20 million people in the UK are leaving themselves open to illegal and potentially harmful tooth whitening treatment.
As of 31st October last year, it has been illegal for beauty kiosk staff and beauticians to provide teeth whitening treatments to the public, yet a shocking percentage of people believe it is still legal for them to do so.
A new survey reveals 28% would not go to the dentist for their bleaching treatment and instead would opt for home kits purchased over the internet or via a beautician or kiosk.
Under the European Council directive, tooth whitening products containing or releasing between 0.1 and six per cent hydrogen peroxide can now only be sold to a registered dental professional offering the treatment through their practice.
Tooth whitening has become extremely popular due to its availability and the celebrity endorsed culture for pearly white teeth. However, few are aware of the dangers posed by seeking treatment from untrained beauticians or using kits purchased over the internet. In many cases the tooth whitening agent contains hydrogen peroxide above the recommended limit, which can result in permanent damage.
If teeth whitening is carried out by someone without the necessary qualifications, it can result in increased sensitivity and damage to the gums. Crowns, bridges, and denture teeth will not bleach, which is something the unqualified will miss. If tooth whitening is carried out by the dentist they will use the time to examine for other problems.
The survey questioned than 2,000 people as part of National Smile Month 2013.
If you’re interested in tooth whitening treatments or you’re concerned about any of the issues raised in this article - please contact us for further information: 01227 463574
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Monday, 20 May 2013
Healthy Choice: Cheese
It might sound odd but eating a piece of cheese after meal times is one of the best and easiest ways to protect your teeth. Of course, eating cheese is no substitute for an excellent oral health regime, but as an aid it can help bring immediate results - here’s how:
1.PROTECT
Teeth and bones are very much alike, so the calcium, phosphorus and protein found naturally in dairy foods - such as cheese 0 are just as important for teeth as they are for your bones.
2.RESTORE
The nutrients in cheese can help block the build up of acid on your teeth, which occurs naturally after eating sugary foods.
3.REBUILD
The combination of protein (casein), phosphorus and calcium in cheese may actually help put minerals back into the teeth.
4.WASH
Consuming cheese (especially a little piece after meals) stimulates saliva, which can help reduce dental problems. Saliva helps wash away any acids left on your teeth after eating.
5.BRIGHTEN
The protein called casein found in dairy products strengthens tooth enamel. Since enamel protects the dentin the layer that determines tooth colour), healthy dentin means bright, white teeth!
Cheddar is best, because it contains the highest level of alkali whereas soft cheese like brie or feta won’t have as much of an effect. Only a tiny piece is needed and is a great way to improve the health of your teeth quickly and easily, without having to leave the dinner table.
1.PROTECT
Teeth and bones are very much alike, so the calcium, phosphorus and protein found naturally in dairy foods - such as cheese 0 are just as important for teeth as they are for your bones.
2.RESTORE
The nutrients in cheese can help block the build up of acid on your teeth, which occurs naturally after eating sugary foods.
3.REBUILD
The combination of protein (casein), phosphorus and calcium in cheese may actually help put minerals back into the teeth.
4.WASH
Consuming cheese (especially a little piece after meals) stimulates saliva, which can help reduce dental problems. Saliva helps wash away any acids left on your teeth after eating.
5.BRIGHTEN
The protein called casein found in dairy products strengthens tooth enamel. Since enamel protects the dentin the layer that determines tooth colour), healthy dentin means bright, white teeth!
Cheddar is best, because it contains the highest level of alkali whereas soft cheese like brie or feta won’t have as much of an effect. Only a tiny piece is needed and is a great way to improve the health of your teeth quickly and easily, without having to leave the dinner table.
Monday, 13 May 2013
Healthy Choice: Carrots
It’s a well known fact that carrots are good for our eyesight.. but new studies show this tasty orange vegetable can benefit our teeth and gums too.
1.Nature’s toothbrush
Carrots are one of nature’s natural toothbrushes. Eaten raw, carrots help clean your teeth and mouth by scraping off plaque and food particles and stimulating gums, triggering saliva, which balances out the acid- and cavity-forming bacteria. Not to mention the minerals in carrots that can prevent tooth damage.
2.Maintains healthy teeth and bones
Orange-coloured vegetables and fruit are great sources of beta-carotene, which is turned into Vitamin A by the body. So eating carrots helps keep your teeth and bones strong and healthy.
