Author Archives: Smile Essential

When was the last you experienced great customer service?

When was the last time you experienced really great customer care? Would you agree that nowadays wow customer care experiences are spoken about more often due to their rarity than negative ones. Have we become so accustomed to mediocre or bad customer care that it’s now just expected?

Choosing a dentist

Being a dental practice in Leicester we understand that just googling dentist can be scary, so often people look through the list of dentists on google and feel perhaps too overwhelmed to call, delaying until another day and possibly putting their dental health at risk. Most of us have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with a grumpy receptionist or two! We aim to be a dentist with a difference at Smile Essential Dental Practice that is why from from the moment you pick up the phone and give us a call or drop us an email your patient journey begins and our award winning customer care begins.

“ I felt as though an invisible force at Smile Essential like they were holding my hand through my whole trip at the dentist”

Miss FP

A wow dentist

We like to maintain our customer care with our existing patients, also ensuring that their journey to the dentist not only helps to keep their mouth healthy and teeth shiny. But our aim is to wow you at every dental visit! A welcoming smile is just standard at Smile Essential Dental Practice but we like to add something extra into your trip to the dentist whether that’s giving you an option of Pina-colada tooth polish, travel toothpastes for your holidays or perhaps just giving your teeth a magic coat of our desensitising serum; we aim to please.

Professional dentists

Also knowing that your in the hand of a true professional’s. Our dentists ongoing commitment and passion for dentistry is outstanding! Continually expanding their dental knowledge they bring you in-depth treatments, in a hi-tech and modern environment. You might be surprised by the number of different treatments now available with us.

Award winning dentist

Smile Essential Dental Practice Practice was awarded a top industry customer service award last year in March, based on feedback from WhatClinic.com customers over a period of 12 months. Only dental clinics that have an outstanding record of service and superior patient satisfaction record meet the high standards set by the online search engine. Patients rated dental clinics based on how well the practice had treated them, how quickly they were contacted and seen, and how happy they were with the treatment carried out on their teeth.

Principal Dentist Niket Patel said “We are delighted to be recognised for our continuing commitment to customer service and patient care.”

WhatClinic.com CEO Caelen King congratulated Smile Essential Dental Practice and said “These awards are based on real customer feedback, over many months. Last year, 15.2 million people from 237 countries and territories visited WhatClinic.com to help find the right clinic.

Do you need a dentist in Leicester?

If you need a dentist in Leicester then why not start your experience and our award winning customer care by getting in touch with our friendly team 0116 2891317 or drop us an email.

What Smart People Know About Wisdom Teeth…

Just how did wisdom teeth get their name?

Are they smarter than the rest of your teeth? Well wisdom teeth, or third molars, can be seen all the way at the back of the jaw. They are called wisdom teeth because they are the final teeth to develop. Third molars have been called the ‘teeth of wisdom’ since the 17th Century and later in the 19th century it evolved to just ‘wisdom teeth’.

Generally wisdom teeth appear between the ages of 17 and 25, the age where people reach adulthood, it is thought that they are called as such because they appear during the age when a person is much “wiser” than when the other teeth have erupted. We can see that the eruption of the wisdom teeth is a sign that you have gone way past the carefree days of being a child and you have entered the realm of responsible adulthood. Most adults have four wisdom teeth. However, it is also natural to have fewer.

Why do we have wisdom teeth?

Having wisdom teeth were once extremely useful, but now, it serves a little purpose because of the change in our dietary needs. As time went on, our eating habits have also changed. Coarse food was once in our diet, which caused teeth to wear down. As the teeth take up lesser space in the jaw over time, they were forced to work harder and develop a larger bone. This instance created room for the wisdom teeth in the mouth for them to come in. Nowadays, processed food and modern changes in dentistry made the wisdom teeth less important because of the reduced wearing down of the teeth, causing less space in the jaw for the wisdom teeth to be accommodated.

Will I need to have the wisdom teeth taken out?

No, if there is enough room they will usually come through into a useful position and cause no more problems than any other tooth. Once wisdom teeth were taken out routinely now dentists try to leave them alone if they aren’t causing frequent problems.

Will it hurt when the wisdom teeth come through?

Sometimes there will be some slight discomfort as they come through, but this is only temporary and will disappear once the tooth is fully in position. Often the teeth can move a little then stop for a few weeks or several months then come through a little more, causing temporary discomfort. Food and plaque trapping around the wisdom teeth is another common problem which can cause discomfort but with thorough toothbrushing and a good mouthwash this can keep problems at bay.

