Thursday 22.7.10
Man claims having fillings removed cured his asthma
Speaking to the Sun, computer engineer Simon Williams claims his chronic asthma has been cured as a result of the removal of his amalgam fillings. He claims he followed the advice of an American specialist to have his fillings taken out and is now “utterly convinced” there was a link between his condition and the mercury fillings saying he “could breathe normally for the first time in years”.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3062154/Pulling-out-fillings-cured-me-of-asthma.html
Britons are smiles ahead in Europe’s happy league
The Daily Mail reports that Britons “are the happiest people in Europe” based on research showing “we smile more than our continental cousins.” Leading the research, Dr Piotr Szarota from the Polish Academy of Sciences, notes however that this could suggest Britons may simply be “too polite to show how they really feel”.
Wednesday 21.7.10
Mouth ulcers caused by lichen planus
Today’s Daily Mail features an article exploring skin condition lichen planus which can affect the inside of the mouth. The report describes the case of Bridie who suffered from “agonising” pain caused by a severe form of the condition known as “erosive” lichen planus. The report discusses the symptoms and notes a degree of misunderstanding surrounding the condition. According to Dr Alan Mighell, a senior lecturer and honorary consultant in oral medicine at the Leeds Dental Institute, the condition in the mouth can occur as a reaction to dental amalgam “in rare cases”.
Monday 19.7.10
Dental round-up
BBC online reports on the 150th anniversary of the first dental license and notes that the Hunterian Museum in London will be celebrating by hosting a exhibition on Sir John Tomes.
Daily Mirror health expert Dr Mirian Stoppard looks at ways to spot cancer early describing amongst other symptoms, those that might suggest throat and mouth cancers.
The Sun looks at how avoiding sugar “keeps you looking sweet”. The article describes the ways dieters can manage their sugar intake to lose weight and identifies misconceptions about sugar in its various forms.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-10552644
Wednesday 14.4.10
Glasgow smiles better thanks to £7m project
The Herald highlights new figures which reveal the majority of children in Glasgow are showing no signs of tooth decay. According to the report, in the city which historically had the “worst dental health record in western Europe”, 60 per cent of 11-year-olds were given a ‘clean bill of health’ following dental check-ups, a 19 per cent increase following a £7 million investment in oral hygiene. The article cites the introduction of mandatory toothbrushing sessions in nurseries and schools, and a fluoride varnishing programme as main contributors to the reduction in tooth decay.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/health/glasgow-smiles-better-thanks-to-7m-project-1.1040887
http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/herald-view/oral-health-effort-begins-to-bite-1.1040966
Wednesday 7.7.10
Scared of the dentist’s chair? Put electrodes on your head
The Daily Mail introduces a new device for nervous dental patients which uses cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) to help them relax. NuCalm, developed by neuroscientists in the US, involves ingestion of a tablet containing a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and two electrodes which send signals to the brain encouraging the slowing brain activity and inducing relaxation. Private dentist Mervyn Duian claims the technology has transformed the way some of his patients react to dental treatment.
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/health/article-1292298/Scared-dentists-chair-Put-electrodes-head.html
Tuesday 29.6.10
Attack on snacks
The Daily Mail provides guidance on snacking between meals noting that experts are now warning against the habit of eating between meals saying it can slow metabolism and cause tooth decay, and encourage the development of other conditions such as diabetes. BDA spokesperson Janet Clarke describes the effect on teeth emphasising that the acids found in foods means “the more often we eat, the more frequently our teeth are attacked and are likely to decay.”
The Guardian’s My Week column features BDA member, Cyrus Kerawala, a maxillofacial and facial plastic surgeon, who provides insight into the profession by describing his working week.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/29/maxillofacial-plastic-surgeon-cancer
Tuesday 22.6.10
Four coffees a day “will keep mouth cancer at bay” while reducing fizzy drinks helps the heart and the teeth
The Daily Mail highlights the results of a new study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, which claims that people with a “heavy” coffee habit are 39 per cent less likely to suffer from cancers of the mouth and pharynx than people who drank no coffee. The findings were the result of collating the data from nine previous studies linking coffee and cancer which afforded researchers “a large sample size” of the coffee drinking population to study.
