Posts Categorized: Oral Hygiene

Tongue Cleaning: Key to Complete Dental Hygiene

Maintaining a comprehensive dental hygiene routine is essential for overall oral health, and tongue cleaning plays a pivotal role in this regimen. Often overlooked, cleaning your tongue can significantly impact your dental well-being, contributing to fresher breath and reducing the risk of oral health issues.

Why is Tongue Cleaning Important?

The surface of the tongue is home to countless bacteria that can contribute to bad breath and the degradation of dental health. When not removed, these bacteria can lead to:

  • Halitosis (Bad Breath): The accumulation of food particles and bacteria on the tongue causes foul odors.
  • Increased Plaque Build-up: Bacteria on the tongue can transfer to teeth and gums, contributing to plaque formation.
  • Higher Risk of Oral Infections: A dirty tongue can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, leading to oral infections and diseases.

How to Clean Your Tongue

  1. Use the Right Tool: A tongue scraper, available at most pharmacies and online retailers, is designed specifically for cleaning the tongue. Alternatively, a soft-bristle toothbrush can also be effective.
  2. Proper Technique: Gently scrape from the back of the tongue to the front, rinsing the scraper after each pass. Avoid pressing too hard to prevent irritation.
  3. Consistency is Key: Incorporate tongue cleaning into your daily dental care routine, ideally twice a day after brushing your teeth.

What to Use for Tongue Cleaning

  • Tongue Scrapers: These are the most effective tools for removing bacteria and food debris from the surface of the tongue.
  • Toothbrush: If you prefer not to use a tongue scraper, a soft-bristle toothbrush can also be used. Some toothbrushes even come with a built-in tongue cleaner on the back of the head.
  • Mouthwash: While not a replacement for physical cleaning, rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce the bacteria on the tongue.

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Guide to Teeth Brushing: Techniques for a Healthy Smile

proper-teeth-brushing-guide

Brushing your teeth is a fundamental part of daily hygiene, but doing it correctly is crucial for maintaining good oral health. Here are some effective toothbrushing techniques to enhance your brushing routine:

  1. Circular or Rotational Movements:
    • This technique involves moving the toothbrush in small, gentle circles along the gum line and teeth surfaces.
    • It’s effective for cleaning the outer and inner tooth surfaces, helping to dislodge food particles and plaque without being harsh on the gums.
  2. Vertical Brushing:
    • Ideal for cleaning the inner surfaces of the front teeth, vertical brushing involves gentle strokes from the gum line upwards for the lower teeth and downwards for the upper teeth.
    • This technique reaches areas that are often missed, ensuring a more thorough clean.
  3. Bass Method:
    • Also known as the sulcular brushing technique, this involves positioning the bristles at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and gently vibrating the brush back and forth with short strokes.
    • The Bass Method is particularly effective for cleaning along the gumline and removing plaque from just under the gum’s edge.
  4. Stillman’s Technique:
    • Similar to the Bass method, Stillman’s technique involves placing the bristles at a 45-degree angle to the gums but includes a slight rolling motion as you move the brush away from the gum line.
    • This technique is excellent for stimulating the gums and keeping them healthy.
  5. Charters Method:
    • The bristles are placed at a 45-degree angle to the teeth but pointed towards the biting surface.
    • It’s particularly effective for cleaning around braces, under wires, and along the gum margins.
  6. Fone’s Technique:
    • This is a simple circular motion best suited for children or those with limited dexterity.
    • The toothbrush is moved in large circles, covering the teeth and gums, making it a comprehensive and easy-to-learn method.

Conclusion:

Each of these techniques has its own advantages and can be suitable for different dental needs. Incorporating these methods into your daily routine can greatly enhance your oral hygiene and contribute to long-term dental health.

Remember, along with brushing, regular dental check-ups are essential. Schedule your next appointment with Your Perfect Smile Dental & Implant Clinic for personalized dental care and advice.

Research links:

(PDF) Effective Tooth Brushing Techniques Based on Periodontal Tissue Conditions : A Narrative Review (researchgate.net)

3 Tooth Brushing Techniques that Get the Job Done | Colgate®

 

Winning the Battle: How Sugar Declares War on Your Teeth

In the modern dietary landscape, sugar is a ubiquitous component, tantalising our taste buds in myriad forms. However, beneath its sweet allure lies a less talked-about reality: sugar is one of the primary culprits in the war against dental health. This blog post will delve into how sugar affects your teeth and offer practical advice to safeguard your pearly whites.