Remember if you have any concerns about your wisdom teeth and if you are cleaning them properly or worried that they may need to be removed then speak to your dentist.

Six Month Smile Cosmetic Braces- a great choice for adults

Six Month Smiles – How It Works from Six Month Smiles on Vimeo.

Well What a Surprise!

Well what a surprise and delight!

A ring at the doorbell, a parcel just for me and a lovely message spelt out in Thorntons super alphabet chocolates! They were beautifully presented with a brown organza bow, so looked spectacular as well as tasted delicious. It was so fitting that they came at this special time of year.

Thank you, thank you dear Lina and dear Shrik and the dear team. It was a privilege being looked after by you, only the very best of tip top dental treatment. You absolutely always made me feel that I had your total care, attention and detailed skill. I could not have had better dentistry, a dearer dental nurse to reassure me or better care from ‘behind the counter’.

I shall always remember you- I have known Dawn from coming to the dentist for such a long time.

Love from Sue

Pop! It’s a good dental snack…

Nothing goes better with a great blockbuster than freshly popped popcorn. But, popcorn can become a nutritional nightmare once it is drenched in butter, salt and sugar! But now a chemist called Joe Vinson and his team at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania have been looking at the neglected health benefits of plain, unadorned popcorn.

In a recent article it was explained that according to Vinson’s research, one serving of popcorn contains high levels of healthy antioxidants called polyphenols. “You’re getting about 200 milligrams of antioxidants per serving size, and for comparison purposes, an average person eats about two grams of polyphenols per day,” explained Vinson.

Fruits and vegetables are also high in this antioxidant, but because of their high water content the healthy antioxidants are diluted.

“So on a weight basis, popcorn is high in antioxidants because it doesn’t have water,” said Vinson.

In fact, the new study found that the amount of polyphenols found in popcorn was up to 300 milligrams per serving compared to 114 milligrams per serving of sweet corn and 160 milligrams per serving in any fruit. In addition, one serving of popcorn could provide 13 percent of an average intake of polyphenols a day per person in the U.S.

Polyphenols may combat deadly diseases like cancer and heart disease, but none of popcorn’s great health benefits are found in the white fluffy part of the food

“If you want the maximum benefit to your health – the fiber and the antioxidants – then you need to eat that little kernel, despite the fact that it sticks between your teeth,” Vinson said.

Researchers also said that microwaving, or air-popping, popcorn does not affect its antioxidant levels.

Despite its health benefits, popcorn cannot replace fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet because they contain other essential vitamins and minerals that are absent in popcorn.

Just remember to keep your popcorn sugar free and sprinkle it with things like cinnamon or ginger and if you must have a bit of sweetness than perhaps try a little sweetener like xylitol or stevia.

Are you afraid of the dental chair too?

I have been a patient at Smile Essential Dental Practice for several years now and I have been extremely satisfied with all the treatment I have received.

Shrik is by far the best dentist I have ever had, he is kind, gentle and always aware of my slight fear of the dentist’s chair! I would without doubt recommend this practice to anyone looking for a dental practice.

Ms M.K, Leicestershire

We do, do you?

I brush my teeth well so why should I floss?

A question you probably hear at every dental health check is ‘are you flossing?’ usually followed by a pause, then a confession.

But why floss? Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach like under the gum line and in-between your teeth. Not flossing is thought to be the equivalent of not brushing your teeth for 2 full days a week! It’s important because plaque buildup can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, daily flossing is highly recommended if you want to keep your teeth for the rest of your life.

How do I floss?

Starting with about half a metre of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving about 3-4cm to work with Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up and-down between your teeth Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth making a C shape, making sure you go beneath the gum line. Never force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue, after each tooth roll the dirty floss on to the finger and move on to the next tooth using using a clean section of floss. Continue to do this as you move from tooth to tooth until you have done all of the teeth. It’s quite likely that your gums may bleed during the early stages of flossing. Don’t let this deter you! This is a sign that you should definitely floss and any bleeding should resolve after 3-4 days.

You may have heard of dental floss and dental tape but what is the difference?

Dental tape is wider than floss. It’s good for getting into wider spaces between the teeth and removing larger food particles. Some people find it easier and much more comfortable to use than regular floss.
It’s also good for people who tend to “snap” dental floss between the teeth and for people who break or shred floss when flossing. Tape is generally thicker than floss, at Smile Essential Dental Practice we tend to recommend that our patients start and continue with dental tape as opposed to floss.

