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MPs back the sugar tax

Leading dental charity, the British Dental Health Foundation, has welcomed the recent announcement by the Commons Health Select Committee that ‘bold and urgent’ action is needed to tackle child health issues, with a sugar tax as a key measure.

Compelling evidence was presented to the committee that a sugar tax would protect children from two growing health problems – tooth decay and obesity.

The chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, commented on the news: “The introduction of the tax is a necessity, currently child tooth extractions due to sugar-related tooth decay are the single biggest reason for children being admitted to hospital for quick and decisive action and ministers have to pay attention.”

The announcement by MPs follow a review by Public Health England which was published a few weeks ago. Recommendations from the review included a reduction in sugar in processed foods, limits to in-store price promotions and a ten to twenty per cent tax on sugary drinks.

Sugar is evil

It’s not just a question of cutting out the sweets and chocolates; many processed foods contain surprisingly high levels of sugar. Shop-bought pasta sauces have between six and twelve grams of sugar per serving and even a slice of white or wholemeal bread can contain half a teaspoon of sugar. Parents might buy an energy or granola bar for their children, thinking they are making a healthy choice, but these ‘healthy’ snacks often contain as much sugar as a chocolate bar.

Bacteria is always present in the mouth and most are beneficial to oral health. However, harmful oral bacteria will feed on the sugar, creating acid that destroy tooth enamel. Over time cavities form and without treatment develop into full-blown tooth decay.

At CK Dental practice in Bristol, our team advise all our patients that, as well as being careful about the amount of sugar your children are consuming, a good oral hygiene routine is essential, but also regular dental check-ups are key. To book your check-up, give us a call on 0117 906 4872.

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Teeth whitening – is it safe?

There has been a lot of media attention devoted to the dangers of teeth whitening recently, with reports that some beauty salons are continuing to offer the service illegally, even after having been prosecuted for doing so.

This has understandably caused a lot of consternation among the general public, especially as the popularity of teeth whitening treatments continues to soar – which is no doubt why so many are trying to cash in on it.

The truth is that teeth whitening is a very safe procedure, if it is carried out by a qualified, trained professional, such as Bristol dentist Cornelius Krause, chief dentist here at CK Dental.

Who is allowed to perform tooth whitening?

Only trained dental professionals, such as dentists and dental hygienists are legally allowed to carry out in-clinic teeth whitening procedures, according to the Dentists Act 1984.

This means that it is totally illegal for beauticians or beauty therapists to offer the procedure, although many of them are doing so.

What can happen if teeth whitening goes wrong?

In the hands of a dental professional, it is highly unlikely that anything could go wrong during a tooth whitening procedure. However, tooth whitening kits usually contain the bleach hydrogen peroxide, which can cause damage to the teeth and gums if used incorrectly. If the tray used to whiten the teeth does not fit properly, it is possible for some of the bleach to be swallowed, which can be very dangerous.

How can I get my teeth whitened safely?

By visiting a trained dental professional, such as Bristol dentist Cornelius Krause. It may be tempting to get a cut-price treatment at a beauty salon, but it is never worth risking your health for the sake of saving a few pounds.

In the right hands, tooth whitening is a very safe, highly effective treatment.

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Dental implants versus dentures: why pay more?

For most of the patients we see here at CK Dental in Bristol who are suffering from missing teeth, the one thing that is holding them back from opting for dental implants over dentures, or ‘false teeth’, is the cost.

There is no denying that implants do come at a much higher price point than dentures, but they do also come with several advantages, and could even save you money in the long term. Here are just some of the reasons why implants are the better choice:

Implants are securely bonded to your jaw

That means they won’t slip around and become noticeable, they won’t get stuck in certain foods and they won’t make it difficult for you to talk. In fact, implants look, feel and behave exactly like your natural teeth.

Dentures, on the other hand, can move around within the mouth, causing problems with eating and speaking. In fact, some of the patients we have seen at our Bristol dentist practice have even found that this slippage has caused sores in the mouth, where their dentures have rubbed against the gums.

Implants are permanent

Whilst you do of course need to take care of your dental implants, just as you would your natural teeth, they are a permanent solution to the problem of missing teeth. Dentures, on the other hand, need more daily care than your natural teeth and will eventually need to be replaced.

Implants help to preserve the face

Loss of teeth can be very ageing, not just because of the visible gaps in your smile, but because your jaw can recede as a result, causing your face to sink downwards. Implants help to preserve the gum and bone of the jaw, preventing this recession, whereas dentures can only hide the gaps where your teeth are missing.

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Invisalign: What’s in it for you?

We make a big deal of our Invisalign invisible braces system here at CK Dental in Bristol, but it may not be obvious to you, the patient, why Invisalign is preferable to traditional braces for teeth straightening.

With that in mind, we wanted to outline exactly how Invisalign compares to metal braces, weighing up the pros and cons of each system.

Cost

Many people believe that Invisalign is significantly more expensive than traditional teeth straightening devices, but that is not necessarily the case. In fact, depending on the severity of the problem to be treated, in some cases Invisalign can actually be cheaper than braces.

Duration of treatment

Generally, Invisalign patients find that their problem has been resolved within 18 months, although this does of course vary depending on patient needs. Patients wearing metal braces wear them on average for about two years.

Frequency of dentist visits

With traditional brace systems, patients need to return to their dentist to have the braces tightened around once a month. Because this “tightening” is performed at home for Invisalign, we generally advise that patients return to our Bristol dental practice every four to six weeks for a check-up, changing aligner trays at home every two weeks.

