Tag Archive for: dental practice Bristol

Sugary drinks cause tooth decayEveryone knows that sugar is bad for teeth. It causes tooth decay and often sugary drinks contain acids which can corrode the delicate tooth enamel. There are certain fizzy drinks that are well known culprits.

No one would be surprised to hear than a can of coke contains a lot of sugar and is therefore bad for your teeth, but there are some ‘healthier’ drinks that have a surprisingly high sugar content.

During 2016, the Government floated the suggestion of imposing a sugar tax on soft drinks, prompting the evaluation of exactly how much sugar was found in many of the nation’s favourite drinks. To make the findings easily digestible, the amount of sugar was then converted into ‘teaspoon equivalents’.

And the ‘winner’ is…..

The table below shows the rank order of the 10 worst offending soft drinks consumed in the UK, and how many grams of sugar are found within each.

Old Jamaica Ginger Beer Extra Fiery (15.7 grams per 100ml)

Rockstar Punched Guava (15.6)

Old Jamaica Ginger Beer (15.2)

Mountain Dew (13.0)

Coke Cherry (11.2)

Pepsi Cola (11.0)

Red Bull (11.0)

Monster Origin Energy Drink (11.0)

7 Up (11.0)

Coca Cola (10.6)

The drink containing the highest amount of sugar per 100ml is Old Jamaican Ginger Beer, and at just under 16 grams of sugar per 100ml this equates to almost four teaspoons of sugar. When you bear in mind that many fizzy drinks are consumed in 330ml cans, you can quickly see that this equates to a startling amount of sugar. Coca Cola gets a bad press for containing a lot of sugar, and just enters the top 10 with 10.6 grams per 100ml.

Brush away excess sugar

Here at CK Dental practice in Bristol, we recommend that brushing your teeth at least twice a day is a good starting point to removing a build up of sugar in between your teeth, but if you’re a fan of any of the types of drinks listed above then it might be sensible to begin brushing between meals too.

Our European cousins take this approach, with Italians in particular very stringent with their oral hygiene and regularly found brushing their teeth between meals, but this is something that is yet to really
catch on here in the UK. It’s never too late to start, so if you’re keen to keep your teeth healthy yet are partial to sugary drinks, then this could be a good contender for a 2017 New Year’s resolution…..

 

Dentophobia, or odontophobia, is the fear of dentists and dental procedures, and it is not an uncommon phobia. Here at CK Dental, we want our patients to feel completely at ease when undergoing treatment at our Bristol dental clinic. For most people the use of local anaesthesia, to numb any pain caused by dental treatments, is enough to make them comfortable, but for those who are severely upset by the thought of undergoing dental work we offer conscious sedation.

What is ‘conscious sedation’?

Also known as ‘twilight sedation’, this is a state of deep relaxation in which the patient is responsive to speech and command, but will tolerate procedures which otherwise might have been too uncomfortable, either physically or due to fear.

At CK Dental in Bristol, we use a consultant anaesthetist, Dr Claudia Paoloni, to perform our conscious sedation, ensuring you are in the very best hands to further put you at ease. The medication can be administered either orally – as a pill – or through an IV drip, which Dr Paoloni will personally supervise.

Will this mean an overnight stay?

No. Conscious sedation has a very quick recovery time and most people are able to return home almost immediately after treatment, although we do recommend that you bring a close friend or family member to accompany you.

Some patients are worried that being awake during the procedure will cause them to be even more afraid in future, however one major benefit of conscious sedation is that although you are ‘conscious’ in the medical sense, you are not fully awake and most people do not remember the procedure clearly.

For more information on conscious sedation and the methods used at our Bristol dentistry clinic, please click here.

The British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has recently joined the groups calling for fruit juice to be removed from the list of recommended five-a-day portions. According to the official list, a 150ml glass of unsweetened fruit juice counts towards your five a day, but dentists – including Bristol dental surgeon Cornelius Krause of CK Dental – say that even unsweetened juices can be harmful to oral health.

At a time when many children as young as three are showing visible signs of tooth decay, the BDHF believes that keeping fruit juice on the five-a-day list sends out the wrong message to parents and children.

What’s wrong with drinking juice?

Many parents who we see here at our Bristol clinic say they give their children fruit juices to drink as an easy way to increase their fruit consumption, but the high concentration of sugars and acids in juices means that they can cause damage to the teeth, particularly when sipped repeatedly throughout the day.

What should children drink instead?

According to the British Dental Health Foundation, water and milk are the best drinks you can give to children. If they really insist on drinking fruit juice, try to keep it to mealtimes, when the mouth is producing more saliva to help wash the sugars away from the teeth.

How can we limit the damage caused by drinking fruit juice?

Any dentist will tell you how important it is to ensure that children brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. This is particularly important when the child drinks a lot of fruit juice, or eats a high sugar diet.

It is worth remembering, however, that brushing teeth too soon after consuming sugary food or drink can actually do more harm than good, as sugars soften the enamel on the teeth – try to leave a good half hour before tooth brushing.

