Do you turn to the Internet if you have a toothache, and is this a good idea?

If we are honest, most of us would probably admit to searching the internet when we are ill. Whilst this can sometimes help to put our mind at rest, it can also make us believe that we are suffering from something far worse than we actually are. Even dental problems are frequently searched for and whilst this is not a problem in itself, the remedies, or lack of, sometimes are!

Whilst few patients would attempt to fill their own teeth, whitening procedures and even orthodontics are known to have DIY solutions which almost always do not work, or worse still, create further problems.

DIY cosmetic dentistry

Before we look at more general reasons why you should see one of our Purley dentists if you suspect you have a problem, rather than simply search for it; it is worth looking at the two cosmetic procedures we mentioned above.

Teeth whitening is a precise science and the teeth whitening treatments offered at the Confidental Clinic provide a safe and successful way to have nicer looking teeth without doing them any harm. Some popular DIY solutions often include lemon juice. This will have little effect in improving the colour of your teeth, and will also strip some of the enamel away, leaving them exposed to other problems. Orthodontic solutions using rubber bands are also available on the internet. We hope that we don’t need to tell our adult patients how ill advised that is! Generally though, this advice is aimed at young teenagers so it is worth making sure that your own children do not attempt this.

General dental advice

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If your teeth feel uncomfortable when you eat hot or cold foods, you may need treatment.

Whilst some of us will have thinner enamel on our teeth than others, due to genetics; if you notice a sudden change when you eat or drink hot or cold foods, feeling discomfort when you didn’t before, there may be a problem.

Even where the discomfort is manageable, if this is happening to you, you should have your teeth checked by one of our Purley dentists to see if there are any underlying problems. Sensitivity often occurs when the enamel is damaged in some way, exposing the underlying dentin layer.

Enamel erosion

One of the main causes of tooth sensitivity is due to erosion of the protective enamel. This is usually a gradual process and can happen in a number of ways; for example, one of the most common causes is the exposure of the enamel to an acidic environment. One of the worst culprits for this is increasingly thought to be high sugar, acidic fizzy drinks. Children especially should be discouraged from drinking these too often, but adults too should exercise restraint. Even natural fruit drinks, which are generally thought to be healthy, can still be very acidic and should also be limited.

Although we always encourage patients to clean their teeth thoroughly, applying too much pressure when doing so, for long periods of time, is another common cause of tooth erosion. There is no need to press too hard when doing this. Many electric toothbrushes now have pressure sensors which cut out when you do this and can be a useful investment if you don’t already have one.

Cracked tooth

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Just a little extra effort could really give your teeth and gums a boost.

It is probably fair to say that most people don’t have seeing the dentist at the top of their list of fun things to do. There is always a risk that they will find a tooth that needs filling, or worse.

Despite this though, a number of patients probably pay far less attention to their teeth than they ought to if they want to minimise the amount of dental treatment that they receive.

At the Confidental Clinic in Purley, we believe in preventative dental care and are always happy to offer advice to any patient who wishes to know how to take better care of their teeth. Whilst some of this advice will be specific to individual patients, the following is some good advice that is hopefully useful to everyone.

Brushing your teeth

Failure to do this will almost certainly lead to decay and other problems. You can optimise your brushing though by making sure that your brush is reasonably new (no older than three months) and that you use a good quality toothpaste. There is no need to ‘scrub’ your teeth hard and you may well damage the enamel if you do.

Floss

Far too few of us use dental floss. This is a shame as it is a simple thing that can really make a difference. Pieces of food and bacteria collect in placed between the teeth that a toothbrush will struggle to reach. It is no surprise therefore, that a lot of decay starts in these areas. If you are unsure how to use dental floss, ask us how and we’ll be pleased to advise.

Cut down the sugar

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Although we are often told that it is polite to sip, it can lead to enamel erosion on our teeth.

Older patients of our Purley practice may remember, as a child, being told not to ‘guzzle’ their drink. This word is barely used now but basically means to drink it fast and greedily. It was certainly not deemed to be polite to do so, and young children were taught to drink as their parents did, which was generally to sip.

Whilst it may well have seemed more polite and genteel to sip drinks slowly, recent studies have shown that this action, although done with the best of intentions, is actually one of the reasons why many of us have compromised enamel on our teeth.

Eroded enamel

Enamel erosion may not seem to be as bad as, say, a broken tooth, but it is just as serious, if not immediately quite as uncomfortable. On a minor front, eroded enamel creates a rough surface on the tooth and any staining products that are consumed, such as red wine or tea, will stick to the surface much more easily, causing premature teeth discolouration. More seriously, once the protective enamel layer has been damaged, the softer and more porous dentin layer beneath it is exposed. This allows acids and bacteria to enter the tooth and helps the decaying process to begin. Bacteria can also enter the root canals more easily and infections may follow soon after.

How to drink

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Our take on the recent discussions on social media about how we should brush our teeth.

You may have recently seen a number of tweets about whether you should wet your toothbrush before adding the toothpaste, or put it on dry, before brushing. Surprisingly, this simple debate seems to have started a social media storm, so we thought that we would also put forward the thoughts of our Purley dental team on this particular subject.

Wet or dry?

The reality is that it makes little difference whether you use a wet or dry toothbrush, unless perhaps, you suffer from a dry mouth, in which case, wetting the toothbrush may help to apply it more evenly in the mouth. Providing that you brush your teeth well, and are able to supply sufficient saliva to moisten the mouth, either way will work … providing that you brush your teeth correctly.

The right way

You should always use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Most brands will do, but if you use a ‘natural’ toothpaste, do make sure to check the ingredients. Fluoride strengthens the enamel on the teeth and helps to prevent tooth decay.

You should brush your teeth using a gentle pressure, and in a circular motion. It is important that you do not press too hard as this can damage the enamel and can also cause gum recession. For this reason, it may be better to buy a good quality electric toothbrush which includes a pressure sensor. This will then cut out temporarily when you apply too much pressure.

Rinsing

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