News

It may be the middle of January already, but it’s still not to late to make (and keep) a New Year’s resolution. If you’re struggling to find an idea for something to improve in 2017 we have a great suggestion – commit to visiting the dentist regularly! Not convinced? Read on for five good reasons why you should.

1. Stay happy and healthy

If New Year’s resolutions are all about having a better sense of well-being, then the condition of your teeth and gums is of vital importance. Not only can damaged, missing or stained teeth strip you of your confidence, they can be uncomfortable and painful and take the pleasure out of eating and drinking. This in turn can have an impact on your diet.

A thorough check up gives your dentist an opportunity 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. It’s good to talk

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.

But we can’t talk to you about your dental concerns without a regular visit. Booking a routine appointment with your dentist and hygienist as recommended will only cost a small amount of your time – but could save you a significant amount of stress and worry.

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. Your life, your lifestyle

Diet, smoking and drinking… these and many other lifestyle factors have an impact on your dental health. You don’t have to give up everything you enjoy – but 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. You are unique – and so are your teeth

Like every patient we see, you are unique. This means that every checkup is also unique – 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 specific preventative treatments or dental surgery you may require to keep your mouth in tip top shape.

5. Keep clear of cancer

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, now recognised as one of the fastest growing cancers in the UK.

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. Make it your resolution to stay up to date – 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.

According to new research into tooth decay in adolescents published by the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, there may well be a bigger link than you realise, in the case of young adults. So just why do night owls have an increased chance of developing tooth decay and what can you do as a parent to help reduce it?

Neglecting Brushing

Evidence suggests that one of the key reasons adolescent night-owls experience tooth decay is that they neglect to brush their teeth before finally succumbing to tiredness. Indeed, if challenged they may well claim that they were too tired to bother. The risk is greatest with young people who stay up later than their parents, as they will have nobody to check in or remind them. If you frequently go to sleep before your children, you may not be aware of the extent to which they are missing a night time brush, meaning that the first you know about it may be a lengthy visit (or visits) to the dentist.

As a parent, whilst an older child should be taking responsibility for his own brushing routine, it is still worth engaging in conversation on dental hygiene and keeping an eye on your child’s habits to ensure that they are not putting their teeth at unnecessary risk. Subtle observation may well suffice for most children, although sometimes direct intervention may be needed! In either case, there is no reason that oral hygiene can’t be a natural conversation point at the dining table.

Snacking

A second reason that adolescents who stay up late tend to experience increased rates of tooth decay is daytime snacking. This was seen to be primarily caused by young people sleeping later and therefore skipping breakfast. As a result, such children are considerably more likely to snack throughout the day. Because they have started the day overtired and without the right nutrition, the tendency will be for them to choose sugary snacks that they believe will help them replenish their energy. This in turn will lead to increased acid levels over a prolonged period of time, which is a recipe for disaster.

Encouraging your child to enjoy a family breakfast and promoting a healthy attitude towards snacking can play a key role in improving oral hygiene.

Ensuring that you buy a high quality, fluoride toothpaste is also a simple but highly effective way that you as a parent can help to reduce the risk of decay. Evidence shows that fluoride toothpaste, when used in conjunction with a correct brushing regime and healthy diet can go a long way towards maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Regular Check-ups

Of course, no matter what your child’s routine and however healthy the diet, visiting the dentist regularly for a routine checkup is an essential part of the equation and possibly the single most important responsibility for you as a parent when it comes to fighting tooth decay. Try to make sure your children understand why these visits are so important, and avoid letting them make excuses to postpone appointments indefinitely (football games, homework clubs, dates – you name it, they’ll use it!).

If you have any concerns about your child’s oral hygiene, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Sharoe Green Dental Practice in Preston and we’ll be happy to discuss them with you. To speak to a member of our team or book an appointment now, call us on 01772 804430 or contact us online and we’ll respond as soon as we can.