Curious about what’s true and what’s not when it comes to dental care? Let’s uncover some popular myths that might be holding you back from the healthiest smile possible! Knowing the facts can make all the difference for your oral health.

Myth #1: If You’re Not in Pain, Nothing is Wrong

Fiction! Dental problems often develop silently. Cavities, gum disease, and enamel erosion may progress without symptoms until they become serious. Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to spot early signs of trouble and prevent the need for invasive treatments later.

Myth #2: Brush Immediately After Meals

Fiction! Brushing right after eating, especially acidic foods, can harm softened enamel. Saliva needs about 30 minutes to neutralise acids and harden enamel. Waiting to brush helps protect your teeth and keeps them strong.

Myth #3: Brushing Harder Cleans Better

Fiction! Vigorous brushing can damage gums and wear down enamel. For effective cleaning, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and light, circular motions. Gentle brushing removes plaque without causing harm.

Myth #4: Bleeding Gums Mean Stop Brushing

Fiction! Bleeding gums are often a sign of plaque buildup and inflammation. Continue brushing gently along the gumline and use interdental tools to clear hard-to-reach areas. Persistent bleeding, however, may indicate gum disease, so consult your dentist.

Myth #5: Sugar Alone Causes Cavities

Partly Fiction! While sugar feeds bacteria that produce enamel-damaging acids, poor oral hygiene and prolonged sugar exposure are also to blame. Brushing, flossing, and reducing sugary snacks all play a role in preventing decay.

Myth #6: Baby Teeth Don’t Matter

Fiction! Baby teeth are essential for guiding adult teeth into place, supporting speech development, and enabling correct chewing. Protecting them helps avoid alignment issues and promotes lifelong oral health.

Myth #7: Mouthwash Replaces Brushing

Fiction! Mouthwash may freshen breath, but it doesn’t remove plaque or food particles. Brushing and interdental cleaning are essential for a thorough clean. Use mouthwash as a supplement, not a substitute, for daily oral care.

As the new school term begins, it's not just about stocking up on new pencils and uniform essentials—it's also a great opportunity to focus on your child’s dental health. Packed lunches and after-school snacks can have a big impact on their teeth. With a few thoughtful swaps, you can ensure their smiles stay healthy and bright throughout the school year.

Fresh Fruit Instead of Sugary Fruit Snacks
Fruit snacks like fruit winders, gummies, or roll-ups might seem like a handy choice, but they’re often packed with sugars and sticky substances that can cling to teeth. Instead, opt for fresh fruit like apple slices, strawberries, or grapes. These natural options are lower in sugar, high in vitamins and fiber, and don’t stick to teeth. Plus, crunchy fruits like apples help clean teeth and stimulate gums, making them a healthier choice for your smile.

Veggie Sticks with Hummus Over Crisps or Cheesy Dunkers
Instead of reaching for crisps, cheesy dunkers, or other processed snacks, try crunchy vegetable sticks—like carrots, cucumber, and sweet peppers—paired with a pot of hummus. Vegetables are naturally low in sugar and high in essential nutrients, while hummus offers a protein boost without the added sugars and preservatives found in many packaged snacks. This combination is not only healthier but also keeps you feeling fuller for longer.

Cheese and Whole Grain Crackers Instead of Sugary Granola or Cereal Bars
Granola or cereal bars might seem like a healthy choice, but many contain hidden sugars and refined carbs. Instead, try whole grain crackers with a slice of cheese. This combination is not only satisfying but also provides calcium and protein, which are crucial for maintaining strong teeth and bones. Plus, it avoids the sugar spike that often comes with granola or cereal bars.

Natural Yoghurt with Fresh Fruit Instead of Flavoured Yoghurt
Flavoured yoghurts often contain added sugars that can harm dental health. Choose plain yoghurt and add fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey for natural sweetness. Greek yoghurt is a great option, as it's high in protein and calcium, both of which are important for dental health.

Nuts and Certain Seeds Instead of Sweets
Sweets and chocolate can lead to tooth decay due to their high sugar content. Instead, pack a mix of nuts like almonds and walnuts, along with tooth-friendly seeds such as sunflower or flax seeds. These options are not only better for teeth but also provide healthy fats and protein that keep kids satisfied. However, be mindful of seeds like pumpkin or chia, which can get stuck in teeth and may require extra care when eaten.

Hydration Matters
Water is the best choice for keeping teeth healthy, so make sure your child has a refillable water bottle with them at school. Avoid sugary drinks, which can contribute to tooth decay.

As the school year gets underway, making small, healthy swaps in your child’s diet can have a significant impact on their dental health. By focusing on fresh, whole foods and reducing sugary and processed snacks, you’re helping to pave the way for a healthier, happier smile.

At Forward, we're here to support you in every step of maintaining your family’s dental health. If you have any questions or need personalised advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful team 01935 824061.

