Top tips to enjoy your ice cream this summer

Summer might be taking its time, but we all hope that sooner or later the sun will appear. There is nothing nicer when the sun is beating down, than an ice cream with friends and family, but what if you suffer with sensitive teeth.

Here at West Wickham Dental Practice  we have come up with 5 top tips to treat sensitivity, allowing you to enjoy your fill of ice cream this summer.

1. Use sensitive toothpaste and don’t brush too hard

There are a variety of different sensitive toothpastes available which if used routinely can help to improve sensitivity. You should brush your teeth twice and day, using small, circular movements and a soft bristled toothbrush. Brushing too hard will wear the enamel away and lead to sensitivity, by using a soft toothbrush you can help to prevent this.  You should be advised that if you stop using the sensitive toothpaste the sensitivity is likely to return.

2. Wait an hour after eating before brushing

Each time you eat the enamel on your teeth softens, if you brush your teeth straight after eating you will brush away tiny particles of the enamel. Over time this can lead to the dentine being exposed which can cause sensitivity. By waiting an hour, you give the enamel time to reharden.

3. Reduce how often you have sugary and acidic foods and drinks

Sugary and acidic food and drink can wear away the enamel. Where ever possible try to limit sugary and acidic foods to mealtimes as this reduces the number of attacks your teeth must contend with every day.

4. Consider wearing a mouth guard

If you grind your teeth, discuss with the dentist whether it would be worth having a mouth guard to wear at night. This will help to protect the teeth from further damage. Any areas where the teeth have been severely worn, exposing the dentine and causing sensitivity, can be treated by building the teeth up using a white filling material.

5. Visit your dental team regularly

It is important that you attend for regular dental appointments as this will ensure that any problems are identified early and can be treated without the need for extensive and expensive restorations.

If you would like further advice on treatment for sensitive teeth do not hesitate to call West Wickham Dental Practice today on 0208 776 1188 to book a consultation.

Top tips for good children’s oral hygiene

By ensuring that you teach your children the fundamentals of good oral hygiene you can ensure that they have the skills to maintain their teeth and gums for years to come.

Here at West Wickham Dental Practice we have some top tips to ensure you can set your children up for a lifetime of good oral health

Make brushing fun

There is nothing worse than a daily battle to get your children to brush their teeth. Avoid the conflict by making brushing fun. Allow your children to pick their own toothbrush, many now include their favourite TV and film characters. You can also brush along to a favourite song or download apps that will display pictures as they brush for two minutes. By getting them involved and excited by the process, children will want to brush their teeth.

• Set an example

If you children see you taking care of your oral health, they will begin to understand the importance of oral hygiene. By brushing along with them or allowing them to help you brush your teeth you can make tooth brushing a fun family time. You can also use disclosing tablets to show areas that have been missed while brushing, by including yourself in this you will able to show that everyone misses sometimes, but with proper brushing techniques it is possible to minimise the risk of decay.

• Attend for regular dental appointments

It is important that children start attending for appointments with their parents as soon as their teeth come through. This will allow them to get used to the unfamiliar sights, smells and sounds in the dental practice. By attending from a young age, it helps to reduce the fear so often associated with the dentist.

Technique for Tooth brushing

• Brush twice a day – once in the morning and once before bedtime
• Use a small headed, soft brush
• Apply only a smear of toothpaste
• Create a habit – always brush teeth in the same order to ensure that no tooth is forgotten
• Remember the gum line
• Be gentle – brush using only a slight pressure

If you would like to start your children on the path to a lifetime of good oral hygiene call West Wickham Dental Practice today on 0208 776 1188 to book a consultation.

Risk Factors for Mouth Cancer

Mouth cancer is a cancer that can affect anyone. With over 7,000 people diagnosed with the disease last year and this figure set to increase further over the coming years, it is very important you are aware of any factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease.

91% of all diagnoses are linked to lifestyle factors which means that by amending certain lifestyle choices it is possible to drastically reduce your risk of developing moth cancer. There are four main factors to consider, including:

o   Tobacco

We all know about the risks associated with tobacco and developing lung cancer, but not many people know it is also a major risk factor in developing mouth cancer. Each cigarette contains thousands of chemicals all of which enter the body through the mouth. Over time the saliva in your mouth is transformed by these chemicals, damaging cells and potentially turning them cancerous.

