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Whether you are simply self conscious about the colour of your teeth or inspired by your favourite celebrity, there is nothing wrong with dreaming about a whiter smile. It is natural for us, as humans, to want to look and feel the best we can and our teeth and smile have a huge impact on this. In recent years, teeth whitening has become increasingly popular and more accessible than ever. Unfortunately, there are some dangers to avoid. Here’s how to make sure you get the right treatment and stay safe.

1. Don’t DIY

A quick search on the internet will show that there is an endless number of products available under the label of home whitening kits. These are perfectly legal, but are they safe and effective? This is a much greyer area. Firstly, you are relying on the manufacturer correctly informing you about the ingredients. Unlike the kits use by dentists, home whitening kits can often fall outside of the clinical testing that a professional alternative would be subject to. Whilst the vast majority are perfectly safe, the levels of active ingredients are significantly lower than those a dentist would use, making them much less effective. Then there are hygiene considerations – you can be sure that any kit your dentist uses has been manufactured, stored and handled in accordance with strict medical requirements. Can you guarantee the same for a kit that you purchase online? Finally, a dentist will make a precision mould that is unique to your teeth, meaning that the process will be as effective as possible, and prevent excessive contact of the chemicals with your gums. DIY whitening may seem like the cheaper option, but is likely to leave you dissatisfied in the long run.

2. Do discuss it with your dentist

If you have concerns about your smile, talk to your dentist – after all, it’s what we’re here for. Every patient is different, and there may be different treatments that suit different patients better than others. Only a qualified and experienced dentist can conduct a full medical examination of your teeth and gums to make sure that a particular teeth whitening treatment is safe and suitable for you.  A dentist can also give you the aftercare advice you need to keep your new smile white and shiny for as long as possible.

3. Don’t do it elsewhere

An unfortunate side effect of the constantly increasing interest in teeth whitening is the growth in companies and individuals offering illegal teeth whitening. The law in the UK is very simple – with the exception of DIY kits used in the home, only a dentist can provide or administer teeth whitening. It is a dental treatment not a beauty treatment, and therefore it cannot be offered by other businesses such as beauty parlours and nail clinics. In recent years, many such business owners have been prosecuted for offering such treatments and have received substantial fines as well as hefty sentences. Only a registered dentist can guarantee that your teeth whitening is done safely and professionally.

4. Do choose a dentist you trust

Health risks aside, one of the other key reasons to choose a qualified dentist for your teeth whitening is trust and accountability. There is a strong risk that an illegal teeth whitening shop might simply vanish overnight. Should you experience any problems or concerns, you may find that they have simply jumped ship, leaving you with no come back. Not only does a dentist minimise any risks of problems by following strict procedures and doing the relevant medical research, your dental practice is unlikely to vanish. Of course, dentists do change practice from time to time, but provided they are registered with the General Dental Council as required by law, you will always be able to locate them. Choosing a dentist that you trust is the obvious choice.

5. Don’t pay the earth

Let’s be honest, like most things in life, dental treatment comes at a cost. Procedures that are considered cosmetic – whitening included – are typically associated with high price tags. Despite this, getting a shiny white smile doesn’t need to break the bank. At Sharoe Green Dental Practice of Preston, we offer some fantastic deals on teeth whitening with an attractive  20% discount for members.

To find out more about teeth whitening with Sharoe Green Dental Practice, give our team a call now on Preston 01772 804430 or use our online contact form for a swift response.

Admit it or not, few people like going to the dentist. Here at Sharoe Green Dental Practice in Preston, we understand it’s not always easy to keep regular appointments. For some people, it’s hard to find the time around their professional commitments, whilst others can be put off by a genuine fear of visiting the dentist. Most adults should visit a dentist at least once every six months, and sometimes more. In this article, we look at five reasons you really ought to.

1. Dental visits allow your dentist to examine your teeth and gums

The condition of your teeth and gums is of vital importance to your oral health, as well as your sense of well being. Not only can problems be uncomfortable or painful, they can also harm your confidence, as well as taking the pleasure out of eating and drinking.

