Investing in your dental health is a smart decision that can pay off in the long run. Not only can it help reduce the risk of cavities and other oral health issues, but it can also save you money in the long run. Investing in dental hygiene Stockwell now can also provide several other benefits, including improved confidence, better overall health, and even reduced stress. With this being so important, it is important to know exactly why; so here are five reasons why you should invest in dental health right now.

Reason 1: prevention is better than cure

Taking preventive measures can help you avoid serious dental issues in the future. By investing in your oral health care and hygiene now, you can prevent the need for costly and painful treatments in the future. Regular brushing and flossing as well as regular visits to your dentist, can help keep your teeth and gums healthy and prevent common dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. So do not delay any longer; feel free to get in touch with a member of our dental team at SW9 Dental as soon as possible to get on top of things.

Reason 2: improved confidence

Good oral health can help you feel more confident in your smile. Taking care of your teeth and gums can also help boost your self-esteem and make you feel more comfortable in social situations. You should always feel confident as yourself, but it can really help your self-esteem when you take control of these elements of your life.

Reason 3: better overall health

Poor oral health can lead to a number of other health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Prioritising dental hygiene Stockwell now can help reduce the risk of these serious health issues and ensure that your overall health is in top condition.

Reason 4: stress relief

Taking care of your teeth and gums can be a great way to reduce stress. Not only does brushing and flossing help release endorphins, which is a small fact you may not have known before, but it can also reduce the stress that poor oral health can cause, such as pain, discomfort, bad breath or potentially unwanted long-term conditions.

Reason 5: save money

Taking your dental hygiene Stockwell seriously rather than delaying can help you save money in the long run. Taking preventive measures now can help you avoid costly and painful dental treatments in the future, which can save you money in the long run.

At SW9 Dental in Stockwell, we can offer a comprehensive range of dental services to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. From regular checkups and cleanings to treatments for more serious issues, we are here to help you take the best care of your oral health. Contact our team today to learn more about the dental health services we offer and find out how investing in your dental health today can help you save money in the long run.

Maintaining good dental hygiene Stockwell is essential for a healthy and beautiful smile. With regular checkups and proper care, you can prevent the build-up of plaque and bacteria, which could otherwise lead to gum disease, cavities and other oral health issues. Here are 7 tips for making sure you keep your mouth clean and healthy.

1. Brush twice a day

Brushing your teeth is the most important part of dental health routines. It removes the plaque and bacteria that accumulate on your teeth, clearing away any food particles or sugary residue that can lead to decay and gum disease. Make sure to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, using a soft brush and gentle circular motions.

2. Floss every day

Flossing is also important because it can remove food particles and plaque between the teeth, which may otherwise be difficult to reach with just a toothbrush. Make sure to floss every day, using a clean, fresh length of thread and gentle sweeping motions to get rid of any trapped food.

3. Watch your diet

What you eat plays an important role in your dental health. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps to protect your teeth from decay and helps to keep your mouth healthy. Avoid sugary snacks and drinks as much as possible and limit your intake of acidic foods and drinks, such as soft drinks and citrus fruits, which can erode the enamel on your teeth.

4. Use mouthwash

Using mouthwash can help you to reduce plaque, bad breath and tooth decay. Choose a mouthwash that contains fluoride to help protect your teeth and use it as part of your daily dental routine.

5. Regular dental chcekups

Attending regular dental checkups is essential for good oral health; this can allow any potential problems to be detected by the dental professional and treated if needed. Make sure to attend checkups at least once a year or more if recommended by your dentist.

6. Quit smoking

Smoking can seriously harm your dental health; it can increase your risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth discolouration. If you smoke, make sure to brush and floss regularly and visit your dentist for regular checkups.

7. Use a tongue scraper

Using a tongue scraper can help remove bacteria and food particles from your tongue, which is a common cause of bad breath. Make sure to use a tongue scraper every day as part of your dental hygiene Stockwell routine.

