Menu
Moonlight - Main logo
header icon1 header icon2 header icon3 header icon4 header icon5
  • Wentworth Avenue
  • Slough
  • Berkshire
  • SL2 2DG

A A A

  • Wentworth Avenue
  • Slough
  • Berkshire
  • SL2 2DG
google rating thumb1

Our August 2023 Newsletter….

23rd August 2023


Hello There! We’re pleased to share our August newsletter. We hope you are all keeping well. In this months newsletter we share some information on how alcohol impacts your oral health. We also share some information about the ongoing trend of people going to Europe to get their teeth ‘fixed’ and the hidden dangers in doing so. Additionally we’ve also included our usual updates, question of the month and team news!. How alcohol impacts your oral health….
Alcohol is a risk factor for oral and other cancers, cardiovascular disease, liver cirrhosis and trauma. The risk of oral cancer is six times higher in those who drink alcohol compared to non-drinkers. Alcohol is the primary cause of liver cancer and is also a risk factor for breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Alcohol is absorbed from the stomach into the blood stream and affects the central nervous system. Alcohol is a depressant and for some people can give rise to violent and irrational behaviour. Excessive alcohol consumption leads to liver damage, alcohol dependency, memory loss, cardiovascular disease, stomach ulcers, impotence, low birth weight babies, impaired motor skills, skin damage and early ageing.
 Does drinking alcohol affect my teeth and gums?
Alcoholic drinks such as white wine, beer and cider can be very acidic. This will cause erosion of the enamel on your teeth, possibly leading to pain and sensitivity. Spirits such as vodka and whiskey are very high in alcohol and will give you dry mouth. Many mixers and alcopops are high in sugar. This can cause dental decay.
How does this happen?
When you eat or drink anything acidic, your teeth come under an ‘acid attack’ for up to one hour. During this time, your enamel is weakened and your saliva is working to return the mouth to a neutral pH level. Because drugs reduce the amount of saliva you produce, this process will take much longer than usual and your teeth could be under attack for long periods of time. When you eat or drink anything that contains sugar, it reacts with the plaque in your mouth and produces plaque acids. It is these acids that attack our teeth and cause dental decay.
How can I look after my oral health?
You should brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, using a fluoride toothpaste that contains between 1350-1500 ppm (parts per million) fluoride. You should not brush your teeth for one hour after you have eaten or drank anything. If you brush your teeth before this time, you might brush away small particles of softened enamel, which can lead to dental erosion .Cleaning in-between your teeth with interdental brushes, tape or floss will help to prevent any plaque or debris from building-up and reduce the risk of decay and gum disease. If you want to use a mouthwash, this can be very useful. However, do not use the mouthwash within one hour of brushing your teeth. This will wash away the fluoride from the toothpaste and leave your teeth at risk of tooth decay. Mouthwash should not replace regular tooth brushing. To help reduce tooth decay, cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks. If your dentist believes that you are at a high risk of dental decay, due to either drugs, alcohol or a sugary diet, he may prescribe a high-fluoride toothpaste for you to use to help to protect the teeth.
Team Update….Happy Work Anniversary Katie! 

This month our lovely receptionist Katie celebrated her 6 year anniversary of working with us! Here’s to many more! 🙂 Feel free to follow us on social media for more team news.We Are Listening….We want you to know that we take any kind of feedback seriously here at Moonlight Dental Surgery. Each month we take a look at all our patient reviews and feedback, we analyse the results and determine any outstanding trends or concerns that need attention.

In the past month we have continued to receive repetitive feedback about cancellation of appointments. We want to assure you that we do everything in our power to prevent cancelling patient appointments. The only times we will cancel an appointment is if there is insufficient staff or if there is an equipment failure that could cause a health and safety risk. We really don’t like having to cancel appointments and cause inconvenience to our patients.

