The Painful State of NHS Dentistry: A Call for Urgent Action

I recently suffered pain. I can’t put into words exactly how that pain felt but it consumed my day and kept me awake at night. The source of that pain? My left hand lower first premolar, known in the trade as ‘tooth 21’. I think I’ve been lucky with my dental health, never really having to trouble a dentist.

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I sought help. I called 111. Despite the rumours of long call times, they answered quickly and offered a great deal of sympathy. Not just sympathy though, action too. I was booked in for an emergency examination at Fern Cottage Dental Practice in Hoyland Common.

On arrival it was clear to the receptionist I was nervous. I’m not afraid to say it but had a deep fear of dentists; Marathon Man and the Little Shop of Horrors are to blame.

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A quick examination showed I was due an extraction but to make things easier for me I was booked in as an NHS patient to Cudworth Dental Practice on Barnsley Road.

On arrival each staff member I engaged with at Cudworth understood how visiting a dentist can make folk nervous. They were brilliant in making me feel at ease and the extraction of ‘tooth 21’ went without a hitch; I genuinely didn’t feel a thing.

This week I had an opportunity to speak with a recently retired dentist at a community event in Darfield. We discussed my recent experience, and he explained how NHS dentistry is close to collapse in England.

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Dentists are closing their practice doors to NHS patients – not because the demand isn’t there but because a broken dental contract means dentists are pushed into the private sector to keep their practice financially afloat.

Is it any wonder that tooth decay is the commonest reason for hospital admission among children aged five to nine for the past three years? It doesn’t have to be like this. Why not rewrite a new NHS dental contract that places patients first?

Why not compel dentistry graduates to work for the NHS post-graduation for at least three years rather than move direct into private practice as they can just now? After all the NHS subsidised their training.

Why not train dental hygienists to carry out oral examinations in the same way that medical practice nurses have taken over some of the basic tasks that GPs don’t have time to carry out?

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Urgent action is required to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable in society can continue to access dental care, but we can’t rely on this Conservative government to fix it. Under their watch NHS dentistry has been pushed to the brink and patients are waiting in pain for longer than ever.

The Tory ‘NHS Long Term Plan’ in 2019 made only one reference to dentistry. Integrated Care Boards have been established but don’t include dentists. The Conservatives don’t have a plan to fix NHS dentistry; they are out of touch, out of ideas and out of time. Just like my ‘tooth 21’ it’s time they experienced an extraction of their own.

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Oral overhaul Clean up your dental regimen to optimise your tooth and gum health

Your teeth will serve you much longer if they’re well looked after, here’s how to take care of yours Dental floss gets into the spaces between teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach, so taking a few minutes to floss your teeth once a day gives your teeth

To ensure your teeth and gums stay in good working order, they need to be properly maintained. What does that involve? How you brush plays a big part. But, if you’re like most people, when you’re brushing you’re on autopilot. Are you doing a good job? Whether you are or not, it’s worth reviewing your dental care skills.

BE A FLOSSER HERE’S HOW

Wash your hands, then, slide a piece of dental floss about 45cm long between your teeth and move it up and down in a ‘C’ shape against each tooth surface and under the gum line. Use a fresh section of floss for each gap. Or, try a water flosser.

Cordless Select Water Flosser, $155, waterpik.com.au.

GENTLY BRUSHING YOUR TONGUE HELPS REDUCE A BUILD UP OF BACTERIA IN YOUR MOUTH

YOUR TONGUE’S TELLING TALES!

Everything you need to know

YOUR mouth has plenty to say about your health, according to dentists who explain the appearance of the tongue contains clues about potential ailments!

Read : Is your running nutrition playing havoc with your teeth?

Experts say a healthy tongue should be pain-free, pink and covered with small projections called papillae — and any changes may suggest problems with oral health, vitamin deficiencies, allergies or a weakened immune system.

Be on the lookout for the following persistent symptoms and consult a physician if needed.

WHITE PATCHES: The harmless fungus Candida lives naturally in and on the body. But an overgrowth — which may be triggered by antibiotics, chronic stress or an impaired immune system — will manifest as white deposits and may cause painful swallowing and a loss of taste and smell.

