Have you ever noticed that your teeth may appear a little translucent? Now they may have always been that way and it’s just a part of how you are genetically made. However, if you have noticed they are becoming more see-through (translucent) then it could suggest enamel erosion.

To grasp why teeth become more translucent it’s important to understand the basic anatomy of a tooth’s structure. Teeth mainly consist of dentine and the dentine is covered in a thin layer of enamel. Enamel is the hard white, shiny layer that you brush.

The enamel is the thinnest layer, it is quite translucent and unlike the rest of your body, it cannot repair itself. This poses a problem when through our daily habits we can cause unknown damage.

Enamel erosion happens when acids wear away the enamel on teeth, making them thinner and more translucent.

The following can cause enamel erosion –

• Excessive soft drink consumption – due to their high levels of phosphoric and citric acids
• Fruit drinks – some acids in fruit drinks are more erosive than battery acid!
• Eating disorders such as Bulimia
• Dry mouth called Xerostomia
• High sugar diets
• Environmental factors such as grinding, friction, wear and tear, and corrosion.
• Acid reflux
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Medications such as aspirin and antihistamines
• Inherited genetics conditions

Now it’s important to remember that we will all see a little enamel erosion as we age, due to the general wear and tear of everyday life. However, if you are concerned about how translucent your teeth are becoming it’s important to seek the advice of a dental professional.

There are quite a few things you can do to prevent enamel erosion –

• Eliminate highly acidic drinks from your diet. Anything carbonated such as coke, lemonade and citrus juices. If you do have an acidic drink you can reduce the damage it causes by consuming at meal times only. drinking with a straw and rinsing with water afterwards.
• Frequent snacking throughout the day not only increases the chance of enamel erosion but also of tooth decay. The mouth is acidic for a couple of hours following consumption of high sugar foods.
• If you notice that your mouth is dry then be sure to sip on water throughout the day to avoid your mouth becoming dry.
• This one is easy to do – chew sugar-free gum between meals. Chewing boosts saliva production and help to bring the mouths acidity back down to a normal level. Try to select sugar-free gum with xylitol. Xylitol can help to strengthen the teeth and prevent problems
• Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens teeth, so make sure fluoride is listed as an ingredient in your toothpaste.

If you’re at all concerned then book a visit to see your local dentist

This month is Mouth Cancer Action Month and we want to help create awareness of this particular type of cancer. Screening for mouth cancer or as we often refer to it oral cancer, is part of each dental check that you have. In fact, your dentist may notice something before you do. Mouth cancer screening is one of the many reasons why attending regular dental health checks are so important.

Here are 7 things you absolutely need to know about mouth cancer –

• Cases of mouth cancer are on the increase! Experts expect incidences of mouth cancer to increase to continue to increase.

• Cancer of the tongue and oral cavity are the most common forms of mouth cancer, followed then by the throat.  Lip, neck and other mouth cancers make up the rest of cases.

• Mouth cancer in most cases is linked to lifestyle choices. Smoking is one of the main causes of mouth cancer however, alcohol consumption is now a known contributor. Also on the lifestyle list is diet –eat your veggies.

• People being affected by mouth cancer are getting younger. It used to be rare for a person younger than 65 -70 to have mouth cancer. But because of our current lifestyle people are getting diagnosed younger and younger.

• The human papillomavirus (HPV) is estimated to overtake smoking as the number one cause of mouth cancers in the future.

• Mouth cancer kills more people each year than cervical and testicular cancer combined.

• Early detection of mouth cancer results in a survival outcome of 90%. However, delayed diagnosis means survival rates drop to around 50%.

If you would like more information on mouth cancer then you might like to read this …

Mouth Cancer Action Month starts at the beginning of November and it’s to raise awareness of the increasing number of people being diagnosed with mouth cancer every year. In the last year 6,767 people have been diagnosed with mouth cancer, more than a third compared to a decade ago.

What can cause mouth cancer?

Cases of mouth cancer are most likely to be linked to tobacco and alcohol. Alcohol increases the risk of mouth cancer, and if tobacco and alcohol are consumed together the risk is even higher.

Recent reports have also linked mouth cancer to the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the major cause of cervical cancer and affects the skin that lines the moist areas of the body. HPV can be spread through oral sex, and research now suggests that it could soon rival smoking and drinking as one of the main causes of mouth cancer.

What are the signs of mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer can appear as a painless mouth ulcer that doesn’t heal normally, usually ulcers heal within 2 weeks. A white or red patch in the mouth can also develop into cancer, as can any unusual lumps or swellings.

It is important to visit your dentist if these areas do not heal within a few weeks.

How can mouth cancer be detected early?

A dental examine the dentist checks inside of your mouth and your tongue with the help of a small mirror. Remember, your dentist is able to see parts of your mouth that you cannot see easily yourself. If mouth cancer is recognised early, then the chances of a cure are good. Many people with mouth cancer go to their dentist or doctor too late.

