It can be easy to assume that health changes are natural and will disappear eventually. Among men this is especially true – 48 per cent of male respondents to a survey agreed that they felt a degree of pressure to battle through potential health issues, rather than seeking help.
Stefan White, Founder and Managing Director of Tahir Oral Care, is familiar with this mindset. The then 31-year-old was living with an undiagnosed chronic illness that caused excruciating pain in his stomach, enduring it for 9 months before he eventually passed out.
In February 2024, an abscess growing inside his stomach burst. The surgeon saved his life and his bowel, though it took a prolonged and intense recovery period before Stefan was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. The condition is chronic and incurable.
Stefan spoke to LADbible about his journey, stating that, before the diagnosis, “I never went to a GP or hospital and, at the age of 29, I was proud of that. I was just ignoring the fact that I was going to the toilet nine times a day… I thought it was something I would just eventually get out of.”
Following his death-defying surgery, Stefan has taken the opportunity to dedicate his life to improving our understanding of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, pushing to reduce the stigma around it. He continues, “People need to know the differences between [Colitis and Crohn’s disease]. If you’ve got problems, especially men because we’re the worst for it, don’t try and be a hero and survive it – go to see the doctor.”
Making a difference is at the forefront of Stefan’s mentality. “I know I’m not going to make it to the older ages; I’m fully aware of that especially with my Crohn’s. It’s about having a lasting impact. I want my name to be uttered in 100 years’ time!”
Stefan’s name isn’t the only one destined for great things. To honour his life-saving surgeon, Stefan created the electric flossing business Tahir, named after the doctor responsible for giving him a new lease of life. The Tahir electric flosser innovates interdental cleaning with a comfortable, gentle yet reliably effective alternative to traditional flossing.
The focus on oral care reflects Stefan’s new mindset: be proactive, rather than reactive, with your health. Interdental cleaning removes harmful particles from the mouth, accessing the spaces where a standard toothbrush cannot. This keeps the teeth and gums healthy, minimising the risk of disease.
The Tahir flosser is also designed to support patients with IDB. This is because the mouth is connected to the gut, and inflammation of the digestive system therefore affects the wider body. Patients may therefore be at a higher risk of oral disease as the antibodies damage the soft and hard tissues in the mouth.
Stefan’s electric flosser provides first-class oral care for all, giving patients the opportunity to take charge of their health and lead happier lives. His story is also a reminder about the importance of self-care – to not endure pain in the hope that it passes, but to check with a healthcare professional and have the best possible start to overcoming it.
>Since you’re here, why not read about the future of robotics in dentistry?
Main image credit: Kilburn Communications