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GLOSSY AND SMOOTH: The tongue’s tiny papillae can drop off due to deficiencies in iron and vitamin B12, which are vital for making red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.

CANKER SORES: Small, painful lesions on the tongue, gums or cheeks could be signs of stress or injury, such as an accidental bite or brushing too hard.

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STRAWBERRY TONGUE: A bright red tongue that appears swollen with pronounced papillae after eating could indicate a food allergy. But it also may be a side effect of strep throat, a bacterial infection. YELLOW PATCHES: Docs say brushing can help eliminate the mustard color if the unsightly hue is caused by a buildup of skin cells and bacteria. But it could also be a sign of gastritis, an inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR LIVER

1 GET SOME SERIOUS EXERCISE

University of Essex researchers found that ‘vigorous’ exercise is most effective at reducing the risk of fatty liver disease. Think a boot-camp class of targeted cardio, a tennis match or a 60-minute gym workout.

Liver Disease and Transplantation

2 TRY INTERMITTENT FASTING

Losing 5-10% of your body weight can stop, and sometimes even reverse, liver damage, with studies finding that a lowcarbohydrate diet can dramatically reduce liver fat. According to Dr Kooner, intermittent fasting is an effective way to do this. The 5:2 regime involves eating normally for five days and restricting intake to 500-600 calories for the other two. Or you could try 16:8, which involves eating within an eight-hour window only (for example, 11am to 7pm).

3 HAVE AN ANNUAL DRINK DETOX

‘Try to take a month off drinking every year to completely reset your tolerance,’ advises Dr Kooner. Dry January is a great opportunity after all the indulgence of Christmas, but it can be any time. The more often we drink, the more our tolerance increases, so we need to drink more to get the same effect. ‘Resetting’ means we can revert to enjoying a glass or two without feeling we need more.

4 TAKE CONSECUTIVE DAYS OFF

Avoiding booze midweek gives your liver a mini-break, pauses the habit, reduces your weekly unit intake and tests your dependency. You should aim to have at least three consecutive days off.

5 DON’T BORROW A TOOTHBRUSH

Left untreated, the viral infections hepatitis B and C can wreak havoc on your liver, so take care with hygiene. ‘Don’t share razors, toothbrushes or nail scissors,’ advises Pamela Healy.

6 ENJOY ELEVENSES

Studies show that regularly drinking moderate amounts of coffee may help prevent liver cancer, lower the risk of fibrosis and cirrhosis, and slow the progression of liver disease in some patients.

7 KEEP A CHECK ON SOFT DRINKS

People who drink more than one sugary drink a day have more fat in their liver than those who don’t – even after accounting for their overall calorie intake, weight and various other factors. Researchers believe the fructose in these drinks causes fat to be deposited in the liver.

8 GET AN EARLY NIGHT

In a recent study, University of Alabama researchers found a link between disruption to our body’s circadian clock and liver disease. Sleep experts agree that an early night is more restorative than a lie-in. Get into bed by 10pm for optimum slumber.

9 MONITOR YOUR MEDICATION

All drugs, from painkillers to prescription medicine, can cause potential harm. Don’t take medication you don’t need, and never exceed the dosage – or the recommended intake of vitamins.

Is your running nutrition playing havoc with your teeth?

Is your running fuel eroding your teeth?

A NEW STUDY* SUGGESTS that those who are more physically active – that’s you – have a significantly higher chance of having dental erosion, which is irreversible. And the culprit? Sports drinks.

The researchers found that ‘frequent consumption of sports drinks’ led to a ‘2.5-fold increase in the odds of erosive lesions’. Most runners want to achieve high-level wellness in addition to fast race times, so what’s the solution? Oral health expert and ultrarunner

Ian Needleman provides six tips for fuelling in a more teeth-kind manner.

01/ Go without

‘We’ve all been guilty of using sports drinks when we don’t need to as they’re so convenient,’ says Needleman. Runs of less than an hour probably don’t require them.

