We’re all aware of the introduction of microbeads – tiny balls of plastic smaller than a grain of sand – to the exfoliating products we use.

We’re also equally aware of their drawbacks – how they end up in the oceans, sucking up toxins and eventually ending up ending up in the bellies of fish (some of whom end up in the bellies of some of us). In fact, it’s been announced that they’ll be banned in cosmetics in the UK by the end of 2017.

Microbeads in dental products

But were you aware that microbeads can also be used in dental products? That fact was recently drawn to our attention by a Mail Online article about a London woman who started using a whitening toothpaste, unaware that
it contained microbeads – and her use of an electric toothbrush meant she was effectively grinding small particles of plastic into her teeth and gums.

Now she’s claiming that she’s lost about 2mm from the gums surrounding her lower front teeth and complains of pain when she drinks fruit juice.

This problem flared up a couple of years ago, when American dentists started to notice tiny flecks of plastic embedded in their patients’ gums, and although most toothpastes in the UK have cut them out, there are still a few
toothpastes that haven’t yet.

It goes without saying that microbeads are a definite no-no when it comes to oral health – not only do they cut into the enamel and gum tissue, they can also trap bacteria and lead to all manner of infections.

So why put them in?

Usually found in skin products, microbeads are seen as a cheap and always-available substitute for natural exfoliants, and they can also bulk out and add colour to a product. There’s no actual benefit for the user.

Because the toothpastes involved don’t advertise the fact that they use microbeads, you need to take a close look at the ingredients – if they contain the likes of plastics such as Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate and Polymethyl Methacrylate, you need to stop using them right away. If in doubt, ask your dentist

According to a recent survey conducted by the Oral Health Foundation, one in four Britons believe that electric toothbrushes are for the lazy, which came as an enormous surprise to us here at CK Dental practice in Bristol.

So let’s lay out a few comparisons between the electric toothbrush and good old elbow grease and see if that’s really the case…

Brush movements

According to tests, the average motions made by the user of a regular toothbrush result in 300 to 600 movements per minute. An electric toothbrush, on the other hand, can deliver over 48,000 movements a minute – a huge improvement.

Furthermore, while manual toothbrush users can easily fall into bad brushing habits – such as an endless back-and-forth motion, as opposed to the circular motion that dentists recommend – virtually all electric toothbrushes rotate, which is far more effective in sweeping plaque away.

Over-brushing

While manual toothbrush users are getting far less activity going on in their mouths as opposed to their electric counterparts, they also run more of a risk in damaging their teeth by pressing too hard.

This is not so much of a danger with the more modern electric toothbrushes, as a lot of them have built-in sensors that alert the user when they’re being pressed against the tooth.

Child-friendliness

Another department where the electric toothbrush comes out on top is with kids. While they can’t usually brush as well as they might with a manual toothbrush (and find it boring), the electric toothbrush does all the hard work – and they actually enjoy brushing their teeth with one.

In short, there’s nothing at all wrong with using a standard toothbrush – providing you know how to use it properly. If you feel you could use a little more power and convenience during your daily dental routine, however, we recommend you upgrade to electric as soon as you can.

Wisdom teeth tend to form during the late teens and early twenties. A throwback to an earlier era of human development, wisdom teeth are now superfluous at best and a very painful complication at worst.

When should wisdom teeth be removed?

As always, your dentist knows best. That moment will always occur before pain from wisdom teeth growth becomes an issue – but if you’re not getting your teeth checked regularly, they can come in without warning, causing tenderness, redness, swelling and pain.

Will I have to go to hospital?

In most cases, the work can be done in-house: in rare cases, your dentist will recommend a hospital visit. Don’t panic: this only means that the hospital is better equipped to deal with the problem, and you will be in and out on the same day.

How is the wisdom tooth removed?

As always, there’ll be a local anaesthetic injection to numb the tooth and surrounding area. If the tooth hasn’t broken through, there’ll be a small cut in the gum to get to it.

In some cases, the tooth will need to be cut into smaller pieces to make it easier to remove. In others, the tooth will need to be rocked back and forth to widen the socket before taking it out.

Dissolving stitches can be used on areas of the gum that have been opened. In some cases, you’ll be asked to bite on gauze in order to help a blood clot form in the empty socket, and you may be prescribed a course of antibiotics.

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we understand the fears surrounding wisdom teeth removal. After all, for most patients, it will be their first adult experience with tooth extraction. But we always see the procedure as an essential preventative measure that can prevent future complications with the wisdom tooth itself and adjacent teeth.

Although dental care is very low on the list when it comes to your child’s health issues, it won’t be too long before they’ll need to be registered for treatment – and the importance of getting them into the routine can’t be overstated.

A lot of adults with dentalphobia can point to a bad experience in their childhood which explains their fear of the dentist, which can lead to all manner of problems in later life.

CK Dental of Bristol has put together the following guide for parents:

Start them early

Dentists recommend that your children’s first visit to the dentist should commence around their first birthday. Two reasons for this: it’s essential that your children get their teeth checked out as soon as possible in order to keep on top of any potential problems, and it gets your kids used to the idea that regular dental check-ups are nothing to be scared of.

Don’t tell them about your early experiences

…even if they were positive ones, and especially if they weren’t. It’s unfair on your child to be told that things are better now than in your day – they’ll only pick up on the negative experiences.

Let them play at dentists

They’re probably already playing Doctors and Nurses, so make sure to add dental treatment into their routine. Use their toothbrush to count their teeth, and let them do likewise to you. And keep it simple: no drill sounds or extractions.

Let them see you get checked out

This always helps. Kids are endlessly fascinated in what their parents get up to, so letting them get used to the environment (whilst not having anything done to them) is a great introduction to dental care.

Schedule appointments as early as possible

As with adults who fear the dentist, the earlier in the day appointment is set, the less time your child will have to fret about the visit.

It goes without saying that pregnancy is one of the most stressful times of a woman’s life, with all manner of changes and accommodations occurring to her body.

And while dental treatment is obviously going to be lower on your list of priorities than usual, the team from CK Dental Practice in Bristol feel there are a few things you’ll need to know while you’re expecting.

Keep tabs on your gums

The hormonal charge running through your body is going to impact on a lot of things, and in certain cases, your gums are more likely to bleed.

This isn’t necessarily a danger sign for you (and certainly not for your baby), but it does create a greater chance of gum inflammation and open you up to gum infection, which could cause you dental problems in the long run. It could also mean your health isn’t as good as it could be, so don’t ignore the warning signs.

Keep on top of your dental hygiene

Another by-product of hormonal change in the gums is an accelerated build-up of dental plaque, meaning that you may have to step up your dental regime.

Can I have local anaesthetic during pregnancy?

While you’re probably not going to want to indulge in extensive dental work during this phase of your life, you (and your baby) have nothing to worry about should you need a correction or two.

For starters, local anaesthetic is precisely that: a procedure that focuses on the desired area, and not an injection into the bloodstream, so your baby won’t be affected at all.

What treatment should I avoid?

The only treatment that dentists stay away from during pregnancy is the use of mercury amalgam fillings – although there’s no evidence that they’re a health risk, they’re still not recommended, just to be on the safe side.