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Charcoal teeth whitening – a review

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

When it comes to having Beautifully white teeth, you have many options. You can either go for professional teeth whitening at the dentist’s office, or you can try whitening your teeth in the comfort of your home by using over the counter bleaching agents or trying various natural teeth whitening methods. Among them, charcoal teeth whitening is another natural method that has become one of the most popular methods, mainly because of celebrities talking about it. So, what has made charcoal teeth whitening so popular? Does it really work? Continue reading to find out.

What Is Charcoal Whitening?

Charcoal whitening does not mean you start rubbing your mouth with coals or using the artists’ charcoal as a brush for your teeth. The charcoal we are talking about here in the context of teeth whitening products is far superior in quality. Dentists call it the activated charcoal; a highly purified and finely ground form of charcoal which is added into teeth whitening pastes or powders, in addition to other minor ingredients like foaming agents, stabilizers and may be flavored. Of course, the formulation may be in the form of a paste or even a powder.

Activated Charcoal! What is it?

Activated charcoal is derived from the same sources as ordinary charcoal. Among the organic sources of charcoal, wood is the most common although waste organic material like coconut shells may be used. Charcoal may also be obtained from hydrocarbon minerals e.g. petroleum, peat, or coal, etc. The difference between ordinary charcoal and activated charcoal lies in the processing which modifies the enhances the absorption properties of the charcoal. Charcoal is exposed to a special gas so that the resulting charcoal is far more porous. That is activated charcoal with a highly enhanced ability to absorb. Such activated charcoal is also used in water filtration processes.

Ancient Tooth Powders Also Used Charcoal

The use of charcoal for teeth cleaning and brightening is not really new. It is a fact that ancient civilisations have also been using charcoal powder for preparing tooth powders and toothpaste for centuries.  They used (and use) the burnt coal which results from burning of fuel for cooking and baking. Burnt almond skin or peanut shells were also preferred, perhaps, because they were assumed to add medicinal properties. Charcoal powder has the additional advantages of acting a soft abrasive. It was also easily available at virtually no cost. To enhance utility, such formulations often added powdered alum {KAl(SO4)2. 12H2O}, because alum is considered an anti-bacterial agent in addition to being an abrasive when in the powdered form.

the substance is often used either in the toothpaste or in activated charcoal powder.

Does Charcoal Actually Whiten Teeth?

The popularity of practice since ancient times is not really proof of its efficacy. The argument in favor relies on the absorption properties of charcoal, and the activated charcoal. It is assumed that being highly absorbent it can absorb smelly gases from water. So, it should also be able to absorb and remove staining substances, such as red wine or tea stains from the surfaces of your teeth.  However, this is not necessarily a logical conclusion.

There is no denying the fact that powdered charcoal does act as a mild and cheap abrasive and thus be effective to remove plaque to some extent. Indeed, a recent study published in the reputed Journal of the American Dental Association in September 2017 concluded that further study on the subject of teeth whitening with charcoal needed.  The available scientific evidence was not sufficient to give a conclusive verdict.

But is it Safe!

Although there is currently insufficient information available to conclude with certainty whether charcoal or activated charcoal is effective in teeth-whitening, there is also no evidence of any harmful effects of charcoal or activated charcoal in teeth whitening. In addition, the cost-effectiveness and safety of this procedure have certainly made it an attractive option for getting those pearly whites.

Having said that, there are some reports which suggest that activated charcoal is a little too abrasive. Using a substance which is abrasive on your teeth can remove the outer layer (tooth enamel) over an extended time period, this could result in sensitivity at best or exposure of the softer dentine underneath which could lead to decay.

Another thing to consider is the use of fluoride in activated charcoal toothpastes. Fluoride acts to assist the tooth in the remineralisation process which is necessary after the acid attack that your tooth is subject to each time you eat. Fluoride has been shown to really help teeth remineralisation and therefore harden up again to prevent the onset of decay. Some charcoal toothpastes view themselves as being alternative ways to clean teeth and therefore don’t include fluoride. If you then add this effect to the abrasive nature of charcoal one needs to be very careful when using this type of toothpaste.

After that, all you have to worry about is about possibly blackening lips and parts of your face. Be sure to wash your lips thoroughly after use of such pastes or powders, and you won’t have to worry about their staining.

Other ways to whitening your teeth

Many people opt for natural teeth whitening such as using baking soda however, the same principles apply to this type of toothpaste as they do with charcoal whitening. Baking soda can be more abrasive and you need to ensure that any toothpaste contains fluoride.

Whitening toothpaste and whitening strips can also be purchased over the counter in many pharmacies, these don’t however contain very high contents of hydrogen peroxide which is required to whiten your teeth to any significant noticeable level.

In order to ensure a brighter smile that you were truly happy with it is recommended that you ask your dentist. Before carrying out any whitening treatment they will ensure your oral health is in the best condition and then offer you various options such as whitening teeth in the surgery or whitening teeth at home.