By following these tips, you can maintain good dental hygiene Stockwell and keep your mouth healthy and looking its best. To ensure you get high-quality dental care, visit our dentist at SW9 Dental. At SW9 Dental, we can provide a comprehensive range of dental services to keep your teeth and gums healthy. With the latest technology and treatments, we can help you have a healthy, beautiful smile. So get in touch with us today, and we will help with advice or necessary treatments, keeping you on top of your oral health care.

It could be that you’ve just been to visit our dentist and they’ve recommended you head off to see one of our team who’s a hygienist and we totally understand that at first thought it can feel a little bit daunting. Straight away our imagination runs away with us and we’re imagining a whole host of issues surrounding our oral hygiene, but it’s really nothing to worry about. Patients need to see the hygienist for lots of reasons and having a deep clean is always really beneficial, and can be a game changer for those who need a boost to their dental hygiene Stockwell.

The role of a hygienist

Dental hygienists are a different form of dental professional, they undergo special training in protecting and keeping good teeth and gums. They know how best to treat early signs of gum disease and work with patients to maintain better oral hygiene in the future.

What happens during a hygienist appointment?

Well, just like in any other appointment you will be greeted by one of our lovely reception team members before being taken through to the treatment room. Your dental hygiene Stockwell appointment will begin with our practitioner taking a good look at the health of your teeth and gums. They’ll use special tools and instruments to have a poke around the gums, looking for signs of bleeding and holes. All this information is recorded through a special number system, so no worries when you hear the hygienist reciting lots of numbers, it’s just them keeping a record.  After this process is finished you’ll have your deep scale and polish completed. The hygienist uses special tools to remove hard plaque and tartar that sits mainly around the gum line, it’s this build-up that frequently causes gum disease and tooth decay, therefore it must be removed in order for the body to proceed with its natural healing process.

If your hygienist looks at your teeth and gums in further detail it may be that they recommend you see a dentist for further investigation or that they recommend you return to them for another visit to check up on the progress of your gums.

At the end of your dental hygiene Stockwell appointment, it may be that your hygienist guides you through an oral healthcare routine and provides information on the best ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Often we find patients, although they are brushing their teeth twice daily, don’t have the best technique or use any other forms of cleaning as protection, this is where our dental hygienists can really help and educate you.

Added benefits

The added benefits of seeing a dental hygienist include freshening your breath. Lots of patients who complain of having issues with bad breath feel that they see a marked improvement when they’ve seen a hygienist. It also gives back a shine to your teeth, once you’ve had a scale and polish. It’s very common for our patients to say they feel as if they’ve had a whitening treatment done.

Maybe you have been to see us lately for a dental hygiene Stockwell appointment and your hygienist recommended a few extra top tips to keep your smile in a healthy, happy condition. Or maybe one of the dentists recommended upping your oral health routine in order to keep optimal maintenance of your lovely smile. Or perhaps you’re just a curious cat on the hunt for the next big thing when it comes to oral health, whatever the reason, here are all the ways to keep on top of your dental hygiene.

Why is oral hygiene so important for patients?

As we’re sure all our patients are aware, if you don’t take the upkeep of your teeth seriously, the overall health of your mouth can quickly deteriorate. Gum disease and tooth decay are both leading causes of tooth loss and preventing these two nasty diseases can be attained simply by employing a detailed oral health routine. Dental hygiene Stockwell has never been more important, with more and more of us wanting to begin to understand the implications of neglecting our gums and teeth.

The best dental regime

Firstly, everyone should be brushing their teeth at least twice daily, that’s ideally after breakfast and just before bed. If you can squeeze in a third brush after lunch this is preferred, but nothing to worry about if you can’t. You should be spending at least two minutes per brushing episode, with thirty seconds on each quarter being the recommended allocation of time.

When it comes to technique it is widely recommended that patients opt for a circular motion, as opposed to back and forth which is the way tooth brushing is often portrayed in the media. Further to this, when you are brushing you need to be paying particular attention to the gum and gum line as this is often where plaque and tartar build up. We often find with patients when they visit us that there is serious build-up behind the back bottom teeth, this area is frequently neglected when brushing as it is awkward to reach. But don’t fear because that is where interdental brushes come in.

