X

Important COVID-19 UpdateMore Info

Dear Valued Aardent Dental Centre Patient, It seems that all we hear and talk about these days is COVID-19(Coronavirus). Nevertheless, we want to reassure you that we are taking extra measures in addition to our usual stringent hygiene practices. The health of our patients, staff and anyone who enters the building is of paramount importance to us. We are taking a multitude of precautions as recommended by the appropriate health authorities (and some of our own). These include,

  • Spacing of waiting room chairs by a minimum of 1.5meters.
  • Removal of magazines, newspapers and children’s toys from the waiting room.
  • Offering patients to wait in their cars if they prefer.
  • Insisting that all people who enter the building use hand sanitiser (provided).
  • Asking all people to practice high levels of cough/sneezing hygiene.
  • Requesting that anyone with a temperature/flu like symptoms contact us and postpone their dental appointment.
  • Regularly sanitising building surfaces like doorknobs etc.
  • Requiring patients for some procedures to rinse with 1% hydrogen peroxide solution (known to kill coronavirus in the mouth).
  • Availability of non-contact body temperature devices for patient screening if the situation escalates.

Please rest assured that we are open for business and able to continue our excellent level of treatment for you.

As you will be aware the situation is ever changing as will be our response. We will endeavour to keep you informed along the way.

Kindest regards,

Richard Williams

and the

Aardent Dental Centre Team

What You Need to Know About Flouride

by | Nov 9, 2020 | Dental Care

woman brushing teeth

There seem to be many myths and questions floating around these days about fluoride, and whether it is beneficial for your teeth and body. There are many conspiracy theories created by the spread of misinformation, however, since the use of fluoride has become more mainstream the rates of tooth decay have noticeably decreased. To clear up some common rumours and to help increase the education on fluoride and how it is important for preventative dentistry, we have compiled some information on what you need to know about fluoride.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral that is found in many places, from your teeth to rocks, plants and water. It is a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent teeth from decaying through remineralisation. As fluoride can help prevent tooth decay, it is often used in preventive dentistry, including being added to toothpaste and other dental treatments, and is usually applied to teeth during a dental check-up. It is also added in small, safe amounts to many drinking water supplies, in what is known as fluoridation.

Does it damage your teeth?

One of the myths surrounding fluoride is that it can actually damage some people’s teeth, when in fact it does the opposite. The origins of this myth are due to a lesser-known condition known as Fluorosis that can occur in children with developing teeth. This cosmetic condition leaves the appearance of white patches on the teeth, however, no harmful damage to the teeth occurs. This is not a common issue and has decreased in recent years with the development of low-fluoride toothpaste for children. If the correct overall dosage of fluoride is used there are only beneficial effects.

Can it cause cancer?

No!! This damaging urban myth is a complete falsehood and one that has somehow lived on even after years of being proven incorrect. In fact, it is likely that the opposite is true, as having poor preventive dentistry including long-term tooth decay, and other related issues, are thought to be a cause for oral cancer in some people. The theory that fluoride causes cancer originated from a study involving the exposure of fluoride to rats, however, this study has never been replicated and it involved a much higher use of fluoride than you would ever find in drinking water supplies or within a tube of toothpaste.

How fluoride can help you

The truth is we are lucky to have discovered fluoride and how it can benefit us and our oral health. The decision to add small, safe amounts of fluoride to drinking water supplies will likely be seen in years to come as an easy yet extremely effective way to reduce tooth decay and oral health problems in large populations of people. Therefore, incorporating fluoride into your preventive dentistry regime will help keep plaque at bay and assist your teeth in staying healthy.