It’s official - the Brits aren’t kissing enough. The latest survey from online magazine getlippy.com reveals that a staggering 95% of young women believe they aren’t getting enough when it comes to kissing.

This isn’t surprising considering that nearly a third (29%) of women polled claim that they don’t even manage to pucker up once on an average day. National Kissing Day (6 July) could be the perfect opportunity for Brits to join the lucky lot who claim they kiss up to 10 times a day (19%).

What’s more nearly a quarter of women (24%) have experienced a kissing drought and gone for over a year without so much as a hint of a kiss. The average period of non-lip action is three to six months for nearly a third (30%) of women. The forecast is not so bad for a fifth (21%) of women who don’t go any longer than a month without a kiss.

The good news is, what we lack in quantity, we definitely make up in quality. In the league of best and worst kissers, the Brits sweep the board with nearly half (42%) of the vote for great kissing. The Italians - the Casanovas of Europe come in second with 15%, closely followed by the French with 13%.

When it comes to kissing etiquette, there are some things you just shouldn’t do. Well over a third (35%) of women voted bad breath as the worst offender. Slobbering all over your partner is a passion killer for a third (31%) of women and nearly a fifth (18%) are put off kissing someone who smokes.

Sunita Verma, Sparkle Dental Boutique says `National Kissing Day is a great way to show affection and we should all pucker up more often – not just for National Kissing day.’

If you are concerned about discoloured teeth or bad breath for the big day, then don’t forget to visit your dentist and hygienist.

Is it tennis’ golden couple…Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf?…

 …or is it current Wimbledon Champion, Rafael Nadal?….

 …or former Champion, Martina Navratalova

    …could it be everyone’s favourite…Roger Federrer?

…Maria Sharapova certainly thinks her smile is something to jump up about!

 …or the Williams sisters…who seem to be hiding their smiles!!! 

 …you cannot be serious..it must be John McEnroe!

Does a visit with the hygienist for scaling and root planning fill you with dread? 

If you’ve ever felt reluctant to have scaling carried out because of your concerns about the discomfort caused by deep scaling…then at Sparkle Dental Boutique we may have the answer.  We now can use a gel called Oraqix to give you a more comfortable visit.  

Deep scaling or root planning is a procedure recommended by a hygienist or dentist when patients have gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. If plaque is not removed thorough daily brushing and cleaning between the teeth, the bacteria produce toxins that can irritate and inflame the gums. Left untreated, gum tissues can separate from the teeth and form spaces called pockets. The pockets provide a home for more bacteria and if left untreated the process can continue until the bone and other tooth supporting tissues are destroyed resulting in tooth loss.    

Hardip Dhillon, Hygienist at Sparkle Dental Boutique says “Oraqix is a gel which is placed into the pockets, resulting in anaesthesia of the area for about 20 minutes. This allows me to carry out treatment procedures such as probing, scaling and root planing.  Patients that I have used Oraqix on are extremely happy with the result commenting on the speed in which treatment can now be carried out and the increased comfort levels. Many have requested future procedures to be carried out using this miracle gel!”  

“The great news for my patients is that I have seen a fantastic response to this treatment as the procedure allows gum tissue to reattach to roots that are clean and smooth, allowing patients to hang on to their teeth longer, whilst preventing any sensitivity problems”. 

If your gums are bleeding, red, swollen or tender, if your teeth are loose or beginning to separate then a visit with Hardip, may be the best way to look after your gums and teeth!      

Cherie Blair QC presenting the award of Professional of the Year to Dr Sunita Verma

Dr Sunita Verma, one of the UK’s leading cosmetic dentists, was named Professional of the Year at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in London last night (20 May).

Sunita founded Sparkle Dental Boutique, a multi award-winning private practice in west London which helps reconstruct people’s lives after trauma. Now in their 10th year, the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, held in association with Lloyds TSB, celebrate the contribution of Asian women to British life in the media, business, the arts, politics and the voluntary sector.

The judges, chaired by British Red Cross chief executive Sir Nicholas Young, said this year’s winners were some of the most impressive and inspiring individuals ever to be honoured in the programme’s 10-year history. They said Sunita was “an inspiring role model” who has achieved significant success through her “passion, commitment and risk-taking”, rather than a professional or entrepreneurial background. They also praised her as a “beacon for young girls” thanks to her “anyone can do it” attitude.

The ceremony was attended by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

Commenting on the night, Pinky Lilani said: “Each of these 10 women is making a breathtaking contribution to British society in very different ways. What unites them is their positive representation of Asian women and their ability to act as role models for others. We congratulate every one of them and thank them sincerely for their tremendous commitment.”

Sparkle Dental Boutique is helping to spread the message of good oral health in Hanwell, West London by organising an event for National Smile Month. 

National Smile Month 2009 is taking place between May 17 and June 16 under the tagline ‘Look After Yourself, Brush for Health.’  

The campaign is focusing on the vital importance of looking after your mouth to your body – as systemic links between oral health and overall health are made ever clearer. Research has linked gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, strokes and premature and low birth weight babies. 