3.Anticancer properties
Carrots contain falcarinol and falcarindiol, which researchers have discovered have anticancer properties. Meaning carrots can possibly reduce the risk of certain cancers.
4.A power antiseptic
Known by herbalists to prevent infection, carrots can be used on cuts (shredded raw, boiled, or mashed) and can potentially fight minor infections within the mouth.
5.Keep young and beautiful
Eating carrots not only helps your teeth and gums, they also help keep your skin, hair, and nails in prime condition. Vitamin A and the antioxidants found in carrots protect the skin from sun damage, preventing premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes, and uneven skin tone. Vitamin A also assists in the liver in flushing out toxins from the body, reducing bile and fat. That’s not all! Carrots have also been known for their marvellous health benefits - such as preventing strokes!
Phew! Who knew carrots were such a super food?
1.Nature’s toothbrush
Carrots are one of nature’s natural toothbrushes. Eaten raw, carrots help clean your teeth and mouth by scraping off plaque and food particles and stimulating gums, triggering saliva, which balances out the acid- and cavity-forming bacteria. Not to mention the minerals in carrots that can prevent tooth damage.
2.Maintains healthy teeth and bones
Orange-coloured vegetables and fruit are great sources of beta-carotene, which is turned into Vitamin A by the body. So eating carrots helps keep your teeth and bones strong and healthy.
3.Anticancer properties
Carrots contain falcarinol and falcarindiol, which researchers have discovered have anticancer properties. Meaning carrots can possibly reduce the risk of certain cancers.
4.A power antiseptic
Known by herbalists to prevent infection, carrots can be used on cuts (shredded raw, boiled, or mashed) and can potentially fight minor infections within the mouth.
5.Keep young and beautiful
Eating carrots not only helps your teeth and gums, they also help keep your skin, hair, and nails in prime condition. Vitamin A and the antioxidants found in carrots protect the skin from sun damage, preventing premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes, and uneven skin tone. Vitamin A also assists in the liver in flushing out toxins from the body, reducing bile and fat. That’s not all! Carrots have also been known for their marvellous health benefits - such as preventing strokes!
Phew! Who knew carrots were such a super food?
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Are Sweet Treats Damaging your Child’s Health?
Are sugary drinks and foods packed with preservatives damaging your child’s oral health?
If sugary foods and drinks are consumed too often obvious dental health issues such as dental decay, erosion, and tooth loss start become a real concern. In 2003, 1% of five-year-olds had obvious signs of tooth decay - a worrying statistic.
Not only is the number of infants and young children consuming sugary foods and drinks on the increase, the amount they are consuming is also rocketing causing concern amongst dental professionals and the British Dental Health Foundation.
The Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children discovered in their recent report that two in every three (62 per cent) of children aged 12-18 months had ‘sugar, preserves, and confectionary’ foods. One in four (26 per cent) of 12-18 month old instants also enjoyed fruit juices and soft drinks on a regular basis.
The result is an obvious problem of oral health in young children caused by consumption of sugary foods and drinks on a regular basis.
Whilst it is unrealistic to expect sweet foods and sugary drinks to be removed from a child’s diet completely, it is important to try to limit consumption to protect their teeth from erosion and decay.
Three Tips to Remember:
1.Water (or milk) instead of sugary drinks including fruit juice, which can cause decay.
2.Savoury foods such as cheese, pasta, and vegetables are great for the teeth.
3.Limit consumption of any sweet treats to mealtimes.
If sugary foods and drinks are consumed too often obvious dental health issues such as dental decay, erosion, and tooth loss start become a real concern. In 2003, 1% of five-year-olds had obvious signs of tooth decay - a worrying statistic.
Not only is the number of infants and young children consuming sugary foods and drinks on the increase, the amount they are consuming is also rocketing causing concern amongst dental professionals and the British Dental Health Foundation.
The Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children discovered in their recent report that two in every three (62 per cent) of children aged 12-18 months had ‘sugar, preserves, and confectionary’ foods. One in four (26 per cent) of 12-18 month old instants also enjoyed fruit juices and soft drinks on a regular basis.
The result is an obvious problem of oral health in young children caused by consumption of sugary foods and drinks on a regular basis.
Whilst it is unrealistic to expect sweet foods and sugary drinks to be removed from a child’s diet completely, it is important to try to limit consumption to protect their teeth from erosion and decay.
Three Tips to Remember:
1.Water (or milk) instead of sugary drinks including fruit juice, which can cause decay.
