Party Policy
NHS dentist appointments are so rare that Eddie Crouch, chairman of the British Dental Association, says at least 12 million people want to book an appointment. It’s become a politically tricky proposition, with the Conservatives offering cash incentives to dentists and Labour promising to make 100,000 more appointments for children if they come to power.
Frontline
“Your mouth is like a window into your body,” says cosmetic dentist Dr Tom Crawford Clark. Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease and tooth decay, as well as diabetes, arthritis, pneumonia, heart disease, and even dementia and Alzheimer’s. Vitamin deficiencies and hormonal imbalances are also reflected in the microbiome in your mouth.
To improve your smile, visit the dentist twice a year
from now on
Your mouth ages. Watch for tooth discoloration, enamel erosion, gum recession, cracks, wear (shortening of teeth due to teeth grinding), and gaps in your teeth. It’s important to keep your enamel healthy. Enamel is the armor that protects the sensitive yellow dentin layer underneath.
Straight Line
Decline begins from your mid-30s as bone density decreases, jaws thin and teeth become mobile. This is why many people develop crowded teeth later in life. Orthodontics is a first line of defence and an option you can choose at any age. But no more train tracks! There are now discreet retainer brackets such as Invisalign and Ultra Clear Align that are barely noticeable. From £1,500 nationwide.
White Line
Are bleaching products a way to brighten your teeth? Private dental clinics (priced from around £200 nationwide) believe so. Dr Wyman Chan, founder of the London clinic of the same name, says that legally, any product containing the active ingredient [up to six per cent hydrogen peroxide] Only a dentist can prescribe effective teeth whitening medication.
At-home whitening products that contain only up to 0.1 percent are ineffective, and professional whitening should be topped up every 1-2 years. Avoid acidic foods and home remedies like baking soda and lemon juice, which erode enamel.
Helpline
Do you grind your teeth? Purchase a mouthguard (available from dentists nationwide for around £100) to prevent enamel erosion and cracks. Other cosmetic treatments include composite bonding (made from the same material as white fillings) to repair chipped teeth caused by teeth grinding, or veneers placed over the existing enamel.
Need an NHS dentist? Be prepared to queue
Fine Lines
Unnatural “turkey teeth”-like Love Island Contestant isn’t the only plywood option: there are now ultra-thin plywood options available that are less than half a millimeter thick and can last 10 to 20 years.
Existing enamel is preserved (with little or no tooth removal required). But it’s not cheap: Dr Sam Jethwa, founder of Bespoke Smile (bespokesmile.co.uk), performs more than 1,000 of these procedures a year at £1,250 per tooth. Amazing.
Jaw line
Will injecting Botox into your jaw stop you grinding your teeth? Some practitioners think so, and will charge more than £170 for it.
An online study from the US National Library of Medicine has proven that this treatment is effective, safe, and has no side effects. Since I tried it, my temporomandibular arthritis has almost completely disappeared, and my sleep app no longer detects nighttime teeth grinding (unconscious teeth grinding).
Conclusion
Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and an electric toothbrush (spit out, don’t rinse), floss and/or use an interdental brush at least once a day and most importantly, see your dentist (if you’re lucky enough to have an NHS dentist) and dental hygienist twice a year.
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