To get into the spirit of things Sparkle Dental Boutique in Hanwell is organising a food tasting in its waiting room on May 17. By offering free healthy snacks the practice is hoping to teach patients about the importance of a healthy diet. 

Dr Sunita Verma, Principal from Sparkle Dental Boutique commented: “We are delighted to get involved in National Smile Month and to give a little bit back to our patients. Good oral health is very important and it promises to be great fun!” 

This year’s National Smile Month maintains the British Dental Health Foundation’s key messages: brush twice-a-day with fluoride toothpaste, cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and visit the dentist regularly as often as they recommend. 

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, who organise National Smile Month, commented: “We are delighted that Sparkle Dental Boutique has joined the many dental practices, schools, health professionals and community groups promoting good oral healthcare beneath the umbrella that is National Smile Month. 

A good oral healthcare routine can help guard against all sorts of oral and general health conditions from bad breath and decay to gum disease, which has been linked to a number of more serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes. 

By promoting good oral healthcare in a fun and imaginative way we hope to persuade more people of the importance of taking care of their teeth.”  

On a recent trip to Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, one of Eastern Europe’s best old towns, it was like Venice without the canals!

The highlight of the trip in Dubrovnik was strolling the scenic mile around the Old Town’s city walls, the root or heart of the city. The monumental walls that encircle Dubrovnik punctuated by towers and overlooking the sea, are undoubtedly the city’s most famous feature.

With talk of roots and canals…root canal treatment comes to mind!

Sunita Verma, Principal at Sparkle Dental Boutique says, “Root canal treatment is a procedure needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (pulp) is infected through decay or injury. In the early stages, you may not feel any pain but sometimes the tooth may darken in colour which is a sign that the nerve of the tooth has died or is dying.  If the nerve supply of the tooth becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth and an abscess may form.”

Sunita goes on to say, “An abscess is an inflamed area and sometimes it looks like a bubble in which pus collects which can cause swelling of the tissues around the tooth. The symptoms of an abscess can range from dull ache to severe pain, sensitivity to hot and cold and the tooth may be tender when you bite. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.”  

What does the treatment involve?  

The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection over 2 or 3 visits.

At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed. Any abscesses, which may be present, will also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle.

The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled. This tooth is now sometimes referred to as a `dead’ tooth. As a dead tooth is more brittle, it may be necessary to restore the tooth with a crown to provide extra support and strength to the tooth.

The new instalment in the X-men series, Wolverine is out this week!  

Wolverine and his arch enemy Sabretooth both live a mutant life. With mutant powers, one of which slows their aging, they appear a lot younger than they are. Although, we may not be blessed with such mutant powers, the power of a healthy, beautiful smile can give you the confidence of any superhero! 

Sunita Verma, Principal at Sparkle Dental Boutique says `We often see patients here who have wolverine like fang teeth. The great news is that with the new technologies and techniques that are available today, we can  correct the appearance of fang like teeth using orthodontics/braces or cosmetic dentistry or a combination of both.  

Orthodontics involves the use of fixed or a removable braces to bring the teeth into the correct alignment.  

For those considering a cosmetic solution, fang like teeth can be straightened by using porcelain veneers. This procedure is often called `instant orthodontics’ as the teeth are corrected within two or three visits over a few weeks.”

Children Walking Tall 

Sparkle Dental Boutique is proud to be supporting Children Walking Tall (www.childrenwalkingtall.com).

Founded in 2004, Children Walking Tall is a registered UK charity dedicated to helping slum and street children in India. From their base in Goa, they provide food, shelter, medical care and education for some of the poorest children in India. In a safe, playful environment, they receive a fun and creative education, and also have plenty of time to do what children the world over should do, which is PLAY!

Children Walking Tall was established to give these children a springboard out of poverty. It aims to give the children something most have never had before: a childhood worth remembering. 

Kavita Verma, Boutique Manager of Sparkle Dental Boutique says “As a practice we’ve always been involved in giving something back to the community whether it be running for Cancer Research, sponsored walks or volunteering in India by painting classrooms and teaching english.

We wanted to be involved in a charity, which is making a huge difference to the lives of some of the most poorest in the world and a charity where almost all the money is going directly to those who need it most. We are planning many fund raising events in 2009 which should make for a fun, action packed year!”

The Vita EasyShade Compact 

Have you ever wondered how at Sparkle Dental Boutique, we manage to get the shade of your new crown, veneer or bridge just right?

Dr Sunita Verma, Principal of Sparkle Dental Boutique says “In order to get a perfect result, we do go as far as sending some of our patients to the laboratory to see our Master Ceramist so that the shade of their crown, veneer or bridge can exactly match the colour of the rest of their teeth. This matching ensures the most natural result!“ 

“Within the practice however, we now use a new piece of equipment called a Vita Easyshade Compact, which provides accurate and reliable results time and time again, at a click of a button. It even measures shades that are usually difficult to place.”

“The tooth shade is displayed in just a few seconds ensuring perfect results each time. This gadget certainly resolves issues that we face in the treatment rooms of variations in illumination and daylight which sometimes sees the shade of a tooth change within one appointment!” 

“With the introduction of the Easyshade colour matching instrument, shade matching is simple, predictable and quick and my patients love it!”