Happy 2015 from everyone here at Fulham Dental Centre! How are your New Year’s resolutions going? It’s hard to break old habits or make new ones, which is what resolutions are all about. But if we can all just stick to one new habit, let’s choose not to be so hard on ourselves.

Why we’re bad at New Year’s resolutions

Most resolutions fail because they’re just too difficult. Getting fit is a prime example. Vowing to get up early for a five-mile run three times a week seems perfectly do-able from the comfort of your armchair. It’s a totally different story at 6am in the dark with rain thundering down outside.

Be nicer to yourself

So, instead of setting yourself up to fail, try making your goals easier to achieve. If you need to lose weight, try switching to smaller portions rather than cutting out your favourite foods altogether. If you’re out of shape, start small; getting into the habit of regular exercise is more important than the activity or intensity – do something you enjoy.

Most of all, remember you’re only human. We all fall off the wagon when we’re tired, fed up or tempted. The main thing is not to give up, and forgive yourself if you make a mistake. Accepting you’re not going to be perfect will help get back on track when you inevitably slip up.

Easy ways to a healthier you

If you want to be a better you this year, looking after your teeth and gums is a good place to start. Keeping on top of your oral health is good for your whole body, not just your mouth. And, a well cared for smile can make you look younger, more attractive, and more successful.

Here are two easy-to-keep resolutions that will make you healthier and keep you smiling in 2015:

1. Commit to keeping your teeth and gums clean

Brush your teeth twice a day for about two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. If you can do that, you’re well on your way to better dental health. It doesn’t matter if you use a manual or electric toothbrush so long as you cover all the visible surfaces of your teeth. Flossing at least three times a week will take care of the areas of your teeth that you can’t see.

2. Book your 2015 checkups – and stick to them

Get dental problems treated early and even prevent future treatment by getting your teeth checked. A check-up helps keep your mouth healthy and allows your dentist to look for signs of serious problems such as oral cancer.

We hope you find these practical tips useful. Whatever you have planned for 2015, we wish you every success, and look forward to seeing you in the practice soon.

Judy Murray is best known for being tennis player, Andy Murray’s mum. But the tennis coach recently traded her tracksuit and trainers for sequins and heels when she became a contestant on TV’s Strictly Come Dancing. And, while the spotlight might be on her dance moves, it’s Judy’s stunning new white smile that’s caught everyone’s eye.

Achieving the perfect smile took 15 months and numerous trips to the dentist for Judy, 55. But she’s revealed in the media the results are well worth it. When interviewed by the Radio Times, Judy confessed having cosmetic dentistry, including dental implants, was a big deal. Her teeth, she said, needed a lot of work. On top of that, she had a fear or the dentist and was a nervous patient. But Judy Murray was desperate to fix her teeth and took the plunge.

For some people, it takes being thrust into the spotlight to make us sort out our stained teeth or get that chipped or broken tooth repaired. But why wait when there are so many cosmetic solutions available? A veneer on one or more teeth, crowns – or even discreet removable braces (such as Inman Aligner or Invisalign) – can transform an unhappy smile.

Judy’s dance moves have so far failed to set the dance floor alight, with judges calling her “wooden”. But her week three performance, a Quickstep to ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’, showed a big improvement and she remains in the contest.

Teeth whitening is booming in the UK, and with it, the number of whitening products and services available. Type ‘teeth whitening’ into any search engine and you’ll get pages of results. Some of which are companies offering home teeth whitening kits or whitening procedures in salons, and even your own home.

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment. But it’s not like having a manicure or a facial. Just like cosmetic surgery, the only way to guarantee you get appropriate, safe treatment is to see a professional.

What the law says about teeth whitening

In May 2013, the High Court ruled that teeth whitening is the practice of dentistry and should only be carried out by dental professionals, such as:

• Dentists
• Dental hygienists
• Dental therapists
• Clinical dental technicians working to the prescription of a dentist

Teeth whitening by anyone else (e.g. beauticians) is against the law. Hundreds of people complain to The General Dental Council (GDC) about illegal teeth whitening every year. And, where there is enough evidence, the GDC prosecute unregistered practitioners.

The law is there to protect all of us. Having teeth whitened by someone who is not properly trained and regulated means a risk of permanent damage to teeth or gums.

Are home teeth whitening kits safe?

In Europe, it’s illegal for whitening kits to have greater than 0.1% peroxide. This percentage is too low to have much effect on the colour of teeth. Kits from other countries might contain more peroxide. But they can also include harmful ingredients.

Why dentist whitening kits are different

Teeth whitening kits from your dentist are custom made to fit your teeth. This means teeth are uniformly exposed to the bleaching agent and your gums are not. Your dentist will check your teeth are suitable for whitening before you start the treatment. And they will ensure your teeth are clean and free of plaque, so you get the best results.