If your dentist finds something unusual they will refer you to a consultant at the local hospital, who will carry out a thorough examination of your mouth and throat. A small sample of the cells may be gathered from the area (a biopsy), and these cells will be examined under the microscope to see what is wrong.

If mouth cancer is spotted early, the chances of a complete cure are good, and the smaller the area or ulcer the better the chance of a cure.

How can I keep my mouth healthy?

It is important to visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend, even if you wear dentures. This is especially important if you smoke and drink alcohol.

Keep an eye out for what’s happening in your mouth, see a dentist quickly if you have any ulcers that don’t heal and visit a dentist regularly.

Eat a diet of plenty of fruit and vegetables to help the body to protect itself and cut down on your smoking and drinking.

Bleeding gums can be quite alarming and it’s important that you don’t ignore it. Sometimes it can be a temporary occurrence and other times it may be something of greater concern.

There are several different causes of bleeding gums. Two of the most common are:

• Gingivitis
  
• Pregnancy Gingivitis

Gingivitis
Inflammation of the gums is called gingivitis. It is the initial stage of gum disease and you’ll be relieved to know that it’s the easiest to treat. However, early treatment is essential.

The direct cause of gingivitis is the plaque in your mouth – the soft, sticky, colourless film of bacteria that forms on the teeth and gums. Classic signs and symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen, tender gums that may bleed when you brush. Some people may experience a foul taste or bad breath, which is caused because small pockets begin to form between the teeth and gums, where plaque and food debris collect.

What happens if you don’t treat Gingivitis?
When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In a person with periodontitis, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and form larger pockets. These small spaces between the teeth and gums collect debris and can become infected, eventually leading to teeth becoming loose and possibly falling out.

Pregnancy Gingivitis
Four in ten pregnant women will experience swollen, red, tender gums that bleed when flossed or brushed at least once during pregnancy. Your gums are more likely to become inflamed during pregnancy due to hormonal changes that make them more sensitive to the bacteria in plaque.

It’s imperative to keep your teeth and gums as clean and healthy as possible whilst pregnant. The best way to prevent or deal with gum problems is to practise good oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly.

Prevention is better than cure
Brushing twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily is the best way to ensure your gums won’t bleed. Gums can sometimes stop bleeding with regular flossing and good toothbrushing.

And of course, don’t forget to see your dentist on a regular basis – not just when you have a problem or concern. It really is the best way to keep your mouth healthy and in the best possible shape.

Take a look at our new patient package…

We wanted to compile a list of things that we have seen at Smile Essential Dental Practice that seem to cause our patients in Leicester avoidable dental treatment to help you from making the same mistakes and landing an emergency appointment to see the dentist.

Forks – This may come as a surprise to you and we are not suggesting for a moment that you start eating with a spoon instead or heaven forbid your fingers! You may have never noticed this before but, we guarantee that now you know you’ll see. All too often at restaurants the prongs of the fork are bent slightly out of line and can chip your teeth. Keep an eye out for this and ask the waiter to change it for you.

Fizzy drinks – We are in no doubt that you know that fizzy drinks are bad for your teeth, but why? Fizzy drinks are a cocktail for decay because they combine many various negatives components. The high sugar content which causes decay combined with the acidity with weakens the teeth, the frequent sipping keeps your teeth under attack and the fact the liquid washes around all of your teeth makes it a recipe for disaster. This includes diet fizzy drinks.

Ice cubes – We’ve seen a few people at Smile Essential dental practice with broken teeth or fillings after chewing on ice cubes. It’s surprisingly common for people to suck on ice cubes. They may be sugar-free but the irresistible urged to crunch could land you an unnecessary trip to see the dentist.

Pens – Whilst they’re not very tasty this little pen nibbling habit could chip one your front teeth. Absent-mindedly chewing on pen lids or tops is notorious for creating little chips in your teeth. If you have already have had dental work done such as crowns, veneers or fillings it could chip them off, making that a very expensive habit.

Bottle and jar lids – It’s frustrating not being able to get into your favourite jar of pasta sauce or open a beer when you can’t find a bottle opener, but do so at your peril! The extra pressure you put on your teeth might cause a crack so big it requires extensive dental treatment.

Toffee – This one tends to be a Christmas a special. If you’ve ever had jaw ache from chewing toffee you’re not alone. But all that chewing could dislodge a filling, we see this so often in the dental clinic. Another drawback of toffee is the sticky sugary nature of it, it gets stuck to your teeth and causes them to be under attack for longer.

M&M’s – Yes we love M&M’s too! M&M’s are high in sugar but that’s not what has earned them a place in ‘7 things you should never put in your mouth’, it’s the hard nature of them. Again we have seen patients that were munching away on M&M’s and broke a filling. If you haven’t got any fillings approach with caution and keep in moderation but if you have a number of fillings it’s probably best to avoid altogether.

If you’re long overdue a dental health check take a look at our new patient package and get the healthy mouth confidence you deserve.