Interesting Facts

From time to time we get asked some very interesting questions by our patients and we try to provide some equally interesting answers! We have compiled a selection for you below and as it is by no means complete, expect to be adding to it at regular intervals. We hope you find the following interesting -

Gum disease is the commonest disease in mankind

Almost everybody shows some signs of gum disease. Some forms of gum disease do little harm but in susceptible "at risk" patients they may develop into progressive and destructive forms. It is not easy to identify "at risk" individuals before the progressive disease becomes active. Even when the disease becomes progressive it may not be obvious. That is why we routinely carry out screening to check for gum disease as part of our check-ups.

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for progressive gum disease

Smoking affects the gum tissue's ability to defend itself against gum disease. By the age of 40, smokers show more evidence of "loss of bone support" than non-smokers. Progressive gum disease can be treated very successfully in non-smokers. For a smoker, however, the outlook for treatment is less good. However, if smoking is stopped, the outlook again becomes very good.

You can have extra cleaning sessions with the Hygienist?

Patients with gum problems are often advised to have extra sessions with the hygienist. Sometimes you may wish to have an extra cleaning session - because you build up a lot of scale or there is staining, and perhaps you have a special occasion coming up. Contact the practice. Your dentist will need to prescribe this treatment for you but as long as you are not overdue for a check-up this should be no problem. (If you have not had a check-up for some time, an examination would be necessary first to comply with current legislation).

You can avoid tooth decay

Tooth decay is caused by germs on your teeth. The germs make acid from any sugar you eat or drink and the acid attacks the tooth. If you only allow sugar into your mouth 3 times a day or less, you are unlikely to get tooth decay. Using fluoride toothpaste makes the tooth more resistant to decay as well, but sugar control is the most important.

You can stop tooth decay

If a tooth has already begun to decay it may be possible to stop it if you have caught it in time. As well as controlling your sugar intake to avoid decay, you may need to use extra fluoride rinses. If the decay is advancing, then the dentist may need to clean and seal the hole (we call it a "cavity") to keep the germs out. Sometimes the dentist will paint a special "sealant" on the tooth to protect the crinkly surfaces that are hard to keep clean.

Adults can have orthodontic treatment too

If it can be done for a child it can be done for an adult. It might be a crooked tooth or a space or spaces that are undesirable but if it bothers you it is always worth asking about it. Treatment may be quite complex but some adult treatments can be quite simple - and still make a big difference!

A drink of a weak sugar solution will cause tooth enamel to dissolve for 20 minutes

The removal of tooth minerals by acid is the beginning of the decay process. It takes 20 minutes for the body's defence mechanisms to neutralise the acid produced on the teeth by the bacteria living on the tooth surface after a drink containing any sugar. (Sticky sweet foods take much longer to neutralise).

After acid attack the tooth can repair itself

The minerals removed by acid attack can be replaced given enough time. The presence of fluoride in the diet, in water and in toothpastes will help this process. If sugar intake is infrequent, then the repair process can balance the acid attack and tooth decay may not develop.