Caring for your teeth over the Festive Season  

The holiday period is a fun time meeting up with family and friends and indulging in food and drink. In this busy period we often forget about our dental health, making our teeth vulnerable to damage. Below are some tips on how to avoid getting into problems.

Teeth Crackers

Toffees

Sweets and chocolates are readily available during the festive period, whether at home as treats or tubs passed around the office. Many people who usually don’t eat toffees are unpleasantly surprised when popping a treat in their mouth they suddenly realise they’ve lost a filling or broken a tooth.

Nuts

Nuts are a Christmas Classic for cracking teeth. Be very careful while eating or consider avoiding hard nuts and go for softer options.

Crackling

Well cooked crispy crackling is another Christmas Classic teeth cracker.

Overindulgence

Sugar drinks and sweet treats are around in plentiful during the festive period. Sugar produces acids that causes tooth decay. If having chocolates, try to go for dark chocolate with high cocoa content as it can be less damaging to teeth. Diet sugar drinks may help to avoid the decay factor but they erode enamel tooth surface, causing tooth wear.

Limit your consumption of coffee, tea and red wine as these drinks can easily stain  your teeth. Smoking will also stain teeth, so perhaps make a start to that new year resolution ‘stop smoking’ before the new year begins !

Homecare routine

With the festive season being such a busy time preparing for the big day and enjoying all the parties before and after, it’s all too easy to lapse the daily homecare routine. Ensure you brush your teeth before going to bed, no matter how late you get in after that fun party. Also remember to clean inbetween your teeth with interdental brushes or floss.

Summary

Try to limit the amount and frequency of sugar drinks and foods.

Ensure your clean your teeth daily with a fluoride toothpaste.

Drink lots of water in between all the treats to help remove harmful acids produced when consuming sugar.

Enjoy the Festive Celebrations and remember to book your routine dentist visit in the New Year !

At dentael, we don’t just believe in helping to ‘ fix ‘ the problem, but to help avoid future dental problems.We help you understand the risks of dental diseasessuch as gum disease,  tooth decay, and tooth wear, and how these can be reduced by simple measures you can do at home and preventative treatment procedures. We explain and show you what to do in your daily homecare routine to reduce your risks to them. We develop a Personal Dental Care Plan specifically tailored to each individual patient’s needs.

10 Homecare Tips for Dental Health & General Wellbeing

1.  Visit your dentist regularly, as often as recommended.

2.  Clean your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste.

3.  Replace your toothbrush every 3 months.

4.  Clean in between your teeth using floss or a suitable product.

5.  Reduce the amount & frequency of sugar & acidic foods/drinks.

6.  Avoid tobacco use.

7.  Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

8.  Drink plenty of water.

9.  Eat a healthy balanced diet.

10. Exercise regularly.

10 Reasons why regular visits to the dentist helps …

1. keep your teeth for longer

2. have a cleaner, whiter smile

3. avoid bad breath

4. child’s overall development

5. general health with diabetes & cardiovascular problems

6. prevent problems from developing

7. spot problems early so treatment is simpler

8. simpler treatment saves money

9. receive prevention advice specific to you

10. maintain your smile to improve your confidence

Are your teeth sensitive to hot, cold or sweet ?

What causes sensitive teeth ?

As your local dentist we’re here to help you with your dental concerns. Teeth may be sensitive for a number of different reasons. Teeth are often sensitive when dentine is exposed.

Dentine is the layer of tooth structure under the outer enamel layer. It has channels(tubules) that go to the inner nerve part of the tooth.

Dentine is often exposed near the gum line, when the gums pull away from the teeth or when gum tissue is lost. Dentine can also become exposed if the outer enamel layer on teeth wears away.

Below are some factors that can contribute to sensitive teeth :

• Tooth decay : This is a common cause of pain on hot, cold or sweet. Treatment may require a filling to be placed in the tooth.
• Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with hard bristles will lead to gum recession and/or tooth wear.
• Sugary and acidic foods and drinks : this can lead to erosion tooth wear by wearing away the enamel.
• Teeth grinding : this can lead to the tooth surface wearing away.
• Gum disease : this can lead to gum recession. ( the gums shrink back )
• A cracked tooth or filling : A crack can run from the outer surface of the tooth towards the root and the inner part of the tooth.
• Age :  Gums can naturally recede over time.
• Teeth whitening : Some patients have sensitivity for a short time after teeth whitening.

Tips to help prevent sensitivity :

• Visit your dentist to establish the cause of your sensitivity, so it is treated appropriately
• Brush your teeth twice a day effectively using the correct toothbrush.
• Clean in between your teeth using floss or interdental brushes to help prevent gum disease.
• Avoid acidic foods and drinks
• Avoid stress as this can lead to a teeth grinding habit
• If sensitivity is due to exposed dentine, using a sensitive toothpaste is likely to help. We let you know if this is suitable for you
• Our dentist may apply de-sensitising paste on your teeth over a number of visits
• Your may require a white filling to cover the exposed dentine. This is often a simple procedure.

