Those who are scared to visit the dentist, or find brushing and flossing a chore may be in for a wake-up call, as new research has revealed taking care of your teeth could save your life.

Gum disease has often been blamed for causing heart problems, but scientists have been puzzled as to how this happens.

Now researchers have discovered that bacteria enters the blood stream through bleeding gums and then platelets bind together, shielding the harmful bacteria in clots. 

Study leader Professor Howard Jenkinson, said: “When the platelets clump together they completely encase the bacteria.  This provides a protective cover not only from the immune system, but also from antibiotics that might be used to treat infection.  Unfortunately, as well as helping out the bacteria, platelet clumping can cause small blood clots, growths on the heart valves, or inflammation of blood vessels that can block the blood supply to the heart and brain.”

For those who have let dental hygiene take a back seat, the Hospital Group can help get things back on track. Even the most nervous patients will find themselves at ease in the comfortable surroundings at The Hospital Group’s clinics. 

Their specialist Cosmetic Dentistry centres offer individual treatment plans to help people achieve a smile to be proud of. Consultations are normally priced at £125, but are currently on offer at just £25 and include a full dental examination, a smile consultation with a cosmetic dentist and X-rays and/or impressions if required.

David Ross, Chief Executive of The Hospital Group said: “Many people often fail to think about dental care when it comes to their health, but looking after your teeth really is as important as eating well and keeping fit, if you want to lead a healthy lifestyle.

“It is never too late for people to change the way their teeth look and get a much brighter, whiter and healthier smile.  There are now a huge choice of affordable treatments for those who are looking to achieve the perfect Hollywood smile.

“At The Hospital Group we offer several cosmetic dentistry treatments including invisible braces, teeth whitening, Nusmile veneers, crowns and dental implants all of which are carried out by our dedicated and professional expert cosmetic dentists who want to help you get the look you are after.”

Those who have neglected their teeth could be given the perfect solution to a brighter, whiter smile after scientists discovered a gel that can help decayed teeth grow back.

The gel is being developed by scientists in France who claim it works by prompting cells in teeth to start multiplying; they then form healthy new tooth tissues that gradually replace what has been lost to decay.

Researchers say lab studies showed teeth were restored back to their original, healthy state after just four weeks of treatment. The miraculous results are all thanks to the melanocyte-stimulating hormone, commonly known as MSH.

MSH is already known to play an important part in determining skin colour – the more you have, the darker your flesh tone, but recent studies suggest MSH may also play a crucial role in stimulating bone regeneration.

Professor Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association’s scientific adviser, said the gel could be an interesting new development, but stressed it is unlikely to be able to repair teeth that have been extensively damaged by decay.

He said: “There are a lot of exciting developments in this field, of which this is one. It looks promising, but we will have to wait for the results to come back from clinical trials and its use will be restricted to treating small areas of dental decay.”

Those who are looking to brighten their smile or correct imperfections should come for a dental consultation with The Hospital Group.

Their specialist Nusmile Cosmetic Dentistry centres offer individual treatment plans to help people achieve a smile to be proud of. Consultations are normally priced at £125, but are currently on offer at just £25 and include a full dental examination, a smile consultation with a cosmetic dentist and X-rays and/or impressions if required.

David Ross, Chief Executive of The Hospital Group said: “A smile plays such an important part in people’s lives. It’s the first thing most people see when they look at you and for this reason many people can feel self conscious about their teeth.

“There are now a huge choice of affordable treatments for those who are looking to achieve the perfect Hollywood smile.

“At The Hospital Group we offer several cosmetic dentistry treatments including invisible braces, teeth whitening, Nusmile veneers, crowns and dental implants all of which are carried out by our dedicated and professional expert cosmetic dentists who want to help you get the look you are after.”

Every day celebrities are seen with the perfect Hollywood smile – a set of beautifully straight, white teeth that look amazing. As a result people all over the UK are following in their footsteps and spending money to straighten, whiten and perfect their teeth.

However, new research has revealed that many people are trying to cut costs by travelling abroad, in the belief that they can achieve a Hollywood smile at a fraction of the price it would cost in the UK.

But experts are warning that this could be a dangerous thing to do, with many horror stories emerging from patients who have opted for extensive dental surgery, without investigating the credentials of their chosen clinic.

Experts warn that some of the treatments offered abroad at discount prices are not being performed correctly and as a result corrective dental procedures are needed when the patient comes back into the UK, which in the long run makes for a very expensive smile.

Getting a dazzling smile can be achieved with a combination of cosmetic dentistry treatments ranging from veneers, crowns and bridges, to the invisible braces that straighten out any wonky teeth. And not forgetting teeth whitening for that all important dazzling finish.

At The Hospital Group’s Cosmetic Dentistry Centres you can find all of these procedures which are tailored to give you an individual treatment plan so that you can achieve a brighter, whiter and more attractive smile that you will be proud of.

David Ross, Chief Executive of The Hospital Group, said: “People should be wary of going abroad to have dental work done. If the treatment offered seems too good to be true than it quite often is.

“The Hospital Group has clinics up and down the country, with highly trained specialist cosmetic dentists who can talk to you and consult on the best course of treatment.

“A dental consultation at The Hospital Group can put an end to years of worry and help people feel more confident about their appearance.

“At The Hospital Group we offer several cosmetic dentistry treatments including invisible braces, teeth whitening, Nusmile veneers, crowns and dental implants all of which are carried out by our dedicated and professional expert cosmetic dentists who want to help you get the look you are after.”

