We may be far removed from the experiences of yesteryear, but there’s still a lingering terror amongst certain people of the dentists.

Here at CK Dental practice in Bristol, we were alarmed to read this recent news story, which claims that up to thirty patients per day are ducking out of vital appointments at the Birmingham Dental Hospital, mainly due to odontophobia.

Seeing as the majority of patients have been referred there because they require work that is too complex for the average dental clinic, this is a huge problem – both for the people involved (as they’ll be struck off the waiting list and left to sort the problem out themselves) and the NHS (which isn’t in a position to throw money away).

DNA = Did Not Attend

While there are many reasons why people are not attending, from not being able to book a time convenient to their lifestyles to simply forgetting, it’s clear that some of the biggest myths about the pain of dental care are yet to be completely expelled.

But does fear of dentists run deeper than we first thought? According to a recent study conducted by West Virginia University, maybe it does.

The study – conducted by two members of the University’s Department of Psychology – concluded that some of the genes we inherit that harbour a fear of pain can also influence and prey upon dental fears. We’ve always believed that odontophobia was caused by learned behaviour in childhood – now it appears it may run even deeper than that.

What can you do to fight the fear?

Our advice, as always, is to be honest with yourself first and foremost. Being afraid of drills and needles is a natural response – but resisting steps to relieve and prevent years of future dental discomfort goes against all our natural inclinations to protect ourselves.

And if you’re worried about passing your fear onto your children, this guide we prepared earlier can help.

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we get asked many questions by our clients on the subject of teeth whitening – in particular, what food and drink they should be avoiding to keep their teeth as gleaming as possible. So it’s time we had a look at what foods and drinks are the prime offenders – and some that actually help keep your teeth at their best…

The main culprits

Along with black coffee, red wine is the biggest contributor to teeth-staining, but white wine can be just as bad. The red version contains chromogens, which are the source of the all those tooth-discolouring pigments, but it also contains a lot of tannins, which dry out the mouth and cause a sticky mess on the teeth.

And just like red, white wine and rose contain erosive acid, which opens up the door for other foods to stain the teeth.

Hate teeth-staining? Hard cheese

However, there are plenty of foods that can help fend off staining, and they’re not all bland. Strawberries are packed with malic acid, which acts as a natural astringent. Seeds and nuts when chewed act as a natural exfoliant. Apples produce tons of saliva, which wash away bacteria. And harder cheeses boost tooth enamel as well as providing a shot of calcium.

Water is your best friend

…not only for its hydrating benefits, but because it really is the kindest drink for your teeth, for obvious reasons. Even if you refuse to give up black coffee, red wine and all the other food and drinks that can cause staining, a lot of their damage can be washed away with a slug of water immediately afterwards.

Get into the habit of having a glass of water handy when you eat or drink, if only for mouth-rinsing purposes.

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we’ve been taking notice of a recent study released this month which claims to draw a link between metal fillings and mercury exposure.

According to American scientists who studied data from 15,000 patients, there’s a correlation between an excessive amount of metal fillings and the raising of blood mercury levels, which can increase the risk of brain, heart and kidney ailments.

This is pretty alarming for Americans, but even worse for us Brits, who are noted for having poorer dental health. Over a million children under the age of five already have at least two fillings, while the average British adult has seven fillings – and according to the compilers of the report, having more than eight puts you at risk.

Why are metal fillings a potential danger?

Metal fillings – otherwise known as dental amalgam – contain a mixture of liquid silver, tin, copper and mercury, which then hardens. It’s been used by dentists since the 19th century, but the fourth of those ingredients – mercury – makes up 50% of the formula, and has always been seen as a worry.

Health authorities have always stressed that dental amalgam is safe, but they don’t completely recommend it for pregnant women or the very young.

Luckily, here at CK Dental in Bristol, we take full advantage of the very latest filling materials which are metal and mercury-free. Not only that, but it is deployed and fitted in a natural-looking colour, and the service is now available at an affordable rate.

If in doubt, talk to us

So, if you’re worried about the state of your fillings, our advice is: don’t panic. If you do have a mouth full of metal and would like a more natural look, come and see us for a consultation to find out how we can help.

There’s an ever-expanding and bewildering array of mouthwashes on the shelves nowadays, and they all make different claims. Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we receive a lot of enquires about the gargly stuff, so here’s a few things you need to know…

Therapeutic v cosmetic mouthwash

Mouthwashes fall into two categories. Cosmetic mouthwash (which is used solely for the freshening of the breath), and therapeutic mouthwash (which contains ingredients designed to fight oral bacteria).

If you’re just after the former, you don’t really need mouthwash – a stick of sugarless gum will suffice. If you’re after the optimum treatment with your mouthwash, you need to make sure you pick up the latter.

Alcohol

Many cosmetic mouthwashes trumpet the fact that they’re alcohol-free on the packaging, and usually contain astringent salts that will freshen the mouth – but won’t kill germs.

However, the new generation of mouthwashes are beginning to turn away from the hard stuff, as it dries out the mouth and can burn gum and cheek tissue, creating a whole new breeding ground for bacteria.

Antibacterial agents

If you want your mouthwash to put in serious work, this is the sort of element you need to have in your choice of brand. Even better if they contain germicides like cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) which fight plaque as well as take down bacteria and combat bad breath.

Fluoride

A no-brainer of an ingredient, to be honest.

When should I use mouthwash?

An easier question to answer would be; ‘When shouldn’t I use mouthwash?’, because if you’re using it directly after brushing your teeth, you won’t get the maximum benefit from either of them.

It’s always best to not rinse your mouth after brushing – either with water or mouthwash – because you want a film of toothpaste on your teeth for as long as possible. Get into the habit of leaving the toothpaste to do its work for a while before reaching for the mouthwash, or – even better – use mouthwash after meals if you haven’t the time to brush.

It’s been a part of the ‘proper’ dental care regime for decades now, and promoted as the one treatment that can get your teeth and breath truly clean. But the reputation of flossing has taken a battering of late with the introduction of interdental brushing – and according to recent studies, certain experts are predicting it may have reached the end of its tape.

A lot of floss about nothing?

Ever since America’s Associated Press conducted a secret survey amongst governmental health and dental experts – and came away with the conclusion that none of them would actually say that flossing had any real benefit – the US federal government quietly dropped its recommendations of the practice in its recent dietary guidelines, which has been there for 37 years.

Should you stop flossing?

Now that the NHS has announced that it may be reviewing its position on the matter, where does that leave us? It bears repeating that, like their modern counterparts, the incorrect and forced use of dental floss can do more harm than good. Poor technique can cause tooth and gum damage, but it can also dislodge bad bacteria, which can cause infection.

However, while interdental brushes have been proven to be more effective in removing food debris in hard-to-reach places, not everyone can use them: those of us with very little gap space between our teeth due to their natural growth (or impacted wisdom teeth) find that even the thinnest interdental brush is too large to fit snugly.

And there’s also the psychological benefit of flossing: not only does flossing shift mouth debris when it’s there, the user actually feels that they have a cleaner mouth after using it, which is important.

Our advice: if you haven’t tried interdental brushes yet, give them a try – they might work better for you. And if they’re not hitting the spot, review and improve upon your flossing technique.