Here are some things that you may not know about mouth cancer:

• Mouth Cancer claims more lives than testicular and cervical cancer combined.
• Mouth Cancer takes more lives than road traffic accidents on Britain’s roads.  
• Mouth Cancer is diagnosed in more than twice as many men than women but there are more cases in women than ever before.
• Mouth Cancer is one of very few cancers in which incidences are actually predicted to increase in the future.
• Smoking is the leading cause of mouth cancer.
• Excessive use of alcohol is linked to more than a third of mouth cancer cases in men and fifth in women.
• Heavy drinkers and smokers are up to 35 times more at risk.
• Mouth cancer can often be spotted in its early stages by your dentist during a thorough mouth examination.
• Despite the above risk factors, Mouth Cancer can affect anyone and is becoming increasingly common in people who do not fit with the standard increased risk factors.
• Signs and symptoms of mouth cancer include: ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, red or white patches and any unusual lumps or swellings. However, many people do not suffer from any symptoms
• If in doubt get checked out by your dentist or doctor as soon as possible.

At Brightside Dental, we carry out mouth cancer screening as part of all of our new patient visits, as well as routine assessment appointments.

Mouth Cancer Foundation have their 12th annual 10km walk in Hyde Park on 30th September. You can find out more about their work and support them here:

http://www.mouthcancerfoundation.org

Going back to school or starting a new school can be exciting for most children, however it can also be a stressful time for children who have recently got their braces. Some are bothered about what others will think or say about them.  This transition of having braces might be small at home, but overwhelming and challenging at school. 

Here are some tips to make life at school with braces stress-free:

• Carry a braces kit with you – packing a braces care kit and bringing it to school is highly recommended, especially for children that are new to braces. The braces care kit will help your child be prepared for the most dreaded situations that can come from wearing braces. This should contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, small interspace brush and orthodontic wax.

• Stay Hydrated – staying hydrated is great good for your child’s overall health, but drinking plenty of water will also help remove food particles from the teeth and braces.

• Eat Smart – when going back to school with braces, it’s highly recommended that children get in the habit of packing a lunch. Packing a lunch is the best way to ensure that all food options are braces-friendly. Alternatively, if your child has school dinners, ensure they avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods and it’s easier to eat and chew with braces when food is cut into bite-sized pieces.

• Have a mouthguard handy – it’s important to wear a mouthguard when playing sports as it will protect the teeth and jaws against injury and provide protection to the braces. There are special mouthguards made specifically for people wearing braces. Just be sure the mouthguard you choose fits well and makes it easy for you to speak and breathe. 

If you need any further help or advice, give us a call on 020 88884401.

Our body is a complex machine. What we eat, definitely affects our general health and the health of our teeth and gums. As you’re likely to be  aware, the more you indulge in sweet and sugary food and drinks, you are more likely to develop tooth decay. Tooth decay happens when plaque come into contact with sugar in the mouth, causing acid to attack the teeth.

Use this healthy foods list to improve your diet and the health of your mouth.

Cheese. Eating cheese raises the pH in your mouth (reduces acid levels) and lowers the risk of tooth decay. It’s thought that the chewing required to eat cheese increases saliva in the mouth. Cheese also contains calcium and protein, nutrients that strengthen tooth enamel.

Yogurt. Yogurt is high in calcium and protein, which makes it a good pick for the strength and health of your teeth. However, you must ensure it’s natural yoghurt without added sugar.

Leafy Greens. Leafy greens typically find their way onto any healthy foods list. They’re full of vitamins and minerals while being low in calories. Leafy greens such as kale and spinach also promote oral health. They’re high in calcium, which builds your teeth’s enamel.

Apples. Fruits, such as apples, might be sweet, but they’re also high in fibre and water. The action of eating an apple produces saliva in your mouth, which rinses away bacteria and food particles. The fibrous texture of the fruit also stimulates the gums.

Carrots. Like apples, carrots are crunchy and full of fibre. Eating a handful of raw carrots at the end of the meal increases saliva production in your mouth, which reduces your risk of cavities

Celery. Celery might get a bad reputation for being bland, watery and full of those pesky strings, but like carrots and apples, it acts a bit like a toothbrush, scraping food particles and bacteria away from your teeth. It’s also a good source of vitamins A and C, two antioxidants that give the health of your gums a boost.

