12 Days of Christmas Dental Tips

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for holiday cheer and keeping your smile bright! 🎄✨

Christmas may be filled with tempting treats, festive toasts, and indulgent buffets, but that doesn’t mean your oral health has to take a holiday!

We’re here to help you keep your smile merry and bright with our “12 Days of Christmas” guide – a seasonal collection of easy dental tips to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape from Christmas to the New Year.

12 Days of Christmas

Day 1: Set up a “tooth-friendly” snack zone
If you’re snacking at home or a party, consider creating a go-to spot with tooth-friendly choices like nuts, cheese, raw veggies, and fresh fruits. This makes it easy to steer clear of sugary snacks that can stick to teeth.

Day 2: Festive hydration
With sugary drinks everywhere, try to drink water between any festive beverages. Water helps rinse food particles and combats dry mouth, which can increase the risk of cavities.

Day 3: Wait before you brush
If you’ve enjoyed some festive bubbly or any acidic foods, hold off brushing for about an hour. Brushing too soon can spread the acids, weakening enamel and making teeth more prone to erosion.

Day 4: Choose turkey over sweet treats
Turkey is high in phosphorus and strengthens teeth. Try reaching for a helping of turkey instead of sugary snacks when possible. It’s a tasty choice that’s also great for dental health!

Day 5: Sing as you brush
Turn brushing into a festive moment! Singing a verse or two of your favourite festive song while you brush ensures you reach the recommended two minutes, making it fun and effective.

Day 6: Don’t risk it with wrapping
When wrapping or unwrapping gifts, avoid using your teeth to cut tape or rip packages. Using teeth as tools can lead to chips and cracks, which could mean a trip to the dentist.

Day 7: Pack a travel oral kit
If you’re travelling, pack a quick-to-go kit with essentials like a toothbrush, floss, and mini toothpaste. Keeping up your routine while away helps avoid plaque buildup and brightens your smile through the season.

Day 8: Swap sticky treats for dark chocolate
Opt for dark chocolate over sticky toffees and candies. Dark chocolate melts quickly and has less sugar, making it less likely to stick to teeth or cause decay than other treats.

Day 9: Mind your red wine smile
Red wine can stain teeth. To avoid discolouration, drink water between sips and consider eating cheese. Cheese contains calcium and helps neutralise acids, reducing potential staining.

Day 10: Limit buffet grazing
Eating continuously can increase acid production in your mouth. If you’re at a Christmas buffet, try to eat in set sessions rather than snacking all day. Choose foods like cheese, veggies, or lean proteins if you snack.

Day 11: Keep up the routine, even with late nights
Busy schedules and late nights can make it easy to skip brushing or flossing. But staying consistent with twice-daily brushing and flossing keeps plaque at bay, preventing issues after Christmas.

Day 12: Schedule a post-festive check-up
Start the New Year with a clean slate! Book a dental check-up to catch any early signs of tooth decay and give your smile a fresh start for the year ahead.

At Newby Dental Practice, we offer a range of incredible treatments, such as teeth whitening, dental implants and veneers, to give you the youthful, rejuvenated smile you deserve.

Book a consultation for 2025 – why spend another year with a smile you don’t love? – book here

The difference between a Dental Therapist and a Dental Hygienist

In the UK, dental therapists and hygienists are trained professionals who bring specialised skills to the practice, with therapists focusing on a broader range of dental procedures and hygienists emphasising preventative care.

What is a Dental Therapist?
A dental therapist is a registered dental professional with advanced qualifications and training to perform a variety of dental treatments. They work directly with patients or under the prescription of a dentist, offering a broad scope of care. Unlike dental hygienists, who focus on prevention, dental therapists are trained to carry out certain procedures that overlap with dentists’ work, making them an invaluable part of a dental team.