Smokers are three times more likely to develop mouth cancer than non-smokers and seven times more likely to be diagnosed with throat cancer. However, it is never too late to reduce your risk! Research has shown that by quitting smoking you can reduce your risk of developing mouth cancer by more than a third. So why not use this as the impetus you need to kick the cigarettes for good!

o   Alcohol

Drinking large quantities of alcohol on a regular basis is another major risk factor linked with mouth cancer – with links to around 30% of all mouth cancer diagnoses. The key to this is regularly drinking large quantities, an occasional glass of wine or night out is not a problem!

o   Tobacco and Alcohol

If you combine the two, your risks dramatically increase, by potentially as much as thirty times. If you smoke and drink it is especially important that you attend the dentist for routine appointments so that they can continually monitor the health of your mouth, teeth and gums.

o   The Human papillomavirus

Many experts believe that the Human papillomavirus (HPV), transmitted through oral sex, will overtake tobacco use as the main cause of mouth cancer within the next ten years. HPV is very common and almost every sexually active person will get HPV at some point in their lives. 90% of infections go away within two years, but sometimes the infection can persist causing several different problems, including:

• Abnormal tissue growth which can cause cancer
• Genital warts

In order to reduce your risk, you should practice safe sex. There is also now an HPV immunisation programme in place, with all 12 and 13-year-old girls routinely vaccinated.

o   Diet

50% off all mouth cancer cases are due in some part to a poor diet. It is important to ensure that you have a diet rich in fruit and vegetables to keep your body healthy. Certain food can help to reduce your mouth cancer risk – including vitamin C and calcium supplements, green tea and coffee.

If you would like more help and advice on how to reduce your risks of developing mouth cancer or are concerned about any changes in your mouth book an appointment online, or call West Wickham Dental Practice today on 0208 776 1188. If in doubt get it checked out!

10 Things To Avoid To reduce Tooth Staining

We all want to ensure that our teeth stay as white as possible so in this blog we look at 10 things you should avoid to help reduce the amount of staining on your teeth.

Wine – Red and white wine are acidic drinks that contains tannins, most commonly thought of as being in tea. This gives the drink the potential to cause a large amount of staining on your teeth.

Wherever possible try to intersperse glasses of water in between the wine, not only will this help to reduce any potential hangover the following day, it will also help to reduce the level of staining of your teeth.

Tea – Like wine, ordinary tea is rich in stain promoting tannins. Many dentists say that staining from tea can be an even bigger problem than staining from coffee which is low in tannins.

If you can’t bear the thought of giving up your morning brew why not consider switching to an herbal, green or white tea which have all been shown to have much less staining capacity.

Fizzy Drinks – Not only do you need to be concerned with the dark coloured fizzy drinks which have the ability to stain your teeth, lighter coloured drinks are sufficiently acidic that they promote the staining of teeth by other foods and drinks that you may have at the same time. Also fizzy drinks are often drunk cold and this has the effect of causing teeth to contract, making them more porous and easier to stain.

When enjoying a fizzy drink try to use a straw as this reduces the amount of drink that comes into contact with your teeth.

Pasta Sauces – Due to their acidity and bright red hue, the tomatoes in most pasta sauces can leave your teeth vulnerable to staining.

Eating dark green vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach beforehand creates a protective film over the teeth and reduces the tomatoes staining effect. Why not opt for a green salad as a starter?

Balsamic vinegar – Balsamic vinegar although a healthy salad dressing, can darken your teeth. This is due to its natural dark colour and the fact that it will stick to teeth.

Whenever you have a salad with balsamic vinegar, be sure to include a crunchy lettuce; chewing the lettuce will help clean the staining balsamic vinegar from your teeth as you eat.

Dark Berries – Blueberries, Blackberries, Cranberries, Cherries and other intensely coloured fruit also have the potential to cause stains. This is true no matter what form they come in whether juices, smoothies, pies or cakes.

Curry – curry’s deep pigmentation can yellow teeth over time.

Whenever you have curry, try to mix in fresh fruits and vegetables that prevent stains such as apples, carrots, cauliflower and celery.

Smoking – Smoking tobacco can cause teeth to become discoloured.

The only way to ensure that you reduce this form of staining is to quit smoking.

