Here at Illume we were interested to see Dr Tamal Ray, finalist in last year’s Great British Bake Off, testing his oral healthcare in a new Channel 4 series and revealing just how difficult it can be to get brushing right.

In the first episode of Be Your Own Doctor, Tamal explored the importance of good dental hygiene and put his own skills to the test by using a disclosing agent to highlight missed areas after brushing his teeth.

Even though he prides himself on his oral hygiene, the results showed Tamal’s technique left a lot to be desired. As he said himself: “I thought I’d do brilliantly on the test – and then the results came in, and I’d come up quite short.”

Illume practice owner and clinical director Tim Rumney said: “Tamal’s experience highlights what I find with many of my clients – they do brush their teeth every day but some are just not doing it as thoroughly as they think they are.  

“Technique really is the key and we recommend brushing at least twice a day – in the morning and before going to bed at night. 

“Each time you should spend at least two minutes brushing, ensuring that all areas are cleaned, including the inside, outside, and biting surfaces of each tooth. It is recommended to brush before breakfast and not to rinse out the fluoride-rich foam afterwards.

“The key is to aim the toothbrush bristles directly at the gum line, rather than the top of the tooth, as this is where plaque starts to form and can lead to gum disease if not removed. 

“Gently move the toothbrush in a short back and forward mini scrubbing motion, which will clean away as much plaque from the gums as possible. Good brushing technique is fundamental and we should all clean the spaces between our teeth every day as well. My mantra is clean every surface of every tooth, every day.” he added.

Are you concerned about your own brushing technique? If so, Illume has a hygiene support service so why not call us on 01242 522230 and make an appointment now.

Be Your Own Doctor airs on Mondays at 8.30pm on C4.

With all those festive parties coming up as well as plenty of opportunities to kiss under the mistletoe, Christmas is the perfect time to consider having your teeth whitened – especially as Illume is currently offering one third off the usual fee.

And what better present for yourself or a loved one than also ensuring perfect smiles all round in those festive photographs. 

Illume practice owner and clinical director, Tim Rumney, says: “Tooth whitening is a highly effective way of lightening the colour of your teeth and will 'light up your smile'. 

“Very few of us have white teeth naturally and they usually darken during a lifetime. Teeth can also become stained over time due to foods and drink, such as coffee, red wine and tea. Whitening teeth can give a more youthful appearance.

“Professional tooth whitening at Illume can lift the colour without damaging or removing any of the tooth surface so that, within days, your teeth will look whiter and smiles become bigger,” he added.

Illume always welcomes new clients so please share this exclusive offer with your friends and family as a perfect Christmas gift. 

The discount is available until the end of December so why not contact us now to make an appointment and make 2016 your whitest Christmas yet! 

Do you wish peace on earth and goodwill to all men and women – even those who keep you awake at night with their snoring?

Then why not take advantage of Illume’s free snore guard consultation which will ensure you receive the perfect present of a Silent Night this Christmas.

Whether you are the snorer or the snorer’s sleeping partner – and figures show that as many as 60% of people snore at some stage of their lives – then a snore guard really may be the key.

Illume offers a range of snore guards and each is custom made to ensure a more accurate and comfortable fit than off-the-shelf or internet bought ones. A well-made snore guard really can reduce snoring and, in some cases, eliminate it altogether.

Mrs TR from Cheltenham says: “As the sleeping partner of someone wearing a snore guard I can honestly say it makes a massive difference to both of us. My husband found it comfortable to wear, effective and we both now have a good night’s sleep.”

The free consultation means there has never been a better time to consider getting a snore guard so why not book an appointment to see us as the offer only runs until the end of December 2016. Simply call us on 01242 522230.

Illume is supporting November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month by encouraging clients and members of the wider community to ensure they are aware of the risk factors, signs and symptoms of the disease.

Mouth cancer is one of the few cancers that continues to see rising incidences year-on-year with more than 7,000 people in the UK diagnosed last year alone. The good news is that early diagnosis can ensure far better outcomes.

This month of action, run by the Oral Health Foundation, aims to reduce the number of lives claimed by the disease through encouraging people to get advice from a dental professional if they have any concerns.

Practice owner and clinical director at Illume, Tim Rumney, says: “Making people aware of the risk factors, such as smoking and alcohol, amongst others, can help reduce the number of cases which currently claim more lives yearly than testicular and cervical cancer combined.

“Early detection can, however, dramatically increase the chances of survival from 50% to 90%, which is why we screen for signs of mouth cancer as part of our regular Healthy Mouth Reviews.

“Signs to look out for are any unusual lumps or swellings or red and white patches in your mouth or sore areas or ulcers that don’t heal in three weeks. So if you notice these changes please speak to a dentist immediately. If in doubt, get checked out is the message for everyone.

“It is important to visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend, even if you wear dentures. This is especially important if you smoke and drink alcohol.

“A good diet, rich in vitamins A, C and E, will provide protection against the development of mouth cancer while eating plenty of fruit and vegetables helps the body to protect itself from most cancers,” he added.

Illume is also encouraging people to show their support for Mouth Cancer Action Month and making Wednesday 16 November 2023 ‘Blue Wednesday’. All they need to do is pick out something blue from their wardrobe, wear it and show their support. 

Or if you would like to support the Oral Health Foundation’s work to further raise awareness of mouth cancer, then why not buy some plastic blue lips here and join the #BlueLipSelfie campaign.

To make an appointment for your Healthy Mouth Review, please call Illume on 01242 522230.

Illume welcomes new research that reveals how adopting a better oral health regime really can lead to increased happiness. 

The study, published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, looked at the impact of bad breath or halitosis in relation to people's quality of life and found that, on average, people who suffered from bad breath were twice as unhappy as those who didn't.

Illume practice owner and clinical director, Tim Rumney, said: “We have been saying for many years now that good oral health is key to people’s overall well-being and now this study supports this view.

“Many people who have bad breath find they have low self-esteem and confidence and it can adversely affect their professional and personal lives.

“Persistent bad breath is usually caused by the smelly gases, known as volatile sulphur compounds or VSCs, released by the bacteria that coat your teeth, gums and tongue but is relatively easy to get rid of by cleaning every surface of every tooth, every day. That means brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between the teeth with brushes or sticks. 

“Some mouthwashes merely mask the problem; however, some treat the problem at source by reducing the VSCs and chewing sugar free gum for short periods can help by stimulating saliva flow. One of the main reservoirs for VSCs is the tongue and so brushing or scraping the back of the tongue should be part of everyone’s daily oral hygiene regime.

“If the problem is persistent, people should not be suffering in silence but instead visit their dentist as it could be a sign of gum disease or tooth decay.

"At Illume, we will be able to see and treat the problem during one of our Healthy Mouth Reviews so please book an appointment now as the earlier any problems are found, the more effective treatment will be,” he added.

To make an appointment please call Illume on 01242 522230.