New Year's Oral Health Resolutions

With another year just around the corner and it time for New Year’s resolutions, why not include dental health into your list? While so many of my patients understand the importance of good oral health, not many of them make the effort needed to promote healthy teeth and gums. I am recommending to all my patients this year to make New Year oral health resolutions to reduce the risk of gum disease, tooth decay and oral cancer in 2016.

Langley Dental Practice Owned by Dr Tariq Drabu

Dr Tariq Drabu is a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon. He is also the owner of the successful Langley Dental Practice in Manchester, catering to NHS and private dental patients.

Dr Tariq Drabu is one of the youngest dentists to ever graduate in the United Kingdom and was a qualified dentist by the young age of twenty one. He then went on to work in some of the busiest dental hospitals in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, building up a passion for oral surgery. This resulted in him completing his Fellowship in Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He is also the Clinical Lead Dentist for the Oral Surgery Clinical Assessment and Treatment Services at NHS Heywood Middleton and Rochdale. He even finds time in his busy schedule to tutor and mentor postgraduate dentists in oral surgery at the UCLAN Dental Clinic in Preston.

Dr Tariq Drabu – Filling Options

Dr Tariq Drabu is a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon in the United Kingdom. He owns the successful Langley Dental Practice in Manchester where they offer both NHS and private dental treatments, which enables them to provide their patients with a choice of dental fillings options.

Dental fillings helps patients retain their natural teeth. In the event of a cavity, where the tooth is being affected by bacteria, decay can be removed and replaced with a filling. The filling eliminates any sensitivity and helps protect the delicate internal dentine and pulp of the tooth, which if affected can lead to serious pain.

Fillings are often carried out quickly and effectively. The dentist uses a local anaesthetic to numb the tooth and any decay is removed using a series of drills. Once all the affected area of the tooth is removed, the filling is put in place. Fillings are strong and durable, enabling the patient to get on with their life without unwelcome pain.

Dr Tariq Drabu advised that the type of fillings available depend on whether you are visiting the dentist privately or on the NHS (National Health Service). On the NHS only amalgam fillings are available. These are the silver fillings that everyone knows. The benefit to these fillings is that they are self-sealing, they are long lasting and they are ideal for patients who have a high decay rate.

On private, patients can also choose white or bonded fillings. These are beneficial because they are white in color, which makes them hidden from sight, even in back teeth. Further these are ideal for anyone who suffers from metal allergies.

In most instances white fillings will be used on the back teeth. The filling size is taken into consideration to identify if this can be used. Remember that your teeth are put through tremendous force on a daily basis with eating. Anyone who also suffer from bruxism (tooth grinding) may not be a candidate for white fillings, as they are not as strong and durable as the amalgam fillings, which contain mercury.

The process is the same for whichever filling you have. Dr Tariq Drabu will discuss the procedure with you, examine your mouth and advise you of the options available. You can choose whether to go ahead with the amalgam filling, if you are using the NHS system, or you can opt for the white filling, if you want to pay in a little extra and go on private.

The benefits to the white or bonded fillings is that they can be used immediately, they are white in color and are often used on smaller holes. They are barely noticeable once in place, which is what makes them such a popular choice.

Dr Tariq Drabu also mentioned that he has found his patients that choose white fillings have an improved oral appearance, which can boost confidence levels. Patients with silver fillings are often aware that they are there, especially when they open their mouth or smile.

The process for a filling involves removing any decay from the tooth using drills and then filling the area with a hard and strong filling mixture. The mixture is made in the surgery, while you are in the dental chair, usually by the dental nurse. This is put in place and it dries within minutes. Usually you cannot eat or drink anything for an hour, giving the filling time to cure.

There are instances, according to Dr Tariq Drabu, where you will have a temporary filling and go back to the dentist in a few weeks to have the permanent filling placed. This is often used when there may be an underlying problem, such as an infection which has to clear up first.

Do Your Gums Bleed When Brushing?

There are a number of reasons why your gums bleed when you brush your teeth. Whether you notice a small amount of blood in the foam of the toothpaste in the basin or you see some blood on your toothbrush, it should not be ignored. There are a number of reasons why your gums may be bleeding, all of which should be followed up with a visit to your dentist.

Gum Disease

One of the first signs of gingivitis isbleeding gums when brushing. Gingivitis is a mild gum disease which causes inflammation of the gums, this can lead to sensitivity and discomfort. Ignoring this sign can also result in periodontal disease and eventually tooth loss.