A thorough check up will allow a dentist to identify any issues that are a cause for concern before they become a problem, allowing preventative treatment to be carried out to minimise the likelihood of problems developing.

2. Dental Checkups Allow You To Discuss Your Concerns

A dental check up provides you with an opportunity to talk to your dentist about any concerns you have, no matter how trivial you may think they are. Here at Sharoe Green Dental Practice in Preston, our experienced dentists pride themselves in being approachable and friendly, as well as being good listeners. After all, we believe this is what makes the difference between a good dentist and a great dentist.

Whatever your concerns, you can feel confident to discuss them with our team, who will be happy to investigate and advise you as necessary.

3. Dental Checkups Give You The Chance to Discuss Other Issues

Several lifestyle factors can affect your teeth and gums, in particular diet, smoking and drinking. A dental checkup allows you to discuss aspects such as these with your dentist, who can provide advice on minimising the negative impact your particular lifestyle may have on your oral health and hygiene.

Tailored, personal advice from an experienced dentist will help you to take a proactive role in protecting your dental health, allowing to to feel more confident and enjoy your lifestyle to the fullest.

4. Every Patient is Unique

Every dental patient is unique. This means that every checkup is a personalised experience specific to your teeth and gums, conducted by an experienced dentist. At Sharoe Green Dental Practice, we believe that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution to healthy teeth and gums.

Only by conducting a thorough, personalised examination with access to the right equipment can a dentist properly advise you on any preventative treatments or dental surgery you may require to keep your mouth in tip top shape.

5. It’s More Than Just Teeth

Did you know that a dental check up is about more than just your teeth and gums? As well as all the traditional checks, dentists are also now trained to spot signs of mouth cancer.

Regular dental checkups increase the likelihood of any important symptoms being recognised early on, giving you the best possible chance for successful treatment.

At Sharoe Green Dental Practice, we pride ourselves in offering the very best in dental care for all the family. As well as routine checkups and preventative treatment, we offer a range of cosmetic treatments to suit every situation. Conveniently located on Sharoe Green Lane opposite the Royal Preston Hospital, we have excellent parking facilities on Booths car park, which is free of charge for up to two hours for our patients visiting the practice. To book an appointment now call us on 01772 804430 or feel free to use our online contact form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Our teeth tend to yellow with age and staining can cause discolouration. If your teeth are more pearly yellow than white, here are five easy ways to keep them looking clean, bright and healthy:

1. Think as you drink

The worst culprits for staining teeth are coffee, tea, blackcurrant juice and red wine, not to mention cigarettes. The general rule is that any food or drink that can stain a white T-shirt can stain your teeth. If you can’t cut them out, try cutting down.

2. Brush up

Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly. You may find that an electric toothbrush is better for removing plaque and surface stains. There are also various whitening toothpastes on the market and, while they do not affect the natural colour of your teeth, they may help to remove surface stains and therefore improve the overall appearance of your teeth.

3. Say cheese

Research has shown that eating cheese after a meal can reduce the levels of acid in the mouth. Foods that are high in calcium, such as cheese, almonds and leafy greens can help keep tooth enamel strong and healthy.

4. Perfectly polished

Visit the hygienist for a scale and polish treatment. Professional cleaning will remove plaque and tartar and, while it does not whiten teeth, can help to remove the stains caused by food and tobacco.

5. Chews wisely

Studies show that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay. Chewing can increase the flow of saliva, which is the mouth’s natural defence against acid.

Tooth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening teeth that have become discoloured over time. If you’d like to find out more about our teeth whitening treatments, please get in touch with our friendly team.

A new report reveals that children’s oral health in the UK is improving. The Child Dental Health Survey 2013 of England, Wales and Northern Ireland shows the level of tooth decay in 12 and 15-year-olds has dropped compared to 2003.

