Dental help and advice in Harrow From Blue Court Dental Centre

TEETH WHITENING

I’m thinking of having my teeth whitened. Can I do it myself of should I get it done professionally?

This is a frequently asked question especially with so many off-the-shelf whitening products now available. It is crucial to discuss this with your dentist in order to ensure a safe and effective outcome.

The first thing we will do is to determine if your teeth are suitable for whitening and to discuss which methods are best for you. The professional whitening procedures involve a stronger whitening process than the shop-bought products and therefore more effective.

They also avoid problems than can occur with a DIY shop-bought kit such as patchy-looking teeth and sensitivity. Finally, we can also give you top-up kits for use at home to help keep your teeth sparkling and white

Toothbrush Hygiene

We all should change our toothbrushes every three months or risk potentially severe oral health problems – that’s the message from British Dental Health Foundation ( BDHF).

The BDHF has urged more people to start investing in new toothbrushes more regulary, before it develops into a “breeding ground” for germs and bacteria.

The strongest argument to change your toothbrush regularly is to prevent re-infection following the flu or a cold. A dirty toothbrush can also be responsible for many ear, nose and throat infections.

Another survey conducted by the Foundation as part of the nationwide oral health campaign showed that almost two-thirds of Britons would be happy to lend their toothbrush to their partners, children, friends and even celebrities.

Sharing a toothbrush leaves people susceptible to all sorts of oral and general health problems. But even if you don’t let anyone else use your brush, you still need to replace it every three months to make sure germs don’t build up, and to keep your brushing as effective as possible.

What makes people smile

Chocolate has topped the poll for the big thing that makes most people smile.

The British Dental Health Foundation has been asking hundreds of people what makes them smile the most. In a close fought competition a simple bar of chocolate has topped the poll, followed by “seeing a loved one”.

Around half of respondents featured chocolate on their list of items, with 60 per cent of women making it their favourite choice. Men preferred a Sunday roast to chocolate, but both scored highly.

The contagious nature of smiling was also highlighted by around a third of people saying they smiled when they “saw someone else smile”. The Foundation also asked people to choose a colour which made them smile the most. The top polling answer was the nice summery colour yellow with around a third of votes.

Testimonial

“When I first came to the dentist in 2005, I was very frightened of the whole experience due to not having the best times in the chair as a child. Now 6 years on, I look forward to a trip to Blue Court Dental Centre, due to the welcoming environment and the lovely staff. As always it has been a joy to attend as a patient.

Thank you Sonal !

JB June 2011

Nicotine Stains

This heavy smoker from Harrow was very unhappy with the colour of his teeth. The patient wanted whiter, brighter teeth.

After discussing treatment options with Dr Dixit, the patient decided to have his teeth bleached.

The patient was very happy with the results.

School Visit

A local junior school in Stanmore/Edgware invited Dr Sonal Patel and her nurse, Neeta, to give a talk about dental hygiene and tooth decay to two classes of 8yr old girls.

The morning was a great success, with the girls having fun and learning at the same time.

How important is your smile

Smiling is important from a social perspective. A smile helps to create a positive first impression and makes you seem more attractive.

Author Dale Carnegie, who wrote ” How to win Friends and influence People”, devoted the first chapter to the smile, calling it “the big secret of dealing with people”.

Smiling is contagious – if you smile at someone it improves their mood, and usually makes them smile back in response. It’s very difficult not to like someone who makes you feel good enough to smile.

Researchers have also found that just the physical act of smiling can boost your mood. It releases endorphins (a natural pain-reliever) and serotonin, often referred to as a happy hormone. Even if it’s not a real smile, the muscle movement can fool your body into producing these substances, making you feel better!