Tariq Drabu on the Dangers of Sugars in Children’s Oral Health

Tariq Drabu is a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon based in Manchester in the United Kingdom. This top dental professional was born and educated in Manchester and is passionate about oral health in the United Kingdom.

According to Tariq Drabu, thousands of children find themselves in hospital each and every year to have teeth extracted under general anaesthetic. This is a serious concern, as tooth decay is preventable and sugars are one of the leading causes why these children are suffering and being subjected to hospitalisation across the country.

Change cups

One of the causes of tooth decay in children in the United Kingdom is that they drink from a bottle for too long. A bottle should only be used to the point where the child can hold their own cup. Drinking from a bottle allows the liquid to sit on the teeth, while drinking from a sippy cup or through a straw can push the liquid to the back of the throat away from the teeth.

Tariq Drabu encourages parents to change to a cup as soon as they can to help reduce the risk of tooth decay moving forward.

Organic foods

Another recommendation from the leading dentist, Tariq Drabu, is to make your own baby food rather than buying it in. Making your own, you know exactly what you put into each meal, this can help you reduce the amount of sugar you are subjecting your child to.

Parents who make their children’s meals, know what ingredients they have used. They are also able to choose organic fruits and vegetables, which have been grown naturally without any dangerous chemicals, which can be highly beneficial to the child oral health in the long run.

Tariq Drabu does warn about sugars in foods and drinks and recommends that parents get into the habit of reading food labels, identifying sugar levels and then making the best decision to protect their child’s teeth.

Water, water and more water

Parents often will give their children fruit juice to drink. They are under the impression that fruit juice is healthier than their children drinking fizzy drinks. While this is true, what they don't realise is that fruit juices also have a very high sugar content, which can result in the children suffering when it comes to oral health.

The best drink to give any child or adult is water. Water is more than adequate to quench the child’s thirst and not being filled with sugars, parents can enjoy complete peace of mind that they are doing what they can to help their children’s teeth and gums on a daily basis.

Five Tips to Improve Oral Health in Children

Oral care in children is a very serious concern throughout the United Kingdom according to Tariq Drabu. Children are being hospitalized to have teeth extracted due to decay. This is

Oral Health and Age – What you Need to Know

As you age so do your teeth. This shouldn't be a surprise when you think that your permanent teeth start pushing through from around the age of eight or nine and they are with you throughout your life, at some point they have to start aging with you.

Oral Piercings Have Negative Impact on Oral Health

Oral Piercings Have Negative Impact on Oral Health

Before you have your tongue, lip or cheek pierced, there are a few things you should know. Mainly the fact that what most people don't realize is that piercings can have a negative impact on your oral health, which can result in you spending more time at your dentist than needed.

The first things you will find when you pierce in or around your mouth is that you may find it difficult to chew, swallow and speak. This is completely normal due to a foreign object, which may be giving you some discomfort has moved into the space. Your mouth is imperative to your health, it is what you use to nourish your self and you need to be able to swallow. You may find, especially after  tongue piercing, that your speech is affected for a couple of days to a few weeks.

Infections

As with any piercing the risk of infections increases. Whether you have your ears pierced, your belly button pierced or your tongue pierced you need to keep the area clean and free of harmful bacteria. You may notice some pain and swelling, which should clear up soon after the piercing. In the event you don't get any relief within a few days, make an appointment with your doctor or dentist to ensure the site isn't infected.

Damage teeth and gums

Next you will find, especially with tongue piercings, that your gum, teeth and any previous fillings may be damaged. As you speak, eat and swallow, the stud may move around your mouth, knocking against your teeth and gums in the process, in turn this can cause significant damage. Remember your stud is made of strong metal which is hard inside your mouth and therefore increases the risk of chipping or cracking teeth.

Nerve damage

When the piercing is done it is very easy for the piercing to damage a nerve. This can go two ways, it can either numb the area completely as the nerve has no feeling or it can have the opposite effect, leaving you in unbearable pain and not knowing which way to turn to find relief.

