Not today, tooth decay!

Tooth decay in the UK is, on the whole, preventable. It is common, yes, but that doesn’t mean you should succumb to the thought that it will happen. Tooth decay can be painful and fillings can be uncomfortable and costly, so why not avoid? Spend your time and money on prevention rather than cure, it’s a painless process!

Preventing tooth decay involves reducing things that cause demineralisation, such as sugars and bacterial plaque, whilst increasing things that promote remineralisation, such as fluoride and good saliva flow. The amount of tooth decay we experience is largely down to managing these factors and having a healthy balance between demineralisation and remineralisation. Regular dental visits are important as your dental team will assess your risk and monitor changes to the teeth. They will be able to pick up on early signs of tooth decay before a cavity develops.

Reduce your risk and say, ‘not today, tooth decay’!

Limit sugary foods and drinks and aim to keep them to meal times and avoid them before bedtime. The more often you have sugar on your teeth, the more likely you are to develop a cavity.

Make sure you have good saliva flow. Avoid dehydration. If you suffer from dry mouth, treat it. Saliva really helps to remineralise tooth surfaces after an acid attack. Chewing sugar free gum is great for stimulating saliva flow. If you suffer from dry mouth, we highly recommend chewing sugar free gum or trying a product such as Xylimelts, which are very effective in managing dry mouth.

Clean between teeth daily and brush teeth at night and one other time every day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride in toothpaste was widely introduced in the early 1970’s and has played a major role in reducing childhood tooth decay in the UK. Fluoride hardens tooth surfaces and helps protect the teeth and root surfaces from tooth decay and acid erosion. Toothpaste is the most common way of fluoride helping to protect teeth. For maximum benefit spit out after brushing but don’t rinse with water. Find out which toothpaste is best for your here. Not sure about your risk of developing tooth decay? Take Time Out For Teeth to get some help to determine your current risk of cavities.

Visit your dental team regularly. As mentioned, your dental team will be able to assess your risks and monitor changes, spotting early signs of tooth decay before a cavity develops. They’re on your side, let them help!

For further information on tooth decay and how to prevent it, click here.

Not today, tooth decay!
Rachel Hunter

We all know that gums bleed and there are various toothpastes, mouthwashes available to help with this, but in reality, they shouldn’t. If your gums are healthy, they will not bleed and that is something we should all aspire to.

Bleeding gums, although common, are not healthy. They are a sign of gum disease, of which there are two types. Gingivitis, which is reversible and Periodontitis, which can be controlled, but can lead to tooth loss.

It’s more than your smile at stake. Periodontitis is linked with many chronic diseases e.g. diabetes, heart disease, dementia and shares common risk factors with other non-communicable diseases e.g smoking.

Statistics make it likely that the majority reading this post, will experience bleeding gums in some way, shape or form at some point in their lives. So, what next?? Think of your gums (and the bone under them) as the foundations for your teeth. If the foundations aren’t healthy everything above may fail. No-one wants to lose teeth, so how can they be saved? There are a range of things that can be done to reduce the chance of severe gum disease and tooth loss, but the most important? Effective and consistent oral hygiene to control the bacterial plaque biofilm.

Your oral hygiene routine is key to the health of your mouth and gums. Make sure that you clean between your teeth, at least once a day BEFORE brushing. Then, brush your teeth and gumline with fluoride toothpaste and spit it out, don’t rinse with water. Leave the fluoride on your teeth to work its magic!

Visit your dental team regularly. They can spot the early signs of gum disease and help control gingivitis before it develops into periodontitis which involves the underlying bone. Your dentist may recommend regular hygiene appointments to remove plaque build-up and tartar from your teeth and gum line.

If you smoke, it’s is strongly recommended that you give up. Smoking greatly increases the risk of gum disease and tooth loss.

Keep well and eat a healthy diet to get vitamins and minerals that support healthy gums and teeth. If your mouth is dry, take extra care as plaque bacteria can develop rapidly in a dry mouth.

