Cheltenham based dental practice, Illume, has reported a 30% increase in adults receiving orthodontic treatment over the past 12 months.

According to Illume’s research, factors such as marriage, divorce, reunions and career development represent the top four triggers for this increase in demand. There is also a percentage of clients who either received orthodontic treatment in their teens but did not continue with the aftercare and clients who neglected the opportunity altogether due to fear of braces, and both groups now regret this in later life. 

Music teacher Craig Morgan had always worried about his crooked front teeth but thought it was too late to have anything done about them until he went to Illume and discovered how easy it would be for him to get the perfect smile he had always wanted.

He said: “The options were explained to me and the braces I chose were not very visible at all and it certainly didn’t hurt. After the orthodontic treatment was finished I whitened my teeth as well.

“I am genuinely pleased with the results and it has given me extra confidence especially when teaching and I am now happy to smile.

“I would not hesitate to recommend orthodontic treatment to my friends and family,” he added.

Both Illume’s clinicians, Tim and Simon, are able to straighten your teeth and between them use a variety of techniques such as Simply Smile (which uses discreet tooth coloured brackets and wires)and Inman aligner™

If you are unhappy with your teeth and would like to benefit from the extra confidence that an attractive smile can bring please ask Illume for a free consultation to discuss the possibilities and options open to you by calling 01242 522230.

To find out more about Craig’s experiences please view this short film on our YouTube channel.

Figures just released by the Local Government Association show what we at Illume have been saying for years – sugar really is bad for your children’s teeth.

The report by the LGA, which represents more than 370 councils with responsibility for public health, shows the cost of removing rotting teeth in children and teenagers has soared by 66% in the last five years.

It continues that hospitals spent £35 million on multiple teeth extraction in under 18s in 2014/15, compared with £21 million in 2010/11. Over the last five years, this amounts to nearly £140 million.

The LGA says excessive consumption of fizzy drinks and foods high in added sugar are a major reason behind the surge in cases of treatment – 40,970 procedures in 2014/15 compared with 32,457 – an increase of more than a quarter.

Practice Owner and Clinical Director, Tim Rumney, comments: “These figures are truly alarming and provide further evidence that we really must ensure our children consume less sugar, especially from fizzy drinks.

“Sugar is a real problem because plaque on your teeth feed on the sugar and produce acids which dissolve the enamel of the tooth to create cavities. These acids are produced very quickly and can begin to damage the tooth within minutes.

“The key message is that reducing the frequency and amount of sugar consumed will reduce decay and prevent children from having to have their teeth removed. Enamel simply isn’t designed to withstand constant attack from acids generated from excessive sugar consumption.

“Children should also be encouraged to brush their teeth regularly, both in the morning and before going to bed to remove harmful plaque and use a fluoride toothpaste which helps to strengthen enamel surfaces.

“But the best advice is to ensure children swap their sugary drinks for water, lower fat milks or sugar free, diet and no added sugar drinks.

“I also welcome the fact a major food manufacturer has announced changes to the way its products are labelled so consumers are made aware that some of them contain excessive sugar and should only be eaten in moderation.

“Good oral health is also important for a child’s general well-being as it can help children perform better at school across the whole curriculum and improve their ability to thrive and develop,” he added.

It’s a question often asked – just what do people get up to when they are not at work?

Well, we have two very interesting and different dentists here at Illume – Tim Rumney who wants to learn how to weld and Simon Gumbley who enjoys hunting for fossils.

But both of them would like to have the superpower of flying, love animals and even talk to their dogs!

To find out more about Tim and Simon’s interests we asked them a series of questions below.

Question 1: Where did you grow up?
Tim: Dudley.
Simon: Solihull

Question 2. What’s the best thing about being a dentist?
Tim: Using my skills to improve people’s lives, comfort and wellbeing.
Simon: Doing a really good job for the client and producing the best care you can.

Question 3: If you weren’t a dentist what would you be?
Tim: A musician.
Simon: A market gardener or a theologist, I have a fascination for belief systems.

Question 4: What’s your favourite sport to watch?
Tim: Rugby.
Simon: Water polo.

Question 5: And to play or take part in?
Tim: Scuba diving.
Simon: Water polo. 

Question 6: What’s the worst thing you did as a child?
Tim: I made some popcorn in my Mum’s best saucepan, burnt the saucepan badly in the process and then hid it in the garage so she wouldn’t find it – she did.
Simon: I was always fighting at school but I didn’t give my parents any major hassles.

