Author Archives: Brightside Dental

Something you need to be really careful about

I hope you’re having a great day.  Whilst checking my emails the other day, I came across a news story that I just had to share with you – you can check it out by clicking the link below:

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/norwich_woman_taken_to_court_for_whitening_people_s_teeth_1_4146296

You wouldn’t think that stuff like this happened, but a woman has genuinely been offering teeth whitening services despite not being registered with the General Dental Council.

Remember, if you want teeth whitening, you need to make sure it’s administered by a true professional who knows what they’re doing and has all the relevant qualifications.

Please avoid whitening kits that you can by on the internet or having whitening at a beauty salon as the therapists are not dentally trained and the treatment can do more harm than good – I’ve sometimes seen permanent damage to people’s teeth as a result.  You wouldn’t come to me to have your hair done, would you?

If you’d like any advice on the subject, just give my friendly team a call on 02080882079.

Speak soon

Ketan

Don’t try this at home!

Whoever said that dentists and teeth are boring, clearly has not done enough internet research…

Only yesterday I was surfing the net and among the grumpy cats and Disney Princess quizzes – I’m a Pocahontas, in case you were wondering – I saw a little article that I thought was really weird. So weird in fact that I thought I’d share it with you

The title really says it all- ‘Parrot Pulls Kid’s Loose Tooth, Gives Dentists And Bird Owners Everywhere A Panic Attack’

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/18/parrot-pulls-kids-loose-tooth-video_n_7305954.html

Now I wouldn’t say I necessarily had a panic attack, but I did wonder why on earth you’d want to have a parrot rummaging around in your mouth.

Each to their own I guess. But in all seriousness, this isn’t something you should try at home!

For one, as the article said, the bacteria in human mouths is damaging to birds. But also when it comes to children’s wobbly teeth, it’s usually unnecessarily to try and pull milk teeth out at all.

Leaving them to fall out naturally is by far the safest and most pain-free option, and if you’re really worried about any aspect of your children’s teeth, a dentist is your best bet!

I promise, we’re much better qualified than parrots!

If you need any advice at all then just give us a call on 02080882079

Speak soon!

What could you do in 21 days?

Some people say that it apparently takes about 21 days to turn that new idea into a habit.

Other people say that it’s actually more like 12 weeks…

http://jamesclear.com/new-habit

 However long it might take you to realistically form a new habit. I’ve got a bit of a challenge for you:

 I had this idea last week and wanted to set a mid-year resolution to see what difference  our patients  could make to the look and health of their smile, and I thought you might like to join in.

Think of just one resolution, then make actions each day towards keeping that resolution and achieving your aims, whether that’s…

  • Getting whiter teeth
  • Flossing every day
  • Overcoming your phobia of the dentist
  • Looking into braces for straighter teeth
  • Investing in a quality electric toothbrush

For instance, if you’re keen to get a brighter, whiter smile then maybe make steps towards that each day by changing to a more effective toothpaste, or seeing your dentist to talk about teeth whitening.

 Whatever your mid-year resolution is, if you need any information or support then just give us a call on 02080882079. After all, what better way to start your mid-year resolution than with a thorough clean-up and a bit of helpful advice?

 Be sure to let us know what your resolution’s going to be!

National Smile Month – are you up for the challenge?

If you haven’t heard, this is officially a month to celebrate!

While it may not be quite as fun as Christmas, and doesn’t involve so much chocolate as Easter, it’s a pretty important month when it comes to your teeth…

I’m talking about National Smile Month, and if you haven’t heard of it I promise you it’s a real thing!

From May 18th – June 18th, 2015 it’s your chance to take extra care of your teeth and try to implement some healthy habits to improve the health and look of your smile.

