The two most common dental diseases are dental caries (tooth decay) and gum disease (periodontal disease)

Tooth decay or dental caries
Dental caries or tooth decay is caused by the action of plaque and sugar reacting to form acid, which de-mineralises the tooth. The process begins with a small patch of de-mineralised or softened enamel at the tooth surface, often hidden from sight in the fissures (grooves) or between the teeth. The destruction spreads into the dentine, which is the softer sensitive part of the tooth beneath the enamel, and then into the pulp or nerve of the tooth. This stage of tooth decay is very painful. Dentists can repair early tooth decay by putting in a filling, but sometimes the tooth may have to be extracted if the hole is too big.

Gum disease
Gum disease often begins during childhood, as inflammation of the gum line next to the teeth and is caused by plaque. Plaque irritates the gums by excreting toxic substances which cause the gums to become red, swollen and bleed easily. If the plaque is not removed, it becomes thicker, hardens, and becomes calculus. The plaque must be removed by effective brushing, preferably twice every day so that the plaque does not cause inflammation.

Visiting the Dentist
Dental Surgeries can be found listed in the Yellow Pages telephone directory.
A visit every six months will enable the dentist to diagnose and remedy any early signs of tooth decay. In areas of the teeth which cannot be seen, the dentist will use an x-ray to detect tooth decay before too much damage occurs. As tooth decay progresses, the tooth surface becomes discoloured and eventually dissolves and a cavity is formed. This damaged part of the tooth is removed and replaced with a filling. The early stages of tooth decay are not painful, but pain may arise as the decay progresses. If the decay results in an abscess, this will be extremely painful and may mean the loss of the tooth.

It is important to be registered with a dentist. Regular visits to the dentist will minimise the damage to teeth due to decay and will allow the dentist to carry out any other necessary treatments. If you are not registered with a dentist, it will be very difficult to find a dentist who is willing to see you – they may do so but only as a private patient which means that you will have to pay.
To register with a dentist you have to telephone or visit the dental surgery and ask to be registered as an NHS patient. Dentists will also see and treat patients privately.
NHS dental treatment is free for those aged under 18 and for those students in full-time education until they are 19 years old. Often, the cost deters young people attending the dentist so it is well worth encouraging pupils to have their teeth checked regularly while treatment is free and to continue visits every six months.

These Toothpaste’s contain 1,000p.p.m. fluoride and offer the best protection for both children and adults teeth

Frequently asked questions about dental health

Why are my teeth so important?
Your teeth vary in shape and size depending on their position within your mouth. These differences allow the teeth to do many different jobs. Teeth help us to chew and digest food. They help us to talk, sing, drink and smile as well as giving our faces their shape.

A healthy smile can be a great asset and because this is so important, it makes sense to give your teeth the best care possible.

What can go wrong?
Tooth decay can lead to fillings, crowns or inlays. If tooth decay is not treated, the nerve of the tooth can become infected and die, causing an abscess. This can be very painful and usually the tooth needs to be extracted (taken out).
Gum disease is the other main cause of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease can be prevented in most cases by regular toothbrushing and the use of dental floss.

What is the best type of toothbrush?
A toothbrush with medium bristles and a small head is recommended.

Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush?
As long as both are used correctly, either type of toothbrush can be used. Some people are more comfortable using an electric brush and if it is used properly (brushing all the surfaces of the teeth) and the heads are replaced every 3 months as a regular toothbrush, an electric toothbrush can be used.

How long should I brush my teeth for?
Recent research indicated 2-3 minutes of thorough toothbrushing should be sufficient for the removal of plaque from the teeth.

How much toothpaste do I use?
Always use a small pea-size blob of toothpaste – about the size of a “pinky finger nail.”

What is the best type of toothpaste to use?
A toothpaste containing 1000 parts per million (ppm) is recommended for all children in Ayrshire and Arran. They must remember not to swallow the toothpaste, and always spit out after brushing but not to rinse out the mouth with water after brushing the teeth.

Can I swallow the toothpaste?
NO. Always spit out the toothpaste after brushing the teeth, and remember not to rinse the mouth out. Toothpaste is for cleaning the teeth, not for eating.

