Fresh Dental Care Web Log

Two for Tea

Cancer link to hot tea

There are widespread reports across the newspapers today on new findings which suggest that drinking tea with a temperature above 70 degrees can increase the risk of oesophageal cancer five-fold. According to the report, scientists advise waiting four minutes after making the tea before drinking.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5983480.ece

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5054682/Drinking-scalding-tea-increases-the-risk-of-throat-cancer.html

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/03/27/study-links-drinking-very-hot-tea-to-oesophageal-cancer-91466-23243984/

http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE52Q01620090327

http://news.scotsman.com/health/Now-even-a-nice-hot.5115314.jp

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Leave_tea_4mins_or_up_your_cancer_risk&in_article_id=598572&in_page_id=34

Marcus:

"Well, there it is -  drink your tea a little cooler to avoid throat cancer. Also, while you're about it, maybe reduce the sugar for the sake of your teeth and prevent tooth decay."

Still Grinding

Diseases a dentist can help diagnose

The Daily Express includes a feature which details “serious conditions” that can be diagnosed by a dentist. The article describes how symptoms found simply by looking in your mouth, can help a dentist to identify a range of diseases including heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mailsuggests that certain foods can help combat bad breath advising sufferers to eat raw carrots and other fruit and vegetables, 90 grams of natural yoghurt twice a day, and sugar-free chewing gum.

You may be a secret teeth grinder

Further to yesterday’s report on the use of Botox as a treatment for bruxism, or teeth grinding, the Daily Mail asks if those suffering from headaches and dental problems could be a “secret teeth grinder.” The article explores the possible causes and includes case studies of individuals who underwent extensive dental treatment as a result of the damage caused by teeth grinding.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1164225/Headaches-Dental-problems-Like-millions-secret-teeth-grinder.html

 Marcus:

"I like the first article as a general check up at the dentist every 6 months is still, in my book, recommended. There are folk in the profession who are recommending longer intervals between check ups, but I think this is risky.

The second item is interesting as I always ask my patients if they suffer from headaches - this can be brought on by the way their teeth meet and the configuration of the bite, all of which are treatable. The difficulty is seeing the wood for the trees ie which aches are of dental origin and those that are caused by migraine, stress or excess alcohol intake!"

  From left to right: Louise my wife, Annie and two lovely ladies from Software of Excellence at The Smile Awards.

Bump and grind

How to stop teeth grinding with

A health article in the Mail on Sunday discusses bruxism, or teeth grinding, and explores its causes and impact.  The article describes the effective use of Botox injections to help relax the three sets of muscles which can cause the jaw to clench.

Meanwhile, a letter to the Sunday Telegraph describes an onset of mouth ulcers experienced by the reader to which Dr Dan Rutherford responds with the possible causes and suggests that “people who are prone to recurrent mouth ulcers should also ask their dentist to check for possible causes.”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1163679/How-stop-teeth-grinding---little-help-Botox.html

 Marcus:

 "This sounds very interesting; I think there is a lot of potential for this. An alternative to stop patients grinding their teeth is to make and wear a plastic mouth guard which is not the most easy thing in the world.

Mouth ulcers are impossible to treat - however there seems to be a protective element in sunflower seeds. Simply eat a hand full each day, perhaps with your breakfast."

 

Chris Barrow and me at the Smile Awards.

 

Try acting, dear boy

The Daily Mail reports on the development of a new dental probe which identifies plaque build up in the mouth by use of a special light and red filter glasses to pinpoint plaque deposits. Developed through a collaboration between Liverpool University and healthcare developer, Inspektor Research Systems, the article notes it is not yet known when the probe will be available.

Marcus: "This reminds me of that famous, but likely apocryphal, story about Laurence Olivier and Dustin Hoffman when they were working together on Marathon Man. To prepare for a scene, Hoffman had gone for a few days without sleep and looked pretty rough. Olivier asked him why he was putting himself through such an ordeal and Hoffman replied that he was trying to be convincing in the role. Olivier replied, "Try acting, dear boy".
What I am suggesting is that it seems a very complicated way of showing someone where they have missed brushing, compared to a simple disclosing tablet. This is a small tablet of food dye that dyes the plaque red or blue."

The Smile Awards was a great event, well done to the winners, and thanks to Software of Excellence for the invite.