Do Braces Hurt?

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

We are very often asked a whole range of questions about the comfort of wearing dental braces. This blog post seeks to answer a range of these questions, particularly about braces being comfortable on your cheek and lips.

What is the effect of braces on face shape and lips?

You will usually not find that braces affect the shape of your face and lips unless you have a tooth which is particularly sticking out, you might find that until this tooth moves that the brace over this area stands out more noticeably.

If you have a tooth which sticks out and you’re worried that the shape of your lip will be affected then it’s worth asking about different types of braces. Some types of braces fit on the inside of your teeth and therefore don’t affect your face shape and lips. Other braces, such as Invisalign used ultra-thin clear aligners rather than conventional brackets and wires. These also can be more imperceptible than conventional orthodontic braces.

How do I stop biting my cheek after I get braces?

Biting your cheek after braces can be quite a common problem. You might bite your cheek once by accident but this area then swells and you end up biting it more often, creating a vicious circle. If you bite your cheek try eating on the other side and using a baby teething gel to relieve pain.

Using baby teething gel to help orthodontic brace pain

Orthodontic wax
Image credit: www.sunstargum.com

If you have fixed orthodontic braces then make sure you apply your orthodontic wax over this area to ensure that your cheek doesn’t rub on the braces.

 

Do braces hurt?

Typically braces don’t hurt although there might be some mild discomfort. Whenever you have a new aligner (if you are having Invisalign) or have your wire adjusted then you will feel the initial pressure on your teeth. This can reveal itself as mild discomfort or feelings of sensitivity. You should however find that this begins to disappear after approximately 3 days. It’s also worth bearing in mind that each time you go the same procedure will cause the same feelings of discomfort, simply being aware of this fact can help enormously.

Do braces hurt during the procedure?

If you are having a removable orthodontic brace such as an Inman aligner or Invisalign then there will be no discomfort at all during the procedure. The only discomfort you might encounter is during the initial impression stages, many people dislike the impression goo which dentist use. If this is you then it will be worth looking out for a dentist which uses a digital scanner to take a 3-D photographic scan of your teeth rather than have to have the conventional impression. This can make the whole procedure of having braces extremely comfortable.

Even if you are having fixed orthodontic braces the procedure is also painless. You may, however, notice some mild discomfort a few days after the braces fitted whilst your teeth adjust to being under the pressure of orthodontic treatment. Staying power is of prime importance with orthodontic braces, not just when the braces are applied but afterward to ensure you get the best results.

How do I prevent braces from rubbing the inside of my cheek?

The secret here is to always use the wax which your orthodontist or dentist provides for you. The wax is easily mouldable to fit over the orthodontic brace/bracket and stick to it. It then ensures that the inside of your cheek glides smoothly over the wire and brackets without rubbing.

How long does it take for you to get used to braces?

You should find you get used to orthodontic braces quite quickly. You may find that you need to adjust your diet (avoiding sticky foods) and possibly sticking to soft foods initially. You might also require some over-the-counter pain relievers if you get any discomfort immediately after the braces are fitted.

How will your face change after dental braces?

no teethDental braces can have a dramatic impact on the way your face looks… If you want them to that is. Your teeth play a large part in supporting your lips and giving the appearance of use, just look at a photograph of someone without any teeth, their lips are wrinkled and they automatically look old even if they are not. Your orthodontic dentist will take this phenomenon into account when planning your treatment.

It’s also possible that during the process of moving your teeth you are able to exercise facial muscles in a new way. The muscles in your face can then build giving your face more defined features which is often a huge benefit.

Is it different playing an instrument with braces?

If you play a musical instrument such as the flute, clarinet or trumpet then it’s worth mentioning this to your dentist prior to going ahead with braces. You may find that having a removable orthodontic brace works better for you if you play such an instrument. You can then take the brace out whilst you play ensuring that you maintain your embouchure.

Photo by Toomaj F. Bungs from Pexels
Photo by Toomaj F. Bungs from Pexels

If the musical instrument you play involves a mouthpiece that your teeth rest on, such as a clarinet it’s worth considering that your teeth may have made an indentation in the mouthpiece of the instrument. As your teeth move they may not fit into this old indentation quite so well, meaning that your instrument playing might be affected. You may need to consider a new mouthpiece during or after orthodontic treatment.

How do you treat pain produced by the rubber bands in braces?

Just to be clear it’s not the elastic bands which cause any discomfort or pain, it is likely to be the brackets around which the bands are placed. The best way to keep paying to a minimum with these is to ensure that you apply the orthodontic wax which will be given to you when the braces fitted.

How long does it take to get braces put on?

You can usually expect an appointment for a couple of hours to have braces put on. If you are having Invisalign braces then the appointment will be much less as there is no actual fitting to be done.