There are also products which help support gum health such as mouthwash and toothpaste. Mouthwash, such as Curasept ADS Perio, has an anti-bacterial effect, as well as containing hyaluronic acid to promote gum healing. Mouthwash should be used at a different time of the day from brushing, e.g. after a meal. Using mouthwash is not an alternative to doing the basics (cleaning between and toothbrushing) well. It’s an extra step that can help, especially if you are at increased risk of gum disease. Speak to your dental team or oral health coach for personalised advice.

For further information on gum disease and how to reduce your chances of experiencing tooth loss click here.

Remember, healthy gums don’t bleed.

Stay up to-date with tips, new products and more by following Growing Smiles on Facebook, Instagram, Linked-In, TikTok and X @growingsmilesuk. For a one-to-one oral health coaching session, click here.

Healthy gums don’t bleed
Rachel Hunter

You’ve heard it all, flossing is more than just a dance move. Clean between your teeth, they say, every day, they say, BEFORE you brush, they say. Okay, okay, okay! BUT – what’s all the floss about? Why are there so many options? Whatever happened to just a simple, thread?

Well, simple thread floss is still available, and still very effective – in fact, one of the most effective interdental cleaning tools IF used correctly, however, there are also a lot more, some may say ‘user friendly’ interdental cleaning aids available. Below you will find a brief overview of each…

Good old floss:

Dental floss has been around for a VERY long time. It is relatively low cost, there are environmentally friendly options and it can squeeze between even the tightest of interproximal spaces (gaps between your teeth, even with contact points). The drawbacks of floss, is that technique can be tricky, particularly to reach areas further back and if used incorrectly, can cause irritation or trauma to the gums.

Interdental brushes:

Interdental brushes are considered the ‘gold standard’ of interdental cleaning aids. They are small, easy to use and come in varying sizes (including multi-size packs) to use between different interdental spaces. The drawback of interdental brushes if that it can take a bit of trial and error to get the size(s) correct, therefore, we recommend a multipack in the first instance. Size matters – it is important to ensure the brushes contact the surfaces between the teeth, rather than just poke out the food between.

Water flosser:

A water flosser is an power cleaning device which uses pressure to shoot water between the teeth, to remove debris and break up plaque biofilm. These are particularly good for those with orthodontic appliances, other dental work such as bridges or reduced manual dexterity such as arthritis. The drawback of a water flosser is that it is bulkier than floss and interdental brushes, taking up more space in the bathroom and making them difficult to travel with.

Final thoughts:

There is no right or wrong interdental cleaning aid to use – it really depends on personal circumstances and preference. Growing Smiles stocks a range of interdental cleaning options, so click here to take a look, or if you’re not sure, why not speak to your dental care professional or book and online coaching session with Leigh GS? Click here for more information.

Whatever you take home from this remember, clean between your teeth at least once a day BEFORE you brush with fluoride toothpaste. Always remember to spit out the toothpaste, don’t rinse with water.

For regular dental advice, tips and tricks, follow Growing Smiles on Facebook and Instagram.

What’s all the floss about?
Rachel Hunter

What you need to know…

Different orthodontic appliances can cause varying degrees of difficulty in terms of getting access to clean teeth effectively. Whatever the appliance, extra care must be taken to ensure teeth and gums are cleaned thoroughly. All surfaces and gum, including in between teeth. There is nothing worse than finally having the appliance removed, lovely straight teeth along with decay, puffy gums and staining. This doesn’t have to be the case.

Below are Growing Smiles recommendations for taking care of your smile during orthodontic treatment.

First things first – get the basics right. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a high fluoride toothpaste, once before you go to bed a night and at another time of the day (most people choose when they get up in the morning). Spit the toothpaste out but don’t rinse it off. Your orthodontic team may advise after meals depending on your orthodontic appliance.

Continue to clean between your teeth. Do this BEFORE you brush or at a different time to brushing. Interdental cleaning can be trickier with some orthodontic appliances.  If you find this is the case, Growing Smiles recommends using a water flosser such as Waterpik Ultra, which uses a pulsating jet of water through the gaps in your teeth to break up the plaque biofilm and push out any residue into the sink. We recommend using warm water to reduce any potential sensitivity. Hold the Waterpik ‘ortho tip’ at the space between teeth for 3-5 seconds then move onto the next space.