Main Responsibilities of a Dental Therapist
– Conduct full dental examinations and identify abnormalities in oral health
– Perform fillings and other restorative treatments, especially for children’s baby teeth
– Extract baby teeth when necessary
– Place crowns on baby teeth
– Scale and polish teeth to maintain oral hygiene
– Apply materials such as fluoride and fissure sealants for cavity prevention.
– Take dental X-rays and impressions of teeth
– Educate patients on oral hygiene, including tips for a healthy lifestyle

What is a Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a registered dental professional specialising in preventative oral care. Dental hygienists focus on helping patients maintain oral health through plaque removal, periodontal disease prevention, and oral hygiene education. They typically work independently with patients but may also, collaborate with dentists for specific treatments. Their expertise is primarily in preventing dental issues, making them essential for long-term oral health maintenance.

Main Responsibilities of a Dental Hygienist
– Conduct dental cleanings by removing plaque and tartar buildup
– Apply preventive treatments like sealants and fluoride to help reduce cavities
– Take dental X-rays to assist in diagnosing oral health issues
– Provide education on proper oral care practices, including guidance for dental implants and orthodontic appliances
– Develop treatment plans in collaboration with dentists to manage caries, periodontal disease, and tooth wear
– Diagnose and plan treatment within their scope of competence

To round up
By having dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists on our team, we can provide a high-quality, comprehensive approach to dental care that addresses a full range of oral health needs.

Whether you’re seeking preventive treatment from a hygienist or restorative care from a therapist, our team’s combined expertise ensures that you receive the most efficient, effective, and personalised care possible.

The Benefits of Microneedling with the Raffine Microneedling Pen

The Raffine microneedling pen, a state-of-the-art device that helps rejuvenate the skin by boosting skin luminosity and improving texture, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.

At Newby Dental we are always looking at treatments that will make you look and feel your best. Hello, Raffine microneedling pen!

The Raffine microneedling pen is a state-of-the-art device that helps rejuvenate the skin by boosting skin luminosity and improving texture, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.

What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses fine needles to create micro-injuries in the skin’s surface. This stimulates the body’s natural healing process, promoting collagen and elastin production. The result? A firmer, smoother, and more youthful complexion.

Benefits of using the Raffine Microneedling Pen
â—¦ Improved Skin Texture: The Raffine microneedling pen creates precise micro-channels that allow for better absorption of topical treatments, such as our specially formulated hyaluronic skin cocktails. These cocktails hydrate and nourish the skin, leaving it plump and radiant.
â—¦ Reduction of Fine Lines and Wrinkles: By promoting collagen production, microneedling helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leading to a smoother skin surface.
â—¦ Improved Pigmentation: Microneedling can effectively target uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation, resulting in a more uniform complexion.
â—¦ Customisable Treatment: Each session will be tailored to your specific skin needs, ensuring optimal results based on individual skin concerns.
â—¦ Synergistic Treatments for Optimal Results: Microneedling can be combined with other aesthetic treatments for even more profound results. Our practice offers complementary therapies such as polynucleotides, dermal fillers, and wrinkle relaxation treatments.

A Gentle and Effective Approach
Dr Annie O’Sullivan is dedicated to providing gentle, effective treatments that prioritise your comfort and satisfaction. Her commitment to achieving natural-looking results ensures that you will leave feeling revitalised and confident.

So, if you’re looking to boost your skin’s appearance and address concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation, consider microneedling with the Raffine microneedling pen at our practice. With Annie’s expertise and a holistic approach that incorporates various aesthetic treatments, you can achieve stunning, natural results that help you feel your best.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact our friendly team at Newby Dental Practice today – Info@NewbyDental.co.uk

Your journey to radiant skin starts here.

Take control of your health this October by quitting smoking with Stoptober.

Stoptober is back, offering smokers across England the chance to quit for 28 days and improve their chances of quitting for good by five times.

Over 2.5 million people have already successfully quit with the help of this annual campaign, and now is the perfect time for you to join them.

Why Quit Smoking for Stoptober?

Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health. With over 64,000 smoking-related deaths each year in England, smoking is the single largest cause of preventable illness and death.

Here are five key reasons why Stoptober is the perfect time to stop smoking:

1. Quit for 28 days, and you’re five times more likely to quit for good
Studies show that committing to quitting for 28 days dramatically increases your chances of staying smoke-free permanently. Stoptober has already helped over 2.5 million people quit smoking—now it’s your turn to boost your chances of success by taking part.

