do about them. Browse through our website today and find out how we can help with your dental issues.

Plaque-Causing Habits You Need to Stop Now

Plaque is your teeth’s number one enemy.
It is the villain in every white smile story; you cannot smile brightly due to a sticky film substance covering the enamel of your teeth. The bacteria also destroy your teeth’s protective covering, and that’s when cavities begin to damage your teeth. Left unresolved, plaque causes tartar on your teeth.
gum diseaseDespite our preference for plaque-free teeth, regular habits play a part in this unwanted development. Some believe that keeping plaque off teeth is a complicated process. On the contrary, consistency is the key to a healthier set of teeth.
If you want a brighter, whiter smile, here are 3 habits you should stop:
Not brushing twice a day
Regular brushing is a sure fire protection for your dental health. Your toothbrush is your greatest weapon against the damaging effects of plaque. It is tempting to forego brushing your teeth twice but it comes with serious consequences. Tartar above the gum line causes gum disease and gingivitis.
Brush your teeth gently twice or three times a day or 30 minutes after each meal. Use a fluoride toothpaste. There is no mandatory technique when it comes to brushing your teeth; just make sure you reach all areas and you do it gently.
Not watching what you eat
Fizzy drinks, lollies and other sweet treats are the perfect food companions, especially after a rough day at work. Unfortunately, too much of these spells trouble for your teeth.
Bacteria enjoy the overwhelming presence of carbohydrates (such as sugar) in your teeth. When you eat excessively, bacteria create a film of plaque that digests sugar into acid, causing tooth damage.
Exercise control over what you eat. This does not mean you should stop eating sweets; limit yourself to one sweet a day and do not forget to brush. Indulgence satisfies your cravings but it can also bring about serious damages.
Not visiting your dentist regularly
All your brushing and flossing efforts will go to waste if you refuse to visit your dentist regularly. You are bound to miss some plaque despite the fervent brushing. You still need the help of a dentist for complete removal.
Set aside your fears regarding your nearest dental clinic. People who neglect regular dental visits are prone to more cavities, which lead to tooth loss.
Love your teeth by stopping these habits. At Danny de Villiers, we help your fight against damaging plaque. Get in touch with us now.

The Seemingly Harmless, But Harmful Things We Do To Our Teeth

You brush your teeth after every meal and floss religiously. Yet your teeth are still not as white and as strong as you would like. Where did you go wrong? The answer may not be as mysterious as you think.
oral hygieneAs you try to practice good oral hygiene and care, you also commit harmful things of which you are not aware. Due to ignorance or mere stubbornness, you continue to commit damaging practices on a daily basis, right up to the point where more major treatments are needed.
Let us share some common yet unrealised errors in dental care.
Brushing your teeth immediately after a meal
Brushing right away causes the mouth’s natural acid to stick to the teeth. This can lead to damage and erosion of the enamel, hence making the teeth weaker and more sensitive.
Using the teeth to open bottles and other things
Shockingly, many people do not realise the damaging consequences of using the teeth as a bottle opener. The makeup of the teeth is not strong or sharp enough to bite off a rubbery chunk of meat, much less when matched against metal. This can result in chipping or loosening of the teeth from the gums.
Eating between meals
Some light snacking seems innocuous enough, but it can actually lead to cavities. Regular contact of teeth to food chemicals increases instances of plaque accumulation, hence the formation of cavities. If you are hungry, go for tooth-friendly food, such as crudites or unsalted nuts, which have vitamin D and calcium that can sustain oral health.
Using whatever toothbrush is available
More specifically, using cheap and hard-bristled toothbrushes. Many do not give it much thought, but choosing the best-quality toothbrush is a must for healthy gums and teeth. Contrary to beliefs, those with hard bristles do not clean better than soft to medium ones. They may even damage the teeth, gum and protective enamel of the teeth.
Regular consumption of fizzy and acidic drinks

As much as alcoholic drinks are a problem, fizzy drinks and other acidic juices, such as lemon or strawberry drinks, have a corrosive effect and may cause the teeth to erode. Moreover, fizzy drinks have high sugar content. And as we all know, sugar is a known cause of cavity build-up.
To maintain healthy teeth, always adhere to the prescribed practices and avoid the wrong habits. Common as they are, it does not make them any less dangerous to your oral health.
If you think you might have a tooth or gum problem, contact us so we can discuss your treatment options.