Curaprox offers a specialist orthodontic brace care kit, which contains a specialist ortho toothbrush, interdental brushes, single tufted brush and wax in a handy container. This is a great starter kit for those at the beginning of their ‘train track’ orthodontic journey.

You may also like to consider adding a chlorhexidine, fluoride mouthwash into your daily oral hygiene routine, such as Curasept ADS 205 – specifically recommended for those undergoing orthodontic treatment. The anti staining chlorhexidine keeps bacteria at bay, whilst the fluoride gives teeth that extra bit of support. It is recommended that you use mouthwash at DIFFERENT time of the day to brushing, such as after lunch or dinner.

Don’t forget about to keep your aligners and retainers super clean too – that’s a story for another day!  

At the end of the day, consistency is key with your oral hygiene routine. Starting orthodontic treatment healthy means keeping your mouth in first class shape easier. If you’re unsure, book Time Out for Teeth with Leigh GS, who can go through your specific requirements and make recommendations at a time that suits you.

For regular updates, special offers and more, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Ortho Care for Adults
Rachel Hunter

Toothtastic Easter tips inside…

With Easter just around the corner, let’s stop and think for a moment about the state of the Easter Bunny’s teeth. A little long in the tooth, perhaps, but we at Growing Smiles have never seen an Easter bunny with anything other than clean and fresh pearly whites.

So, what’s the secret?

The Easter Bunny doesn’t necessarily consume what is being delivered. In recent years, the Easter Bunny has also become wise to tooth decay and has shared some great tips and advice with Growing Smiles…

The Easter Bunny doesn’t HAVE to deliver treats in an edible form! Some families request that the Easter Bunny brings a different type of Easter gift, for example a book, a day out or a game. A fun Easter Activity can include hard boiling an egg and painting/decorating it. 

We know that most children look forward to chocolate eggs at Easter (many adults too), and would like to remind you that chocolate isn’t the worst sweet treat, particularly if eaten at meal times for example, straight after lunch, when the teeth will be exposed to an acid attack ANYWAY. Sticky sweets and even dried fruit such as raisins are known for being worse for teeth than chocolate. This is because they have a tendency to stick to the teeth and hang around for longer.

The Easter Bunny has also, over the years, taken to offering Dr John’s sugar-free Xylitol & Erythritol lollipops which are GOOD for the teeth, helping reduce the risk of tooth decay. These lollipops are shaped just like a tooth…or perhaps, the tooth of an Easter bunny (!), and are available in a range of flavours. The xylitol is great for humans, but can make dogs very poorly, so we remind you to please keep these lollies away from your furry friends.

Whatever happens this Easter, remember we are all human. Chocolatey Easter treats aren’t the end of the world, particularly if consumed in moderation and at meal times. The worst thing to do is to graze on sweet treats all day. Keep water to hand to help rinse and clear the mouth. 

When is Best to Brush?

At Growing Smiles, we recommend you brush your teeth twice a day, the most important time being before bed and also, another time of the day (most people choose when they get up) using a fluoride toothpaste, such as BioMinF which offers 12 HOUR PROTECTION for your teeth! This toothpaste has options suitable for both adults and children (including fluoride free) and we can’t recommend it enough. Perhaps, a treat for teeth this Easter…?

So what’s on our wishlist from the Easter Bunny? A chocolate egg (yes, we are human here at Growing Smiles), xylitol & erythritol lollipops and BioMinF, for an enjoyable Easter, with an element of self-care thrown in. Happy Easter!

Our Easter Favourites

Have you ever noticed the Easter Bunny’s teeth?
leigh Hunter

Have you ever wondered at what point in life people begin to clean between their teeth? From my own personal experience, it’s usually those around mid-thirties – often who’ve had a dental appointment and been told that they should already be doing it. They’ve probably been told this for years, but mid-thirty year olds seem to begin to take notice. Perhaps bleeding gums, costs of dental treatment, general link between dental health and overall health, who knows, but the penny begins to drop.