Certain Medication – Some medication can cause staining to your teeth over time.

If this is something you are concerned about talk to your doctor, they may be able to recommend alternatives that do have the staining ability.

Poor Oral Hygiene – The key to keep your teeth stain free is to ensure that you have a good oral hygiene routine.

Brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and clean your teeth inter-dentally daily. You should always wait to brush your teeth until one hour after eating otherwise you may brush away tiny particles of the softened tooth enamel, which in the long term can expose the dentine below which is a yellow colour, which will add to any staining present.

Treatment for teeth staining

Here at West Wickham Dental Practice if you are worried about staining why not book an appointment with one of our highly trained dentist or hygienists. They are able to perform deep cleanings to remove any staining present on your teeth. They will also be able to advise you on the best oral hygiene products to ensure that your teeth stay pearly white in between visits.

If you would like more help and advice on how our hygienist can help to remove the staining present on your teeth book an appointment online, or call West Wickham Dental Practice today on 0208 776 1188

Dentures vs Dental Implants

There is no longer any need to go through life with missing teeth. There are now a number of different options available to replace a missing tooth, with implants and dentures being the most common options. In this article we compare both options to help you make an informed choice as to whether dentures or implants are the right treatment for you.

Dentures	Implants
Dentures are made by creating either an acrylic (plastic) or chrome (metal) base and onto these composite teeth are added in a shade to match your natural teeth. This means once in place no-one should be able to tell that they are not your own teeth.	Implants are made by inserting a titanium screw into your jaw, which is then used to support a crown, bridge or denture depending on how many teeth need to be replaced.
Dentures can be made to replace either a few teeth or all the teeth on your upper or lower jaw. Dentures have the added advantage of allowing further teeth to be added following future extractions	Implants can be used to replace a few or all teeth. Implants can either be placed for individual teeth or can be used to support dentures replacing all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw
Dentures help to improve your appearance, bite and how you speak	Implants help to improve your appearance, bite and how you speak
Dentures can be fitted immediately after a tooth is extracted so no one will know you are missing a tooth	The base of the implant will be inserted into your jaw. This will then need to be left 3-4 months to heal before a crown, bridge or denture can be placed on top
Dentures can be fitted no matter how healthy your jaw is or whether you have lost the teeth because of damage, wear and tear, decay or periodontal disease	Implants can only be placed if you have sufficient bone in your jaw and it is healthy enough. If not a bone graft will be required prior to treatment starting
Dentures do not support the jaw so you will notice bone loss over time if you wear dentures	Implants help to maintain the bone levels in your jaw and can even help to promote bone growth needed to stabilise and secure the implant
Dentures are suitable for most people	Implants are not suitable if you smoke and if you suffer with gum disease there is a higher risk of the implant failing
Dentures can take time to get used to and will require practice to allow you to speak and eat with confidence	Implants look and feel like your natural teeth so you will be able to speak and eat with complete confidence
Dentures may need to be remade or relined as the shape of your jaw changes overtime	If cared for properly an implant should last as long as your natural teeth
Dentures are less expensive than implants but will only last on average 7 – 8 years before they need to be replaced	Implants are more expensive but once in place they should last a lifetime

If you would like more help and advice on whether dentures or implants are the right treatment for you book an appointment online, or call West Wickham Dental Practice today on 0208 776 1188

Healthy Teeth Equals Healthy Heart

New findings have shown that there is a definite link between oral health and problems in other parts of the body.

Problems which may be caused or made worse by poor dental health include:

• Heart disease
• Strokes
• Diabetes
• Lung Disease

In this article we will look specifically at the effect gum disease can have on our hearts. Gum disease is also currently the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK. So be sure to make oral hygiene a top priority for a healthy heart and show stopping smile!

Signs of Gum Disease

The main signs of gum disease are:

• Inflammation of the gums, causing them to be red, swollen and to bleed easily
• An unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Irregular mouth infections

If you notice any of these symptoms you should see your dental team. Everyone will be affected by gum disease at some point in their lives. However if it is effectively treated it should leave no lasting damage. Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque, which provides a breeding ground for bacteria, on the surface of teeth and gums.

If you are smoker you are much more likely to experience gum disease, as smoking has been found to cause higher levels of bacteria in the plaque on your teeth and because of the reduced amount of oxygen in your bloodstream, infected gums will take much longer to heal.