A dentists nightmare

While you may think your new piercing looks cool, you need to remember that it is your dentists worst nightmare. It can make working inside your mouth exceptionally difficult, it can make it harder to reach problem teeth or use certain tools.

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After School Snacks That Are Healthy for Teeth

There is so much emphasis on oral health in children throughout the United Kingdom lately, that I thought I would take this opportunity to share some healthy after school snacks you can rely on that are tooth friendly.

The number of children being admitted to hospital within the UK each year is reaching serious levels and this has been a concern for dental professionals for some time now. In most instances it is down to parents not understanding what foods their children should and should not be eating, allowing children foods which promote dental decay. As you can imagine, this has put a strain on the NHS and has forced certain hospitals to extend their operating hours as a result.

Tips for Dentists to Ensure Patients Attend Routine Appointments

Over the years, I think one of the hardest things I have had to face daily is getting my patients back through the door for their routine appointments. Depending on their current oral health oral health, routine appointments can be set anything from six months to a year or more.

Speaking to my patients, I have identified that those who don't have pain and feel that they don't have issues tend to cancel or postpone their appointments, because they don’t' see the reasoning behind visiting the dentist if there is nothing wrong.

Five Reasons To Attend Your Routine Dental Appointment

One of my biggest concerns is the number of patients who miss their routine dental appointments. When a patient comes in to see me or one of the team at Langley Dental Practice, we set them up a routine appointment right there and then. We find that making the appointment is the easy part, getting them in for the appointment is a whole different story.

Many patients can't see the benefits of visiting the dentist if they don’t' have any dental issues or pain, but the fact of the matter is that we provide patients with routine appointments for a number of reasons.

Home Remedies to Reduce Tooth Ache Until you Can See Your Dentist

One of the worst experiences is waking up in the middle of the night with severe tooth ache. For some reason it never happens when the dental practices are open and you have to sit in agony until the clock strikes 9am to get on the phone and make your emergency dental appointment.

There are a few home remedies you can take advantage of, using items you already have sitting in your kitchen cupboard. While these will numb or reduce the pain, they are not long term solutions, but they may be able to offer some temporary relief until you can make and visit your dentist first thing in the morning.

Oral Health Advice for Diabetes Patients

Diabetes is becoming a serious concern in the United Kingdom with thousands of people being diagnosed on an annual basis. Diabetes can be effectively managed through diet, exercise and controlling blood sugar levels, but at the same time, it has a negative impact on oral health.

Oral health

Anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes, whether it's type 1 or type 2, stand an increased risk of periodontal disease and dry mouth syndrome. Periodontal disease is a severe form of gum disease which if left untreated can result in tooth loss. With this gum disease, you will find that pockets are formed between the tooth and gum which is a harbour for dangerous bacteria which attack the supporting structures of the tooth. There is treatments we can use to help treat and manage periodontal disease, helping patients hold onto their natural teeth for as long as possible.

Perfecting Smiles in 2016

I see so many patients each day who approach me to improve their smiles. Cosmetic dentistry is able to boost self-confidence and self-esteem and is able to make people feel better about themselves. We are able to help patients perfect their smiles using a choice of treatments, enabling them to choose based on what they want and their overall budget.

Why Should You Consider Tooth Whitening?

I have so many patients approach me daily asking about the tooth whitening procedures we provide here at the Langley Dental Practice. We provide a choice of treatments and each patient has their own unique reason on why they want to have the treatment done in the first place.

Tooth whitening is a cosmetic treatment which naturally lightens the colour of the existing teeth. Before I go any further, it is important to note that teeth are not naturally white, so this solution will lighten the teeth by a few shades, but will not make them brilliant white.

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.