Smoking

Your gums may be bleeding if you smoke. Smoking of tobacco can increase your chances of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a severe gum disease which affects the structure of the tooth and can result in tooth loss if ignored. Periodontal disease doesn’t only cause bleeding gums, it can affect your overall health moving forward.

Diet  

                                                                                

What you eat has a significant impact on your oral health. You want to enjoy a well-balanced and healthy diet, eliminating sugars and acidic foods from your diet at all times. If you follow a poor diet, your body may be lacking proteins and calcium, both of which can lead to bleeding gums.

Hormones

Women are at higher risk of bleeding gums than men. Women go through numerous hormonal changes each and every month. If you have bleeding gums you may be experiencing menstruation or you may be pregnant. Pregnancy can result in bleeding gums. A visit to the dentist if you are pregnant is essential to ensure that you don’t have a gum disease which could affect your unborn child.

Poor Oral Hygiene

If you don’t follow a strict oral health routine at home then chances are that you are experiencing bleeding gums for this very reason. You need to brush your teeth for two minutes twice daily. You also need to floss on a daily basis and twice daily if you have been diagnosed with a gum disease.

Medications

Some medications may increase the risk of bleeding gums. If you are on a new medication and you notice your gums bleeding when you brush then ensure you advise your dentist soonest. Anticonvulsants are known for causing bleeding gums in patients around the world.

Benefits of a Professional Teeth Clean

Thousands of people that visit their dentist each year will be referred to the oral hygienist for a professional clean. You may wonder why you are being sent to the hygienist when you brush your teeth twice daily, you use dental floss and you are careful about your sugar intake.

There are a host of benefits associated with professional teeth cleaning and even those with the best oral hygiene habits will visit the hygienist to help keep their teeth clean and healthy moving forward.

The first benefit to professional cleaning is that it helps prevent cavities. Even with an excellent oral health routine at home you are going to find yourself with tartar building up. Tartar is a hard and sticky substance which results from plaque which isn’t effectively removed. This can happen to everyone even if you brush vigorously twice daily. Tartar enables unwelcome bacteria to stick to it and then eat away at the hard enamel, causing cavities which can result in sensitivity, pain and dental treatment.

The next benefit you will find when choosing to attend an oral cleaning is that your risk of tooth loss is dramatically reduced. Everyone wants to hold onto their natural teeth for as long as possible, this means that you need to make every possible effort to keep them clean, healthy and strong for as long as possible. Tooth loss can occur at any age, often as a result of periodontal disease.

Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading UK dentist and specialist oral surgeon advises that periodontal disease is a severe gum disease which eats away at the structure of the tooth. If ignored it can result in tooth loss. A professional tooth cleaning can reduce the risk of periodontal disease, thereby reducing the risk of tooth loss moving forward.

Oral hygienists providing you with a professional teeth clean can help you brighten your smile. With squeaky clean teeth, your smile is instantly brightened. You will find that your teeth feel cleaner and in turn, you feel more confident.

With tooth decay, plaque and tartar build up you can experience bad breath. Many people with gum disease struggle with bad breath, which is very unwelcome and can leave you very self-conscious when speaking to others. A professional teeth clean can help freshen your breath, make you feel better about yourself, while ensuring that your teeth and gums are clean and healthy.

What many people don’t realise, according to Dr Tariq Drabu, is there is a direct link between oral health and overall health. When you have a professional teeth cleaning you are also boosting your overall health now and moving forward. The teeth cleaning can help remove dangerous bacteria, help fight gum disease and reduce the risk of cavities, all in all it can play an instrumental role in your overall health in the future.

The biggest benefit to professional teeth cleaning is that it can help you save money now and in the future. If you ignore your oral health and you find yourself in significant pain, maybe your gums are bleeding or your teeth feel lose, you can find yourself paying out a fair amount of money to rectify the situation. Prevention is better than curewhen it comes to your oral health. Paying for a professional oral cleaning can be so beneficial, especially when looking at the savings you can enjoy moving forward.

Dr Tariq Drabu also mentioned another preventative measure to take when it comes to your oral health is to attend routine dental appointments. This is an opportunity for your dentist to identify any potential problems and treat them quickly to reduce further damage in the future.