Interdental brushes

Interdental brushes are especially designed to negotiate the hard-to-reach areas to clean in the mouth. They are mini brushes that squeeze between the teeth and gums, moving and dislodging any big food particles they find. Perfect for getting behind the teeth too.

Flossing

No dental hygiene Stockwell routine would be complete if we didn’t mention flossing, we often see at SW9 Dental that patients think flossing is an optional extra, but this really isn’t the case. Flossing is a very important part of best practice in real teeth cleaning. It’s only with dental floss that you can truly get to the deep parts of the gum line and remove the bacteria and build-up that lingers in the hidden surfaces there. There are many tutorials online to show how to floss correctly, but if you’re really unsure of the correct technique ask one of our dental team for some practical tips next time you visit the practice.

At our dental clinic within Stockwell we understand that finding the right dental clinic to suit your dental needs can be tough, especially if you’re trying to find dental care for other members of your family. At our surgery, we believe that a healthy smile means a happy smile, which is why we deliver a high standard of dental and cosmetic dental treatments within a relaxed, modern, and clean medical environment. In addition to our comfortable surgery we boast a varied team of highly knowledgeable dental healthcare professionals, using the best possible dental materials to help you achieve your dream smile!

The treatments on offer at our clinic within Stockwell

At our dental surgery we not only offer dental hygiene in Stockwell, but we also provide our new and pre-registered patients with a wide array of general dentistry, cosmetic treatments, restorative dentistry, and preventive dental care.

How can we help you prevent the onset of oral diseases and infections?

Oral concerns are unfortunately extremely common within the modern field of dentistry. Many people may experience gum diseases in their lifetime, however our team strives to prevent this from happening. Combined with our fantastic dental advice (such as the correct way to brush and floss using interdental brushes) we also provide our patients with a ‘scale and polish’.

What can I expect from a dental hygiene appointment at our clinic?

Many of our patients (especially those who are experiencing anxiety within a dental environment) may feel more comfortable knowing what to expect from their dental hygiene appointment. Initially we may ask you about your eating and brushing habits, which can help to give us an indication of the health of your teeth, and therefore the cause of your plaque. Aside from your lifestyle choices we may also recommend certain brushes and toothpaste (such as fluoride toothpaste) before administering your ‘scale and polish’ treatment.

What is a scale and polish?

A scale and polish is an extremely common procedure which aims to maintain a high standard of dental hygiene in Stockwell. Many individuals may be given a scale and polish within their dental check-up (recommended to our patients by our dental healthcare professionals every six months). However they may be unsure of the exact treatment process!

How does it work?

Before your scale and polish treatment commences we will assess the dental area, checking for any signs of excessive tartar on the surface of the teeth, the back of the teeth, and the gum line. In terms of the scale and polish treatment itself we use a combination of specialised brushes and cleaning pastes to produce a cleaner and consequently a healthier smile.

How much does a dental hygiene appointment cost?

This is a question we get asked frequently at our dental clinic within Stockwell. It is hard to determine the exact cost in a general sense due to the variety of treatments which could be received. Each case is unique, and we will be able to discuss your options with you during your initial consultation.

At our dental clinic within Stockwell, we aim to promote preventative dental care. This means taking care of your teeth in order to prevent the onset of oral diseases and infections (such as gum disease for example). Our dental clinic has many years of experience within this field, meaning that our dental healthcare professionals are fully equipped to deliver a high standard of dentistry within a clean and modern dental environment.

The dental hygiene treatments on offer at our surgery..

Many patients may believe that our dental hygiene in Stockwell consists simply of a ‘scale and polish’ (which is a common cleaning treatment within the field of hygiene dentistry). However our experienced dental team is also fully capable of giving you sound dental hygiene advice.

What is a scale and polish?

A scale and polish is a common procedure delivered during a dental hygiene appointment at our clinic. Many individuals may believe they are partaking in an adequate dental hygiene routine at home (such as brushing and flossing frequently) however unfortunately plaque and tartar can still accumulate. Our scale and polish service uses a combination of dental tools and specially formulated pastes to result in cleaner and therefore healthier teeth.