Can I use a mouthwash?
Mouthwashes recommended by dentists and/or orthodontists can be used as directed. Mouthwash should never be used to replace toothbrushing but can be used as well as toothbrushing according to the instructions.
Some mouthwashes are acidic and can therefore cause dental erosion and some also contain alcohol. It is a good idea to read to read the label carefully and check that the product you wish to use contains.

Do I have to pay for my dental treatment?
Dental treatment is free for school pupils up to 19 years old when in full-time education as a student. Usually, the only cost incurred at the dentist will be for a mouthguard if required.

When will I get braces on my teeth?
Braces are used to straighten teeth. The age they are fitted varies from person to person, depending on what treatment is needed and when all the adult teeth have fully erupted. Most braces are fitted during the early teenage years when the jawbones are going through a period of growth.
Many adults also have treatment to straighten their crooked teeth or to improve their appearance. The procedure can take much longer in adults.

Which drinks are safe to drink between meals?
Milk and water are safe drinks for teeth. All other drinks should be taken at meal times. Make sure fruit squashes are well diluted and always use a straw when drinking fizzy drinks.

I want to keep my teeth healthy; does that mean I can’t have any sweets?
Eating and drinking too many sugary snacks and drinks causes tooth decay.
Always keep sugary foods and drinks for mealtimes only and remember not to eat too many sugary foods. An occasional small “treat” of sweets or sugary foods with a meal should not cause tooth decay.

What about sugar-free sweets?
Most sugar-free sweets are sweetened using artificial sweeteners which do not cause dental caries. Some of these sweeteners are “bulk” sweeteners (e.g. sorbitol) and these can cause stomach cramps and diarrhoea if consumed in large quantities.It is best to choose other healthier options for between-meal snacks and drinks.

What can I take to school for my mid-morning snack?
Fresh fruit, (orange, satsuma, grapes, banana, apple, peach, plum,) raw vegetables, (carrots, cucumber, tomato, celery) low-fat crisps (plain, salt and vinegar, cheese and onion), savoury sandwiches, breadsticks, toast, crackers, plain biscuits, (low sugar) rice cakes, cheese dips with savoury biscuits or bread sticks.

Is it better to choose diet fizzy drinks than ordinary ones?
Diet drinks do not contain sugar, they are sweetened using artificial sweeteners which are not cariogenice (i.e. don’t cause tooth decay). All fizzy drinks are acidic and the acid in them can dissolve the tooth enamel (dental erosion). Diet drinks don’t contain any sugar to cause tooth decay but the acid in them may cause erosion.

Will acidic fruit damage teeth?
We are all advised to eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day.
Some fruits are more acidic than others, particularly the citrus ones (oranges, satsumas, tangerines, clementines, grapefruit, lemons, limes etc) and so it would be better to choose a variety of different fruits each day rather than eating larger quantities of the same kind of fruit.

Is sugar-free chewing gum good for teeth?
Chewing sugar-free gum for 10-15 minutes after the consumption of sugar-containing foods or drinks has been shown to be beneficial for healthy teeth. Chewing sugar-free gum helps promote the flow of saliva in the mouth and this then washes away the acid (formed when sugar is changed into acid by the plaque in the mouth) before the acid can damage the teeth. Chewing sugar-free gum is recommended as a good dental health measure for older children at the discretion of parents.Always remember to dispose of chewing gum properly and put it in a bin after use.

Why should I visit the dentist regularly?
Prevention is always better than cure. If you visit your dentist regularly, you will need less treatment and your dentist will spot any problems earlier. It will be easier to put these problems right.

How can I find a dentist?
It is advisable to register with a dentist in practice (a General Dental Practitioner). Everyone should register with a dentist so that they can access dental check ups and treatment as required. If you are not registered with a dentist, it will be very difficult to find a dentist who is willing to see you – they may do but often only as a private patient which means that you will have to pay. Patients have to telephone or visit a dental practice in order to register with a dentist who will provide NHS dental treatment. Dentists will also see and treat patients privately. All dental practices are listed in the Yellow Pages telephone directory. A dentist who is personally recommended by someone you know is usually a good choice. The Community Dental Service provides a dental service for children in schools and for adults with special needs.

Why does the school dental caravan only visit some schools?
All primary 1 and primary 7 pupils will have dental inspections in school. The information obtained from there inspections enables the dentist to identify and prioritise those schools where the greatest need for dental treatment exists. Those schools will be visited by the dental caravan so that the dentist can provide the dental treatment required by the pupils.

