Halloween is an increasingly popular celebration in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. The 31st of October is filled with fun costumes, spooky events, and every child’s favourite activity: trick or treating. Trick or treating has been a feature of Halloween for many years, with the nation’s kids going door to door and receiving bucketsful of sweets and chocolate from neighbours. Often, they will end up with a huge bounty of goodies that may taste delicious but are unhealthy and bad for teeth. However, it is possible to enjoy Halloween without causing lasting damage to teeth; just read Brite Dental’s handy guide.

Halloween Treats: Not So Sweet For Teeth

 

 

Sweets and chocolate are some of the main causes of tooth decay and poor oral health in children. Sugar in these treats can affect the bacteria in our mouths. We have both healthy and harmful bacteria, and some of these harmful bacteria feed on sugar to form acids. In turn, these acids destroy the tooth enamel which protects the inside of the tooth, leading to tooth decay. Some of the worst sweets for your teeth include chewy sweets, as their sticky texture will stay on the surface of the tooth for longer, and sour sweets, as they contain additional acids.

What Problems Does Tooth Decay Cause?

Tooth decay can cause a variety of problems, from pain all the way through to the loss of a tooth. There are many symptoms of tooth decay, from sensitivity and toothache through to black or brown spots on the tooth and bad breath. If tooth decay is caught very early, dietary changes and fluoride gels may help. After that, a filling may be needed. For severe cases, a root canal treatment may be performed, or even an extraction of the whole tooth if it is too damaged to be saved.

How To Keep Teeth Healthy

 

 

Here at Brite Dental, we have lots of advice to help keep fillings at bay, even during the Halloween festivities. The main way is to make sure teeth are brushed twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Flossing every day is a necessity, and after eating sticky, sweet food, make sure to rinse with water to remove some of the debris from the surface of the tooth. It can also help to eat sugary foods at mealtimes. In terms of alternatives, there are lots of ways to avoid large amounts of sugar. It’s easy to make your own Halloween treats with reduced sugar, such as chocolates with artificial sweetener. There are also plenty of sweets for sale in supermarkets that use sweeteners instead of sugar. You can also substitute refined sugar from natural sugars from fruit and honey; honey can still be bad for teeth, but it contains more complex sugars so takes longer for your body to break down. This means you have more time before the bacteria begin multiplying in your mouth.

 

If you are worried you or your children may have overindulged this Halloween or you simply want to book in for a thorough check up, drop us a line at your local Brite Dental branch today.

 

 

Even for those that maintain the most meticulous of dental hygiene routines, Christmas and the festive period can be a real challenge. You might be more concerned about what all those mince pies, turkey sandwiches and sugary sweets will be doing to your waistline, but one of your key concerns when it comes to your festive diet is in the impact it can have on your teeth. As you kick back and relax, your usual oral hygiene routine can fall behind schedule too, making those festive feasts all the more of a risk to a healthy smile.

 

The high-risk period between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day can really take its toll on your teeth and can leave lasting damage, from encouraging cavity formation, to contributing to tooth decay. Worse still, the height of the party season is one of the trickiest of times to track down a dentist should something more serious occur and you need emergency treatment pronto. To help safeguard your teeth against immediate and long-term dental problems, the Brite Team have put together an essential checklist for the Christmas break.

 

1. Don’t Fall Behind On The Basics

Any break from the usual routine can be an excuse to slack, but you should never cut corners when it comes to dental hygiene. Throughout the Christmas period, people tend to indulge. Although many expect to pile on a few pounds due to festive feasting, most overlook what that constant exposure to sugary and acidic foods is doing to their teeth. If you brush regularly after eating, bear in mind that you’ll need to work around mealtimes that are different from the usual. It’s also worth remembering that many of us celebrate the big day itself away from our own homes. If you’re heading to friends or family for your Christmas Day dinner, make sure you’re packing your toothbrush to fit in an essential bit of brushing maintenance after you’ve eaten your own body weight in turkey, sprouts and stuffing.