This then, results in the question, at what point SHOULD one, clean between their teeth? 

Short answer – as soon as two teeth touch together. 

At this point, you have two surfaces (at least) which a toothbrush cannot reach. These surfaces still need to be cleaned, especially to prevent cavities between teeth.

Based on this, there is no specific age that one must begin their interdental cleaning, however, it is most likely a process that should be started a lot younger than you may have originally thought. 

A very rough guide, is that from around the age of 6, you may notice a child’s teeth coming into contact with others. The first permanent molar erupts tight behind all the baby molars and is easily mistaken for a baby tooth. Parents can start to clean between their child’s teeth as well as brushing all surfaces of every tooth at night and in the morning with fluoride toothpaste. Every child is different and it really varies from child to child. Certainly something to keep an eye out for and consider, even if only to begin forming healthy habits for the future. 

As for what is best to use? My recommended ‘starter’ interdental cleaning product for children is GumChucks.  GumChucks are a two-handled floss system which allows you to control the tension and easily make a c-shape around the gum line, in order to scrape the plaque off. The tips can be easily changed and there is a kids starter pack available. The starter pack contains a set of yellow handles and 12 tips. Click here for more information.

(Not just for kids – if you have teeth that are tight together and use floss – for you too!)

Of course, there are other products also available, such as interdental brushes, which are also highly recommended. The finest size is the best for healthy gums and tiny teeth.

Remember, when introducing your child to interdental cleaning, teach them to do this BEFORE tooth brushing. This ensures the toothpaste reaches as much tooth surface as possible. 

If you’re not confident, feel free to book an online coaching session for yourself and your child/children. You’ll all be interdental enthusiasts in no time! 

Should kids clean between their teeth?
leigh Hunter

There are treatments available…

Dry mouth affects a large proportion of adults in the U.K. The impact can vary from a minor inconvenience to incredibly painful, causing issues with swallowing, eating and speaking – often the impact is dependent on the cause. Causes of dry mouth can include some medications, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, anxiety, mouth breathing, diabetes, Sjögren’s syndrome, CPAP and/or a high salt or sugar diet. 

Fortunately, there are things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms. A good oral hygiene routine, healthy balanced diet and taking regular sips of water throughout the day can help. Chewing on sugar free chewing gum or sucking sugar free sweets can also help to stimulate salvia flow.

If these aren’t working, there are also products available which can create artificial saliva or stimulate saliva flow such as gels, toothpastes and Xylimelts.

XyliMelts are oral-adhering discs that stick to the teeth or gums to relieve dry mouth. This hugely popular product is made with xylitol, a natural sweetener that helps stimulate saliva flow, XyliMelts use adhering disc technology to slowly release 550 mg of xylitol, which is most effective when continuously released and lingers in the mouth, especially when used while sleeping when saliva flow almost stops. XyliMelts last for hours, moisturising and coating the mouth for greatest comfort. The mild mint flavour freshens your breath and the xylitol may reduce the risk of tooth decay.

To view the full range of products to help alleviate the symptoms of dry mouth click here. Say goodbye to dry mouth and hello to saliva! 

For regular updates and tips, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Suffering from dry mouth? You don’t have to!  
Rachel Hunter

BiominF Slow release toothpaste

We all know we should clean between our teeth once a day and brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, but how do you decide which toothpaste to use? 

Did you know that not all toothpastes contain the same ingredients or work in the same way? Believe it or not, some are more efficient and long-lasting than others. Most toothpastes ‘last’ approximately two hours, and by ‘last’ we mean the length of time the fluoride remains on and around your teeth. After that, your own your own until you next brush – most likely, another 10 hours or more down the line.

 But what if we told you there is a toothpaste which releases fluoride gradually over the course of 8-12 hours?