Can dentists visit patients at home if they are unable to go to the dental surgery?
Some dentists will make home or “domiciliary” visits if they think these are necessary. The Community Dental Service has dentists who visit patients at home when necessary.

I have been scared of the dentist for a while – what is it like now?
Dental techniques have improved so much over the last few years, that modern dental treatment can now be completely painless. Despite this, some people still feel a little nervous at the thought of going to the dentist.

Why am I afraid of the dentist?
Being “afraid of the dentist” may mean different things to different people. It will probably help if you work out just what it is that worried you most.
Some people have specific fears about actual areas of treatment – for example, they are scared that having a filling will hurt. Others hate the whole idea. Some people find the sounds and smells bring back memories of bad experiences. Others worry about other peoples bad experiences.A small number of people have a genuine fear or phobia of dental treatment. The good news is that more and more dentists now understand their patients fears, and with a combination of kindness and gentleness can do a great deal to make dental treatment an acceptable, normal part of life. Remember that it is better to look after your teeth and visit your dentist regularly so that any dental treatment will be kept to a minimum.

I am afraid of injections – what can I do?
Many people are afraid of the local anaesthetic injection needed to numb the tooth. Be sure to tell the dentist that this is something that bothers you. There are anaesthetic gels that can be applied to the area of the gum to be injected. This gel numbs the gum so that you cannot feel the needle.

What causes mouth ulcers?
Mouth ulcers can be very painful. They can be caused by trauma (biting the soft tissue of the mouth, or damage by bristles from a toothbrush) or can be related to some other condition such as hormonal imbalance. Most ulcers heal up within 2 weeks. Using a mouthwash or dental gel can help ease the discomfort of mouth ulcers.

What is tooth jewellery?
Tooth jewellery involves sticking small accessories onto the teeth. They come in many different designs and can be in the form of gems, or gold or silver shapes. They are stuck onto the teeth using dental cement, although a dentist can easily remove them if necessary.

Is tooth jewellery safe?
It is recommended that you contact a dentist for advice if you are considering having tooth jewellery. A dentist has the skills and knowledge needed to apply the jewellery safely and will be able to advise you how to care for your teeth afterwards. It is important to keep to a good oral hygiene routine at home as you may find you are more likely to get dental decay if this area is not kept clean.

Is mouth piercing safe?
Piercing the mouth, lips or tongue is not recommended for a number of reasons. When the piercing is first done, there is a high risk of infection, inflammation of the surrounding tissues or even severe blood infections. Piercing the tongue can cause it to swell. It can also cause damage such as chipping and fracturing to other teeth. It can also affect speech, eating and swallowing and make oral hygiene difficult to maintain. Piercings, particularly on the tongue, can make dental treatment difficult, especially if x-rays are needed.

What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural substance which strengthens teeth and makes them less likely to decay.

How does fluoride work?
Fluoride increases the resistance of teeth to the acid attack which occurs after taking sugary foods. It works in two ways. Fluoride is built into the tooth structure when the teeth are forming. This Fluoride is built into the tooth structure when the teeth are forming. This fluoride would come from food and drink or from fluoride dietary supplements. Daily use of fluoride toothpaste allows fluoride to soak into the surface of teeth, providing a protective layer of tooth enamel that is resistant to tooth decay.

How much fluoride is in Scotland’s water?
Although fluoride is present naturally in Scotland’s water in very small amounts, nearly all levels are much less that the amount required (1ppm parts per million) to protect teeth from decay.

What is a fissure?
Fissures are the natural grooves and cracks on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

What is a fissure sealant?
It is a plastic coating which is painted onto the grooves and cracks on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Fissure sealants stop sugary foods and drinks causing decay in there areas.

When should fissure sealants be applied?
Fissure sealants should be applied as soon as the new back teeth come completely through the gums at about age 6-7 years, before the teeth have a chance to decay. Fissure sealants can then be applied to the other molar teeth when they erupt at about age 14 years and also to the wisdom teeth at about age 20 years. Fissure sealants can be an important part of a child’s preventative dental care. Always ask the dentist about them.
Fissure sealants have the greatest benefit for permanent molar teeth.
They can sometimes be applied to baby teeth.