To fill a gap would be the main reason for a dental implant. While this is true there are other reasons for implant placement. A missing tooth can have an enormous impact on your life – both medical and psychologically. Whether you start feeling self-conscious about your teeth and start to miss your favourite foods which become uncomfortable to eat, or you begin experiencing physical effects like muscle strains and headaches, it can be surprising how big a difference missing one small tooth can make.

How much tooth loss impacts on your dental health really depends on your existing oral health, and how much of a tooth has actually been lost. If you have just lost a crown, which is the most visible part of your tooth, then it’s possible to repair or replace this much more easily.

However, if you have lost your entire tooth, including its root, then the effect is more severe. Your teeth’s roots effectively anchor it in place in your jawbone, providing stability and strength, and full root loss can cause bone to recede over time. This can cause any remaining teeth to shift or potentially be lost as well. A dentist will always try and save your natural teeth, but if this is not possible an implant is the perfect replacement.

If you would like further information about implants- visit our Dental Implant treatment page.

Fruit juices and smoothies are marketed as a healthy choice in the world of children’s drinks. After all, fruit is natural and good for you, so surely it’s better to give a child a glass of orange juice than a glass of cola?

But a new report by the group Action On Sugar highlights just how misguided our assumptions are about the health benefits of juices and smoothies. The study found that many supposedly healthy smoothies and juices from supermarkets and well-known brands contain up to eight teaspoons of sugar or one and half times the amount of sugar in a can of Coca-Cola.

In fact, more than half of the drinks in the study would fall into the red zone in the food traffic light labelling system because of their high sugar content.

Action On Sugar warns that high levels of sugar in everyday foods are contributing to record levels of tooth decay, obesity and type two diabetes among children.

The worst fruit drinks for hidden sugar

Tesco Apple & Banana Smoothie = 1 Can of Coke

Among the worst offenders in the latest study was Tesco Goodness Slurper Apple & Banana Fruit Smoothie Snack for Kids, which contains a whopping 16.1g of sugar per 100ml. By comparison, Coca-Cola contains 10.6g for every 100ml.

Innocent Smoothie = 2 Pop Tarts

An Innocent Smoothie might add a portion or two to your daily fruit and veg intake, but it also contains over 34g of sugar in a full 250ml bottle. That’s the same as two Kellogg’s Pop Tarts.

Ribena carton = Bag of Maltesers

Ribena is a drink we probably remember from our childhoods, and while it may be bursting with berries, it’s also packed with sugar. An ordinary 200ml carton contains around 21.8g – more than a standard (37g) bag of Maltesers.

Robinsons Fruit Shoot = more than five ginger nuts

Robinsons Fruit Shoot comes in 200ml bottles and contains 20g of sugar. That’s nearly six ginger nut biscuits.

Capri Sun = half a Krispy Kreme doughnut

Capri Sun is another drink marketed for its health benefits, and though there might be some, a 200ml pouch contains 12.2g of sugar, the equivalent of more than half a Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut.

Copella Apple Juice = 1 KitKat

Many parents avoid fizzy drinks and give their children fruit juices as a ‘healthy’ option. In fact, Copella Apple Juice contains around 20g per 200ml or the equivalent of a four-finger KitKat bar.

Sainsbury’s Orange Juice = more than five chocolate chip cookies

Another fruit juice that’s high in sugar is Sainsbury’s orange juice from concentrate. A 200ml carton contains 20.8g of sugar or more than five chocolate chip cookies.

So, remember to check the label – natural sugars can be just as harmful in high quantities as refined, added sugars.

Whether you feel self-conscious because you have yellowed teeth or you just want to look your best, teeth whitening is a quick and effective way to brighten your smile and gain increased confidence in your appearance. More and more people are trying to save money by trying to bleach their teeth at home. But is this practice completely safe? While there are a number of over-the-counter methods available, you should consider consulting with an experienced dental professional here at Hyslop Dental if you are considering whitening your teeth.

The General Dental Council, the organisation that regulates dental professionals in the UK, has decided that teeth whitening is a form of dentistry. This means that you should only have your teeth whitened by a dentist or another dental professional, such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist, on the prescription of a dentist.

The GDC, which regulates dentists and dental care professionals in the UK and the Isle of Man, states within the ‘Standards for the Dental Team’ that only dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists (working to the prescription of a dentist) can carry out tooth whitening. All those working in the UK and the Isle of Man as a dentist or dental care professional must be registered with the GDC.

Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “The Department of Health will be writing to all beauty salons on the Island, informing them about these important High Court rulings and the guidance from the General Dental Council. We would not want beauty or dental professionals to be in any doubt of how this situation is viewed legally or be at risk of prosecution.

Here are some tips from Hyslop Dental & Implant Clinic on how you can take care of your child’s teeth:

• Make sure they brush their teeth regularly
• Take them to the dentist regularly
• Cut down on the amount and frequency of sugar they have

Brushing your child’s teeth

Brushing their teeth is an important part of your child’s daily routine, so they continue the healthy habit as they get older.

Start to brush your baby’s teeth, using a baby toothbrush, as soon as they begin to come through.

Gradually start brushing your child’s teeth more thoroughly. Make sure you clean all the tooth surfaces. Your child’s teeth should be brushed twice a day; last thing at night before bed and at least one other time.

Use a small-headed child’s toothbrush suitable for your child’s age.

The amount of toothpaste also depends on your child’s age. For children under three years, use a smear or thin film of toothpaste that covers less than three-quarters of the brush. For children aged three to six, use no more than a pea-sized blob of toothpaste.

When your child has finished brushing, encourage them to spit out the toothpaste that’s left, but not to rinse their mouth with lots of water.

Don’t let your child eat or lick toothpaste from the tube.

Help your child to brush their teeth or supervise them until they’re at least seven years old.

Flossing your child’s teeth is also recommended as well as brushing.

Fluoride toothpaste
All children should use fluoride toothpaste.

Children under three should use a toothpaste containing no less than 1,000 ppm (parts per million) fluoride. The packaging will show the level of fluoride in the toothpaste.

Older children can use family fluoride toothpaste that contains 1,350-1,500 ppm fluoride.

Sugar causes tooth decay
Tooth decay is caused by the amount of sugar in sweet food and drinks and how often teeth are in contact with the sugar.

For more information, see Which foods and drinks containing sugar cause tooth decay?

Cutting down on sugar
Try cutting down how often your child has sugary food and drinks and how much sugary food and drinks they consume.

Limit sugary foods to mealtimes. Your child shouldn’t have food and drink with added sugar more than four times a day.

Drinks containing sugars, including natural fruit juices, should be avoided between meals. Water or milk may be given instead.

For babies, don’t add sugar to their weaning foods when you introduce them to solids.

If your child needs medicine, ask your pharmacist or GP if a sugar-free version is available.

Find more information in common questions about baby food

Call us today on 01704 536 003  to find out how denture stabilisation could completely change your life.