Maintaining good dental hygiene Wimbledon is imperative for your overall well-being, as it keeps your teeth and gums healthy and free of disease. Most, if not all dental issues can be prevented or avoided by practising the simplest of dental hygiene techniques.

Research has found a connection between poor dental hygiene and several life-threatening health conditions, such as heart disease and stroke. Additionally, oral diseases as a result of poor dental hygiene can be unsightly, debilitating and costly, so at Wimbledon Dental Care, we highly recommend the practice of good dental hygiene and regular visits to the dentist.

What dental issues are caused by poor dental hygiene?

Tooth decay is the most common dental disease worldwide despite being preventable in most cases. It occurs when bacteria in your mouth produce acids that attack the enamel of your teeth, resulting in cavities in your teeth. If left untreated, you can experience side effects, including pain, infection and, in the worst case, even tooth loss.

Another common dental disease we see due to poor dental hygiene Wimbledon is gingivitis; this is characterised by the inflammation of the gum tissue due to the formation of plaque. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into a more serious disease called Periodontal disease which begins to affect the tissue, which is responsible for supporting the teeth and causes progressive loss of the bone beneath the teeth. When this is not treated in time, the affected teeth loosen and eventually begin to fall out.

How to prevent dental diseases

To prevent developing dental diseases, it is vital to maintain good dental hygiene Wimbledon by having an overall strategy of satisfactory dental care at home and visiting the dentist regularly. We recommend visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a thorough check for any signs of disease and a deep clean of your teeth. Whilst you may be taking precautions at home by brushing and flossing regularly, having your teeth cleaned professionally by a dentist or dental hygienist will ensure that the areas that are hard to reach with a regular toothbrush are cleaned thoroughly. Your dentist can also provide you with information on how to prevent oral diseases and the best ways you can take care of your teeth.

Most dental diseases can be prevented through good oral hygiene habits, with the most obvious being brushing at least twice a day with toothpaste containing fluoride. It is also important to floss regularly to remove food and dirt that the bristles of a toothbrush may not be able to reach. Rinsing your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash will also eradicate any bacteria that linger on your teeth, tongue and gums.

How diet can help improve your dental hygiene

An aspect of good dental hygiene that most people ignore is maintaining a healthy diet and eating and drinking habits. It is best to avoid foods and drinks containing a high content of sugar and starch, which can otherwise lead to cavities and decay. It is also best to avoid regular snacking and to stick to whole meals. Additionally, smoking and excessive alcohol or caffeinated drinks can lead to staining and tooth decay, so it is best to avoid these where possible.

In the UK a lot of people suffer from tooth decay and this is mainly due to poor oral hygiene. However having said that, oral health has greatly improved over the years and is currently at its best. In the last decade a lot of progress has been made to reduce dental problems. Dental hygiene in Wimbledon refers to ensuring and maintaining oral health to avoid dental issues. It is therefore imperative to teach children from a young age how to care for their teeth and maintain healthy gums.

What issues are caused by poor dental hygiene?

One of the most common consequences of poor dental hygiene in Wimbledon is tooth loss or tooth decay. If you feel that you are suffering with poor dental hygiene in Wimbledon, then ensure that you contact our practice where we have a team of professionals who will be able to provide you with the treatment and level of care that you require.

Other issues that people tend to suffer from as a result of poor dental hygiene in Wimbledon is gingivitis or gum disease. Gum disease is very common and affects approximately 50% of the UK population. However it can be easily treated if caught early. Gum disease is the buildup of bacteria in the mouth which then becomes plaque and causes the gums to get infected. Plaque is formed from bacteria from food that remains in the mouth if you do not brush your teeth and rinse properly after a meal. It can lead to bad breath, bleeding gums and in more serious cases if it is not treated it can lead to tooth loss. There are two types of gum disease that people suffer from.

If plaque is not dealt with and removed daily by brushing and flossing it can continue to harden into tartar which is a yellow substance that collects around the gums and attaches to the teeth. This then becomes harder to remove.

Ways to prevent the build up of gum disease

In order to avoid the build up of gum disease it is important to attend regular check ups with your dentist at least every 3-6 months. Your dentist will be able to check the buildup of plaque in your mouth and treat any problems before they get worse. If you start experiencing bleeding then make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible as the sooner it gets treated the better.

