The Crazy World of Teeth

There are several similarities between our teeth and those of animals. As humans, we form two sets of teeth over the course of our lifetime, starting with baby teeth that are then replaced by adult teeth. On average, every person should have around 32 teeth in total; this includes four wisdom teeth, eight incisors, four canines, twelve molars and eight premolars. Similarly, many animals have a variety of these same kinds of teeth, depending on whether they are meat eaters, plant eaters, insect eaters or a combination. Both us and animals have teeth that are very strong and amazingly constructed, made up of a mix of calcium, phosphorus, and other assorted minerals. Beavers also have massive amounts of iron in their teeth, resulting in their teeth having a strong orange colour but helping to keep the teeth strong enough to gnaw on trees.  

The Massive

With the wide variety of diets and lifestyles that animals live, there are several who have a very interesting and unique dental structure. Hippos have many hidden teeth. Though on first glance it may seem that they only have 4 big teeth, they commonly have 40 in total. Hippos also have the longest canine teeth of any animal, reaching up to 3 ft long. Their incisors are capable of biting right through a small boat.

Amongst the many fascinating creatures out there, Narwhals are truly intriguing. They are born with a horn on top of their head which is actually a tooth that can grow to 8 feet or longer. Narwhals use their horn to taste and measure the concentration of chemicals in the water around it in order to find food.

The Many 

Animals like giraffes, dogs and cats have a similar number of teeth to us, but some animals have even more. Like humans, there are many creatures that also lose their teeth throughout their life, for example elephants and sharks. Elephants can have four sets of teeth in their lifetime and their tusks are the longest teeth in the world.

Similarly, Sharks can have over 30,000 teeth in their entire lifetime and on average lose one tooth a week, which is then replaced with a fresh new tooth. Sharks also don’t get cavities because their teeth are protected with a layer of fluoride. The main difference is that unlike humans, they never stop producing new teeth. But for us, our adult teeth are all that we get, which means that we have to take good care of them. On the other hand, Dolphins only have one set of teeth for the entirety of their life and just like humans, they need to take care of the teeth they have too.

The Maintenance 

Animals have their own ways to care for their teeth, just like us, ensuring they stay healthy and free of cavities or other issues. But unlike humans, animal diets are naturally low in sugar and therefore are less likely to develop severe teeth problems. Some animals like zebras, beavers, squirrels and other rodents have teeth that never stop growing. They chew on tough foods like nuts, leaves and bark, which helps to wear down their teeth and keep them from growing too long. In fact, most animals have a habit of chewing on materials like bone or tree bark which helps to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Just like animals who are naturally proactive at cleaning and taking care of their teeth, we need to make sure that we are doing the same. Due to the commonly high amount of sugar in our diets, our teeth are extremely vulnerable, and it is very important to clean thoroughly and with care several times a day. It is also a good idea to have regular check ups with your dentist, in order to prevent any serious issues from arising and causing long term problems and hassle.

Don’t take your teeth for granted, because it’s the only set you get. Midlands Smile Centres is here to guide and help you along your dental journey, providing you with the right treatments and offering you the support you need.

Dental Visits For Children Before They Reach the Age of One

The journey to good dental health is one that starts early and begins when we’re children. You may not have realised though, that while a healthy standard of teeth in children is vitally important, there are strong indications out there to suggest that this process actually begins before the first teeth have appeared. Consequently, it is advisable for parents to consider taking their children for dental visits before their first birthday.

Failings

Despite the value of addressing the issue of children’s health at a very early age, it has been reported that a large number of children have not made a dental visit before they reach the age of one. To be more specific, research recently conducted by the University of Birmingham’s School of Dentistry in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh and Public Health England found that just 3% of children in England had visited the dentist prior to their first birthday. Furthermore, according to these findings, just 12% of children in the UK had made a visit to the dentist by the time they reached the age of two.

Despite this being an indication of the fact that a sizeable proportion of children are not receiving the professional dental attention that they should, it also means that children may be at greater risk of suffering problems related to their teeth later in life.