Summary

We hope this article has given use and detailed information about the different types of pain or discomfort associated with different types of orthodontic brace. On the whole orthodontic braces don’t hurt and any discomfort can be easily remedied with pain relief bought in your local pharmacy. It’s also worth noting that this discomfort is temporary and should only last a few days after the braces are fitted and/or tightened.

Ways to manage your dentist fear

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

The British Dental Association estimate that around 25% of the UK population suffer from some form of dental anxiety with around 12% having extreme fears affecting their ability to attend the dentist.

Visiting the dentist is key to ensuring that your oral health remains good. Without good dental health gum disease can take hold meaning that more dental treatment is possibly required, thereby exacerbating the dental fear.

Finding ways to relax and stay calm at the dentist is what this blog post is all about.

Why are we scared of dentists?

The first thing to understand is that fear is a learned behaviour, think about it, we aren’t born afraid of the dentist, it is something that we have learnt to do as we have got older. Accepting this is an extremely beneficial thing to do as it means that if we can learn to be afraid then we can also learn to relax and be calm.

 

Fear of pain is one of the most common reasons people cite for being scared of the dentist, this is quite understandable especially if people have had bad experiences in the past. What is worth noting is that modern dental care has made extremely big advances in recent years. With topical numbing gels and fine needles injections can be extremely comfortable with no pain, this then also leads to painfree treatments.

Will dentists judge me and my teeth?

This is often another common reason people give for not visiting the dentist, a dentist is not there to judge or to criticise, we are here to help, encourage and educate you about how to stay dentally fit and healthy. A dentist cannot achieve this goal if they are judgemental so you will find that any good dentist will support and encourage you and not be judgmental.

What are my options if I’m afraid of the dentist?

The really important thing to understand is that you do have options. It’s quite common that people feel they have no options, especially nervous or anxious patients.

A good dentist that specialises in treating anxious or nervous patients will ensure you have as many options available to you as possible. Here are your options:

  1. Talking to your dentist. You should always ensure you have a dentist you can trust and talk to, a good dentist will take time to listen to your concerns and ensure they take your anxiety into account.
  2. Ensuring you stay in control. Make sure you agree a stop signal with the dentist before any treatment begins. Simply knowing that you can raise your hand at any point to take a quick break means you’re in control and can really help you relax.
  3. Breathe slowly and gently. Breathing slowly and gently helps muscle relaxation generally, if you just breathe slowly and gently throughout your treatment you will find you stay more relaxed.
  4. Ask about sedation. Some dentists offer gas and air via inhalation sedation. This can also help if you are feeling anxious.

How to stop being scared of the dentist

Relaxation techniques are a great way to stop being scared of the dentist. Understanding that fear of the dentist is a learned behaviour and can therefore be unlearnt is a key principle to accept.

Practising breathing techniques both before your appointment and during treatment can also help.

Requesting an early morning appointment is also a great way to ensure that any dental phobia is contained to a short period early in the day, rather than allowed to build throughout the day.

You may also find of bringing a friend with you can help to keep you calm.

Good ways to relax and calm the mind at the dentist

  • Enjoy a cup of green tea. Green tea has been shown to have a chemical, L-Theanine, which has been shown to elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain which can help you relax.
  • Chew sugarfree gum. This can help to keep saliva flowing and prevent your mouth from drying out. It’s also been shown to lower anxiety and control cortisol levels. Of course you can’t do this whilst in the chair!
  • Remember to breathe slowly and gently. You could do this in the waiting room of the dental practice and during treatment to help relax.
  • Visualise your happy place. Most people have a happy place that they think of, this could be a holiday or a time you spent with friends. Visualising this whole experience can be extremely relaxing and calming.
  • Listen to calming music. This type of music can be different for each person but listening to the music you find relaxing and peaceful can also help you with your dental anxiety.

We hope you have found the information contained in this blog post useful, our dental practice in Harrow is a friendly and calm practice, taking time to listen to your needs and concerns and help out wherever required with any dental fears.

Just remember, it’s good to talk…

 

Looking for an emergency dentist? Here’s what you need to know

The search term “Emergency dentist near me” gets almost 4000 searches in the local area per month, so we know that people looking for an emergency dentist and that they need information about treatments and options available.

We have broken this article on emergency dental treatments down into a few headings:

  1. Teeth which have come out completely.
  2. Loose teeth.
  3. Broken teeth.
  4. Tooth abscesses.

1. Teeth which have come out completely

What to do if the tooth comes out completely

If the tooth has come out completely you may be able to replace it so long as it is not damaged. If there are still blood vessels or nerves attached do your best to keep these intact and only hold the tooth by the crown section and not the roots.

Where to hold a tooth if it has been knocked out

If you can, gently place the tooth back into the socket ensuring it is the right way round. Only do this if the tooth is completely clean and hasn’t been in contact with the ground.

If the tooth has been in contact with the ground place it into a clean (ideally sterile) plastic bag with some milk and take it with you to your dentist or accident and emergency at the local hospital.