2.Savoury foods such as cheese, pasta, and vegetables are great for the teeth.
3.Limit consumption of any sweet treats to mealtimes.
Tea is officially good for your health! As if you needed an excuse to drink it here’s a few more reasons why drinking tea can make you feel good - inside and out!
Before you load up on Tetley’s, PG Tips, or your usual cuppa we recommend checking to make sure your “tea” is actually TEA.
Real tea is derived from a particular plant (Camellia sinensis) and includes only four varieties: green, black, white, and oolong. Anything else (like herbal “tea”) is an infusion of a different plant and isn’t technically tea.
Now before you get defensive about your favourite cuppa, what real tea lacks in variety and differs in taste, it makes up for it with some seriously amazing health benefits thanks to the polyphenols (antixoxidants) and phytochemicals.
We recommend introducing green tea into your diet but if you really can’t stand the taste, flavour, or maybe even the colour, you’ll be pleased to know your standard variety of tea - the kind you have with milk and two sugars (if you’re being naughty) - is still beneficial for your health!
1.Tea can boost endurance
2.Drinking tea could help reduce the risk of a heart attack
3.Tea could help protect against cardiovascular and degenerative diseases
4.The antioxidants in tea might help protect against cancers
5.Tea helps fight free radicals
6.Tea is hydrating for the body
7.Drinking tea is linked with a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease
8.Tea might provide protection from ultraviolet rays
9.Green tea may act as a back-up sunscreen (but don’t ditch the sun protection!)
10.Tea could keep your waist circumference in check
11. Regular tea drinking might counteract some of the negative effects of smoking
12.Tea could benefit people with Type 2 diabetes
13.Tea can help the body recover from radiation
14.Green tea has been found to improve bone mineral density and strength
15.Tea might effective in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases
Do you drink tea regularly? Have you noticed any health benefits? Let us know!
Before you load up on Tetley’s, PG Tips, or your usual cuppa we recommend checking to make sure your “tea” is actually TEA.
Real tea is derived from a particular plant (Camellia sinensis) and includes only four varieties: green, black, white, and oolong. Anything else (like herbal “tea”) is an infusion of a different plant and isn’t technically tea.
Now before you get defensive about your favourite cuppa, what real tea lacks in variety and differs in taste, it makes up for it with some seriously amazing health benefits thanks to the polyphenols (antixoxidants) and phytochemicals.
We recommend introducing green tea into your diet but if you really can’t stand the taste, flavour, or maybe even the colour, you’ll be pleased to know your standard variety of tea - the kind you have with milk and two sugars (if you’re being naughty) - is still beneficial for your health!
1.Tea can boost endurance
2.Drinking tea could help reduce the risk of a heart attack
3.Tea could help protect against cardiovascular and degenerative diseases
4.The antioxidants in tea might help protect against cancers
5.Tea helps fight free radicals
6.Tea is hydrating for the body
7.Drinking tea is linked with a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease
8.Tea might provide protection from ultraviolet rays
9.Green tea may act as a back-up sunscreen (but don’t ditch the sun protection!)
10.Tea could keep your waist circumference in check
11. Regular tea drinking might counteract some of the negative effects of smoking
12.Tea could benefit people with Type 2 diabetes
13.Tea can help the body recover from radiation
14.Green tea has been found to improve bone mineral density and strength
15.Tea might effective in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases
Do you drink tea regularly? Have you noticed any health benefits? Let us know!
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Healthy Choice: Green Tea
Green tea contains compounds that appear to control inflammation and fight bacterial infection - making it fantastic for combating several oral health issues. It’s also rich in antioxidants, which have many other health properties aside from toothy problems.
So what does this mean for your oral? Here are five reasons why drinking green tea could help keep your mouth healthy.
1.Cavity prevention
Research has found that drinking green tea shows it can be helpful at preventing tooth decay. Green tea controls bacteria and lowers the acidity of saliva and dental plaque, because of this is may be a useful tool in preventing cavities. A recent study tested people before and after they gave their mouths a five-minute rinse with green tea and discovered the subjects had less bacteria and acid in their mouths as well as reduced bleeding of the gums.
2.Gum health
Green tea acts as an anti-inflammatory, which can help control periodontal (gum) disease. Several research studies have found that subjects who drank green tea regularly had healthier gums than those who didn’t.
3.Less tooth loss
Drinking a cup of green tea a day could help prevent tooth loss. A research study published in 2010 reported that people who drink one or more cups of green tea a day are more likely to hold on to their natural teeth.