We thank you for your patience and continued understanding. Question of The Month….Each month we publish a question that one of our patients has asked. 
This month’s question was:
Q: What is the current waiting time for an NHS appointment?
A: Currently we are able to offer patients an appointment within 2 – 3 weeks. We continue to strive to reduce this time. Social Media Check-Up….Feel free to follow us for more updates….

Are ‘Turkey Teeth’ all they’re cracked up to be?….

“Turkey teeth” – what do you need to know?
You will likely have seen the headlines by now – “Turkey teeth” are ruining people’s smiles across the UK! Is it true? What do you need to know if you were thinking about getting dental treatment abroad? How can you save your teeth from disaster when looking for a smile makeover?

The problem
The recent BBC documentary – and various stories shared across social media – have put a spotlight on the individuals who have travelled abroad for cosmetic dental treatment. There are many examples of individuals travelling overseas for crowns, having a significant portion of their teeth filed down in the process.

Why is this a problem?
For a start, you do not always need to remove that much natural (and often healthy) tooth tissue to achieve a stunning result. It is unnecessarily invasive and harmful in the long-term. This procedure can cause lasting sensitivity and pain, and increases the risk of abscesses and devitalisation (effectively ‘death’) of the teeth.
Some of the stories suggest poor communication by the dental team who offer ‘veneers’ and then provide crowns. Veneers are far less invasive as they are roughly half as thick as crowns and simply attach onto the front of the teeth instead of needing lots of tooth structure destroyed. This means that veneers tend to be easier to repair or replace over time than crowns – crowns should be the last resort for most people.
The other issue is that the quality of the dentistry provided has come into question. Not all countries have the same strict regulation and high standards that we have in the UK, so the quality of products and techniques used may not be as good. Similarly, the after-care might not be as thorough because this would require patients to travel back to the practice at a later date for reviews – which is often not included in the original treatment plan and therefore added expense for the patient.

Choose carefully
I
t’s important to understand that there are many fantastic dentists working outside the UK. Some of the most highly skilled and talented dentists are trained overseas, as well as in the UK. The problem is that people do not always know what to look for and are often persuaded by cost of treatment alone.
Whether in the UK, Turkey or elsewhere, your dental care provider should be chosen carefully. They must be reputable, be closely regulated and the professional team must be adequately trained to deliver the treatment they are offering. All of these things are much more important that the cost of treatment. Buying cheap often means buying again – but when it comes to your teeth, once they are destroyed you cannot grow them back.

Ask the question
If you are thinking about improving your smile, make sure you do your homework. Speak to us before making any final decisions – you may be surprised about how much value and peace of mind we can offer while creating the smile of your dreams. Our dentists are members of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD), which means they are among the most skilled, educated and passionate dentists providing cosmetic dental treatment in the world. They offer an array of procedures that can help to enhance so much more than just the appearance of your teeth. Plus, you can do all this without destroying your natural teeth or risking years of pain.
We’re here for you and very happy to answer questions you may have about your teeth, so please get in touch if you’d like to know more.IN CLOSINGThe strength of our clinic grows from the recommendations of our patents. We are currently in a position to accept new patients and find that the very best way to get more patients like you is by personal referral.  We are very grateful if you choose to spread the word about Moonlight Dental Surgery’s professional and caring service. You can keep up with us online and leave reviews here:
       
 We will be in touch again in a month or so with our next newsletter. In the meantime, stay safe and keep smiling! Kindest regards,All at Moonlight Dental Surgery  Moonlight Dental SurgeryWentworth Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL2 2DG
01753 526301
[email protected] – www.moonlightdental.co.ukYou are receiving this email because you are a patient or friend of Moonlight Dental Surgery. 
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
Back to blog

Get in touch

Ask us a question

General Dentistry

Speak to us about looking after your smile

Learn More

Teeth Straightening Slough

Ask about Invisalign’s tailored treatment plan

Learn More
footer icon1 footer icon2 footer icon3 footer icon4 footer icon5
impoer icon1

Moonlight Dental Surgery. Wentworth Avenue, Slough Berkshire SL2 2DG

Translate »