The Dangers of Sugar. Let our dental practice, Swadlincote Derbyshire help.
The dangers of sugar!
A recent study carried out by scientists has resulted in them claiming that sugar is a poison and its sale should be as tightly regulated as cigarettes and alcohol.
They warn that sugary foods and drinks are responsible for illnesses including, obesity, heart disease, cancer and liver problems.
They also claim that it contributes to 35 million deaths a year worldwide and is so dangerous it should be controlled through taxation and legislation.
In an article entitled ‘The Toxic Truth about Sugar, published in the journal Nature, the scientists add; ‘A little is not a problem but a lot kills – slowly.’
The authors (from the USA) warn that obesity is now a bigger problem than malnourishment across the world, and that sugar not only makes people fat but also changes the body’s metabolism, raises blood pressure, throws hormones off balance and harms the liver.
The damage done mirrors the effects of drinking too much alcohol – which the scientists point out, is made from distilling sugar.
Robert Lustig, the author who is a childhood obesity expert from California University said that “like alcohol, sugar is widely available, toxic, easily abused and harmful to society.”
The study has recommended that using taxation, the price of things like fizzy drinks should be doubled, the sales should be restricted to those over 17 or 18 and tightened regulations regarding the use of vending machines and snack bars.
Dr Laura Schmidt who also works at the University of California said that they do not want to stop people from consuming sugar but to increase peoples choices by making foods that aren’t loaded with sugar easier and cheaper to buy.
The study also found that the world’s consumption of sugar has tripled in the past 50 years and that there are now more obese people than malnourished ones across the world.
Do you know your sugars?
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 120g for men and 90g for women.
Product Sugar
per 100g/ml.
Hovis soft white loaf 3.5g
Heinz baked beans 5g
Coca-Cola 10.1g
Mars Bar 60g
Heinz tomato ketchup 23.7g
Special K red berries cereal 23g
Innocent strawberry and banana smoothie 10.5g
Starbucks skinny peach and raspberry muffin 43.6g
If you are worried about your child’s sugar consumption then why not bring them along to see one of our Oral Health Educators. Jo and Zoe hold regular sessions where children and teenagers can learn the dangers of sugar on their dental health and pick up tips on ways to keep their teeth healthy and clean.
During February half term we are holding sessions every day at 9.30 and 11.30am where children can take part in the fun and interactive oral health sessions
Call 01283 216347 or complete a contact form to book a space.
Here at Alexandra Dental Care we can offer the latest techniques in teeth straightening, and we are especially excited to be using the state of the art ‘Invisalign’ system.
The Invisalign treatment consists of a series of nearly invisible, removable aligners that you change every two weeks for the next set of aligners. Each aligner is individually manufactured for your teeth, and your teeth only. As you replace each aligner, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week until they have straightened to the final position.
What’s more, a virtual 3D treatment plan (ClinCheck© treatment plan) shows the series of movements your teeth will go through over the course of the treatment. This allows you to see up front what your teeth are expected to look like at the end of the treatment. Based upon the results of the ClinCheck treatment plan, your custom-made, clear aligners are produced especially for you.
Traditional orthodontic treatment could take anything up to 2 years to complete with lengthly monthly visits to the orthodontist for sessions of tightening and band changing.
Invisalign treatment works far quicker with only a few review appointments needed during the treatment time.
The aligners are completely transparent, therefore far more difficult to detect than traditional wire and bracket braces. This means you can get that great, straight smile without people noticing that you are going through treatment.
If you have concerns that your teeth look crooked, crowded or you simply want to feel more confident about your smile then Invisalign may be the perfect option for you.
Treatment with Invisalign is:
Discrete – since the aligners are virtually invisible most people won’t notice you’re in treatment.
Comfortable – there are no metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth.
Convenient – it does not disrupt your lifestyle, you can remove your aligners to eat the food you want and clean your teeth.
If you would like to discuss treatment, including spreading the cost interest free then please call our friendly team on 01283 216347 or complete our contact form.
The Perfect Smile Starts With Good Dental Hygiene.
Let’s face it, who doesn’t want the perfect pearly white smile? No celebrity comes without one these days, and with the advances of dental cosmetic treatment it is something that is now available to everyone. But what people forget is that the perfect smile really does begin with good dental hygiene. Before any cosmetic treatment is done the patient has to have good oral hygiene.
Following some simple tips will help you maintain good oral hygiene.