4.Cancer control
The antioxidants and other properties found in green tea appear to protect against cellular damage and cancerous tumour growths. A study where green tea extract was given to patients with precancerous lesions in their mouths found green tea slowed the progression to oral cancer. Other studies have also found tea compounds can inhibit cancer growths.
5.Better breath
Green tea kills the microbes that make our mouths smell bad. Reports have consistently proven green tea outperforms mints, chewing gum, and even parsley-seed oil when dealing with bad breath.
So what does this mean for your oral? Here are five reasons why drinking green tea could help keep your mouth healthy.
1.Cavity prevention
Research has found that drinking green tea shows it can be helpful at preventing tooth decay. Green tea controls bacteria and lowers the acidity of saliva and dental plaque, because of this is may be a useful tool in preventing cavities. A recent study tested people before and after they gave their mouths a five-minute rinse with green tea and discovered the subjects had less bacteria and acid in their mouths as well as reduced bleeding of the gums.
2.Gum health
Green tea acts as an anti-inflammatory, which can help control periodontal (gum) disease. Several research studies have found that subjects who drank green tea regularly had healthier gums than those who didn’t.
3.Less tooth loss
Drinking a cup of green tea a day could help prevent tooth loss. A research study published in 2010 reported that people who drink one or more cups of green tea a day are more likely to hold on to their natural teeth.
4.Cancer control
The antioxidants and other properties found in green tea appear to protect against cellular damage and cancerous tumour growths. A study where green tea extract was given to patients with precancerous lesions in their mouths found green tea slowed the progression to oral cancer. Other studies have also found tea compounds can inhibit cancer growths.
5.Better breath
Green tea kills the microbes that make our mouths smell bad. Reports have consistently proven green tea outperforms mints, chewing gum, and even parsley-seed oil when dealing with bad breath.
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Eat Your Way to Whiter Teeth
Of course, we all know some things can really stain our teeth - like red wine, coffee, and carbonated drinks - but what if we told you there are certain fruits, vegetables, and even drinks that can help you achieve whiter teeth?
Apples, cauliflower, celery, and carrots are “nature’s toothbrushes” - these work like an abrasive scrub to help whiten teeth. They also stimulate the production of saliva, which helps prevent plaque from forming. Since stains stick to plaque, the saliva helps prevent staining altogether.
Eating juicy citrus fruits increases the production of saliva, washing away foods that stain. Oranges and pineapples are naturally acidic, which may help whiten the surfaces of the teeth. The acid of these fruits contain enzymes, which kill bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath.
Strawberries contain malic acid that whitens teeth, munching on these throughout the week can help naturally brighten the appearance of your teeth.
Dairy products - yogurt, milk, and hard cheeses - contain lactic acid, which may help protect the teeth against decay. Dairy contains helps of calcium, helping to guard and strengthen the bone that holds teeth in place. Chewing on hard cheese creates saliva, helping remove food particles that would otherwise stain teeth. Yogurt - researchers argue - helps bind to teeth and prevent harmful acids from attacking the teeth and causing cavities.
Prevention is always better than the cure so to be sure to avoid eating and drinking too many teeth-staining products, such as coffee, tea, blueberries, red wine, soy sauce, fizzy drinks, and tobacco.
It only takes around seven minutes for destruction to start and for damage to be caused to your teeth. Rinse with plain water for several seconds and brush your teeth (if possible) soon afterwards (but not directly after as this can cause more damage than good). If water isn’t available, chew sugarless gum to remove stain-causing particles.
Apples, cauliflower, celery, and carrots are “nature’s toothbrushes” - these work like an abrasive scrub to help whiten teeth. They also stimulate the production of saliva, which helps prevent plaque from forming. Since stains stick to plaque, the saliva helps prevent staining altogether.
Eating juicy citrus fruits increases the production of saliva, washing away foods that stain. Oranges and pineapples are naturally acidic, which may help whiten the surfaces of the teeth. The acid of these fruits contain enzymes, which kill bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath.
Strawberries contain malic acid that whitens teeth, munching on these throughout the week can help naturally brighten the appearance of your teeth.
Dairy products - yogurt, milk, and hard cheeses - contain lactic acid, which may help protect the teeth against decay. Dairy contains helps of calcium, helping to guard and strengthen the bone that holds teeth in place. Chewing on hard cheese creates saliva, helping remove food particles that would otherwise stain teeth. Yogurt - researchers argue - helps bind to teeth and prevent harmful acids from attacking the teeth and causing cavities.
