One third of what’s in a lady’s wardrobe may never see the light of day, but the average person in the UK still spends about £20 a week on clothes and accessories shopping , while ignoring that prime good looks indicator – their teeth.
Research has found that women generally own 100 items of clothing yet only wear 30 of them, while the rest stay on their hangers.
Naturally enough, most women want to look good, but having bad teeth can age a woman by a staggering 13 years, says Dr Phil Stemmer, dental ambassador for Oral B.
Teeth are one of the first things we notice about a person. When people don’t look after their teeth, they tend not to smile, which can give off a bad impression.
Whether or not we are aware of it, when we first meet someone who doesn’t smile or has unhealthy looking teeth we can form negative views about their lifestyle from their relationship status, career success and pay packet to their character and even their age. The research highlights the importance the appearance of your teeth can have on the way people perceive you.
The Oral-B Smile Report also revealed that the majority of people believe those with nice teeth, earn more.
Here at the Hereford Dental Clinic we offer a range of cosmetic dentistry including teeth straightening, porcelain veneers and teeth whitening. So discussing how you want to look with the team at the Hereford Dental Clinic, as well as getting the latest professional advice on how to keep that healthy smile, could be a good investment in more ways than one in the year ahead.
DON’T KEEP YOUR SMILE IN THE WARDROBE
MAKE TIME FOR YOUR CHILD’S TOOTHBRUSH
Most of us recognise that the pressures of life can sometimes be stressful, but letting the children off brushing their teeth to save time in a busy lifestyle can only be counter productive.
A study among 1,002 parents with children aged between four and 10 carried out for Philips Sonicare “shows that many British parents are ignoring the warnings of dental professionals and letting their children off brushing their teeth”.
The magazine Dental Practice reports that the parental sample were simply “too rushed or stressed” to ensure their youngsters used a toothbrush.
Nearly a third said they allowed children to skip brushing their teeth if they were “in too much of a rush”, 20% allowed them to miss their morning brushing routine “to avoid the hassle”, and a quarter of those surveyed claimed constant arguing among children having to brush their teeth “caused anxiety”.
The survey found “18% admitted their child only brushes once a day, if at all”.
At the Hereford Dental Clinic its standard practice to encourage parents to bring their children along from an early age, where they can meet the dental team in a friendly and relaxed setting – and even show how clever they are at brushing their own teeth.
NATURAL TEETH HAVE THE EDGE OVER DIAMONDS
Celebrity-style smiles continue to be a hot topic among commentators on the dental profession, with the Dental Tribune reporting that a toothy gap – and even a row of diamond teeth – as among ‘must have’ looks.
Our website recently referred to an article in a Body & Soul supplement in The Times newspaper, which quoted a medical student who had eight porcelain veneers attached to her top front teeth, while asking her orthodontist to keep the gap between the top two.
“It’s characteristic of who I am. Although I wanted the rest of my teeth as straight and neat as possible, the gap is part of me. Now I’ve started seeing it in magazines and people telling me it’s in fashion, I feel quite trendy”, the lady told The Times.
Top fashion magazine Vogue has featured gap-toothed model Lara Stone as its cover girl, and nominated Vanessa Paradis and Madonna as among 14 beauties with the gappy look.
Now the Tribune reports that American rapper Kanye West asked his dentist to extract his bottom row of teeth – and replace them with diamond ones – and that “dentists in America have even reported that veneers with slight staining grooves and overlaps are also growing in popularity”.
Whatever your thoughts on cosmetic dentistry and keeping up with celebrity trends, your best option is to discuss how to maintain your oral health, and retain your natural teeth, with a visit to the Hereford Dental Clinic – and display your diamonds elsewhere!
EARLY DETECTION CAN GIVE 90% CHANCE OF MOUTH CANCER SURVIVAL
A major promotion aimed at increasing awareness of how early detection of mouth cancer can save lives was launched with an event at the Houses of Parliament hosted by the British Dental Health Foundation.
Leading experts backed a call for action at a time when in the UK mouth cancer kills one person every five hours, and less than half of those with the disease survive beyond five years after diagnosis.
Young people are particularly vulnerable, with recent studies showing that a lifestyle of drinking, smoking and unhealthy diets increase the chances of mouth and throat cancer, while increasing links between oral sex and the disease have also been discovered.
