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The truth about tooth whitening

Here at Bristol dentist practice CK Dental, tooth whitening is one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments. In fact, these days tooth whitening is so popular that many people don’t even view it as a cosmetic procedure, but as a necessary part of their oral health plan, alongside regular trips to the hygienist.

Teeth whitening nowadays is very safe, but it is always important to be aware of all the risks and benefits associated with any procedure, so here’s a list of things you need to think about before going ahead and having your teeth whitened:

  1. Do your homework
    There are a hundred different teeth whitening methods out there – from toothpastes that promise to give you whiter teeth within a month, to home-use whitening kits to professional procedures carried out by a dentist. It’s a good idea to speak to your dentist about which method would be most suitable for you.
  2. Manage your expectations
    If you’re expecting bright, white, Hollywood-style teeth at the end of treatment, you might be disappointed. Your dentist will be able to tell you fairly accurately what sort of final colour you can expect, but you can only lighten the existing colour of your teeth. If you really must have the full white effect, then veneers or crowns might be a better option for you.
  3. Be prepared to put in some work yourself
    Whichever teeth whitening method you choose, and however effective it is, you may need to make changes to your diet and lifestyle if you want the whiteness to last. Red wine, tea, coffee and cigarettes are all major culprits for staining teeth, and they will continue to do so even after your teeth have been whitened.

If you are looking for tooth whitening in Bristol, why not give our office a call and book an appointment with Bristol dentist Cornelius Krause to see what sort of result you can expect.

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Let’s get one thing straight…

Your teeth! A recent study showed that as many as one in four Britons were so ashamed of their teeth that they refused to smile in photographs. Now, we Brits are famed the world over for having bad teeth, but in this day and age does that really still need to be the case?

A wonky smile

Whether or not it is true, the perception in other countries is that British people have wonky, stained, overcrowded teeth. This might not be the case for all of us, but if the survey results are to be believed, at least a quarter of us could do with some improvement.

Most of us have an in-built fear of braces, remembering the train tracks worn by schoolmates, and for many people an imperfect smile is preferable to a mouth full of metal. But there is another way.

Invisible braces

Invisalign is an invisible teeth straightening system, which we have been offering for many years here at Bristol dentist clinic CK Dental. We chose the system because it offers the ideal way to achieve straighter teeth, without the embarrassment and pain associated with traditional brace systems.

Convenient and fast

An Invisalign treatment programme is comprised of a series of invisible, removable aligners that are tailor made for you. Whereas with regular, metal braces, you need to return to the dentist for painful tightening sessions every few weeks, with Invisalign you just insert the next aligner in the series every fortnight.

We decided to offer Invisalign in Bristol because it offers results in times that are similar to or sometimes even faster than traditional braces, and because the system is so user friendly – the aligners are removable, so you can take them out to eat, or for public engagements, although of course the more you wear them, the quicker they will get to work.

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Stop smoking and improve your oral health

The British Dental Health Foundation has recently spoken out in support of proposed measures from the Royal Society of Public Health to change the way in which tobacco is sold and to extend smoking exclusion zones.

Everyone knows now that smoking is bad for you, but the effect that tobacco can have on your oral health is often overlooked. We have seen countless patients at our Bristol dental practice who have had to undergo extensive cosmetic or restorative dental work as a direct result of smoking.

Teeth staining

One of the most common treatments undergone by smokers at our Bristol dentist clinic – or, more commonly, ex-smokers, as continuing to smoke will render the treatment ineffective in the long run – is teeth whitening. Over time, nicotine will stain your teeth yellow, meaning everyone can see you are a smoker. Teeth whitening is a great way to deal with this, but stopping smoking is the best way to prevent the problem from recurring.

Gum health

It is not just your teeth that are involved in good oral health, however, and gum disease is one of the major effects that smoking can have on your mouth. People who smoke are more likely to produce a bacterial plaque that leads to gum disease, and smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, meaning the gums don’t heal as easily.

Mouth cancer

By now we are all aware that smoking causes lung cancer, and most people know it causes throat cancer too. But did you know that smoking is also one of the major causes of mouth cancer? The early signs of mouth cancer can be detected by a dentist – watch out particularly for mouth ulcers that don’t heal – so if you are concerned, book an appointment at our Bristol dentist clinic today.

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your oral health. The new recommendations include the sale of nicotine replacement products and e-cigarettes everywhere that tobacco is sold, so if you are a smoker, why not consider opting for an alternative next time you pop to the shops to stock up?

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Five facts about kids’ teeth

There’s been a lot of talk about children’s dental health in the media lately, since it was revealed that there was an 11% rise in the number of children admitted to hospital in 2013-14. However, it isn’t all bad news and a lot of the children we see here at our Bristol dental practice have very healthy teeth.