If the socket is bleeding profusely then gently bite down onto a soft piece of gauze, when the bleeding subsides don’t immediately remove the gauze as this could dislodge the blood clot and the bleeding could start again. Alternatively use a cold teabag, it has been shown that the tea contains substances which can help to reduce the amount of bleeding.

Do teeth grow back in adults?

Unfortunately not. Once your baby/deciduous teeth have fallen out you only get one set of permanent teeth. The only teeth which may grow after this initial set have come through are the very last molars or wisdom teeth.

2.Loose teeth

Can a loose tooth become tight again?

If the looseness of the tooth has been caused by gum disease then yes, if the gum disease is treated and the problem resolved then the tooth can tighten up again. This shows the importance of the early treatment of gum disease and how the situation can be saved if caught early.

3.Broken teeth

Is a chipped tooth an emergency?

A chipped tooth is only an emergency if either the tooth is bleeding or the gum surrounding the tooth is bleeding and won’t stop. If the tooth has chipped and there is no pain or bleeding then this would not normally be considered a dental emergency, you should however make an appointment to see the dentist as soon as possible to rebuild the tooth if required.

Can a chipped tooth heal itself?

Amazingly, yes, a chipped tooth can heal itself but it won’t rebuild itself. If the tooth chips and the softer underlying dentine has become exposed the tooth will react to this and create what is known as secondary dentine. This secondary dentine is often much darker but is also harder and will protect the softer underlying tooth. If you want the full contour of the chipped tooth to be restored then the only way to do this is to visit your dentist who will then use dental bonding or possibly veneers or a crown.

How to fix a chipped tooth

A chipped tooth can only be fixed by your dentist. If the chip is small then they may use dental bonding to rebuild the full contour of the tooth. If the chip is significant then dental bonding may not be adequate and a full dental crown or veneer can then be used. This may require a small amount of reduction of the healthy tooth structure in some instances.

4.Tooth abscesses

Is an abscess a dental emergency?

Yes. an abscess is a buildup of pus from an infection around the tooth. It is characterised by significant swelling, redness and pain. An abscess will not go away on its own and in extreme circumstances can spread to other parts of the body and make you ill.

What helps a tooth abscess?

If you have a tooth abscess then we recommend you contact your emergency dentist as soon as possible, whilst you are waiting to see them you can reduce the pain by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water, this is particularly effective if the abscesses caused by gum infection. Saltwater can help to remove bacteria from the infected area.

 

We also recommend:

  • Taking recommended doses of over-the-counter painkillers.
  • Avoiding particularly hot or cold food and drinks as it may make the pain worse.
  • Eating on the opposite side of your mouth.
  • Using a softer toothbrush than you would normally and don’t floss around the affected area until it has been seen by a dentist.

Please note, these are all temporary solutions and you will need to see a dentist to get the abscessed sorted.

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

What alternatives are there to amalgam fillings?

One of the things most dental practices want to do is to offer you alternatives to treatments, having a dental filling is no exception. There are a wide range of options when it comes to treating tooth decay with a dental filling and in this blog post, our Harrow dentist, Dr Nishan Dixit discusses what alternatives there are to the classic silver amalgam filling.

Types of dental fillings in the UK

There are a variety of materials that can be used for a dental filling, each is selected depending upon the material properties, what the material needs to do and your clinical situation. Those materials include:

  • Amalgam (silver coloured fillings).
  • Composite (white fillings).
  • Porcelain ( white fillings).
  • Gold.

Amalgam Filling Alternatives

There are a few alternatives to amalgam fillings, these typically include restorative materials such as glass ionomer white fillings, composite white fillings, porcelain white fillings and even gold fillings although these are not used very often nowadays.

Amalgam fillings

Amalgam fillings are still commonly used in the UK, particularly in NHS dental practices. The material is relatively cheap, easy to work with and durable. Amalgam silver fillings contain a mixture of silver, tin and copper which is bound together with mercury.

Mercury poisoning is a concern of many people with amalgam fillings. The most risky time for release of free mercury is during placement and/or removal of an amalgam filling, this is due to release of mercury vapour. Having an amalgam filling removed can potentially release more mercury than leaving it in place.

Several studies have shown that the amount of mercury released from fillings is extremely low, especially when left in place. However, due to their typically unsightly nature and potential to release mercury many patients are preferring to opt for a more cosmetic option.

Another problem with amalgam fillings is that you can get what is known as an amalgam tattoo. This is where the dark silver colour from the amalgam shows through the front surface of the tooth creating a dark effect around the gum making it look like it has a tattoo.

Composite fillings

These are one of the most commonly used alternatives to mercury fillings. Composite fillings are mercury free and are often a blend of fine ceramic particles mixed with a composite material which sets when a special light is shone on it. The composite comes in a variety of tooth coloured shades so your dentist can select the right one for you. Composite fillings may wear faster than your natural teeth so you may need to have them replaced a little more often.