There are simple steps that you can take in order to avoid gum disease. Ensure that you brush your teeth twice daily and also use floss to be able to reach those pockets of plaque that cannot be reached by your toothbrush. Dentists will also recommend that you switch from using a manual toothbrush to an electric toothbrush as it is more effective and will be able to clean teeth much better than a manual toothbrush. In addition, dentists will recommend that you brush your teeth after you eat sugary foods and drink fizzy and high sugar drinks to ensure the bacteria doesn’t build up on the teeth.

Oral hygiene was being practised as early about 3500 BC using a Babylonian chew stick and roughly made stickers to pick food out from between the teeth. The first recorded toothbrush was made from a carved stick with bristles from pigs’ hairs in China, around 600 AD. Then sometime in 1400 AD this was later refined into a bone handle with pigs hairs as bristles. In the 1700s a British prisoner is credited with designing the manual toothbrush that we are familiar with today. So even centuries ago, we realised the importance of oral hygiene and the consequences of not taking necessary care. We at dental hygiene in Wimbledon take oral hygiene extremely seriously and with the incredible advances made in equipment development we are able to provide the latest and most effective service to our patients.

When should I start my regime

Like body exercise taking care of our entire mouth must become a daily routine that we carry through throughout our entire lives. This effort will result in prevention of cavities, freshening of breath, retaining the whiteness of teeth and defending against gum disease. Oral hygiene is a team effort by the patient, the dentist, the hygienist, the orthodontist and the oral surgeon. If however the patient does not stick to the regime the whole team will have to work harder to try and keep the mouth healthy. It is therefore important to educate children so that they know and understand why they must develop a complete daily routine.

What must I include in my daily routine

It is not necessary to make things complicated and the simpler, the better. For a start, try to floss after every meal and at least twice further in between. Flossing does prevent tartar building up and while you may experience bleeding initially don’t be alarmed as your gums will become used to the routine. Brush your teeth at least after every meal and in the morning and the evening before retiring. The recommended way to hold your toothbrush is as if you were holding a pencil, try not to brush too quickly or aggressively and always brush in a circular motion. A lot of bacteria also forms on the tongue for this reason it is important to gently scrub the tongue because these bacteria are a major cause of bad breath. It is also very important not to keep your toothbrush for too long and patients should change either your toothbrush or brush heads regularly, after around two to three months is the suggested period. As an added precaution it is a good idea to also use a good mouthwash to rinse around the house for a minimum of thirty seconds. This will aid flossing and brushing by reaching those areas of the mouth that are difficult to get to by flossing and brushing. This entire routine takes a few minutes each time and combined with a twice yearly dental visit for parents and their children can reduce early and permanent tooth loss and the complications that could arise from poor oral hygiene.

Protecting your mouth will result in overall wellness

Our mouths are the portals through which we provide sustenance and liquid refreshment to our entire bodies. It therefore makes sense to ensure that our mouths are healthy so that all that passes through is fresh and healthy. We at dental hygiene in Wimbledon are part of your team in the struggle to maintain oral hygiene and defeat tooth and gum disease.

Dental hygiene has numerous benefits, not just for oral health. On a basic level, oral hygiene means avoiding bad breath, bleeding gums, tooth infection, and even loss of teeth. On a higher level disease such as endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, and pneumonia have been linked to oral health. Studies have shown that maintaining healthy gums and keeping them disease free, has lasting results for your overall health.

You need not look any further for dental hygiene in Wimbledon, than Wimbledon Dental Care. Here we understand that tooth decay is one of the most common diseases in the developed world. However, we also know that it is the most preventable.

How does tooth decay occur?

Even with regular brushing and flossing, there is no guarantee that all plaque is removed. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as poor cleaning regime, inadequate old equipment, lifestyle choices (smoking, junk food eating, tea and coffee drinking), or even if you do everything right, some areas are just missed.

Plaque build-up, for whatever the reason, can cause inflammation of the gums, otherwise known as gingivitis. Gingivitis, if left untreated, can cause periodontal disease. Periodontitis is a severe gum disease that is a gum infection involving the soft tissue supporting your teeth. Eventually, the bone beneath the teeth is eroded, and the tooth falls out if not treated. 

We recommend you don’t delay and seek dental hygiene in Wimbledon today. It may seem counter-intuitive, but it is actually when your teeth are healthiest that you should see a dental hygienist. This is because we try to prevent oral diseases from occurring in our patients. So visit us before the toothache!