Tips to Finding a Dentist

When you move to a new area or even a new country, some of the first things on your list will be to find a doctor, the nearest hospital and a dentist. Deciding on a dentist can be a daunting experience, as you want someone who will provide you with the highest level of patient care at all times.

One of the best ways to find a reputable dentist in your area is to ask family and friends. Most people find visiting the dentist a tedious task, there are also a high volume of people that have an unwelcome fear of the dentist, this means that they are only going to tell you about those that made them feel at ease, who resolved the problem and that provided them with the best care and attention.

If you have just moved and you don’t know anyone in the area yet, then ask your doctor. Most doctors will have a list of reputable dentists in the area that you can contact. Your general practitioner should be able to make a recommendation or even refer you to a dentist in the area, they feel is the best match based on your personal dental needs and requirements.

If you live in the United Kingdom, then finding a good dentist shouldn’t be a difficult task, according to Dr TariqDrabu, a leading dentist and specialist surgeon from Manchester. The NHS provides an extensive range of all the dentists in the country, including private dentists. You will also be able to take advantage of the NHS Choices website to read honest patient feedback on their experiences, helping you identify which dentist you feel is the best match to meet your dental requirements now and in the future.

When looking for a new dentist, always pay close attention to their location. Do they offer parking? Are they within easy driving distance of your home, office or the school? These are all very important factors to take into consideration. Ideally you want to find a dentist that in the event of an emergency, you can get to them with ease at the appointment time they have available.

Dr Tariq Drabu also recommends you pay attention to the payment options the dental practice provides. Most people these days don’t carry cash with them, which means that you want to find a dentist that will accept card payments or even accept a cheque if you don’t carry a card or cash with you. Check with the practice before your appointment to identify if they provide a payment solution that meets your needs.

If you are looking for a private dentist in the United Kingdom, see if they can offer a payment plan for the treatment you require. Many private dentists are able to offer finance on your required dental treatment, enabling you to get the care you need, paying it off in manageable monthly payments.

Further, a very important point that you need to check in the United Kingdom, is whether the dentist is accepting new patients. Dr Tariq Drabu did mention that many of the NHS dentists are full when it comes to new NHS patients, which is why you may have to look at a number of dentists in and around your local area to find those that are accepting new patients that you can register with as soon as you arrive in the area.

All dentists should accept emergency cases. You never know when you may experience tooth pain, have an accident or more. Ensure any dentist you are considering does have available appointments each day for emergency cases.

Avoiding Conflict and Managing Disputes in Dental Practices

Conflicts and disputes in any work place situation can be detrimental. In a dental practice where you want your teams to be happy to improve productivity and increase patient care and satisfaction, the last thing you want is team members being unable to work together as a team.

Any dentist knows that the team working alongside them is valuable to every aspect of the practice. The majority of misunderstandings in a dental practice are a result of a simple misunderstanding for what one member may feel as unfair treatment. These situations need to be avoided in order to ensure a productive and effective team at all times, while ensuring your patients receive the highest quality support and care.

Reduce the risk of misunderstandings

The first step to avoiding conflict and managing disputes in any dental practice is to reduce the risk of misunderstandings. Misunderstandings can lead to frustration and anger, it can leave teams torn apart and can result in a group of people who find it almost impossible to work together as a cohesive team.

The first step is to ensure you understand the situation. When you are working in your surgery with patients, it’s hard to identify what has gone on behind the scenes that has caused this rift in the team. Listen to both sides of the story to identify the problem and then get the team together to discuss the problems and identify asolution that helps everyone overcome the problems as soon as possible.

Never ignore these types of problems in your practice, it is only going to cause the misunderstanding to fester. This in turn, will result in further problems, eventually effecting everyone working within the practice. In some severe instances, it can result in you losing one of your most valued team members, which is the last thing you want to happen.

Have systems in place that work

A volume of the disputes and misunderstandings can be avoided by having set systems in place. Hold weekly meetings with all your team members to discuss how the systems are working and discuss any potential problems that may be arising. This can help you identify how everyone is working together, pinpoint any small problems before they become serious and help you identify if your team is working together collectively to ensure the highest level of patient care and satisfaction at all times.

When it comes to introducing new members the team, it is important you choose with care to ensure the person you choose has the same goals and objectives as the existing team, enabling them to blend in seamlessly without too much disruption. I have always found when hiring a new team member that having a team meeting and discussing the short list is the best way to get everyone feeling involved in the decision and ensure the person I choose is one that the whole team feels they can work with now and in the future.