Keeping your heart healthy

People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery heart disease as people without gum disease. Bacteria present in the plaque on teeth enter the bloodstream and produce proteins. These proteins cause the platelets in the blood to stick together in the blood vessels. If this happens in a great enough quantity it can increase the risk of blood clots forming. Blood clots reduce the normal blood flow affecting the amount of nutrients and oxygen reaching the heart. If this happens in enough quantity it can lead to a heart attack.

Treatment

Normally the first sign you will experience if you have gum disease is gums that bleed when you eat or brush yourteeth. You may also notice you have bad breath.

The best treatment for gum disease is to ensure that you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day by brushing and by cleaning in between your teeth.

At each check-up the dentist will assess your teeth and gums for any sign of gum disease. They will use probes to measure the amount of gum present around the teeth and may take x-rays to determine if there has been any bone loss in your jaw.

The dentist will remove the plaque and tartar present on your teeth and will refer you to the hygienist for ongoing cleanings. The hygienist will also be able to advise you on the best oral hygiene routine to ensure that you remove plaque effectively at home, through tooth brushing and inter-dental cleaning.

If left untreated gum disease can progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis causes the gums to recede and can lead to the loss of bone which anchors the teeth to the jaw. Over time teeth may become loose and even fall out.

If you would like help and advice to look after your teeth and gums, do not hesitate to contact West Wickham Dental Practice on 0208 776 1188 and book a consultation to find out how we can help you ensure that your heart stays healthy!

5 Steps To Help You Smile Proud

Recent studies have shown that people often underestimate the age of someone who has a bright white smile, believing that it makes them look younger and more attractive. Your smile will often be the first thing a person will notice about you. Therefore making sure your smile is in tip top condition has never been so important.

Looking after your teeth can help improve your self-confidence and overall health and wellbeing. With a dazzling smile who knows what you can achieve!

In this article we look at our 5 steps to a great smile.

1. Oral hygiene

The first step to caring for your teeth is to ensure that you have in place an effective oral hygiene routine. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and use interdental cleaning aids such as floss, tape or interdental brushes to clean the 40% of tooth surfaces that brushing alone cannot reach. This ensures that you remove food particles that can become trapped between teeth. If left these provide a food source for bacteria and in the long term can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

2. Regular Dental Appointments

At your dental examination the dentist will complete a thorough examination of your mouth, teeth and gums. This enables any problems to be identified early and should reduce the need for expensive and invasive treatments. The dentist may also advise that you see the hygienist who can provide regular scaling and polishing and oral hygiene advice. By ensuring that plaque and stains are not allowed to build up, you can ensure that your teeth remain as healthy as possible for a long as possible. At the end of each appointment the dentist or hygienist will advise you on when you next need to attend for an appointment.

3. Healthy Diet

Include plenty of dairy and other calcium rich foods in your diet to help maintain strong teeth and bones. Calciumcan be found in milk, yoghurt, butter and fortified breakfast cereals. Vitamin C in citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons and limes, also helps to improve gum health. Sugary and sticky foods that stick to the crevices of your teeth are particularly bad as bacteria feed off the sugars and release acids that cause cavities. It is best where possible to restrict sugary foods to meal times to prevent regular acid attacks on your teeth.

4. Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening is a safe and effective way of brightening the natural colour of your teeth. Teeth whitening can improve staining caused by foods, drinks, smoking, medications and the general ageing process.

There are two main forms of tooth whitening:

• At home tooth whitening

In this case the dentist will take impressions of your teeth, which are used to create custom made whitening trays. The dentist will show you how to load the trays with whitening solution and you will need to wear this for 30 minutes to 8 hours overnight depending on the strength of the gel and the speed at which you are looking for results. This can be done in your own time and so can be fitted in at a time to suit you.

• In surgery tooth whitening

In this case the whitening gel will be applied to your teeth in the dental surgery and will be activated using a blue light. This process may be repeated 3 or 4 times in an hour session. It is often advised that in surgery tooth whitening is followed up with a course of at home tooth whitening in order to ensure the best possible results.

The effects of whitening would normally be expected to last for 2-3 years but this will depend on lifestyle factors. Your dentist will be able to give you an idea of the expected results prior to starting treatment.