To book your appointment with our friendly dentist … please call   020 8997 0006 or submit online appointment request form.

“ Excellent service and very informative, helpful staff. ”

Mr SH

Appointment Request

Cosmetic White Fillings to repair that broken tooth !

White direct composite restorations are a simple, affordable alternative to repair teeth compared to crowns.

Crowns can be costly and require extensive cutting of the tooth to prepare it for the crown. Often a broken or chipped tooth may be repaired by avoiding a crown and instead repairing the tooth with a composite filling. The procedure involves adding white composite filling material to the tooth. It is a conservative and comfortable treatment option because the composite is bonded to the tooth thereby avoiding any cutting of the tooth whenever possible. This benefit of sticking to the tooth also helps support the remaining tooth structure.

As your local cosmetic dentist, we offer Modern Minimally Invasive Dentistry to repair broken or decayed teeth. Our Tooth Coloured Composite Fillings are a cost effective alternative option to crowns. Fees for cosmetic white fillings are on average approximately £130 per tooth compared to private crowns which are from £550 per tooth.

Before treatment the tooth was broken. 

Result after replacing the metal filling with a white filling.

To book your appointment and find out how we can help you  … please call  020 8997 0006 or submit online appointment request form.

“ Very helpful, polite.

Couldn’t do enough to ensure I was comfortable during procedure.

Clear in explanation of what would happen.

I felt very prepared

Thank You ! ”

Miss SF

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Caring for your baby’s teeth …

Here’s some tips to help you look after your baby’s teeth up to the age of 3 years old.

At dentael, we offer FREE Child’s Dental Check Up when you book yours.

When to bring your baby to the dentist

You should bring your child to the dentist from a young age. That way they get used to the environment and are relaxed when attending future visits. This was highlighted by the Royal College of Surgeons, who recommended ‘ Parents must make sure their children visit a dentist by the age of one. ‘ http://www.standard.co.uk/news/health. It was also recently revealed that tooth extractions in children 4 years age and under rose by 24 % in the last decade  https://www.theguardian.com . A further study showed, 80% of under-twos in England failed to visit the dentist.

After their initial visit, they should attend regularly, as often as recommended by the dentist.

Baby teeth usually start breaking through the gums at around 6 months age. The teething process may continue on until about 2-3 years by which time they will usually have 20 baby teeth. Growing teeth can often cause discomfort. Chilled teething rings may help soothe the sore gums. DO NOT place anything sweet on the teething ring.

Dummies should also be avoided as they can become a habit that can affect the alignment of teeth.

How to clean your baby’s teeth

Parents/carers should brush or supervise toothbrushing.

As soon as teeth grow into the mouth, brush them twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste. If it’s difficult to use a toothbrush, consider using a guaze or flannel to at least wipe teeth rather than not cleaning them at all.

Brush last thing at night and on one other occasion.

Use a soft toothbrush designed for young children and brush for about 2 minutes gently in small circular motions.

Use fluoridated toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm fluoride, that is age related specific.

It’s good practice to use only a smear of toothpaste as it’s unlikely your child will be able to spit out properly.

Avoiding tooth decay

Breast feeding provides the best nutrition for babies.

Introduce infants once at the age of six months to drinking from a free-flow cup. Once your child is one years old try to discourage feeding from a bottle.

Sugar should not be added to weaning foods or drinks.

Reduce the frequency and amount of sugary food and drinks. Try to get your little one into good habits from a young age. Milk or water between meals are better options.

If your child needs to take medication, try to give them sugar-free medicines.

Dental check ups are free at  dentael for children up to the age of 16, whose parent is a regular patient of the practice. We aim to make your little ones visit a fun experience.

To book your child’s appointment with our dentist … please call   020 8997 0006 or submit online appointment request form.

“ My child’s first time to Dentist, he was a bit nervous

but Dr Rashpal professionalism and easy manner

put my child at ease straight away ”

Mrs WD

Appointment Request

Modern Minimally Invasive Dentistry to fill that gap !

Adhesive Bridges are a cost effective alternative to replace missing teeth compared to more expensive, invasive and time consuming treatments such as Implants.

An Adhesive Bridge involves sticking a false tooth to the natural tooth next to the gap. It is a conservative procedure that requires no surgery. Once it has been assessed an Adhesive Bridge is an option, the treatment is usually completed in 2 visits a couple of weeks apart. Fees for an Adhesive Bridge to replace one tooth are on average approximately £600 compared to Implants which average approximately £2000 per tooth.

If you prefer to avoid the time and cost of implants but would like to replace a missing tooth, visit us to see how we can help.