Prevention is always better than the cure so to be sure to avoid eating and drinking too many teeth-staining products, such as coffee, tea, blueberries, red wine, soy sauce, fizzy drinks, and tobacco.
It only takes around seven minutes for destruction to start and for damage to be caused to your teeth. Rinse with plain water for several seconds and brush your teeth (if possible) soon afterwards (but not directly after as this can cause more damage than good). If water isn’t available, chew sugarless gum to remove stain-causing particles.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
How to Avoid Toothache Forever
Nearly one in ten people in the UK are not registered with a dentist and only 21 per cent of those that are say they visit their dentist at least once a year. According to one study, around one in four people dread going to the dentist and make excuses so they can avoid attending appointments.
Dental pain can be caused by a variety of problems with the most common cause of toothache being dental decay.
REGULAR CHECK-UPS
It’s recommended that young people aged under-18 should visit the dentist every three to 12 months and adults should attend dental appointments between three to 24 months - all depending upon the advice of their dentist. Regular check-ups make sure your teeth are healthy, your dentist can identify any problems that are developing and give advice to prevent any further progression of dental issues - such as dental decay and gum disease.
COST
Whilst some people say they do not have the time to visit their dentist (despite employers being obliged to give employees time off work for such appointments), sometimes the cost is an issue and a fear of the dentist’s chair is all too common. However, the fact is toothache is one of the ways your mouth tells you there is a problem and not taking a trip to the dentist means whatever problems there might be, could be getting worse.
Dental trips might appear to be an expense worth sparing - especially if you visit your dentist for a check-up only to be told your teeth are fine. But consider this - if you only visit the dentist when the problem is causing serious discomfort, the costs to correct the damage will turn out to b far greater than if you’d paid for regular check-ups that would have identified the problems before they worsened.
CAUSES
Tooth decay now affects 31 per cent of adults in the UK and is a significant problem among children too. It can cause discomfort and toothache, as does gum disease. Both can be avoided by watching the foods and drinks you consume and making sure your teeth are well looked after with regular cleaning, brushing, and flossing.
Another common cause of dental pain is bruxism - grinding and/or clenching of the teeth. This can lead to the teeth being worn down causing the jaw to ache. Anxiety and stress is a common cause of bruxism, in fact 70 per cent of cases are caused by stress, so it is important to reduce stress levels. A mouth guard made by your dentists will prevent your teeth being damaged and help stop your from grinding/clenching your teeth during sleep.
Tooth sensitivity is a common cause of toothache, often felt when teeth react to hot and cold temperatures. Tooth sensitivity is caused when receding gums expose the sensitive dentine below or when the enamel on the surface of the teeth is damaged.
PAIN RELIEF
Gargling with salt water helps to soothe irritated gums, over the counter painkillers temporarily dull dental pain, and oil of cloves can be used as a natural painkiller and antiseptic. The best pain relief is to avoid dental problems from developing through regular visits to the dentist so dental issues can be identified early on.
PREVENTION
Visit your dentist regularly and make appointments to visit a dental hygienist to prevent plaque from building up on the teeth. Plaque build up can lead to cavities and onto more serious conditions such as periodontal disease.
There are various ways you can protect your teeth to avoid toothache - resist snacking and eliminate foods that put your teeth at risk. The sugars in some foods combine with plaque in your mouth to create avid, which will damage your teeth, so snacking on foods and drinks high in sugar throughout the day will cause frequent damage. It takes an hour for the saliva to restore natural pH, constant snacking means the teeth are under attack all day without having a chance to recover.
EFFECTIVE BRUSHING 25 per cent of adults don’t brush twice a day - people who only brush once a day are a third more likely to develop tooth decay. Effective brushing is crucial for protecting your teeth. You should brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day - we recommend using a manual toothbrush in the morning and an electric toothbrush in the evening. Use circular strokes over each tooth, paying attention to the gum line as this will brush away food debris and bacteria. Introduce flossing and mouthwash to your daily routine, this will ensure all parts of your mouth will be cleaned since flossing and rinsing with mouthwash reaches areas of your teeth brushing alone cannot reach.
Dental pain can be caused by a variety of problems with the most common cause of toothache being dental decay.