What Problems Does This Cause for Children?

It is unadvisable for children to not see a dentist before their first birthday and it increases the chance of them being affected by certain dental health problems. For example, the failure of children to be seen by a dentist in the initial few years of their life has been identified as creating a greater likelihood for them to develop tooth decay. According to the University of Birmingham’s research, the lack of dental visits in the early years of a child’s life can lead to a poor standard of all-round oral health. As a result of having poor dental health, there is a heightened risk of developing such problems as infection and pain in the mouth which can go hand-in-hand with poor sleeping, plus problems with eating as well as learning and socialising.    

Addressing the Problem

Although it would appear as though there is a lack of awareness amongst parents regarding the need of children to be seeing their dentist at a very early age, and though this would suggest that a large number of children face the potential of suffering poor dental health, there is the possibility of tackling these issues. For example, the Little Trip to the Dentist campaign launched by the NHS in the West Midlands has targeted parents and emphasised the important role that early dental check-ups can play in the lives of children. The increased awareness and the rise in visits to the dentists for young children that may stem from this campaign creates a better chance of improving oral health for children.           

A Future of Healthy Teeth with MSC

As mentioned earlier, having a healthy set of teeth is an ongoing journey, and while dental check-ups for young children are crucial, they represent the first steps of a process that needs consistent attention. For healthy teeth, it’s crucial that dental check-ups are regular, so why not make a wise decision now and choose the skill and dedication of MSC to help make sure your child’s teeth avoid unwanted dental problems as they grow?

Here at Midlands Smile Centres, we have a vast level of experience in dentistry and dental procedures. We are able to provide an array of treatments that will ensure that your child’s teeth remain healthy.

A Dentists For All Needs

MSC are the Bimingham-based dentists that combine an exceptional level of skill and professionalism with a patient-centred approach that makes sure every individual is treated with dignity and respect. Midlands Smile Centres are versatile too, making a variety of treatments available that range from orthodontics and restorative dentistry to cosmetic dental treatments and facial aesthetics. This means that whether you feel that your teeth are crooked or misaligned, discoloured or misshapen, or even if you have missing teeth or teeth that simply just need a little visual boost, we are ready to assist.

Being able to satisfy an entire range of needs, MSC also offer a Smile Plan which makes the affordable prices of our treatments even easier to adapt to your budget. And if you ever find yourself requiring immediate attention from a dentist, you can contact us on our EmergencyTreatment number- 07960344510- even if you’re not an MSC patient.

So, whether it’s you or your child that needs a dental visit or needs treatment, make sure it’s Midlands Smile Centres that you trust with maintaining your dental health. 

Contact MSC today and find-out how we can help you!!

Starting the New Year with Healthy Teeth

Over the Christmas period, there is really no getting around the fact that the festive season is a time for a little indulgence: chocolate, biscuits, puddings- they all seem to be part of the whole Yuletide experience, and part of what makes the festive season so enjoyable. Now that we're all into the New Year, you have a fabulous opportunity to start putting into practice dental hygiene habits that you might have overlooked in the past twelve months.

Getting into good habits really is an essential part of caring for your teeth and gums. Where better to find out about these good habits than from your dentist? Putting these habits into practice is not difficult and will only improve the standard of your teeth.

No matter the time of year, not following good dental habits can cause deterioration of your teeth. So, make sure you are fully aware of how to care for your smile.

Dental Floss

Let's start with flossing. Flossing can be a bit awkward and a bit time-consuming, but it helps in a way that is hard to replicate with just brushing. Flossing is something that most experts are likely to advise you to do, so it would be a wise move now to ensure that it remains a consistent aspect in your daily dental routine. Flossing is hugely important because it removes the pieces of food between your teeth that regular brushing fails to reach. Consequently, your teeth will be free of those pesky remains of dinner which can actually lead to the build-up of plaque, eventual gum disease and cavities.

