Dental Insurance Guide

Parents warned about acidity levels in fruit drinks

The Sunday Telegraph has investigated the amount of acid contained in various popular fruit drinks and smoothies, leading to warnings about the damage to many children’s teeth.

Recently published official statistics show that dental problems are the third most common cause of juvenile hospital admissions, making this a major issue.

It seems that many parents are giving their children fruit juice and smoothies with the best intentions without realising the harm they may be causing; the combination of sugar and acid is highly corrosive to children’s teeth.

Dr Kate Howard at the Royal College of Surgeons said half of 5-year-olds have suffered tooth enamel damage due to too much acid in their diet.

She added that kids would be better off with a glass of water and a handful of chocolate buttons than fruit juice and a box of raisins.

Acidity is measured using the pH scale – 1 is strongly acidic, and 7 is neutral (water has a pH of 7 and milk is 6.8). Anything below 5.5 will have a destructive effect on tooth enamel.

The most acidic fruit drink identified in the Sunday Telegraph investigation was ‘This Water’ with lemon and limes, described on the label as a “juice drink blended with pure squeezed juices and pure spring water.” The drink had a pH level of 2.7, which makes it more acidic than cider vinegar (at 2.9). In addition, a 420ml bottle also contains 9.5 teaspoons of sugar.

• Meanwhile, drinks such as Tropicana orange juice and Innocent smoothies had acid levels in the 3.3 to 3.8 range.
• Overall, Coca-Cola was the most acidic drink tested, with a pH of 2.5. A 500ml bottle contains 12.5 teaspoons of sugar.

Dr Kate advised parents: “The only healthy drinks for teeth are milk and water. Children are having fruit drinks and smoothies several times a day, when they should be considered a treat, something to have once a week.” Cove Dental and Implant Centre

To neutralise the acidic effect of fruit and fruit juices, it’s best to consume them at meal times rather than as snacks. Calcium-containing foods such as cheese are especially effective at neutralising the acid. Drinking water afterwards and waiting at least an hour before brushing your teeth are also advised.

Tina the elephant on the mend after dental surgery

Seeing as it’s Friday, we’ve got some slightly offbeat dental news for you…

Tina, an Asian elephant at Belfast Zoo, has undergone dental surgery, and is now recovering.

After zookeepers noticed Tina seemed to be experiencing some discomfort, they informed the zoo’s vet, Michael Griffith.

He found that one of the elephant’s tushes had broken and was digging into her gum, leading to an infection (tushes are short second incisors – the female equivalent of tusks).

Elephants have a set of 24 molars, with a new set emerging 6 times throughout their lifetime. Elephants tend to live for between 50 and 70 years, and, at 46, Tina is already on her 6th set of teeth. This meant it was even more important that she received dental treatment.

Peter Kertesz performed the surgery. Although Peter treats human patients at his London practice, he has also worked on various exotic creatures such as whales and pandas in the past. He explained:

“We had to file off the sharp areas of Tina’s tooth. Her surgery went very smoothly, thanks to the work of everyone involved and she is well on her way to recovery. I feel extremely privileged that I can make a difference to the health and life of rare and endangered animals, such as Tina.”

We wish Tina a speedy recovery!

By Private dentist East Kilbride, Glasgow.

What are dental implants?

So, what are cosmetic dental implants? Dental implants are an extremely effective and increasingly popular solution to replace lost teeth. Dental implants are essentially artificial replacements for the lost root part of a tooth and are anchored in your jaw-bone using a pre-drilled socket. They are then able to support a crown, bridge or denture. […]

Sarah gets a brand new zygomatic smile

Sarah gets a brand-new zygomatic smile… Have a look at our latest happy patient. Janice had been wearing a full upper denture for quite some time and found it didn’t stay in place, making it very uncomfortable and making it difficult to enjoy all the foods she knew she should eat to have […]

Parents warned about acidity levels in fruit drinks

Parents warned about acidity levels in fruit drinks. The Sunday Telegraph has carried out an investigation into the amount of acid contained in various popular fruit drinks and smoothies, leading to warnings about the damage being done to many children’s teeth. With recently published official statistics showing that dental problems are the third most common.

Missing teeth can cause sleeping problems

Posted on By Posted in Dental Care, Dental News, Treatment

New research questions the link between missing teeth and sleep apnoea. There have been a number of studies suggesting that a link exists between edentulism (the condition of having one or more missing teeth) and obstructive sleep apnoea (also known as OSA – a syndrome characterised by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep).

Dental implant treatments are available at a number of practices

Dental implant treatments are available at Hockerill Dental in Hertfordshire. What are cosmetic dental implants? Dental implants are an extremely effective and increasingly popular solution to replace lost teeth. Dental implants are essentially artificial replacements for the lost root part of a tooth and are anchored in your jaw-bone using a predrilled socket.

Overcoming Fear of Visiting the Dentist

If the prospect of visiting the dentist fills you with dread, you’re certainly not alone. Statistics show that 1 in 4 people are affected by dental phobia. A good dentist will understand these fears, however many practices have procedures in place to minimise stress for their patients.

