If, like so many of us these days, your busy lifestyle means that your eating habits are changing from the traditional three meals a day to more snacking or grazing while you are on-the-go, then now would be a good time to include chewing sugarfree gum in your oral hygiene routine.

The definitions for the word ‘grazing’ in the dictionary now include ‘eating frequently at irregular intervals’ – not quite the same as snacking, but probably more frequent. Either way, it comes down to grabbing something to eat on-the-go when and where we can. Breakfast at the desk, a couple of mid-morning biscuits, sandwiches and crisps for lunch and an afternoon treat to keep us going, with several cups of tea or coffee in between.

The fact is that this is not good news for our teeth which come under sustained attack from the plaque acids that form on teeth and can damage the enamel whilst all this snacking and grazing is going on. Every time we eat or drink the pH balance in the mouth changes, dropping into a danger zone where tooth demineralisation can happen.

The simple and convenient step of chewing sugarfree gum for 20 minutes after eating and drinking is a great addition to twice-a-day brushing because it helps neutralise those plaque acids, wash away food particles and remineralise tooth enamel.

There is plenty of scientific research to support the oral hygiene benefits of chewing sugarfree gum, which are even more relevant now given on average we consume two or three snacks outside of meals every day. The ‘science bit’ is simple enough: chewing increases the production of saliva which helps clean the mouth and neutralise plaque acids, so it’s a non-disruptive and simple oral care habit when brushing and flossing just isn’t possible or convenient.

Extra® sugarfree gum is endorsed by the British Dental Health Foundation, with BDHF chief executive Nigel Carter saying that “Chewing sugarfree gum is a really good and convenient way of looking after your oral health whilst on the go.”

So if your lifestyle means that you are snacking and grazing more to keep you going during busy days, get the Eat, Drink, Chew habit and keep a bottle of Extra® handy on your desk or in the car to help keep your teeth clean and healthy.

 

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Even if you brush your teeth daily, you may still have dangerous bacteria growing inside your mouth. Not only could that lead to periodontitis (an advanced form of gum disease that comes with symptoms such as bleeding when you brush and gum pain), but studies also find a link between poor oral hygiene and major health issues.

Here are some ways that missing the mark on oral care could harm your heath. Plus, expert tips on how to keep your mouth healthy.

Prevention Recommends

#1 It may hurt your heart
People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease compared to those don’t have periodontitis. Researchers aren’t exactly sure of why this might be, but one theory is that harmful bacteria from your mouth enters your blood stream and attaches to fatty plaques in your heart’s blood vessels, leading to inflammation and upping your risk of clots that can trigger heart attacks.

#2 Your memory could suffer
Some research suggests there may be a tie between poor oral health and an increased risk of dementia. One study that followed 118 nuns between the ages of 75 and 98 found that those with the fewest teeth were most likely to suffer dementia. Experts think oral bacteria may spread to the brain through cranial nerves that connect to the jaw or through the bloodstream, and may contribute to the type of plaque that’s been linked to Alzheimer’s.

#3 It can hurt blood sugar
People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than those without diabetes. While this may be because diabetics are more susceptible to infections, there’s also been research that finds gum disease could make it harder to control your blood sugar, and that treating it helps improve diabetes symptoms.

#4 It may affect breathing
Gum disease may increase your risk of getting respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia, according to the Journal of Periodontology. The infections might be caused when bacteria from the mouth are inhaled into your lungs, possibly causing your airways to become inflamed.

#5 It could hurt your fertility
Women of childbearing age with gum disease took an average of just over seven months to become pregnant—two months longer than the average of five months that it took women without gum disease to conceive, discovered researchers in Western Australia. Other research finds that pregnant women with gum disease might have higher odds of miscarriage.

 

A new survey of 2000 smokers by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has found that less than one in two (44%) smokers are worried about the negative effects of smoking on their teeth, and only in one in four (27%) are concerned about the effects of smoking on their gums. 

Women smokers tend to be more concerned with the effects of smoking on their teeth, with just under half (49%) listing their teeth as a concern, compared to just 38% of men. Smokers in the 18-24 year age group are the most concerned about the effects of smoking on their oral health.

With smokers risking damaging their oral health due to their habit, the BHF is encouraging dentists to use this year’s No Smoking Day as an opportunity to raise awareness and boost participation among patients by promoting quit aids in their practice and local support services available in their area.

Dr Mike Knapton, BHF Associate Medical Director, said: “Action by dental teams to reduce tobacco use will help to improve dental treatment outcomes, promote oral and general health, and ultimately save lives.

“Dentists have always played a big role in raising awareness of No Smoking Day and the dangers of smoking. Dental clinics should consider promoting the event in their offices in the weeks leading up to No Smoking Day.