Before treatment two front teeth were missing. 

Result after filling the gaps with adhesive bridges.

To book your appointment and find out how we can help you  … please call  020 8997 0006 or submit online appointment request form.

“ Excellent manner and an enjoyable experience

attending the dental practice ! ”

Mrs BS

Appointment Request

Cosmetic White Fillings to repair that chipped or broken tooth !

White direct composite restorations are a simple, affordable alternative to repair teeth compared to veneers and crowns.

Veneers and Crowns can be costly and usually require cutting of the tooth to prepare it for the veneer or crown. Often a broken or chipped tooth may be repaired by avoiding a veneer/crown and instead repairing it with a direct composite filling. The procedure involves adding white composite filling material to the tooth and building up the tooth shape. It is a conservative and comfortable treatment option because the composite is bonded to the tooth thereby avoiding any cutting of the tooth whenever possible. This benefit of sticking to the tooth also helps ssupport the remaining tooth structure.

As your local cosmetic dentist, we offer Modern Minimally Invasive Dentistry to repair broken or decayed teeth. Our Tooth Coloured Composite Fillings are a cost effective alternative option to veneer and crowns. Fees for cosmetic white fillings are on average approximately £120 per tooth compared to veneers and crowns which average approximately £550 per tooth.

Before treatment the front tooth had been chipped. 

Result after building the tooth back up with a white  filling. 

Treatment was carried out on one visit.

To book your appointment and find out how you can benefit  … please call  020 8997 0006 or submit online appointment request form.

“ Very helpful, professional and

considerate of the task that

has already given me a lot more confidence in my smile. ”

Mr PP

Appointment Request

Tooth wear … do you have it ?

A large portion of the population have some degree of tooth wear yet they are unaware of it.

How do I know if I have tooth wear ?

Often there are obvious signs of tooth wear, such as chipped teeth and changes in the tooth shape, or teeth appear yellower or darker in colour. There may be sensitivity to hot,cold or sweet. However sometimes the signs are not so obvious. These can be translucency or thinning of the edge of the front teeth, small dips in the biting surface of back teeth, or notches on the teeth near the gum line. Any of these signs indicate the protective outer enamel layer of the teeth has been damaged. Once the enamel has worn away it does not grow back.

What causes tooth wear ?

There are 3 main types of tooth wear – Erosion, Abrasion and Attrition. The outer hard enamel layer is worn away, and can lead to exposure of the inner softer dentine layer.

Erosion, sometimes known as Acid Wear, is commonly caused by acidic foods or drinks we consume in our diets, that dissolve away the tooth structure. A snacking culture along with demand of fresh fruit and juices/smoothies may have contributed to the increase in erosive tooth wear in recent times.
In certain patients, acid reflux may also be a cause.

Abrasion is caused by an object rubbed against the tooth surface, such as a toothbrush when brushing too hard, or an abrasive toothpaste.

Attrition occurs where teeth rub against each other such as a habit of grinding or clenching teeth.

How can I protect my teeth from the effects of tooth wear ?

During your dental check up with us, we check for tooth wear and advise accordingly. Treatments may vary from a prevention approach, to applying white fillings to protect damaged teeth from further damage. Once the outer enamel layer has worn away the inner dentine layer wears away at a quicker rate because it’s softer than the enamel. White fillings are a comfortable and conservative treatment option which allows placement of a protective covering whilst avoiding drilling the tooth. The white filling bonds to the underlying tooth structure. With white fillings starting from approximately £100 per tooth, they are a cost effective way to protect teeth from further damage and have the added benefit of improving your smile.

Custom made mouthguards are another cost effective treatment for protecting teeth from tooth wear. They are useful in situations where teeth have been worn due to a habit of grinding or clenching teeth, often known as Bruxism. At dentael, we provide custom made mouthguards at the affordable price from £95.

There are some homecare prevention methods you may use to help reduce your risks to tooth wear.

1. Avoid acidic foods and drinks. If you are having them, try to limit the amount and frequency of them. Try to keep them to meal times.
2. Avoid swishing fizzy drinks/ juices / smoothies inside your mouth.
3. Avoid brushing your teeth after having acidic food or drink as the enamel is softer at this time.
4. Brush your teeth using a soft/medium bristled toothbrush twice a day. Do not put too much pressure when brushing and avoid using an abrasive toothpaste.
5. Use a daily fluoride alcohol-free mouthwash.
6. Have regular dental checkups to keep your teeth healthy and looking good.

To book your appointment and find out how we can help protect your teeth and improve your smile … please call  020 8997 0006 or submit online appointment request form.

“ Fantastic experience, ensuring a quality job

has been undertaken whilst also 

always making sure my comfort.

Excellent job ! ”

Mr MH

Appointment Request