5. Smile Makeover

For those people who would like to completely rejuvenate their smile, a smile makeover may be the treatment foryou. The dentist will complete a detailed assessment of your teeth and smile and will put together an individual treatment plan tailored to meet your needs. This may include crowns, bridges, implants, tooth whitening and facial aesthetics to help give you the younger and brighter smile you desire.

Here at West Wickham Dental Practice we are able to offer a wide range of services to help you achieve a great smile, including white fillings, teeth whitening, teeth straightening, dental implants, crowns and veneers.

If you have any questions or would like to find out what we are able to offer you, do not hesitate to contact the surgery on 0208 776 1188 and book a consultation to find out how we can help you Smile Proud today!

Dental payment plans allow you to budget for the cost of your ongoing dental treatment so that you are not hit with a large bill at your next appointment.  Dental payment plans are designed to help you spread the cost of your dental treatment by making monthly payments by direct debit to your dentist or an independent company who will run the scheme. It is possible to have either a maintenance or a comprehensive plan and costs will vary from dentist to dentist and may depend on the health of your teeth and gums.

By budgeting for your dental treatment you will be able to save money and have the peace of mind of knowing that should you have any problems you are covered. It also encourages you to attend the dentist regularly without worrying about costs. By attending regularly any problems can be noted early reducing the need for any extensive and costly treatment.

A maintenance plan will offer preventative treatment including a set number of examinations, hygiene appointments and x-rays. You may also receive a discount on certain other routine treatments, specialist treatment will be excluded.

A comprehensive dental plan will offer unlimited dental treatment but may not cover laboratory fees and other specialist treatments. You will need to ensure that you have no outstanding dental treatment prior to joining this kind of plan.

Here at West Wickham Dental Practice we are able to offer three different plans so you can tailor your plan to your specific dental needs and wishes. This also allows you to control the amount you pay each month for the peace of mind a capitation plan gives you.

Plan A

This plan is £11 a month. Less than 36p a day and entitles you to 2 x check-ups, 2 x hygienist visits, x-rays, 10% off any additional treatment and 25% off tooth whitening each year.

Plan B

This plan is £19.50 a month. Less that 65p a day and entitles you to 2 x check-ups, 4 x hygienist visits, x-rays, 10% off additional treatment and 25% off tooth whitening.

Plan C

For our younger patients up to 17 years old. This plan is £8.00 a month. Less than 27p a day and entitles them to 2 x check-ups, 2 x hygiene and fluoride varnish visits, x-rays, 4 x fissure sealant and 10% any additional treatment.

All dental plans also provide up to £10,000 per year worldwide dental accident and emergency insurance cover.

Together with 0% Interest FREE financing that we offer, there is no reason that you cannot have the smile that you deserve for 2016.

So what are you waiting for? Make 2016 the year you put you first and sign up to one of our fantastic plans. Plan A and Plan C sign up forms are available on our website and Plan B can be signed up to in surgery. If you have any questions or need any more information do not hesitate to contact the surgery on 0208 776 1188.

New Year, New You-Cosmetic Dental Treatment

The New Year resolution as defined by Wikipedia is, “… a tradition, …in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or something slightly nice… beginning from New Year’s Day.” Resolutions for overall fitness and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle is a norm for most of us and is great for improving general health and well-being, however, it is important not to forget the benefit of also improving your oral health too. Ranging from refining tooth brushing habits to completing unfinished dental treatments. A beautiful smile can make you feel healthy and rejuvenated. You don’t need to be in Tinseltown to enjoy a bright sparkling smile, straightforward dental treatment from teeth whitening, veneers, Six Month Smile orthodontic treatment or dental implants can be rewarding and motivating. Begin your journey towards a better and brighter smile with a Free Cosmetic Consultation, just ask!

Dental Implants

Dental Implants are a safe and well established treatment and are currently the closest treatment you can have to having your own teeth back again. Dental Implants supports the jaw bone by preventing further bone loss. Most, importantly it allows the teeth to be fixed to the jaw bone simulating natural teeth. Looking after your implants should be no more difficult than looking after your natural teeth. However, there may be some areas that are more difficult to reach and your dentist or hygienist will be able to advise on how best to clean these areas. The dentist may also advise that you attend for more regular hygienist appointments to ensure that the implants stay free of plaque and calculus build up. Provided they are looked after,dental implants should last for many years.

