What is an Intra Oral Scanner, and how does it provide a superior digital workflow for your dental care….. 6 March 20225 April 2022Intra oral scanner at Newby Dental Practice, advanced digital workflows.An intraoral scanner is a handheld device used to directly create a digital impression of the mouth. Light source from the scanner is projected onto the scan objects, such as full dental arches, and then a 3D model processed by the scanning software will be displayed in real-time on a touch screen.This means that any dental care required, that involves communicating with a lab (Crowns, bridges and Aligners such as Invisalign), can be completed digitally, usually without any in the mouth impressions!This state of the art scanner is completely safe, does not emit any radiation, is pain free, and allows you to see the 3D image for your teeth and gums instantly.Ask one of our dentists for a demo at your next visit- you’ll be amazed at what you can see!
Investing in your smile….. 6 March 20225 April 2022According to the Oral Health Foundation, millennials spend three times more on dental treatment than any other generation, amounting to around £750 annually.Over half of under 35s have had cosmetic treatment, whereas this reduces to just 10% of those in older groups. The most popular of these treatments is teeth whitening.Of those millennials who haven’t yet had whitening treatment, nearly half plan to do so.Boutique Whitening…….The Foundation attributes this trend to the fact that we associate a smile with beauty, just as much as a bright smile is seen as an aspect of good health.Whilst of course people of all ages can suffer from tooth loss, gum disease or tooth decay, younger generations experience fewer problems than older people. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the younger generation will opt for cosmetic enhancement as part of their dental care.Initially, investment in a smile might be attending for regular dental checks, then visits to a dental hygienist for scaling and polishing. This might lead to further treatment, such as making a choice to have cosmetic bonding to fill any unwanted gaps between the teeth.In the age of ‘celebrity’ and at a time when social media influencers are making people more aware of what is available to enhance appearance, we are tending to consider what impact we might have on others, such as when we attend a job interview or first join a group to meet new people. There’s no doubt that a bright and open smile is an attractive feature, which boosts confidence and encourages connection.With all this in mind, a few words of caution about whitening are called for. Reports in 2020 indicated that illegal teeth whitening treatments had increased by 26%. Illegal teeth whitening is whitening treatment carried out by someone who is not a registered professional. The reason that it is so important to go to a dentist or dental hygienist for whitening is that the product used contains bleach, and to be effective and produce the results hoped for, the percentage of bleach has to be stronger than over the counter or online products can offer. Only professionals can ensure that the product is used and applied safely, and only professionals can carry out an initial examination to be sure that your teeth can be safely whitened.So please be aware that the potential damage to your mouth, if you don’t take professional advice, could be painful, costly and permanent. There is nothing to be gained by trying to save money or believe in promises of a quick fix. It is worth knowing that in 2019, half of the online tray-based and whitening strip products on offer were not compliant with safety regulations; neither were a shocking 78% of brush-on whiteners.It just takes a phone call to us, and a chat wit our reception team, to find out what’s involved in the whitening treatment – what the process is, how long it will take and what you can expect to pay. We even offer complimentary consultations with our treatment coordinators. It is well worth investing just a little of your time for the reassurance you need.
Foods to help your teeth whitening – and those that don’t 6 March 20225 April 2022The foods you should and shouldn’t eat to maintain your sparkling white smileIf you’ve just had your teeth whitened by us at Newby Dental Practice, you’re likely to want to maintain your new smile for as long as possible. These few tips will help whether you opted for Day Time Boutique smile or a Night Time Boutique smileYou probably already know that there are foods that you should avoid, but did you also know that some foods can help to keep your teeth white?Foods that you should eatStrawberries – Strawberries contain an enzyme called malic acid, which helps to whiten your teeth.Apples – Apples also contain malic acid, but this is not the only way that they help to keep your teeth white. The act of chewing an apple also helps to clean your mouth.Carrots – Like apples, the crunchy nature of carrots can scrub your teeth while you eat them.Cheese – A deficiency in calcium can lead to discoloration of teeth, so it is important to eat foods which are rich in calcium, such as cheese. In addition to this, cheese contains lots of lactic acid which helps to prevent tooth decay.Citrus fruits – Citrus fruits cause the mouth to produce more saliva, which helps to wash your teeth as you eat. Don’t eat too much though, as these are very erosive for your new white smile!Foods and drinks that you should avoidChromogens give food strong colour and some foods contain tannin. Foods with a high acid content can erode enamel, allowing stains to set in. As a general rule, if it colours your tongue or stains your clothes, then that’s what it will do to your teeth.Foods: Berries, beetroot and berry juices; curries; tomato-based products, such as tomato soup and pasta sauce, which contain a bright red pigment called lycopene, which, again, can cause staining over time.Condiments: Balsamic vinegar and soy sauceDrinks: Cola, red wine, tea, coffee