Three Tooth Replacement Options

When your tooth is extracted, it leaves an unwelcome gap. Some people ignore the gab, especially if it is at the back of the mouth and doesn’t affect their chewing or speech, but when the gap is near or in the front, finding a tooth replacement option can provide you with self-confidence and help you feel better about yourself.

Dental implants are one of the most common choices when it comes to tooth replacement. Implants are artificial teeth or false teeth which are screwed into the jaw, looking and feeling like natural teeth.

The implants are screwed into place using a titanium screw and topped with a crown, which matches the colour of the natural teeth around it. Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon, advised that dental implants can be used or one or more teeth. The benefit of these implants is that they don’t affect the adjacent teeth; the procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and can be used as a tooth replacement option for anyone who is in good health with a strong jawbone.

Patients who require dental implants but have damaged or worn jaw bones, may need a bone graft before this procedure can be performed. Your dentist will do x-rays and advise you of the best course of treatment moving forward.

Bridges are another option, often suggested in the event that dental implants aren’t an option based on your overall health and jaw bone health. Tariq Drabu did advise that bridges come in two options; fixed and removable. Fixed are partial dentures that can make up one or more missing teeth. The bridge is matched to your natural tooth colour and then bonded into place attaching to the adjacent teeth, this forms a bridge for the gap.

Removable bridges are partial dentures which can be removed when sleeping, cleaned and put back in place easily. The one problem some patients find with fixed bridges is that they can wear the enamel off the adjacent teeth and over time they fall out. They can be replaced quite easily in the dentist surgery.

Bridges are made from strong materials that can withstand the daily beating you put your mouth through. It can help patients maintain a healthy bite and enable them to chew, ensuring their daily life isn’t compromised.

The final tooth replacement option is dentures. These days most people try and find alternatives to wearing dentures. But in some cases they are the only option, especially if you suffer from an illness or disease which makes implants or bridges impossible. Remember bridges can only be offered if you have adjacent natural teeth that can support the bridge and implants are a tooth replacement option if you are in good health and have a strong and healthy jaw bone.

Complete dentures are used when you have no teeth. They cover the entire upper and lower jaw. In some instances if you have a few teeth, these may be removed to make space for your new dentures. The good news is that you will not be left without teeth, temporary dentures will be fitted until your new and carefully moulded dentures are ready.

Over dentures are sometimes used when you have natural or implants that can provide support. These can be used to replace a few teeth, such as front teeth that have been knocked out.

Dentures can be removed and enable you to speak and chew normally. Oral hygiene is imperative when you have been fitted with dentures, according to Dr Tariq Drabu, as gum disease is a common problem with these tooth replacement solutions caused by poor oral hygiene.

Top Reasons People Avoid the Dentist

Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon in the United Kingdom has revealed that there are millions of people around the world that avoid going to the dentist, even when they are in pain. In order to ensure good oral health, everyone needs to brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, floss daily and attend routine dental appointments.

Routine dental appointments are imperative to oral health. It’s an opportunity for your dentist to check your teeth and identify if there are any problems. Early detection can improve treatment results and also work out cheaper in the long run. Tooth decay caught early can result in a filling, if left untreated it can result in more expensive root canal treatment.

The most common reason people avoid the dentist is fear. Dental anxiety can be overcome when you understand why you are afraid and what causes the fear. Many dentists today understand dental fear and work with their patients to eliminate the fear. This can be done by relaxing the patient, providing sedation for treatments and also explaining the treatment in detail so the patient knows exactly what to expect before work starts.

Another reason people avoid the dentist is price. Many households don’t budget for dental treatments each month and someone needing the dentist may hold off as long as possible, so that they don’t affect their monthly budget. According to Dr Tariq Drabu, in the United Kingdom the NHS charges three bands. What patients don’t realise is that emergency treatment for agonising pain falls into Band A, which is affordable and comes in at less than £20.

