Are you a Juicing Fanatic? Now the festive season has started, some of my patients have told me they are trying a juicing diet to detox after Christmas party excesses, or before the inevitable over-eating starts. People are often surprised to hear the damaging effect juices can have on our teeth. A lot of juices, especially those made with fruit, are full of sugar and highly acidic. This causes a drop in pH in the mouth, which in turn can cause acid erosion which damages tooth enamel and/or decay if sustained.

Despite the possible damage, we do recognise the benefits of a good daily intake of fruits and vegetables, in particular the importance of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for good gum health. Almost all vegetables are low acid, but some fruits are higher than others High Erosion Risk Fruits: Citrus Berries Peaches Pears Grapes Pineapple Moderate Erosion Risk Fruits: Figs Bananas Asian pears Dates Papaya Melons Mangoes Here are some tips to help reduce the damage that can be caused by juicing diets or high fruit intake:

1. Try to limit fruits to meal times, constant grazing causes more damage than a large amount all at once.

2. Wait at least 20 minutes after eating/drinking before brushing so you are not brushing the acid in to the teeth.

3. Drink juice through a straw and don't hold it for long in your mouth. 

4. Dilute juice with water and drink water after each juice/fruit.

5. Use a good, de sensitising toothpaste, such as Sensodyne Repair and Protect. 

6. Increase use of fluoride mouthwash such as Colgate Flourigard. GC Tooth Mousse is excellent for repairing damage when applied topically at night and left on the teeth, and also comes in some delicious fruity flavours!

We are delighted to announce that we have reached the finals at the Dentistry Awards 2013. There are 2 categories that we have been shortlisted for:

- Best Practice in London
- Best Team in London 

These two categories are the most prestigious at the awards and the eventual winner will compete for the UK title. We are honoured ago have made the final once again, following on from last year. The nominations go some way to justify our approach to dentistry- minimally invasive, prevention orientated and a dedication to continual improvement. The awards ceremony takes place on the 6th December 2013 at the Athena in Leicester. We will keep you informed.

We strongly believe in the most minimally invasive techniques to repair and enhance teeth. One such technique is called cosmetic bonding. Cosmetic bonding involves the addition of highly aesthetic composite filling material to broken, chipped, worn teeth to enhance the overall appearance and provide a strong protective layer. The process is really very simple but involves a great deal of skill and artistry. It is not just a case of simply filling a tooth! The steps involved are:

1. Ensure that the surfaces are clean. A hygiene visit may be required.
2. Polish and sharp edges to ensure a smooth surface. 
3. The bonding process begins. This depends on the technique the dentist uses. 
4. The shade/ colour of the bonding material is chosen.
5. The material is layered very carefully under strictly isolated conditions. 
6. The bonding is then contoured and polished to a high gloss ensuring the bite is correct as well. 
7. Complete! Easy as that. 

Here is a case that was recently treated at Progressive Dentistry by Dr Nissit Patel using G-aenial composite.

In the old days of cosmetic dentistry, the lower teeth were often forgotten and treatments were geared primarily to upper teeth. This included treatments such as porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges and dental implants. Often, this was a mistake. The lower teeth are VITAL to overall cosmetic dentistry, the main reason being occlusion or the 'bite'. In simple terms, if the dental occlusion is not adequate, then there are long term consequences. This could range from loss of function, increased tooth wear, increased likelihood of tooth fracture and jaw joint problems. In many cases now, we treat just the lower teeth due to phenomenon called 'late lower teeth crowding'. The lower front teeth are the smallest teeth in the mouth and lack of space is often an issue. As we age, the lack of space can become more apparent. A classic example is below:
 

Our case of the month for November 2013 is a superb ABC case. This involves: 

A- alignment of teeth using invisible lingual braces 
B- bleaching of teeth using teeth whitening strips 
C- cosmetic bonding of teeth to enhance the appearance and create symmetry 

ABC is the FUTURE of cosmetic dentistry. A new smile can be achieved with non invasive dentistry, preservation of tooth enamel, no needles and no drilling!! What could be better? 

Here are the before and after photos: