5 DIETARY HABITS THAT CAN LEAD TO TOOTH PROBLEMS

The increased accessibility of sugary, sweetened and non-nutritious snacks is an ongoing health concern for dentists. These foods generally have little nutritional value and, over time, can cause serious issues for your teeth.

Dr Joe Oliver is a pioneer in the field of cosmetic dentistry, and is known as one of London’s most experienced and reputable aesthetic dentists.

With over 30 years of experience, Dr Oliver has placed over 40,000 veneers, and has treated celebrities such as Helena Bonham Carter, Sophie Ellis Bextor, and Olivia Atwood.

Here, he shares 5 dietary habits that can lead to tooth problems.

Malnutrition – malnutrition has little to do with how much food you eat, but rather how few nutrients you’re getting. It’s very possible to eat a lot, but get very little out of it in the way of vital nutrients. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection which may contribute to periodontal disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults.

An unbalanced diet – a balanced diet consists of eating foods from each of the five major food groups and a limited number of nutritious snacks. Missing out on important nutrients and filling your mouth with harmful alternatives will negatively affect your oral health, not to mention your overall wellbeing.

Sugary foods – most foods contain some type of sugar but added sugars (such as those found in sweets and sodas) contain far more than is needed for a healthy diet. Sugar is one of the single biggest contributors to tooth decay!

Sticky or chewy foods – foods that cling to your teeth promote tooth decay, so when you snack, avoid soft, sweet, sticky foods such as cakes, candy and dried fruits. Instead, choose alternatives such as nuts, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese and sugarless gum or candy.

Fermentable carbohydrates – to limit their harmful effects on your teeth, carbohydrates are best eaten as part of a meal instead of by themselves. Combinations of foods neutralise acids in the mouth and inhibit tooth decay.

If your dietary habits are causing oral health issues, get in touch with our world-class team today for a consultation!

15 November 202422 November 2024

5 TEETH WHITENING MYTHS BUSTED

Everyone wants whiter teeth, but not everyone knows how to get them. There’s a lot of false information out there and wacky ideas – it’s time to clear some of them up!

Here, Dr Joe Oliver reveals 5 teeth whitening myths and why they’re wrong:

1: Lemon juice – there may be some people who tell you that lemon juice will whiten your teeth. Don’t listen to them. Lemon is one of the most acidic substances there is and will only damage your teeth if you rub it in.

2: Baking soda – baking soda is an active bleaching agent that works by oxidising the stains present on your teeth enamel, but using it every day will damage your teeth.

3: Charcoal – we’ve all seen the videos on Instagram touting the so-called benefits of ‘Activated Charcoal.’ But be warned – charcoal does not whiten your teeth, despite what some might say; but it DOES remove surface stains which really is only a short term solution.

Activated charcoal products only remove surface stains, they don’t actually whiten your teeth.

4: Banana skins – rubbing banana peels onto your teeth may be considered a natural alternative to some but it actually does more harm than good due to the sugars in fruit.

5: Oil pulling– oil pulling supposedly removes stains, leading to whiter teeth. Although many claim the health benefits, there is no scientific research that confirms how effective it is in whitening teeth. Stick to professional services for scientifically proven results!

28 November 20193 December 2024

WORST ALCOHOL FOR YOUR TEETH REVEALED

With the holiday season rolling in, we will start getting more invites to celebrations and trips to the pub. While a nice glass of wine or pint of beer might be a great way to quench your thirst, is it the best thing for your teeth?

Dr Joe Oliver is one of London’s leading dentists, renowned for his unparalleled multi-disciplinary service that ensures high-quality, end-to-end patient care. Today, he’s sharing (some of) the worst alcoholic drinks for your teeth teeth.

Prosecco

Coming in at number one is everybody’s favourite! However, with the acidic carbonated bubbles, alcohol and sugar, prosecco is a triple whammy of badness for your teeth. There’s one heaped teaspoon of sugar present in every flute, causing major drama for your tooth enamel – avoid the bubbles and you won’t suffer from the ‘prosecco smile’!

Is Cider bad for your teeth?

If you want perfect teeth then avoid drinking cider: this favourite beverage also has a very high acidity which is not very good for your oral health.

Is Beer Bad for your Teeth?

