Sadly for patients the current contract is so confused that they go to an NHS dentist expecting to be treated with modern techniques and materials only to come away to find that their perception was wrong.

This is not at all always the case but I see so many patients who come in clutching their NHS treatment form and apart from the exam, every treatment is private. Can that be right?

Which means that for many the NHS is no more than a marketing spoof. A way to get the unwary into the practice on one pretence to be sold private dentistry. And to all those hard working NHS dentists that offer a full service including white fillings, porcelain onlays and crowns  to their patients and a full preventive service run by hygienists you have my everlasting respect. If you exist, I’d love to meet you.

If you insist on using some so called holistic herbal crap without fluoride your teeth will rot pretty quickly. That’s your choice. But please don’t inflict your naivity on your children’s teeth. What have they done to deserve that?

I see almost zero decay in kids these days but every once in awhile along comes a kid with trashed teeth. There are two explanations. Either they never brush their teeth, or they never brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste.  The parents feel racked with guilt as the poor child needs half a dozen fillings. Bad news all round.

Fluoride toothpaste was introduced in the 1960s. Anyone born before that generally has had every single molar heavily filled repeatedly. A mouth full of metal as a result of unchecked dental decay. There are exceptions but it’s usually it holds true. Is that clear enough?

Great news for dentists who like treating decay, not so good for patients that would rather spend their dental budget on cosmetic treatments.

Remember when you put the car in for a simple service and without you knowing it the brake discs had gone, something called the big end had gone, the left front tyre was worn out etc all of which you were blissfully unaware.

Well the great news is that under every black filling that I have replaced (whether for cosmetic or other reasons) in my 28 years as dentist lurked so much decay you’d be amazed. Amazed that it didn’t hurt, couldn’t be detected even with xrays. Just there, quiety spreading eating away the toooth from the inside.

So don’t feel bad about removing old black fillings. The teeth are rotten underneath anyway.

Bad breath is mainly caused by odor-producing bacteria that grow in the mouth. When you don’t brush and floss regularly, bacteria accumulate on the bits of food left in your mouth and between your teeth, especially under the gums and on the tongue. The decomposing bacteria release volatile sulphur compounds. The volatile sulphur compounds released by these bacteria make your breath smell. Other causes included blocked sinuses, dry mouth and stomach disorders. The trained nose can distinguish the different smells at a distance – ah the joys of being a dentist!

Certain foods, especially ones like garlic and onions that contain pungent oils, can contribute to bad breath because the oils are carried to your lungs and out through your mouth. Smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

HoThere are lots of myths about taking care of bad breath. Here are three things you may have heard about bad breath that are not true:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make bad breath go away.

Mouthwash only gets rid of bad breath temporarily. If you do use mouthwash, look for an antiseptic (kills the germs that cause bad breath) and plaque-reducing one with a seal from the American Dental Association (ADA). When you’re deciding which dental products to toss into your shopping cart, it’s always a good idea to look for those that are accepted by the ADA. Also, ask your dentist for recommendations.

Myth #2: As long as you brush your teeth, you shouldn’t have bad breath.

The truth is that most people only brush their teeth for 30 to 45 seconds, which just doesn’t cut it. To sufficiently clean all the surfaces of your teeth, you should brush for at least 2 minutes at least twice a day. Remember to brush your tongue, too — bacteria love to hang out there. It’s equally important to floss because brushing alone won’t remove harmful plaque and food particles that become stuck between your teeth and gums.

Myth #3: If you breathe into your hand, you’ll know when you have bad breath.

Wrong! When you breathe, you don’t use your throat the same way you do when you talk. When you talk, you tend to bring out the odors from the back of your mouth (where bad breath originates), which simply breathing doesn’t do. Also, because we tend to get used to our own smells, it’s hard for a person to tell if he or she has bad breath.

If you’re concerned about bad breath, make sure you’re taking care of your teeth and mouth properly. Some sugar-free gums and mints can temporarily mask odors, too.

If you brush and floss properly and visit your dentist for regular cleanings, but your bad breath persists, you may have a medical problem like sinusitis or gum disease. Call your doctor or dentist if you suspect a problem. They can figure out if something else is behind your bad breath and help you take care of it.