2. Immediate health benefits
The health improvements begin almost immediately once you stop smoking. Within days, your lung function starts to improve, and over time, your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer decreases significantly. Smokers lose an average of 10 years of life, but quitting can help you regain many of those years.

3. Support makes a difference
Quitting smoking is much easier with the right support, and Stoptober offers plenty of it. The Better Health campaign provides access to the NHS Quit Smoking app, a 28-day email programme, a local stop smoking service locator. Many services even offer free vape starter kits, making it easier to transition away from cigarettes.

4. It’s never too late to quit
Whether it’s your first or tenth attempt, it’s never too late to quit smoking. Stoptober is a fresh opportunity to try again. Even if you’ve struggled before, the tools and support available this year can help make this attempt your last.

5. Financial and social benefits
Beyond health, quitting smoking can save you a significant amount of money. The average smoker spends thousands of pounds a year on cigarettes. By quitting, you’ll have more disposable income, which can be spent on things that bring you joy, rather than something that harms your health. Additionally, quitting smoking can positively influence those around you, including family and friends who may be motivated to quit as well.

With over 5 million smokers still in England, by stopping smoking for 28 days during Stoptober, you’ll not only experience immediate health benefits but also be five times more likely to quit for good.

Signs Of Gum Disease

Gum Disease is very avoidable. It’s usually the case of bad hygiene and oral health. Gum disease is where the gums become swollen, red, sore and bleed. It can be prevented by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing and getting regular checkups and dental hygiene appointments.

Gum Disease image

Signs of Gum Disease

Signs and Symptoms of gum disease can include:

  • Swollen or inflamed gums
  • Gums that bleed easily
  • Gums that feel sensitive and tender
  • Bright red/purple coloured gums
  • Bad Breath
  • Pus between gums and teeth
  • Loose teeth/loss of teeth
  • painful chewing

Typical Causes of Gum Disease

Gum Disease, also known as Periodontitis is a serious gum infection which damages the soft tissue around the teeth. It tends to start with plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance made up of bacteria from the mouth. Here’s how Plaque can develop into Periodontitis:

  • Plaque, which forms on your teeth when sugars and starches in food cause a reaction with the bacteria, likely to be come in your mouth. Make sure you are brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day to prevent this from happening.
  • Tartar, which is plaque that hardens under the gumline and turns into tartar. It is very difficult to remove, you need professional dental cleaning to remove it. Plaque and tarter can do a lot of damage the longer it stays on your teeth as they’re filled with bacteria.
  • Gingivitis, which is the mildest form of gum disease. Gingivitis is swelling and irritation of the gum tissue around the base of your teeth. It can be solved professionally with a dentist and good home oral care as early as possible as it can lead to bone loss.
  • Periodontitis, which is caused by swelling of the gum, gum irritation and inflammation. Over time this causes deep pockets to form between your gums and teeth, these are filled with plaque, bacteria and tartar. if not treated, it can cause the loss of tissue and bone.

Worried about your dental health?

If you are currently going through or experienced any of these signs or symptoms then please schedule a dental hygiene appointment or dental exam at Newby Dentist practice today!

We are happily taking on new patients and want to give you a warm welcome into our family dental practice.

Book now via this link

hygine photo

Look At This Tooth Whitening Transformation!

Teeth Whitening Results - before and after (WM)

Say hello to your new brighter, whiter and confident smile that will simply improve your look.

Boutique Tooth whitening is a premium tooth whitening product that improves the colour of your natural teeth safely. It works with the use of special trays, made especially for you. You can use it during the day, or overnight for those that have a busy lifestyle.

Are you ready for your smile makeover? Don’t hesitate and get in contact with us and let’s start your journey that is going to boost your smile confidence today!

Invest In Your Smile With Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening treatment improve the colour of your natural teeth safely, in the comfort of your own home. Having a brighter, whiter smile is the simplest yet most effective way to boost your confidence!

The Product

Here at Newby Dental Practice, we use Boutique whitening. Boutique is a premium tooth whitening product. Not only is this the product we recommend for our patients, it is what we use ourselves.
Get that whiter smile you have always wanted with Boutique in just a few weeks! Now everybody has different situations and everybody’s oral health is completely different. We do need to have an appointment with you beforehand to check you are dentally fit for the teeth whitening. This is a free consultation with our treatment coordinator, where you will discuss the time frame and cost of your whitening experience.