For more detailed advice on how to care for your children’s teeth, book an appointment with dental surgeon and cosmetic dentist Mr Krause, here at our clinic in Bristol.

January is a time of year when we all resolve to turn over a new leaf and look after ourselves a little better, so this year why not start with your teeth? Here are some ideas from the team at our Bristol clinic, to get you thinking…

Floss every day

Everyone resolves to floss straight after a visit to the dentist, when all that build-up has been scraped from between your teeth, but that resolve often falls by the wayside a few days in. Why not make this the year you actually stick to it?

Cut down on sugary food and drink

It’s unrealistic to expect yourself never to eat another chocolate again, but dentists recommend that you try to keep the sugar consumption to mealtimes.

Drink more water

This is a great all-rounder – not only will drinking more water keep you more alert, but drinking a glass of water after you’ve eaten can help rinse away anything that is potentially damaging to your teeth.

Brush for two minutes, twice a day

As adults, most of us do manage to brush our teeth twice a day, but do you really stick to the recommended two-minute minimum? There are a number of apps you can download on your phone to help with this one – ask your dental surgeon to recommend one, or you can buy an egg timer.

Get a whiter smile

If you’re embarrassed by the colour of your teeth – perhaps you’ve given up smoking as one of your other new year’s resolutions (if not, we highly recommend that you do!) and want to get rid of any tell-tale signs that you were ever in the habit – consider booking an appointment with a cosmetic dentist like Mr Krause here at CK Dental in Bristol, who can perform a tooth whitening procedure to leave your smile brighter than ever before.

Visit the dentist regularly

Even if you can’t manage all of the suggestions above, making regular trips to the dentist can help to keep tooth decay at bay.

Happy New Year from all the team here at Bristol Dentists CK Dental!

Did you know that the consequences of poor dental hygiene could go far beyond tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath, leading to more serious diseases.

At CK Dental in Bristol, specialist dentist Cornelius Krause offers patients a thorough oral examination at every visit, to help keep tooth and gum problems at bay, but this does need to be complemented by good oral hygiene at home, which means brushing thoroughly twice a day.

What problems can be caused by poor dental hygiene?

Alzheimer’s Disease

A study carried out by researchers from New York University (NYU) in 2010 suggested that there is a link between gum inflammation and Alzheimer’s. This was supported by research performed by the University of Central Lancashire in 2014.

Pancreatic Cancer

In 2007, researchers from Harvard School of Public Health reported a strong link between the gum disease periodontitis and pancreatic cancer. A follow-up study found that men with a history of gum disease had a 64% increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to men who had never had gum disease.

Heart Disease

A 2008 study conducted jointly by research teams from the University of Bristol and the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, found that bleeding gums can increase the risk of heart disease.

According to the research, the risk is increased because when the gums bleed, bacteria from the mouth is able to enter the bloodstream, sticking to platelets and potentially causing clots, which can then lead to a heart attack.

How can I reduce the risk to me?

Firstly, you can book an appointment at CK Dental in Bristol, to see specialist dentist Mr Krause, who will examine your teeth and gums to check for any signs of existing gum disease. At home, Bristol dental surgeon Mr Krause recommends brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice daily, flossing daily and rinsing with mouthwash to keep teeth and gums clean and healthy.

Bristol dental clinic CK Dental is pleased to announce that we now offer Under Armour Performance Mouthwear – mouthguards custom fit by the dentist, which are designed to maximise your sporting performance whilst also protecting your jaw.

How does it work?

The Under Armour mouthguards use patented ‘Power Wedges’, positioned between the molars, to stop you clenching your jaw – a natural reaction when playing sport.

What’s wrong with clenching your jaw?

Dentists see hundreds of patients who have problems related to bruxism (that’s tooth grinding or jaw clenching). These can range from headaches and aching jaws to cracked teeth and receding gums.

One more serious issue is neuromuscular imbalance, which can cause back pain, scoliosis and tinnitus, as well as many other issues. Under Armour Performance Mouthwear has been proven to help reduce the symptoms of neuromuscular imbalance.

What are the benefits to me?

A number of scientific studies have been carried out on Under Armour mouthguards, uncovering – among others – the following benefits:

  • Improved oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange, leading to improved performance
  • Reduced cortisol levels (allowing your muscles to repair faster)
  • Improved airway openings
  • Improved reaction time

Isn’t this only for professionals, or those involved in contact sports?

No! Studies have shown that Under Armour mouthguards can help participants in any sport, including:

  • Cycling
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Hockey
  • Rugby
  • Running
  • Tennis
  • Weight lifting
  • Yoga and pilates
How do I get a mouthguard fitted?

Just book an appointment at our Bristol Clinic, where our dental surgeon Mr Krause will make an impression of your mouth. This will then be sent off to the ArmourBite lab, where your own personal mouthguard will be made. A follow-up appointment with the dentist will be scheduled, when you will receive your finished mouthguard.