Key findings on children’s oral health

• One in three 12-year-olds and less than half (46 per cent) of 15-year-olds now show signs of obvious dental decay.
• The number of children with serious tooth decay fell from one in three to one in 5 of 15-year-olds and from three in ten to one in 5 of 12-year-olds.
• Oral health problems were most severe in Wales and Northern Ireland, with 2 in five children (41 and 40 per cent respectively) suffering from the disease compared to three in ten (31 per cent) in England.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation charity, Dr Nigel Carter OBE said the survey results were a mixed bag. Dr Cater said:

“It’s always pleasing to see any level of improvements in oral health, particularly for children. Having said that, it is very much a mixed bag of results.

“Many of these children are starting school with tooth decay and carrying on through their education. Three in 10 five-year-olds have visible signs of decay yet by the time they reached 15 that shoots up to close to one in two. This still highlights significant room for improvement.”

Five simple solutions for looking after your child’s teeth

Ben Atkins, Trustee of the British Dental Health Foundation, explained to bring about greater improvements.
Dr Atkins said:

“Parents and education workers need to be fully aware of how they can help to reduce the chances of children developing tooth decay.”

1. It’s not the amount of sugar; it’s how often
The most important message to remember is that it’s how often your children consume sugary food and drink, not how much they consume that damages teeth.

Sugar causes the bacteria in plaque to produce acids. It’s these acids that attack tooth enamel and cause decay.

2. Choose low-sugar snacks
Cheese, breadsticks, nuts and raw vegetables are much better for children’s health and their teeth than chocolate, crisps, sweets and fizzy pop. Even natural fruit is high in sugar.

3. Have regular dentist check-ups from a young age
The British Dental Health Foundation emphasises that by the age of two, and a half years children should be having regular dental check-ups. Any budding oral health problems can be spotted early. It’s crucial for their development, and they will be more likely to carry on with good oral health habits right the way through to adulthood.

4. Use a fluoride toothpaste
All children up to three-years-old should use a toothpaste with a fluoride level of at least 1000ppm (parts per million). After the age of three, children should use toothpaste that contains 13500ppm – 1500ppm. Encourage them to spit out the toothpaste and not to swallow if possible. If they do rinse after spitting, the fluoride will remain in the mouth for longer and give the best protection against decay.

5. Supervise your child’s brushing
It is important to supervise your child’s brushing until they are at least seven, and encourage them to brush as soon as they get up in the morning and last thing at night.

Following these simple solutions will help improve the current levels of tooth decay in children and bring about further reductions in the future.

It’s National Smile Month (May 19 – June 19), and the spotlight is on the UK’s teeth and gums. This massive oral health campaign by the British Dental Foundation aims to get everyone thinking about their oral health. The campaign has 3 key messages:

• Brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks
• Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend

Brushing our teeth, using a fluoride toothpaste and visiting the dentist regularly are easy steps we can take to protect our teeth. But cutting down on sugary foods and drinks is easier said than done. Modern life means we often have to eat and run. And it’s not always easy to work out which foods and drinks are better than others.

We all know that sugar, fizzy drinks and sweets are bad for our teeth. So when we reach for “healthy options” are they really better for our teeth?

“Healthy” snacks that harm teeth

• Citrus Fruits: Lemons, limes and grapefruits are fine in moderation. But being acidic, eating too much too often can spell disaster for tooth enamel.
• Dried Fruit: Sweet and sticky dried fruit makes a satisfying snack. But it also gets stuck all over our teeth and feeds the bacteria that leads to cavities.
• Carbs: Surprisingly, rice, pasta and bread can be bad for teeth. It’s because enzymes in saliva break carbohydrates down into sugar, which helps form acid. Eating wholegrain is better than refined white carbs, but both have the potential to harm tooth enamel.
• Fruit juice: Even unsweetened natural fruit juice contains lots of (natural) sugar. Some fruit juices, such as cranberry, can be as acid as vinegar.

When we snack really matters

Recent thinking suggests it’s not just what we eat, it’s when we eat it that matters. Strategic snacking could help protect our teeth and allow us to eat the naughty things we enjoy – in moderation.