Flossing should be a gentle process that rubs both sides of the teeth around each gap. It should also get into the gap that exists between the gum line by firstly curling the floss around your tooth, and it should clean around the back of your last tooth.

It may be that you would prefer to use an interdental brush to clean between your teeth. Or, another alternative to dental floss is disposable flossers- small sticks with a small length of floss on the end that are quick and easy to use.

Mouthwash

Although some people may find mouthwash a little too intense for their mouth, there is no denying that it is an effective way to boost your dental hygiene. Plus, with so many different types of mouthwash currently available in the shops, you are sure to find one that suits you. In addition to the fact that mouthwash enhances your dental health, it's also great for fresh breath.

Brushing

Regular brushing of your teeth is of course crucial. What you may not have considered before though is how investing in an electric toothbrush could actually heighten the standard of cleanliness for your teeth. Wandering through high-street pharmacies today will reveal a number of options, but in general, all electric toothbrushes offer a more thorough clean than manual ones. An electric toothbrush operates continuously with consistent speed, rhythm and pressure, meaning that it is superior to the human hand with a manual toothbrush in its palm. In addition, the head of the electric toothbrush is smaller than that of a manual toothbrush, allowing you to get to those harder-to-reach places.

Sugar-Free Gum

Sometimes getting to your toothbrush is just not possible. Whether you're at home, someone else's house or even at work, after the left-over Christmas biscuits or chocs have been passed around, popping a piece of sugar-free gum into your mouth is such an easy way to take care of your teeth. The chewing of sugar-free gum for just twenty minutes can increase the production of saliva in the mouth which results in the neutralisation of acids. It can also strengthen the enamel of your teeth and will leave you with fresher breath. Not only that, but it can also help dislodge any remains of food in your mouth.

Water

Another quick and easy way to enhance your dental health that can be done whether you're in your home or not is to drink water and to use it to rinse your mouth. Most of us know that drinking plenty of water is a good idea, but a quick swill after eating will also help to dislodge any pieces food clinging to your teeth for better dental hygiene.

Further Dental Improvements with MSC

MSC- Midlands Smile Centres- can make sure that your new year is one of not only healthy teeth but an amazing smile as well. With various practices dotted around Birmingham, MSC offer a wide array of excellent treatments at affordable prices and boast a team of highly skilled and experienced dentists that can make the smile you're looking for a new reality for you in 2019.

Get In-Touch with MSC Today to Find-Out What we Can Do For You!!

Better Diet, Better Dental Health

A good, balanced diet can be great for your general health, but what you may not be so familiar with, is the level of importance that a good diet has in maintaining your dental health. This blog sheds some light on the role that your diet can play in making sure your teeth stay in a healthy condition as well as the repercussions that poor eating and drinking habits can have on your dental health.

Sugar

Of course, excessive consumption if sugar isn't advisable. And when it comes to our dental health, failure to effectively regulate the amount of sugar in our diet can lead to tooth decay. According to the NHS, the recommended amount of sugar to be consumed by adults is 30 grams of free sugars (7 sugar cubes approx'). Free sugars are sugars added to food and drink such as chocolate, biscuits, flavoured yoghurt and fizzy drinks; they are also found in unsweetened fruit juices, smoothies, honey and syrups.

The sugar contained naturally in fruit, milk and vegetables is not classed as free sugars.

Lowering Your Sugar In-take

Avoid drinking fizzy, sugary beverages and squash, and try opting for drinks that are no-added sugar, or diet, or ones that are sugar-free. Or simply choose a glass of water. If however, you still would like a sugary fizzy drink, maybe try mixing no-added-sugar squash with sparkling water to create something similar to a standard fizzy beverage. Attempt to not drink more than 150ml of unsweetened fruit juices or smoothies.

Another tip to employ in regard to sugar in drinks is to put sweetener in your tea or coffee instead of sugar. Or think about slowly cutting-down the quantity of sugar you put into your drink on a regular basis until you reach a point where you will not have any sugar in your drink.