 

2. Watch Out For Sugary Foods

 

 

Our sugar intake shoots right up during the festive period due to all those sweet sauces, desserts and puddings. Even if you go easy on the pudding, the traditional main course itself is loaded up with things like cranberry sauce and other sugary condiments. Even the most harmless looking of ingredients can be seriously bad for your teeth. Don’t overlook how much sugar is packed into that dried fruit in your Christmas pudding, and keep an eye on the amount of sweetened soft drinks and alcoholic beverages you’re consuming.

 

3. Mix Up Your Meal Plan

Sometimes, the draw of a delicious trifle, pudding or mince pie is too much to resist. It’s fine to treat yourself during your Christmas break, but if you’re looking to cut out a few risk factors to your teeth, consider swapping out some of the sugar for other delicious alternatives. The humble cheese board is a stalwart of Christmas dinner tables and it’s a great go-to if you’re looking to indulge a little, without the worry of what you’re doing to your teeth.

 

Just a few little changes will ensure that your teeth emerge from December and into January with as clean a bill of health as possible. If you wish to discuss arranging a consultation with one of our dentists, or require more information about available dental treatments and plans, you can drop us a message via our online enquiry form. Prefer to speak to someone in person? Find the phone number of your nearest Brite Dental branch on our Contact page.

 

 

 

 

NHS & Cosmetic Dental Treatments

Thank you for choosing Brite Dental to look after your oral health needs!

We have decorated our practices in Clarkston, Paisley, Bridge of Weir and Houston to celebrate the most romantic day of the year. Visit us and see our romantic Valentine’s display.

Brite Dental team would like to wish you happy Valentine’s Day with your husbands, wifes, partners, relatives and friends. Love is in the air!

If you would like to find out about NHS and cosmetic dental treatments at Brite Dental click here.

 

Buy A Dental Gift Voucher Today!

Welcome to December! Holiday season is approaching fast and everyone is rushing to get presents for their loved ones. Did you know that you can buy teeth whitening and other dental work vouchers for you family members and friends at Brite Dental? There is nothing better than seeing them smile bright! Contact your local Brite Dental clinic and ask about dental work gift vouchers.

Season’s Greetings from Brite Dental!

Our dental teams have started decorating practices for Christmas. The first one to wish you happy holiday season is our dental clinic in Clarkston. If you are a patient with us or are looking for a dentist in Clarkston visit us and see our Christmas display.

If you would like to find out more contact us today!

Proper oral hygiene is essential for living a healthy and happy life. If you neglect your teeth and oral hygiene, it’s likely that you’ll experience levels of pain, discomfort that will have a significant impact on your daily life and mental well-being.  

In addition, having missing, damaged or cracked teeth can negatively impact our self-confidence and mental well-being, highlighting that oral hygiene is extremely important if we want to create a happy, care-free lifestyle.  

This article looks further into the question of why oral hygiene is important, giving helpful advice, tips and tricks on how to improve your oral hygiene and look after your teeth so they remain in great condition for many years to come.  

How to improve your oral hygiene?

If you would like to have beautiful and healthy teeth throughout your life, we would recommend visiting your dentist every 6 months for a check-up and having your teeth scaled and polished by a professional dental hygienist. 

Another thing that will help keep your smile healthy is reducing your consumption of sugary, salty and acidy foods and drinks. Improving your diet and keeping sugary treats to a minimum (I.e. only once after dinner time) can vastly improve your oral health. 

