Tag Archives: dentist

Nutritional Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Healthy teeth and good nutrition go hand in hand. Here are a few tips for a beautiful smile.
Have natural yoghurt daily to support friendly bacteria that may cause bad breath, and add calcium to your diet for strong enamel. Choose natural organic yoghurt, ideally made with goats milk.
Magnesium is another mineral essential for healthy teeth – find it in raw almonds, walnuts, cashews, broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, rye bread, buckwheat and seafood.
Eat food high in essential fats such as wild salmon, trout, raw nuts, seeds, avocados and EV olive oil to reduce risk of caries and gum disease.
Avoid sugar, sugary drinks and foods made with white rice, semolina and flour – they feed bacteria in the mouth and affect protective barrier around your teeth. If you fancy a treat, choose dark chocolate or fresh fruit, have it after a meal, not on its own.
Do not snack constantly. Frequent eating alters pH levels making it more acidic enamel damage. Eating every 3.5-4 hours will allow saliva to neutralise the acid naturally. This rule also applies to drinks unless, it’s water or green tea – the latter contains polyphenols that may not only control bacterial build-up, but also reduce risk of oral cancer.
Chew food properly. It’s good for strengthening tooth enamel and gums.
Strong gums also require vitamin C found in citrus fruits, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli, cabbages, papaya and strawberries, so enjoy some daily.

Bio
Natalia Ashton is a Surrey-based nutritional therapist specialising in weight loss, women’s health, skin problems, vegetarian and vegan diets, digestive complains and sports nutrition.
She believes in the healing power of natural wholesome foods and proper nutrition. She applies the science of functional medicine to help her clients improve, restore and maintain their feeling of better health.
Her aim has always been to educate and inspire her clients to make positive and realistic changes to their diet and life style and help them achieve their goals.
Natalia is also available for group sessions and talks on various subjects including weight loss and healthy eating, nutritional basics, supporting your health through the right diet and more.
For more information and details visit www.optimumnutrition4u.com

Good is Not Enough

In my lifetime, I’ve seen people applaud at the introduction of colour tv, mobile phones and wireless everything. Not only that, but the applause was even greater if these things actually worked. It was usual to expect problems, glitches. After all, this was the latest technology, we had to expect the occasional hiccup. Anyone who owned an early mobile phone knows this.

But, things have advanced so much that we’re used to seeing new technology all the time and we expect it to work. First time.

Perfection, these days, isn’t a lofty goal. We all, as consumers, have an expectation of perfection from the services or products that we buy. Even bus stops have displays telling us when we can expect the next bus.

So when we talk about perfection, we shouldn’t equate it to practicing pain-free dentistry, or seeing our members on time. That’s the very least that they expect. We should be aiming higher. Much higher!!

During the Second World War, the Japanese created a new philosophy. They named it Kaizen. The word Kaizen means “continuous improvement” and comes from the Japanese words “kai” which means “change” and “zen” which means “good”.

Kaizen involves setting standards and then continually improving them. Today major Japanese companies like Canon and Toyota employ the practice of Kaizen. All of their employees – from upper management to the cleaning crew are encouraged to come up with small improvement suggestions on a regular basis. This is not a once a month or once a year activity. It’s continuous.

In most cases these aren’t ideas for major changes. Kaizen is based on making little changes on a regular basis: always improving productivity, safety and effectiveness while reducing waste, as examples.

Western philosophy can be summarised as, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The Kaizen philosophy is to “do it better, make it better, improve it even if it isn’t broken, because if we don’t, we can’t compete with those who do.”

In other words, “Good is not enough.”