How Does it work?

Boutique whitening works with the use of special trays (think gum shields, or retainers. They look similar to this) which are made specifically for you. We will take an impression of your teeth and send it off to the lab, where your trays are then made. These will then be sent back to us, where we then will contact you and have you come in to try them on to check they are comfortable and fit well. There are two ways of using the whitening. Either during the day or over night. Depending on your lifestyle, we have the option to suit you best! You will then be sent with your Day/Night kit and your whitening journey begins.

Dental treatments such as crowns or fillings are not affected by the whitening, therefore will not change colour. As the colour of your teeth lighten during your whitening experience, any dark areas within your teeth may show and become more obvious, therefore you may want to discuss this with us, to see how we can improve and correct these. Your fresh new pearly whites are just as important to us as they are to you! So what are you waiting for? Contact us now on 01723 670500 to book your consultation.

Scarborough & District Minor League Football Sponsors

Newby Dental Practice is proud to announce that we are now supporting Scarborough & District Minor League football. Our sponsorship will help support the league so that they can improve the way that football works for families. They do this using two initiatives:

Firstly, using the Fixture List Planner. This has been rolled out to over 150 youth leagues, generating thousands of pounds for youth football across England and Wales. This has helped to raise the profile of each league in their community.

Secondly, the Pitch Finder Handbook is used by tens of thousands of families each week to find out how to get to their next game.

These initiatives, are not only aimed at tackling problems within youth football leagues, but to help raise the profile of youth football in the community. Football is a large part of community in England and Wales, but the cost of running the clubs is constantly rising, making it more difficult to fund. This is why we are the proud sponsors of Scarborough & District Minor Leagues football. We believe that community is very important in keeping people happy and healthy so we wanted to do our part to help the club keep up their fantastic work!

Need A Break From The Hot Weather?

As we enter the heatwave, a trip to the dentist may be the last thing on your mind. However, all of our surgeries are supplied with air conditioning, designed to keep you cool, so now may be the perfect time to book an appointment! Why sit in a sweltering hot room when you could be sat back and relaxed in a refreshing dental surgery?

As the hot weather approaches you may be inclined to indulge on more ice creams or ice lollies. It is important that you try to reduce the frequency that you eat these high sugar treats, as well as maintaining an oral hygiene routine. Book an appointment to see your dentist to make sure your teeth are in the best condition to start the summer. Call us on 01723 670500.

Want to know how to manage a knocked out tooth?

As the weather warms up and we head into summer, you are probably anxious to spend time outdoors. Maybe you and your family enjoy bike riding or playing sports. Always remember that safety comes first. You probably know that it is a good idea to wear a helmet while riding a bike or playing sports. However, you may not have given thought to the importance of wearing a sports guard when participating in vigorous outdoor activities. A sports guard can go a long way in preventing dental trauma. Once such dental injury you can avoid is an avulsed tooth. An avulsed tooth is the term dentists use to describe a tooth that has been knocked out. If you are faced with a tooth avulsion, chances are good that the tooth can be saved and re-implanted if the proper steps are taken immediately.

Follow these tips to increase your chances of saving the avulsed tooth:

  • Carefully handle the tooth and avoid touching the root as it can be easily damaged.
  • If the tooth needs to be cleaned, hold it by the crown and rinse it with milk. If you don’t have milk, gently rinse it with water. Allow it to air dry.
  • The tooth must be kept moist. You can place it in a cup of milk. If milk is unavailable you can store it in your mouth, between your gum and cheek. A child may not be able to safely keep the tooth in his mouth. In this case, you can have the child spit in a cup and put the tooth in the saliva. If this is not possible, you can simply keep the tooth in water. The idea is to keep the tooth from drying out.
  • You can try to slip the tooth back into its socket. If this is an adult tooth. There’s a good chance it will slip right back in. You shouldn’t force it. Make sure it is facing the correct way. If the tooth won’t easily go back in place, then simply store it to keep it moist until you see us.
  • It is important to contact us immediately to increase the chances of re-implanting the tooth successfully.