For more information, please contact us.

The holidays are coming and for many of us that means an abundance of sweet treats and overindulgence in both food and drink. We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, but any dentist will tell you that Christmas is a danger time for oral health, as people tend to let good habits slide for the festive season.

In order to help you keep your teeth healthy while still enjoying yourself, the team here at Bristol dentists CK Dental has come up with some top tips:

Tip #1: Keep sweet treats for mealtimes

Don’t deny yourself a sugar hit, but try to save it for post dinner; if your mouth is already producing saliva, it will do a better job of protecting your teeth, as saliva helps to neutralise acid and wash away food remnants. Get the kids into the habit of this in the run-up to Christmas, by only letting them open the advent calendar immediately after breakfast!

Tip #2: Drink tap water

We all know it’s important to stay hydrated, but did you know drinking water can also help keep trips to the dentist to a minimum? Have a glass of water straight after indulging in anything sugary, and it will help to wash away the sugars coating your teeth, which can eventually cause decay. The fluoride found in tap water can also help to protect your teeth.

Tip #3: Wait half an hour before brushing your teeth

When you’ve eaten something sweet, the urge to brush your teeth straightaway can be overwhelming, but sugars soften the enamel of the teeth and if you brush immediately you can end up eroding the enamel away. GDC-registered dentist Mr Krause advises waiting at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating something sweet.

We hope this advice helps you to enjoy the festivities without worrying about the damage you are doing to your teeth – and if you do slip up, don’t panic, just book an appointment at our Bristol clinic in the new year!

Merry Christmas from all of us here at CK Dental!

Dental surgeon Mr Krause has extensive experience of many cosmetic dentistry procedures, including veneers, crowns, invisible braces and dental implants, all of which are offered here at CK Dental in Bristol. However, in recent years teeth whitening has emerged as an increasingly popular component of cosmetic dentistry.

For patients that have healthy teeth, which might have become stained, either from smoking or the consumption of coffee, tea or red wine or because they have just dulled over the passing of the years, then teeth whitening can be a relatively straightforward and effective way to transform your smile.

The importance of choosing the right teeth whitening system

The teeth whitening procedure offered by Mr Krause, here at CK Dental, is the Evolution Enlighten teeth whitening system, which consists of a 14-day at-home whitening plan, in combination with a 40-minute professional treatment, administered by GDC-registered dentist Mr Krause here in Bristol.

The treatment plan

At the first appointment with the dentist, an impression of your teeth will be taken, which Mr Krause will then use to make personalised moulded whitening trays. You will then take these home to be used with a low-level whitening agent for two weeks, before coming back into the Bristol clinic for a final appointment with the dental surgeon, when the 40-minute intensive whitening treatment will take place.

Will it work?

In short, yes. The Evolution system was launched in 2005 and still leads the teeth whitening market. The benefits of this system are:

  • A guaranteed outcome of a specific shade of white, no matter what colour your teeth are to start with
  • An easy to use system with no special diet
  • It can be used even by those with sensitive teeth
  • All the products conform to international safety standards

How white will my teeth be?

The Evolution system can show great improvement, even for those who smoke and drink heavily. At your first appointment with Mr Krause at the Bristol clinic, you will undergo a thorough consultation and the dentist will give you a realistic idea of how white your teeth are likely to be post treatment.

For more information, please contact us.

CK Dental, based in the centre of Bristol, was the brainchild of dental surgeon Cornelius Krause. Cornelius wanted to build a general dentisty practice that offered the very latest in dental technology for the benefit of its patients.

But technological innovations only take you so far. A dental practice such as CK Dental sets itself apart by the quality of the people delivering its dental treatments. Teamwork is, in fact, highlighted by the General Dental Council as a key principle of best practice in providing good dental care for patients.

All members of the dental team at CK Dental contribute to ensuring a successful and positive patient experience and all have an important role to play.

Introducing the CK Dental team

Principal dentist Cornelius Krause and every member of the CK Dental team is highly qualified and experienced, as well as passionate about providing the best quality dental care.

Dr Michael Stiller, a leading European maxillofacial surgeon, regularly consults and treats complex maxillofacial and implant cases for the practice. He brings a wealth of expertise, meaning CK Dental in Bristol is able to offer dental treatment on a par with international centres of dental excellence.

Many patients suffer from dental phobia, but at CK Dental we are skilled at guiding nervous patients through their dental treatment. Anaesthetist Dr Claudia Paoloni plays an important role at our Bristol dental practice in providing a consultant anaesthetist-led sedation service for nervous patients.

While dentists concentrate on treating tooth and gum conditions, the dental hygienist has a vital role in helping to prevent problems arising. Suzanne Benjamin is a qualified dental nurse and hygienist and has spent many years in private dental practice, educating patients in caring for their teeth and gums by providing specific oral hygiene advice and providing manageable home care plans.

To learn more about the team and the treatments we offer, click here to book a consultation with Cornelius.