Jas

Nikoletta Kafantari Why I love what I do

One of the things I love about my job as a dentist is that I usually get to know my patients very well and many times meet their families, talk about their jobs and their lifestyle. On the other hand, what usually happens is that our patients know very little about us… I therefore thought about answering to the two most common questions I receive from my patients.
The first one is ‘Where are you from?’ (As my accent is still strong), and as soon as I admit being Greek, here comes the second ‘…and what are you doing in the UK? Why did you leave the sun to come to rainy England?’ … Well, the reason I came to England was to attend a postgraduate course in the field of Endodontics (Root Canal Treatment), as I was accepted in the most famous dental postgraduate Institute in Europe. After I finished my first degree in Greece, I applied for the Endodontics course at the Eastman Dental Institute, UCL, and I must admit it was the best experience of my life so far. Three years later I am still here, for good, due a combination of personal life choices and great work opportunities in the UK.
The third question has to do with my job; the utterly feared Root Canal Treatment! Most patients consider it as the most painful of the treatments and therefore cannot understand my choice of specialisation. My answer to that is simple, the root canal treatment procedure can be totally painless and is very challenging for me as a clinician (I’m always up for a challenge). But most of all, I see patients with severe pain and many times swelling and manage to get them pain-free and save their tooth. The appreciation and the comments that I receive, such as ‘it was totally painless’, or ‘thank you for saving my tooth’, always puts a smile on my face and makes the lengthy and challenging process of the root filling totally worth it.
For any more questions, I’m always at your disposal! 😉
 

Share your story

“You need to see the hygienist” said my dentist to me as she finished my check-up. Those words used to fill me with dread. My experiences of seeing hygienists prior to joining the High Street Dental Practice had been both painful and unpleasant.
Not anymore! “Gentle Jules” as she is known, treats you with such care and skill. I can honestly say that I have never suffered a moment’s discomfort (let alone pain) whilst having my teeth cleaned by Jules.
She is quite probably the best hygienist in the world!

Jo R

I have never known a place (at least one where dentists hang out) quite like the High Street Dental Practice.
I’ve had check-ups, fillings, crowns, root canals, everything but teeth taken out. Every time I have been blown away by the quality of the experience. From Iva’s greeting to Julie’s gentle coaxing (to floss more), Debbie’s care for my teeth and Nikki and Amy’s brilliant teamwork doing my root canal, I have always had a positive experience.
This place is a model for dentists and probably many other businesses in the art of caring for customers. #cooldentist
Glynn R

Staff are very polite and good at their jobs.

Tom & Rose A

THE TALE OF THE PEARLY WHITES
“Look at my teeth”, said David.
“Have you had them capped? I replied.
“No, I have just had my old fillings replaced.”
“But you can’t see the join!”
This was my introduction to the Practice and I figured that anybody who could do such artistic work must be worth checking out. So, I duly presented myself when my next check-up was due and met the wonderful Kate, the most glamorous dentist I have ever seen! She has done sterling work for me ever since with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of professionalism.
Helen B

Root canal, at my age? It was so unreal, I know I wanted it to be, I was dreading it. The surgeon, nice, smiley, Greek. My tooth, tender, odd, narrow… I have never liked needles, I was about to get a crash course, I was so scared, but the nurses were kind and gentle. My tooth now a medical oddity, a tooth in a tooth. My mum in a chair in the corner, x-rays of my tooth on a screen above my head, pretty, out of this world. Four appointments later, I’m free, friendly with the surgeon, happy.

Charlotte S

When I first stepped into the Dental Practice I had a huge fear of dentists, doctors and the like. I had a large overbite and over the course of around 4 years I endured several retainers and every child’s worst enemy, braces. On the ceiling above the patients chair was an amusing poster, ‘Have a day’; 100 different faces, all with silly suggestions, like ‘Have a Viking day’. Every time I lay there, I discovered a new face which made me feel more relaxed. I found my own ‘Have a day’ poster and it proudly hangs on my wall today.
Jennifer B

Once I had to have a tooth pulled. I knew that this was just a minor procedure, but when I entered the High Street Dental Practice, I was still nervous.
First the numbing gel, dabbed around the tooth. Secondly a voice: “…just a little pinch…”
Then the injection: I didn’t feel anything. (The numbing gel was working)
Finally the foreboding moment: I felt rummaging in my mouth, then it stopped; I was sure that my tooth was still in my mouth, however the dentist holding the tooth proved the contrary: my tooth was out, I hadn’t felt a thing!
-Clemens