Amalgam fillings versus composite*

Property

Amalgam

Composite
Wear (1 highest 5 lowest) 3 4
Fracture resistance (1 worst 5 best) 3 4
Cost (1 expensive 5 cheaper) 4 2
Loss of tooth structure (1 least 5 most) 4 2
Health concerns (1 unhealthy 5 healthiest) 1 4

How long do white fillings last?

White fillings typically last up to 10 years. Data shows that after five years approximately 75% of fillings remain. This has reduced to 50% after nine years. This is based upon research undertaken in 2001.

Can you have White fillings on front teeth?

Yes, white fillings on front teeth are often called dental bonding. They can either simply replace a small decayed area or cover the whole of the front of the tooth. They can also be used to add to teeth to make the teeth longer, if worn down, or to change the shape of a tooth.

Are there any side effects from white fillings?

Unlike amalgam where people are concerned about the side-effects from mercury, white fillings have a few inherent side-effects related specifically to the material used. Any side effects from a white filling are common to all types of filling and include:

  • Numbing of the area due to the anaesthetic used.
  • Sensitivity of the tooth for a few days afterwards.

 

How long after a filling can I eat

This depends upon the type of filling you have had, amalgam takes approximately 24 hours to harden completely, during this time you should eat softer foods and avoid anything sticky. The white filling is set and made completely hard by curing the composite with a light in the dental surgery. This theoretically means that you can eat straightaway after a white filling.

We do however recommend caution as you probably will have had an anaesthetic to numb the area whilst the filling was placed. It is better to  wait until the anaesthetic subsides before eating as you should be careful of biting your cheek and tongue as these area are still numb.

*Subjective data based on experience. Individual properties may vary depending upon the size, position and age of the restorations including the skill of the dentist that placed the original restoration.

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

What does a dental hygienist do and do I really need to go?

We get asked this question all the time at our dental practice in Harrow, Middlesex, people often wonder if a dental hygienist is just an excuse to get a little more money out of people… Some people wonder why the dentist can’t do the same job as the hygienist and have everything done in one appointment.

In this blog post we explain why the hygienist is so important and crucially, why the hygienist can save you money by helping you stay dentally fit and healthy.

What is dental plaque, tartar and calculus?

Formation of dental cavitiesDental plaque is a soft, sticky film that builds up on your teeth every day. This film contains millions of bacteria and as these bacteria feed on the sugar in your diet they excrete acid and it is this acid which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Tarter or calculus is when this soft, sticky film hardens, typically this is in between your teeth in difficult to reach areas where it is not removed each day. When it hardens into calculus this is where bacteria can lurk and excrete more acid directly onto your teeth.

If this calculus remains in place for too long the gums can become inflamed, read and puffy. The acid can also eat away the hard outer enamel layer of your teeth, if this progresses then the teeth can begin to rot from inside!

What is the difference between a dentist and a dental hygienist?

A dental hygienist is uniquely trained to look after your dental health only. They have in-depth training to understand how and why your teeth and gums can become unhealthy, they are able to spot the early warning signs of gum disease, help you change habits which may be exacerbating the onset of gum disease and work with you to treat any gum disease.

Your dentist on the other hand, as well as doing all this will be treating any decay, helping to restore broken down teeth, replace missing teeth, straighten crooked teeth plus have a deeper understanding of the anatomy around your head, face and neck enabling them to spot the early warning signs of oral cancer as well as biting problems which can lead to headaches and neck pain.

In an allocated appointment time your dentist will be hard pushed to do the role of the hygienist as well, doubling the appointment time to give the dentist time would increase the cost to you, so seeing a hygienist not only ensures you see someone uniquely trained to help you with your dental health but also keeps costs down as the dentist is not doing it themselves.

A typical routine dental health check appointment with your dentist will last around 30 min, a typical routine dental hygiene appointment will also last about 30 min. It is quite usual to have a visit to the dentist and then the hygienist consecutively every six months. Many practices offer dental membership plans to help spread the cost of these appointments over an extended period throughout the year.

What is a scale and polish?

This is the common term used to describe removing calculus (scale) from your teeth and then polishing them to make it more difficult for the calculus to adhere again. A scale and Polish is however an oversimplification of what is actually done. Your hygienist will check the dental health of each individual tooth and surrounding gum area, they will assess your cleaning and diet habits to work out why calculus has built up in particular areas, they will then give you advice on how you can reduce this in future. Once the calculus has been removed the teeth will be polished and cleaned and flossed in between.

How often should you go to the dentist and hygienist?

If you haven’t been to the dentist or hygienist for some considerable time you may find that more frequent appointments are required in order to get your teeth and gums to a healthy state. Sometimes a monthly appointment at the hygienist are required for 3-4 months in order to do this. Once your dental health is in a satisfactory condition routine appointments at the dentist and hygienist are then recommended every 6 months.

