Author Archives: Brightside Dental

Teeth whitening – what you need to know

Teeth whitening – it’s been around A LONG time.

And when you read this, you might be thinking a couple of hundred years.

Try a few thousand!

–       Ancient Egyptians tried whitening their teeth using a paste mixed from ground pumice stone, white vinegar and ground oxen hooves

–       The Romans used urine, and the ammonia within it for the same job

–       In the 17th century, it was nitric acid’s turn – you’d go to the barber who’d also attempt to whiten your teeth

–       And in the 19th century, people turned to chlorine.

It goes without saying that we wouldn’t be recommending any of those techniques!

These days peroxide is the whitening agent used by dentists, and it has a long pedigree – dentists first started using it in 1960s as an antiseptic that helped treat gum problems, and they found that when it came into contact with teeth, it made them whiter.

And while peroxide needs to be used carefully (and by a professional), it remains the number one way to safely whiten your teeth, which is why my eyebrows were raised by an alternative being sold on social media, and advertised on My London recently.

This particular solution is apparently “dentist-approved”, costs £25, and makes teeth ‘8 times brighter’.

The line that piqued my interest?  “Dentist-approved”.  Whenever I see this, I’m intrigued to see who the dentist is, and if I know them.

So I went digging, asking the company who has approved the product, and what ingredients are in it.

More than a week later, I’m still waiting, which makes me rather doubtful about that dentist they claim has approved it.

And just as worryingly, I’ve discovered that the main ingredient in the product is a type of acid, which could potentially be harmful and lead to permanent damage of the teeth.

As a consumer, it’s really hard to decide on what products to use and also when there are plenty of positive reviews online, they can look very believable.

But there’s a good reason why , legally, teeth whitening should only be carried out by a dental professional – the stakes are too high to get it wrong. 

If you’re interested in teeth whitening, there’s every chance we can help you, so please chat to us before investing in a ‘dentist approved’, off-the-shelf solution, which could cause bigger problems down the line.

Ketan

Smile of the Month

This month’s Smile of the Month is dear to my heart, as it focuses on a patient we’ve been serving for almost her whole life.

While Samara’s oral health was excellent, she’d grown increasingly unhappy with her smile, with crooked front teeth being the biggest cause of that unhappiness.

Samara came to see me to discuss potential treatment options, and we agreed that the best course of action was to carry out teeth straightening with Invisalign clear aligners.

Invisalign is the most popular teeth straightening choice for our patients and for good reason – the results it can give really are fantastic.

Samara had a busy year coming up, with A-Levels on the horizon, so we did our best to ensure the best result for the least amount of clinic time – only five appointments were needed at the practice, with all the rest of the treatment progress being monitored remotely.

As a model patient, Samara was very compliant when it came to wearing her aligners, which meant that in only six months, the treatment was complete.

Not only does she now have a smile she can feel totally confident in, now that her teeth are straight, they’re protected from unwanted damage and wear for the long-term.

Here’s what Samara had to say about her experience:

Another happy patient!  If you’re unhappy with your smile, or you’d like to take steps to protect your teeth from avoidable long-term wear, hit reply and we’ll be happy to chat through some options with you.

Ketan

My take on the NHS stories

If you’ve been reading the news over the last few weeks, chances are you may have bumped into a story or two about NHS dentistry. 

A couple of patients have mentioned the subject, so I figured it was sensible to drop something out about it.

Essentially, if you haven’t seen it, an “NHS Dental Recovery Plan” has been mooted, with money being made available to incentivise dentists to take on NHS patients who haven’t been to the dentist for more than two years.

The last thing I’m going to do is wade into the politics of this one, but for dentists all over the land, I feel like it needs to be stated: most (if not all) of the money being made available isn’t new money, and – as you’d expect – the money being offered does come with significant strings attached.

The sad reality is that it’s not going to change the game – it won’t suddenly “fix” NHS dentistry. 

It’s my sincere hope that these measures can help those struggling to access dental services, but unfortunately, I can’t see us looking back on this moment as the time when “it all changed”.

The NHS is a wonderful thing, and I’m regularly inspired by those who work in it.

But the fact of the matter is that based on the current situation, for dentistry to thrive in the NHS, it needs either:

1.    Significantly more funding

2.    The system to be changed to a core service to help those with the most dental needs

It’s been two years since we gave up our NHS contract.  We did this with a heavy heart, as we wanted to help as many people as we could, and we had previously tried to do it through the NHS.

In the two years since, we’ve been able to have a much bigger impact, and help far more people with their long term dental health by firstly focussing on prevention and long lasting solutions rather than only dealing with issues as they arise.

I won’t pretend it’s perfect – in an ideal world, I’d love to help everyone for free, but as we all know, that’s not the way the world works. 

