A SHOPMAN is left with a fried egg – after a Lidl steak and gravy pie destroyed his new £5,000 sandwich.
Ricky McConnell, 61, told how he bit into a bone “the size of a pinky nail” and broke two of his sparkling pearly whites.
2
2
The stunned charity worker had been feasting on the meat dish he bought at the shop in Springburn, Glasgow.
He recalled: “All of a sudden I heard ‘crunch’. I thought, ‘Oh my God – I’ve broken my teeth’.”
Dentist-Approved Teeth Whitening Tips
ERIN Fraundorf, DMD, MSD, owner of BOCA Orthodontic + Whitening Studio in Missouri, shared her top tips for whiter teeth.
Seek professional bleaching treatment. It is often stronger and will be the most effective so you don’t waste your money on a product that won’t work or could potentially cause you harm. You also only get one set of teeth so it’s best not to experiment with it.
Think about the cause of the stains. There are numerous causes of teeth turning yellow or brown. Make sure you are evaluated and diagnosed by a professional to ensure you get the best treatment for your stains. Not all stains are the same, so they may require different treatments.
Consider your lifestyle, your smile goals, and your budget. When choosing a whitening treatment that’s right for you, there are several factors to consider when designing a customized plan. Some people want to whiten at home, others prefer in-office treatments, some need to get really light really quickly — for a wedding, for example — while others want a gentler, gradual, consistent approach to whitening.
Take it easy. Start whitening your teeth gradually so that your teeth can get used to it. You can monitor the sensitivity of your teeth closely and determine how often you want to whiten your teeth.
Try to avoid. Make small lifestyle changes to help prevent stains from penetrating your teeth. For example, drink staining beverages through a straw, rinse with plain water after drinking something that stains, and choose still water instead of sparkling water whenever possible.
Water flosser to remove stains between teeth. Remove stubborn stains between your teeth with a water flosser, as the bristles of a toothbrush can only reach a limited part of the tooth surface.
Shocked, Ricky complained to the store bosses about the steak and gravy pie incident. He said: “They told me we’ve sold over a million of those pies and we’ve only had two complaints.”
Ricky cursed his luck and added, “I have a better chance of winning the lottery.”
He had traveled to Antalya, Turkey, a few weeks earlier to have his brand new teeth fitted.
But now he has to spend £8,314 on another trip to buy a replacement set.
Ricky said, “I wanted nicer teeth and a nicer smile. The only way to fix them is to put new ones in because they’re one piece.”
He has now threatened the store chain with legal action.
What are veneers?
Veneers are a primarily cosmetic procedure used to improve the appearance of your teeth and remove chipping, staining, or crooked teeth
Although veneers are not meant to be a permanent solution, they can now last up to 25 years if you take good care of them. Veneers are made of porcelain and cover only the front surface of the tooth. They mimic the size, shape, and color of your own teeth.
How long do veneers last?
According to Revitalise Dental Centre, permanent veneers are expected to last 10 to 15 years.
They say, “You should take care of them the same way you take care of your own teeth, with one exception.
“It is important to use non-abrasive toothpaste as this can damage the veneers. You should continue to brush your teeth twice a day, including flossing daily.”
Last night a Lidl spokeswoman said: “Following contact with the customer, the matter was forwarded to our quality assurance team, who investigated together with the supplier.
“We pride ourselves on having thorough procedures in place to ensure our products are of the highest possible quality.
“Although great care is taken to remove all bones, it is possible that small pieces may remain.
“That is why there is a clear warning on the packaging.”