Brushing
Brushing your teeth twice a day is essential, once in the morning and once again at night time, ideally just before bed, or after all your meals and drinks. The front and back of teeth should be brushed, and then the biting surfaces. This is all to prevent the build-up of bacteria in your mouth that can cause cavities. We all have bacteria living in our mouths, and everywhere else on our bodies, and when we eat sugary foods the bacteria feeds on the sugar and produces an acid, which then attacks the teeth. This bacteria is called plaque, which is a gooey film covering your teeth.
The attack is most prominent for up to 30 minutes after eating a sugary snack, so if you’re going to eat something sugary then eat it all at once. This is a mistake parents often make, letting their child space out their sweets. If they’re going to eat sweets let them eat them all at once, and then get them to brush their teeth afterwards. This will most definitely help to minimise decay, as you are leaving less chance of leaving anything sugary in the mouth for the bacteria to feed on. It doesn’t mean you can’t ever enjoy sugary foods, drinks or sweets again, just be aware of the attack on your teeth afterwards, and brushing after that snack or meal will minimise any harm to your teeth.
Foods and drinks to look out for are fruit juices which are very acidic to the teeth, fizzy drinks, toffees and boiled sweets. Toffees can stick to fissures in your teeth which will cause decay, and sucking on a sweet is increasing the time of the acid attack. It’s is also definitely advised not to give children fruit juices in a bottle. This also increases risk of decay
Flossing
Flossing your teeth is just as important as brushing, as food and plaque can easily stick between the teeth and in those hard to reach places. Flossing enables you to remove the food and prevent acid attacks in-between your teeth, which are common problem areas. To floss you just need to hold the floss at either end using both hands, gently slide in between your teeth and pull through. Floss can be used between front and back teeth, where spaces are tight. Some people may have bigger spaces between their teeth, and if this is the case floss won’t be of much help. To clean in bigger spaces between the teeth try using inter dental brushes, which are little brushes on the end of a little handle. The brush is flexible so can be bent and moved for easier access. They also come in different sizes so you can use them for all spaces, big or small.
Keeping your gums clean
Your gums can often get forgotten, but it is just as vitally important to keep clean. When brushing your teeth also brush over your gums, and also over your tongue using small circular motions, to remove any build-up of bacteria. Do not press too hard, you do not want to damage the gums. Gum disease is such a common problem, and as said in our previous blog, this has been linked to heart disease.
It is believed that bacteria underneath the gum line can seep into the blood stream and travel to the heart and other organs causing harm. A way to combat the build-up of tartar, which is plaque that has hardened, is to have regular scale and polishes, either every 6 months or yearly
Mouth Washes
There are many mouth washes on the market but the best mouth wash comes down to personal preference. Only let children use mouthwashes specifically designed for children as adult mouthwashes can contain fluoride which could be harmful to a child if swallowed in large quantities. Mouth washes can help remove bits of food stuck between the teeth and make your breath smell nice. Mouth washes containing chlorhexidine can help when you are experiencing gum problems, but they are not advised to be use on a daily basis.
DON’T SMOKE!!
Smoking can cause serious damage to your gums, receding them quicker than non-smokers. And once the gum is lost it can never be replaced. That is why smokers are more likely to have gum disease as the toxins and chemicals in cigarettes have a devastating effect on the gums, as well as other parts of your body! Smoking will also stain your teeth and make your breath smell.
Happy New Year.
As we are fast approaching the end of another busy year I wanted to pass on my personal thanks to everyone, staff and patients alike for another great year at Alexandra Dental Care.
The practice has continued to grow this year with the arrival of new dentist Yasminder Virdee and hygienist Vicky Gopsill.
George Savva and his dedicated implant team have been particularly busy with providing dental implant treatments. They have restored the smile of many patients’, old and new. For those patients that he has treated they will be experiencing their first Christmas without unsightly gaps and tucking into their Turkey without the help of dentures.
We have been extremely busy with ‘Smile Makeovers’ this year. Patient feedback has been fantastic and we always love reading how just a small subtle change to your smile right through to the bigger cases of a full smile makeover can make such a difference to your confidence, relationships or even job prospects.
This year the practice purchased a state of the art CEREC machine. CEREC is one of the latest advances in dentistry using CAD-CAM technology to allow the fabrication of crowns, inlays and onlays in a single visit. This means fewer injections, less drilling, no messy impressions and less time out of your schedule.