Treat everyone fairly

In any dental practice you will have certain members of the team that have more authority as others. As a dental practice owner or manager it is imperative that you treat everyone with the same care and respect. Be consistent in your approach whether you’re dealing with your administrative manage or dental nurse. Team members want to know that there aren’t any favourites and everyone is treated fairly at all times. This can reduce a lot of the conflict and anger that can easily fester in such a small and close knit working environment.

The Most Common Dental Procedures Performed by Dentists Daily

Thousands of people visit dentists throughout the world on a daily basis, some find themselves in pain and need urgent treatment, while others attend their routine appointments. There are common dental procedures which are carried out daily on a global scale, these are procedures which range from urgent to cosmetic, each on playing a vital role in the patient’s life and helping improve their oral health moving forward.

According to Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon in the United Kingdom, the most common dental treatment carried out daily is fillings. Thousands of people experience sensitivity from their teeth and visit their dentist. 

In most instances dental caries is responsible and the decay has to be removed and the area filled with a hard filling to protect the delicate dental pulp, which is found in the heart of the tooth. Fillings are a quick and simple process which does involve some drilling. Once the filling is in place, the sensitivity is eliminated and the patient can go on to enjoy their life.

Another common dental procedure which dentists carry out on a daily basis is root canal treatment. This treatment is performed when the delicate dental pulp has been compromised. 

Dr Tariq Drabu advised that the dental pulp holds all the blood vessels and nerves and when the decay reaches this point, it can cause significant pain. The dentist numbs the tooth and then carefully extracts all the pulp before filling the area. This usually also includes a crown, which is a false tooth which is placed in the mouth to replace the problematic tooth.

A high volume of people have crowns fitted on a daily basis.

There are a host of reasons why you may be having a crown placed in your mouth. You may have been in an accident where you had trauma to the mouth, damaging one of your teeth or you may have had decay which has damaged to the tooth to a point where it has to be ground down or removed. The crown is a false tooth, which is matched to the colour of your existing teeth and made to fit the open space. Once in place it feels and looks completely natural.

When it comes to common dental procedures, Dr Tariq Drabu also mentioned that bridges are a popular choice. In the event one or two teeth need to be removed, a bridge is made with false teeth to match the natural teeth remaining in the mouth. The bridge sits in the open space and looks and feels natural. This can help patients with their confidence, enabling them to smile and not be self-conscious about the fact they have teeth missing. Bridges are usually used when one or more front teeth have to be removed.

Dentures are another common treatment that dentists find themselves performing on a daily basis. Whether a patient has lost a couple of teeth, just their lower jaw or top jaw or have had to have all their teeth removed, dentures are used to provide them with teeth that enables them to eat and chew. Dentures are false teeth while fit to a plate which is inserted in the mouth. They are made in a laboratory to meet the mould taken by the dentist and to match the patients original tooth colour.

Dr Tariq Drabu advised that in recent years cosmetic dentistry has also welcomed thousands of procedures on a daily basis with tooth whitening being the number one choice. Tooth whitening lightens the teeth by a few shades, helping to hide stains and marks and leaving the patient with a gleaming smile.

Cosmetic Dentistry to Improve Appearance

Cosmetic dentistry assists patients improve their oral appearance. There are millions of people around the world who are self-conscious of their teeth and gums, this can be a crooked tooth or teeth, stained or discoloured teeth, missing teeth and more. Feeling self-conscious of your oral health can result in you not showing your teeth when you smile, it can cause depression and even leaves some people staying at home rather than going out because they are so aware of their appearance.

Cosmetic dentistry has grown in popularity over the years and is being used more and more by people on a global scale who have seen their favourite celebrity on television bearing a perfect set of pearly whites. Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon in the United Kingdom, advised that what most people don’t realise is that these celebrities have already taken advantage of cosmetic dentistry, which is why their teeth look so perfectly formed and white.

One of the most common cosmetic dental procedures being taken advantage of daily is tooth whitening. Tooth whitening procedures can help lighten the colour of the natural teeth, while helping hide unwelcome discolouration and stains.

Dr Tariq Drabu advised that natural teeth are not white, in fact they are yellowish in colour, an off-white. People see their favourite celebrities with brilliant white teeth and believe that tooth whitening will provide the same results. The truth is that this very common and popular procedure will lighten the colour of the natural teeth, but it does not make them white. The tooth whitening lasts for a few years and then needs to be done again.