 

The Sugar Effect

When you consume sugar, it interacts with the bacteria in the plaque on your teeth. This interaction produces acid, which can erode the enamel – the hard outer surface of your teeth. This process, known as demineralisation, can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and even gum disease if left unchecked.

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Seal It With a Kiss: Oral Hygiene and Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day, a celebration of love and affection, often culminates in a kiss. However, the sweetest kiss requires more than just romantic intent; it demands excellent oral hygiene. This February 14th, let’s explore how taking care of your teeth and gums can enhance those intimate moments, ensuring your kisses are as fresh and appealing as your affection.

 

  1. The Foundation of a Kissable Mouth: Oral Hygiene

A kissable mouth starts with flawless oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing, and using mouthwash are key steps to maintain fresh breath and a clean mouth. These simple habits not only keep dental diseases at bay but also ensure your breath is inviting for that special someone.

 

  1. Sweet Alternatives: Gift Ideas That Smile Back

While chocolates and candies are synonymous with Valentine’s gifts, they can be foes to a kiss-ready mouth, inviting cavities and tooth decay. Consider gifting dark chocolate, which contains less sugar, or even better, surprise your loved one with a couples’ teeth whitening session. It’s a gift that promises both of you a dazzling smile for those close moments.

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The Essential Guide to Children’s Dental Health: Fun Tips for a Brighter Smile

So your kids hate teeth brushing?

Good dental habits start early, and as parents, it’s our job to ensure that our children understand the importance of caring for their teeth. Not only does regular brushing prevent cavities and gum disease, but it also sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Let’s dive into some engaging and fun tips to help your little ones love caring for their teeth.

Why Kids’ Dental Health Matters

Children’s teeth are more than just temporary placeholders for their adult set. They play a crucial role in their overall health and development. Healthy teeth allow children to chew properly, aiding in nutrition and are essential for speech development. Moreover, caring for these baby teeth paves the way for healthy permanent teeth.

Engaging Brushing Techniques

  1. Colorful Toothbrushes and Flavored Toothpaste: Make brushing an adventure! Let your child pick out a toothbrush with their favourite colours or characters. Pair this with a flavored toothpaste they love, making the experience enjoyable.
  2. Brushing Apps and Digital Aids: In this digital age, leverage technology to make brushing fun. Numerous apps are designed to encourage children to brush for the recommended two minutes. These apps often include fun characters, music, and interactive games.
  3. Reward Charts: Implement a reward system to encourage consistent brushing. Each successful brushing session can earn a sticker on a chart, leading to a small reward after a set number of days.
  4. Educational Videos and Stories: Use educational resources to explain the importance of dental hygiene in a relatable and engaging way. There are many children’s books and videos that make learning about dental health fun.
  5. Family Brushing Time: Children love to imitate their parents. Make brushing a family activity. This not only sets a good example but also creates a routine that your child can look forward to.

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New Year, New Smile: Teeth Resolutions for a Healthy 2024

As we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one with open arms, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our habits and set some resolutions for self-improvement. While we often focus on fitness and personal growth, it’s equally important to consider our dental health in the mix. After all, a healthy smile can boost confidence and overall well-being. So, let’s make some teeth resolutions for a sparkling, healthy smile in 2024!

Resolution 1: Brush and Floss Like a Pro

Commit to brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily. Brushing removes surface plaque and food particles, while flossing gets between tight spaces where bacteria can hide. Consider upgrading to an electric toothbrush for a more thorough cleaning.

Resolution 2: Upgrade Your Toothbrush

Speaking of toothbrushes, make it a resolution to change your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three months or as soon as the bristles start to fray. A fresh toothbrush is more effective at cleaning your teeth.

Resolution 3: Watch Your Diet

Cut back on sugary snacks and beverages. Opt for tooth-friendly foods like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Drinking water throughout the day also helps rinse away harmful acids and bacteria.

Resolution 4: Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Schedule those dental check-ups! Regular visits to Your Perfect Smile Dental & Implant Clinic ensure that any potential issues are caught early and treated promptly. It’s an investment in your oral health.

Resolution 5: Break Bad Habits

Quit smoking and limit your alcohol consumption. These habits can stain your teeth and lead to oral health problems. Make this year the year you kick those habits to the curb.

Resolution 6: Protect Your Teeth

If you play sports, consider wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth from potential injuries. And if you grind your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about a custom nightguard to prevent damage.

Resolution 7: Smile More!

Finally, make it a resolution to smile more often. A confident smile not only brightens your day but also the days of those around you. Show off those pearly whites proudly!