Our summer whitening offer proved to be very popular with many people taking up the half price deal. We will be running a similar offer some time next year. Keep visiting our blog pages for details.
Yogi Savania has been busy studying hard over the past year, upgrading his skills in a variety of orthodontic treatment techniques. We are now pleased to announce that we have added Invisalign (clear, no bracket braces) to our range of orthodontic treatments We hope that all the lovely patients that he has treated this year are enjoying this holiday time showing of their straight, crowded free smiles.
Our celebrations for 2011 Smile Month were great fun and saw the local community getting involved with the help of the Burton Mail. Winners walked away with prizes of £250 cash, electric toothbrushes, a dental hamper and a healthy food hamper. Keep visiting our website for details of next year’s fun competition and celebrations.
We have been busy over the party season with our treatments for facial lines and wrinkles. We offer a range of facial ascetic treatments, helping our patients to fight the inevitable aging process. We hope you all enjoyed the party season.
2011 saw the practice join the social network revolution, we joined both Facebook and Twitter. Why not ‘Follow’ us on Twitter – @alexandradenta1 or ‘Like’ us on Facebook – Alexandra Dental Care.
We would all like to say a huge thank you to all of you, our patients. The number of referrals we receive via word of mouth continues to impress us. Thank you for your support and the belief in what we do.
Big thanks to all our staff for their work and tireless devotion to the practice and our patients.
I myself saw my 15th anniversary of working here at Alexandra Dental Care this year. I would like to take this opportunity to say that I am always at hand for our patient, whether it is for just an informal chat or you wish to discuss treatment or payment options.
2012 will see us continuing to improve the practice and everything we do, from customer care through to the quality of the dentistry that we deliver.
Happy New Year
Michelle Hornsby.
Practice Manager.
Christmas is a time when we all want to look our best. We catch up with friends that we don’t see very often and attend family gathering, not forgetting that all important works Christmas Party!
In our modern world it is not just about the sparkly dress and novelty tie anymore, one of the biggest things we are judged on is our smile!
When you are getting dressed this party season spare a thought for your smile. Is it as bright and white as you would like? Bright coloured lipsticks, especially red can make teeth look especially yellow.
Don’t be fooled by the DIY home whitening kits that are on sale, and at this time of year promoted as a ‘cheap quick fixes’.
There are so many products to choose from, with supermarket and chemists shelves literally groaning with whitening products and toothpastes.
The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) has issued a warning claiming that many DIY whiteners fail to give a good result or can even cause permanent damage to your teeth.
One of the big concerns is that DIY kits do not make custom made trays to fit your teeth as we do here at Alexandra Dental Care. The gel is not held to the teeth by close fitting trays so areas could be missed and the whitening gels can leak out onto the gums and into the mouth.
Here we take an impression which is then sent to our dental laboratory, they make up custom made trays especially for your mouth. The tray has a small ‘well’ on the front of each tooth were the gels sits. As the tray is close fitting no gel can escape and it is held in precisely the correct place on the tooth meaning maximum results.
Some DIY products do not contain any bleaching agents at all yet claim to make your teeth ‘whiter’ they instead contain pumice. Pumice stone is extremely abrasive, teeth should not be cleaned with such a harsh product, it could potentially cause significant damage to enamel or cause recession in the gums. They types of product only remove stains (rather harshly!) but do not bleach the colour of teeth.
Here we use a gel that contains a product that will change the colour of your actual tooth and whiten them, not just removing the stains.
Teeth Whitening at shopping centre kiosks are growing in numbers, these kiosks are generally franchise owned, so they are not administered by dental professionals. They are not dentists, rather workers “dressed up” in medical garments to give people a false sense they are being treated by a dental professional. This kind of treatment is not only dangerous but barely legal. The catch that makes the process legal is that operators do not place the product in the “patient’s” mouth. Instead, the “patient” inserts the bleaching product themselves.
Undergoing teeth whitening at a kiosk can cause irreversible damages to your teeth. The bleach generally used at these kiosks consists of high concentration hydrogen carbamide peroxide. Chemicals at this high of a concentration are extremely acidic, and if not properly administered, can ruin tooth enamel.
Professional teeth whitening should always be done under the supervision of a Dentist. Here at Alexandra Dental Care we assess each patient and decide on the advisability of bleaching, and prediction of outcome for each patient. Furthermore, our dentists have knowledge of the oral anatomy, principles of patient care, and the possible dangers involved: i.e. (if gums are not adequately protected or if there is gum disease).Where as a worker in a shopping centre will have none of these qualities.
