If you were watching Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies back in January, you might have seen Jay, 21, a patient who hadn’t brushed his teeth for 20 years – essentially his whole life.
As a child, Jay hadn’t been pressured to take care of his teeth, and this led to him developing a fear of the dentist, making the problem worse. He admitted in the clip, “Over the years, I’ve eaten the wrong foods, I’ve drunk lots of fizzy drinks, and I haven’t really brushed them, I haven’t flossed.”
What happens when you don’t brush your teeth? In Jay’s case, the result was 20-years’ worth of plaque and tartar build-up which had significantly decayed his teeth.
But in a bid to save Jay’s smile, the programme’s dentist Dr James Russell was able to give his teeth a professional clean to get a clearer picture of the extent of the damage. Somewhat surprisingly, he found that Jay’s roots and bone were still in good condition. That meant he’d be eligible for life-changing dental implants to give him back a beautiful set of teeth.
But there was a catch. Jay would only get to benefit from dental implants once he cleaned up his diet.
Speaking to the patient, Dr Russell said “It’s sort of, change your lifestyle time,” adding with more bluntness, “Cut down on the fizzy drinks, or just stop. Cut down on the sweets, start brushing your teeth, start trying to floss – especially once we’ve got things cleaned.”
The result? When Jay promised to change his habits, 11 of his teeth were removed and replaced with natural-looking implants. You can see the transformation of Jay’s teeth before and after implants for yourself in the video below:
(Courtesy of YouTube/Only Human)
Why choose dental implants?
Dental implants are fixed into the jawbone using titanium screws and with proper care can last for many years.
For patients as young as Jay, they’re are an excellent choice because they’re sturdier and more comfortable than dentures, helping those who have suffered significant decay or several extractions feel more confident when they smile. They can also be fitted individually or as a full set, meaning they’re versatile.
How often do you brush?
While Jay’s story may surprise some, 1 in 10 of us admits to regularly forgetting to brush our teeth, and 1 in 4 to only brushing once a day (that’s 1 in 3 amongst men)!
What’s worse – you’re 33% more likely to develop tooth decay if you only brush once a day. Good oral hygiene is just as important as a healthy diet when it comes to tooth preservation.
If you’ve got gaps in your teeth that you’d like to see filled with dental implants, or fear of the dentist has made you neglect your dental care – don’t worry! Our Notting Hill dental surgery is a friendly and modern practice where we aim to restore your confidence as well as your dental hygiene. Speak to us today at Number 18 Dental about how we can help you.