Have a look and see for yourself!

 http://www.nationalsmilemonth.org/

 Basically there are loads of pointers on their site that can really help keep your teeth healthy. Here are a few of my favourites…

  • Clean in between your teeth using interdental brushes or floss. This will help to clean a higher proportion of the tooth and prevent the build-up of plaque.
  • Always tell your dentist about changes to your health, as it may help to prevent gum disease from developing.
  • Introduce your child to the sights and sounds of the dental practice at an early age to allay any dental phobia that might develop. Take them with you when you go for your assessment.
  • It’s better for your teeth and general health if you eat 3 meals a day plus no more than two snacks, instead of having lots of snack attacks throughout the day.

 I hope you’ll be signing up with us this month!

ketansig

Cleft Lip and Palate and Dental Health

Cleft lip is a birth defect in which the parts of the face that form the upper lip remain split, instead of sealing together before birth. Similar splits can occur in the roof of the mouth or palate. Cleft lip and cleft palate can each occur alone or together in the same person (cleft lip and palate). Cleft lip and palate happen early in foetal development. The defect may be genetic or the result of maternal environmental exposures during pregnancy.

Along with affecting the appearance of the face, cleft lip and cleft palate can present a variety of difficulties, including:

-difficulty eating

-speech difficulties

-ear infections

-dental problems

 

Dental health

A cleft lip and palate can cause changes to the structure of the mouth and lead to problems with the development of teeth, making children more vulnerable to tooth decay. It is therefore important for the child to have their teeth checked regularly.

Tooth decay

Children with clefts are more likely to develop tooth decay. This is partly due to crowding of the teeth, which makes it more difficult to keep them clean. The advice below may help reduce your child’s risk of developing tooth decay.

  • Your child should have a dental check-up at least once every six months.
  • Using a fluoride mouthwash once a day will help protect your child’s teeth against decay.
  • Limit the amount of sweet and sticky food and drink your child consumes, especially between meals, as these foods increase tooth decay.
  • Limit the amount of starchy foods such as crisps, white bread and biscuits that your child eats, especially between meals, to lower the risk of tooth decay.

How Do Eating Disorders Affect Your Mouth?

Eating disorders deprive the body of vital minerals, vitamins, proteins and other nutrients necessary for good health.  There are a wide array of physical symptoms and medical complications that can result from eating disorders, including heart failure, gastric or oesophagus ruptures, osteoporosis, heart arrhythmia, shrinking of the brain, yellowish and dry skin, swollen joints, reduced muscle mass, hair loss, and psychological illnesses such as depression.

Many people affected may not have told anyone about the problems they are having and often dentists may be first to notice signs by changes in the mouth as eating disorders often have a large impact on the health of the mouth.

The repeated vomiting and nutritional deficiencies caused by eating disorders have rigorous and harsh consequences on the health of the mouth.  A dentist can observe the damaging effects on the surfaces of the teeth of patients with eating disorders.

 

Possible signs and symptoms:

  •  Loss of tissue and erosive lesions on the surface of teeth due to the effects of acid.  These lesions can appear as early as 6 months from the start of the problem.
  • Changes in the colour, shape, and length of teeth.  Teeth can become brittle, translucent, and weak.
  • Increased sensitivity to temperature.  In extreme cases the pulp(nerve) can be exposed and cause infection, discoloration, or even pulp death.
  • Enlargement of the salivary glands, dry mouth, and reddened, dry, cracked lips.
  • Tooth decay, which can actually be aggravated by extensive tooth brushing or rinsing following vomiting.
  • Spontaneous pain within a particular tooth.

 

At Brightside Dental, we promise not to judge you or lecture you on your condition and can advise on the best ways to maintain your oral health.  The best results will be achieved if advise is also sought from your doctor or specialist in treating the eating disorder to try to prevent future problems and disease.

 

Tips and advice:

– Don’t brush your teeth for at least 20 minutes after vomiting as this may cause increased wear.  Instead rinse with plain water and chew sugar free gum or use a mouthwash to reduce acid levels.

– Limit the intake and frequency of acidic and sweet food and drinks to prevent further damage to the teeth.

– A battery powered toothbrush may be better than a manual brush to reduce the risk of further wear of the teeth.

 

It is important to maintain regular dental visits in order to protect your mouth and to receive advise on the best way to restore your mouth if damage has occurred.