Biomin F contains patented technology which utilises fluoride-containing bioactive particles to deliver fluoride gradually as the particles dissolve over the course of up to 12 hours. It’s like complex carbohydrates for your teeth – they keep you fuller for longer, but in this case the Fluoride protects your teeth for longer! As well as this, BioMin toothpastes also mimic and enhance the way saliva replaces lost minerals on tooth surfaces, providing protection and relief from sensitivity.

To maximise the benefits of BioMin toothpaste, we recommend you hold the paste in your mouth when you’re finished brushing and swish it around your teeth before you spit it out. NEVER rinse with water after brushing, that would make the toothpaste pretty pointless! Leave it there to work its magic.

For further information on BioMinF and other toothpastes from the BioMin range, click here. If you’re unsure about what toothpaste is best for you, take a look at the GS Toothpaste Guide or book a one to one coaching session.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Rachel Hunter

Mint is the preferred flavour of toothpaste for many across the UK. It’s the go-to, expected flavour of toothpaste, largely due to the association between mint and fresh breath, and frankly, you will be hard-pushed to find ‘adult’ toothpaste of another flavour. But that doesn’t mean it’s non-existent…

Here, at Growing Smiles, clients and customers often ask about finding a non-mint toothpaste. The following is what you need to know.

Firstly, you’ll be pleased to hear, there ARE non-mint, either completely unflavoured or a different flavour, available on the market – you just need to know where to look.

Don’t be put off by ‘kids’ labelling. Many children’s toothpastes contain enough fluoride (or very nearly) for adults, and they offer fruitier flavours.

For example, Biomin for Kids is based on the same innovative technology as the original BioMinF, but with a strawberry flavour. Another option is BrushBaby Tutti Fruitti toothpaste which contains 1350ppm fluoride AND xylitol! Great for everyone over the age of 3 years old!

The other option is trying a toothpaste which has no flavour at all. OraNurse is a specially formulated, unflavoured toothpaste for people sensitive to strong flavours. Two options available – 0-3 year olds (1000ppm fluoride) and 4 + (1450ppm fluoride, suitable for 4 year olds right up to adults).

If you’re unsure about which toothpaste is right for you or someone you care about, take a look at our tips page or book a coaching session with oral health coach Leigh GS.

Is it mint to be?
leigh Hunter

How you hold your toothbrush can affect your oral health.

Who knew that the way you hold your toothbrush can affect your mouth care

1st.

Which hand do you brush with?  
Right handed people most commonly miss the inside surfaces and gumline of the bottom right teeth as well as the top right i-tooth/canine at the corner of the mouth.
Left handed? It’s the opposite side where you need to take care.

2nd.

Where you START brushing impacts thoroughness of cleaning. We nearly always start brushing in the same place hence these teeth get more attention.

3rd.

How you hold your toothbrush affects your ability to manoeuvre the bristles around the mouth and reach all the surfaces and gumline.

Food for thought when you next brush your teeth?

Next time you are brushing your teeth try –

• Switching hands to reach difficult to brush surfaces
• Starting in a different part of your mouth every time you brush
• Altering your grasp to make it easier to place bristles at the gum line.
• Swapping to your non-dominant hand or altering your grasp as you move around your mouth aids concentration, focusing on the task in hand.

Changing ‘how’ can help improve technique and effectiveness.

The aim? Clean teeth, oral health, overall health and wellbeing.

Brush at least twice a day – at night and one other time.
Use fluoride toothpaste to clean along the gum line and every surface of all teeth. Spit out after brushing but don’t rinse all the paste away. Get the most from toothpaste ingredients.

Other things worth considering for effective toothbrushing

• Size and shape of toothbrush head
• Length, dimension and surface texture of toothbrush handle
• Power or manual toothbrush. If power- rechargeable or battery
• Weight of toothbrush
• Firmness of bristles
• Shape of bristles – splayed bristles? Time to replace head/toothbrush

Learn more about toothbrushing here and check out all our toothbrush options to help you have a healthier smile for life. Not sure what is right for you? Book a coaching session with oral health coach LeighGS here.

Have you got a grip on your toothbrushing?
leigh Hunter