What does a dental hygienist do?

The dental hygienist is a dental worker who specialises in scaling and polishing teeth, while also advising how best to maintain oral hygiene. We recommend you visit your dental hygienist every six months or less depending on your own oral health needs.

Professional cleans ensure that we get to the places you may have missed. This will reduce the likelihood of contracting an oral disease. Professional cleans consist of three main steps:

1. Scaling – during this step, the dental hygienist uses an array of specialised dental tools to ‘scrape’ the built-up plaque or tartar from the teeth. Often the combination of ultrasound and manual scraping is used by the dental hygienist.
   
2. Polishing – the next step is the polish. This is where the dental hygienist smooths the teeth’s surfaces, leaving them bright and shiny. By smoothing the enamel of the teeth, this makes it less likely for plaque build up in the minor imperfections and crevices.
   
3. Educating – generally, the dental hygienist after completing the scaling and polishing will impart wisdom on how to properly maintain your oral health by illustrating proper technique and form in the cleaning.

General dental hygiene advice

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that prevention, not cure, is the best type of oral care. This is why we at Wimbledon Dental Care promote general oral health advice. Because by caring and cleaning properly for their teeth, our patients will be able to avoid painful diseases and unnecessary expense.

Use the right equipment and change your toothbrush when the bristles become splayed and ruined. Soft toothbrushes are preferable to hard. Proper form and technique while brushing and flossing is important, regular check-ups are necessary to miss any hard to reach places.

Maintain your dental hygiene in Wimbledon by visiting us today!

Many individuals may believe their oral health is up to scratch by brushing and flossing twice daily, however a regular visit to our clinic in Wimbledon can help prevent the onset of oral diseases and infections, such as gum disease, to name just one common example. At our surgery in Wimbledon we are huge believers that preventive dentistry is better than needing a cure, which is why we always encourage our patients to stay on top of their dental hygiene in Wimbledon!

Did you know?

There has been a proven correlation between the health of your mouth and other health concerns of the body as a whole, such as associations between oral diseases and more severe health concerns such as heart disease, which is why it is so vital for teeth and gums to stay healthy. Tooth decay is in fact the most common disease within the developed world, however it is easily preventable! In addition to tooth decay, gingivitis is also common and when left untreated, due to a build-up of plaque, can develop into periodontal disease.

How to prevent the loss of teeth from within the mouth

Periodontal disease is unfortunately extremely common and causes the loss of teeth from within the mouth! Periodontal diseases can occur due to the accumulation of oral bacteria which can develop into plaque and can therefore be prevented by vigorous brushing, and frequent visits to our clinic.

How can we help?

Our dental team is fully equipped to offer sound hygiene advice to all of our patients, tailor making our dental hygiene plans for each individual dental case. As a general rule we suggest our patients visit our clinic every six months for a deep clean, however some of our patients may be told to visit more frequently).

What to expect

Many of our patients (especially those who experience anxiety within a dental environment) may feel more comfortable knowing what to expect from a dental hygiene appointment. After we have given your mouth an oral assessment and checked for any signs of dental decay we can start with your cleaning treatment! Many patients may not require a scale and polish however it is extremely common, and only takes a few minutes!

What is a scale and polish?

A scale and polish strives to remove the hard calculus on the surface of the teeth by using a combination of special dental brushes and pastes to clean the gum line, finishing off with a polish to result in a cleaner and healthier smile.

Helping you take care of your teeth

A dental hygiene appointment not only consists of an oral examination and a cleaning scale and polish, however it also consists of advice on how to take care of your smile in the comfort of your own home. Despite common misconception, talk on dental hygiene in Wimbledon is not just about brushing and flossing, but may also consist of special interdental brushes and fluoride toothpastes.

A tailor made dental plan

Our dental specialists will not only suggest the correct brushes and pastes to use and the most effective way to brush your teeth, but we will also tailor your hygiene plan to you, which will be dependent on your dental case, thinking about things such as implants, bridges, or dentures.

At our dental clinic in Wimbledon we offer our patients a bespoke dental service within a modern, clean, and welcoming dental environment. Our clinic never compromises, this is why our team embraces both quality and quantity of dental treatments, and we are proud to offer general routine dentistry, preventive dentistry, and facial aesthetics, in addition to cosmetic dental care. One key dental treatment on offer at our clinic is dental hygiene in Wimbledon.

