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.

Effective Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease is a serious concern throughout the United Kingdom, according to Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon. Tariq Drabu is the owner of the successful Langley Dental Practice catering to private and NHS patients on a daily basis.

 

Tariq Drabu and his team provide effective periodontal treatments to patients with this severe bacterial gum disease. Periodontal disease forms pockets between the gum and the tooth which allows bacteria to get access to the supporting structures of the tooth. Over time, if periodontal disease is ignored, it could lead to tooth loss.

The focus of the periodontal treatment is to provide a gum treatment and treat the supporting structures of the tooth. This gum disease is preventable with a good oral heath routine at home which should comprise of brushing twice a day for a minimum of two minutes per brushing. Use a fluoride toothpaste and focus on each individual tooth, also brushing along the gum line. Floss should be used between the teeth to remove any plaque or debris.

Scale and Polish

The first treatment provided by Tariq Drabu and his team to patients presenting with periodontitis is a scale and polish. This professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar build up. Tartar is a hard but sticky substance that catches bacteria, helping them gain access to the tooth and eliminating the ability to remove them effectively.

The teeth will be scraped of any plaque and tartar and then professionally polished to leave them clean.

Root Surface Debridement

Root surface debridement is carried out under local anaesthetic due it requiring that the dentist cleans the gums and below the gum line. The dentist numbs the gum line and then effectively cleans the gums and under the gum line to remove the bacteria that is causing the gum disease.

Antibiotic Therapy

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection and in most instances any treatment provided by Tariq Drabu and his team will also require antibiotic treatment to stop the bacteria and to give the gums a chance to heal.

Tariq Drabu did mention that while the treatments are effective, long term oral health at home is important to reduce the risk of getting this gum disease again in the future. He also recommends that patients who have had periodontal disease never miss their routine dental appointments to ensure that their teeth and gums remain healthy moving forward.

Top Remedies to Use on Your Toothache Right Now

Tooth sensitivity is a frustrating and sometimes unbearable pain. In many instances you will find your toothache will start late at night, on a bank holiday or in the early hours of the morning, when you have to wait to get a dentist appointment.

Tariq Drabu, the owner of Langley Dental Practice and a leading dentist and specialist surgeon advised that before you start looking at remedies, Use a piece of floss and clean around the tooth, check there isn't anything stuck between your teeth which may be causing discomfort. Another solution is to rinse your mouth with salt water, this will fight any infection which may be developing. The last suggestion is to brush your teeth, focusing around the painful tooth with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride protects the enamel of the tooth, the hard outer covering.

Remedies you have at home

Ensure while you experience pain that you rinse with salt water a couple of times each day. Use warm water so not to make any sensitivity worse. Rinse thoroughly around the tooth to help fight infection and also reduce swelling while you wait to see your dentist.

If you have cloves in your kitchen cupboard, you will find that they are highly effective in reducing pain. Simply place the clove on the tooth and bite down. It isn't the most pleasant of tastes, but it is highly effective in reducing pain for a short period of time. Of course, cloves are a natural solution, so you can bite on the clove right up to getting to the dentist.

You may want to consider buying some clove oil for future tooth pain you or your family may experience from time to time. Clove oil can be purchased at your local pharmacy and is a concentrate of cloves. Simply use a piece of cotton wool or a Q-tip and place a small drop of the oil, then place on the tooth and bite down to relieve the pain.

Interestingly, something you may never have thought of is using bread. Brush your teeth well and rinse with salt water. Then take a small piece of bread, without the crust, and roll into a small ball and place over the sensitive tooth. The bread helps to plug any tooth decay you may have, thereby helping to minimize pain until you get to your dental appointment.

Dental Hygiene Tips from Leading Dental Professional

Tariq Drabu is a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon based in the United Kingdom. He is the owner of the Langley Dental Practice which caters to private and NHS patients on a daily basis.

Tariq Drabu advised that there are a number of hygiene tips which are shared by hygienist around the world to encourage patients to improve their oral health and look after their teeth and gums at all times.

Replace your toothbrush

The first dental hygiene tip is to replace your toothbrush at least every three to four months. So many people will follow a good brushing routine, but fail to replace their toothbrush, which can result in them spreading bacteria around their mouth rather than removing it.

Brushing Technique

The next hygiene tip is to ensure you are brushing properly. Brushing involves holding your toothbrush at a forty five degree angle and brushing each individual tooth with gum. It should take you no faster than a full two to three minutes to brush all your teeth effectively. This should be done twice daily with the brushing before bed being the most important.

Flossing

Tariq Drabu agrees that not everyone enjoys the experience of flossing and when you have bridges and crowns, you may fear that the floss will pull them out of place. At the same time, flossing is imperative to your oral health and will help improve gum health in the long run. You need to focus between each of the teeth, wiggling the floss back and forth and remember to go over the gum line. Flossing should be done once a day, though Tariq Drabu advises that if you want to floss twice daily, he definitely encourages that.

Sugar free gum

There will be times when your toothbrush isn't at hand. You may have gone out for lunch with a colleague or you have gone away for the night and accidentally left your toothbrush at home. There is no need to panic. Tariq Drabu advised that everyone should carry sugar free gum in their bag or overnight bag.

The sugar free gum can help remove food, bacteria and plaque, while the chewing will increase saliva production which is alkaline and designed to protect the teeth.

Professional clean

Tariq Drabu also recommends that all patients visit their oral hygienist on given appointments to have their teeth professionally cleaned to remove plaque and tartar build up.