Remember, these teeth resolutions are small changes that can lead to significant improvements in your oral health and overall well-being. Your Perfect Smile Dental & Implant Clinic is here to support you on your journey to a healthier smile. Let’s make 2024 the year of the brightest, healthiest smiles ever! Cheers to a fantastic year ahead!

What’s new at Your Perfect Smile Dental Clinic

Hello Everyone

It has been a while since we posted anything but as you all know life is busy and we have been extremely busy here at Your Perfect Smile Dental Clinic.

Back in April we invited to out Team Suzie. So next few months were very busy helping her out to learn new skills and fit well into a team. In June she has completed her Dental Nurse Induction training at Inverness Health Centre and is now waiting for her SVQ in Dental Nursing to start in a next few months. In the meantime she is learning lots of new things “in house” and most of you have seen her in action already.

Beginning of the year have seen us all getting ready for new GDPR regulation coming live in May. To ensure your details are safe and safely stored we have tighten our security protocols and got additional training to make sure we follow the most up to date advice.  So please bear with us asking extra question when you make appointment over the phone as we need to be able to confirm your identity. For the same reason our emails might come across a bit plain as we will try to answer your questions or notify you about something without being too specific. However when you are in for your appointment we can do in as much details as you wish.

 

April was a busy month with education. Dr Simon Milbauer attended ITI UK & Ireland Dental Implant Conference in London to make sure that all of you have access to the same dental implant treatment as Londoners .  However Dr Agnieszka did not stay behind and in May jetted off to London to work on creative makeover skills. We have already seen the skills coming int life with amazing results. Just look at our dental nurse Alex’s teeth. She loves them .

But that’s not all as next we were off to Birmingham  Dental Conference to bring even more ideas to the Clinic.

One of the novelties we brought back was 6 different flavours of toothpaste:

  • Grapefruit & bergamot
  • peach & apricot
  • watermelon
  • gin tonic &persimmon
  • blackberry & liquorice
  • apple & aloe 2018--BE-YOU Your Perfect Smile Dental Clinic

We also introduced new apple flavour toothpaste for kids who really struggle with mint in their toothpaste.

 

Colgate Electric Toothbrush

Few weeks ago we were blogging about newest top of the range Philips toothbrush. But what if don’t necessarily want to spend £360 on sonic toothbrush but still want the results? We have an answer right here and its simple Colgate electric toothbrush !

With Colgate ProClinical 250 you get a really nice, funky, modern looking ultra light toothbrush with a range of features every decent toothbrush should have.

So what is it all about and how much is it you ask?

The Colgate ProClinical 250+ electric toothbrush uses two distinct sonic cleaning motions – up-down and side-to-side, for healthier teeth and gums. Its slim, sleek design is similar to that of a manual toothbrush while its sonic vibrations clean with the power of an electric toothbrush to remove plaque and surface stains.

That’s how Colgate summarized it.

It’s only £25 which is a very good price for a very efficient sonicare toothbrush. And to make it even better this month we give away full size Colgate toothpaste with it.

 

 

Now, that sounds good enough for us so we have decided to introduce this toothbrush as a new addition to our Clinic Stock.

It comes in 2 colours so there is something for everyone. You can go white, black or pink.

 

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Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Smart

Your Perfect Smile , Cosmetic dentistry Inverness

We all keep asking the same question: Which electric toothbrush is the best? Oral B, Philips, Colgate …… So today I would like to concentrate on one of the newest additions to electric toothbrushes world Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Smart .

You may ask what so different about it ? Lets see what manufacturer promises under a name of  “Complete system for a healthier mouth”

 Five modes which cover a range of brushing needs:

  • Clean mode for exceptional daily cleaning,
  • White+  for removing stains,
  • Deep Clean+ for invigorating deep clean,
  • Gum Health for gentle yet effective clean for gums,
  • Tongue Care for the perfectly cleaned tongue and fresh breath                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Three intensities allow you to choose between a higher setting to boost your clean and a lower one for more sensitive mouth.

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Don’t forget your toothbrush!!!

 

No, we’re not talking about the 90’s Saturday night TV show hosted by Chris Evans. We’re talking about how it’s getting near that time, kids are breaking up from school, lot’s of things are happening and many of us are thinking about jetting off for some sun, fun, sea and maybe some sangria?!

Millions of us take to the skies this time of year but how many of us even think about what might happen if they have an emergency when they’re away? Particularly a dental emergency! While we can’t promise this wont happen to YOU we can give you some advice to hopefully minimise the chance of this happening and ruining your well earned holiday. (more…)