Dark beers – stouts and ales are off the list if you want pearly white teeth, these drinks heavily contribute to stained teeth. Swap them with a lighter beer or lager!

Are Liquors Bad for your Teeth?

Spirits like Malibu are delicious because they are incredibly high in enamel destroying sugars. Swap them for drinks like vodka or gin as they also help fight bacteria in your mouth!

Dry drinks

Dry beverages like some wines or beer dry your mouth out and reduce saliva. Saliva is important because it helps remove any bacteria in your mouth, thus reducing your chances of smelly breath.

Mixers Bad for Teeth?

It isn’t always just the alcohol itself that is bad for your teeth, but the mixers that go with them. Classic mixers like Coke, lemonade, orange juice and cranberry juice have a high acidity and a high sugar level that wears down enamel. Swap them for soda water or tonic!

If you’ve been indulging in some of these drinks a little too much, get in touch with us today!

15 October 20193 December 2024

5 WAYS TO PREVENT TEETH STAINING WHICH ACTUALLY WORK

Try as you might with a thorough oral hygiene routine, sometimes stains just won’t shift. Once embedded, they are hard to get rid of (often requiring professional whitening services), which is why preventing them is so important.

Avoiding bad habits and implementing small, effective changes can make a big difference!

Here, Dr Joe Oliver, who has treated a wide range of high-end clientele, shares 5 ways to prevent teeth staining which actually work.

1: Use a straw – where possible, use a straw with any staining beverages, such as red wine. This allows the liquid to bypass the teeth and therefore prevent staining.

2: Rinse out with water – after drinking coffee, try rinsing your mouth out with water. This will prevent the build up of liquid on your teeth and therefore limit the chances of staining.

3: Limit anything which stains – it might sound really obvious, but a beneficial decision for your teeth can be to limit your intake of staining drinks and food in the first place, and be more aware of what you need to avoid in order to limit staining. Some of your favourite foods can be the worst for the teeth!

4: Chew celery – this will stimulate more saliva, which will fight the bacteria build up in your mouth. Chewing celery and crunchy vegetables will help to clean teeth and rub your gums.

5: Visit your hygienist – regular visits to your dentist and hygienist should be a given anyway, but the more you keep on top of it, the more your professional will be able to monitor staining and offer preventative methods.

Sticking to these simple yet effective techniques will minimise the amount of deep stains – meaning your teeth should stay whiter for longer. If you’re interested in how to whiten your smile, check out some of our other tips.

Learn more about Dr Joe Oliver. If you’re ready to book an appointment, check out our fees page and get in contact here.

7 October 20193 December 2024

5 HOME REMEDIES FOR WHITER, BRIGHTER TEETH REVEALED

There are an overwhelming amount of products to choose from when it comes to making your teeth that little bit whiter – not to mention the potential for dental treatments which can brighten your smile – but sometimes it’s simple home remedies which can make a whole world of difference.

Below, Dr Joe Oliver who has worked with a wide range of celebrity clients, shares some great ways to achieve a brighter smile using natural home remedies!

1. Brush your teeth with baking soda. This is an ingredient present in most toothpastes, as it has natural whitening properties. By mixing a small amount of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water, this will help eliminate bacteria and target stains. Do this a few times a week, and you should see a gradual difference.

2. Eat fruit and vegetables. This is imperative for a healthy diet anyway, but certain hard and crunchy fruit and vegetables can help buff away plaque on your teeth as you chew. Additionally, fruits such as strawberries and pineapple specifically can contribute to whiter teeth due to the enzyme properties in them.

3. Prevent stains before they happen. Instead of investing time on targeting stains, try and limit the stains in the first place. Use a straw for any staining beverages such as coffee and red wine, and also try to brush your teeth as soon as you can after coming into contact with foods and drink which stain. Also try to avoid anything which can be damaging to your teeth, such as sugary drinks. Regular visits to the hygienist also play a good role in limiting the levels of stains.

4. Try apple cider vinegar. This product has traditionally been used as a natural cleaning product. The active acidic ingredient in apple vinegar is great at targeting bacteria, which is good news for your oral hygiene and stains on your teeth. Apple cider vinegar is best used as a mouthwash to swill around your mouth and spit out. However, it’s not advised to be used every single day, due to the acidic properties. It needs to be used sparingly and after being diluted with water.