So, here are some facts to give you hope, as well as some that will help you to keep your kid’s dental health in check:

1. The earlier the better when it comes to visiting the dentist

Children should be taken to the dentist as soon as their first baby teeth appear, to get them used to the experience, and to help you as a parent find out the right things to do to keep your child’s teeth healthy. The earlier they have their first dentist visit, the more relaxed they are likely to be about it in future.

2. The number of children with plaque has decreased by 10% in ten years

This is great news and means that the majority of parents are paying serious attention to their children’s oral health. A good teeth-cleaning regime twice a day and regular visits to the dentist can do wonders – at this rate, plaque in children will be totally eradicated by 2079!

3. Many ‘healthy’ drinks contain more sugar than you think

OK, this isn’t quite such a positive one, but it’s good to keep on your toes when it comes to children’s sugar intake, and if you pay attention to the sugar content of their drinks it could keep you away from our Bristol dentist practice for all but the most routine of appointments! Some apparently ‘healthy’ fruit juices have been found to contain more sugar than the equivalent amount of Sprite, so it might be worth sticking to milk or water as much as possible.

4. Good dental health doesn’t cost the earth…

With a tube of toothpaste costing around a pound and lasting several weeks, and toothbrushes available at a price of £1.50 or less, even those families on a low income can afford to keep their children’s teeth healthy. And a little expenditure now can help to avoid costly dental work in future.

5. English children have the healthiest teeth in Britain

This is a cheerful thought to send you on your way – a recent survey found that children in England have healthier teeth than their Welsh or Scottish counterparts. Keep up the good work, mums and dads!

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Should we supervise our children’s toothbrushing?

Recent guidelines from the Royal College of Surgeons have recommended that parents supervise their children brushing their teeth up to the age of fourteen. The advice comes in response to reports that nearly 26,000 children were admitted to hospital with tooth decay in 2013-14, a rise of 11% since 2011.

Many parents and children think that 14 is too old to be watched over during toothbrushing, so what is the answer? Here at Bristol dentist clinic CK Dental, we think that correct toothbrushing is vital to avoid tooth decay and gum disease, but parents should be able to make their own judgement as to whether their children need to be supervised. Perhaps watch your child brush their teeth a couple of times, to ensure they are doing so correctly, before leaving them to their own devices.

So, what should you be looking out for if you are watching them?

Brush for two minutes

If you or your child struggle to know exactly how long two minutes is, try investing in an electric toothbrush, which will buzz to let you know when the time is up. The two-minute time period is the time most dentists agree it should take to clean your teeth really thoroughly.

Brush every tooth

Encourage your child to divide their mouth into four sections – top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right – and brush each for around thirty seconds. Remind them to brush the backs of their teeth as well as the front.

Don’t brush too hard

Whilst it’s important to brush your teeth thoroughly, brushing too hard can damage the enamel of your teeth and erode the gums. You can tell if your child is brushing their teeth too hard, as they will be wearing out toothbrushes quickly. Encourage them to rest the brush lightly on the surface of the teeth, and sweep not scrub.

For more information on the correct way to brush your teeth, or to check whether your child is showing signs of tooth decay, make an appointment at Bristol dentist clinic CK Dental today.

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How drinking water can help your teeth

Summer is in full swing now and most of us have upped our liquid consumption to help us cool down and avoid dehydration on hot sunny days. We all know by now that water is the healthiest choice – it has countless benefits for our general health and can help us stay looking slimmer and younger for longer – but did you know that drinking water is good for your teeth, too? Here at Bristol dentist practice CK Dental, we try to encourage our patients to drink as much water as possible. Here’s why:

Sugar free

It may seem obvious, but being free of sugar of any description means water offers a great alternative to juices, squash, fizzy drinks or even milk when it comes to your teeth. Sugar has an acid effect on teeth, eroding away the enamel and eventually causing plaque and tooth decay. Drinking water instead of sugary drinks can help avoid this.

Flushing away food

If you drink water after eating, it helps to wash your teeth clean of any food or sugar residue. Obviously drinking water is not an alternative to toothbrushing, but if you are out and about and unable to brush your teeth, drinking a glass of water after eating sugary foods can help limit the damage to your teeth.

Drink more!

With all its health benefits, you would think we would all be drinking water whenever possible, but studies show that very few of us manage the recommended two litres a day. If you want to up your water intake and enjoy the positive effect this can have on your teeth and general health, try starting each day with a large glass of water – often, this can encourage you to drink more over the course of the day.

If you want to find out some other tricks to keep your teeth healthier, make an appointment with Bristol dentist clinic CK Dental today.

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Free parking for dental patients in Clifton

Free parking for dental patients in Clifton is available at the Nuffield Hospital The Chesterfield in Clifton Bristol.

Our state of the art dental practice CK Dental is offering free onsite parking for our patients.

We are welcoming our private patients in the lower ground floor in air conditioned facilities.