As always, we aim to make treatment as affordable as we can, and offer membership plans from just 33p a day – if you’d like to discuss one, please feel free to get in touch.

Yes, we do accept referrals…

A patient came to see me the other day.

And it’s fair to say it’s been a while since he went to the dentist.

Not because he’s scared or nervous, but – like so many of us – life had just got in the way.

He’d been busy with work, he’d started a young family, and of course, the whole pandemic threw a curveball in there too.

What made him finally come in?

Unfortunately, it was a severely broken tooth.

And as much as I’d like to say that we fixed it, the sad truth is that we couldn’t – it’s gone too far to save, and it now needs to be removed; he’ll also need a few other treatments to get his mouth back up to where he wants it to be.

Now, importantly, there’s no judgment or criticism from us – we totally understand the multitude of reasons why you might fall out of the habit of coming to the dentist, and we aren’t going to stand here and shake our heads.

However, this little story does highlight the danger of waiting till something goes really wrong before seeking help.

The reality is that these issues would have been preventable, with regular dental visits, and the overall cost far, far lower.

This patient isn’t alone – over the years we’ve seen countless patients whose issues could have been stopped at source with regular dental and hygienist checkups.

There’s a saying that goes, “Listen to your body when it whispers, so you won’t have to hear it scream”, and it’s definitely applicable to dentistry.

If you know someone that has a little niggle, or a slightly sensitive tooth, do them a favour and give them a nudge: you may help them avoid needing to go through extensive and expensive treatment.

Ketan

Smile of the Month – February

It’s a brand new month, and to kick February off we’ve got an absolutely fantastic Smile of the Month to share with you.

Our lovely patient Nerina first visited Dr Ronit Patel as an emergency new patient.

She had a wobbly bridge on her upper front teeth, which was visible when she smiled, which made her feel self-conscious and anxious.

She wanted to know what her options were, so after a full assessment, including digital screening, X-rays and photographs, we put together a bespoke long-term plan.

First up: stabilisatiron to make Nerina’s mouth healthy.

We removed the old wobbly bridge, and the failing roots that were holding it, and replaced it with a temporary bridge, then implemented dental implants, with the help of Dr Shahrokh Navaee, keeping the temporary bridge in place while the implants healed.

Once the implants were healthy and in situ, we fitted Nerina a new implant retained bridge, and gave her some new cosmetic porcelain crowns to improve the appearance of the teeth next to the bridge.

In addition, we carried out work to repair and improve the structural stability of some of her back teeth, using composite resin white fillings and porcelain onlay restorations.

Throughout the treatment, we’ve kept Nerina in the loop at every stage, and given her options about the best way to move forward, and she’s now in a much better place, having also added in a regular hygienist appointment to help maintain good gum health.

We also have a plan in place to now replace some other missing teeth, so watch this space!

Nerina’s ecstatic about the result – not only is she a lot more confident in her smile, but she’s also got the peace of mind that she has a stable long-term fixed solution to her smile.

If you’re inspired by Nerina’s story, and you’d like to see what’s possible for your smile, just reply to this email, or give us a call on 020 8888 4401.

Ketan

P.S. We asked Nerina what she thought of her treatment – you can catch her response on video by clicking below.

Marching on

Time is marching on – I can’t quite believe we’re nearly in February.

It does feel like an awful lot has happened already this year though – it’s been a busy 2024 so far at Brightside, so I thought I’d share a few of the things we’ve been getting up to.First up, we must congratulate our fantastic hygienist Negar on her 7-year Brightside anniversary. 

If you’ve attended Brightside before, you’ll know that we believe your hygienist appointments are a critical part of maintaining your overall oral health, and Negar has been invaluable in helping our patients do that for a long time – it’s a privilege to have her on the team.

Elsewhere, our dentists Paarth, Minal and Ronit, and our practice manager Elena recently attended a training course, focused on improving clinical and communication skills.

Over many years, we’ve learned just how critical good communication is – in many ways it’s just as important as the dental work – and that’s why we’re always looking for ways to improve in that area.

As members of the MiSmile network, we aim to help as many patients as possible to get the smile they want with Invisalign, and we recently received a gift to commemorate the fact that we placed number 5 in the UK, out of a select 120 dental practices.

Last but by no means least, we all understand the importance of recycling, and we’re also aware that in the dental world, a lot has traditionally been thrown away, when it should be recycled.

 We’re doing our bit to try and fix that, which is why I’m delighted to announce a partnership with Phillips, which allows us to recycle used dental products.  There’s a box located in the practice entrance, which you’re welcome to use and tell family and friends about, even if they aren’t Brightside patients.

Right, that’s all for now – back next week!