Anxiety is a serious concern for dentists which can result in patients living in pain for months while trying to avoid a dental visit. The fear of the smell, the sound of the equipment and the process is all very real and can cause severe anxiety in a number of patients. Patients suffering from anxiety should look for a dentist in their area that specialises in patients with dental anxiety. The team and dentist will work to reduce the fear and ensure the patient receives the level of care they need for healthy teeth and gums moving forward. Once you can understand and overcome your fear, you can start attending routine appointments, which can eliminate the risk of dental problems in the future.

Dr Tariq Drabu also mentioned that he deals with a high volume of patients who are petrified of needles. What these patients don’t realise is that there are other options available and they need to discuss their fears openly with the dentist. They should advise the staff when making the appointment about their fear so the team can work with them to ensure they get the treatment they need and deserve.

Memories are another reason people avoid the dentist. Some people who had a bad experience in the dental chair as a child are nervous when it comes time to seek dental care. Dentistry is constantly evolving and there are procedures and techniques constantly being update which remove the pain associated with dentistry.

The final reason that people avoid the dentist is that they are just too busy. We live chaotic lives these days and there are so many households that juggle work and family, not leaving time to seek the dental attention they need. There are no shortage of dentists which can accommodate you during your lunch break or on your way home from work, so you can get the necessary treatment you need.

Tariq Drabu Dentists on Picking the Right Toothpaste for You

At the Langley Dental Practice we’re very eager to make sure that our patients, as well as the wider British public truly understand the benefits of brushing their teeth. Brushing your teeth is the best method to fight off all manner of oral conditions, from gum disease to tooth decay and beyond. Most people understand the necessity of brushing their teeth; it’s something that is taught to us right from the cradle, however how many of us understand the mechanics?

What do we mean by this? We mean that although most people understand the principle, they don’t understand the toothpaste market. The toothpaste market is a very niche healthcare segment, with only a handful companies promoting essentially the same product range. Toothpastes, although they all have a general overarching purpose and are often tailored to include multiple elements, there are still a few individual products that have their own specific purpose. Some are designed to whiten, some to fight off plaque etc. Understanding which toothpaste best suits the purpose you need it for means that you can tailor your brushing regime to fit your needs. So what are some of the different types of paste on the market?

Whitening Toothpastes

These products, despite the fact that they do act to clean, are primarily designed to whiten the teeth of the consumer that uses them. Unlike other toothpastes, these products contain abrasive agents which function by abrading the stain that has formed on the tooth’s surface. In other words the whitening effect comes from a stripping back of the surface stain. They do not often contain actual whitening agents. If you have a diet that involves a lot of coffee or tea, then this type of tooth paste would suit you, as it acts to fight the stains your teeth acquire from your daily intake.

Desensitising Toothpastes

These toothpastes are an investment for people with naturally sensitive teeth, an affliction that a large portion of the British public face. There are usually two ways these pastes provide relief from dentine hypersensitivity. Firstly they interrupt the neurone response to pain stimuli. Secondly they occlude the dentinal tubules of dentine. These two methods act to decrease tooth sensitivity through ingredients such as potassium nitrate and arginine. This is the type of toothpaste to buy if you want to indulge in the occasional ice cream cone.

Fluoride Toothpastes

This is a more general one as many types of toothpaste take advantage of this tooth friendly mineral, although not all do. Fluoride has been instrumental in fighting tooth decay and the occurrence of cavities, amongst other things. It works by tackling the acid that it released by the bacteria in your mouth that feed on the sugar and starch that remain on your teeth long after you've finished eating. It does this by first strengthening tooth enamel against acid and secondly helping fight the first stages of acid erosion by remineralising areas that have started to decay.

Of course, this is only a brief overview of three of the more generalised  types of toothpaste on the market, specifically crafted to deal with certain oral issues. If you want to find out which toothpaste is best suited for your needs then it’s best to go to your local dental specialists who can offer more personal advice as well as provide you with a more comprehensive guide to picking the right toothpaste. 