Almonds. Almonds are great for your teeth because they are a good source of calcium and protein while being low in sugar.

You are what you eat. Your diet makes a big difference when it comes to a healthy smile. It’s very important to be aware that many food contain what are called hidden sugars and are often promoted as healthy on the packaging, but contain large amounts of sugar which are harmful to your teeth. Examples are flavoured yoghurts, cereal bars and breakfast cereals and smoothies.

If you need any help or further advice, send us an email or give us a call on 020 88884401.

Summer may have already come and gone – let’s hope not, but it`may be time to pack for your much awaited break and show off your summer smile.

Summer is always a season that manages to make most people smile and luckily, there’s even more good news – sunbathing could improve the health of your gums!

Vitamin D has long been known to play a big role in the strength of your bones and the health of your teeth, and sunlight is the perfect way to boost your levels.

There are many dangers of being in the sun too long and these are well documented. To stay safe you should always use the appropriate factor sunscreen and don’t forget to protect your lips too as this is an area many people forget. Staying well hydrated by drinking plenty of water is also important and as a bonus this is good for your teeth too. If you take all of these precautions then you should be able to safely enjoy being outside and topping up your vitamin D levels.

So the summer is here so get outside and while you are enjoying the sun you can be reassured that you are taking the first step to better oral health. Another great case of prevention being better than the cure and sunbathing is a preventative measure.

Also, once you have your suntan, your smile will naturally look lighter against your darker skin – only thing is this won’t last once your tan fades!

Summer is fun but toothache whilst on holiday is not. Your well-deserved break should not be compromised by a sudden bout of illness. So before you pack your bags for that much awaited holiday, you might want to have a look at our Summer Oral Health checklist below.  

1. Pay your dentist a pre-holiday visit. Get you examinations done before going away, to reduce the risk of your holiday being spoilt by unpleasant toothache.
2. Don’t forget to pack your dental first aid kit. Most dental first aid kits can be purchased either from your local chemist or online, and are small enough to fit in even the most compact suitcases.
3. Have you got your toothbrush? It might sound basic, but there are a large number of people in the UK who forget to pack their toothbrush when going on holiday! Treat yourself to a brand new brush, and squeeze in a travel sized mouthwash and dental floss into your washbag as well.
4. Limit your sugar intake. Rather than sticking to three meals a day, holidaymakers are more like to graze and snack on sugary foods. This puts your teeth at a far greater risk as they are exposed to sugar more frequently throughout the day than they would be usually, so if you are going to snack, try to stick to the more savoury options.
5. Limit the amount of soft drinks and alcohol you consume. Try to choose alcoholic drinks which are lower in sugar and remember that alcohol is one of the main causes of oral cancer, so drink in moderation.
6. Ensure that you drink plenty of water. Whether you are going to be enjoying a sunny beach holiday, or perhaps an adventure holiday in cooler climes, it’s vital that you keep a healthy water level maintained at all times.
7. Use sunscreen. You may be wondering how using sunscreen will help you to protect your mouth, but don’t forget that prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to forms of oral cancer. By applying sunscreen to your lips, which are already at risk from the sun due to the naturally thin skin and lack of melanin, you will be helping to protect your mouth from harmful UV rays.

One final point and the most important – enjoy your holiday?

Your summer calendar might already be full with fun activities. But it is still important to stay on top of your regular dental care and to schedule those required dental visits before the children go back to school.                                                       

Before you go on an enjoyable holiday, be sure to pack these things to keep your family’s and your mouth in tip-top shape:

• Fully charged electric toothbrush/manual toothbrush
• Dental floss
• SFP lip balm
• Sugar free gum (with Xylitol)
• Gauze pads/cotton
• Wax (for braces) or retainers
• Saline Solution
• Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever
• Travel Insurance details
• Mouthwash

Unfortunately, summer is only but a fleeting moment! And before you know it, it’s over. If your children require a dental appointment during the holiday, please book well in advance to avoid disappointment as we often have a flurry of calls towards the end of the holiday and can struggle to accommodate everyone. If you need to arrange an appointment, you can reply to this email or call us on 020 88884401.