Whitening and Pregnancy

I get lots of questions about so many different aspects of dentistry that it occured to m the blog might be a good place to share some of  the issues…. Duh!!

Anyway this is a very common question…does pregnancy harm the baby? No study has yet indicated any danger to bleaching during pregnancy.  However I personally do not recommend it.

As tooth whitening is a choice not a medical need, I always recommend patients wait until after the baby is born.  The commonest time is just before going back to work for that extra confidence boost!

Protecting Your Teeth From The Sugar Rush

We all know it’s a fact…don’t eat sugar, it’s bad for your teeth right? Good that’s out of the way and a slam dunk.  BUT what do you do when you have a craving and consume a huge bag of cinema sweet popcorn like I did last week?  Yes even dentists do become human late at night….but don’t tell anyone!

How does sugar cause the damage?  Basically the bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar to create an acidic environment that softens the enamel of your teeth (The posh term for this is demineralisation) They can then burrow deeper and deeper into the tooth, causing damage as they go resulting in cavities and pain

SO I thought I would share some tips for damage limitation

1. Eat it all in one go…yup you read that right!  It takes about an hour for your mouth to neutralise the effect of any sugar attack.  So the more you graze, the more likely the cavities.

Eating the whole bag in 10mins like I did is actually better than picking at it for hours!

2. Protect your enamel beforehand.  Ideally brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste before eating anything sweet.  I know it seems premeditated, but you wouldn’t go into battle without putting on your armour and combat gear first

3. An alternative is to use a fluoride mouthwash instead or even smearing toothpaste over your teeth then spitting out instead of rinsing it.  The fluoride will help coat the enamel surface

4. Munch on sugar free gum, it increases the saliva in your mouth so helps neutralise the acid the bacteria produce.  Only chew for about 10mins or until the flavour goes or you start a new set of problems as overchewing can cause cracks and breakage of teeth and even Joint problems

5.DO NOT brush your teeth straight after eating anything sweet…ever!  The enamel is soft and vulnerable and you would be in effect brushing it away.  Do everything suggested above instead

6. Go see your dentist regularly so they can spot any problem early and advise you

7. Eating anything sweet as part of your main meal is ok because you are producing lots of saliva…but I know it’s the ‘inbetween’ snacking that’s usually the problem!

Above all, enjoy…..those teeth were made for eating, smiling and anything else that makes you happy  So look after them!

21st Century Dentistry

During my enforced stay in the States because of the Volcano, I came across a museum celebrating the development of the city I was in, Scottsdale Arizona. A lovely way to pass the time on a sunday afternoon ….until I came across a sight that made me shudder as a still recovering dental phobic!

The picture on the left unfortunately is still many people’s view of dentistry, stemming from the days when your barber also multitasked as your dentist…mainly to extract teeth.  Thank goodness things have changed and 2ist Century dentistry has moved forward by leaps and bounds.

Take a look at the chair on the right, that’s what you get when come to my practice.  Does it make me want to go to the dentist? Absolutely not, people laugh when I say I personally am not a fan of the dentist, so many dreadful childhood experiences….but it does make the experience better

5 Things You might Be Surprised To Get When You Visit A 21st Century Dental Practice

1. It Smells Nice!  Aromatherapy Candles, Incense, anything but that dreaded dental smell.

2. A trip to the movies.  Personal DVD glassess with a choice of movies so the time flies by (No MArathon Man is not on the list!)

3. A Happy Smiley Team that are delighted to see you and will help you relax

4 A massage chair to help release the tension…

5.Relaxing music or even your own personal ipod to drown out the noise

What else can you think of? Let me have your comments let’s see what we can implement!

What A Difference A Smile Makes

What a Difference a Smile Makes

“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight” - Phyllis Diller

It only takes 22 muscles to smile, however it takes 37 to frown.

Mark Stibich Ph.D gives us 10 top health reasons to smile:

1. Smiling Makes us Attractive
We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away - but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance your mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling is Contagious
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the mood of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you’ll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System
Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent against the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes then take a reading. Now smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Did you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger
The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don’t go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day - you’ll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful
Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted and are more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard. When we smile, our body is sending everyone else a message that “Life is Good!” Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

Give it a go: smile to yourself. If nothing else, other people will be curious about what you have been doing.

Many thanks to Jane Lelean a business coach, who published this on her newsletter.  Go find out what other useful tips she has on her website  www.healthyandwealthy.co.uk

Teeth Whitening Experience

I was all set to write about the process of teeth whitening but then this article about a real life experience just came out.  Talented writing from the journalist, and I say that not because the article is about me

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article7089400.ece

THE Oscar Fashion Accessory? A Beautiful Smile

SO it’s all over, the highlight of the movie calendar, this morning I could say my topic of debate would be the merits of the films that won, or didn’t win…but that would be a lie.  Nope, like the rest of the world, the topic of conversation will be OMG did you see what he/she  was wearing? (I add ‘he’ for political correctness but we know it is not the men that will be picked apart in minute detail)

The one thing (unless perhaps they are from the UK ha!ha!) that will not be discussed is their smile as that is taken as a given.  They will be all white, all gleaming, all  perfect…all HOLLYWOOD

Research has shown that we perceive people with fabulous smiles as more attractive, intelligent, successful, wealthy than those that have yellow crooked teeth.  This is a fact and whether we like it or not, in the world we live first impressions count and a high wattage smile makes a huge impression

So if you do not like your smile, my advice is do something about it.  I recently completed orthodontic treatment (Braces) for a lady of 76years.  Her comment at the end of it all? “I look great, feel great and wonder why it took me so long”

What are you waiting for…..to get in the movies?