Tariq Drabu Zooms in on Dental Health After a Cigarette

At Tariq Drabu Dentists we act to make sure that you maintain a healthy smile for the duration of your adult life; this means we act to make sure you know what is good and what is bad for your dental health. Recently the EU has acted to pass legislation that would further restrict smoking; among other things banning 10 pack cigarettes, and as a dentist, I feel that this is very good news.

This is because, even though things like carbonated drinks and coffee are bad for your teeth, smoking is infinitely worse. The detrimental effects of smoking on your oral health are numerous and persistent, and you have to be aware of them. Check out all the reasons how cigarettes can damage your mouth below.

Discolouration… Tobacco and the chemicals in cigarettes as well as the tar and nicotine can have a huge impact on the colour of your teeth; it can literally turn them yellow. Anybody who has seen the teeth of a long term smoker will know just how strong this discolouration is, as heavy smokers will often see them turn brown.

Oral Cancer… The idea that smoking can cause cancer is a persistent one, that’s because it can. However, it’s not just lung cancer as smoking can carry a serious risk of developing oral cancer as well.

Gum Disease… The chemicals in cigarettes, as well as the tar can carry a serious risk of gum disease as they attack the gums on a constant basis; in the worst cases this can lead to bleeding gums and even tooth loss. Smoking can also affect blood flow to the gums, which complicates the healing process.

Leukoplakia… This is a condition where white patches develop on the tongue and in the mouth and is caused by irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth. It can lead to further oral problems and can easily be caused by smoking, as smoking increases the risk of developing the condition. Some leukoplakias are in fact pre cancerous.

Bad Breath… Do we really have to explain this one? Smoking plays havoc on your breath, it literally smells like an ashtray; and can seriously affect your social life, as well as your standing at work; who wants to be around someone with ash breath?

Plaque… Hardly desirable, plaque tend to build up on the teeth due to unhealthy habits, and not only is it unattractive, it can lead to the development of many oral problems, such as tooth decay. Smoking increases the accumulation of plaque and brushing your teeth can only keep this form of plaque at bay for so long.

So there you have it, there are six of the top reasons why smoking causes significant harm to your oral and dental health. It is important to note two things here. Firstly, these aren’t the only problems, there are many more. Secondly, nicotine is the cause of some of these problems, so don’t think switching to an E-Cigarette is going to reduce the risk of all of them; however since most of these problems are primarily caused by the chemicals and tar in cigarettes, E-Cigarettes are a step in the right direction.

Tariq Drabu Dentist’s on How to Handle Dental Fees

Being a parent is the hardest job in the world. You have so much on your plate, balancing your kids, your work and actually having your own personal life, that it can all feel like a bit too much sometimes. That’s particularly true when it comes to balancing the household books. Families, especially single parent families, have it the worst financially. Between new clothes, school supplies, food etc. kids cost a lot of money. Adding in Dentist fees for that can be an actual nightmare, and can be the payment to break the financial camel’s back.

That’s why you can get dental treatment on the NHS. Our National Health Service, whatever else you say about it, is one of the best in the world. Britain is one of the few countries who recognises that there are people in society, that, for one reason or another, need a little bit of help every now and the. That’s why if you go to an NHS Dentist, you can get top treatment and actually have enough left over to make sure your kids get everything they need.

By and large, you can get most basic dental treatments on the NHS, although you should get the advice of your dentist just to make sure. However, some things aren’t covered or are only partially covered by the NHS. When thinking about all of this, you first have to make sure that your dentist is like Tariq Drabu, and takes on NHS patients. You must explicitly state to your dentist that you want NHS treatment when you make an appointment, before you actually go in.  Then when you actually go in for your appointment, you will have to fill out the appropriate form. But first you need to know, do you qualify for NHS treatment. If you fulfill the following criteria, then you can get dental treatment in the NHS - this is not a totally exhaustive list:

-       If you are under the age of 18

-       If you are under 19 and over but you are in full time education

-       If you are pregnant, or have delivered a baby at least 12 months prior to treatment

-       If you are an NHS in-patient and treatment is administered by the hospital dentist

-       If you or your partner receives one of the following: income support, income based jobseeker’s allowance, income related Employment and Support allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

-       If you are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate

-       If you fall into the low income brackets that quality for NHS (check NHS website for details on whether you fall into this category)

So parents, there you have it. Of course, not all the above criteria will apply to you, but for families, there is always a way to reduce the cost of dental treatment through the NHS.