‘If in doubt, get checked out’ was the theme behind the Mouth Cancer Action Month of November, with the case of superstar Michael Douglas used to emphasise how early detection, supported with regular professional check-ups and self examination, can save lives.
If diagnosed within the early stages, survival chances for mouth cancer can improve to more than 90%.
Dental Health Foundation chief executive Nigel Carter told the London meeting: “Many people have not heard of mouth cancer, and do not realise how common it is. Latest figures show that over 5,500 cases are diagnosed in the UK in a year, and that men aged over 40 are twice as likely to develop the condition as women”.
Warning signs for mouth cancer include ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, and red or white patches, or unusual lumps or swellings, in the mouth.
Your private dentist hereford or hygienist at the Hereford Dental Clinic will always be happy to discuss with you the early warning signs and risk factors of mouth cancer, while explaining the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. It is better for your dentist to spot a symptom that proves to be negative, than to be faced with a difficult case that may have a poor prognosis.
THE ‘MAGIC’ WAY TO BEAT THOSE FEARS
Feeling nervous and apprehensive is probably one of the most common reactions among dental patients who have recognised the fact that they need dental treatment – but who still hesitate to make that all-important first appointment.
“The good news is that more and more dentists now understand their patients’ fears, and with a combination of kindness and gentleness can do a great deal to make dental treatment an acceptable, normal part of life”, says the British Dental Health Foundation.
“Dental techniques have improved so much over the last few years that modern dental treatment can now be completely painless”, it says.
You need to find a practice that will take good care of you, and your first visit should just be for a consultation, when you can meet the receptionist, dental nurse and dentist, and have a chat about how you feel and what to expect next.
At Hereford Dentists we have found that with clear explanations, video demonstrations and 3D animated presentations, patients feel comfortable and their fears can be largely overcome.
Most importantly, we recognise that an increasing number of patients need a helping hand during some parts of a treatment programme about which they feel apprehensive – which is where the now routine practice of sedation is frequently used as a day-to-day solution.
As soon as you arrive for your appointment you will be made to feel at ease, before the dentist injects into your arm a slow, steady flow of local sedative, allowing you to remain fully conscious, and able to respond to the dental surgeon, but also feeling comfortable, relaxed and pain free.
The dentist will explain everything, and answer any of your questions, in advance of your appointment, but as with all sedation treatments, you will not be allowed to drive until the following day.
These days, many patients appreciate the little extra help sedation provides, particularly if they have had or heard of a bad previous experience elsewhere, have a low tolerance to pain, have very sensitive teeth, or simply feel uncomfortable in the dentist’s chair.
Sedation is also a perfect solution for patients needing an agreed amount of dental work in one treatment, such as a one-visit session for new crowns and inlays.
Take a look at our Testimonials section to see for yourself how patients have taken the trouble to let us know how pleased they have been after experiencing the ‘magic’ results of sedation, and how they can now smile at their previous apprehension!
PROTECT YOUR TEETH FROM THOSE TACKLES
Herefordshire is home to a number of thriving rugby clubs, and at the Hereford Dental Clinic we are sometimes asked to treat players with missing or damaged teeth – which could have been avoided had they worn a mouth guard.
Rugby is a high-impact sport, but football, cricket, boxing, martial arts and even cycling can carry the risk of damage to the teeth, not to mention a painful injury, a crooked smile and an urgent visit to Hereford Dentists.
Dentists at our Clinic can advise on the best mouth protection to ensure you retain your looks, and safety, in your chosen sport, and should the worst case scenario happen, we offer a walk-in emergency service for patients who require urgent treatment.
Dental emergencies can include a broken tooth, missing filling or crown, a painful jaw or toothache – none of which have to be the result of your weekend sporting activity!
Toothache indicates an underlying problem, and needs immediate investigation, while a fractured tooth may be a sign that there is decay which has weakened the tough outer surface and is close to the nerve, or the fractured portion of the tooth has exposed a sensitive area.
Seeking assistance from our team will ensure the tooth is treated promptly and with care restore it back to its normal state. Whether you need a filling, inlay or crown these procedures can be undertaken in one visit. Visit our CEREC page for information on same day restorations
If you have lost a crown or filling, or if it has become dislodged, we can fix or replace it while you wait. It’s important to visit a dentist if you loose a crown/inlay as an unprotected tooth may lead to pain or further damage.