Back in November 2023, Haleon (formerly GSK) and the College of General Dentistry launched the Dental Health Barometer, a project created to help understand the role that preventative oral healthcare plays in routine dental visits across the UK. The project kicked off with a research survey of dental health professionals and consumers, with one of the key findings from the survey being that there’s a gap between the intervention of oral health professionals to provide preventive oral care and the delivery of such care.

The majority of professionals and the public acknowledged the crucial importance of preventive healthcare, but both audiences saw a great deal of room for improvement in the actual provision of advice. Now, the College is working with Haleon to help close the gap - which is where you come in.

On the 5th of March 2024 at 6:30 pm, we’re hosting a focus group to bring together dental professionals and discuss potential recommendations that Haleon, the College and others can deliver to improve oral health across the UK.

Fill out the form below to book your place in our focus group today.

At Forward Dental Care, we offer numerous hygiene treatments to our patients to ensure healthy mouths. To tackle plaque, Forward uses the Airflow® MAX by EMS Dental as part of the hygiene treatment.

What is Airflow®

An Airflow® MAX is a piece of equipment that the clinical team use to remove plaque during GBT treatments. GBT (Guided Biofilm Therapy) is a minimally invasive and detailed procedure that removes plaque from the teeth using gentle air jets.

During your GBT treatment, your dentist will use an organic dye on your teeth to show your dentist where the plaque is and where it is most condensed; then, the Airflow® will be used with Erythitrol powder to remove the plaque.

This treatment is not painful and doesn’t involve using anaesthetic, so you can continue your day after receiving it. It is known to be very comfortable for patients due to the temperature of the water and the regulation of vibrations.

Benefits of the treatment

There are many benefits to receiving GBT, such as the guarantee of the complete removal of plaque and calculus, which will improve your oral health. GBT is a preventative measure; it can help avoid cavities and prevent gum disease. If you already have gum disease, then GBT can halt the progression. Additionally, this treatment can better your overall health as the bacteria from plaque can affect your entire body.

At Forward Dental, we understand that going to the dentist can be anxiety-inducing, and we do our best to alleviate the worries of our patients. Surveys reveal that 53% of the UK population have dentist-related anxiety, which leads to patients not visiting the dentist as often as they should. We want to highlight that the use of Airflow® during GBT is entirely pain-free, but if you’re still worried, our dentists are more than happy to discuss the procedure and your concerns.

If you want to learn more about the Airflow® or wish to book an appointment for GBT, contact us to take the next step in your oral health journey!

Dental hygiene is vital to our well-being, yet it can often be forgotten as life gets busier, such as during back-to-school season or returning to work. Maintaining routines and ensuring our mouths are healthy before problems arise is essential. 

Here are some tips to remember to keep your mouth healthy: 

1. Brush twice a day for 2 minutes

You should brush your teeth twice daily - once in the morning and once at night. Brushing twice efficiently removes plaque, which contains bacteria and can lead to long-term issues such as tooth decay and gum disease. The time you spend brushing determines how much plaque is removed from your teeth, so 2 minutes is recommended. 

For the best results, use a fluoride toothpaste and brush before breakfast. 

 

2. Floss before brushing 

Using dental floss or interdental brushes is a vital part of any oral hygiene routine, and research shows that flossing before brushing has more benefits than flossing after. 

The purpose of flossing is to dislodge debris and loosen bacteria, stopping plaque from forming. Flossing before brushing makes brushing more effective at removing plaque. Routinely flossing can improve your overall mouth health by reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. 

 

3. Regular dental appointments 

You should see a dentist at least twice a year for a check-up or cleaning. Regular visits ensure that problems like cavities or plaque build-ups can be addressed promptly before they become long-term issues.

Many dentists offer a payment plan to make dentist appointments easier on the pockets, such as Forward Dental Care, which provides a membership scheme. The Forward membership scheme helps spread the costs of dental exams and hygiene appointments throughout the year, so you don’t have to worry about routine appointments becoming too expensive. 

 

4. Be careful with what you eat

Sugar converts into acid in the mouth, which is bad for your enamel, the protective layer on your teeth. The acid wears down the enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity, decay and cavities. 

Be mindful of how much sugar you’re having; while you can still have a sugary treat, try to incorporate more high-fibre and crunchy food into your diet.

 

5. Brush your tongue 

When brushing your teeth, spare a moment for your tongue. Plaque can also build up on your tongue, making it appear white and give you bad breath. The white appearance is primarily due to the build-up of bacteria and remnants of our food; gently brushing your tongue is the best way to clean it.

White tongue is usually harmless, but it can indicate further health conditions, so if it doesn't resume its standard colour after brushing regularly, seek professional medical help. 

 

If you want to learn more about any of these tips or have an inquiry about how you can get better dental hygiene, get in touch with Forward Dental Care. 

The newly founded business Forward Locums is looking to expand and recruit a bigger team of locum dental nurses. Established in 2020 by Chris Brann, the director of the sister company Forward Dental Care, Forward Locums was created to offer locum dental nurses further resources and support than they receive while being self-employed and show how much the industry values locums.