For all the latest news on Tariq Drabu Dentist, head on over to the Tariq Drabu Twitter @TariqJDrabu - Or www.tariqdrabu.co.uk 

Tariq Drabu Dentist Comments On Recent NHS Failings

In April this year the government published the results from an NHS ‘Friends and Family Test’ which gave over 400,000 patients the opportunity to rate their hospital by providing feedback on whether or not they would recommend the hospital to a friend or family member.

However, the government’s flagship test has come under scrutiny after critics of the test have branded it ‘meaningless’ for a variety of reasons.

Sky News found that although Chase Farm Hospital, North London, was given a negative overall score on the test, the majority of people would have recommended it. When investigated further it was found that the reason behind this was due to votes only being counted as positive if the patient had stated they would “strongly agree” when asked if they would recommend the hospital. Votes where people had stated they would “agree” to recommend the hospital but “not strongly” were counted as neutral votes and therefore don’t count towards the positive rating.

Furthermore, it was found that in some cases wards were given negative ratings when only one patient had responded, meaning the test didn’t show a fair representation of the hospital overall. People have also criticised the test as it doesn’t state the reasons why patients are likely or unlikely to recommend a hospital, meaning their reasons for not recommending it could be due to a lack of car parking spaces, rather than poor care being given.

Although the tests don’t show exactly where the problems lie within the hospitals, the people behind the survey have said that getting figures every month will improve standards. Dr Tim Kelsey of the NHS Commissioning Board stated “This is how we’re going to drive an improvement in healthcare; it’s by listening to the patient on the ward and in the A&E department so that doctors and nurses on the front line can really focus on improvements in care”.

Despite criticisms, studies that look at patient care have previously revealed severe problems in certain NHS hospitals. Back in February a report regarding the care provided by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust was published, which showed that patients were often neglected due to the Trust being preoccupied with cost cutting, targets and processes, which subsequently saw the Trust lose sight of its fundamental responsibility to provide safe care. The report, known as the Francis Report, also revealed a culture of failed management where poor medical practice was ignored and patient complaints were either dismissed or overlooked.

These findings were particular disturbing for me, Dr Tariq Drabu Dentist, to hear as I have formerly worked at Stafford Hospital in the oral surgery department back in 1987. I found the staff to be wonderful and very supportive, which is why I am devastated to hear that the high standards that I once witnessed have not  been maintained. I fundamentally believe in the ethos and values of the NHS and I am proud to be an NHS dentist in an area of high social deprivation and high needs. It is the high quality that myself and my staff have given patients over the last 15 years that has given my practice such a good reputation. As we are all registered with the GDC, The General Dental Council, we are committed to putting our patients’ needs first and offering quality, superb care. Because we are so dedicated to our patients we find it even more shocking that some members of the NHS at Stafford Hospital don’t share the same values that we do here at Langley Dental Group.

As the team leader, senior dentist and director of Langley Dental Group I always encourage an open and honest culture not just to my patients but also to my staff, where they should feel that they are always able to come forward without any fear of being judged, ignored or overlooked. Although there are currently doubts about the accuracy of the NHS Family and Friends Test, hopefully the results will eventually show us where the main problems in the NHS lie, in order for hospitals to be able to review the care they are offering patients and ultimately offer an outstanding, professional service, like the one here at Langley Dental Practice.

To keep up with all my latest news, be sure to follow me on twitter @TariqJDrabu