02/ Try a two-bottle strategy

‘If you’re wearing a race vest, put a sports drink in one flask, water in the other,’ says Needleman. ‘Use the sports drink, then the water to rinse it out.’

03/ Limit exposure

How many times you drink and how long you keep it in your mouth matter. ‘If you drink it in two or three gulps, that reduces risk, as does using a straw.’

04/ See a dentist twice a year

‘Tell them, “I use sports drinks, I feel I need to, so please tell me if I’m getting any damage,”’ says Needleman. It’s like seeing a physio, but for teeth.

05/ Use high-fluoride toothpastes

If you have damage, try high-fluoride toothpastes. They’re only available on prescription, not over the counter, but may be more protective.

06/ Milk it

If you’re using sports drinks for recovery, consider swapping to milk. ‘It’s very safe in terms of dental health, and possibly even protective of teeth,’ says Needleman.

Cracked teeth

Bruxism is on the rise, and the pandemic may be partly to blame. People do tend to grind their teeth when under stress. Not all, but some. And COVID-19 has been stressful, and that’s an overwhelming understatement.

Natural teeth are meant to last a lifetime, says the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), the association of dentists who practice endodontics, one of the 12 dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.

Cases of cracked teeth and dental related injuries have surged throughout the pandemic– and it may be due at least in part to pandemic -related stress wreaking havoc on oral health. Instances of bruxism – or tooth grinding – are up in the United States, says the AAE.

The AAE represents more than 8,000 specialized endodontists who save natural teeth and relieve tooth pain. The organization has listed the things patients need to know about cracked teeth.

A cracked tooth is caused by injury or general wear and tear caused by grinding or clenching teeth – “a symptom of stress.”

There are other simpler causes though, like chewing on hard candies and any food that is hard to bite like popcorn that’s not popped (you know, the kernels that you find among popcorns that you know is not eatable and yet you chew on them anyway). Ice is just as hard to chew and can crack teeth just as well.

And have you seen the protective mouth wear that Manny Pacquiao and all professional boxers wear in the ring? It’s meant to protect the teeth from severe damage, including cracked teeth. (In many countries, people – not just boxers – actually use protective mouth wear when they suffer from bruxism.)

Most times we are not aware that our teeth (or tooth) have already cracked. We are alerted to the fact when we our teeth feel that foods and drinks are too hot or too cold for comfort. The discomfort comes and goes, and we tend to dismiss it.

We should not. Especially when chewing becomes painful – another sign of cracked teeth.

There are times when cracks transform into chipped teeth, actually the most common of dental injuries.

Chipped teeth is reparable. A broken piece of the tooth enamel may be reattached. A filling may be placed.

For these, the professional attention of an endodontist is needed.

A final word. It is safe to visit a dentist even in a pandemic setting. Filipino dentists follow the strict safety guidelines and health protocols of the Philippine Dental Association.

A study conducted by the American Dental Association Science & Research Institute and Health Policy Institute shows that the COVID-19 infection rate among dentists remains lower compared to other health professionals. ***

Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 09178591515.

Cases of cracked teeth and dental related injuries have surged throughout the pandemic– and it may be due at least in part to pandemic -related stress wreaking havoc on oral health. Instances of bruxism – or tooth grinding – are up in the United States, says the AAE.

Miss Tourism 2021 is a dentist

“IN THE Philippines there are more than 110 million unique and equally beautiful smiles.” That was Trisha O. Martinez speaking. She was Miss Tourism Philippines 2021. And she was a dentist.

She grew up having crooked teeth. “When it was fixed, that was the moment that I wanted to become a dentist, I wanted to fix people’s smiles too, and I wanted others to feel the same empowerment I felt when I found my confidently beautiful smile.”

To give pro-bono dental care and volunteering in dental missions brings her joy “unlike any other,” she said in an Instagram post.

H e r p a s s i o n a n d “d e s i re t o share my smile” inspired Trisha and f riends to co- found a nonp ro f i t o rga n i z a t i o n p rov i d i n g life- changing smiles through oral rehabilitation: “The Smile Initiative Philippines”.

Trisha O. Martinez, 23, of Pila, Laguna, was crowned Miss World Philippines 2021 on Oct. 3, 2021.