Ketan

The complete guide to choosing the right toothpaste

It’s become a bit of a minefield in choosing the best toothpaste for your needs as there are so many different types in the shops. There are four types that you’re likely to come across: cavity fighters, gum guardians, sensitivity soothers, and smile brighteners. We’ll uncover what makes them tick and how they can help you.

What toothpaste does (main functions):

Plaque Control – The Defender of Oral Health

One of the critical roles of toothpaste is in controlling dental plaque. Plaque, a major culprit in tooth decay and gum disease, needs regular removal. We recommend toothpastes with effective plaque-fighting ingredients, like sodium lauryl sulfate and antibacterial agents, to keep your teeth clean and healthy.

Cavity Protection – The Shield for Your Teeth

Fluoride-rich toothpaste is your best friend for preventing cavities. It strengthens tooth enamel and helps reverse early signs of tooth decay. Consistent use of fluoride toothpaste is a cornerstone of preventive dental care, something we strongly advocate for all our patients.

Now, let’s explore the four main types of toothpaste and see how they work their magic.

Cavity Protection Toothpastes

How it works: Your everyday, go to, toothpaste. The secret weapon here is fluoride. It is excellent for those who are prone to cavities and stopping them early in their tracks. Fluoride is fantastic at toughening up your tooth enamel. It’s like giving your teeth a shield to fend off those cavity-causing baddies.

Who It’s For: Anyone who wants to keep their teeth strong and free from cavities can benefit from this toothpaste.

Example Products: Oral B Pro- expert, Colgate Total

Gum (Periodontal) Disease Toothpastes

How It Works: Specialised for combating gum disease, it often has special ingredients like triclosan and stannous fluoride. They have been clinically proven to have an antimicrobial effect. These ingredients target bacteria and reduce gum inflammation which is crucial for maintaining optimal gum health.

Who It’s for: Individuals with a history of gum disease, ongoing gum inflammation, or those looking to proactively protect their gum health can benefit from gum disease protection toothpaste.

Example Products: Corsodyl Toothpaste, Colgate Total Advanced Gum Care

Sensitivity Toothpastes

How It Works: Sensitive teeth can be a real buzzkill, especially when you’re enjoying hot coffee or ice cream. Unleash the sensitivity toothpaste! It has ingredients like potassium nitrate or strontium chloride that block tiny tubes in your teeth, so those bothersome sensations are muted. For them to be effective they need to be used consistently, ideally for a period of 2 weeks for you to really notice its effects.

Who It’s For: If you cringe at the thought of cold drinks, hot foods or even sweet foods (not that we should be having too many of them!!) this toothpaste might save the day for your sensitive teeth.

Example Products: Sensodyne Rapid Relief, Oral B Pro Expert Sensitive, Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief

Whitening Toothpastes

How It Works: Everyone dreams of a dazzling, white smile. Whitening toothpaste contains mild abrasives and chemical agents that help remove surface stains from teeth. These toothpaste types may also contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which are mild bleaching agents. However, it’s essential to temper expectations; whitening toothpaste can brighten teeth to some extent (as they remove staining) but won’t provide the dramatic results of professional teeth whitening treatments. Moreover, the regular use of them can lead to sensitivity issues, due to the abrasive agents that are in them wearing away your enamel over time.

Who Benefits: Whitening toothpaste is ideal for individuals looking to maintain or enhance the whiteness of their teeth. It’s suitable for those with mild surface stains but may not be effective for deep-intrinsic discoloration. In addition to this, regular use is not advised.

Example Product: Oral B Desensify Gentle Whitening toothpaste

Picking Your Perfect Toothpaste:

Choosing the right toothpaste is crucial for your dental health. At Brightside Dental, we’re committed to guiding you through this choice. Remember, the best toothpaste is one that caters to your unique oral health needs. Schedule a consultation with us to find your perfect match and keep your smile bright and healthy!

Remember, no matter which toothpaste you choose, how you brush is just as important. Brush gently for at least two minutes, twice a day, and swap out your toothbrush/ toothbrush heads regularly (Click here to read our recent blog about electric toothbrushes). 

In the end, toothpaste isn’t just about keeping your breath fresh; it’s about keeping your smile shining and healthy. So, next time you squeeze a bit of that magical gel onto your toothbrush, know that you’re not just brushing – you’re giving your smile the love and care it deserves.

Dr Paarth Darbar BDS (Hons)

Should you use an electric toothbrush?

Oral hygiene is an essential aspect of maintaining good health. While many people may understand the importance of brushing and flossing, the type of tools you use can significantly impact your overall dental health.