Another of the cosmetic dentistry procedures that many people visit their dentist for is dental implants. Implants are used to replace one or more missing teeth and are used as an alternative to wearing a bridge or dentures. Dental implants look and feel natural. They comprise of a titanium screw, this is screwed into the jaw bone to replace the root and over time fuses with the bone to hold the implant in place.

The screw is then topped with a crown, which is made to the correct size and shape to match the surrounding teeth. The colour is also matches to ensure it looks completely natural once in place.

Many patients looking to improve their appearance, will choose veneers. Veneers are widely used to improve the shape and colour of the teeth. They can make a tooth look straight, hide a chipped tooth and lighten the teeth with ease. During this process the enamel is filed down to make place for the very thin veneer, which is then sealed into position on the front of the tooth. These also look and feel completely natural once in place.

Dr Tariq Drabu mentioned that white fillings are also increasing in popularity on a daily basis. Patients who need a filling don’t want a silver filling that is on display every time they smile. With white fillings the tooth is saved, the procedure is carried out and afterwards, the filling blends in with the existing teeth, so you can’t actually tell there is a filling in place.

When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, patients can also have crowns and bridges done. Bridges are used to close a gap where a tooth may have been removed. 

The bridge replaces the missing tooth hiding the gap and helping the patient feel more confident about their appearance. A crown is also a false tooth which is set in place to match the surrounding teeth, again it looks natural and can boost confidence moving forward.

Why Did Your Dentist Use a Temporary Filling?

Dentists around the world carry out fillings on a daily basis. A filling is used when there is a cavity to a tooth. Over time the decay eats away at the enamel, making its way into the sensitive dental pulp, which is why a filling is essential to remove the decay and protect the tooth moving forward.

There are two main types of fillings which may be used at your dental appointment. The first is a temporary filling, which lasts only a few weeks or a permanent filling, which is put in place and lasts for years. There are a number of reasons why your dentist may decide to use a temporary filling over a permanent solution.

The first reason you may have been provided with a temporary filling is that your treatment needs more than one appointment. According to Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon, one of the main reasons a dentist may use a temporary filling is that the patient has a serious problem, which will require more than one treatment. This could mean that you are having a root canal treatment, which takes place over a few appointments. 

Rather than putting a permanent filling in place, which is exceptionally strong and having to remove it at each appointment, a temporary one is used, which can be removed easily for each treatment session.

Another reason your dentist may decide to usea temporary filling over a permanent one is that your tooth needs time to heal after a treatment. You may have had your treatment, but the dentist notices an infection or abscess and is unable to close the tooth permanently until it is completely healed. Filing it with a permanent filling at this stage could potentially make matters worse and result in you losing that tooth in the long run.

The tooth is made up of a number of layers. The enamel is the exceptionally hard outer covering of the tooth, which is a protective covering to make your teeth strong. Under that you find the dentin, which is softer and makes up the majority of the tooth and in the centre you get the very delicate and sensitive dental pulp.

The dental pulp contains all the blood vessels and nerves. If your cavity was very deep and the dentist has had to drill low into the tooth, close to the dental pulp, they will provide you with a temporary filling to ensure that the dental pulp isn’t aggravated and you require further treatment before a permanent filling is placed.

In some instances where you have visited the dentist as an emergency case due to pain, you may be given a temporary filling to ensure that there is no further problems with the tooth before you are given a permanent filling. This is a precautionary action to reduce the risk of having to try and remove the strong permanent filling if you continue experiencing some pain after treatment.

Dr Tariq Drabu advised that temporary fillings can provide immediate relief. The filling includes Eugenol, a compound found in cloves, which helps numb and sooth the tooth.

Further this is only a short term solution, a temporary filling will only last a couple of weeks and is not a permanent solution. This means that if you have been given a temporary filling for whatever reason, you must return to your dentist on the given appointment to have the permanent filling placed and ensure that your tooth is healing properly.

How to Floss Effectively

Oral hygiene is imperative to ensure that you enjoy healthy teeth and gums now and in the future. Flossing is an important part of any oral health routine that you carry out at home.

While you brush twice daily for two minutes each time, you do only need to floss once daily. Though I do recommend, that if you are suffering with gum disease, that you floss twice daily.