“I’ve been with the High Street Dental Practice since I was little and my own memorable experience comes from when I was 11 years old. I needed to have a milk tooth removed, so I was booked in with Jas Sandhu, who had been my dentist for many years. I was so nervous that it would hurt, but it seems I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Jas was brilliant throughout, the injection was painless and I didn’t even feel my tooth being taken out. Thank you to Jas and the High Street Dental Practice for years of wonderful service.”
Natalie K

The day started badly with a chunk of tooth falling off. Jas, even though going on holiday, kindly agreed to see me in the morning for emergency repairs. He diagnosed the necessity for root canal treatment and the fitting of a crown. Nikoletta undertook the root canal treatment and was very thorough, taking no less than 3 x-rays. Saw Jas to have a mould made for the crown, which was perfect when fitted.
Everyone that treated me was charming and professional. Jas even promised to have a horse trough fitted for my next visit after I missed the spitting bowl.

Peter T

You often hear of young children being a little scared of the dentist. However something you don’t hear often is my case. A 15 year old being utterly terrified of the dentist, and that’s what I am, a terrified teen. Or should I say, used to be.

They say 3 is the magic number, and that’s how many appointments it took me to become completely comfortable. Little by little the staff helped my confidence, talking me through the treatment, showing me all the equipment. I’ve now had a filling, and it’s all thanks to the High Street Dental Practice!
Emily T

My smile audit

I don’t want to be known as a wimp because all of my friends are not worried but I am.
When we got in the car to leave for the dentist my tummy was full with butterflies and my legs were shaking like a leaf, I was trying to hide my emotions.
We arrived at the dentist and my worked up sister had to go first and it turned out fine what a relief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then it was my turn, I got up and went to sit down on the big blue chair, my feet as stiff as a brick and as straight as a stick, not even to mention the big bright like shining in my eyes and my mouth.
I was squeezing my mums hand so so hard, and then they shoved a hoover in to my mouth, I was too scared to move my tongue because I thought the hoover would stick to my tongue, then she goes and puts another thing in my mouth a MIRROR I thought she was here to check my teeth not check her make up.
Then I over heard her say to the assistant on the something tooth has ruptured, now that is enough secret code chit chat.
She starts looking at my back of my front teeth and she brings out a sharp pointy thing and starts scrapping of my left over cereal that I was saving for later on.
My top right tooth hangs out like vampires tooth but she said the orthodontist will be able to sort that out with braces, well we hope!!!
The assistant doesn’t talk much I wonder if she is as worried as me?
I would recommend you to all my friends and family thank you for making my trip to the dentist happy and fun.
By Bonnie R

Three years ago I had crooked teeth. At a regular check-up, Jas recommended I spoke to Alex, the orthodontic hospital consultant. Alex checked my bite and explained that many of the problems were being caused by my jaws being misaligned. Basically, the problem wasn’t just my teeth, it was also skeletal and the only real remedy was jaw surgery.

It’s now a week since my double jaw surgery and I’m still a little swollen, but I have no regrets! Give it a few months and I will show off my nice new smile thanks to The High Street Dental Practice!

Amanda R

The other day I went into the High Street Dental Practice, and wondered what was up? The receptionist appeared to be bedecked in flowers, and there was party grub in the waiting area. I had my teeth cleaned by lovely Jools to the tune of ‘Paperback Writer’…Little did I know that I had stumbled in, on that freezing sub-zero day ,into..Beatle Mania.. At the High Street Dental Practice…! But why would I be surprised? Yet another event in the true spirit of the creativity and innovation I have come to expect from the High Street Dental Practice, which has made Going to the Dentist a pleasant, fun and sociable experience. Almost an oxymoron, as far as I am concerned! A happening place, where black was the new white, where Jas would make time to joke with my monosyllabic teenage son, and treat patients like Real People and where I have been deeply enlightened by the ever spreading carpet of information on Joel’s ceiling…how does she get up there, by the way?..