Food

There are ways to bring your sugar in-take down regarding food, as well. Choosing a reduced sugar spread for your toast, or putting something else on there instead, such as banana or a low-fat cream cheese, is a good way of making your breakfast a little healthier. You can also shop for foods that have lower amounts of added sugar and seek-out the reduced sugar alternatives. The nutrition or ingredients labels should include this info' for you.

If you are cooking from a recipe, check how much sugar and other unhealthy ingredients are being used. You can either use a healthier alternative (and often tastier!), or simply reduce the amount used. For breakfast, unsweetened whole grain cereals are particularly good for you. Try also to avoid breakfast cereals that are frosted or covered in honey or chocolate. If you are a bit put-off by the lack of sugar in your unsweetened breakfast cereal, you could try introducing some dried fruit, berries or bananas to it, for a sweeter taste. When it comes to purchasing tins of fruit, go for those in juice, and not syrup.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol is commonly not conducive to good dental health. Alcohol can remove the surface from your teeth, creating a loss of enamel as a consequence. This is problematic, as the loss of enamel can mean that having a filling will become necessary. Additionally, high-levels of alcohol consumption is linked to a heightened chance of mouth cancer.

Staining

Another part of our teeth being in a healthy condition, is them being white and free-from stains, and it's also something that makes our smile appear that little bit nicer, too. Eating and drinking in the right way will help to keep your teeth healthy and help ensure that they do not become stained. Drinking tea and coffee is one way that your teeth can become stained, so it is advisable to limit how many of these drinks you have. Other types of food and drink that can create staining are curry, red wine, beetroot, cola and tomato-based sauces.

Anything Else?

As previously stated, ensuring you eat and drink healthily and avoiding certain types of food is key to good dental health. But to make sure that you are caring for your teeth properly, read these tips and check that you are doing what you can on a daily basis to maintain your dental health.

• Brushing twice a-day; preferably with an electric toothbrush
• Using mouthwash
• Flossing
• Regular visits to the dentist
• Not postponing any dental treatments that are required
• Using sugar-free gum

MSC- Midlands Smile Centres

Whatever problem you have with your teeth, whether it's cosmetic or something more essential, MSC are always worth contacting. They boast several practices throughout Birmingham, making them easy to reach. MSC are staffed by a team of highly experienced and superbly skilled dentists that can offer you a whole range of dental treatments at affordable prices.

Get In Touch With MSC Today To Find-Out How They Can Help You!!

Top 15 Tips for Looking After Your Teeth

As you may be aware, looking after your teeth is important for ensuring a healthy, white smile. Unfortunately, with the easy accessibility to more and more harmful products, we are seeing a rise in the number of people heading to the dentist with a problem with their teeth. A lot of the time, however, this can be avoided by simply knowing how to prevent it in the first place.

Read below for Midlands Smile Centres 15 DO's and DONT’s to looking after your teeth.

1)    Do – Choose your brush carefully

Most people don’t take much time to look into this, and why would you? A toothbrush is a toothbrush, right? Well on closer inspection you’ll find that there are a variety of different toothbrush all aimed around correcting different problems. Next time you're looking at a new toothbrush, take into consideration what you're looking for. A simple change such as this can help to keep your tees in good order without costing you a fortune.

2)    Do – Use sugar-free gum  

 

Believe it or not, sugar-free gum does wonders for dental health. Making sure you have a pack on you wherever you go could make a  big difference to your teeth. The use of chewing gum helps to increase the volume of saliva in your mouth which in turn helps to neutralise acid levels in the mouth and on your teeth. This helps to prevent further damage to your teeth. And of course, the other added bonus of chewing gum is fresh minty breath everywhere you go.

3)    Don’t – Ignore a dental problem

If you notice something isn’t right with your teeth and gums, go and see your local dentist. There’s nothing to be afraid or embarrassed about. The most important thing is your health. Avoiding and ignoring problem will only cause further problems for your mouth and can lead to much more problematic issues later in life.