What if flossing is too tricky?

For a few flossing can be really tricky, medical conditions like Parkinson’s or arthritis can mean that flossing is just not possible.
But there are now many alternatives to flossing: floss sticks can be a great alternative to floss if your fingers are a little too big to fit inside your mouth or you find the floss a bit fiddly.

The dentists at Smile Essential Dental Practice often recommend tepe brushes which are a type of interdental cleaning brush. There are also fancy tech gadgets so if you love your electric toothbrush you might like to try using the Philips Sonicare Airfloss it sends pressurised air and microdroplets shooting in-between your teeth.

Remember if you have any questions about cleaning or are unsure if you should floss then speak to your dentist at your next dental health check.

Friday Fun! Mr Bean is late for the dentist

Dry Mouth?

Do you wake up in the morning with your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth? Do you feel the urge to drink lots of water? Perhaps you could be suffering from dry mouth known as the condition xerostomia.

Dry mouth affects about 10% of all people and is more prevalent in women than men. Disorders of saliva production affect elderly people and those who are taking prescription and nonprescription medications most frequently.

Why do you need saliva?

Your mouth needs saliva to be able to work properly. Saliva keeps your mouth moist, it helps to break down your food and helps you to swallow. It also acts as a cleanser, constantly washing around your mouth and teeth, fighting decay and helping to keep your teeth clean.

What are the symptoms of dry mouth?

Dry mouth like your mouth is full of cotton wool.

Thick and sticky saliva making it difficult to speak or swallow.

Sometimes people experience a prickly or burning sensation.

Sensitivity to certain rich, spicy or acidic foods.

Soreness of the mouth or it may look red and shiny

What causes dry mouth?

Dry mouth can be a symptom of many different problems. Most commonly it’s associated with medication, particularly heart, blood pressure and depression tablets. Sometimes it’s a direct result of a medical condition such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, alcoholic cirrhosis, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome or blocked salivary glands.

What problems can it cause?

Saliva helps to cancel out the acid that can attack your teeth and is a very important part of your dental health. Having less saliva can increase your risk of oral health problems. Saliva helps to break down food while you are chewing, allowing you to swallow more easily. Having less saliva can also affect the taste of food and makes it harder to eat drier foods. Sometimes it can affect your speech and it makes people more likely to have bad breath.

How can you ease the symptoms?

Frequently sipping on room temperature water.

Avoid fizzy and sugary drinks.

Only drink caffeinated drinks occasionally, as caffeine can help to dry the mouth out more.

Chew on sugar free gum to stimulate saliva flow.

Don’t smoke or drink alcohol.

If you’re concerned about dry mouth please contact us- 0116 2891317

Good Dental Health at Local School

It’s well publicised that Leicester has the highest dental decay rate of children in England. So we at Smile Essential Dental Practice take part in various activities across Leicester to help educate others in the importance of dental care. Our most recent trip out in the community was to help educate the young children aged around 5 in good dental health. The photos above show Claire and Emilia visiting a local Braunstone Primary school.

This was Smile Essentials second visit to the school and the children seemed to really enjoy themselves, partaking in activities to increase their awareness on the importance of brushing and limiting sugary foods/drinks.

Five year old children living in Leicester have the highest experience of dental decay observed in England.

The 2012 results show an increase in the proportion of children with dental decay in
Leicester from 48.7% in 2008 to 53.2% in 2012, equating to a percentage point
increase of 4.5%.
• At age 5, children normally have 20 primary teeth. On average, 5 year old children in
Leicester had just under 4 teeth (3.88) that were decayed, missing or filled.
• The average number of decayed, missing or filled teeth in the whole sample taken in
Leicester (including the 46.8% who were decay free) was 2.06. This was more than
double the national rate of 0.94.

There is a strategy now in place in Leicester with the NHS and Leicester City Council. The aim of the strategy is to support coordinated activity across Leicester City to improve oral health, reduce oral health inequalities and lay solid foundations for good oral health throughout life.

Their objectives are:

• Optimising exposure to fluoride
• Gain multi-partnership support in order for everyone to play a role in improving oral health
• Improve preventive and routine dental attendance
• Improve parental skills on caring for children’s oral health

How you can help?

• Ensure that your child brushes 2x a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Limit or eliminate the amount of sugary foods and drinks your child consumes
• Regularly attend for your dental care and treatment/prevention appointments
• Improve your child’s understanding of the importance of having healthy teeth and gums.

To find out about our preventative treatments available to all of our registered patients children click here

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