December 2022

Have you ever heard of the smile diet?  It’s the concept that by making simple changes to what we eat and drink, we can significantly improve the health of our mouth. Most of us already know that too much sugar causes dental decay and acidity results in loss of tooth enamel.  The latest piece of research by the Oral Health Foundation and GSK supports this.  Findings show that almost nine in ten (88%) of us believe that healthy eating is important for maintaining good oral health. This is terrific news.  It shows that our knowledge about nutrition and its relationship with oral health is improving.  The difficulties for many of us now are around the practicalities of changing what we eat and drink to match those behaviours that we know are right. We are still a nation of grazers and snackers, continuing to consume sugar and other unhealthy food types, in vast quantities.  This is having a negative impact on our oral health as a population.  Rotten teeth are being routinely removed across all ages.  The challenges are there for us all to see.  These foods and drinks are all convenient, readily-available, cheap, easy and quick to consume.  They are also decisions made as a result of habit and emotion. It all means that if we want to improve the health of our mouth and truly adopt the smile diet, we are going to have to tackle the above barriers head on. Say no to unhealthy snacking, sugar and sweets Seven in ten (70%) of us believe that snacking has an impact on our oral health. And we are absolutely right.  Sadly, there is enough evidence to believe that our snacking habits are harmful to our oral health.  Sugary snacks and confectionary still manage to attract us.  It appears our sweet-tooth is hard to ignore. Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation says: “While chocolate, sweets, fruit juices and artificial milkshakes give us a short burst of energy and satisfy our taste-buds, they are packed with unhealthy ingredients that spell bad news for our mouth.  Consuming too much sugar too often can lead to long-term problems like gum disease, tooth loss and tooth decay, as well as wider health problems such as diabetes and obesity. “The good news is that snacking doesn’t have to be a bad thing – it all depends on the choices we make.” Further findings from the nationwide study shows that most of us (87%) know that choosing lower sugar snacks is better for the health of our mouth. “While snacking on the wrong things can be damaging to our health, the opposite can be said of healthier snacks,” adds Dr Carter.  “Raw nuts, vegetables, cheese and even breadsticks are tooth-friendly choices that can do wonders, not only for our mouth, but our body too.” Water and milk are best for oral health While sugar is the cause of tooth decay, there is another diet nasty that is playing havoc with our smile. Acids are commonly found across many widely-consumed drinks, including fruit juices, fizzy pops and alcohol.  Acidic drinks can soften the enamel surrounding our teeth, leaving them vulnerable to wear, which can expose the sensitive dentine underneath.  This is called dental erosion.  Without our enamel, our teeth become more sensitive and can lead to pain and discomfort. Dr Soha Dattani, Director Scientific & Professional Affairs at GSK Consumer Healthcare says: “Acidic foods and drinks can be very common.  As consumers, this makes it incredibly difficult for us to avoid them.  Even ‘diet’ and ‘sugar free’ drinks, that are being sold as healthier alternatives have remarkably low pH levels – making them especially acidic.  “For our oral health, even these are a no-go. “While special toothpastes like Sensodyne Pronamel can help strengthen our enamel and make our teeth less sensitive, the best scenario is to avoid these drinks altogether. Milk and still water remain the best choices for healthy teeth.” The smile diet A healthy diet has an extremely positive impact on our mouth and teeth. Although sugary and acidic may appear affordable and appealing, the consequences to our health may be both costly and unpleasant in the long run.  This year’s National Smile Month is the perfect opportunity to focus on achieving our perfect smile.  By removing unhealthier options and replacing them with deliciously nutritious alternatives, our physical health, mental wellbeing and our smile, will all feel the benefits. Say no more to the potential damage caused by sugar and acid and give our mouth, teeth and gums the best chance to flourish.  For National Smile Month, it’s time for all of us to truly embrace the smile diet. For more information or for any questions then check out our denture information page @Celebrity Dentistry. Alternatively, you can call our Dental Helpline on +917733993396

A straight and white smile is becoming more sought after then ever before.  This mindset began with the ‘Hollywood smile’, when we first started to develop an interest in mimicking the results of celebrity cosmetics.  For many at the time, the riches of these stars along with the price of cosmetic dentistry, put such procedures out of reach.  But much has changed. Today, the price of cosmetic dentistry, like tooth whitening and adult orthodontics have become far more affordable and accessible.  It means today’s Hollywood smile is now the ‘Love Island smile’.  As a reality show, this creates an image that cosmetic dentistry is obtainable and as ‘normal’ as visiting the hairdresser or barber. More of us are taking an interest in our own smile and searching for ways to improve it.  This is an extremely positive attitude.  However, while changing the appearance of our teeth sits high on many people’s wish list, it is important to remember the most important thing – the health of our smile.   New research To get a better understanding of how we view our smiles, we teamed up with Philips Sonicare to commission a brand new piece of research.  And the results of the investigation are eye-opening. One-in-five (20%) British adults have had cosmetic dentistry – and nearly one-in-ten (9%) have had it in the last year alone.  What’s more, another 19% of the population say they are looking into cosmetic dental work with the intention of having it one day soon. Unsurprisingly, tooth whitening came top of the dental makeover shopping list.  Nearly one-in-three (32%) Brits want whiter teeth while two-in-three (66%) have actively considered it. One of the main concerns from our investigation is that whiter teeth is considered more than twice as desirable as having healthy gums.  This is a problem.   A white smile can also be a healthy one There is a need for us to readdress our perceptions of what a healthy smile.  It’s important to remember that with the introduction of cosmetic dentistry, all may not be what it seems, and a white smile is not necessarily a healthy one. White teeth as a result of tooth whitening are still susceptible to tooth decay, and the gums are still prone to disease. Just as white teeth can improve our self-esteem, suffering from tooth loss can have the opposite effect.  Strong evidence is also pointing to gum disease linking to wider conditions such as heart disease,strokes, diabetes and dementia.  The health of our mouth isn’t only important for the state of our smile, it is also incredible influential for our quality of life. It all means we need to strike a better balance.  Of course, we can still have our teeth whitened, but we need to realise that the health of our teeth is far more important than the colour.   How to keep a healthy mouth So how do we achieve a healthy smile?  The good news is that the answer is pretty simple. Healthy teeth and gums can be achieved by a good oral health routine at home and regularly visiting our dentist. A good oral health routine only involves a few easy steps: Brushing our teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes. This is best done last thing at night and one other time during the day. Cleaning in between our teeth daily with interdental brushes or floss. Using mouthwash daily. Chewing sugar free gum in between meals. Cutting down how much sugar we have, and how often we have it – and keeping sugar consumption to mealtimes. Visiting our dentist as often as they recommend. So there we have it. By sticking to this basic routine, we can achieve that healthy mouth.  The next time we show off the results of our latest tooth whitening treatment, we can also be confident that our teeth and gums are in tip-top condition too. For more information on how to maintain good oral health check out our instagram  @Celebrity Dentistry  of oral health information.