Cornwall


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-Muddy-Stilettosalkisti-vousvouni-business-portrait-katie-goff-photography-14-1-667x1000.jpg" alt="Dr Alkisti Vousvouni Revitalise Dental Care Cornwall" class="wp-image-40758" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-Muddy-Stilettosalkisti-vousvouni-business-portrait-katie-goff-photography-14-1-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-Muddy-Stilettosalkisti-vousvouni-business-portrait-katie-goff-photography-14-1-534x800.jpg 534w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-Muddy-Stilettosalkisti-vousvouni-business-portrait-katie-goff-photography-14-1-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-Muddy-Stilettosalkisti-vousvouni-business-portrait-katie-goff-photography-14-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-Muddy-Stilettosalkisti-vousvouni-business-portrait-katie-goff-photography-14-1-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-Muddy-Stilettosalkisti-vousvouni-business-portrait-katie-goff-photography-14-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s National Smith Month so we spoke to award-winning dentist Dr Alkisti Vousvouni based at Revitalise Dental Centre in St Agnes, Cornwall, to find on why you should be taking your oral care as seriously as your skincare. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-best-bio-hack-for-longevity">What&#8217;s your best bio-hack for longevity?</h2>



<p>Brushing and flossing your teeth daily. Sounds too easy to be true? But here’s why it is important to keep the gums from getting inflamed and allowing bacteria into the bloodstream.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sounds-serious-what-is-the-risk">Sounds serious, what is the risk?</h2>



<p>Gum disease causes chronic inflammation that can trigger your entire immune system and cause low-grade inflammation elsewhere in the body (think: arthritic joints). There’s growing scientific evidence linking gum disease with broader health issues, including cardiovascular disease and joint inflammation. While it doesn’t directly cause arthritis, it can exacerbate inflammation elsewhere in the body.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fun-anything-else-we-should-know">Fun. Anything else we should know?</h2>



<p>Oh yes, the list is long. The bacteria that cause gum disease, especially Porphyromonas gingivalis, can enter the bloodstream through inflamed gums and once in circulation, can cause heart disease, increasing risk of heart attacks or strokes. This doesn’t mean everyone with gum disease will have heart problems, but it raises cardiovascular risk and is one reason dentists and cardiologists emphasize oral health as part of overall heart health.</p>



<p>Also, bacteria from gum disease (P.gingivalis) have been found in Alzheimer’s plaques. There is growing evidence to suggest that people with long-term gum disease may have a higher risk of developing dementia and may experience faster cognitive decline.</p>



<p>Inflammation caused by gum disease can reduce insulin resistance and worsen diabetes, which in turn increases inflammation in a viscous circle. Early signs of diabetes show up in your oral health too, so a dentist will often spot them first</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-ve-heard-it-is-particularly-important-to-keep-on-top-of-checkups-when-pregnant">We&#8217;ve heard it is particularly important to keep on top of checkups when pregnant?</h2>



<p>Yes, pregnant people are advised to maintain good dental care throughout pregnancy, as oral health has an impact on pregnancy outcomes. Inflammation and bacteria from the gums can enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting the placenta and foetal development. Poor oral care can be linked to preterm birth (babies born before 37 weeks), babies born with low birth weight, mothers suffering from preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-let-s-bust-some-common-dental-myths-what-s-your-opinion-on-you-only-need-check-ups-if-something-hurts">Let&#8217;s bust some common dental myths. What&#8217;s your opinion on <em>“You only need check-ups if something hurts”</em>?</h2>



<p>Definitely false. While nobody will judge you for it, it is not the best strategy for looking after your body. Our bodies are very good at keeping dental problems under wraps until its too late and that&#8217;s when things hurt. It is better to addres issues way before they escalate and I practice dentistry in a preventative manner. I recommend regular exams based on evidence-based guidelines and concentrate on sharing information and educating my patients on how best to look after their teeth so they can keep them for life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-over-brushing-bad-for-your-teeth">Is over-brushing bad for your teeth?</h2>



