Author Archives: Smile Essential

Brushing and Flossing Techniques

It is very important to invest in a good toothbrush to help maintain effective brushing and prevent gum disease. There are so many toothbrushes on the market, it can be difficult to know what to buy. We recommend a Philips Sonicare rechargeable electric toothbrush as being one of the best toothbrushes on the market.

There are 5 simple steps that you can use for effective brushing.

1. Always look in a mirror whilst brushing. It sounds so simple but many people do not use a mirror and hence cannot see where they are brushing and so miss cleaning certain areas.

2. Use a methodical approach, concentrating on one tooth at a time.

3. Make sure that you brush the outside, inside and biting surfaces of the teeth.

4. Try to begin brushing in a different place everyday to ensure that you do not neglect any particular area.

5. Toothbrushing should last for at least two minutes (A good tip is, if you listen to the radio in the morning you should brush for the duration of 1-2 songs).

Flossing techniques

Some people say that they spend a long time brushing their teeth and therefore they do not need to floss, this is not the case. Although the bristles of a tooth brush are fine, collectively they are still to thick to get in-between the teeth effectively. It is very easy to forget that teeth have more than two surfaces and they all need the same care and attention, especially as food can get trapped in-between teeth and if left it can cause decay/ carries/cavities. The only way to remove this is by flossing.

1. Take about 45-50cm (18inches) of floss and wind the ends around your middle fingers, leaving a short distance between them.

2. Using your thumb and first finger, gently move the floss between your teeth and wrap in a C shape around the tooth.

3. Guide the floss to where the tooth meets the gum, but take care not to damage the gum by flossing too vigorously

4. Then move the floss up and down the tooth. During use the floss spreads out for more effective plaque removal.

Interdental (Tepe) Brushes

Interdental (Tepe) brushes are small pocket sized brushes that are available to buy in different sizes. A dentist would recommend what size is best for the patient, and some people are advised to use two different sized brushes corresponding to the size of the gaps between teeth.

For the ultimate feeling of a fresh mouth, don’t forget to use a tongue scraper as your tongue harbors many bacteria that can cause bad breath.

Should you need any further advice on brushing and flossing techniques, speak to one of our team members who will be happy to help you.

Dental floss makes great washing line?

Crazy, that’s what we thought when Scott Mills announced on his recent BBC Radio 1 show, that  if you’re on holiday, or anywhere where you need to hang your freshly washed clothes to dry and don’t have access to a clothes line then simply tie a length of floss between two chairs and suspend your washing until it dry’s. We’re yet to try it out ourselves, although I’m not sure the line could handle anything heavier than your swimsuit.

Of course the best use for floss is the one it’s designed for, cleaning those areas of your teeth that your toothbrush just can’t reach!

They say water is good for you but do your teeth think so?

Of course they do, unless however your water has bubbles in it. Drinking sparkling mineral water is the same as drinking other non-sugar or diet fizzy drinks. While these drinks do not contain sugar they are acidic and can lead to acid erosion of the tooth surface which in turn can lead to sensitive teeth and excessive tooth surface loss.

If you can’t make the bubbles a complete thing of the past then…

  • Drink them through a straw- the acid has less chance to attack the teeth
  • Only have fizzy drinks occasionally- children especially should have not have fizzy drinks regularly
  • Wait at least half an hour before brushing, to give your teeth a change to break down the acid.

 If your teeth are sensitive you should…

  •  Tell your dentist! Acid erosion is not the only cause of sensitivity.
  • Limit your intake of acidic drinks and food such as red wine, fizzy drinks, citrus fruits and fruit juices
  • Use a desensitising toothpaste to brush your teeth

The dentists at Smile Essential advice that drinking plain (still) water is best!

What are Porcelain Veneers?

“Everytime I read a magazine, a celebrity is said to have had veneers. I can see their teeth look nice, but what actually are porcelain veneers?”

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain bonded over the front surface of the teeth. They are long lasting, stain-resistant and can be a very natural looking restoration. Porcelain is very versatile; it can be used to lengthen, widen and whiten. We customise them personally to you, choosing the exact shape, colour etc.

There’s a whole host of reasons patients may have porcelain veneers. Placed on misaligned crooked teeth they can give the appearance of perfectly straight teeth, they can cover stained, discolored teeth or be applied to whiten and brighten the entire smile. We can bond longer porcelain veneers to worn or chipped teeth to make them look younger and stronger. Or they can be made to match the surrounding existing teeth, too. We would need to see you for a consultation to determine exactly what it were you needed and whether veneers were a suitable option.

Are you anxious about visiting the dentist?

Many patients avoid or put off going to see a dentist, sometimes for years at a time because they are nervous or anxious.