A graduate of the College of Dentistry of the University of the

East in Manila, Trisha was also Miss University of the East 2018.

Candidate No. 27, Trisha bested 44 other who competed for seven titles, including Miss World, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas, Miss Eco Philippines, Miss Eco Teen Philippines, Miss Environment, and Miss Multinational.

When asked what advice or message she can give the new generation of voters, Trisha answered: “In this time of crisis, my advice to people is that to keep on going on.

“We all have dreams and at this time, we might feel that our dreams are on hold but they’re not gone. With grit and determination, those dreams will become a reality. Just hold on.”

*** ( Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology.

Alzheimer’s disease: Does it begin in the mouth?

Poor oral hygiene has long been associated with coronary heart disease, but is there a connection between bad brushing habits and Alzheimer’s disease? Scientists seem to believe there is.

Although hygiene habits as a whole tend to suffer in Alzheimer’s patients, dental tartar is now being identified as a possible pathogenic cause of amyloid plaque formation, a classic symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, in the brain. Researchers now theorize that these amyloid plaques may form as a defense response to bacterial intrusion in the brain.

Signs of Gum Disease

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The brain has one of the most effective defense systems in the human body, namely, the blood brain barrier, which prevents pathogens and other substances from crossing over into brain tissues; however, there are still certain pathways that allow entry into the brain, like the olfactory and trigeminal nerves. Oral treponema bacteria found on the trigeminal nerves in cadavers showed that bacterial invasion via nerve pathways was possible; researchers believe that this increased permeability in the blood brain barrier may result in a thickening of proteins around the neural pathways of the brain, similar to how arterial plaque develops in arteries.

Additionally, certain markers in Alzheimer’s patients’ blood work, like Interleukin-6, were found to be considerably higher than non-dementia patients. Interleukin-6 is strongly associated with the production of the amyloid proteins that make up Alzheimer’s lesions.

Of all periodontal bacteria, P. gingivalis is believed to be the key pathogen with the ability to bypass inflammatory signalling cascades, which are alarm systems that tissues have been compromised by an invading substance. Once P. gingivalis has snuck past that watchdog, other pathogens can follow, creating inflammation in the brain, and eventually, dementia.

Dental Health: The Benefits of Good Oral Hygiene

Although the oral hygiene/Alzheimer’s connection hasn’t been thoroughly researched, there is strong reason to believe that the simple action of brushing and flossing one’s teeth may prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia caused by amyloid plaques.

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Dental health is important too!

A healthy diet that includes exercise for at least 30 minutes every day is important, we all have heard that about a million times. But do you know that your mouth, especially your breath, can act as an early warning system for you about your health, in general? Bad breath can be a sign of poor health in the rest of your body.

Basic Dental Health

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Regular dental health checkups are important but may be difficult for some people due to cost or just finding a local dentist. It is recommended to have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year to remove tartar, a byproduct of the bacteria and proteins in your mouth that mixes together with the food particles. This sticky mixture sits on your teeth creating dental plaque. This plaque hardens against the surfaces of your teeth and left untreated moves below the gum line where infections can occur and it may turn into gum disease, also known as gingivitis.

In the elderly population, many medications have side effects which can contribute to dental disease. Other common reasons for poor dental hygiene include loss of strength, coordination, and dementia. As my friend, a dental hygienist recommends, if able, chewing sugar free gum may offer a solution to this problem. The action of chewing gum, along with the saliva and chemicals in the gum, help to dissolve the extra sugars that sit on the teeth that cause tooth decay. She believes that it is easier and cheaper to add sugar-free gum, in a situation that is appropriate, when proper brushing is not available. Other situations where a visit to the dentist might not happen as often or at all, for example, are in nursing homes or other non-traditional housing. Whatever your habits are here is a few things to think about when it comes to your mouth and your health.

1) Sugary foods and beverages-the combinations of foods and frequency count when trying to keep your teeth healthy.