We offer whitening treatment for £446, you can also take advantage of our 10 months interest free option. This means for £44.60 per month you can have that bright white smile that will last for years and be safe in the knowledge that it has been carried out by a dental professional.
If you a member of our monthly budgeting scheme, Practice Plan you benifit from the 20% reduction in fees, meaning that whitening is only £356.80 or £35.68 per month on the interest free credit option.
For more information please call reception on 01283 216347 or complete the contact us form.
Could visiting the dentist help cure your migraines
Most of us would head straight to the medicine cabinet if we suffered a severe headache, but is there an alternative solution that your dentist could help you with?
A recent case of a 28 year old lady from Widness, Cheshire highlighted what an awful lot of us would not expect- your dentist can help!
This particular lady suffered regular headaches from the age of 18, they soon turned into migraines which were so bad that she was constantly vomiting and she would temporarily loose the sight in one eye.
The condition was so bad that she was prescribed antidepressants and beta blockers from her GP, but the migraines still persisted. In the last two years she had been suffering around 4 a week and having to take numerous weeks off from work.
A consultant migraine specialist advised her to cut out caffeine, chocolate and daytime sleeping and to exercise along with drinking lots of water.
This unfortunately did not help the young lady. In desperation she turned to the internet to seek advice, then browsing the social networking site Twitter she came across a dentist who claimed that he could cure the problem.
The young lady then contacted the dentist who saw her and found that she had classic signs of jaw clenching and realised that she would often wake in the morning with a headache, meaning that she was grinding her teeth during the night while she was sleeping.
The dentist went on to take impressions and then fitted her with a mouthgaurd that she would wear overnight.
The next morning she woke up migraine free for the first time in a decade. She now suffers with the occasional headache but has not had a migraine since she started to wear her mouthguard.
How we can help.
Here at Alexandra Dental Care dentist Dr Yogi Savania has a special interest in this field of dentistry.
Yogi has helped many of our patients to overcome head and neck pain that comes from problems relating to the teeth and muscles of the jaw joint (Temporo-mandibular Joint or TMJ for short)
If your teeth don’t fit together correctly, the muscles that move your jaw can be under extra strain. Many of the muscles of the head and neck are linked to the jaw and so common symptoms are tension headaches, especially first thing in the morning, migraine type headaches, pain in the neck and shoulders.
Other signs are clicking, grinding or pain in the jaw joints, ringing or buzzing in your ears and difficulty opening and closing your mouth.
Many people grind or clench their teeth. Often this is a subconscious habit and most people are unaware of it particularly if it occurs in their sleep. Eventually it can overload the teeth causing fractured teeth and fillings, toothaches or even loosen teeth.
If you suffer from head or neck pain, regular headaches or migraines then please contact the surgery to discuss the treatments we have available.
A great prize up for grabs, worth over £130!
Be one of the first 100 people to ‘like’ us on Facebook or ‘follow’ us on Twitter and you will be entered into our free prize draw.
The prize winner will be given 1 years free subscription
to our Practice Plan, usually costing over £130 per year.
Along with being entered into our competition our
Facebook and Twitter fans will also be the first to hear about our news, views,
exclusive offers and future competitions.
It’s easy;
Follow us on Twitter by searching for; @Alexandradenta1
Like us on Facebook by searching for; Alexandra Dental Care
Open wide, it’ll help save your heart.
Regular trips to the dentist could cut your risk of a heart attack by a quarter!
A recent study found that people who had their teeth professionally cleaned and polished at least once a year considerably reduced the risk of having a heart attack.
The study also found that they are 13% less likely to suffer a stroke compared to those who never had the treatment.
Scientists have thought for years that the condition and health of your gums and teeth is strongly linked to the likelihood of heart problems.
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. Bacteria in the plaque can enter the blood stream via the gums and it is thought that this causes artery walls to become inflamed, this can trigger heart attacks and strokes.
The same bacteria may also contribute to the build-up of fatty deposits in the bloodstream making the chances of heart problems greater.
This research shows that along with looking after your general health it is so important that good oral hygiene forms a part of your lifestyle.
Here at Alexandra Dental Care we have 2 Dental Hygienists and 2 Oral Health Educators. Our hygienists help patients keep their gums in top condition with regular scaling and polishing.