As a dental clinic, we want you to have the best possible oral health, so here are some more helpful tips to help you improve your oral hygiene: 

• Brush twice a day: Brushing your teeth twice a day is crucial for removing food particles and plaque that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to thoroughly clean all surfaces of your teeth. 
• Floss daily: Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. It’s best to floss before you brush your teeth to help dislodge any debris that might have been caught between your teeth. 
• Use mouthwash: Mouthwash can help kill bacteria and freshen your breath. Look for one that is alcohol-free and contains fluoride. 
• Schedule regular dental check-ups: Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help catch any potential issues early, before they become more serious. 
• Consider adult orthodontic treatment: If you have crooked or crowded teeth, orthodontic treatment can help straighten your smile and improve your overall oral health. 

Remember, good oral hygiene habits are essential for maintaining a healthy smile. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact our dental clinic for further advice and guidance. 

The importance of having strong, healthy teeth

We’re told from a young age that we need to brush our teeth regularly and look after our teeth properly, but why are teeth so important?  

You may think you know the answer; Without healthy teeth, we cannot chew and eat the foods that we love. However, whilst this is certainly one reason why teeth are important, it isn’t the only answer! 

Teeth also play a vital role in many other areas, including speech, facial structure and our physical appearance. In addition, without a healthy, attractive smile our self-confidence may suffer and our mental well-being can take a hit.  

There are several reasons why teeth are important, including:  

• Chewing: Teeth play a crucial role in chewing and breaking down food into smaller pieces, which makes it easier for our bodies to digest. 
• Speech: Without a full set of teeth, it can be difficult to form words and sounds properly. 
• Appearance: Teeth are a prominent facial feature and can significantly impact our overall appearance and self-confidence. 
• Supporting facial structure: Teeth help support our facial structure and prevent our cheeks and lips from collapsing. 
• Protecting gums and jawbone: Teeth provide protection for our gums and jawbone by evenly distributing the force of our bite and preventing damage from occuring.  
• Maintaining overall health: Good oral health is linked to overall health, so by keeping our teeth healthy and clean, we can actually help prevent serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. 
• Digestive health: Teeth play a critical role in the digestive process, as they help break down food so that it can be absorbed and used by our bodies. 
• Preventing tooth decay and gum disease: Regular brushing and flossing can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which can cause pain, discomfort, and potentially lead to tooth loss. 

As we can see, keeping on top of our oral health and ensuring our teeth are clean, healthy and happy will have a positive impact on our overall well-being.  

Not only will healthy teeth help us maintain a good level of physical health but they will also improve our appearance and with it, ensure a good level of self-confidence and mental well-being.  

Top tips for Looking after your teeth correctly

It is vital to get into a regular habit of cleaning your teeth if you wish to maintain a good level of oral hygiene. We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes at a time.  

Whilst you don’t need to buy expensive toothpaste to make your teeth healthy, you do need to make sure that your toothpaste has fluoride in it. Regularly change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. If you use an electric toothbrush. change the heads at the same rate. Make sure to brush either before or an hour after eating or drinking acidy drinks such as juice or wine in order to prevent teeth erosion.  

We also strongly recommend flossing regularly, as brushing on its own will not fully clean the teeth and gums. Without flossing, plaque buildup or stray food particles will be left between teeth.  

Some additional tips for looking after your teeth include: 

• Eat a healthy diet 
• Don’t smoke or use tobacco 
• Consider getting dental sealants 
• Be mindful of teeth grinding 
• Visit your dentist regularly  

The last point is one we cannot stress enough. Even with a great level of oral hygiene, serious issues can still be missed if you neglect visiting a professional dental clinic.  

Having a dental check-up every 6 months will allow your dentist to spot any emerging issues and deal with them before they turn into a serious problem. If you find that cosmetic dentistry treatments are needed, remember we offer a fantastic dental finance plan that helps make necessary treatments more affordable. 

Why not get ahead of the game and book your next dental checkup today via the Brite Dental website?  

That way, you can relax knowing that your teeth will be checked, monitored and evaluated by a professional, giving you peace of mind that any pesky issues will be dealt with quickly, efficiently and effectively.  

Book or join the practice the Brite Dental practice that suits you best and take a step towards a happier, healthier smile.