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Acid-Erosion
of Teeth
Dentists are having to deal with an increasing problem of teeth (particularly young people's teeth) losing the outer enamel coating because of acid in the diet. Like many diseases this is caused largely by trends in what we eat and drink. Over the last few decades there has been a massive growth in the soft drinks market and this, we think, has been responsible for most of the erosion. In the "good old days" most people drank plain water, milk, tea, beer etc. but now at your supermarket there is a huge choice of fizzy drinks and fruit juices backed up by an unstoppable marketing regime that persuades us to buy them. In 2002, 6280 million litres of fizzy drinks were consumed in the UK so on average a person drank 2 litres per week. More than 13 percent of teenagers consume 22 drinks of cola each week and 10 percent have a high intake of other fizzy drinks, according to another study. The problem is that when you dissolve carbon dioxide in water to make a fizzy drink you produce carbonic acid and most fruit juices, whilst healthy sources of vitamins and antioxidants, have a low ph and are acidic. On top of this, many drinks manufacturers add substances like citric acid to "enhance" the flavour and, in doing so, compound the problem. Because of this worrying problem, and the continual battle with the tooth decay caused by the sugar with which most soft drinks are laced, the dental profession is united in opposition. Its campaigning organisation, The British Dental Health Foundation, is calling on drinks manufacturers to add calcium to its products as this has been found to reduce the damage significantly. It is also trumpeting the virtues of milk as a healthy drink for kids - it is not erosive, will not decay teeth and is, of course, a valuable source of dietary calcium. The Foundation has issued these guidelines for reducing enamel erosion:
If you are worried about these issues do not hesitate to consult a member of staff at the practice. For more information about enamel erosion or any dental issues
go to www.dentalhelpline.org.uk
Clean
Teeth Cut Heart Risk
A new study reinforces the theory that reducing gum disease reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. A team from Columbia University found those with periodontal disease were more likely to suffer from atherosclerosis – a narrowing of blood vessels that often precedes a stroke or heart attack. The researchers measured bacteria levels in the mouths of 657 people with no history of stroke or heart attack. They also measured the thickness of the carotid artery, to identify atherosclerosis. Those subjects who had a higher level of the specific bacteria that causes periodontal disease also had an increased carotid artery thickness, although other bacteria found in the mouth had no effect on atherosclerosis. The researchers suggest that this bacteria migrates throughout the body via the bloodstream and stimulates the immune system, causing inflammation that results in clogging of the arteries. The link between periodontal disease, stroke and vascular health has been suggested by previous studies. Lead researcher, Dr Moïse Desvarieux said, ‘This is the most direct evidence yet that gum disease may lead to stroke or cardiovascular disease. And because gum infections are preventable and treatable, taking care of your oral health could very well have a significant impact on your cardiovascular health.’ He added, ‘We will continue to study these participants to determine if atherosclerosis continues over time and is definitely associated with periodontal disease.’ Judy O'Sullivan, medical spokesperson for the British Heart Foundation, told the BBC, ‘Inflammation may prove to be a key factor in the development of coronary heart disease. However, it may be too simplistic to say that periodontal infection alone is the issue of concern rather than inflammation in general, as inflammation is often associated with other risk factors for coronary heart disease, such as smoking, poor diet and low income. We welcome studies which add evidence to this growing area of research and we would encourage people to follow a healthy lifestyle to reduce their risk of heart disease.’ Ten
Tips for Managing a Dry Mouth
1. Drink enough water, and sip on water and other non-sugary fluids throughout the day. Rinse with water after meals. Keep water at your bedside. 2. Replace missing saliva with substitutes e.g. Glandosane, Luborant, Biotene Oralbalance, AS Saliva Orthana, Salivace, Salivese. 3. Alcohol-free mouthrinses (BioXtra and Biotene), or moisturising gels (Oralbalance, BioXtra) may help. 4. Stimulate saliva with: • sugar-free chewing gums (e.g. EnDeKay, Orbit, Biotene dry mouth gum or BioXtra gum) • diabetic sweets • salivix or SST if advised • drugs that stimulate salivation if advised by specialist 5. Always take water or non-alcoholic drinks with meals and avoid dry or crunchy foods such as biscuits, or dunk in liquids. Take small bites and eat slowly. Eat soft creamy foods (casseroles, soups), or cool foods with a high liquid content – melon, grapes or ice cream. Moisten foods with gravies, sauces, extra oil, margarine, salad dressings, sour cream, mayonnaise or yoghurt. Pineapple has an enzyme that helps clean the mouth. Avoid spices. 6. Avoid anything that may worsen dryness, such as: • drugs, unless they are essential • alcohol (including some mouthwashes) • smoking • caffeine (coffee, some drinks such as colas) • mouthbreathing 7. Protect against dental caries by avoiding sugary foods/drinks and by: • reducing sugar intake (avoiding snacking and eating last thing at night) • avoiding sticky food such as toffee • keeping your mouth very clean (twice daily toothbrushing and flossing) • using a fluoride toothpaste • using fluoride gels or mouthwashes (0.05% fluoride) daily before going to bed • having regular dental checks 8. Protect against thrush, gum problems and halitosis by: • keeping your mouth very clean • keeping your mouth as moist as possible • rinsing twice daily with chlorhexidine (e.g. Chlorohex, Corsadyl, Eludril) or triclosan (e.g. Plax) • brushing or scraping your tongue • keeping dentures out at night • disinfecting dentures in hypochlorite (e.g. Milton, Dentural) • using antifungals if recommended by specialist 9. Protect the lips with a lip salve or petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline) 10. Avoid hot, dry environments – consider a humidifier for the bedroom Ten Tips for
Controlling Bad Breath
1. Treat any identifiable cause such as infection (this may need antibiotics) 2. Avoid odiferous (smelly) foods such as onions, garlic, spices etc. 3. Avoid habits that might worsen breath odour such as: • Alcohol • Tobacco 4. Eat a good breakfast and take regular meals including fresh fruit (an enzyme in pineapple helps clean the mouth) 5. Brush your teeth after meals 6. Keep oral hygiene regular and good • Toothbrushing • Interdental brushing with “bottle brushes” e.g. TePe’s • Flossing 7. Rinse at least twice daily with chlorhexidine (e.g. Chlorohex, Corsadyl, Eludril), triclosan (e.g. Plax), essential oils (Listerine), cetylpyridinium (MacLeans), chlorine dioxide (Retardex) or other “fresh breath” preparations such as Dentyl pH 8. Brush your tongue before going to bed or use a tongue scraper 9. Keep your mouth as moist as possible by using • Sugar-free chewing gums (e.g. Orbit, EnDeKay) • Sugar-free mints • Diabetic sweets 10. If you have dentures, leave them out at night and in hypochlorite (e.g. Milton, Dentural) or chlorhexidine Whitening/bleaching
of teeth
Very many people are asking us at the moment about whitening/bleaching of teeth. This is a process, different from the so-called whitening toothpastes that only help to keep the surface of the teeth clear of staining, and which actually lightens the intrinsic colour of the teeth from within. The simplest and cheapest method, i.e. wearing bulky mouthguards containing the gel overnight at home for several weeks, will soon be freely available in shops and beauty parlours. You can buy these already but please be careful – some of these kits are, at best, ineffective, and at worst, damaging.
Our tariff currently starts at £310.
Do you have friends or family visiting the
area and needing accommodation? Visit Flagstaff Holidays for
details of holiday cottages in Cornwall but only 9 miles from Plymouth.
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