Flossing removes plaque and food debris that gets caught between the teeth. These are areas that your toothbrush cannot access and is often ignored by patients around the world. Taking a few minutes to floss can remove plaque and reduce the risk of tartar, bacteria and infection.

When flossing you want to be gentle. Floss can easily cut the gum if you are too rough, this can lead to infection in the long run. Take your time, flossing doesn’t need to be rushed.

You will find when you walk into a store that there is a selection of dental flosses for you to choose from. There are waxed, un-waxed, dental sticks and more, enabling you to find the one you feel is the perfect match based on your flossing style and requirements.

How to Floss

Flossing is a delicate and yet very easy process. You can easily carry out this oral health routine within minutes, once a day to improve your oral health moving forward.

Start by tearing off a long piece of floss and winding it around the middle finger on both hands. You want to leave at least a one inch section between the fingers, this will be the piece you use to place between each tooth.

Start with your top teeth and once completed move to the lower jaw. Remember to focus between each tooth, including the back teeth.

Place the dental floss in your mouth and using your index finger, gently push the floss between the teeth. Move the floss up and down along the tooth and around the gum line, removing all the plaque and debris.

Pull it out gently and then take a clean section and do the next tooth. Carry on with this process until you have cleaned between every single tooth.

Flossing can help you enjoy your natural teeth for longer. Failure to floss can lead to dental decay and gum disease, both of which can lead to serious dental problems in the long run.

What You Need to Know About Tooth Whitening

Seeing your favourite celebrity on the television showcasing their gleaming white smile, only makes you wonder why your teeth aren’t gleaming white. According to Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon, teeth aren’t naturally white and the only way to make them lighter in colour is to make use of a tooth whitening procedure, professionally offered by your dentist.

There are a host of products available on the market today when it comes to tooth whitening, from toothpastes, which help eliminate stains and marks to home kits. All of which can be dangerous to your teeth and can cause long term damage, if you don’t read the ingredients with care. The safest solution is to make use a professional tooth whitening service, but there are still certain things you need to know about and bear in mind.

There are side effects associated with all tooth whitening procedures. The most common is that you may experience sensitivity after the procedure. This usually lasts around twenty four hours if you have chosen to have your tooth whitened professionally. You can manage the pain easily by making use of over the counter pain medication and taking it every six to eight hours.

Another side effect that is more common when using home whitening kits is that you can irritate the soft tissues in your mouth, such as your gums. This is often experienced if the solution gets onto your gums during the whitening process.

Dr Tariq Drabu advised that over the counter tooth whitening kits include a mouth guard which holds the solution. The problem with this is it is “one size fits all” and not specifically made for that patient, this means that the whitening solution can leak out and cause considerably discomfort and pain to the gums and surrounding tissues.

The next thing that many people don’t realise when it comes to tooth whitening is that the procedure doesn’t provide them with sparkling white teeth for a lifetime. In fact these procedures last only a few years and then need to be done again. The majority of people who choose tooth whitening procedures are looking for a solution to hide their discoloured or stained teeth, this could be after years of smoking or alcohol abuse. There are those that want this solution to help them feel better about themselves and boost their self-confidence moving forward.

Another thing that many people who choose tooth whitening solutions aren’t aware of is that each person will experience a different result. This is due to the fact that natural teeth aren’t white, which means one person’s teeth may be slightly more yellowed than another’s. The whitening procedures can only lighten the tooth colour by a few shades, which means one person will have almost white teeth and another will have lighter coloured teeth. Either way, the person will feel better about themselves with improved confidence and self-esteem.

Dr Tariq Drabu mentioned that it is so important to advise your dental professional if you are pregnant or breast feeding. As with hair colours, you should not consider tooth whitening solutions until your baby is completely weaned and no longer breast feeding, reducing the risk of passing on any chemicals to your new family addition.

Finally, a point to bear in mind. If you decide against all the advice and recommendations and choose a home whitening kit, it can be very overpowering. It’s easy to over bleach your teeth or even have uneven whitening, which can leave you with teeth that you don’t want to show to others.

Tooth Care from Childhood to Senior Years

Caring for your teeth is imperative to ensure that you enjoy your own natural teeth in your later years. This means that good oral hygiene routines must be implemented from an early age, ensuring that you care for your teeth throughout your life, reducing the risk of wearing dentures or dental implants at a later stage.

Tooth care starts early, in fact oral hygiene should start before a baby’s first tooth appears, according to Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon. A child should see a dentist by the age of one, in fact their first dental appointment should be the minute their first tooth pushes through the gum.