“Engaging your patients on the subject might help them take the first step towards a smoke-free life. Dental practices and dentists who want to get involved can visit NoSmokingDay.org.uk to order their No Smoking Day organiser pack.”

The nicotine and tar found in cigarettes and tobacco products cause staining of the teeth. In a short amount of time smokers will start to see a yellow discolouration, which could get worse over time. Cigarette smoke also interferes with the mouth’s chemistry, creating a build-up of plaque on the teeth which causes gum disease. Gum disease is still the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.

 

What to do in the case of a dental emergency in Kew Gardens

Here are guidelines on how to handle common dental emergencies.

Toothache

See your dentist as soon as you feel discomfort or pain.

Loosened or knocked-out tooth

If your tooth becomes loose due to trauma, call your dentist. For a knocked out tooth, gently insert the lost tooth back in its socket if possible, holding the tooth by the crown using a clean washcloth. (If the tooth is dirty, first rinse the root but do not scrub it or remove any attached tissues.) If reinsertion isn’t possible, hold the tooth under the tongue and go to the dentist immediately.

Broken Jaw

Apply ice or a cold compress to the face. Go to your dentist or an emergency center immediately.

Bitten Tongue or Lip

Clean the area with a wet cloth and place a cold compress on the area to reduce swelling. If the bleeding persists or if it is excessive, go to your dentist or an emergency center.

 

You may have heard recent press about the amount of children with oral health problems Here at Metropolitan smiles we specialize on the best dental practices for children. New statistics revealed more than 33,000 children were admitted to hospital for tooth extractions under general anaesthetic in the last year alone.

We cannot let poor oral health stop our children from smiling!

It’s important that we are all aware of the correct way to look after our oral health to make sure maintain our smiles.

Looking after our smile should be quite simple, if you make sure you follow our three key messages:

 

• Brush your teeth last thing at night and on at least one other occasion with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks.
• Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

 

Dental erosion is the loss of tooth enamel caused by acid attack from foods and drinks that are high in sugar. Enamel is the hard, protective coating of the tooth, which protects the sensitive dentine underneath. When the enamel is worn away, the dentine underneath is exposed, which may lead to pain and sensitivity.

Every time you eat or drink anything acidic, the enamel on your teeth becomes softer for a short while, and loses some of its mineral content. Your saliva will slowly cancel out this acidity in your mouth and get it back to its natural balance. However, if this acid attack happens too often, your mouth does not have a chance to repair itself and tiny particles of enamel can be brushed away. Over time, you start to lose the surface of your teeth. Here at metropolitan smiles we can help you get back on track

 

Tooth pain can range from mild and fleeting to throbbing and constant but the mechanism behind what you’re feeling is often the same: the nerves in the pulp chamber at the center of your affected tooth or teeth are responding to stimuli and sending out a warning in the form of a disagreeable sensation that something’s not right. Here are the top 10 reasons your teeth might be causing you discomfort:

 

1. Dental Caries (Cavity). Certain oral bacteria feed on food particles trapped in your mouth and produce acid that over time can eat through the protective tooth enamel into the sensitive dentin below.
2. Enamel Erosion. Acids in your diet and gastric acids from acid reflux (GERD) and vomiting can wear away tooth enamel.
3. Gum Recession. Gums can recede over time, exposing the sensitive tooth roots.Brushing too vigorously and/or using a toothbrush that’s too hard can contribute to gum recession.
4. Recent Dental Work. Dental work can inflame pulp tissues and cause temporary sensitivity that should subside as the pulp heals.
5. Loose, Old, or Lost Filling. Fillings seal off areas of past decay. If they don’t fit right or are dislodged, air, food particles and bacteria can infiltrate and irritate exposed nerve endings.
6. Chip, Crack or Fracture. Teeth may be weakened over time due to pressure caused by biting and chewing as well as teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw clenching. What starts as thin lines in the enamel can evolve into chips, cracks and fractures that expose nerve endings.
7. Periodontal Disease. This is an infection of the tissues that support the teeth caused by a buildup of bacterial biofilm (plaque) along the gum line that triggers inflammation. In severe cases, the infection can travel to the end of a tooth root or through accessory canals and gain entrance into the dental pulp.
8. Abscess. An abscess is a pus-filled sac caused by an infection. It can occur at the base of the tooth root or in the space between the tooth and gum.
9. Tooth Grinding (bruxism)/Jaw Clenching. Referred to as parafunctional habits, these behaviors exert extreme stress on teeth and wear them down, causing increased tooth sensitivity and jaw soreness.
10. Referred Pain. Sometimes pain originating in another tooth or outside the dental area — sinus congestion or infection for example — may radiate around the mouth and give the impression of pain for a specific tooth.