Mary M

The big red door, what can I say.
When you turn the handle, you shout hooray.
You can hear a buzzing upstairs, and you walk up to a semi-circle of chairs
You are greeted with a vivid red smile
And you know it will last you a while.
Iva is sitting behind the desk, try not to disturb, and don’t want to be a pest.
People are asking about your health, but one of your teeth plopped out on the shelf
You can tell the staff about what happened, they are all sympathetic and their eyes start to dampen.
You sit in the waiting room feasting your eyes on luscious paintings,
Unlike at the dentist, they feel like fainting.
All my friends are jealous of me, because The High Street Dental Practice is where I go, even if the ground’s thick with snow. I will find a way and then again, I’ll shout HOORRAAYY.
Thank you for being such a friendly and kind dentist, it makes such a difference if you have a dentist you can’t wait to go to.
Mathilda H

Oh no Dentist again,
Will it be pleasure, will it be pain,
My filling is cracked, what will it be,
Will the Dentist be gentle with me?

I sit in the chair with much trepidation,
Stay calm, sit tight, even try meditation,
The Dentist asks, are we ready to start?
My pulse races, can they hear my heart?

Some new gel for gums, to help with numbing,
tense up, grab tight I know what’s coming,
No pain from the procedure, it’s easy to measure,
My trip this time was an absolute pleasure!

Tony B

Traceys story

Hi my name is Tracey. I have worked at the practice for almost 10 years.
I am lucky enough to have Jas as my dentist and was therefore screened for mouth cancer at my recent smile audit. Most of my family live in Wales, I am very proud to be Welsh!!
My Dad was not that fortunate, and this year we lost him to mouth and throat cancer. I am not blaming anyone for not detecting his cancer, he wore dentures and didn’t have any teeth. I just want people to know how important it is to have these checks done. Early detection means cure!! We could still have my Dad.
At the High Street, we have fantastic dentists who are ready and waiting to do these checks for you, look at our web site, and please join us on 5th of December.

Share Your Story

Win the new iPad 3
In time for Christmas
Simply shoot a video or write a story about your experience at the High Street Dental Practice.
Stories less than 100 words, video less than 1 minute.

The winner will be chosen at random. All entries will be posted on our Facebook page, twitter and website.

Email your entry to betrue@highstreetdentalpractice.com

The winner will be informed on 21st December 2012

Debbie -what I do in my spare time.

I started exercising at an early age with ballet, tap and modern dance and then represented various school teams in netball, rounders’ and lacrosse. At university, a good friend recommended I join her at a lunchtime aerobics class and so my love of aerobics and the gym began.
I took up step classes when I left university and even bought a step and numerous videos to use at home. Many nights my husband would come home from work hoping to have a nice sit down only to find me twirling around a plastic step in the lounge!
Even when my children were little and I was unable to visit the gym, I would exercise to fitness videos when they were having an afternoon nap.
Once the children went to school, I started going to the gym more frequently and took up running. Having never been able to run a mile, my aim was to take part in a Race for Life. It took me 6 months of training to reach 5km and I took part in the Brighton Race for Life in 2006 and finished it in 35 mins.
I then decided that 10km would be a challenge and took part in a Race for Life 10 km event later that year at Leeds Castle in Kent with Julie our hygienist. It was a challenging course but I completed it in 1hour 10 mins.(Julie was a lot quicker)
My next challenge was the Great South Run. A 10mile road race around the streets of Portsmouth. I took part in the race in 2007 and despite torrential rain on the day I finished it in 1hour 40mins. I was so proud of myself that I actually cried when I crossed the finish line.
Julie then decided that we would challenge ourselves once more and entered both of us and her sister in a half marathon. I put in a lot of training but was not prepared for the extremely hilly course! Some hills were so steep you could just about walk up them. Having cursed Julie for the entire course, I finished it in just under 2 ½ hours.
I also took up body combat and spinning classes at the gym which I do several times a week as well as running.
I have also entered the East Grinstead 10km run for the past 2 years with Julie and this year managed to break the hour mark by finishing in 58mins.
My next challenge is in May 2013 in which I have entered the East Grinstead Triathlon. I will be swimming 500m, cycling 20km then running 5km. I will have to teach myself front crawl but the cycling and running should be ok.
If you are up early on a Sunday, you may see me and my neighbour running up and down the Worth Way in training for the triathlon and cycling around town. However if you are in the swimming pool keep clear of the woman who can’t yet master front crawl as that will be me!