A report from Wales online suggests that drinking just “two fewer cans” of fizzy drinks can reduce the risk of heart disease and protect teeth. A survey carried out by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) showed “a worrying number” of adults regularly “guzzle” large quantities of sugary and/or acidic drinks which are deemed to be “highly cariogenic”. Chief Executive of the BDHF Dr Nigel Carter suggests opting instead for milk or water and also notes new research which suggests that two fewer fizzy drinks per day “can decrease potential risks of dying from strokes by 8 per cent and coronary heart disease by 5 per cent.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1288213/Four-coffees-day-mouth-cancer-bay.html
Brits have 110 million missing teeth
A report from the Daily Mirror claims that 27 million adults in the UK have at least one tooth missing. The results of a survey of 2000 patients carried out by the Implantium Network, a group of dentists, also explored the emotional and social effect of missing teeth and revealed the “worst losses” to be in Scotland with an estimated 65 per cent of adults having a gap in their smile.
Midnight snacking damages teeth, experts warn
BBC News online reports on a new study which claims that eating in the middle of the night can be particularly damaging to teeth because of a reduction in saliva flow. The findings of the Danish study show that ‘nocturnal eaters’ end up losing more teeth due to less saliva to help remove food debris from the mouth. BDA scientific adviser Damien Walmsley agrees that eating at night can “accentuate the impact of sugary and acidic food and drinks”, adding that brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, with one of the brushes coming just before bedtime, would help minimise damage.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/10203945.stm
Yoghurt slashes risk of children developing tooth decay ‘by 22 per cent’
A Japanese study published in the Journal of Dentistry claims that eating yoghurt regularly at least four times a week reduced the chances of three-year-olds developing cavities by 22 per cent, compared to those who ate it less than once a week, report the Daily Mail and Mirror today. According to the reports, while the study shows “a clear link with yoghurt but not with other popular dairy produce”, it still remains unclear as to the nature of the link. One theory proposes that proteins in the yoghurt ‘seal’ the teeth against attack from harmful acids. British Dental Health Foundation chief executive Nigel Carter notes that many yoghurts in the UK contain sugar and could lead to problems given how thickly yoghurt can stick to the teeth.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/06/04/yoghurt-is-tooth-aid-115875-22308081/
Children’s teeth in Scotland best on record
Following up yesterday’s report from the Scotsman online on children’s dental health in Scotland, there are further reports today from the Scotsman, Press and Journal, Sun, and Herald, highlighting the new figures which suggest the teeth of Scotland’s primary school children “are healthier than ever before”. The study carried out by the 2009 National Dental Inspection Programme (NDIP) found that 64 per cent of primary seven pupils “do not have tooth decay”, which according to reports is the healthiest level ever recorded. The reports also note ‘decay’ is defined by dental decay that has penetrated the dentine. Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP notes that while it is good that the Government has reached its target of 60 per cent, there were still 36 per cent of children who did have tooth decay which was “an unacceptable figure.”
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1774255?UserKey=
http://news.scotsman.com/health/Something-to-smile-about-.6349087.jp
http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/3005536/Scots-kids-teeth-are-healthier-than-ever.html
Scientific advisers given the right to disagree with the Government
New principles incorporated into the code of practice for government ministers will “guarantee academic freedom and independence” of scientific advisers who might disagree with them, according to reports in today’s Times and Mail online. The move, according to Science Minister David Willetts, aims to “reassure scientists of their value and to ingrain evidence-based policymaking in Whitehall”, particularly following the dismissal of Professor David Nutt, former chief drugs adviser who was sacked after criticising the classification of cannabis and ecstasy. Ministers have been told to “respect independent scientific advice and to base more decision on sound evidence.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/article7146346.ece
80,000 still without NHS dentist in Scotland as bid to cut waiting list grinds to halt
The Scotsman reports that figures for waiting lists in Scotland have “reached a near-standstill,” with just under 80,000 people still without an NHS dentist. In the article, the Scottish Government acknowledges existing access issues but claims action is being taken to address service shortages. BDA Director for Scotland, Andrew Lamb, urges the Scottish Government to engage with dentists and listen to their concerns in addressing the problem.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/80000-still-without-NHS-dentist.5952635.jp
Former chair of Central Committee for Community and Public Health Dentistry receives New Year honour
There are widespread reports in the newspapers and online covering the 2010 New Year’s Honours list, which includes the former chair of Central Committee for Community and Public Health Dentistry (now the Salaried Dentists Committee) Dr Janet Clarke who received an MBE for her services to healthcare. Meanwhile, a CBE was awarded to the Chief Dental Officer for England, Barry Cockcroft.
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/4826092.Meet_the_people_the_Queen_has_honoured/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/8435190.stm
How your dentist can save your life
An article in the Mail on Sunday highlights the link between oral health and a range of health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes and Alzheimer’s, amongst others. Readers are provided with details on how oral health can influence the health of the rest of the body and tips on good oral hygiene.
