GSCENE 19
A HEALTHY SMILE FOR A HEALTHY BODY National Smile Month runs from Monday, May 18 to Thursday, June 18 and so to keep your pearly whites looking pearly, here are some top tips from expert Christina Chatfield, hygienist and owner of Dental Health Spa ) Brush your teeth when you first get up
and before you go to sleep: They are the two most crucial times because saliva (which keeps cavity-causing bacterial plaque off teeth) dries up at night, so it’s best to brush the teeth before you go to bed. The bacteria in your mouth multiplys while you’re sleeping and by the time you awake they are pretty hungry. Bacteria feed on the carbohydrate (the sugars) in the foods we eat and turn it into acids which cause decay, unless you brush some of the bacteria away in the morning, there will be thousands of them waiting to tuck into your breakfast with you... Brushing is down to technique, whether you use power or manual, however electric toothbrushes are proven to be better than manual, improving technique and time taken. Choose one with a two-minute timer and brush twice daily. ) Interdental cleaning: Clean in between your teeth using little
bottle brushes eg TePes or floss. Your hygienist or dentist can advise you on size, one size does not fit all. People often miss this part because they find getting into the routine hard, so they overcompensate by brushing harder or more often. ) Toothpaste: Use fluoride toothpaste, which helps to harden
enamel and reduces your risk of decay. You should brush your teeth and spit the toothpaste and not rinse afterwards. ) Mouthrinsing: Follow your oral hygiene routine by rinsing with a
mouthwash 30 minutes after brushing or at a different time, which not only makes your mouth taste great but also helps to eliminate any debris left after cleaning. A mouthwash that contains fluoride will also help protect the teeth from decay. ) Clean your tongue: The bacteria that sit on the surface of the
tongue can be a major contributor to bad breath. Use a tongue scraper or a standard toothbrush to greatly reduce the bacteria. ) Throw away your toothbrush... or change the head of your
electric toothbrush at least every two to three months. Otherwise, you're just transferring bacteria in your mouth. Plus a splayed out brush is ineffective in the hard to reach areas and is likely to just buff the surface of the tooth it touches. ) Diet: Limit sugary food to mealtimes, bacteria in dental plaque
change sugars into acids. Limit acidic drinks like soft drinks, cordials and fruit juices. Having a healthier diet and drinking plenty of water can improve gum health too. Don’t brush directly after you’ve eaten or have had something to drink because the surfaces of the teeth are softened, and further damage or wear will occur.
MORE INFO D www.dentalhealthspa.com D www.nationalsmilemonth.org D www.tepe.com/share/topics/discover-how-oral-health-effects-
your-body/?viewas=dental-professionals-12637'
RAISING AWARENESS FOR DENTAL HEALTHCARE Dental Health Spa, a long-time supporter of Gscene, is receiving ZERO financial support during the coronavirus pandemic. Lori MacGregor, daughter of Dental Health Spa's owner Christina Chatfield, has written a letter explaining the dire situation Dental Health Spa, and other healthcare businesses, are in. Read an extract from the letter below and the full thing on the Gscene website: www.gscene.com/news/lorimacgregor-explains-why-dental-health-spa-is-receiving-zerofinancial-support-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/ “I’m raising awareness about the lack of financial support for dental practices in the UK during the current pandemic. My mum's practice is due to go bankrupt in the next few weeks. It seems that because some NHS dental practices qualify for funding, all dental services have been lumped in with public services. Obviously, many are falling through the gaps. Some will get the £10k grant because their rates are under £15k, but only if they own a single practice. Those that own two or more practices with a rateable value under £15k or with a rateable value above £15k receive no help. “Dentistry provides essential healthcare to the public. My mum's practice has seen over 13,000 members of the public over the past 13 years, either because of lack of access to NHS dentistry, or because they chose not to use the NHS. It’s absolutely absurd that she and other private dental practices can’t get the support that most other high street businesses are receiving - hairdressers, tanning salons and vape shops to name a few. Her practice provides employment for eight nurses, seven self-employed clinicians and apprenticeship training for nurses. Private practices bolster an already failing, underfunded NHS. As oral health becomes neglected, the impact it has on oral cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and dementia will only put extra strain on an already overstretched, underfunded NHS. “Please help us by sharing and signing this petition. We need to reach 100,000 signatures for an adequate response from the government.” ) https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/307959