The Importance of Brushing: Brushing your teeth is a fundamental step in maintaining oral health. It serves several crucial purposes:

  • Plaque Removal: Plaque, a soft, sticky film of bacteria, constantly forms on your teeth. Brushing helps remove this plaque, preventing it from hardening into tartar, which can lead to gum disease and cavities.
  • Cavity Prevention: Brushing with fluoride toothpaste strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay.
  • Gum Health: Proper brushing reduces the risk of gum disease by removing bacteria and food particles that can cause inflammation and infection.
  • Fresh Breath: Brushing your tongue and the roof of your mouth, in addition to your teeth, helps combat bad breath by eliminating odor-causing bacteria.
  • Overall Health: Emerging research suggests a link between oral health and overall health, with poor oral hygiene potentially contributing to conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

Now that we understand the importance of brushing, let’s delve into how electric toothbrushes can elevate your oral hygiene routine.

The Advantages of Electric Toothbrushes Electric toothbrushes offer several advantages over traditional manual brushes:

  • Efficiency: Electric toothbrushes typically have a rotating or oscillating head that covers more surface area and cleans teeth more effectively than manual brushing.
  • Built-in Timers: Many electric toothbrushes come with built-in timers to ensure you brush for the recommended two minutes, helping you maintain a consistent routine.
  • Pressure Sensors: Some electric toothbrushes have pressure sensors to alert you if you’re brushing too hard, reducing the risk of damaging your gums and enamel.
  • Ease of Use: Electric toothbrushes are often more comfortable for people with limited dexterity, such as children and the elderly.
  • Variety of Brush Heads: You can choose from a variety of brush head options designed for specific needs, such as sensitive teeth, braces, or gum health.
  • Consistency: Electric toothbrushes provide a more consistent brushing motion, reducing the likelihood of uneven cleaning.

Proper Brushing Techniques Regardless of whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, proper brushing techniques are essential for effective cleaning:

  • Angle Matters: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line to clean the area where your teeth meet your gums.
  • Use Gentle Pressure: Don’t scrub vigorously. Instead, use gentle pressure and let the bristles do the work.
  • Circular Motion: Brush in a gentle circular motion rather than back-and-forth, as it is more effective at removing plaque.
  • Two-Minute Rule: Brush for a full two minutes to ensure thorough cleaning. Some electric toothbrushes have timers to help you with this.
  • Brush All Surfaces: Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of your teeth, and don’t forget your tongue and the roof of your mouth.

Recommended Electric Toothbrushes: Oral-B

When it comes to choosing an electric toothbrush, Oral-B is a brand that consistently delivers quality and performance. Oral-B electric toothbrushes are renowned for their advanced features and they offer a range of models to suit various needs.

So, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule your hygiene appointment and secure your exclusive discount code for an Oral-B electric toothbrush. This will help you kickstart your journey to improved oral hygiene.

Dr Paarth Darbar BDS (Hons)

A long, long time ago

12 years ago, we were settling in for the festive season having celebrated Kate and William’s wedding, seen New Zealand finally win the Rugby World Cup, and witnessed the birth of the game Minecraft.

Feels like an awfully long time ago, doesn’t it?

12 years is a long stretch by anyone’s standards, and that’s why Caroline, our fantastic Clinical Dental Technician deserves serious congratulations for her 12 year Brightside Anniversary this month.

Caroline’s been an incredible part of this team for a long, long time now, and we’re really grateful for all she’s done – it’s been amazing to see her grow and develop, highlighted perfectly in the presentation she gave to the British Society of Gerodontology recently.

Among some big names in the dental industry, Caroline did us proud, talking on the role of the clinical dental technician in caring for older adults – it was a great presentation, and very well received.

There have been a few other celebrations across the practice this month too – our dental nurse Elif got married, and the Brightside team enjoyed the party, while we all got together for our Christmas party at the weekend.

The venue was Evolution in Battersea, and I can thoroughly recommend it – great entertainment, and good old-fashioned bumper cars where you’re actually allowed to bump!

The countdown to Christmas is on now, so a quick friendly dentist reminder from me: don’t let your oral hygiene routine slip over the festive break; if anything, it’s more important than ever.

Ketan

Yes, we do accept referrals!

I was speaking to one of our long-term patients the other day – she’s been coming to see us for years.

But I was somewhat shocked by the direction the conversation took.

Turns out she wasn’t aware that we accept new patients, so her partner – who had wanted to become a patient at our practice for a while – had never got in contact with us.

I quickly informed her that we do always welcome referrals from existing patients, and with a new dentist joining our team this year, we have actually got some increased capacity too.

Having found out she had no idea that we accept referrals, I realised that’s probably the case with others too, hence this email to clarify!

We much prefer to see people by recommendation, so if you have got friends, family or colleagues you’d like to refer, we’d love to hear from you, and to make it a little easier for them to come in, we’ll give them a £25 discount off their initial consultation too.

Is there anyone that springs to mind that you think might benefit from coming to see us here at Brightside? 

If so, please pass on our details and make sure they give your name to qualify for the special discount.

 Ketan