Why is dental hygiene in Wimbledon so important?

Many patients may overlook their oral health, and therefore may refrain from visiting their local clinic for their biannual check up (suggested by dental healthcare professionals to be every six months) however in Wimbledon we strive to promote a healthy smile through the means of preventive dentistry. Dental hygiene focuses primarily on the prevention of oral diseases and infections such as gum disease, which are caused by oral bacteria.

Did you know?

Many patients may not be aware that the health of their mouth correlates directly with the general well-being of their body. Many studies show a clear correlation between oral diseases and infections (such as gum disease) and more serious health concerns (such as heart disease), which is why it is so important to stay on top of your oral hygiene.

How can we help?

Our dental team suggests you visit our clinic for a clean every six months, however many of our patients may require more frequent appointments, this depends greatly on your unique dental case. Our role is to educate our patients, whatever their age, on how to look after their teeth correctly at home, therefore minimising the accumulation of plaque on the surface of the teeth.

Preventing the decay of your teeth

Tooth decay is extremely common to see in dental practices, however it is easy to prevent! Tooth decay can be caused by the build-up of oral bacteria on the surface of the teeth (when food and drink is left uncleaned from any areas of the teeth), however our team have several treatments to help reduce the build-up.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is caused by the accumulation of plaque on the surface of the teeth, which unfortunately leads to inflammation of the gums. If gingivitis is left untreated it can worsen further into periodontal disease which affects the tissue within the mouth. At its most severe periodontal disease can start to affect the bone of the tooth, eventually leading to tooth loss.

Keeping your smile healthy

With these dental concerns in mind, our experienced team of dental healthcare professionals promote general educational dental advice, in addition to a thorough cleaning of the surface of the teeth (commonly referred to as a ‘scale and polish’).

What is a scale and polish?

A scale and polish is a rigorous cleaning treatment that is extremely common within the field of dental hygiene. The sticky plaque and hard calculus is removed from the surface of the teeth using a dental buffer, the gum line is then also cleaned before finishing off with a polish of the teeth to provide an enhanced healthy smile.

Any cook knows that if you leave food in a warm, moist environment, it’s going to go rotten. This is why professional kitchens clean the entire food processing area after every food prep session and have regular deep cleans to get to the more inaccessible areas. When kitchens don’t do that, it won’t be long before the environmental health inspectors are called and the restaurant or café gets shut down.

Your mouth is your portable food processing area, and, as such, also needs to be regularly cleaned. You may not get food poisoning if you don’t clean your mouth and teeth, but any food trapped between your teeth will still rot, which can lead to infection. And you will develop other problems such as tooth decay and gum disease from a build-up of plaque.

What is plaque?

Plaque is the name for that sticky film you can feel appearing on your teeth as the day goes by. If you leave it there for more than 3 days, it hardens into a chalky substance called tartar or calculus. Plaque is made up of bacteria that feed on sugar and give off corrosive acids.

What do acids actually do?

Acids from plaque corrode your tooth enamel, making holes through which decay-causing bacteria can enter. These bacteria rot the soft yellow dentin below the enamel and also attack the pulp inside the dentin, which contains a blood supply and nerves. Once the pulp is under attack, you will experience toothache. The rot can lead to infection and you may even lose your tooth.

The acids also inflame and irritate your gums, which is why gums swell up and feel sore. They also pull away from your teeth, creating pockets. Plaque can now get under your gums and start to corrode your tooth roots, which have no enamel as well as your jawbone. This often leads to painful infection. Your teeth become loose and then fall out.

Dental hygiene

This is why at Wimbledon Dental Care in Wimbledon, we recommend that you brush twice daily for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and come to us for bi-annual check-ups and deep cleanings. Together we can keep your mouth as clean as your kitchen.

A thorough dental hygiene routine is vital for your overall health and wellbeing, not just that of your teeth and gums.

Studies show a link between poor oral health and heart disease and high cholesterol levels, though the connection is not yet fully understood.

There’s a psychological aspect too – having a smile you feel happy to show creates a feeling of warmth and wellbeing, through the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Smiling also eases relationship and when others see your genuine smile, they are more likely to view you as trustworthy and friendly.

There are certain groups that good dental hygiene is even more crucial for: pregnant women are more likely to develop gum disease because of hormone changes and may also experience small, harmless growths on their gums. Frequent morning sickness can also cause tooth enamel to erode.