Our scale and polishes are £31.50 per visit and if you are a member of our Preventative Care Plan the cost is covered by your monthly budgeting payments.
Our 2 Oral Health Educators are at hand to help out our younger patients. Regular sessions are held to show children brushing techniques and how a healthy diet can help keep your teeth for a lifetime.
Our Oral Health Educators regularly get out and about into the community to spread the message wider. We often visit schools, colleges and nurseries promoting the message of good dental health.
To book an appointment with our hygienists or to arrange a visit for your children to see our Dental Health Educators please call reception on; 01283 216347 or fill out a contact form.
1st – 30th November 2011 is Mouth Cancer Action Month.
Although it is a bleak and serious subject, the good news is that spotting the disease early increases chances of survival up to more than 90%.
Play your part through self-examination, looking for early warning signs of mouth cancer and being aware of the risk factors.
This year’s strap line is ‘if in doubt get it checked out’
Here at Alexandra Dental Care we strongly agree with that statement, when you attend for your routine examination it’s not just your teeth that we check.
Your dentist will carry out a soft tissue examination, checking your gums, lips and around the tongue. Records are kept of the findings so that we can make a comparison every 6 months, looking for any changes. This is one of the many reasons why it is so important to attend regularly for check-ups. Even if you have full dentures or just a few teeth it is still important to schedule a check-up into your diary, it could save your life!
So, what does mouth cancer look like? While there aren’t any signs for some people, others can detect early signs like bleeding in the mouth, red or white patches and a constant soreness are some symptoms.
What are the Risk Factors?
Smoking.
The habit is still considered the leading cause of mouth cancer. Smoking helps to transform saliva into a deadly cocktail that damages cells in the mouth and can cause them to turn cancerous.
Alcohol.
Drinking to excess can increase the risk of mouth cancer by up to four times. Alcohol aids absorption of tobacco into the mouth, those who smoke and drink to excess are up to 30 times more likely to develop the disease.
Poor Diet.
Around a third of oral cancer cases are thought to be linked to an unhealthy diet. It is recommended that people eat a healthy, balanced diet including 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Omega 3 which can be found in fish and eggs can help lower the risk as can high fibre foods such as seeds, whole-wheat pasta and brown rice.
Chewing tobacco or smokeless tobacco.
Smokeless tobacco is normally described as any tobacco that is placed in the mouth or nose and not burned. Although chewing tobacco or smokeless tobacco can be thought by some people to be safer than smoking it is in fact more dangerous!
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
The Human Papilloma virus Is increasingly being linked to mouth cancer. Younger people are particularly at risk. Experts suggest that it may rival tobacco and alcohol as a key risk factor within 10 years from now.
Some Shocking Statistics.
- 1’822 people died from mouth cancer in 2008.
- Early detection transfers survival chances to more than 90%.
- Mouth cancer kills more people than cervical cancer and testicular cancer combined
- 87% of cases in the UK occur in people aged 50 or over.
- Too many people have mouth cancer spotted too late as they have not kept up regular dental checks.
Do you have your next check-up booked? If not call our friendly reception to make an appointment.
Budgeting for your dental treatment.
BDA spokesperson Eddie Crouch has
recently spoken about the subject of dentistry and the recession.
He discussed recent research that
suggested that people were cutting down on visits to the dentist as a result of
financial pressure.
He warned that this was not advisable as
dentists use the regular examinations to carry out essential checks for
conditions such as oral cancer.
Also leaving problems untreated can
prove to be false economy as it could make it more difficult to treat the
problem in the future, turning what could be a small bill for a simple filling
into a far more costly and lengthy treatment plan.
Hidden Decay
It can take a long time for your tooth
to tell you that there is something wrong.
Nerve fibres, the way pain is sent
through the body, aren’t present in tooth enamel. While acid is attacking the
enamel you can’t feel a thing.
Once the acid has begun to create a
cavity and starts to attack the dentin under the enamel the nerve fibres
present in enamel start to send out a message that something is wrong. By this
time you have tooth decay.
This is another reason why you should
keep your check-ups regular and not waiting until it hurts.
Budgeting.
Here at Alexandra Dental Care we offer a way of budgeting
for your dental treatment. We believe that the best way of making treatment
affordable, without compromising our quality of care is to offer you membership
to our own Preventative Care Plan.
You can benefit from convenient monthly
payments for just £10.70 per month.
For more information please speak to one
of our team.
