Preventative Dentistry in Lincoln

These are the stages of gum disease:

1. Red and swollen gums that bleed when you brush them are a sign of a type of gum disease, gingivitis.
2. When gingivitis is left untreated it can develop further into a type of infection known as periodontitis, which affects the entire area surrounding the tooth, causing discomfort and difficulty when eating
3. Eventually this kind of infection can lead to tooth loss and may require invasive procedures to replace the missing tooth.

Here is how you can improve your oral health:

1. Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
2. Use floss or other oral hygiene aids if your dentist or hygienist recommends them. You can check bad breath by smelling the floss after you have used it. If there is a smell from a particular part of the mouth, clean that area with special care.
3. Gently brush your tongue if it is heavily coated. This can be done gently with a toothbrush. Special plastic tongue scrapers can be bought from chemists.
4. A mouth will smell less if it is moist. Chewing sugar-free gum can help with bad breath by increasing the flow of saliva. You might have a dry mouth because you breathe with your mouth open or because you are taking certain medicines.
5. If you smoke, try to give up. As well as making your breath smell better, giving up smoking will keep your mouth and gums healthy, and benefit your general health.

Here is what you can expect from a hygiene appointment:

1. Your teeth and gums will be assessed to determine the amount of plaque removal you will need and risk factors will be highlighted.
2. Your teeth will be professionally cleaned with special equipment and pastes. This process is also known as scaling and polishing.
3. The hygienist's role is to show you how to look after your teeth so that they remain free from plaque in the future. You will be advised on the best tooth brushing technique and given tips on flossing and using interdental brushes.

Dental hygiene at our practice also functions preventatively to treat gum disease and bad breath. If you have a bridge, denture, orthodontic treatment or a dental implant you will have specific hygiene needs that the hygienist will be able to assist you with.

It is recommended that you come in for regular hygiene appointments to ensure your mouth stays clean and healthy.

There are a number of preventative treatments that our team can provide for children:

1. Fluoride applications are a safe and effective way to safeguard your child's growing teeth from developing decay. The fluoride is painted onto the surface of the teeth, helping to mineralise them.
2. Tooth-coloured fissure sealants are applied to the biting surfaces of children's teeth to prevent decay.
3. Studies have shown that the younger your child is when attending their first dental appointment, even if just for a check-up, the more likely they are to have a positive experience and to grow up unafraid of the dentist. Our team will take special care of your child to make them feel safe and cared for.
4. Treating a child from a young age also allows the dentist to spot early signs of underbites, cross bites or overbites developing. As with most dental problems, the sooner you can start to treat it, the quicker it can be resolved.
5. Prevention is always better than cure, so call the practice today to make an appointment for your child.

Our top brushing tips:

1. Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a soft-to-medium brush and fluoride toothpaste. Replace the brush when the bristles get out of shape.
2. Put the bristles at the join between teeth and gums, pointing towards the gums, and brush using short circular movements.
3. Brush all round every tooth, carefully making sure you can feel the brush on your gums.
4. Don’t use too much force - give your teeth and gums a gentle scrub.
5. It is recommended that people spend at least two minutes brushing their teeth; why not time yourself?
6. An electric powered toothbrush may be found to be easier to use and more effective than a manual brush
7. After brushing, you should spit out the toothpaste - but do not rinse, as this lessens the effect of the fluoride.
8. Small children should only use a small, pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. They cannot brush properly until they are at least six or seven, so an adult should help them brush their teeth. One way is to stand behind the child and tilt their head back so all the teeth can be seen and reached.

The main cause of erosion is too frequent consumption of certain kinds of food and drink. All fizzy drinks (including ‘diet’ brands and fizzy mineral water), all ‘sports’ drinks, all squashes and all fruit juices are acidic to varying degrees. Pickles and salad dressings are examples of acidic types of food.

Some medicines are acidic and, therefore, erosive. And people with some illnesses (such as eating disorders) may suffer from erosion because of frequent vomiting, as stomach acids also erode teeth. For this reason, dentists may ask about eating disorders if they see teeth that are very badly eroded.

Your dentist can identify erosion, pinpoint the causes and advise you how to prevent further damage.