Smokers need to pay particular attention to oral health as tobacco stains the teeth, can cause bad breath and makes it more likely that you will develop gum disease.

Those with uncontrolled diabetes are also more likely to develop gum disease.

Here at Wimbledon Dental Care, we recommend all our patients have regular hygiene appointments. You should have a scale and polish cleaning with our hygienist every six months, and if you are in one of the high-risk groups indicated above, you may need to come in more often.

We also check for the early signs of oral cancer at our dental check-ups. Detected early, oral cancer can be treated successfully in most cases.

We see our patients’ dental hygiene as a team effort. We do our part with check-ups and cleanings, and you need to play your part with diligent mouth maintenance. After all, you are with your teeth every day; we only see them every few months.

At your hygiene appointment we can advise you on the best oral care routine for you, including:

• What brush to use
• Brushing technique
• Flossing and interdental brushes
• How to care for implants, crowns, dentures and other restorations
• Mouth wash
• Nutrition for healthy teeth
• Fresh breath tips
• Children’s oral care.

Proper oral care is really important to the health of your teeth, gums and mouth. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits is critical to maintaining optimal oral health and avoiding tooth decay and long-term gum disease. Poor oral health, on the other hand, can actually have a direct impact on your overall health with known links to diabetes and heart disease. Gum disease is also the number one cause of tooth loss in Great Britain. Even if the connection between oral health and general health problems is not valid, oral diseases can be unattractive, painful and cost you a lot of money.

At Wimbledon Dental Care in Wimbledon, we offer not only a range of aesthetic and restorative dental treatments, but oral health advice, and a range of treatments and services that will help you keep dental problems at bay. Tooth decay and gum disease are the most common oral diseases in the developed world and we are here to help you treat them and prevent them, if possible.

Whereas tooth decay is usually the result of poor dental hygiene, gum disease can affect a wider range of patients including pregnant women and people suffering from diabetes. Because it is not painful during its initial stage, it is really difficult to spot the symptoms without the help of your dentist. Sometimes, gum disease is characterised by swollen, sore or infected gums, and possible bleeding during brushing. If left untreated, it can lead to severe gum issues and even tooth loss. Our dentists are trained to look for the early signs of gum disease and advise you of preventive treatment.

Having your teeth cleaned professionally is one of the best treatments for gum disease. Our dental hygienists will scale and polish your teeth, removing any plaque build-up even from below the gum line. Polishing will smooth out your teeth and prevent plaque from sticking to them.

With regular cleanings and good oral maintenance, we can almost always prevent plaque build-up and related diseases like tooth decay and gum disease. It may be a cliché, but prevention is always better than cure. Call in, phone us or send an email to book an appointment today.

Did you know that tooth decay is the most common disease in the developed world? Knowing that it’s also preventable is a sobering thought, and something we want to do something about. Good dental hygiene is essential in helping to prevent tooth decay.

Another scary statistic is that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults in the UK. Again, gum disease is preventable with a strong dental hygiene regime. It’s also a very common condition and comes in two forms: the milder gingivitis and the more serious periodontal disease. As with all diseases, the earlier gum disease is caught the better, and the easier it is to treat. If you think you may be suffering from gum disease, you should book an appointment with a hygienist as soon as possible. As well as treating the condition, they can advise you on how to stop it recurring in the future.

Everybody should visit the hygienist, at least every six months, for a scale and polish, which will thoroughly clean your teeth by removing any stubborn plaque or tartar. Some people need to visit more often, and you should always follow your dentist or hygienist’s advice. Regular visits also enable us to monitor your oral health, so if there are any early signs of gum disease or decay, we can treat them sooner rather than later.

Of course, it goes without saying that a good home care regime is also vitally important to your dental health. That’s why our hygienists provide bespoke oral healthcare advice for all the family. This includes:

• The best type of toothbrush to use, and the best brushing techniques
• Advice on special tools such as interdental brushes, to clean between the teeth
• Flossing advice
• The best and worst food and drinks for your teeth
• Special advice for cleaning dentures, bridges, braces etc
• The best mouth wash to use
• Fresh breath advice
• How to look after your mouth after oral surgery, to aid recovery
• How to clean young children’s teeth, and how to help older children develop their own oral healthcare regime