Can Children Have Dental Implants? What’s Our View?

Posted on By Posted in Dental Care, Dental News, Treatment

Can children have cosmetic dental implants? Although children rarely lose teeth as a result of disease or decay, it is not uncommon for a child to lose a permanent tooth through injury. As parents, we do our best to protect our kids,,

How to keep your Valentine happy with clean teeth

Posted on By Posted in Dental Care, Dental News, Treatment

Keep your valentine happy! A recent survey by the British Dental Health Foundation has revealed that bad breath is a major concern for over 1/4 of the population – not good news for budding romances on Valentine’s Day! More than half of the respondents said that to be attractive, your teeth and smile are […]

Bone Loss Dental Implants – What’s Next?

Can you still have dental implants if you are suffering from severe jawbone loss? With zygomatic implants, the answer is yes!

No Smoking Day 14th March 2025

No Smoking Day, Wednesday 14th March. More than a million smokers are expected to “take the leap” this year on No Smoking Day and quit smoking for good. This is good news for general health and the mouth too! Dr Nigel Carter, British Dental Health Foundation chief executive, says “Smoking presents a […]

See Our Latest 2026 News!

• What are dental implants?
• Sarah gets a brand new zygomatic smile
• Parents warned about acidity levels in fruit drinks
• Missing teeth can cause sleeping problems. More.
• Dental implant treatments are available at a number of practices
• Overcoming Fear of Visiting the Dentist
• Can Children Have Dental Implants? What’s Our View?
• How to keep your Valentine happy with clean teeth
• Bone Loss Dental Implants – What’s Next? More.
• No Smoking Day 14th March
• The Cost of Dental Treatment | Paying for Dental Treatment
• How successful are dental implants? More.
• Dramatic transformation for our latest dental implant patient
• All on 4 Implants by Some of the UK’s Leading All on Four Dentists.

Thank you for visiting our website!

Although we don’t offer any dental treatments, we do offer advice for those seeking treatment at another practice.

See the links below for amazing practices offering dental treatments.

• Teeth Whitening: ZA Dental
• Implantology: Mews Dental Studio
• White Teeth Treatments: White Teeth Studio
• Bite Correction: HG Cosmetic Dentists

More than a million smokers are expected to “take the leap” this year on No Smoking day and quit smoking for good. Not only is this good news for general health but for the mouth too!

Dr Nigel Carter, British Dental Health Foundation chief executive, says “Smoking presents a very real danger to the public’s oral and overall health. Dentists find themselves in a unique position to warn patients of the risks of smoking, which causes tooth staining and exacerbates gum disease – which has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, strokes and premature and low birth-weight babies.

‘Tobacco is also linked to around three-quarters of all cases of mouth cancer. Placed on top of all the health concerns surrounding smoking, these risks stress the importance of campaigns such as No Smoking Day, and the Foundation wholeheartedly supports the campaign.’

WeQuit.co.uk is a dedicated quitters’ website, full of helpful tips and advice for smokers who don’t want to be!

Preparations underway for National Smile Month 2025

National Smile Month began as National Smile Week 40 years ago. Run by the British Dental Health Foundation, the campaign is all about raising awareness of oral health issues, with 3 key messages at its heart:

The next National Smile Month will take place from 20 May to 20 June 2025. Events and activities will take place across the country, with thousands of dental and health professionals joining forces with businesses, schools, and community groups to help promote good oral health.

Although the nation’s oral health has improved dramatically over the past 30 years, there is still a lack of awareness about what constitutes good oral health and the risks associated with not caring for teeth and gums.

Dr Neil Woodhouse says, “Making smiles a National priority is so important in an age where people can’t access their local NHS Dentist anymore.”

Almost 10% of people in the UK aren’t registered with a dentist, and a third only brush their teeth once a day or less. This can lead to problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Still, there are also several potentially life-threatening risks associated with poor dental health, including mouth cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. National Smile Month exists to educate people about these issues.

10,000 ‘smileys’ – the official symbol of the campaign – are being distributed to organisations to organisations supporting National Smile Month. Simon Howell, director of campaigns and fundraising at The British Dental Health Foundation, said:

“Despite retaining a serious oral health message, we’ve placed ‘fun’ at the heart of the campaign. Our ‘smiley’ is just one of those ideas and the whole approach of this year’s campaign will make it easier to engage with the public and bring the importance of oral health to their attention.”

Pledge your support and let us keep in touch

By subscribing to the Oral Health Foundation, you will receive our campaign updates, including new resources, events and activities.

How successful are cosmetic dental implants?

Dental implants are made of a titanium that very rarely fails to join with the body, and it has never been found to be harmful to a patient. The rate of success for cosmetic dental implants is very high at around 98%, and studies have shown that successful implants cared for and maintained appropriately may last a lifetime. The best way to guarantee the success of implants after surgery is to maintain meticulous oral hygiene in both the period after your surgery, and for the rest of your life. The success rate for the All-on-4™ technique is very similar to any other implant procedure.