What tools do dentists and hygienists use to clean teeth?

Plaque on teethMost dentists invest heavily in technology and equipment to ensure you receive the very best treatment. A clever piece of technology that many dentists use is an ultrasonic scaler. This uses ultrasound waves which are conducted through to the calculus on your teeth at the end of probe connected to an ultrasound device. The high frequency ultrasound dislodges the calculus from your teeth in a comfortable, painless and rapid fashion. Using this device means your hygienist can clean your teeth faster than using a hand-held instrument alone.

As well as the ultrasound device your hygienist will also use various hand tools to clean in the difficult to reach areas in between your teeth. Right at the back of your mouth, in between the last molars can often be very tricky to reach with a toothbrush meaning calculus buildup readily in these areas. Cleaning in these areas and removing the calculus can be quite tricky sometimes, especially if teeth are very crooked.

How to remove calculus from your teeth?

Unfortunately the only way to remove calculus from your teeth safely is to visit your dentist and hygienist. Trying to pick away at home can result in damaging your delicate gums. If you visit your hygienist they can give you oral health advice as to the best way to keep your teeth as clean as possible and prevent the buildup of calculus in the first place.

Visiting the dentist and hygienist is an important thing to do if you wish to keep your mouth (and whole-body) as healthy as possible as well as keeping your overall dental costs as low by being dentally fit.

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

 

 

Why is orthodontics so expensive?

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

The costs of having straight teeth are often considered to be quite expensive, with treatments often coming in at more than £1000. So why is this? In this post we take a detailed look at teeth straightening procedures, discuss what some of the more affordable options might be an find out what makes orthodontics so expensive.

What makes up the cost of orthodontic braces?

The typical cost of orthodontics is made up as follows:

  1. The planning stages prior to beginning treatment.
  2. The orthodontic system/brace itself.
  3. Multiple appointments during the teeth moving process,  typically lasting between six months and two years.
  4. The time of the dentist, their team and possibly specialist involvement.

We will now take a look at each of these in a little more detail.

The planning stages

The planning stages are especially important to get right, we must work out together the final look of your smile and relationship of your teeth to one another before we begin treatment. This is where you are given the opportunity to let your dentist know exactly how you want your new smile to look. For Invisalign there is also what is known as a Clincheck©, This is where your current smile is digitised and sent off to Invisalign  directly, they will then create a digital and animated view of your teeth moving. This gives you the ability to see exactly what you will look like at the end of treatment… A very valuable stage in the orthodontic process.

The planning stages of orthodontics may consist of 2-3 appointments, depending upon the complexity of your case.

Here is an example of a Clincheck© in action.

The orthodontic/braces system

Once the planning stages have been undertaken and the orthodontic system chosen your dentist can then move onto have the system manufactured. As with all the systems offered here, including Invisalign, Inman aligner and Six Month Smiles they are all manufactured by highly dedicated and skilled team of technicians, in some cases using the most up-to-date CADCAM technology to manufacture your braces.

Investment in CADCAM technology which allows you to have invisible braces produced rapidly comes at a high cost and so these systems are quite expensive to have manufactured.

Appointments throughout your treatment

With any of the orthodontic systems you will need to have regular appointments throughout the process, this ensures that your teeth are moving in the correct way and that there are no unforeseen problems. As with any dental appointment there will be costs to the dentist of having the team available and paying for the surgical equipment.

The time of the dentist and the team

Taking into account the planning stages and appointments throughout treatment is just one of the factors in the time involved. In addition to this there is the initial training for each orthodontic system which the dentist and the team must go through. This involves many hours away from the dental surgery and paying for this extended and postgraduate education.

How much do orthodontic braces cost?

The final cost of your orthodontic treatment will depend upon your own individual clinical situation, as a rough guide orthodontics at our practice start at £2200 and go through to £3300 dependent upon the complexity of your case. We may also be able to offer extended payment plans and finance.

Why do my teeth look yellow?

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

 

This is a question we get asked lots at our dental practice here in Harrow, so we thought we would take some time to take a look at the common reasons why your teeth may not be quite as white as you’d like to be… Some of those reasons are obvious but others aren’t!

What are you eating?

red white
Image credit: Master-isolated-images FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It sounds quite obvious but there are many foods which have any impact on the colour of your teeth. Some foods stain your teeth directly whilst others contribute to dental decay by being rich in sugar.

Foods which contain high amounts of sugar feeds the acid excreting bacteria which live in your mouth, the more sugar there is in your food the more this bacteria is able to feed and excrete the bacteria which then attacks your teeth causing dental decay. Teeth can then become dark either through the dental decay or by the bacteria forming solid deposits, known as plaque, which then become stained by the strong colours in some foods.

Some food on the other hand is naturally dark staining such as dark berries, tea and red wine. These may stain your teeth on their own but the staining is compounded if you have plaque on your teeth caused by a combination of poor oral hygiene and sugar in your diet.