Why is it important to maintain a good level of dental hygiene in Stockwell?

Many patients may overlook their bi-annual hygiene appointment (recommended by medical professionals every six months, however occasionally more for more complex dental cases) they are however extremely important. Aside from receiving sound medical advice on how to take care of your teeth at home (with the correct use of fluoride toothpastes and interdental brushes) a scale and polish works to remove oral bacteria on the teeth.

What would happen if the plaque was left untreated?

Food and drink sits on the surface of the teeth during the day. For many patients this is removed in the evening with a brush, however sometimes this simply isn’t enough. The consumption of highly sugary food and drink (such as sweets and fizzy drinks) can escalate the problem further, however if left untreated oral diseases and infections can occur.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is commonly known within the field of dentistry as the early stage of gum disease. A few common symptoms which patients may notice include bleeding and swollen gums, bad breath, and tender gums. Many individuals may overlook these symptoms, however if gingivitis is left untreated it can develop into a more serious form: periodontal disease (which happens to be the leading cause of tooth loss within the United Kingdom).

How to book your first dental hygiene appointment

If you are interested in staying on top of your oral hygiene at our dental clinic within Stockwell then you may be wondering how to book an appointment. Our dental team offers many forms of contact; one of which is our modern online booking system.

Running low on time?

Many of our busier patients may not have time to write a detailed email or even give our clinic a call, this is why we offer an online appointment system which allows even our busiest patients to stay on top of their dental health.

Parenting is all about setting a good example. Generally speaking, young children don’t learn by being told, they learn by copying behaviour. Good or bad, if they see you do it, they will copy it.

That’s why it’s really important to follow a good dental hygiene routine yourself, as well as making sure that your kids do too.

If you are telling your kids to brush their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes, to use fluoride toothpaste and go the dentist twice a year for a check-up and a deep clean, then you’d better be doing this too.

If your kids catch you skimping on your own toothbrushing, then, even if you stand over them at the wash basin every night, your behaviour will have already sent them the message that toothbrushing doesn’t really matter.

But, if you practise ‘do as I do’ as well as ‘do as I say’, then your children will receive the message that dental hygiene is very important and you will help set up good habits that last a lifetime. And along with those habits, their teeth also stand a much better chance of lasting a lifetime.

Children’s tooth enamel

Part of the reason to be super diligent with toothbrushing for kids is that their tooth enamel is still soft. It will harden up over the years, but in the meantime, it is much more vulnerable to tooth decay. Children are still learning the brushing skills to remove decay-causing plaque and they also consume more sugary snacks and drinks, and sugar feeds the plaque bacteria that attack teeth.

One thing you can do to help reduce the amount of sugar in their mouths is make sure they drink some water after a sugary snack, especially something like raisins, which tend to stick to the teeth and so can be more harmful than some sweets.

Treatments to protect teeth

At SW9 Dental in Stockwell, we can treat your children’s teeth to harden up the enamel. We can also paint the back teeth with sealants to provide a barrier against decay.

Give us a call to find out more about how we can help your child’s dental hygiene.

Why does your SW9 Dental dentist go on about dental hygiene so much? It’s because having a clean and healthy mouth not only prolongs the life of your teeth but also gives you more chance of having a healthy body.

The endgame for your teeth

You already know that the worst thing that can befall your teeth is that they either come out or have to be extracted. However, teeth don’t get to that point all at once, unless you have the misfortune to get them knocked out in an accident.

Tooth issues tend to run along 2 trajectories: gum disease and decay. Sometimes your teeth suffer from one, sometimes from the other. They can have both at the same time too. Decay and gum disease have the same cause, a build-up of bacteria.

There are several hundred strains of bacteria in your mouth. One in particular, Streptococcus mutans, loves eating sugar. If you eat or drink something sugary or starchy, it will devour the sugars in your saliva and proliferate like mad. This is why you feel like your teeth have gone all furry after a sugary snack, like candy floss or raisins.