No Comments | Posted on October 6th, 2011 in FAQs.

If the prospect of visiting the dentist fills you with dread, you’re certainly not alone. Statistics show that 1 in 4 people are affected by dental phobia.

A good dentist will understand these fears, however many practices have procedures in place to minimise stress for their patients.

Karen Coates, a dental adviser at the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF), says:

“Some people have such bad dental phobia that they haven’t seen a dentist for years. It’s common for us to hear from someone in their twenties or thirties or even older who hasn’t been to the dentist since childhood.”

She says that “most people who are scared of the dentist have bad memories from childhood of the smells and sounds of the surgery,” but adds that, these days, it’s “altogether a gentler experience… Even drills aren’t as noisy as they used to be.”

How has technology helped to hide this fear?

Technological advances have improved the patient experience in a number of ways – anaesthetics can now be delivered without any pain, for example, and sedation is also an option for nervous patients.

If you want to talk about your fears or have questions about a particular dental treatment, you can call the BDHF’s dental helpline on 0845 063 1188.

They can advise you on meditation, breathing techniques, and other ways of relaxing and dealing with your fear.

Dental practices that offer treatments for anxious patients

The Perfect Smile based in Hertfordshire offers a calming experience for all anxious patients. A warm friendly atmosphere means you will feel comfortable whilst being treated a dental expert.

Complimentary services offered at The Perfect Smile Studios:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Lunch in Relaxation Lounge
• Soothing Music
• Hand Treatments
• Movies & 3D Glasses

If you’re planning to book a consultation with The Perfect Smile, call 020 3355 8505. Alternatively, you can read about their anxious patient treatment by clicking here.

New research questions the link between missing teeth and sleep apnoea

There have been a number of studies suggesting that a link exists between edentulism (the condition of having one or more missing teeth) and obstructive sleep apnoea (also known as OSA – a syndrome characterised by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep).

In 2006, for example, a study carried out at the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology at the University of Turin found that “complete tooth loss favours upper airway obstruction during sleep.”

However, new research led by Dr Jeff Tanner, an oral and maxillofacial surgery resident at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), casts doubt on this theory.

Dr Tanner and his team began with the hypothesis that people who have missing teeth have more serious sleep apnoea symptoms.

They carried out a review of patient records for 210 males who had been referred for OSA treatment, using an apnea-hypopnea index to grade the severity of each patient’s symptoms.

Next, they used panoramic radiographs to establish the total number of teeth lost, the number of mandibular teeth lost, and the number of posterior dental functional units lost for each patient.

After evaluating the data, the researchers concluded that age and body-mass index were the main factors associated with OSA, whereas tooth loss had no significant influence:

“The degree of tooth loss is not associated with OSA severity. Tooth loss does not worsen OSA.”

However, Dr Tanner believes further research is necessary, and suggested that, in order to obtain conclusive results, sleep studies would need to be undertaken on an individual before losing teeth, after losing teeth, and when wearing complete dentures.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research, he said:

“Only by conducting this type of study will we be able to be certain to state whether or not tooth loss predicts OSA…If in the future it could be stated that edentulism worsens OSA, it would be a strong case for dentists to attempt to restore patients back to a dentate state with implants which maintain alveolar ridge height unlike dentures.”

If you have missing teeth and want to know more about replacing them with cosmetic dental implants, get in touch and speak to one of our patient advisors today.

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So, what are cosmetic dental implants?

Dental implants are an extremely effective and increasingly popular solution to replace lost teeth.

Dental implants are essentially artificial replacements for the lost root part of a tooth and are anchored in your jaw-bone using a pre-drilled socket. They are then able to support a crown, bridge or denture. We then place the outer surface of the implant in close contact with the jaw-bone to ensure they will begin to fuse together. This is called osseo-integration. This process is done to ensure long term stability to the crown.

What are the benefits of Cosmetic Dental Implants?

• Strong, stable and very long lasting
• Different types are available
• Help restore function, bite and chewing ability
• Dental implant retained dentures are the most retentive dentures
• Cosmetics and comfort

Why have Cosmetic Dental Implants ?

At our cosmetic dentistry clinic specialists dentists have advanced training in cosmetic dental implant skills. Our implant dentists only use cosmetic dental implant techniques recognised for their innovation and reliability. Only the most advanced equipment is used and sedation is available for your optimum comfort.

Are you considering cosmetic dental implants? Read more about implants here.

Cosmetic Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants are placed within the jaw bone and left to heal for usually 3-6 months. While the cosmetic dental implant fixture is healing a transitional dental bridge or teeth denture is used to close the space. After satisfactory healing a precision post is placed into the cosmetic dental implant. Finally depending on your individual case a porcelain crown, dental bridge or cosmetic denture is placed onto the post. And you have your new teeth and can smile with confidence. Click here for more dental resources.

How long do Cosmetic Dental Implants last ?

Dental implant treatment has more than 90% success rate over a 15 year period. They are very good if there is enough bone to place them into.

Want to know more? Ask us anything!