A Worrying Trend
There has been a significant finding in an FDS study (Faculty of Dental Surgery) that shows 57.7% of children aged between one and four did not see a dentist last year (sourced:https://www.dentistry.co.uk/2019/02/26/almost-six-10-children-didnt-see-nhs-dentist-last-year/). This is a worrying figure and one that only seems to have increased. A previous study by the FDS shows that the 12 months leading to end of June 2018, there was data which showed 41.4% of children didn’t see an NHS dentist. Obviously this figure has gone up and this data accounts for children up to the age of 17 but it’s certainly a concern as we become a nation of patients reacting instead of preventing. The…
Vaping – A Worrying Trend?
Although sugary foods and drinks are still one of the primary causes of tooth decay, there is a new danger which is threatening the dental health of many patients; Vaping. In the UK alone, latest research from Mintel (sourced from https://www.dentistry.co.uk/2019/02/06/number-brits-vaping-keeps-growing/) shows that 18-24 year olds are most likely to start using Vape cigarettes and that middle aged people between 45-54 years old were vaping in 2018. This is a trend set to continue no doubt, with vaping becoming an acceptable alternative which is seen by many as a “safe†option to tobacco cigarettes. However, with testing still underway and no conclusive evidence to show that vaping doesn’t harm…
The Oral Health Helpline – Help Where Help is Needed
We’ve discussed the education of patients before and the importance of people understanding their teeth and how to brush properly and maintain them. Preventing cavities is important and there are so many elements to keeping your teeth clean and many people have particular areas they need to focus on, following a dental visit. The biggest problem still for many is knowledge and although much information can be found online, there is no guarantee that it is accurate. That’s why it’s great news to hear that so many patients are using the dedicated advice line from the Oral Health Foundation for support and information. Over 400,000 Calls Staffed by qualified…
Benefits of Fluoride
Fluoride has had a bad wrap over the years. Aside from its use in toothpaste and the many benefits which that entails, there is the “dark side†of fluoride that has been used to condemn it as a problematic “chemical†which has been blamed for thyroid complaints, teeth and bone problems and supposedly affecting a nation’s IQ. Of course these are issues which relate to historic instances of too much fluoride in the water supply (and some complaints are still ongoing to this day, in the United States and the UK) which can have an impact on people’s health but fluoride is actually a necessity in daily life. Not…
The Dental Dangers of Christmas Treats
Christmas is a time of year which brings with it excitement, fun, family and hopefully memorable moments. It also brings great food and a copious amount of rich desserts and sweets. Everyone loves indulging on rich food at this time of year, however, with all of this comes a price and unfortunately, the incredible range of puddings, sweets, chocolates and other traditional Christmas food on offer can have a negative impact on your dental health. What can we do to reduce the “seasonal†impact on our teeth? It’s all in moderation. That’s the message from health experts regarding many foods and to those struggling with their weight and it’s actually…