As you can see, pain is a warning of all sorts of threats to your oral health. Your dental professional can help you identify the cause and appropriate treatment so you can feel better and protect your smile.

 

While you’re sprucing up your home, cleaning the garage, and clearing out the pantry, don’t forget to give your smile a spring makeover, too. Whether you want your teeth to be brighter, whiter, or just healthier, our dentists in kew gardens can help you find new ways to improve your smile just in time for spring and summer.

Brighten up: There are plenty of ways to whiten your teeth at home, but the best bang for your buck is to have your teeth whitened professionally by your dentist.

Over-the-counter options may be cheaper, but many at-home kits can irritate sensitive teeth or gums. Your dentists’ tools are stronger and more effective, and we can work with you to create a plan that works for your smile. We offer quick, one-hour whitening treatments to get you on your way.

Smile clear with veneers: If your teeth are stained, chipped, cracked, broken, misaligned, unevenly spaced or crooked, you may want to talk to your doctor about porcelain veneers. While they’re pricier than whitening treatments alone, they can go a long way toward transforming your smile.

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain custom fit to your teeth and permanently bonded to your enamel. Your shiny new smile will be resistant to staining, but still needs to be taken care of with good oral hygiene.

If you want to improve your smile but aren’t sure where to start, talk to your dentist about cosmetic options to find a treatment for your best smile at your next appointment.

 

There are 3 reasons for ligament damage, aside from an obvious traumatic blow to the face: excessive bite force, disease, or a combination of both.

Excessive bite force is considered “primary occlusal trauma.” It means that the tooth has experienced a prolonged excessive biting force beyond its tolerance. This is often a result of bruxism (habitual grinding) or clenching of the teeth.  It can also result from tooth misalignment in which the positioning of a tooth is causing it to sustain more bite force than it’s meant to withstand.

Advanced periodontal disease results in extensive bone loss around a tooth, which in turn results in a condition referred to as “secondary occlusal trauma.” This kind of trauma occurs when normal forces are applied to the teeth but the ligaments are unable to withstand those forces because of so much bone loss. Disease is the most common cause of tooth looseness.

If you sustain a traumatic blow to the face, the reason for tooth looseness should be no mystery. Even so, it often requires professional help to allow the teeth to heal in proper position or to prevent further damage.

 

Treating the Problem

The approach to treating loose teeth is both biologic and mechanical.

The biologic approach involves treating periodontal disease so that the periodontal attachment can heal. This is vital before mechanical options can work.

The mechanical approach involves modifying forces applied to the teeth, treating the effects of the force on the periodontal ligament and/or modifying the amount of biting force generated by the jaw muscles and received by the teeth during bruxism, clenching or biting. The appropriate approach(es) will depend on the source and intensity of the bite force and the degree of tooth looseness:

Mouth Guard. In the case of bruxism — “parafunctional” (outside the norm) bite forces — a mouth guard may be used as a protective barrier between upper and lower teeth.

Occlusal Adjustment. This involves reshaping the biting surface of the tooth to reduce the amount of force it receives. In some situations orthodontic treatment may be used to move a tooth into improved alignment.

Splinting. This involves joining teeth together like fence pickets to distribute the bite force among them. There are temporary and permanent options depending on healing and the amount of bone loss.

If you’re experiencing tooth looseness, don’t ignore it. Chances are it will get worse. Visit your dentist promptly for a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis and a more detailed discussion of your treatment options.

 

How Do I know If I have TMJ

 

Have you ever heard of TMJ syndrome? There are many misconceptions about it—but we’re here to clear up the facts about this common jaw disorder.

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular joint. This is the joint that connects your lower jaw to the temporal bones of your skull. You have two TMJ joints that work together as a pair—one in front of each ear. The TMJ joints work like a sliding hinge to move your jaw up and down.

Problems with this joint are often referred to as just TMJ. However, TMD, or temporomandibular disorders, is more accurate. TMD is a complex and poorly understood condition, but it typically results in pain in and around the jaw. TMD can affect your ability to chew, speak and make some facial expressions. In some cases, it may even affect your breathing.

What causes TMD? There are thought to be many factors, such as misaligned upper and lower teeth, injury to the jaw, grinding your teeth, stress, and arthritis.

Symptoms of TMD include pain when chewing, popping, clicking or grinding noises in the jaw, headaches, earaches, trouble opening and closing the mouth, a locked jaw, and pain and/or tenderness around the joint.

Approximately 12% of people in the US are affected by TMD. TMD is more common in women than men.

Researchers have discovered that people with TMD may also have other conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic headaches, endometriosis, or fibromyalgia to name a few.

If you think you or someone in your family may have TMJ syndrome, make an appointment with us to learn more about what you can do.