Teeth Whitening

If you are looking for a treatment that will give your teeth a dramatic lift that is fast with visible differences, why not consider teeth whitening, a safe and effective way to lighten and brighten the natural colour of your teeth. In 2012new regulation was brought in that state teeth whitening is a dental procedure and as such can only be undertaken by a dental professional. We can offer two main types of teeth whitening treatment;

In Surgery teeth whitening: This is a repetitive intensive treatment where the dentist will apply the whitening gel to your teeth either directly or using a custom made whitening tray that is activated using a special light. You walk in with a dingy, aged smile, and leave with the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted

At home teeth whitening: This treatment can be completed in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you using bespoke whitening trays designed for your teeth. The dentist will show you how to apply the whitening gel to the trays and will explain how long you will need to wear the trays ensuring that you receive the results you are looking for.

Six Month Smiles Orthodontic Treatment

Not all of us are born with a perfectly straight set of teeth!  Apart from the aesthetic value, straight teeth help us to bite, chew and speak properly providing a significant boost in self-confidence, self-esteem and self-image; qualities that are valued at every age benefiting social as well as career success.

Misaligned teeth prevent effective cleaning of the tooth surfaces causing an increase in plaque formation, periodontal disease (bleeding gums) and halitosis (bad breath). If left untreated, the bone surrounding the teeth may get destroyed making chewing and swallowing difficult. Short Term Orthodontics such as Six Month Smiles™ or clear aligner braces can give you the smile that you want in a fraction of the time and possible costs, compared to conventional treatments. With 0% Interest Free financing available, this treatment can realise your dream smile effortlessly, safely and with long lasting results.

West Wickham Dental Practice can provide you with a range of cosmetic dental treatments to help improve your smile and confidence. Book a complimentary cosmetic consultation today to discuss your needs or call us if you have any questions on 02087761188.

Keep your teeth healthy and happy this Christmas

Tis the season ….. for good oral hygiene!

In the run up to Christmas West Wickham Dental Practice will be open as normal until 24/12…. Should you have any problems with your teeth in the run up to Christmas, please ring the surgery by 9.30am as we have a number of emergency appointments available each day and we will endeavour to get you seen as soon as possible.

West Wickham Dental Practice will be closed for Christmas from the 25^th to the 28^th inclusive and will reopen for half days in the afternoon on the 29^th and 31^st and half day morning on the 30^th. If you should you have a dental emergency out of hours, please call the practice on 0208 776 1188 and the answer phone message will give you details on how to contact the dentist for the out of hours emergency service.

With Christmas almost upon us this is the perfect time to remind all our patients how best to enjoy the festive food and drink and look after your dental health. Here at West Wickham Dental Practice we have come up with our top tips to ensure that your teeth stay in tip top condition this festive season.

• During the festive period try to brush your teeth three times a day using a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth using inter-dental aids such as inter-dental brushes, floss or tape. This will help to ensure that you do not develop any food traps which if left can lead to infection.

• Why not treat yourself to a new toothbrush at the start of December. Toothbrushes should be changed every 3-4 months and this will ensure that you are getting the most effective clean possible when you brush your teeth. An electric toothbrush provides more effective cleaning than manual ones, maybe its time to ask Santa for one.

• With all the sweet treats around do not forget to include fruit and vegetables in your diet these will help to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need and help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

• With so much food available it can become easy to just graze all day. To help your teeth and general health aim to eat 3 meals a day plus no more than two snacks. If you do snack stick to crudities and nuts rather than sweets and chocolates. Nuts provide a great source of calcium and vitamin D which have been shown to help improve your dental health.

• Where ever possible try to enjoy your sugary treats after your meals. Dried fruits are also high in sugar and can get stuck to your teeth so try to have mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake after a meal to. This is because we produce more saliva when we are eating which helps neutralise the acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and it also helps to rinse away food particles and sugary substances.

• Red wine can stain teeth so if you don’t mind which you drink try to stick to white wine this Christmas. Cheese is a great accompaniment for wine as it contains calcium and helps to combat the damaging effects of acid.

All the team at West Wickham Dental Practice would like to wish our patients a happy and hopefully trouble free festive period, but should you have any problems do not hesitate to contact the surgery on 0208 776 1188.