Discomfort/inconvenience

Both Invisalign and metal braces will cause patients a small amount of discomfort at some point. With Invisalign this discomfort is mostly associated with the movement of the teeth, whereas with metal braces there may also be some pain from the wires or brackets rubbing against the gums and inner cheeks.

The level of inconvenience perceived to be associated with each teeth straightening system will vary from patient to patient – some people find it an annoyance to have to remove their invisible brace before eating, others find this an advantage as there is no need to limit their diet, as there may be with traditional metal braces.

Overall, the team here at Bristol dentist practice CK Dental has found Invisalign to be an extremely effective system for teeth straightening, with many advantages over traditional devices.

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Protect your teeth this Bonfire Night

We are entering into a dangerous time of year for teeth – from Halloween to Bonfire Night to Christmas, the shops are full of sugary treats and it can be difficult for the most self-disciplined of us to resist everything. So, what can we do to keep our teeth healthy this winter? And, more specifically, how can we persuade our children to do the same? The team here at CK Dental in Bristol has come up with a few ideas that shouldn’t be too difficult to implement:

Try to offer healthy alternatives

Kids will be desperate for toffee apples on bonfire night, but could you distract them with a healthier option? Making popcorn at home could be a great way to replicate the fun of fireworks whilst also providing a sugar-free snack to enjoy during the display.

Keep drinking water

Whether you are having a bonfire at home or going out to a big public display, try to keep a bottle of water to hand and ensure that you and the children drink from it regularly, particularly if there are sugary snacks on the go. This will help to wash the sugar off your teeth, avoiding too much build-up.

Don’t skip brushing – however late they are to bed

When the kids have been up late watching a firework display, it’s always tempting to miss out the whole bath time routine, just to ensure they get as much sleep as possible. However, skipping tooth brushing is a dangerous precedent to set, especially on a night when they may have enjoyed the odd sugary treat.

Do ensure that you leave it at least half an hour between the last snack and tooth brushing though – if you brush too soon, the enamel on your teeth will still be softened from the sugar and you risk doing more harm than good.

For more tips, or to book an appointment with our Bristol dentist, please contact us.

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Dental implants – home or away?

Dental implants are fast becoming one of the most popular ways to deal with the problem of missing teeth, as they offer a secure, permanent solution without any of the hassle associated with false teeth.

As their popularity rises however, so many people are seeking to cut costs by travelling abroad for the surgery. With low prices and tempting websites promising dental ‘holidays’, many of these clinics seem very attractive, but what is the real price of going overseas for dental implant surgery?

Communication breakdown

It may not sound like much, but the ability to converse freely with your dental surgeon, and to understand everything the team is saying to each other, can be vital to your comfort during dental implant surgery.

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we aim to make patients feel as comfortable as possible throughout any dental procedure, by talking you through what is happening and answering any questions you may have. Whilst of course any well-respected dentist will do the same, if there is a language barrier you may find your dentist is unable to answer your questions immediately, or that there are conversations going on around – and possibly about – you that you do not understand

Return visits

Aftercare is an important part of any surgical procedure, and it is vital to be able to contact your dental team easily for several weeks post operatively and to be able to go back into the clinic if necessary.

If your operation was performed abroad, this may not be so easy. Time differences and different working hours can make it difficult even to speak on the phone, and a return visit to the clinic could be a very lengthy and costly process. Often this means going to see a different dentist locally to you, who is not fully abreast of your situation.

Talk it through

Whilst traveling abroad might be the right option for you, it is a good idea to talk it through with your own dentist first, to find out what the options are. Here at Bristol dentist practice CK Dental, we are very happy to talk to patients about all the options available when you start to lose your teeth.

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Rugby players – protect your teeth!

The current Rugby World Cup has got a generation of young players excited about playing the great game, but it has also shed light on how important it is to protect them. The British Dental Health Foundation has issued a recommendation that all school-age rugby players should wear mouthguards on the playing field, after a survey revealed that a third of children don’t protect their teeth while playing rugby.

According to Rugby Football Union rules, it is compulsory that all players aged 18+ wear mouth protection, and here at Bristol dentist practice CK Dental we agree with the Dental Health Foundation that children should do the same, to avoid cracking or even losing teeth on the rugby pitch.

Performance mouthwear

At CK Dental in Bristol, we stock the Under Armour range of mouthguards, which have been designed to protect teeth during the most physical of sports. They are custom fitted to ensure your teeth receive the protection they need, and the latest range is microwaveable and remouldable, so that your mouthguard fits perfectly, everyday.

Learn from others

In New Zealand, since it became compulsory for rugby players of all ages to wear mouthguards on the pitch, the nation has seen a 43% reduction in all dental injuries, which just shows the sort of negative impact contact sports like rugby can have on teeth.

Let the professionals be their role model

One complaint that Bristol dentist Cornelius Krause of CK Dental hears a lot from parents is that they don’t believe their child will agree to wear a mouthguard.

If she or he is a big enough rubgy fan, however, this shouldn’t pose an issue – just as they love to wear the same rugby shirt as their favourite player, just show them that player’s mouth and they will see that he too wears a mouthguard every time he plays.

Until this advice is made law, it is up to parents to ensure that their children’s teeth are protected on the rugby pitch. For more advice on this, which could help you avoid expensive dental treatment in future, please contact us to make an appointment.

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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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