Of course, so many of us like to eat foods like this, so if we want our teeth to be bright and white then we just have to get on top of our dental healthcare!

Are you brushing as well as you could?

Even if your diet isn’t too rich in sugar and you avoid the food with strong colours then your teeth could still be yellow then it would likely that your oral health care routine isn’t as good as it should be.

Quantity of bacteria in your mouth
Image credit: wellordie.com/health

Your mouth contains so many bacteria, more than the population of the world in fact, so it’s really important that you keep on top of this and remove as much bacteria and food as you can after each meal.

When brushing your teeth we recommend using a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice per day for 2 min each time. We also recommend flossing daily to ensure your teeth clean in between and then using a fluoride mouthwash in between meals (never after brushing as the mouthwash has less fluoride in than toothpaste).

Are you scrubbing rather than brushing?

anatomy of a toothYes, it’s possible to clean your teeth too much! If you scrub your teeth too much then the gum can recede as it will often become irritated due to the excessive brushing. As the gum recedes it may expose the softer dentine part of your tooth which is lower down towards the root. This part of the tooth is softer than the enamel (a part which you usually see) and is therefore more susceptible to both dental decay and staining.

When you brush, go easy and don’t scrub, if you visit a dental hygienist regularly they will be able to tell you if it looks as though you may be pressing too hard when you clean your teeth. It may also be worth considering an electric toothbrush, many of these have pressure sensors and light up red if you are pressing too hard, a really useful aid if you find this is a problem for you.

Your teeth just are naturally yellower!

Some people’s teeth are just not naturally as white as other peoples. Over the years celebrities have had so much teeth whitening that the commonly accepted shade for teeth is now considerably whiter than it was a few years ago.

Dental manufacturers have had to create new whiter and brighter colours for their materials to match this new trend, what was considered an average tooth colour 10 years ago would now be considered yellow.

Shade guide
Whiter shades have been created by the dental manufacturers to cope with the cosmetic demand of white teeth

Perhaps you are taking medication which makes your teeth look yellow?

The first thing to say is that you should never stop taking any medication that has been prescribed to you without first consulting your doctor. It has however been reported that some medications may affect the colour of your teeth, most often this happens if the medication is taken during childhood whilst the teeth are still forming, rather than extrinsic staining of the teeth at a later date in adulthood.

Some medicated mouthwashes can also stain teeth, so please ensure that you read the label of any medicated mouthwash that you may have been prescribed.

Rest assured though, if your teeth have been stained through using a medicated mouthwash this can easily be removed by your dentist or hygienist.

Do you smoke?

Well, you knew this would probably come up at some point! Smoking darkens teeth because it changes the delicate PH balance in your mouth, it also dries your mouth out which leads to an excessive buildup of bacteria. This bacteria not only has a rather noticeable smell, but also can contribute to increased rates of dental decay.

Plaque on teeth

The smoke itself also has many of these colouring components which, particularly when coupled with poor oral hygiene, can stain the teeth quite noticeably.

As a sidenote, if you have any damage to the gum in your mouth then smoking also slows down the healing process, just another reason to begin the quitting process.

You are older than you were yesterday!

It’s just a fact that as we age various things happened to our body! Gravity takes over and alas, our teeth can appear yellower. The reason for this isn’t because your teeth are actually going yellow, it’s because that as we get older the outer surface of the tooth (enamel) wears away, as the enamel wears away with age the yellower underlying dentine becomes more exposed. As that dentine nears the surface it has the effect of making the teeth look yellower.

This is often more prominent on the lower teeth towards the biting incisal edge. It can be noticed that there is significant yellowing or staining right on that chip area, this is known as secondary dentine and is a common concern with people in, shall we say, more senior years!

And the good news is…

The good news is that most of these problems can be quickly and simply resolved. If you give up smoking, look at your diet and ensure your oral health care routine follows the suggested procedure then you can have a big impact on the colour of your teeth. Your dentist can also whiten your teeth in a couple of ways.

If your teeth just have surface staining perhaps from smoking or food stains then this can be removed with an air abrasion technique. This blasts very small particles at the end at your teeth which very gently remove the surface stain. If however the enamel of your tooth is intrinsically not as white as you would like them teeth whitening could also be the perfect option for you.

What ever you decide, your friendly dentist in Harrow is here to help, please contact us today to book your appointment and begin your journey to brighter, whiter teeth.

 

How to Look After Children’s Teeth Properly

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

tooth and mirror

Most parents want to look after their children’s teeth in the best way possible but often find the advice given confusing or difficult to follow. In this blog post we set out to explain in simple terms  the easiest way to look after children’s teeth, prevent future problems and keep visits to the dentist to the absolute minimum.