What Are Fissure Sealants?

Our back teeth have natural grooves and pits known as fissures.  Food can get stuck in the fissures and they are harder areas to clean when brushing which can increase the risk of tooth decay.  In the past they were commonly placed in children’s teeth and now there is new evidence to show that they can be as beneficial for adults.

Before and after fissure sealant placement

Before and after fissure sealant placement

 

What are sealants?

Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your teeth from decay. A sealant is a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that stops food and bacteria getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing  tooth decay.

 

How do sealants work?

The sealant forms a smooth, protective barrier by covering all the little grooves and dips (pits and fissures) in the surface of the tooth. Dental decay easily starts in these grooves.

 

What are the benefits of sealants?

It is a simple and painless procedure which involves no drilling or injections.  Along with good maintenance of the mouth they can reduce the risk of needing a filling in the future by over 90%, which is kinder on your mouth and much more cost effective in the long term.

 

Which teeth should be sealed?

Sealants are only applied to the back teeth – the molars and premolars. These are the teeth that have pits and fissures on their biting surfaces. Some teeth naturally form with deep grooves which can be sealed, others form with shallow ones which may not need sealing.

 

When should this be done?

Sealants are often applied as soon as the adult teeth start to come through. This is usually between 6 and 7 years of age. The rest are usually sealed as soon as they appear, which can be any time between 11 and 14.  They can however be applied at any age as the condition of our mouth and dental needs can change over time.

 

What is involved and is it painful?

Sealing is usually quick and straightforward, taking only a few minutes for each tooth. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution, and then dried. The liquid sealant is then put onto the tooth and then set by using a blue light.  The procedure is completely pain free, you may just find it feels a bit strange on biting at first and you mouth may taste a bit funny.

 

How long does the sealants last?

Sealants usually last for many years, but your dentist will want to check them regularly to make sure that the seal is still intact. They can wear over time, and sometimes the dentist needs to add or replace some sealant to make sure that no decay can start underneath.

 

Do I still have to clean my teeth?

Yes.  This is really important. The smooth, sealed surface is now much easier to keep clean and healthy with normal tooth brushing. It is important to clean your teeth well, maintain a balanced diet and visit your dentist regularly.  Pit and fissure sealing reduces tooth decay and the number of fillings you might need but cannot take the risk away if you don’t maintain your mouth

 

Where can I find out more about the treatment?

At Brightside Dental, all of our dentists and hygienists are experienced in the placement of fissure sealants.  We can give you more information about the treatment and whether it would be beneficial for you at your next visit.

 

If you don’t want to wait until then and would like advice please give us a call on 020 88884401.

Ketan To Join The Dental Mavericks In Morocco

mavericks-logo1Each quarter at Brightside Dental we decide on a charitable cause that could benefit from the donations we make as a promise to our clients who have patiently waited to be seen for more than 10 minutes past their booked appointment time. Each time we are running late we make a donation to our chosen charity on their behalf.

This quarter we are supporting Dental Mavericks. They are a charity set up to help end daily dental pain for the children of Morocco. Our Principal Ketan Shah has joined the Mavericks team this year with their 2014 project and travelling to Morocco at the end of September for 1 week.

Just imagine, living with your family in an isolated fishing village with no dentists , a high sugar diet , no toothbrushes and no fluoride tooth paste. You don’t need to be a dentist to imagine the consequences, but the dental neglect shocks even the most experienced of this group of national dentists and their team. Abscesses, pain and distress, parents of these children in Morocco are no different to any other around the world, they want their children helping.

Maybe a little pebble in a big pond but 4 years ago a group of dentists from around the UK came together to form the Dental Mavericks charity to provide dental care in remote areas of the world.

Ketan along with a group of dentists and team members will be travelling to the Rif mountains to a remote village called Merchekala. Brightside Dental has supported this charity previously however this year Ketan wants to help out more and join the team and directly help the kids. This project is  self funded by the dentists and along with fundraising and donations from dental suppliers and the public the charity can do its job.