REGULAR CHECK-UPS
It’s recommended that young people aged under-18 should visit the dentist every three to 12 months and adults should attend dental appointments between three to 24 months - all depending upon the advice of their dentist. Regular check-ups make sure your teeth are healthy, your dentist can identify any problems that are developing and give advice to prevent any further progression of dental issues - such as dental decay and gum disease.
COST
Whilst some people say they do not have the time to visit their dentist (despite employers being obliged to give employees time off work for such appointments), sometimes the cost is an issue and a fear of the dentist’s chair is all too common. However, the fact is toothache is one of the ways your mouth tells you there is a problem and not taking a trip to the dentist means whatever problems there might be, could be getting worse.
Dental trips might appear to be an expense worth sparing - especially if you visit your dentist for a check-up only to be told your teeth are fine. But consider this - if you only visit the dentist when the problem is causing serious discomfort, the costs to correct the damage will turn out to b far greater than if you’d paid for regular check-ups that would have identified the problems before they worsened.
CAUSES
Tooth decay now affects 31 per cent of adults in the UK and is a significant problem among children too. It can cause discomfort and toothache, as does gum disease. Both can be avoided by watching the foods and drinks you consume and making sure your teeth are well looked after with regular cleaning, brushing, and flossing.
Another common cause of dental pain is bruxism - grinding and/or clenching of the teeth. This can lead to the teeth being worn down causing the jaw to ache. Anxiety and stress is a common cause of bruxism, in fact 70 per cent of cases are caused by stress, so it is important to reduce stress levels. A mouth guard made by your dentists will prevent your teeth being damaged and help stop your from grinding/clenching your teeth during sleep.
Tooth sensitivity is a common cause of toothache, often felt when teeth react to hot and cold temperatures. Tooth sensitivity is caused when receding gums expose the sensitive dentine below or when the enamel on the surface of the teeth is damaged.
PAIN RELIEF
Gargling with salt water helps to soothe irritated gums, over the counter painkillers temporarily dull dental pain, and oil of cloves can be used as a natural painkiller and antiseptic. The best pain relief is to avoid dental problems from developing through regular visits to the dentist so dental issues can be identified early on.
PREVENTION
Visit your dentist regularly and make appointments to visit a dental hygienist to prevent plaque from building up on the teeth. Plaque build up can lead to cavities and onto more serious conditions such as periodontal disease.
There are various ways you can protect your teeth to avoid toothache - resist snacking and eliminate foods that put your teeth at risk. The sugars in some foods combine with plaque in your mouth to create avid, which will damage your teeth, so snacking on foods and drinks high in sugar throughout the day will cause frequent damage. It takes an hour for the saliva to restore natural pH, constant snacking means the teeth are under attack all day without having a chance to recover.
EFFECTIVE BRUSHING 25 per cent of adults don’t brush twice a day - people who only brush once a day are a third more likely to develop tooth decay. Effective brushing is crucial for protecting your teeth. You should brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day - we recommend using a manual toothbrush in the morning and an electric toothbrush in the evening. Use circular strokes over each tooth, paying attention to the gum line as this will brush away food debris and bacteria. Introduce flossing and mouthwash to your daily routine, this will ensure all parts of your mouth will be cleaned since flossing and rinsing with mouthwash reaches areas of your teeth brushing alone cannot reach.
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Avoid a Dental Disaster this Easter
A huge amount of chocolate will be eaten over the Easter holidays - an estimated 80 million Easter eggs to be exact - that’s a whole heap of chocolate and no doubt lots of sweets too. If you’re worried about your children’s teeth and what to do to avoid damaging them, follow our helpful advice to avoid a dental disaster this Easter.
The best Easter treat is anything that “melts in the mouth” such as plain (preferably dark) chocolate. The worst Easter treat is anything hard or sticky - avoid giving these to children.
Oral health experts - and our dentists here at the Smile Centre - recommend ‘keeping Easter special’ by not eating any eggs (or any sweets) before Easter Sunday - a far healthier approach than eating treats all week long like the supermarkets and high street stores encourage you to do. You could always skip the chocolate and sweets altogether and instead offer more traditional treats such as Easter eggs hunts using hollow plastic eggs with non-edible surprises inside. You could get creative by painting eggs, making rabbit masks, and playing Easter games - Easter doesn’t have to always be about chocolate!
If you do decide to indulge this Easter holiday, here are some helpful tips to make sure you minimise the dental damage.
