Tips for Healthy Gums

Research  indicates that inflammation of the gums and bleeding –  which allows oral bacteria to spread about around the body in the blood –  is linked to a raised risk of serious health problems.

Unfortunately gum disease is common, yet unless severe, it often goes unnoticed. In mild gum disease, you may have inflamed gums but little bleeding.

Only once it gets worse do people tend to take notice. At this stage, your risk of health problems elsewhere is already higher. Meanwhile the infection in your gums will be causing gum recession and bone loss, increasing the risk of cavities and tooth loss.

Good gum health is maintained through regular brushing – twice daily – and tooth flossing, ideally after every meal to remove food trapped between your teeth. Crucially you should see a hygienist every six months.

Professional tooth cleaning removes plaque, calcified deposits that build up o teeth and beneath the gums. Preventing the build up of plaque is vital as bacteria thrive on it. Left in place, even thorough tooth brushing and flossing is unlikely to keep your gums healthy.

At The Fountain Dental Practice we have a highly qualified and skilled team of Hygienists who will keep your teeth and gums healthy, your smile whiter and your breath fresh.

How Could a Dentist Save your Life?

Maybe a bit sensational but this post appeared in a Daily Mail article given to me by a patient.

Heart Disease

“It sounds unlikely, but bad teeth, bleeding gums and poor dental hygiene can end up causing heart disease.

Several studies confirm a link between gum disease and atherosclerosis, a narrowing of the blood vessels that can lead to heart attack.

The problem is that bleeding gums provide an entry point for up to 700 different types of bacteria found in the mouth. Microbiologists at the University of Bristol have discovered that when bacteria get into the bloodstream, they stick to tiny fragments called platelets, causing them to clot. This can lead to partial blockages of blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease and heart attack. So it does not matter how fit, slim or healthy you are, your chances of getting heart disease are increased by having bad teeth!”

 

It seems that the mouth, especially one with poor oral health, appears to be an entry point for all sorts of unwanted bacteria!  Watch this space.

 

The New Surgeries

A major part of the transformation was the replacement of the old

The Fountain Dental Practice

 

Welcome to The Fountain Dental Practice Blog!

My name is Chris Walsh and I am the Practice Manager. Last year Caroline, who is the principal, decided that she wanted to step up the level of customer service we were providing to our patients. Caroline had a very clear vision as to what she wanted for her patients , herself and the team after being at 155 Malden Road for almost twenty years. I decided after 34 years in IT Services that I wanted a change in direction and do something where I felt I was adding real value. The rest is history, I took on a temporary role to help Caroline in creating her ideal practice. In conjunction with Caroline and a great team,  The Fountain Dental Practice has changed beyond all recognition. Oh! And it seems I will be here for the foreseeable future as well :=)

I will use this blog to tell you about the changes we have made at The Fountain Dental Practice and how an experience that a many people view with fear and trepidation, does not have to be like this for you.  I will also post articles that are relevant to the treatment and services we can provide to you as both a customer and patient, also what clinical and technological advances are being made in the field of dentistry. Your feedback to posts I make on this  blog will be gratefully received.

So if you are an existing patient, welcome to a different perspective on the practice.

If you are a new or prospective patient check, please check out our website at  www.fountaindental.net and come and see us. We will give you ‘Something to Smile About’ and the team will make your visit as pleasant and as stress free as possible. If you are just a casual visitor or in the dental business welcome!