• Eat 3 meals a day
• Have no more than 2 snacks each day
• Have sugary foods around mealtimes

Healthy snack swap guide

How to limit the damage

We’re all human, and there are times when we just won’t be able to resist a sugary treat. Eating and drinking sweet things at mealtimes – rather than in between meals – is better for teeth. It might seem like a good idea to brush teeth straight after eating or drinking, but it’s actually better to rinse your mouth with water. Or eat a piece of cheese to neutralise the acid. And if you have to have fruit juice or pop, drink it through a straw to help keep the drink away from your teeth as much as possible.

We hope these tips help you keep our smile happy. If you’d like more advice about oral health, please get in touch with our friendly team at Sharoe Green Dental Practice.

Teeth are vital to our overall health, helping us to bite and chew food. How much do you know about them?

Milk teeth

Babies’ teeth begin to develop before they are born, but in most cases don’t come through until they’re between 6 and 12 months old. Most children have a full set of 20 milk or baby teeth by the time they’re three years old. When they reach five or six, these teeth will start to fall out, making way for adult teeth.

Adult teeth

By the age of 12 to 14, most children have lost all their baby teeth and have their adult teeth. There are 32 adult teeth in total, 12 more than in the baby set. The last four of these, called wisdom teeth, usually emerge later than the others, generally between the ages of 17 and 21.
Wisdom teeth removal

If wisdom teeth don’t come through properly, or at all, it may be necessary to have them removed.

What are teeth made of?

The part of the tooth that you can see above the gum is called the crown. This is covered in hard, shiny enamel. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body and protects the more sensitive inner parts of the tooth.
Underneath this is the dentine, a sensitive substance that makes up most of the tooth. Dentine is a hard substance, though not quite as hard as enamel.
Dentine protects the inner part of the tooth, called the pulp. The pulp is where each tooth’s blood supply and nerve endings are found. The blood supply is what keeps the teeth alive and healthy. The nerve endings send messages to the brain, such as whether you’re eating something hot or cold or if you have a decayed or damaged tooth.
The pulp goes all the way into the root of the tooth, which is hidden under your gum. Cementum covers the root of the tooth, and periodontal fibres connect the tooth to the jawbone.

Types of teeth

There are four different types of teeth:

Incisors: These are your four front teeth on the top and bottom jaw. They’re used for cutting and chopping food.
Canine teeth: These are sharp, pointy teeth. You have one on each side of your incisors on your top and bottom jaw, making a total of four. They help to tear food.
Premolars: Next to your canine teeth are your premolars (also called bicuspid teeth). You have eight premolars in total, four on your top jaw and four on the bottom. They are bigger and wider than your incisors and canine teeth, and are used for crushing and grinding food.
Molars: You have eight molars, four on top and four on the bottom. These are your strongest teeth and work with your tongue to help you swallow food, mashing it up until it’s ready to be swallowed safely.

With the 2013/14 academic year now well and truly underway, students all over the country should now be back in the swing of things at their respective at schools, colleges or universities.

Because of the nature of the student lifestyle and it’s associated stresses, it can sometimes be difficult to take the fullest care of your teeth and gums. Here are some helpful tips to keeping your mouth healthy and your breath fresh.

1) Drink lots of water

Drinking water regularly is a great way to rinse away the bacteria that can cause tooth decay and bad breath. It is also generally healthy to stay well-hydrated, so try to make sure drinking water is always readily available.

2) Eat healthy snacks

While the typical student lifestyle may not involve large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, try to eat as healthily as you can. When snacking, try to go for foods such as dark chocolate, nuts, yoghurt, dried fruit and cheese sticks.

3) Get a good toothbrush/brush and floss regularly

Electric toothbrushes are recommended by dentists for their ability to effectively brush and reach difficult areas of the teeth. Good quality electric toothbrushes are a fantastic long term investment and are available on the market at reasonable prices. Make sure that you brush twice a day for two minutes each time, and that you floss everyday. Mouthwashes can also be useful as their liquid form enables them to reach all areas of the mouth – consult your dentist for the best advice on this.

If you would like an appointment to assess your oral health and the best possible advice on dental care, we recommend that you make an appointment with our dentist and/or hygienist.

To book your consultation appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us via our website, pop into our Dental Practice in Preston or contact us directly by telephone at the practice today on 01772 981201.