You will be welcomed at the ground floor by a member of the team and tea and coffee are available for you.

Please make an appointment and find out how we can help you.

Looking forward to welcome you as a new patient soon.

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Alternative dental care

Alternative dental care can show us various options to look after our teeth differently. A study published in the Daily Mail has shown that swilling your mouth with coconut oil as part of your oral health routine can benefit the health of your teeth and gums. The report – originally published in a Nigerian medical journal – claims that the practice can reduce plaque and gum disease, whiten teeth and boost the immune system.

Is it just hype?

Here at Bristol dentist practice CK Dental, we are always interested in anything that can help improve oral health. However, we would advise our patients against using coconut oil in place of their usual brushing and flossing routine.

The study was very clear that participants performed the ‘oil pulling’ ritual as part of their usual oral hygiene regime – alongside brushing and flossing. Although the results were positive, more studies would need to be seen for us to recommend this as everyday oral healthcare.

What’s the best thing to do to keep my teeth healthy?

The most important things that you can do to ensure that your teeth and gums remain in the best possible health are to visit a dentist regularly and to brush and floss your teeth twice a day.

At our Bristol dentist practice we are aware of all the fads that come and go in the dental world, but brushing and flossing have never wavered! If you really want to make a change and invest some money in your teeth, the best thing you could do would be to sign up to our Denplan scheme (click here to get in touch for more info), to ensure you never have to miss another dental appointment for cash flow reasons.

Long-term gain

One other important thing to remember about oil pulling is that whilst this study does show an improvement in the short term, the long-term effects of the practice have not been investigated. Until more evidence is forthcoming, we here at CK Dental recommend sticking with what you know: brush and floss twice daily, and visit your dentist regularly!

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Dental practice in Bristol

Dental practice in Bristol CK Dental  welcomes you to the new home to enhance your smile in the most gentle and caring manner.

As British summertime really gets into swing, perhaps now is the time to think about how best to set off your golden glow… with bright, white, healthy teeth, of course!

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we offer a range of procedures to make sure your teeth are looking their best this summer – from a basic hygiene appointment to porcelain veneers. Here’s why:

Dental hygiene appointments

Even when you clean your teeth religiously twice a day, it’s hard to avoid the build-up of calculus, which will eventually become plaque. Visiting the hygienist regularly means you can give your teeth a really thorough clean, leaving them looking and feeling healthier than ever.

Tooth whitening

If you want to go one step further, why not consider our at-home whitening kit? Come into our Bristol dentist practice to have a mould of your mouth taken, and we will then present you with your own personalised kit to get whiter teeth in just two weeks!

Porcelain veneers

If your teeth need more than just a spot of TLC – perhaps they are chipped from an accident, or worn down through teeth-grinding – then you may wish to consider porcelain veneers. We can cover your existing teeth with thin porcelain veneers, to create the appearance of a full set of beautiful, white, healthy teeth.

So if you’re looking for the perfect complement to your summer tan, why not pop into our Bristol practice and find out what we can do for you. First things first: book an appointment with our dentist, Cornelius Krause, to ensure your oral health is as good as it can be and assess which of the above options is most suitable for you, and then set a date for your teeth transformation.

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Tooth whitening in Bristol

Looking for tooth whitening in Bristol? Summer is finally just around the corner, and while many people will be worrying about slimming down to look good on the beach, it is worth remembering that a bright, beautiful smile can hide a multitude of sins.

Multiple surveys have shown that the smile is the feature that most attracts the opposite sex, so why not make that top of your to-do list when it comes to getting beach ready? Here at Bristol dentist clinic CK Dental, we offer a number of treatments that can help, from basic check-ups and hygiene appointments, to cosmetic dentistry. Perhaps the quickest fix for a sparkling smile is teeth whitening.

How does teeth whitening work?

Here at CK Dental, we use a home whitening kit that works over a period of about two weeks – perfect as a last-minute treatment before heading off to exotic climes. At your first appointment, Bristol dentist Mr Krause will take an imprint of your teeth, which will be used to create your customised whitening tray. You will then be given this tray to take home with you, along with some whitening solution, and will use this overnight for two weeks.

What sort of result can I expect?

Results from tooth whitening treatment are usually predictable, and Dr Krause will be able to tell you at your initial appointment what sort of whitening you can expect to achieve. Additionally, if at the end of the fortnight you wish for an even brighter smile, it can be topped up to maximum whiteness over just a couple of nights, and at minimal cost.

Is it safe?

Yes, tooth whitening is extremely safe and effective – this particular treatment has been in use for over 10 years and millions of people have had their teeth whitened, with complications being extremely rare.

If you think you’d like to concentrate on getting your smile ready for summer – meaning you can slow down on those ab crunches! – give the team at CK Dental a call to book in your initial consultation.

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