Question 7: What is heaven and hell when it comes to food?
Tim: Crab linguini is heaven and boiled/ fried/ scrambled/poached eggs are all hell.
Simon: Greek food is Heaven while Thai food is Hell.

Question 8: Dogs or cats? Why?
Tim: Dogs because they’re friendly, loyal, non-judgemental and they give unconditional love.
Simon: Both. I like the fact that you are a dog’s world and they take you on your terms and that cats own you and you take them on their terms.

Question 9: Do you talk to your dog and do you answer back in the dog’s voice?
Tim: Of course and of course.
Simon: Yes and yes.

Question 10: What’s your favourite music?
Tim: Big Band Swing.
Simon: Prog Rock, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, Barclay James Harvest and The Alan Parsons Project.

Question 11: What’s your favourite song?
Tim: Flight of the Foo Birds written and arranged by Neal Hefti and played by the Count Basie Orchestra.
Simon: Follow You, Follow Me by Genesis.

Question 12: What’s your favourite word?
Tim: Turnpike.
Simon:  I don’t have a favourite word but I always laugh at the word ‘caterpillar’ because my son can’t pronounce it properly and says ‘callapitta’.

Question 13: Wine or beer? Why?
Tim:  It depends, in The Bull and Bladder at the Delph in the West Midlands, Bathams Bitter, always. With food, wine.
Simon: Beer.

Question 14: What superpower would you like?
Tim: Flying.
Simon: Flying.

Question 15: Tell me one thing most people don’t know about you.
Tim: I can’t weld.
Simon: I go fossil hunting and I’m quite shy away from work.

Question 16: Which new skill would you like to learn?
Tim: Welding.
Simon: I’d like to go back to riding a motorcycle and I’d like to get rid of my slice at golf.

Question 17: If you could grow any body part from an animal, what would it be?
Tim: Furry antlers.
Simon: Hawk’s eyesight.

Question 18: If left alone in a room with a tea cosy would you put it on your head?
Tim: Yes, of course.
Simon: Probably.

Question 19: If I gave you an elephant where would you hide it?
Tim: In my garage but only after a massive clear up.
Simon: In my back garden.

Question 20: What’s your motto in life?
Tim: There’s nothing so bad in life that doesn’t seem better after a few pints of beer.
Simon: Treat people the way you would expect to be treated yourself.

Alison Rumney, Non-clinical director at Illume, comments: “Many people come to visit a dentist regularly because a trusting relationship has developed and we thought it would be nice if our clients got to know a little more about what Tim and Simon are really like as people and how human they are.

“Both have been qualified as dentists for a long time and they can even speak three languages – dental jargon, dog-speak and plain English – but we do, of course, encourage them to use the latter!”

Is your sleeping partner keeping you awake at night with snoring? Or are you suffering in silence with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea? 

In addition to affecting your mood, sleep deprivation can increase your risk of a number of serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. 

As a result, Illume will be supporting National Stop Snoring Week 25th – 29th April 2016, and is inviting Illume clients and any other interested people to come and find out more about treating snoring and helping to get a good night’s sleep. 

Organised by the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association, National Stop Snoring Week is an annual event that aims to raise awareness of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) as treatable conditions. 

Illume’s Practice Owner and Clinical Director, Tim Rumney, comments, “Snoring is an extremely common condition, which unfortunately results in embarrassment and relationship troubles. As a result many individuals do not think of it as a pertinent medical issue and often end up purchasing products online for self-help, which are unlikely to be helpful.

“For the individuals that do pluck up the courage to visit a medical practitioner, they are more likely to visit their GP. However, a dentist who has completed post graduate training is actually the best practitioner for the treatment of snoring.”

Both Tim Rumney and Simon Gumbley are professionally trained to treat snoring through the use of Somnowell and Sleepwell snore guards: popular custom-made and discreet appliances which are clinically proven to effectively combat snoring!

Tim continues, “Custom made snore guards prescribed by a dentist and constructed by their technician, have been proven to quickly reduce or stop snoring, allowing you and your partner to enjoy a better night’s sleep. Over the years we have found that Somnowell are the preferred choice, being particularly discreet and well-fitting.”

If you or someone you know is suffering as a result of snoring take action this National Stop Snoring Week and book an initial free of charge consultation where you can find out more about snore guards, how they work and how they may benefit you. To make your free of charge appointment please call Illume on 01242 522230.