Smile Essential is a very special dental practice focused on personal service delivered with kindness and compassion.  All of our dentists are highly trained in treating nervous patients and will take the time to get to know you and to find out what your particular anxieties about visiting a dentist are before then offering a tailor made solution.

Our main priority is to make your experience with us a truly calm and comfortable one. We understand that each patient’s experiences, both past and present are truly unique. Our inviting surroundings have been specially designed with you in mind and you will welcome the warmth of our patient lounge, where every details has been considered and created for your pleasure and convenience:  comfortable sofas, lcd tv, aromatic oil burners, calming music and a varied selection of upto date magazines.  Whilst in our consultation rooms we have Ipod docking stations playing relaxing music and a DVD library for your viewing pleasure to help our patients get the care they want and deserve.

Why not come and visit us, see the practice, meet some of the team and enjoy a coffee? – There’s really no need to venture into see the dentist until you’re feeling more at home here!

Don’t let the whiteness fade

We often get asked how to maintain the colour of your teeth after they have been whitened, so here’s our handy tips…

  1. See your dentist/ hygienist for professional cleaning at the recommended time interval (usually every 3-6mths)
  2. If drinks have a high stain potential, use a straw
  3. Remember to brush shortly after you have drinks that are highly staining. If you can’t, try to rinse with lots of water.
  4. Avoid abrasive toothpastes which may wear the enamel, exposing more of the darker substructure in your tooth (the dentine)
  5. Don’t smoke!

Finally, use a home whitening kit to give you a little boost occasionally!

Why Choose Smile Essential for your Dental Care?

1. Our enthusiastic team of dentists

All of our dentists are passionate about their work.  They are caring and friendly, and most of all they enjoy helping you to smile with confidence. 

2. Our friendly, helpful staff

We work hard at making every part of your visit pleasant, relaxing and memorable, from your welcome at reception to the way in which our dentists listen to your concerns. 

3. Our modern approach to dentistry

We constantly invest in the very latest dental equipment, training and technology to ensure we can offer the most up-to-date treatment possible. 

4. Our emphasis on preventive care

We want all our patients to have healthy teeth and gums.  We work closely with each of them to create a regular oral healthcare routine that is individually tailored to their needs, offering advice on cleaning, diet and lifestyle.

5. Respect for your time

Time is precious and nobody likes waiting. Here at Smile Essential in Leicester we respect our patient’s time and ensure they are our priority.

6. A stress-free experience

We have done everything we can to make this a stress-free dental experience.

The minute you enter, you walk into a relaxing oasis of calm and tranquillity. To ensure we achieve this we offer  our clients the benefits of a relaxing Patient Lounge with a range of the latest fashion and lifestyle magazines, calming background music and satellite TV.  Our treatment rooms are complemented by having the options of a CD library with a range of music and ceiling-mounted LCD screens showing relaxation DVD’s (or your favourite movie!).   Scented aromatherapy candles will be lit in the Patient Lounge and treatment rooms to create a relaxed environment where dentistry is the last thing on your mind.

7. Flexible payment options

We recognise many of our clients’ have to consider their finance options prior to embarking on cosmetic dental treatments. We aspire to provide leading edge cosmetic dentistry at affordable prices and aim to offer each of our clients a flexible payment scheme suitable to their personal circumstances. An interest free finance option allows our clients to spread the costs of their treatment.

8. Our Aim

Quite simply our aim is to make Smile Essential the best dental practice in Leicester, for the benefit of our patients as well as our team.

Smile Essential of Leicester scoop triple success at Dentistry Awards 2009

Smile Essential has achieved outstanding triple success at the prestigious Dentistry Awards 2009 held at The Athena in Leicester.

They have come away as worthy winners of Best Dental Team (Midlands), Most Improved Website (National), Highly Commended for Best Practice (Midlands) and dentist Shrikesh Kotecha of Smile Essential was also shortlisted as finalists for Best Young Dentist (Midlands).

These regional awards launched by Dentistry magazine have been created to recognise outstanding individuals, teams and practices who have an active interest in continuing professional development and staying at the top of the dental profession.

“We went to the awards with a very humble attitude knowing that whether we won or not we would continue to strive for the very best dental care for our patients. Winning the awards is testament to the hard work and determination that all of our dentists, nurses and reception team show to our patients who travel from not only Leicestershire but even as far afield as Spain and Australia.  Naturally, we are absolutely thrilled to have come away with the prestigious awards and will continue to provide the high level of care to our NHS and private patients for many more years to come” says Lina Kotecha, a joint partner at the practice.

The awards have a unique format with the UK being divided into nine regions to recognise outstanding young individuals, teams and practices.

There were three awards (Best Young Dentist, Best Team, Best Practice) for each region, as well as an overall UK winner in each category.

Nominations for the awards were collated earlier in the year, with a select panel of judges finalising the shortlist and winners ahead of the evening itself.