What many parents don’t realise is that teeth are actually already forming during the second trimester of pregnancy and a baby is born with twenty teeth already formed in the jaw, just waiting to push through the gum. For this reason, it’s important to wipe the mouth of the baby once a day with a damp facecloth, removing any unwelcome bacteria.

Once the first tooth pushes through, a soft toothbrush should be used, brushing a minimum of once a day. When the teeth are touching, you should floss between the baby’s tooth once daily to remove hard to reach plaque and debris.

Adolescent years is when adult teeth start working their way through. You will notice that the milk teeth start falling out, making room for the permanent teeth. By this stage good oral hygiene practice should be in place. 

Children are less likely to tell you if they are experiencing tooth sensitivity, often to avoid time in the dentist chair and spend more time with their friends. It is imperative that brushing and flossing takes place daily to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease, which are increased in risk with permanent teeth.

Children should brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. They should be supervised up to the age of eight, ensuring that they concentrate on each tooth and brush for a minimum of two minutes. Routine dental appointments must be kept, enabling the dentist to identify any potential problems early on and put a treatment plan in place, according to Dr Tariq Drabu.

In the teenage years, it is possible that the child will start experiencing pain and problems from their wisdom teeth, which start pushing through from around seventeen years of age through to twenty five. There can be complications associated with wisdom teeth, which can cause significant pain, discomfort and problems to other teeth.

As a young adult your risk are increased. If you fall pregnant during this time, your oral health is imperative to the health of your baby. People don’t realise that having gum disease can actually result in a low weight baby. Attend regular dental appointments and follow a strict oral health routine at home. Eliminate sugared and acidic foods from your diet and maintain a healthy diet to promote oral health.

When it comes to midlife years, your teeth will start showing signs of wear, which is a natural part of the aging process. You will find that your fillings start to break down and that root canal treatments are more common than in previous years. You will also find that you are at a higher risk of gum disease, which can increase the risk of heart disease.

In your senor years, medications can have a negative impact on your oral health. Certain medications can result in dry mouth syndrome and it is at this age you will want to visit your dentist twice a year. Brush and floss as normal and attend professional cleaning appointments to remove tartar build-up, which can lead to gum disease.

Keeping Children’s Teeth Healthy

Teeth are an important part of our overall health and they need to be looked after and maintained to provide us with years of use and the ability to enjoy our natural teeth in our senior years. Tooth care starts at a young age, the sooner a person starts caring for their teeth and following a good oral health routine at home, the higher the chances are that they will continue using that routine for years to come.

It is imperative that as a parent, you ensure that your child’s teeth are taken care of. So many parents don’t understand that good oral health is just as important in milk teeth as in permanent teeth and it is their responsibility to promote oral health in the home and ensure their children don’t suffer from cavities and decay moving forward.

A child should start visiting the dentist as soon as their first tooth pushes through the gums. The dentist will provide valuable advice, helping you ensure you help your child enjoy good oral health now and in the future, including eliminating the risk of bottle tooth decay, which is common in younger children.

In fact, dental care starts before the first tooth pushes through the gums. Many mothers aren’t aware that their baby’s teeth are already forming during the second trimester of pregnancy and when their baby is born, the teeth are already formed in the jaw ready to start working their way through the gums.

Before the first tooth appears, you will want to wipe the baby’s mouth once a day with a damp washcloth. This can eliminate unwelcome bacteria and help keep the mouth clean and healthy, ready to welcome the first tooth.

Once a baby has their first tooth, you will want to continue wiping the baby’s mouth, except add a tiny spot of toothpaste to the cloth. From age two and over, you can start using a soft toothbrush and combine that with a pea sized amount of toothpaste, brushing each tooth with care.

Children should be supervised in oral care up to the age of five and should visit their dentist on a regular basis. Children experience the same oral risks as adults, this includes tooth decay, pain and may even be hospitalised to have decayed teeth extracted if the right oral care routine isn’t followed.

Things You May Not Know When it comes to Protecting Your Teeth

There are a number of things we do each day to try and protect our teeth. We follow the rules to the letter, brushing for two minutes twice daily, flossing and using fluoride toothpaste to try and ensure the best oral health moving forward. There are certain things that not everyone is aware of. These things can cause damage to your teeth moving forward, so it’s important to learn about these things to see how you can continue to protect your teeth moving forward.