A swelling may be the sign that an infection is present, and redness or pain will tell you that you need immediate assistance to stop the infection from spreading.
If you have a dental emergency contact the clinic for expert advise and we will arrange an appointment within 24 hours.
WHITENING YOUR SMILE WITH HEREFORD DENTISTS
Your smile says it all’, as the saying goes, and maintaining that cheerful look with confidence is one of the main reasons why patients ask about teeth whitening as part of a cosmetic dentistry programme at the Hereford Dental Clinic.
Teeth whitening is one of the most effective ways in which to improve the overall appearance of your smile in an efficient and painless way, and there are two kinds of treatment available.
These are power whitening at the Hereford Clinic, which only takes about 90 minutes, and home whitening in your own time, which takes about an hour a day for 10 to 14 days.
Your dentist will apply power or laser whitening after placing a shield over your teeth to protect the gums, and a whitening product is painted on the teeth themselves. The laser light speeds up the process, and the colour change can be achieved more quickly using this procedure. Laser whitening is said to make teeth up to five or six shades lighter.
Before you start your home teeth whitening process, impressions are taken of your upper and lower teeth so we can provide you with your own custom-made mouth guard or We then provide whitening gel and easy to follow instructions. The process is safe and fast. You may see a change in as little as 14 days.
Teeth can become discoloured as we get older, and can also be stained through food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant. Smoking can, of course, also stain teeth.
Calculus or tartar can also affect the colour of teeth. Some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.
Regular visits to the hygienist are advised, and a consultation is recommended in to discuss which whitening technique best suits your requirements.
In addition, Veneers, Lumineers, Invisalign and our Smile Makeover are all part of our Cosmetic Dentistry programme, designed to give you the look you want.
DON’T LET GUM DISEASE TAKE HOLD
Among the many good reasons for a regular visit to the Hereford Dentists is that gum or periodontal disease affects about one in three adults, and can lead to more serious ill health problems.
Studies have shown that gum disease contributes to heart, stroke, diabetic and pregnancy complications, as well as breathing problems and brain cell degeneration.
Gum disease symptoms include painful, bleeding, receding or infected gums, plaque formation, bad breath, loose teeth and toothache . It may start as a minor inconvenience, however it can quickly spread and become established in the mouth, gums and teeth.
Among the causes of gum disease are inadequate home dental care, not seeing your dentist or dental hygienist on a regular basis, a genetic history of periodontal disease and teeth loss, grinding and clinching your teeth leading to excessive wear and smoking.
If caught early it is very easily treated by a periodontal dentist at the Hereford Dental clinic, who can also detect minor problems such as cavities or chipped teeth, which can also lead to a risk of gum inflammation.
Gum disease can be avoided by a regular schedule of good home dental hygiene: brushing the teeth with the right toothbrush in the morning and before going to bed, and flossing before brushing at least once a day helps in cleaning away the small food particulars and bacteria from mouth, gums and teeth.
Investing in an Affordable Dental Plan at the Hereford practice will ensure that you can have the financial peace of mind to make a regular visit to your dental consultant part of your long-term health plan.
THINK BEFORE YOU HAVE YOUR TONGUE PIERCED
The Aztecs did it to honour the gods, and these days a tongue piercing is a popular fashion statement in the western world.
But if you are thinking of having a tongue stud or jewel attached, it may be worth discussing it with one of our experts at your next appointment at Hereford Dentists.
Research in the USA points to the risk of gaps appearing between front teeth, as well as potential infections and chipped teeth, any of which could lead to the need for cosmetic dentistry.
Problems can arise if people with tongue piercings get into the habit of pushing their prized stud or jewel against their teeth, which over a period of time can cause unsightly gaps to appear in the upper front teeth.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has warned that tongue piercing can cause infections, speech impediments, breathing problems, broken teeth and the risk of infection.
The BDA recommends that people should ask their dentists for advice on oral hygiene while the piercing is healing.
This includes advice on brushing to avoid inflaming the tongue and the need to use mouthwash to clean the bits of the mouth which the brush cannot reach.
Certainly, if you are thinking of having your tongue pierced then a discussion with a hygienist at the Hereford Dental Practice before you decide could benefit your future dental health.