Is whitening toothpaste okay?

Whitening toothpastes can’t change the colour of your teeth. But they can remove stains and reveal their natural colour. Overall, whitening toothpastes can help improve the appearance of your teeth. And they can help teeth stay white after professional whitening.

It’s best to look out for the approved British Dental Health Foundation logo on the packaging of any oral-care products. The logo shows that an independent panel of experts has scientifically and clinically checked what the product claims to do.

If you’d like to know more about teeth whitening, contact our friendly team at at Fulham Dental Centre for more information.

It’s National Smile Month (May 19 – June 19) and the spotlight is on the UK’s teeth and gums. This massive oral health campaign by the British Dental Foundation aims to get everyone thinking about their oral health. The campaign has 3 key messages:

• Brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks
• Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend

Brush up your smile

If your smile needs a spring clean, why not visit our hygienists. They can give your teeth a deep clean with a scale and polish. And, importantly, work alongside your dentist to help keep your gums and mouth healthy.

If you need a bit more help to get your smile in tip top condition, we offer a range of treatments to boost your smile confidence. So if missing or chipped teeth make you feel like hiding your smile – or you feel you’d like a whiter smile – get in touch.

Smiling is good for you

Having a healthy smile is not just important for our oral health. Smiling is actually good for loads of other reasons. Smiling has a positive effect on the heart, blood pressure and immune system, for example. And, cracking a smile can make us seem more sociable and successful. A smile can even increase our chances of getting promoted at work. So, top off your smile-tank, with a glance at some of our funny four-legged friends saying “cheese”.

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If you are planning on getting away for some sun in the final few months of the year, you may be interested to learn more about some of the facts surrounding holidays and how particular types of holiday can have implications on your oral health.

Beach holidays and trips to hot countries are understandably a very common choice of holiday for British people. These types of holidays are not quite as popular with dentists, however, as the warmer climates often encourage a short but intensive change in dietary habits for the duration of the holiday.

Spending time on such holidays more often than not leads to an increased intake in food and drink products that have a high sugar content and/or are highly acidic. Such products include ice cream, candies, carbonated soft drinks, ciders, red wines, olives and vinaigrettes.

Maintaining a conscious effort to eat healthily whilst on holiday and with the recommended eating routine of three square meals a day will limit the vulnerability of your teeth to attack from sugary and acidic products.

If you would like an assessment of your oral health, or further advice on how to keep your teeth and gums healthy, please do not hesitate to contact us via our website or directly by telephone at the practice.

Teeth are vital to our overall health, helping us to bite and chew food. How much do you know about them?

Milk teeth

Babies’ teeth begin to develop before they are born, but in most cases don’t come through until they’re between 6 and 12 months old. Most children have a full set of 20 milk or baby teeth by the time they’re three years old. When they reach five or six, these teeth will start to fall out, making way for adult teeth.

Adult teeth

By the age of 12 to 14, most children have lost all their baby teeth and have their adult teeth. There are 32 adult teeth in total, 12 more than in the baby set. The last four of these, called wisdom teeth, usually emerge later than the others, generally between the ages of 17 and 21.
Wisdom teeth removal

If wisdom teeth don’t come through properly, or at all, it may be necessary to have them removed.

What are teeth made of?

The part of the tooth that you can see above the gum is called the crown. This is covered in hard, shiny enamel. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body and protects the more sensitive inner parts of the tooth.
Underneath this is the dentine, a sensitive substance that makes up most of the tooth. Dentine is a hard substance, though not quite as hard as enamel.
Dentine protects the inner part of the tooth, called the pulp. The pulp is where each tooth’s blood supply and nerve endings are found. The blood supply is what keeps the teeth alive and healthy. The nerve endings send messages to the brain, such as whether you’re eating something hot or cold or if you have a decayed or damaged tooth.
The pulp goes all the way into the root of the tooth, which is hidden under your gum. Cementum covers the root of the tooth, and periodontal fibres connect the tooth to the jawbone.

Types of teeth

There are four different types of teeth:

Incisors: These are your four front teeth on the top and bottom jaw. They’re used for cutting and chopping food.
Canine teeth: These are sharp, pointy teeth. You have one on each side of your incisors on your top and bottom jaw, making a total of four. They help to tear food.
Premolars: Next to your canine teeth are your premolars (also called bicuspid teeth). You have eight premolars in total, four on your top jaw and four on the bottom. They are bigger and wider than your incisors and canine teeth, and are used for crushing and grinding food.
Molars: You have eight molars, four on top and four on the bottom. These are your strongest teeth and work with your tongue to help you swallow food, mashing it up until it’s ready to be swallowed safely.