Shiraz, Jo and Ayzaaz
‘Pure Smiles is modern dentistry with a heart, which sets them at the top of London practices. The staff create a friendly atmosphere and ensure you are well-informed and receive the best treatment.’ – Christy Boucher
‘Examining a mouth tells us much more about the patient than whether they have cavities, misalignment or gum disease,’ says Dr Ayzaaz Akram, co-owner with his brother Shiraz of the Pure Smiles family dental practice in Fulham. ‘The mouth is the key gateway to the body;
what happens there impacts our whole system.
‘That’s why we never focus solely on one specific issue. Yes, we treat the immediate problem, but we also look for evidence that reveals if and how dental health is negatively affecting general wellbeing. Armed with that information, we can work with our patients, suggesting procedural solutions and lifestyle changes.’
Having a dry mouth is a common example. ‘Often someone says: “Oh, that doesn’t matter” – but it does,’ adds Shiraz. ‘It means insufficient saliva is being produced. When we swallow, it’s essential that enough saliva enters the gut, where it promotes efficient digestion. Dryness can be caused by prescription medications or the over-use of mouthwashes; the latter are acidic and can change the pH level. The good news is, there are simple ways to mitigate these effects and keep the mouth and gums healthy.
MyoTape mouth tape
‘It’s also well worth emphasising that removing all bacteria isn’t actually the goal when cleaning teeth. Rather, we want to get rid of harmful bacteria while creating an environment that allows “good” bacteria that support the gut and body health to grow inside the mouth.’
Breathing is the cornerstone of many conversations the brothers have with their patients. ‘Breathing through the mouth means circumventing the body’s natural protective filter, the sinuses, and taking in potentially harmful bacteria,’ says Ayzaaz. ‘In fact, humans are the only species on Earth that consciously breathes through the mouth – no other creature does so.
‘We coach our patients through a proven five-week programme of exercises called Buteyko Breathing: it restores nasal breathing patterns and, in turn, helps prevent tooth decay and symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. We also recommend wearing MyoTape mouth tape at night. It has a hole in the middle so that it goes around the lips – not over them – and comes in children’s and adult sizes (all patients are screened for suitability).
‘It’s particularly important that children don’t develop a mouth breathing habit. The first signs of possible issues are noisy sleeping, stuffy noses and constant colds; taking early remedial action will set them up for life.’ To make the prospect of visiting the dentist less intimidating the practice arranges regular children-only days (the next is on 1 November) with a professional entertainer on-site and Ayzaaz and Shiraz usually dressed as Superheroes.
People who grind their teeth while sleeping often suffer with constant headaches. ‘It’s a well-documented connection, but one that patients don’t necessarily make,’ explains Shiraz. ‘We can educate them about better breathing techniques and, when combined with wearing comfortable digitally-made night-time devices, ensure a more peaceful and healthy night’s sleep.’
The Pure Smiles philosophy is never to treat the teeth and mouth in isolation from the body. ‘We look holistically at the whole person,’ says Ayzaaz. ‘Asking the right questions and taking the time to explore a patient’s history enables us to diagnose and advise, whether that’s a new approach to breathing or using the latest technology or corrective procedures.
‘We deliver results that, with the correct hygiene support, will last for years and, of course, our team makes coming here a reassuring experience.’
Pure Smiles
257 New Kings Road
Fulham SW6 4RB
750a Fulham Road
Fulham SW6 5SH
020 7736 6276
reception@puresmiles.co.uk
https://www.puresmiles.co.uk