Does Teeth Whitening Really Make Difference?

Sometimes, it is hard to believe a simple solution will really work.  This tends to be the response I get when I suggest teeth whitening.  Does it really work?  Will it REALLY make a difference?  The answer is a resounding YES…but

Below are my top tips to know if you are suitable

1.  Compare the colour of the whites of your eyes to the colour of your teeth.  Notice a difference? If your teeth are darker then this is a great treatment for you

2.If you drink lots to tea, coffee, red wine, smoke and that’s what has discoloured your teeth, then this will work for you to get rid of the evidence.

3.  If your teeth are a grey colour or you have tetracycline staining, then it is less effective so other solutions may be needed

4. If your suffer from sensitive teeth, you can still whiten BUT need to make sure you pick someone that knows what they are doing! Teeth need to be desensitised first

5. If you are over 30 you would probably benefit from whitening…don’t shoot the messenger!

Teeth Whitening is not NEEDED.  It is a choice and a fabulous treatment that works and does not damage teeth if carried out properly.  In my next post I will run through how the process works and what the options are so keep tuned

Grinding and Gnashing of Teeth

It is official, as a nation, there is more grinding and gnashing of teeth going on…the posh term for it is bruxing.  We know everyone is more stressed…the economy, the  threat of job loss, even our spouses, our teeth are bearing the brunt of it

Do any of these describe you?

• Do your jaw muscles ache in the morning?
• Do you have difficulty in eating, first thing?
• Do your teeth show premature wear? Teeth appear flatter, shorter
• Do you suffer from frequent headaches or facial pain?
• Do you suffer from repeated earaches?
• Has your  partner ever complained about you making strange grinding noises in your sleep?

If this describes you, then here are some tips to help prevent it

1. If you are a true bruxist, you cannot prevent it.  It is a reflex action, like breathing so the aim in treatment is to protect the teeth

2.The commonest treatment is an occlusal splint.

There are different designs, different names but in essence your dentist makes a custom plastic gaurd to protect your teeth.  You grind the plastic v/s your teeth so protecting them.  I prefer a hard splint, this is generally more expensive but there is more involved as the dentist uses it to create an even bite which helps stabilise things

3.Occlusal Equilibriation

This basically means adjusting your bite so the teeth meet evenly.  It may involve your dentist triming away some of the surface enamel or the opposite, adding material to change the shape of hte teeth.  often after providing veneers for patients, the  biggest thanks is finding they no longer suffer from headaches because as part of the treatment I can give them a better bite.  Either way,, the aim is to distribute the forces evenly over all your  teeth

4. Botox! We are now experimenting with using Botox to help the muscles relax.  Botox has been used for many years on medical conditions eg Cerebral Palsy where the muscles go into spasm. It does not change your appearance in any way

4 Behaviour changes…ie relax.  This is often the most difficult but stress does make the situation worse!

Happy New Year…40 and loving it?

What can I say, I was soooo mortified when I looked back and realised that I have written NOTHING for over 2 months! The worst is it doesn’t feel that long, more like 2 weeks.  Is this a sign of turning 40? (I celebrated what everyone tells me is the beginning of life in december)

It doesn’t matter that I’m told I don’t look it (thank you teeth whitening…knocks off years, so now I can pretend to be 30) but it is that I do not remember when it happened.  I do not FEEL like I have lived 40years on this earth, I feel a total sense of panic that there is so much more left to do.  Learn to play the piano, become a ballet dancer, speak french fluently, go meet father xmas in lapland….create beautiful smiles.  Yup that one I can tick off my list hee!hee!

Write and let me know what you love about being 40

Your Smile…THE Fashion Accesory

So it is finally official.  Smiles are fashionable.  Since Paris fashion week models have been told to smile, no pouting, no grimacing, no frowning…SMILE

What took the designers so so I wonder?  Is it the fear that the fabulosity of a smile might take away  from focusing on the clothes?

One thing is for sure no matter what you look like, how you feel a smile is THE accessory to flash around.  The universal language, it has both physical and emotional positive effect effects.  That’s why I LOVE what I do.  I get to share in the transformation as people’s confidence soar and often they tell me that the happy person inside now has a chance to come out.

So today, a typical, dreary cold wet british morning, give a stranger one of your smiles.  It might be the only sunshine he sees all day!