2) Brushing your teeth in the morning and before going to bed help remove sticky sweet foods that sit on your teeth

3) Snacking frequently of unhealthy, sugary treats without frequent tooth brushing, not only is poor nutrition, but offers constant fuel to feed the bacteria which leads to tooth decay

4) Brushing teeth and using dental floss are easy habits to learn to keep yourself healthy especially for children as well as adults

5) Drink water over sugary drinks and juices, buy sugar free or unsweetened food items and remember to eat good sources of calcium such as milk, broccoli and yogurt

Brushing Your Teeth

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4 Dental Treatments That Improve Your Appearance

In days of yore, going to the dentist was all about necessary health care. You had to go every 6 months to get a cleaning or address some scary problem that you wish you could avoid.

But these days, there are plenty of reasons to visit the dentist that have nothing to do with fluoride, plaque or root canals.

Many people are now visiting their dentist with the same intention they do when they go to the hair salon or spa – to look and feel their best. After all, study after study confirms that our smile is a huge component of how people perceive us. So, it makes sense to go the extra mile to improve your smile.

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Here are the top treatments that will make you look like a million bucks.

dental-veneer

1. Veneers

If you’ve ever experienced dangerous envy while looking at the flawless smile of your favorite celebrities, you’re not alone. But you might be operating under false the assumption that all of those famous faces contain naturally perfect smiles. That’s far from the truth.

In reality, nearly every member of the rich and famous club has achieved that toothpaste commercial caliber smile because of the magic of veneers, and so can you. Veneers are essentially just a mask for your teeth – they are made to fit over your real teeth and to create the appearance of perfectly straight, white, even teeth.

There are a few things you should know before you take the plunge. First, you’ll have to decide if you want porcelain or resin; the porcelain lasts longer but costs more, so there are benefits to both options. Also keep in mind that getting veneers is a lifetime commitment. To get a good fit and bond, your real teeth are filed down before the veneers are put in. But high quality porcelain ones, for example, can last up to 15 years before needing to be replaced.

Getting veneers is definitely a big decision, so be sure to research your options. But if you have several cosmetic dental issues you’d like to address in one fell swoop, veneers are a fantastic solution.

2. Whitening

Almost no one reaches adulthood with perfectly white teeth. Over the years, countless cups of coffee, wine, tea and food stains your teeth and slowly dulls the color. There are a whole host of ways you can go about whitening, so there’s no reason to live with a smile that’s anything less than wonderfully white.

Of course you have your pick when it comes to whitening toothpastes and over-the-counter DIY treatments available at the drugstore. But if you’re serious about getting dramatic results and you’re at all worried about damaging your teeth with a treatment at home, you should opt for a professional whitening.

In a dentist’s office, it will often take less than an hour to effectively whiten your teeth several shades, and they’ll stay that way much longer with a professional treatment as well. Plus, you won’t risk doing any irreparable damage to your teeth this way.

Braces-vs-Invisalign

3. Invisalign

Many people get orthodontic treatment when they’re adolescents or teenagers. And as annoying or embarrassing as it may have been to have braces, you’re glad now that you put up with it to get a straight smile. But if you never had your teeth alignment issues addressed when you were younger, or if your choppers have slowly found their way back to a crooked position over the years, you’re probably not happy with the way they look.

At the same time, you’re not all that excited about the idea of wearing metal braces to your professional office job and on first dates. Who could blame you? Enter Invisalign. The clear trays fit right over your teeth and are virtually unnoticeable. You’ll get a new, slightly different one every so often, which slowly shift your teeth to the right position.

4. Botox

You may have done a double-take when you saw the word “botox” in an article about dental treatments. But more and more these days, cosmetic dentists are offering the treatment in their office. Why? Well, given the deep knowledge and experience dentists have with the structure of the face, they are uniquely qualified to perform the treatments.

Dental Botox Treatment

Botox can be used to treat a wide variety of issues, including wrinkles, uneven smiles, and even TMJ and bruxism. The treatments are minimally invasive, quick to do and can last up to 4 months. Do a search in your area to find an experienced dentist who also routinely uses Botox.

Going to the dentist doesn’t always have to be about routine cleanings and procedures. If you need a lift in your confidence and a boost to your appearance, consider one of these improvements you can make to your smile.

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