Gum disease

These bacteria excrete acid after eating sugar and it attacks your gums, making them sore, swollen and prone to bleeding. They also start to pull away from your teeth, creating space underneath into which more bacteria can travel, and start to attack your tooth roots and jawbone.

Decay

The acid also corrodes tooth enamel, creating cavities for decay to sneak into. Untreated decay leads to abscesses and infections. If you get an abscess, you will almost certainly need root canal therapy, maybe even extraction.

Easy oral health

Fortunately, it is easy to take care of your teeth. You just need to brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. You need to floss to remove plaque and trapped food too.

You also need to visit SW9 Dental for a twice-yearly check-up so that we can deal with any problems in their very early stages. And don’t forget to get a deep clean form our hygienists too.

There’s so much to organise and prepare for when you are pregnant. The baby’s room has to be painted, you need to buy a buggy, tiny new clothes, and read all the books you can on pregnancy, birth and looking after a new born.

Then there’s all you need to do to take care of your own body while it goes through this incredible transformation. Pregnancy yoga, hypnobirthing classes, and of course, regular trips to the dentist.

You may not be so aware of that last one, but because of the hormone changes that happen while pregnant, it’s more likely that you’ll get gum disease, and there are other complications for your oral health that could occur.

Here at SW9 Dental in Stockwell, we know how important dental hygiene is for pregnant women and we recommend that you come and see us at least twice during your pregnancy to make sure your teeth and gums are well cared for.

What oral health issues happen in pregnancy?

Pregnancy gingivitis (mild gum disease) can begin as early as the second month of your term. This is because progesterone can be up to 10 times higher during pregnancy, which affects the way your body responds to the toxins produced by a build-up of plaque on your teeth and gums.

Pregnancy granuloma may also be an issue – this is the growth of small red nodules on the upper gums. They aren’t dangerous, but can feel uncomfortable.

And if you are experiencing a lot of morning sickness, the regular flow of stomach acid over the teeth can cause erosion of the tooth enamel.

How we can help

Come in to our practice and talk to our dentists about your dental hygiene and how we can help you to have a happy, healthy pregnancy, with great oral health throughout.

As you probably know, dental check-ups are recommended every six months for most patients. However, when you are pregnant, especially if you are experiencing one of the issues outlined above, you may need to come in more regularly. Our dentists can check for signs of gum disease and give you a scale and polish to aid the removal of plaque.

When it comes to dental health, it’s easy to focus on teeth. They are the most obvious part of our dental structures, they are what shows when we smile, and when we are missing a tooth, it’s really clear. People increasingly put a lot of time, money and energy into keeping teeth as white as possible for as long as possible.

And while, as your dentist here at SW9 Dental, we will, of course, offer you advice and care for your teeth, your gums are just as important to us.

Why take care of gums?

Without gums, the upper, visible part of the tooth, the crown, would have nowhere to sit. The gums surround and protect the crowns and hold them in place. The gums are also tightly bound to the jawbone, which hold the root of the tooth in place. These structures create a strong and stable foundation, enabling your teeth to withstand the strong pressures of biting and chewing.

An important part of our dental hygiene in Stockwell is to check the gums for signs of disease. Nearly all adults will have gum disease at some point in their life. The early stages are known as gingivitis. Symptoms include bleeding when brushing the teeth, bad breath and swollen or tender gums. If caught early and treated, gingivitis isn’t a huge problem. If left to develop, it can lead to more serious complications.

Periodontitis is advanced gum disease. Patients suffering from this will also notice bleeding, as well as pus formation, and the bone and tissues that support the teeth can begin to deteriorate. Periodontitis is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in the UK.

How can dental hygiene help?

You have a huge role to play in keeping your gums healthy. Brushing your gums when you brush your teeth will help to keep them disease free. Regular check-ups with a dentist to spot early signs of gum disease, which you may not be aware of, are also crucial. And regular hygiene appointments, to remove the build-up of the plaque and tartar that create gum disease, also play a part.

Between us, we’ll keep your gums healthy.