5. Try oil pulling. This is a traditional remedy intended to remove toxins from the body and improve overall oral hygiene. Coconut oil is the most popular product to use, due to its more pleasant taste, and the amount of general health benefits it has anyway. Oil pulling involves swilling the oil around in your mouth like a mouthwash to target bacteria which can cause plaque, and trying to navigate the oil back and forth through your teeth before spitting out.

However, if you have serious stains, you may need more than just a few tips & tricks to try at home. Learn more about teeth whitening or explore the variety of cosmetic treatments Dr Joe Oliver offers.

Ready to book? Get in touch today!

8 August 20193 December 2024

5 DENTAL FADS THAT’LL RUIN YOUR TEETH

The latest fads hitting social media come and go, but your teeth will be around for a lifetime. At least, that’s the goal!

Be cautious as the next big fad you see online may be causing more harm than good for your teeth. After all – many of these fads come from non-scientifically proven methods, not from trained dentists.

Here, Dr Joe Oliver, who has treated a wide range of high-end clientele, shares 5 dental fads that could ruin your teeth!

1: Gems – sticking gems, stickers or even LED lights to the front of your teeth might seem like an ingenious way to bedazzle your mouth for that upcoming festival, but it’s a nightmare for your enamel. Once enamel goes, it cannot be brought back because it’s not a living tissue.

2: Lemon juice – some sources advocate using lemon juice to whiten your teeth… which is a terrible idea! Lemon juice is incredibly acidic leading to tooth erosion. Tooth erosion happens when acids wear away the enamel on teeth. Enamel erosion can be caused by the following: Excessive soft drink consumption (high levels of phosphoric and citric acids) and excessive fruit drinks consumption (some acids in fruit drinks are more erosive than battery acid!.

3: Tongue and lip piercings – mouth piercings cause regular knocks to your mouth that damage your teeth. They’re also the perfect breeding place for germs and bacteria if not cleaned properly.

10 July 20193 December 2024

5 EVERYDAY HABITS WHICH ARE AFFECTING YOUR DENTAL HEALTH

Sometimes, good intentions aren’t always the best choices. You can think you have the perfect hygiene routine and diet for your teeth, but there may be small mistakes you are making that are essentially working in the opposite way where your teeth are concerned.

Below, Dr Joe Oliver, who has worked with a variety of celebrity clients, shares how everyday habits could actually be negatively affecting your teeth.

1. Brushing your teeth after breakfast. It’s logical to think the best time to brush your teeth in the morning is after you’ve had your coffee and toast. But it’s really more beneficial to brush your teeth as soon as you wake up, to eliminate all the bacteria which has formed overnight. You should then rinse your mouth with mouthwash after eating breakfast.

2. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush. Brushing your teeth as hard as possible with a rough bristled brush may appear a good way to get rid of stains and plaque, but it could actually be counterproductive. A hard brush can damage your gums and protective tooth enamel. It’s much better to use a semi-soft toothbrush instead for the best results.

3. Flossing after brushing. Flossing is great in removing food debris in between teeth, but it should be done before you brush them. Flossing before and not after means your teeth are as clean as can be.

4. Regular snacking. Eating in between meals is inevitable, and there’s nothing wrong with it. But you need to ensure that your snacks are healthy options which benefit the teeth, such as crunchy vegetables or unsalted nuts. Unhealthy snacking on sugary products means you’re exposing your teeth to more bacteria between main meals, which also encourages more plaque to develop. This can lead to decay and even tooth loss, which is a problem that is completely avoidable! If you’ve suffered a tooth loss or two, learn more about your options to restore your smile.

5. Using your teeth as a tool. It may seem like a great party trick when someone uses their teeth as a bottle opener, or you cut the Sellotape using your teeth when you’re busy wrapping presents. But using your teeth to open things or using them in any way which isn’t to chew your food can eventually wear away the teeth – or even chip and break them.

If you think you may have already caused some damage, book in for a consultation with Dr Joe Oliver here. Learn more about the variety of cosmetic treatments Dr Joe Oliver offers here.

Interested in more top dental tips? Check out the rest of our blog here!

Author: emily