<p>Yes, but let’s define over-brushing. Brushing too hard with a hard-bristled brush, back-and-forth &#8211; especially right after eating or drinking anything but water &#8211; can damage enamel, gums, and increase sensitivity.</p>



<p>By contrast, using a soft or medium manual brush in gentle circular motions, or an oscillating/sonic brush with the right pressure, ideally 20 minutes after eating, keeps your teeth and gums safe.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/damon-lam-ynrMBInn1s-unsplash-750x1000.jpg" alt="It's National Smith Month so we spoke to award-winning dentist Dr Alkisti Vousvouni based at Revitalise Dental Centre in St Agnes, Cornwall, to find on why you should be taking your oral care as seriously as your skincare. " class="wp-image-40709" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/damon-lam-ynrMBInn1s-unsplash-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/damon-lam-ynrMBInn1s-unsplash-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/damon-lam-ynrMBInn1s-unsplash-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/damon-lam-ynrMBInn1s-unsplash-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/damon-lam-ynrMBInn1s-unsplash-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/damon-lam-ynrMBInn1s-unsplash-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-there-s-a-right-way-and-a-wrong-way-to-brush-your-teeth">So there&#8217;s a right way and a wrong way to brush your teeth?</h2>



<p>Yes, and what surprised me 20 years ago in university was just how delicate and tricky it is to brush perfectly to remove all bacteria without harm. Since then, my mission has been to teach the right technique every time, and my hygienists are trained to help patients master it. Once you know it, this knowledge is yours for life.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/04/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-St-Agnes-Dr-Alkisti-Vousvouni-clinic-MS-1000x667.jpg" alt="Revitalise Dental Centre award-winning general and cosmetic dental treatments, delivered in a calm and tranquil purpose-built clinic in the heart of Cornwall." class="wp-image-40284" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/04/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-St-Agnes-Dr-Alkisti-Vousvouni-clinic-MS-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/04/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-St-Agnes-Dr-Alkisti-Vousvouni-clinic-MS-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/04/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-St-Agnes-Dr-Alkisti-Vousvouni-clinic-MS-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/04/Revitalise-Dental-Centre-St-Agnes-Dr-Alkisti-Vousvouni-clinic-MS.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-what-about-viral-dental-trends-like-veneers-and-visible-braces-let-s-play-love-date-or-hate">And what about viral dental trends like veneers and visible braces. Let&#8217;s play “love, date, or hate”?</h2>



<p><strong>Veneers</strong>: I’d say “date with caution.” </p>



<p>Veneers can create a stunning, uniform smile, but they require some enamel removal and aren’t fully reversible. They’re excellent for correcting certain cosmetic issues, but don’t let social media make you think they’re the only path to a confident smile.</p>



<p><strong>Visible braces</strong>: Love! </p>



<p>The type I use is perfect for adults: I never use silver. Instead, I choose clear or rose-gold brackets—small, smooth, and elegant—so they feel and look like a beautiful accessory rather than a traditional bulky metal appearance. They straighten teeth safely while keeping style, comfort, and discretion in mind.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-you-tell-us-your-top-three-tips-for-keeping-on-top-of-your-oral-wellbeing">Can you tell us your top three tips for keeping on top of your oral wellbeing?</h2>



<p>1/ Regular check-ups: Visit your dentist at the recommended intervals to catch issues early and maintain a healthy smile.</p>



<p>2/ Fluoride matters: Use fluoride toothpaste and treatments as advised to strengthen enamel and prevent decay.</p>



<p>3/ Be savvy about trends: Avoid social media fads and treatments without solid scientific evidence—your teeth deserve proven care. Asking a professional is always worth it over online information.</p>



<p>But my biggest takeaway for you? Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is one of my best bio-hacks for longevity!</p>



<p><strong>Revitalise Dental Centre, Threemilestone, Cornwall</strong></p>



<p><a href="https://www.revitalisedentalcentre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>revitalisedentalcentre.co.uk</em></a></p>


Muddy meets Dr Alkisti Vousvouni – why we should be taking oral care as seriously as our skincare

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