The first thing that you may not know is that while the enamel of your teeth is the strongest substance in your body, it is also very easy to break. There are a number of items which can cause the enamel of your teeth to break, according to Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon in the United Kingdom. Ice, popcorn and even crisps can be detrimental to your teeth, these items can cause them to crack and break.

Unlike your nails, your teeth cannot grow back, which means that in the event that you break the enamel, you will require treatment to rectify the problem.

You may not know that sour foods are as dangerous as sugared foods. While everyone knows that sugar is one of the worst things for your teeth and gums, many don’t realise that sour can be just as dangerous. In fact, sour and acidic foods can soften the enamel of the teeth, eroding the teeth and reducing their strength. This also results in cavities and pain, which will require urgent dental treatment to repair.

Dr Tariq Drabu also mentioned that a number of people aren’t aware that teeth can be extracted at any age. Many parents don’t take the oral health of their children seriously, under the false impression that it isn’t their permanent teeth and that they can’t extract teeth from children. This is not the case and thousands of children are admitted to hospitals throughout the United Kingdom each year to have their milk teeth extracted. The truth is that your teeth can be pulled at any age, whether you’re a child, teen or adult. It doesn’t only happen to the elderly.

Another thing that many patients are not aware of is that wearing dental braces can cause damage to the teeth. Those wearing braces are at higher risk of gum disease and dental cavities. According to Dr Tariq Drabu, it is imperative to have a strict oral hygiene routine in place when it comes to someone wearing braces, ensuring that they clean their teeth properly to reduce the risk of infection.

Should there be serious problems, the orthodontist may have no choice but to remove the braces until the problem has been resolved, which can lengthen the time to wear braces to straighten the teeth accordingly.

Interestingly, while fluoride is essential to the health of your teeth, it can be detrimental to children. Too much fluoride can actually cause more harm than good. Children are often at high risk, but ingesting too much fluoride, which is why parents should supervise brushing and only use a small amount per brushing.

Dr Tariq Drabu mentioned that too much fluoride can actually cause damage to children’s teeth, staining them. When stained, the stains are almost impossible to remove, even for a dental professional.

Dr Tariq Drabu also wanted to remind people the importance of routine dental appointments moving forward. Dentists will provide patients with all the education they need to ensure that they care for their teeth at home to the highest standard. This will include brushing tips and techniques, the importance of flossing and more.

The Importance of Oral Care When Wearing Braces

Wearing braces can help straighten your teeth if you suffer with crooked teeth. It is used to pull the teeth into the correct position over time. You will visit your orthodontist regularly to have them tighten the braces, forcing your teeth into the chosen position.

Following  a strict oral health routine at home is imperative when you wear braces as anyone wearing braces has a higher chance of gum disease, which if ignored can cause serious problems In addition to this, people who wear braces are more prone to tartar build up, which can result in cavities and unwelcome pain in the long run.

Cleaning your teeth can be exceptionally challenging when you have braces, trying to get into every nook and cranny and ensure your teeth are clean can be such a daunting experience, which can leave you frustrated.

The first step to achieving the best oral health results when wearing dental braces is to choose the right products from the start. Your dental professional should provide you with advice on what toothpaste to use and the best toothbrush. Ensure any toothpaste you choose is fluoride toothpaste, which can help protect your teeth moving forward. Choose a soft bristle brush, which will enable you to brush without causing unwelcome damage to your teeth in the long run.

Always brush your teeth twice daily. The most important time to brush is right before bed as bacteria breed while you are sleeping, as your mouth can become dry. Brushing before bed removes plaque and any leftover food debris, ensuring that your teeth, gums and mouth are clean before sleep. You must then brush once more during the day, this is normally in the morning before heading out to school or work.

Rinse your mouth with clean water after each meal. You don’t have to brush, though you can if you prefer, especially if you have eaten something sticky, which is likely to get stuck in your braces and remain on your teeth for an extended period. Rinsing your mouth with water will keep your mouth hydrated, but also help remove unwanted leftover food and debris, removing it from the tooth surface to ensure your mouth is clean and that you can smile with confidence.

The final step to ensuring good oral carewhen wearing braces is to concentrate on each individual tooth when brushing. This may take longer than two minutes to start as you try and navigate your way around the braces, but once you get the hang of it, brushing won’t be such a daunting task and you can enjoy the fact that you are ensuring your oral health moving forward.