Forward Locums intends to offer locum nurses a combination of their current benefits and the perks of zero-hour contract employment. As a locum, work is flexible and has a lot of variety with the added ability to conduct one’s networking and gain future opportunities; with Forward Locums, you will continue receiving these benefits but with the extra benefits associated with being employed.

By being employed, you can expect paid holiday, sick leave, pension and health insurance, but Forward Locums especially wants to provide a sense of workplace integration. Forward Locums' support is the same that nurses working for a practice have: a knowledgeable team behind you, access to multiple forms of education, and in-house support in the form of regular team meetings and social gatherings. At Forward Locums, it is vital that locums feel supported and valued, and the benefits listed above are how we intend to do that.

As an employed locum at Forward Locums, you will be offered a starting salary of £17/hour; this price can be increased should you have an additional qualification, such as implantology or sedation if requested by a practice. As an individual nurse, you will still need to pay your GDC retention fee, but we believe that the pay we are offering will compensate for the price of the fee.

Additionally, dental nurses are able to pay into the Nest pension scheme, so you can feel secure in your future.

Finally, we know that locum nurses are constantly travelling, so we are offering to pay any travel expenses for journeys that are a 50-mile round trip from your home, and parking costs are included.

If you’re interested in learning more about anything mentioned above or want to apply for a position with Forward Locum, please contact us at enquiries@forwardlocums.co.uk or call 01935 314680.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that often occurs from tooth infection or inflammation. In the early stages, the gums can become further inflamed, red, and even bleed in certain instances. 

Inflammation is often the result of bacteria in the mouth for a prolonged period. Long-term bacteria will form plaque on the teeth and eventually harden to what is known as tartar and spread to the gum line. If not professionally removed, this can infect the teeth and lead to periodontal disease.

In this blog, we will delve into periodontal disease, understanding what it is and the risks it can impose on you. We will address the oral hygiene routine you should follow to prevent and reduce it, along with how diet and exercise can lower disease incidences. 

What are the risks of periodontal disease?

If periodontal disease isn’t addressed at the earliest opportunity, it can have the potential to implement serious dental health repercussions. 

Periodontal disease can worsen if not correctly treated, leading to periodontitis, which has the potential to break down the tissue surrounding the teeth, affecting the gum and supporting bone. Where the gum and bone are impacted, teeth may become loose and sometimes fall out. 

What oral hygiene routine should you follow?

Proper oral hygiene is essential for healthy gums and teeth and lessens your chance of dental problems, such as periodontal disease. Best practices of cleaning and flossing teeth twice daily and yearly dentist visits are recommended to ensure you properly clean your teeth and remove toxic bacteria.

Discover our dental hygiene treatments today

Studies into electric toothbrushes compared to manual and sonic toothbrushes have discovered that when correctly used, electric toothbrushes provide a more effective job at removing biofilm from the teeth, helping to prevent plaque build-up. It’s important to be aware that brushing teeth alone is not enough. The use of interdental brushes and other aids like single tufted brushes and floss contribute towards proper oral hygiene.

Can diet increase the chance of periodontal disease?

Like with other areas of your body, diet can significantly impact the progression of periodontal disease, impacting the levels of inflammation in the body and the progression of periodontal disease, with specific foods encouraging inflammation of the body or contributing towards reducing inflammation.

Two types of components heighten or lessen inflammation. These are known as pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory. 

The particular foods which contain anti-inflammatory components and contribute towards the reduction of inflammation in the body include: 

• Whole fruit - (apart from high sugar fruits, such as melons and pineapple), particularly brightly coloured fruits.
• Berries
• Whole Vegetables - (apart from potatoes, parsnips, and carrots), particularly green vegetables
• Fish and seafood
• White meats, poultry and game
• Whole grains - whole grain rice, oats, barley, quinoa
• Nuts and seeds
• Eggs
• Some oils, in particular olive oil

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation, but it is not something our body can produce. These unsaturated fats are found in foods such as oily cold fish (salmon, tuna, herring, or sardines) and walnuts.

Green tea also plays an important role in reducing inflammation because it contains antioxidants. 

To prevent the inflammation in your body and reduce the progression of periodontal disease, reduce the following:

• Refined Carbohydrates - all forms of sugar (sugars, syrups, etc.), processed/packaged foods, white flour
• High-sugar fruits – melons, pineapple
• Dried fruits
• Some vegetables – potatoes, parsnips and carrots
• White rice
• Saturated fats – dairy products, animal fats, some oils (coconut, palm)
• Saturated fatty acids

 Does exercise reduce the likelihood of periodontal disease?

Exercise plays a considerable role in the body and its response to tackling health issues, especially with respect to your teeth and gum health. Studies into the disease have shown those who maintain a healthy body weight and exercise regularly, compared to those who do not exercise and have a higher BMI, are less likely to suffer from periodontal disease.

 Book a consultation with Fran, our dentist, who is passionate and has extensive knowledge about treating gum disease. 

Healthy teeth start with a healthy mouth. Booka check-up with Fran today to prevent periodontal disease and ensure good dental hygiene.