4)    Do – Floss your teeth

Now, I bet you're sick and tired of hearing this, but it really is a great way to keep your teeth clean. Flossing your teeth on a regular basis is a good way of ensuring you reach every surface on your teeth. This simply cannot be achieved with brushing alone. This simple task can be complete anywhere and will have a significant effect on your teeth.

5)    Do – Use mouthwash

Just like using floss, mouthwash is able to reach places that a normal toothbrush may have missed. This will guarantee that your entire mouth is as clean as possible. Mouthwash is also great at eliminating bad breath and sustaining a minty taste throughout the day.

6)    Don’t - Use your teeth as tools

Some of the stories we get told about the cause of broken teeth are astounding. Your teeth are for eating, and eating only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose, such as a bottle opener. Trust us when we say it’s not a pleasant experience when something goes wrong.

7)    Do – Vary your diet to include foods that are good for your teeth

There are a large number of foods out there that are not only tasty, but are also great for keeping your teeth clean. Like chewing gum, some food can help to remove acid from your mouth. While it is certainly more important to make sure you clean your teeth regularly, you should think about this during your next trip to the supermarket.

8)    Do – Wait an hour after eating before brushing

You might be surprised by this one but waiting for about an hour after eating before you brush your teeth, does have a positive effect on your dental hygiene. When eating, sugars and acids will weaken enamel. If you then choose to brush your teeth immediately afterwards, tiny pieces of enamel will be swept away by your brush.

9)    Don’t – Drink too many sugary drinks

Many fizzy drinks contain an obscene amount of sugar, this sugar attaches itself to your teeth and cause a multitude of problems. In order to combat this, zero-sugar alternatives can be a tasty substitute. If you must have a full sugar drink, try putting in some ice cubes to dilute it first. 

10)    Do – Have regular dental check-ups

We are fully aware that this is not appealing to everyone and the thought of going to the dentist is one that most don't like to think about. But going to the dentist really is the best way to get regular advice on keeping your teeth in the best shape. You can also be sure to find any problems quickly before they become more serious and require extensive treatment.

11)    Do – Brush your tongue

Most people know that this is something you should do and it is more than often included in many people's cleaning regime. This is because it helps to provide fresh clean breath throughout the day. Did you know however that it has another brilliant benefit? Brushing your tongue helps to remove harmful bacteria from your mouth, which in turn helps to maintain the healthy condition of your teeth.

12)    Don’t – Use the same toothbrush for too long

More often than not most people will overuse their toothbrush. This is normally because they don’t know how long a toothbrush lasts. There are some obvious signs to look out for, one of which is when the brush bristles begin to bend and fail. More often than not a good rule to live by is change your toothbrush or brush head every 3 months. This way you can ensure that your brush is doing its job properly and your teeth stay clean.

13)    Do – Use an electric toothbrush

Many dentists will tell you that an electric toothbrush is much better than a manual brush, and this is because an electric toothbrush can help get a better coverage of your teeth and gums, offering as much as 21% more plaque removal after 3 months. Investing in your own electric toothbrush is a very good way to improve your dental health.

14)    Do – Drink water

While water isn't the most exciting drink on the menu, it’s a fantastic way to keep your teeth clean. Simply drinking water helps to neutralise the PH levels in your mouth and remove food that may be stuck in-between your teeth and gums. Not to mention this can also have a great effect on your general health as well. It's also much better for you than sugary drinks. 

15)    Don’t – Rush your Brush

Now, this is important. If you take nothing else from this blog at least listen to this. We all know that you should brush your teeth a minimum of twice a day for 2 minutes, but many of us struggle, either due to being in a rush, or just forgetting. Brushing twice a day for 2 minutes is a very important factor of dental health, so make sure you leave time for doing this. 

Please visit the MSC website today or get in touch over the phone now to find out what we can do for you!