Monthly Archives: July 2020

Denture retention is thought to be a problem for about 35% of denture wearers and as such there are estimated to be about 4 million individuals in the UK who regularly use an adhesive to keep their dentures in place. Though many users refer to these products as denture glues they do not actually have any adherence properties and simple work by thickening saliva to create a suction effect. These creams and gels generally work quite well on upper dentures that have the entire roof of the mouth to ‘suck to’, however they are far less effective when it comes to lower denture retention both due to the considerably reduced surface area and the mechanical effect of the tongue dislodging the denture.

As mentioned conventional ‘adhesives’ require saliva to be present and are therefore wholly ineffectual for denture wearers who suffer from a dry mouth condition. These individuals need a product that actually adheres to both gum and denture without the need to saliva. Secure

Overview

• Dry mouth clinically known as Xerostomia is caused by a decrease in saliva production and is a common condition which can severely affect the sufferer’s quality of life.
• As life expectancy increases the incidences of dry mouth are expected to be more prevalent. It has been estimated that as much as 20% of the adult population may be suffering the effects of dry mouth, 50% - 60% being over the age of 60.  The condition seems to be predominant in women.

Research shows that there are close to 700 species of bacteria naturally present in the mouth. These together with the teeth, gums and alveolar bone, form an ecosystem. Under normal conditions these bacteria are generally harmless, however should the balance of the ecosystem be upset this will potentially give rise to the accumulation of bacteria in the form of biofilm or dental plaque. Some of the main causes of this imbalance are poor oral hygiene, dietary, drugs and hormonal changes. What is Gum Disease? If biofilm or plaque is not removed it can reach levels that are detrimental to gingival health, resulting in gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is Gingivitis, an inflammatory process confined to the soft gum tissue and because the teeth supporting tissues are not affected the process is reversible. Should this gingival infection go untreated it will lead to degeneration of the periodontal tissue, the tissues that form the tooth support and the underlying bone.

Things have come a long way since we put baking soda on our fingers to clean our teeth and had to wear wooden dentures if they fell out! Thank goodness! Nowadays, we have an enormous assortment of dental health and dental care products to help us get rid of plaque and bacteria that are gentle on our gums. Still, people are visiting the dentists so what is going wrong? There is so much more to know about dental health than simply brushing twice a day to get white, cavity free teeth, so we have compiled a top ten list that covers everything you need to know about oral care.

• Brushing
  It is important to brush first thing in the morning to remove plaque and bacteria that have accumulated over night and to brush last thing at night because saliva (which helps to keep the cavity-causing plaque off teeth) dries up as we sleep. Toothbrushes should come with a small head and soft bristles. Set a timer for 2 minutes, hold the brush

Is persistent bad breath a simple case of oral hygiene, or are there food-related factors at play? Nutritional advisor Elit Rowland considers what dietary changes can promote healthy teeth and gums, and fresher breath.

Everyone has suffered bad breath, also known as halitosis, after eating certain meals. But short-term or transient halitosis, caused by eating strong smelling foods such as curries, onions, garlic and spice-rich meals is only short-lived. The cause of longer-term or persistent bad breath can have deeper diet-related roots that go beyond what happens in the mouth.

Good gut health
If the eyes are the window to your soul, then the mouth can be the window to your gut and bad breath can be the first indicator that things aren’t quite right on the inside.

Poor digestion, constipation and bowl disorders can cause internal gas and some nutritionists believe this can release unpleasant odours into the mouth. A healthy

If you're undergoing teeth straightening treatment with fixed braces, you'll probably be paying closer attention to your teeth than you normally would. And while you might be pleased that your teeth are gradually getting straighter, you might also notice that they are also becoming less white and visibly dirtier. It's not your imagination, but it's not entirely your fault – cleaning your teeth does become much harder when you have a brace getting in the way.

Here are our tips for preventing bacterial biofilm and plaque – the accumulation of which will not only make your teeth look dirty but can lead to gingivitis (inflamed, bleeding gums), decalcification and other forms of periodontal disease.

1. Brush after every meal
The network of wires and plastic in your braces will trap any small pieces of food and associated bacteria next to your teeth, so it's essential that you brush every time you've eaten, even if it's just a snack. Ideally, you'll