Please be aware that we are closed Easter Friday 18th April and Easter Monday 21st April.  We resume normal hours on Tuesday 22nd April.  We wish you and your families a good break.

On Monday 24^th March all of the Tavistock Team took part in a refresher for Basic Life Support Training.

They are all now retrained in CPR and using the defibrillator if required.

We have now invested in some new toothbrushes and interdental brushes that are Eco Friendly.

Toothbrushes - are plastic-free, with a biodegradable handle.

Interdental brushes - are sustainable and biodegradable, each pack has a variety of different sizes in to suit all needs.

We are an “Invisalign GO” practice as Henrietta has completed her certification to become an Invisalign GO provider.

This is a system which uses clear plastic aligners which focusses on your front teeth and gradually move them into a more aesthetic position.

Using up to 20 aligners, in many cases treatment can be completed in as little as 6 months!

We are running low on books for our charity bookcases.

If you have any used books you would be able to donate to us we would really appreciate them.

Please pop them to reception either on your next visit or when able to.

Many thanks from the Tavistock Team!

Most of us understand how important it is to brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, there is more mystery surrounding flossing.

Flossing is a common method of “interdental cleaning” which means cleaning between the teeth.  It helps to remove debris and plaque that can be hard to remove with a regular toothbrush.  An increasingly popular alternative to floss are “interdental brushes” – handheld toothbrushes designed specifically for use between the teeth.

Tavistock House Dental Practice recommend their adult patients perform interdental cleaning daily.  Recent research has also demonstrated that interdental cleaning before brushing is the best way to clean our teeth effectively.

The study found that flossing loosens bacteria and food debris from between the teeth, which allows brushing to be much more successful at removing plaque.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, believes the findings of the study illustrate why it is so important to make interdental cleaning part of our daily routine.

Dr Carter says: “While brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is absolutely essential for a good oral health routine, this study shows that interdental cleaning also has a big part to play when it comes to keeping our teeth and gums healthy.

The Oral Health Foundation’s Guide to Interdental Brushing

Interdental brushes come in a range of different sizes, from as thin as 0.4mm to as thick as 1.5mm. Whichever one you use should fit between your teeth snugly but comfortably; you shouldn’t have to use much force. You may find you need to use a couple of different sizes, but the best way to find out is to ask your dentist or hygienist the next time you have an appointment.

1. Hold the interdental brush between your thumb and forefinger.
2. Gently place the brush through the gap between your teeth – don’t force the brush through the gap.
3. Brush in and out of each space between your teeth.

Tavistock Top Tip!

Using a small amount of fluoride toothpaste or Corsodyl gel on the Interdental brush and “pre-bending” it will help it glide between your teeth and stop it catching.

If you have any questions or would like assistance looking after your oral health, Tavistock House can help – call us on 01296 481615 or alternatively request an appointment here.

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^{Mazhari F & Boskababy M et al. (2018) The effect of toothbrushing and flossing sequence on interdental plaque reduction and fluoride retention: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Wiley: Journal of Periodontology. 2018 Jul;89(7):824-832}

In 2013, for the safety of the general public, the High Court confirmed that only dental professionals may legally carry out tooth whitening, therefore reinforcing the GDC position that tooth whitening is the practice of dentistry and can only safely and legally be offered by registered dental professionals in the case of GDC v Jamous [2013] EWHC 1428. This is regardless of the products used, as any form of prescribed whitening fall under the umbrella of dental treatment and not "merely cosmetic treatment".  Read more here.

You may have recently seen articles in the press regarding numerous prosecutions against unqualified individuals and companies carrying this out illegally and (being without the correct training and knowlege of dental professsionals) potentially dangerously.

There are many risks involved in the unqualified or inexperienced performing whitening such as major damage to the teeth, gums as well as other parts of the mouth, in addition to, allergic reactions, and severe burns.

The good news is that there is no need to take such risks. Tavistock House's professional tooth whitening service is tailored to your personal requirements and is always subject to a prior no-obligation assessment to ensure suitability. This assessment is carried out free of charge to our patients.

Tavistock offers a full-service including Philips Zoom whitening and a customised home-whitening kit, or alternatively a home kit only.  Depending on individual tooth colours different treatments respond better to one or other type of whitening.

Request appointmentMore about tooth whitening

Further reading

More Zoom whitening pictures

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-46427500

https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/increased-fines-prove-that-illegal-tooth-whitening-does-not-pay