Oral Healthcare tips

Definitions of commonly used dental terms and procedures:

Amalgam fillings - Fillings made of a silver/mercury combination.

Bleaching (tooth whitening) - The improvement of the shade of teeth for cosmetic reasons.

Bridge - A bridge is a device for attaching an artificial tooth to neighbouring teeth, to replace a missing tooth or teeth.

Calculus - Another word for calcified plaque or hard tartar deposits on teeth.

Composite filling - A white or tooth-coloured filling that is made from resin strengthened with silica or porcelain particles.

Cosmetic dentistry - Dental work that is carried out to improve the appearance of a person's smile.

Crown - A tooth-like cap placed over an existing tooth. These are used to strengthen or restore a natural tooth. Crowns are also used to support teeth when there is no longer sufficient tooth structure left to place a filling. May be made of porcelain, gold or a combination of these.

Endodontics - The speciality of dentistry concerned with the treatment of diseases or injuries that affect the root tips or nerves in the tooth. Also known as 'root canal treatment'.

Fissure sealants - A thin plastic protective film painted on the chewing surfaces of back teeth.

Fluoride - A natural mineral found in many foods and in all drinking water. It can strengthen your teeth and make them more resistant to tooth decay.

Gingivae - Gums.

Gingivitis - (See also Periodontitis.) This term refers to inflammation and bleeding of the gum margins around the teeth. Bleeding on brushing or eating, sensitivity and bad breath may be among the symptoms.

Hygiene treatment - Or 'scale and polish' is treatment to remove all traces of plaque and tartar. Scaling is used to remove the hard tartar on your teeth, which cannot be removed by simply brushing. The polishing stage helps to clean away stains from your teeth, which may have been caused by coffee, tea, smoking or red wine.

Implant - A dental implant is a replacement tooth attached directly to the jaw with a titanium fixing. Implants replace missing teeth without having to put extra strain on others.

Inlay - Porcelain, resin, or gold filling (made to fit a prepared cavity) bonded in place to help restore a decayed or broken tooth.

Laminates or veneers - Thin, custom-made mouldings that cover the fronts of unattractive teeth. May be made of composite or porcelain.

Malocclusion - A bad bite caused by incorrect positions of the upper or lower teeth.

Onlay - Porcelain, resin, or gold filling that protects a tooth by covering the chewing surface.

Orthodontics - The speciality of dentistry concerned with the straightening of teeth to correct functional or cosmetic issues. Using specially designed and fitted appliances, constant and gentle pressure is put on the teeth causing them to move into the desired position. Tooth movement can also be carried out by using a sequence of thin plastic covers.

Periodontitis - Chronic inflammation of the gum and bone around the tooth which may lead to tooth loosening or loss.

PlaqueAn invisible film of bacteria and debris on teeth which can cause both gum disease and tooth decay.

Porcelain - Ceramic, tooth-coloured material that fuses at high temperatures to form a hard, enamel-like substance.

TMJ/TMD - The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the skull. The TMJ can suffer from the same sorts of disorders and diseases as other joints including problems with the bones, cartilage, muscles or ligaments. It can be damaged as a result of accident or it might give out warning symptoms when it is being misused. These may include headaches, eye pain, shoulder pain. Raised stress levels may make matters worse.

Wisdom tooth - Wisdom teeth or third molars are the last teeth to erupt. If these impacted teeth are in an abnormal position (a dentist can show you this on an x-ray), they may cause some harm. When a wisdom tooth is partially erupted, food and bacteria collect under the gum causing a local infection. This may result in bad breath, pain, and swelling. Some wisdom teeth causing symptoms may need removal, which may involve surgery.

Answers to commonly asked oral health-related questions:

How long should I brush my teeth for?
You should brush your teeth for approximately three minutes morning and night. This is the length of an average music track if you want to time this more easily!

How often should I change my toothbrush?
You should change your toothbrush at least every three months, to ensure the bristles are not too worn and for hygiene reasons.

What is the best toothpaste to use?
This is very much down to personal preference but your dentist can advise on this. The most important requirement is that the toothpaste contains fluoride, which works effectively to fight plaque and cavities.

My gums bleed when I brush my teeth. Why is this?
If your gums regularly bleed when brushing, this may be a sign of gum disease or tartar build-up. You should ask your hygienist or dentist for advice on flossing and brushing to counteract this.

I am really unhappy with the colour of my teeth, what can be done about this?
There are a number of whitening treatments now available for patients unhappy with the colour of their smile. These range in price and are offered at selected practices. Ask your dentist for more details.

I have a wisdom tooth coming through, does this need to come out?
If your wisdom tooth causes you pain and discomfort on an ongoing basis, it may be that it needs to be removed and you should consult your dentist about this. However, when erupting, wisdom teeth often cause discomfort on a temporary basis and if this subsides, it is unnecessary to remove a healthy tooth.

Are electric toothbrushes really any better than ordinary ones?
Some studies suggest that there are advantages to using electric toothbrushes such as improved cleaning and better removal of staining, particularly for those with limited manual dexterity. However, a manual toothbrush should do the job perfectly well if used correctly.

I get a lot of mouth ulcers, why is this?
Mouth ulcers are very common, particularly if you are run down, but if you maintain a good oral hygiene routine, the ulcer should disappear in a few days. If you have an ulcer that shows no sign of getting better after a couple of weeks, you should have it checked by your dentist.

I suffer from bad breath, what can be done about this?
Bad breath can be due to a number of causes including tooth decay, infections of the mouth, gum disease, digestive and general health problems and smoking. Your dentist is the best person to advise and there may be a number of things they can do to help.

My dentist has recommended I wear a mouth guard at night, why?
Some people grind their teeth at night, often a sign of stress. Grinding can not only cause long-term damage to your teeth, but can cause other problems such as headaches and shoulder tension. If you grind, your dentist may recommend you wear a mouth guard to help prevent you doing so.

I have very sensitive teeth, is this something to worry about?
Most commonly, sensitivity is caused by gum recession. Receding gums can leave the sensitive roots of teeth exposed, which can cause pain. Try brushing using less pressure and use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Gum recession can also cause plaque and tartar to build up: this can lead to more serious gum disease. Your dentist will be able to diagnose and advise on how to manage this.

Although I brush and floss everyday, I often seem to need fillings, why is this?
It may be that you need to improve your brushing and flossing techniques. Your hygienist can advise you on where you might be going wrong.

Some simple tips for keeping your mouth in tip-top order: