An electric toothbrush for Christmas anyone?

Are electric toothbrushes better than manual ones?

This is a question we are asked by patients almost every day. In fact, according to a study at Sheffield University, rotating brushes reduce 11% more plaque than manual toothbrushes, and can also significantly reduce gum problems – like gingivitis, in as little as four weeks. And the results get better the longer you use them.

The big advantage of electric brushes, is that they do most of the work for you, This is a particularly good thing for people who tend to be a bit heavy-handed with manual brushes, as overbrushing can lead to gum recession, toothwear and sensitivity. The better ones also have timers so you know exactly how long to brush for (two minutes is the recommended minimum). Ones with round heads and side-to-side oscillations are especially effective because they ‘hug’ the tooth as they brush, making sure it’s cleaned from more than one side.

The trick is to use then correctly. The most common mistake is to use them like you would a normal toothbrush. Instead, you should simply place the brush head against each individual tooth at a 45 degree angle to the gumline and let the little oscillations and pulsations do the rest.

Having said all that, the best kind of toothbrush is one that is used! If you are the sort of person whose mobile phone battery is always flat, maybe you should stick to the manual brush!

November is Oral Cancer awareness month – Early Diagnosis is Key

A Few Facts about Oral Cancer

Oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the pharynx (the back of the throat).

It accounts for roughly 2% of all cancers diagnosed annually in the UK. Approximately 6,500 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer each year and about 2000 will die from the disease. On average, 60 percent of those with the disease will survive more than 5 years and early detection increases survival rates substantially.

Oral cancer most often occurs in people over the age of 40 and affects more than twice as many men as women.

What Puts Someone At Risk?

Tobacco And Alcohol Use

Most cases of oral cancer are linked to cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol use, or the use of both tobacco and alcohol together.  Using tobacco plus alcohol poses a much greater risk than using either substance alone.

HPV

Infection with the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (specifically the HPV 16 type) has been linked to a certain oral cancers.

Age

Risk increases with age. Oral cancer most often occurs in people over the age of 40, although the frequency of occurrence in younger people appears to be increasing.

Sun Exposure

Cancer of the lip can be caused by excessive exposure to sunlight.  Always use sunscreen if you are outdoors for long periods.

Diet

A diet low in fruits and vegetables may play a role in oral cancer development.

Possible Signs & Symptoms

• A sore, irritation, lump or thick patch in your mouth, lip, or throat
• A white or red patch in your mouth
• A feeling that something is caught in your throat
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Difficulty moving your jaw or tongue
• Numbness in your tongue or other areas of your mouth
• Swelling of your jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
• Pain in one ear without hearing loss

Remember – Early detection is the most important factor in successful treatment for oral cancer, so it is important that you make an appointment as soon as possible if you notice any of the above.

Your regular dental examination is an excellent opportunity for us to spot any warning signs and if necessary to ensure that prompt treatment is provided.

Summer Newsletter 2013

Download our Summer newsletter and check out our Summer offer……look inside!

Do you suffer from a dry mouth?

A lot of our patients suffer from some dryness of the mouth. 

This is caused by inadequate production or flow of saliva. For some people, this is just a nuisance, but at the more severe end it can lead to health problems. Tooth decay, gum disease, yeast infections, bad breath and difficulty swallowing can result from a chronically dry mouth. It can also make the wearing of dentures very uncomfortable.

Reduced saliva flow can be caused by several diseases and is sometimes a result of radiotherapy to the head and neck. However, by far the most common cause is medication. Antihistamines, painkillers, decongestants and drugs used to treat high blood pressure and depression are common culprits.

Simple things you can do to get relief include:

• Taking frequent sips of water
• Using alcohol-free oral rinses
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks as far as possible
• Sugar-free chewing gum
• Special dry mouth toothpastes and gels such as Biotene (available at Mapplewell Dental Centre)
• You may also benefit from the use of high fluoride toothpastes and oral rinses.

If you suffer from a dry mouth, please remember to mention it to us so we can try to identify possible causes and give you appropriate advice.