Alcohol and Oral Health

Tough new guidelines issued on alcohol have cut recommended drinking limits and say there is no such thing as a safe level of drinking. This is because UK's chief medical officers say new research shows any amount of alcohol can increase the risk of cancer. The new advice says men and women who drink alcohol regularly should consume no more than 14 units a week (6 pints of beer or 7 glasses of wine). Some days should be alcohol free and binge drinking should be avoided. Pregnant women should not drink alcohol at all.


Alcohol is linked to mouth cancer. Any red or white patches, or ulcers in the mouth that do not clear  within 3 weeks should be considered suspicious and be investigated. At Bovey Dental Practice we look at the soft tissues of the mouth during your examination for any suspicious lesions and would refer to hospital if necessary.

Alzheimer's could be passed on through medical procedures

Latest research suggests that there is a theoretical risk that alzheimer's disease may be transmitted during invasive dental work such as root canal treatment, in a similar way to CJD. At Bovey Dental Practice we take this risk seriously and therefore only use single use disposable instruments where such a risk exists.

Why 3 monthly dental Hygienists appointments

..research shows  that it takes about 3 months for the bad bacteria that cause gum disease to return and re establish in gum pockets around the teeth. The hygienist can remove these by scaling and flushing out these pockets. This together with good daily cleaning with your toothbrush , floss and interdental brushes will help prevent the disease.

Would you like to have whiter or brighter teeth? Gentle home whitening
is now available.

Is it legal? Tooth whitening is legal if carried out under the
supervision of Dentists and Hygienists. This ensures it is carried out
with the correct products. Custom made trays are made to fit your mouth.
These are used to apply whitening gel at home to gently white teeth over
a period of at least 10 days.

Does it hurt? Sometimes whitening can cause sensivity. This only lasts
during the treatment and once stopped your teeth go back to their pre
whitening sensitivity levels. This seldom happens and can be reduced by
chewing sugar free gum after wearing the trays.

Will it damage my teeth? Current evidence suggests that tooth whitening,
when carried out with the correct products, is a safe and predictable
procedure.

How long will my teeth stay white for? Experience shows teeth usually
maintain colour for 1-2 years. After this wearing your whitening trays
with gel for a further 7days can be used to restore whiteness. Smoking ,
drinking tea, coffee and red white tend to darken teeth sooner.

Bovey Dental Practice uses products which release less than 6% Hydrogen
peroxide, the legal limit permitted by EU law.

Can I have tooth coloured fillings?




Yes at Bovey Dental Practice all direct fillings are done with tooth coloured composites.



Do composites discolour? We use very good materials with very low
shrinkage this means that they look good for much longer and do not pick
up as much stain as in the past. We currently use Voco Amaris highly
aesthetic composite for anterior fillings which achieves natural
aesthetics with chameleon effect for invisible restorations.



Do they last? As long as they are placed carefully using bonding agents.
We currently use Voco GrandioSO toothlike composite for reliable
posterior fillings. In comparison to other restorative materials it has
low abrasion, low creep and high shape stability. These properties are
fundamental requirements for long term intact biting surfaces and
restoration margins.

What is gum disease ?

There are 2 types of gum disease gingivitis and periodontitis


What causes gingivitis?
When brushing and flossing techniques are not carried out effectively, plaque a sticky substance of food and harmful bacteria builds up along the gum line. These bacteria lead to infection and inflammation of your gums, they will look red and puffy. This condition is called gingivitis and nearly all adults suffer from this to some degree. Bleeding gums is an early sign of gingivitis. Plaque left for any length of time will start to harden and form calculus or "tartar" on your teeth. This cannot be removed by brushing alone and requires specialist scaling by your hygienist or dentist. At this early stage gum disease is reversible. Regular visits to the hygienist will help you return to and maintain gingival health.


What causes periodontitis?
Left untreated gingivitis may progress to a more severe condition know as periodontitis. This is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults. The bacterial infection progresses to the deeper supporting tissues of the teeth know as the periodontal tissues which includes bone. As the disease progresses the bone supporting the teeth is lost. The teeth become loosened, abscesses can form and teeth may eventually be lost. At this later stage regular visits to the hygienist will help arrest and control the disease.

How do I stop bad breath?

About 30% of the population have chronic bad breath and 70% of the population notice it on other people. 

Contrary to popular belief the majority of bad breath begins in the mouth and not the stomach. About 80% of bad breath is caused by the gases given off by bad bacteria that are involved in gum disease. Most bad breath is the result of ineffective cleaning, gum disease( gingivitis and periodontitis), defective fillings, defective crowns and poorly cleaned dentures. 

Other causes include certain foods, drinks, smoking and dehydration. 

Hygienists can help prevent bad breath and gum disease by thoroughly cleaning your teeth removing plaque tartar and stains and creating an environment which favours good bacteria rather than the harmful bad bacteria. They teach you good oral hygiene techniques to help maintain this healthy environment.

Dr Jon Terry BDS
Bovey Dental Practice
Bovey Tracey

www.boveydental.co.uk
Tel 01626 834241