Hello Everyone!

We hope you had a lovely Easter break in 2022. Below we would just like to update you on some exciting things we have going on at the practice as well as some general news.

Firstly, we would like to welcome two very experienced nurses to the team, Lisa and Ange.  You may remember Lisa from working here previously, she just can’t stay away!  Ange is also qualified in Beauty, and we are all looking forward to getting our summer pedicures!   We would like to inform everyone that Ian will be leaving the team, we have loved Ian working with us however our new Hygienist Sarah Masterton has already started with us and she will be covering Ian’s Tuesdays.  You may remember her previously, another member of staff that just can’t keep away from Oakley Road! As some of you may know, we have been expanding our treatment list at the practice and are so excited to announce that Dimitrios is taking on Implant patients and already has many happy patients.   If you are interested in a consultation, then please call the reception team to register your interest.

Secondly, as of 1st April, we have relaunched and simplified our Invisalign packages, we are now calling them the Diamond and Pearl packages.  We are one of the most successful Invisalign practices in Hampshire with Mel already having passed the premier status, she is now an Elite provider!  We are so very proud of her. We are still offering complimentary consultations. If you are interested in carrying out treatment please do not hesitate to contact us and using our iTero scanners we can show you how your teeth can look after treatment before you proceed.

As many of you are aware we have been out of stock of orange Tepe EasyPiks for quite some time. Just last week we finally had a restock of these alongside our Oral B Pro2 Electric Toothbrushes. You can now pop by the practice to purchase both at the reception desk.

Finally, the biggest news we have to date is that our lovely hygienist Michelle is finally getting married in May.  After two years of postponing due to COVID, she is finally making it down the aisle to become Mrs. Teather-Lovejoy – So a huge congratulations to our Michelle!

When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? We throw out expired foods, restock vitamins and supplements, and replace our beauty products often, but when it comes to health and beauty, it’s our dental hygiene that doesn’t get as much attention as other areas. However, there are important rules and tips you should follow for maintaining optimal dental health.

When to change my toothbrush/replace my toothbrush head?

Most dentists and hygienists recommend changing your toothbrush/toothbrush head every 3 months. Overtime, toothbrushes go through normal wear and tear and become less effective with removing plaque from teeth and gums. Studies have found that around 3 months is when the bristles break down and lose effectiveness.

If you can’t remember exactly how long it’s been, pay particular attention to the condition your toothbrush head is in – whether the bristles are worn out, fan out, or frayed, or especially if you see dark colour changes, which is a sign of mold.

Are your gums swollen and sensitive? Do they bleed easily after brushing? Do you struggle with bad breath that just won’t go away? If you answered ‘Yes’ you might be suffering from Periodontal Disease.

What is Periodontal Disease? 

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease. The inflammation is part of the body’s natural defense mechanisms and occurs in response to a build-up of plaque (bacteria) on the teeth. In some patients, this natural inflammatory process is too severe or poorly controlled and the inflammation damages the supporting structures of the teeth, namely the gums and supporting bone. Whilst we can control this process and stop the bone loss from getting worse, the bone loss is usually irreversible.

Who gets periodontal disease?

Approximately 10% of the population are severely affected by periodontal disease and by the age of 60 years old around 80% of people will display some bone loss, albeit mild. There appears to be some genetic link with periodontal disease, with trends running in families. If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, then potentially your siblings are at increased risk of having the same problem and potentially your children may also be at increased risk. Ideally, they should all be screened and monitored for potential problems by their dentist.

Does anything make it worse?

The single biggest risk factor for developing gum disease, after poor oral hygiene, is smoking. Smokers lose three times more teeth than non-smokers and they do not respond as well to treatment as non-smokers. There are other conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes, poor diet or stress that can also play their part. Stopping smoking is a very important part of controlling this disease and preventing tooth loss. Should you wish to quit

smoking, the best people to speak to would be your GP or local stop smoking clinic. We are also happy to offer advice.

What can I do to help?

Your role in the management and stabilisation of the disease is crucial. We will show you techniques aimed at helping you clean your teeth to a very high standard so that the bacteria levels are below the level that triggers inflammation. This is different from one patient to the next. Without this change in home care, our treatment cannot be successful. Controlling the risk factors outlined above is an important part of helping yourself control your disease.

Can it be treated?

Periodontal disease can be treated successfully; however, we cannot cure it. Similar to diabetes, there is no cure, but by stabilising the disease, we can prevent further damage and allow you to keep your teeth for a long time.

What if I don’t have treatment?

If the bone loss around the teeth is not controlled, then teeth may become loose, gums may shrink and, in some cases, teeth may become infected or even fall out.

SOME TOP TIPS FROM OUR HYGIENISTS:

• Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes morning and evening with a soft headed toothbrush – preferably electric with a pressure sensor and timer – we recommend oral B Pro2/3
• Clean your teeth using interdental aids – we recommend using floss or Tepe/Icon brushes
• Use a fluoride toothpaste and do not rinse with water after brushing – if you prefer to use a mouthwash just make sure it contains fluoride – we recommend Fluoriguard
• Maintain regular visits to see your dentist and hygienist – for routine examinations we recommend every 6 months
• Maintain a healthy balanced diet and drink water as much as possible throughout the day and night.