The team plans to treat hundreds of children over the course of the week and mostly carry out extracting rotten teeth, along with fillings and providing education so that the children can look after their own teeth on a daily basis.

For Ketan this will be a chance to use the skills he has to give something back to people who have considerably less.

If you would like to know more or to support Ketan and the Mavericks team visit:

http://www.dentalmavericks.org/

Is Chewing Gum Good For Teeth?

When it comes to chewing gum, it’s the type of gum you chew that determines whether it’s helpful or harmful to your teeth. While chewing gum containing sugar may actually increase your chances of developing a cavity, there is clinical evidence that demonstrates just the opposite for sugar-free gum. And there’s even better news when it comes to chewing sugar-free gum that contains  xylitol.  Xylitol is a natural sweetener and is found in some berries, fruit, vegetables and mushrooms. It has a sweetness equal to that of sugar. Xylitol is usually made from birch bark.  Sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol has the added benefit of reducing the growth of Streptococcus mutans, one of the oral bacteria that cause cavities. In the presence of xylitol, the bacteria lose the ability to adhere to the tooth, stunting the cavity-causing process. With xylitol use over a period of time, the types of bacteria in the mouth change and fewer decay-causing bacteria survive on tooth surfaces.

 

Why is chewing sugar-free gum good for my teeth and gums?

Chewing sugar-free gum helps protect your teeth and gums in between meals when it may not be possible to brush with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Your teeth are more at risk of acid attack after you have eaten. The acid is produced by plaque bacteria, and the sugars in our food and drink, and it slowly dissolves away the enamel and dentine of the tooth, to produce a hole or ‘cavity’. (Plaque is the thin, sticky film that keeps forming on your teeth. It contains many types of bacteria which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.)

You can reduce this acid attack by chewing sugar-free gum, as it helps the mouth to produce more saliva – the mouth’s natural defence against acid.

Chewing gum however is not a substitute for regularly brushing and flossing your teeth.

Can sugar-free gum help to protect against dental erosion?

Dental erosion is caused by the acids in the things we eat and drink, such as citrus fruit, fruit juices and fizzy drinks. These start to eat into the enamel covering the teeth, and remove some of the minerals making up the enamel. By helping us make more saliva, chewing sugar-free gum can also help to reduce this type of acid attack. It takes the saliva about an hour to replace the minerals that the enamel has lost. Chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating or drinking can increase the flow of saliva, and help replace the minerals more quickly.

Medical Emergencies Training At Brightside Dental

At Brightside Dental, the safety and welfare of our clients and team members is of the utmost importance.  One way we ensure is by undertaking annual training in medical emergencies and CPR(cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). IMG_2719 IMG_2728

We recently undertook our CPR training in the practice.  All the team members were present for an afternoon of refreshing our knowledge of an important skill to have – which can mean a matter of life or death.  Fortunately, none of us have been in the situation of having to deal with a serious medical emergency or provide CPR and this is a reason for us to have annual training in case we find ourselves in this situation and we are in the position of having emergency equipment and drugs in the practice, which you would not have at home.

We think it is important and useful for everyone to have some knowledge of CPR, as you never know when the need may arise.  Just yesterday, I heard of a distant relative who died from choking whilst having his dinner.  Would it have been possible to prevent this tragedy?

What is CPR?

– It stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

– Performed on people suffering cardiac arrest.

– Provides a continuous flow of oxygen to the lungs and brain until the person regains consciousness.

Why CPR is important?

The brain can only survive about five minutes without oxygen, after which time permanent damage is done.

You are upping a chance of a full recovery by performing CPR.

You are potentially saving a life!

For parents this is especially true. Children younger than 5 tend to put objects in their mouths, and this behaviour can lead to choking. Choking is a leading cause of death in this age group. Knowing what to do and how to perform CPR allows you to act quickly.

It is always better to have multiple people who are CPR certified in a crisis. One person performing CPR can tire quickly. Two people alternating can provide CPR longer than a person working alone.
There are many courses available and it may be something that your employer may provide.