1. Brush using the right kit, in the right way at the right time

Using the right kit

Children have smaller mouths than adults, clearly and so need to have a smaller toothbrush. If you try to clean a child’s mouth with an adult’s brush you will find that you will be missing parts of their teeth, particularly right around the back teeth. Use a child’s toothbrush with a pea sized amount of Children’s toothpaste. Children’s toothpaste has a reduced amount of fluoride compared to adults toothpaste, this ensures that your child does not receive too much fluoride.

Brushing in the right way

Brush your children’s teeth twice per day. Up until the age of 7 we recommend brushing your children’s teeth for them and then supervising after this age. When you brush clean for 30 seconds in each quadrant, top left, top right, bottom left and bottom right ensuring that you clean the biting surface, tongue side and cheek side of your Children’s teeth.

Brushing for the right amount of time

The whole process should take 2 min and this should be done twice per day.

2. Maintain a healthy diet

ID-10044145Ambro.Maintaining a healthy diet is important for overall body health  as well as dental health, but the two are linked. The simplest piece of advice, and probably the most important, is to watch the amount of sugar that your child has in their diet. It’s not just the added sugar (such as on cereal in the morning)  it’s the hidden sugar in so many  food items particularly fizzy drinks and processed food. A good way to monitor this is to use the governments sugar smart app which we have blogged about in the past.

Sugar is so damaging because it feeds the acid excreting bacteria which cause dental decay. Limiting the amount of sugar your child eats will have a dramatic effect on tooth decay.

3. Visit your dentist

We would say that, wouldn’t we! But it’s true, your dentist is able to detect the early warning signs of gum disease and dental decay before you will notice it at home. They can advise on your  child’s oral health care routine and let you know if there are areas that you are missing whilst you are cleaning. It’s extremely important to ensure  that your child’s over all dental health remains in good condition throughout their lives, and this starts from an early age.

Many people mistakenly believe that because children lose their teeth that they don’t need to worry about looking after them…… they will get a new set after all. This is  a misconception, the habits that we form at an early age will continue into later life. If your children don’t have a good oral health care routine with their baby teeth, why would they change that routine and habit when they lose their baby teeth? The reality is that they won’t and those same bad habits will continue through to the adult teeth…  Which don’t get naturally replaced.

For further advice and information  please request an appointment with our dental hygienist at our practice in Harrow, we’ll be happy  to answer any questions and give you advice on your own dental health care routine.

Images courtesy of  freedigitalphotos.net

Study claims that 100,000 patients per year are heading straight to A&E with dental emergencies

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

According to a new study by the BritishDental Association at Newcastle University has found that far more patients are attending accident and emergency with their dental emergencies than official government statistics state.

People visiting A&E for dental problems in the UK

The official government statistics claimed at around 14,500 patients with dental problems attend their accident and emergency department  (statistics from 2014/15). However, the British Dental Association’s research indicates that due to systematic under-reporting the figure is far more likely to be closer to 135,000 patients per year.

Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, chairman of general dental practice at the BDA, said:

“Ministers keep underestimating how much their indifference to dentistry has knock-on effects across the health service. GPs and A&E medics are having to pick up the pieces, while the government’s only strategy is to ask our patients to pay more in to plug the funding gap.

“We are seeing patients who need our care pushed towards medical colleagues who aren’t equipped to treat them. As long as government keeps slashing budgets and ramping up charges, we will keep seeing more of the same.”

There are many reasons why NHS dentistry is struggling to cope with the demands of dental emergencies  and it’s not our intention to get involved with the politics of why that may be. The reality is that many dental practices may find it extremely difficult to cope with the bureaucracy and funding within the NHS, and so to provide their patients with the treatments of choice opt to work in the private sector only.

So is Private dentistry an expensive alternative?

The perception is often that private dentistry is a very expensive alternative however it is possible to see a private dentist, with all  of the  benefits that brings from as little as 56p per day, that’s less than the average mobile phone contract and less than a cup of coffee per day!

There are two ways to enjoy private dentistry for these low fees, let’s look at each in more detail.

1. Keep Your Mouth Healthy

It sounds obvious, but the more you do at home to keep your mouth clean, your teeth bright and your gums healthy then the lower your dental costs will be. According to research by the American Dental Association in 2013:

  • 56.8% of women brush their teeth twice a day
  • 49% of men brush their teeth twice a day
  • 50.5% of Americans floss daily

With only around half the population brushing their teeth according to the recommended amount  of twice per day it’s no wonder that dental health suffers!

2. Saving For Your Dental Treatment

If you took 56p per day and saved this in a bank account then by the end of the year you would have £206. This is enough for two comprehensive dental examinations without private dentist, including x-rays PLUS two appointments with the dental hygienist. This equates to £17.16 per month which is less than most people pay on a mobile phone contract, so the question has to be asked which is more important,  looking after your health  or paying for a mobile phone?

The cost of dental treatment

Blue Court Dental Centre is a local dental practice in the heart of Harrow offering private dental care to the local people. Please contact us today to make an appointment and explore your options from as little as £17.16 per month.