Why I became a Dental Hygienist

I often get asked by my patients, “why did you want to be a hygienist?”. So I thought about it and here are my reasons.
My favourite subject at school was always biology. I originally thought I’d be a Nurse like my mum. But all my school life I wanted to join the police force, so I joined the police cadets at sixteen, then the special constabulary at nineteen for two years. It was then that I realised that it’s wasn’t for me.
My first job from leaving school was a dental nurse and I loved it. My boss, at the time asked why I didn’t go and train to become a dental hygienist. So I went to the Eastman Dental Institute and qualified in 1995.
I love my job. Everyday is different. The interest comes from the fact that the needs and desires of every patient differs, so my approach is always varied.
I enjoy the challenge of motivating my patients. To make small changes in their daily routine that make huge differences. I find it so satisfying providing patients with a gentle but thorough clean leaving them feeling refreshed and healthy.
I enjoy the skill my job entails, the precision of effective calculus and plaque removal using an array of different shaped scalers.
The job can, at times, be quite stressful with the time pressures and the intense concentration that is required for many hours in such a small area. But generally my days are full of wonderful people, all very different, with whom I build such a rapport, I never get bored.
As long as my hands keep working I will carry on saving people’s teeth through up to date advice, hard work and motivation. Motivation is key.
I constantly read many dental publications and attend workshops and training courses to make sure I’m carrying out my job to the best of my ability.

High Street Dental – a stunning example of making a difference

Every so often, you meet what I refer to as ‘stand-out’ people.

Jaspal Sandhu is one of them.

You already know I’m sure about the many awards he’s received. What you may not know is that Jas truly leverages his giving so that his team AND his patients are involved in making a difference too.

We’re so thrilled to have Jas and the High Street Dental team as part of B1G1. Through this platform alone, Jas has given:

2,500 square meters of rainforest protection
1,330 people access to clean water for a day
1,014 people medical support for one day and ……
1,000 dollars to support NGO’s activities

But even more than that, Jas has personally encouraged other members of the profession to do the same. He’s a stunning example of leadership in action and leadership with enormous compassion.

We’re thrilled we know him.

Oral Cancer

Cancer. Why is it that so many of us dare even speaking this word aloud? It’s almost as if we think that we’ll become a victim if we say it. After all, cancer is NOT contagious.*

Perhaps it should be referred to as ‘The Disease That Shall Not Be Named.’

The good news. Cancer detection is improving all the time. Treatments have advanced so much that many forms of cancer, which would once have considered to be fatal, can now be treated, with very high survival rates.

But what about mouth cancer. Here are some facts:

This year, 6000 people in the UK will be diagnosed with mouth cancer.
Without early detection, half will die.
Mouth cancers often don’t present with any symptoms at early stages.
But, early detection improves survival chances to 90%.

As dentists, we are ideally suited to screen for signs of mouth cancer. We perform a full screen on all of our members at regular intervals. And the even better news is that we have now invested in a Velscope early detection tool.

The Velscope system has been officially recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an innovative device that addresses global health concerns and is the only dental product recognised.

With a Velscope, a blue light fluoresces the tissues of your mouth which allows us to see diseases not visible with the naked eye. It helps us to discover oral diseases before they can be seen under normal light.

There are no rinses or dyes involved. The whole procedure only takes a few minutes.

So, from now on, we will be using the Velscope regularly for our practice members.

But, what if you’re not a member? Just give us a call and we’ll happily give your mouth a full screen for the signs of any disease, including cancer. We can give you dietary advice and brochures with much more information about the causes of mouth cancer and how best to try to minimise the risks.

And how much will this cost? Nothing! This one’s on us. Of course, if you want to, you can donate to the charities that we are currently supporting.

* Cancer.org