Be aware of the dental dangers
-Look for a balance
-Give them the treat they want while at the same time looking out for their teeth
-Buy smaller eggs with a lower sugar content
-Consider buying dark chocolate instead of milk or white chocolate, which has more sugar and will cause more damage to the teeth
-Buy an egg without any extra sweets or chocolate bars included
Spoil the children at mealtimes
-Encourage children to eat chocolate after a meal instead of as a snack
-Don’t let them snack on chocolate or sweets throughout the day
-Frequent consumption is far worse than the volume
Don’t rush the brush
-Make sure children brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day
-Wait 30 minutes before brushing teeth - brushing immediately can cause damage
-Encourage them to spit rather than rinse because rinsing after brushing reduces the effectiveness of fluoride toothpaste
-Using fluoridated toothpaste can help strengthen the mineralization of the tooth enamel and protect teeth against acid erosion
Drink water
-Get children to drink plenty of water while consuming Easter treats
-Rinsing the mouth frequently helps clean away the acid formation and bacteria from sugar, minimising dental damage
-Dry mouths are more conductive to bacteria so drinking water is good practice for daily oral hygiene, promoting the production of saliva and helping to wash away bacteria
The best Easter treat is anything that “melts in the mouth” such as plain (preferably dark) chocolate. The worst Easter treat is anything hard or sticky - avoid giving these to children.
Oral health experts - and our dentists here at the Smile Centre - recommend ‘keeping Easter special’ by not eating any eggs (or any sweets) before Easter Sunday - a far healthier approach than eating treats all week long like the supermarkets and high street stores encourage you to do. You could always skip the chocolate and sweets altogether and instead offer more traditional treats such as Easter eggs hunts using hollow plastic eggs with non-edible surprises inside. You could get creative by painting eggs, making rabbit masks, and playing Easter games - Easter doesn’t have to always be about chocolate!
If you do decide to indulge this Easter holiday, here are some helpful tips to make sure you minimise the dental damage.
Be aware of the dental dangers
-Look for a balance
-Give them the treat they want while at the same time looking out for their teeth
-Buy smaller eggs with a lower sugar content
-Consider buying dark chocolate instead of milk or white chocolate, which has more sugar and will cause more damage to the teeth
-Buy an egg without any extra sweets or chocolate bars included
Spoil the children at mealtimes
-Encourage children to eat chocolate after a meal instead of as a snack
-Don’t let them snack on chocolate or sweets throughout the day
-Frequent consumption is far worse than the volume
Don’t rush the brush
-Make sure children brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day
-Wait 30 minutes before brushing teeth - brushing immediately can cause damage
-Encourage them to spit rather than rinse because rinsing after brushing reduces the effectiveness of fluoride toothpaste
-Using fluoridated toothpaste can help strengthen the mineralization of the tooth enamel and protect teeth against acid erosion
Drink water
-Get children to drink plenty of water while consuming Easter treats
-Rinsing the mouth frequently helps clean away the acid formation and bacteria from sugar, minimising dental damage
-Dry mouths are more conductive to bacteria so drinking water is good practice for daily oral hygiene, promoting the production of saliva and helping to wash away bacteria
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
Dental Diagnosis
Most of us “online diagnose,” but few of us share health information.
We frequently share aspects of our lives from what we’ve been eating, to how hard we have been working, to what we have been doing in our spare time - we post about almost everything except our health.
A new study has found more than 60 per cent of internet users go online for health advice but only 10 per cent actively engaged with content by posting information, answering questions, and sharing their experiences. Researches say social media could be more valuable if more people joined in the health discussion. Health professionals could be more aware of public discourse and engage with patients via social media - answering questions, giving advice, and preventing misdiagnosis.
Source: BYU
At the Smile Centre we are available - online and offline - to answer any dental related questions or concerns you may have.
Have you ever used the internet to self diagnose a dental problem?
We frequently share aspects of our lives from what we’ve been eating, to how hard we have been working, to what we have been doing in our spare time - we post about almost everything except our health.
A new study has found more than 60 per cent of internet users go online for health advice but only 10 per cent actively engaged with content by posting information, answering questions, and sharing their experiences. Researches say social media could be more valuable if more people joined in the health discussion. Health professionals could be more aware of public discourse and engage with patients via social media - answering questions, giving advice, and preventing misdiagnosis.
Source: BYU
At the Smile Centre we are available - online and offline - to answer any dental related questions or concerns you may have.
Have you ever used the internet to self diagnose a dental problem?
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