How thumb-sucking can be detrimental for children’s oral health

In this guest blog, Jo Bates, founder of Thumbsie® Ltd discusses the potentially detrimental impact of thumb-sucking on children’s oral health. It was through her own struggles with her daughter Isabel, who tried to give up thumb-sucking eight years ago, that Jo found inspiration to launch Thumbsie®, a tool dedicated to helping children to stop thumb and finger sucking in a positive way. Thumbsie is also a proud sponsor of this year’s National Smile Month campaign which is running from 17 May to 17 June. The largest and longest-running campaign to promote good oral health

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Report highlights concerns into Britain’s brushing habits

ONE-IN-FOUR (26%) British adults regularly brush their teeth only once a day, according to findings of a new nationwide poll. The data has been collected by the Oral Health Foundation and sheds concerns about the number of people willing to skip twice-daily brushing. The charity is especially worried by the number of people who regularly fail to brush their teeth last thing at night, when the health of the mouth is most likely to deteriorate.  Insights from the research show that one-in-four (25%) do not brush their teeth in the evening before they go to

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Safe dentistry in professional hands

Dentistry is no longer just a case of filling and taking out teeth.  Today, more people than ever before are turning to cosmetic dentistry, or ‘aesthetic dentistry’, as a way of improving their appearance. Cosmetic dental treatments can be used to straighten, lighten, reshape, and repair your teeth.  It might include having veneers, crowns, bridges, tooth-coloured fillings, implants, or tooth whitening. All these treatments are extremely complex and require expert hands and a safe environment. Unfortunately, many people are making the mistake of attempting these treatments at home and following unsafe advice online.  Others are

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About tooth whitening

The demand for tooth whitening treatment has boomed in recent years, in part, driven by the rise of pearly white smiles seen on our TV screens and on social media.  Our research shows that whiter teeth come top of most people’s smile wish list and may lead to a boost in confidence and self-esteem.  Like all medical procedures, however, tooth whitening is not without danger.     Before embarking on tooth whitening treatment, it is important to do your research.  By knowing more about tooth whitening, you may improve your chance of having safer treatment with better

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Tooth whitening and the law

In the UK, there are laws for what strength of tooth whitening product can be used, and who and carry it out. Tooth whitening gel that is too strong, or applied by unqualified people, can be extremely unsafe and cause severe and long-term complications for your mouth. In a summary of the regulations, products containing or releasing up to 6% hydrogen peroxide (the common bleaching agent used in whitening gel) can be used, if: Products of this strength are sold only to qualified dental practitioners. You have been examined by a dentist first, to make

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The safest way to get a whiter smile

Like all medical procedures, tooth whitening carries some element of risk.  That’s why it’s important to discover how you can achieve that whiter smile in the safest way possible. If you are thinking about having tooth whitening there are some essential rules to follow, as well as some dangerous pitfalls to avoid.  There are also some actions you can take at home that might mean you no longer feel the need to have treatment. Tooth whitening in professional hands When it comes to tooth whitening, there really isn’t a better source of information than your

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When tooth whitening becomes unsafe

Professional tooth whitening is a complex procedure which involves the use of powerful chemicals that can do harm to your teeth and gums if not used properly. It’s for this reason that tooth whitening carried out in the wrong hands is so dangerous. Due to the strong chemicals, when tooth whitening goes wrong it can cause the following issues: Chemical burns to the gums Blisters on the gums Ulceration of the gums, mouth and throat Swollen lips Putting your smile in danger is never worth the risk.  There are two main sources of unsafe tooth

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The basics of orthodontics

The number of adults choosing to have orthodontic treatment in the UK is growing.  When done correctly, orthodontics can transform the appearance of the smile.  This can have benefits for both a person’s physical health and mental wellbeing.      Orthodontic treatment is complicated and needs a specialist understanding of where teeth can be moved to, and how.  In the wrong hands, orthodontic treatment can cause serious and permanent damage to the teeth and jaw, so it’s important to do your research and choose the safest option for you and your smile. Orthodontics aims to move

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Tooth jewellery

Tooth jewellery is the act of placing individual jewels onto the outer surface of the teeth. There are two main types of tooth jewels: Twinkles A collection of yellow and white gold jewellery with some including gems such as diamonds. Dental gems A range of glass crystals fixed to the tooth. Tooth jewellery is not advised by dental professionals and can cause damage to the teeth. The General Dental Council (the UK’s dental regulator) views the application of tooth jewellery as the practice of dentistry.  This means that anybody carrying out tooth jewellery treatments is

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Oral piercings

Oral piercings are any piercings that are attached to, or in the mouth. This includes the tongue, lips, and cheeks. As the stud or ring is pierced to soft tissue, oral piercings pose a far greater risk to your health than those on other parts of the body.   This is because they are difficult to care for and are more prone to infection. Oral piercings are not considered safe and are not recommended. If you are still considering an oral piercing, it is important to lower the risks and help protect the health of your

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