Black tie

Louise and myself are off to the Smile Awards this evening. The awards are for excellence in aesthetic cosmetic dentistry i.e. smile makeovers.

I will let you know how it all went.

Uncle Max goes to the dentist

Children’s programme Uncle Max sees the titular hero and his nephew paying a visit to the dentist. The programme can be viewed via BBC iPlayer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b008vvtg/Uncle_Max_Goes_to_the_Dentist/

 Marcus:

 "This is a good little programme for kids if they are about to go and have a check up!"

Haggis for tea

Scottish NHS patients receiving private treatment doubles

New figures released in Scotland reveal that the number of NHS patients being provided with private treatments has doubled in comparison to figures from 1999 as NHS boards turn to the private sector in times of increased demand, reports the Scotsman. Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon attributed the rise to “improved data collection” and the opening of a treatment centre in Angus. Conservative health spokesman Jackson Carlaw calls for the SNP to recognise the need to build a more flexible health care system and “stop painting the private sector as a threat to the NHS.”

Marcus

"I'm not surprised patients are voting with their feet and abandoning the NHS when it can no longer deliver the care people want and need. However I think that, for private fees, patients should have a wow patient journey and be happy to pay the difference for the level of service they get"

Brushing gives you brains

Dental round-up

The first of three pieces in the Daily Mail provides a testimonial from veteran film actor James Cosmo who, after 50 years of wearing dentures, “took drastic action” and had a full set of teeth fitted by use of zygomatic implants, or implants imbedded in the zygomatic bone in his cheeks. The actor describes the result as “extraordinary” and reportedly experienced minimal pain following the procedure.

The Debate column includes two letters, one for and one against the fluoridation of drinking water, each arguing the evidence in favour of fluoridation versus the ethics of “mass medication.”

Finally, the Mail gives brief mention to findings at Trinity College Dublin which suggests that brushing your teeth with the hand “you don’t normally use” could help boost brain power.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1162509/I-teeth-screwed-cheek-stop-falling-reveals-actor-James-Cosmo.html

Marcus:

"Dentures replaced by implants that are fixed is my idea of patient heaven and is what I most enjoy doing.

I dont know much about "mass medication", but I would let my kids drink flouridated water.

I think that brushing with the hand that you don't normally use is excellent for oral hygiene -  I recommend it after you have brushed normally, then you can go and do the crossword with all the extra brain power you have developed!"

Thanks BDA

The British Dental Association send me an email most days with the latest news feeds about dentistry.

I am very grateful for this and I would like to share this with you with and any thoughts that come to mind!

Reassurance key to healthcare regulation

The Times talks to Anna Walker, chair of the Healthcare Commission, who emphasises the importance of culpability amongst health and social care organisations as she sees the replacement of the Healthcare Commission, and subsequently the end of her role there, with the new Care Quality Commission on 1 April. She urges her successors to “recognise the importance of the patient voice.”

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/public_sector/article5897586.ece

Marcus "I am always happy to see quality control in dentistry it would lead to more confidence in patients."

Tax chocolate like alcohol to halt obesity epidemic, says doctor

Dr David Walker, Scottish GP, believes that with “far too many people [eating] their entire daily calorie requirement in chocolate alone,” there is a need to introduce a tax similar to that imposed on cigarettes and alcohol, which could be used by the NHS “to treat health problems caused by obesity and to pay for sports facilities.” According to widespread reports in the newspapers, a motion for the tax was defeated by only two votes at the BMA conference in Glasgow.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/4979132/Chocolate-should-be-taxed-to-control-obesity-epidemic-doctors-are-told.htmln

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7938282.stm

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/taxing-time-for-chocolatebut-our-medics-reject-proposed-price-hike-to-combat-obesity-14225832.html

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2495154.0.GPs_rule_out_plan_to_impose_tax_on_chocolate.php

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/poll/2009/mar/12/chocolate-tax-obesity

 Marcus "I like a bit of chocolate but moderation in all things"

Radio Head

Once a month I appear as a guest expert on a radio programme on KMFM, which is a local radio station based in Kent.

The show is hosted by Louis Hurst, and is called The Evening Republic. In the first part of the show Louis broadcasts music and then from 10 pm onward he talks to an expert guest.

My next slot is on Monday 16th March. Listeners can ring in and send text messages or emails with questions about dental matters and I am very happy to answer them.

 

Louis Hurst

If you are in the Kent area please have a listen.