The Hospital Group offer a range of dental treatments at specialist clinics located throughout the UK.

For the next couple of weeks the nation will be flashing their teeth as they smile the days away for National Smile Month. 

Run by the British Dental Health Foundation, National Smile Month is dedicated to improving the public’s oral health and showing the nation how to look after and maintain a beautiful smile. 

Promoting ‘Teeth For Life’ the campaign demonstrates the importance of looking after your gnashers by brushing your teeth twice a day and cutting down on the amount of sugary treats consumed. 

But not everybody has a perfect set of pearly whites. Whether it’s due to a lack of brushing and flossing or eating too many sugar loaded delights which can cause tooth decay, teeth can be affected by a variety of factors. 

Perhaps this is the reason cosmetic dentistry has seen a significant rise in procedures over the last few years. 

Leading cosmetic surgery provider, The Hospital Group saw a surge in cosmetic dentistry enquiries at the start of 2010 with a 700 per cent increase in actual procedures performed in 2009 compared with the previous year. 

As the nation seeks out methods to obtain a glorious grin, popular treatments include invisible braces and teeth veneers. 

Professional teeth whitening is also a popular choice amongst men and women with teeth whitening procedures increasing by 150% for men and 100% for women in 2009. 

David Ross, Chief Executive of The Hospital Group said: “A smile plays such an important part in people’s lives. It’s the first thing most people see when they look at you and for this reason many people can feel self conscious about their teeth. 

“If teeth are discoloured or wonky it can cause people to lack confidence. Getting a completely new smile can change the way people feel, giving them self belief and allowing them to feel great about themselves. 

“At The Hospital Group we offer several cosmetic dentistry treatments including invisible braces, teeth whitening, Nusmile veneers, crowns and dental implants all of which are carried out by our dedicated and professional expert cosmetic dentists who want to help you get the look you are after.” 

New research has revealed that the demand for cosmetic dentistry in the UK is growing at a rate of 40 per cent a year.

With high profile celebrities like Cheryl Cole reportedly investing in invisible braces to get her winning smile, and Simon Cowell apparently arranging for X factor contestants to have dental makeovers before they appear on the live shows, it is no surprise that the public want a set of flawless teeth.

However, there is growing concern among experts that in the search for the perfect smile many people are putting their teeth and gums at risk by opting for super-strong whitening solutions and using them too often.

Some are so powerful they are not legal but can easily be bought on the internet. Another fear is people are seeking bargain treatments from beauticians who are not qualified to whiten teeth.

Karen Coates, a dental adviser for the British Dental Health Foundation, is worried about the easy availability of stronger treatments. She said:Top of Form “BottOn the internet I’ve come across kits which are up to 33 per cent hydrogen peroxide which is much too strong.”

“You see so many celebrities with lovely looking teeth there is a temptation to overdo it.

“Treatments are perfectly safe if done by or under the supervision of a dentist. You should be realistic about what you hope to achieve and opt for a natural look.”

Those who are worried about a gap toothed grin, or a crooked smile can put things straight with a dental consultation at The Hospital Group.

The Hospital Group’s NuSmile Cosmetic Dentistry Centres, offer Individual Treatment Plans using a range of procedures from veneers and whitening to braces, implants and crowns; to help you to achieve a brighter, whiter and more attractive smile that you will be proud of.

David Ross, Chief Executive of The Hospital Group, said: “”Being embarrassed about your smile can severely damage your social and work prospects.

“A dental consultation at The Hospital Group can put an end to years of worry and help people feel more confident about their appearance.

“At The Hospital Group we offer several cosmetic dentistry treatments including invisible braces, teeth whitening, Nusmile veneers, crowns and dental implants all of which are carried out by our dedicated and professional expert cosmetic dentists who want to help you get the look you are after.”

The Hospital Group offer a range of dental treatments at specialist clinics located throughout the UK.

A simple smile can bring joy into so many people’s lives but now it seems that a smile can help you to live longer too.

New research has discovered that, the wider you grin the more likely you are to live a long and happy life.  It seems that people who have a wide beaming grin have a more positive outlook on life and this translates into better long-term health.  The researchers at Wayne University in Michigan, America, studied 230 pictures of major league baseball players that were printed in the 1952 baseball register.  Each picture came with a listing of the player’s vital statistics, including age, weight, height and marital status.  After analysing the pictures the researchers ranked the players based on their smiles and laughter lines.

Of the 184 players who had since died, those placed in the “no smile” group lived on average 72.9 years compared to the “partial smile” group who lived to around the age of 75.  Those in the “big smile” category managed to live the longest, seeing a ripe old age of 79.9 years – a full seven more years than their glum faced chums.

Those who are worried about a gap toothed grin, or a crooked smile can put things straight with a dental consultation at The Hospital Group.

The Hospital Group’s NuSmile Cosmetic Dentistry Centres, offer Individual Treatment Plans using a range of procedures from veneers and whitening to braces, implants and crowns; to help you to achieve a brighter, whiter and more attractive smile that you will be proud of.

David Ross, Chief Executive of The Hospital Group, said: “”Being embarrassed about your smile can severely damage your social and work prospects.  A cosmetic dentistry consultation at The Hospital Group can put an end to years of worry and help people feel more confident about their appearance.

“At The Hospital Group we offer several cosmetic dentistry treatments including invisible braces, teeth whitening, Nusmile veneers, crowns and dental implants all of which are carried out by our dedicated and professional expert cosmetic dentists who want to help you get the look you are after.”

The Hospital Group offer a range of dental treatments at specialist clinics located throughout the UK.