Category: Oral Hygiene

A healthy smile has been ranked as the physical attribute most likely to attract a new partner, according to research carried out by the Oral Health Foundation

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, discussed what the findings may mean to our hopes of finding love. He said: “I think it is fair to say that our oral health is closely related to attraction and our chances of finding love. A nice smile seems to be a deciding factor between getting a second date or never getting a text back.”

Easter is fast approaching and it’s likely to be a bit different for many of us this year. The staying home guidelines mean we are unable to get together to celebrate with family and friends. However, one thing that is unlikely to change is the consumption of delicious chocolate treats!

Summer is nearly here and whilst this means holidays, BBQ’s and fun in the sun it is important not to neglect your dental routine. Here are some tips to help you look after your teeth this summer.

Most of us know that brushing our teeth twice a day is important for good oral health but did you know that cleaning between our teeth is important too? Daily cleaning between our teeth seems to be a harder habit to get into than brushing and yet it is just as important.

We brush our teeth to remove food debris and plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on and between our teeth. Whilst brushing twice a day removes much of the food debris and plaque on the surface of the teeth there is still about 35% of the tooth's surface that isn't being reached. If we don't clean between our teeth the build up of plaque deposits in these areas can cause the gums to bleed and result in tooth decay and gum disease.

I first mentioned the idea of Flossuary a couple of years ago in a staff meeting. There was quite a lot of laughing and nothing much more was said about it!

I've been a hygienist here for over 14 years so have spent many an hour, sitting on my stool, trying to think of ways to motivate patients to improve their oral hygiene. One of the things I say to my patients when I'm trying to introduce something new, whether its switching to an electric toothbrush or cleaning in

So, when should you start taking your baby to the dentist? If we were to ask a selection of new parents we would more than likely hear different answers: when they've got their first tooth, when they've got all their milk teeth, when they are old enough to co-operate, around the age of 3 etc etc.

Prosecco has become an increasingly popular drink over the last few years due to its cost, sweetness and the fact it contains less calories than champagne. Women in particular are choosing it as their drink of choice.

But did you know that Prosecco is particularly bad for your teeth?

Pregnancy is such an exciting and busy time but what with morning sickness, antenatal classes, baby showers and numerous shopping trips your dental health could well be the last thing on your mind. However, it is even more important to look after your dental health during pregnancy. Changes in hormone levels mean that some dental health conditions specifically affect pregnant women. These are generally nothing to worry about but mean it is crucial to take extra care of your teeth and visit us regularly.