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We are supporting Mouth Cancer Action Months BlueLipSelfie campaign.
Show your support this November. Visit www.bluelipselfie.co.uk , upload a selfie and add personalised blue lips! Every day in November a BlueLipSelfie of the day is chosen. Please help raise awareness of mouth cancer
We are pleased to welcome Clare to our team. Clare is a local girl with a wealth of experience in retail and customer service. She is looking forward to starting her dental nurse training, a 2 year course which will see her qualify as a registered dental nurse.
All dental nurses must be registered, or working towards their registration, with The General Dental Council. Once qualified, Continuing Professional Development is a core requirement of registration. In our practice we regularly train as a whole team, dentists, hygienist and dental nurses, to ensure we are providing the best care for our patients. Topics covered include CPR, Radiography, Safeguarding and Cross Infection.
As Easter Eggs are flying off the shelves, children’s, ( and grown-ups), teeth are preparing themselves for a chocolate onslaught!
Striking a balance between letting your child indulge on their treats and keeping an eye on their consumption is the best way to make sure their oral health doesn’t suffer.
It is not the amount of Easter Eggs eaten that would cause tooth decay - it is how often they are consumed. Whenever your child eats anything sugary, their teeth will be under attack for up to 1 hour. Sugar causes the bacteria in plaque to produce acids. It is these acids which attack children’s tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.
Enjoy Easter treats as part of a meal, rather than nibbling throughout the day
After eating chocolates and sweets, don’t brush straight away. Tooth enamel is softer and weaker after it’s been exposed to sugar and acid. Stop eating an hour before bed.
Give non-edible Easter gifts instead of a chocolate egg. Hide a few small toys, craft items, coloring books… for them to collect during an Easter Egg Hunt so there’s not an abundance of chocolate
Have a tooth-happy Easter folks!
Would you know what to do if you knocked out an adult tooth? Yikes!!! This week, dental hygienist Viv and dental nurse Angela, will be out visiting Year 4 children in 19 local primary schools! The session will give the children and their teachers confidence to deal with a dental emergency that may occur as a result of playing sport. We will also talk about prevention too, especially when it comes to playing sports, and the importance of wearing a mouthguard.
We have been working with Aberavon RFC for several years now. Donating our time, and sharing our expertise with our local community is one of the most rewarding parts of our profession. Viv and Angela tell us that the enthusiasm the children show during these sessions is infectious. We hope that these visits are an excellent way to introduce oral health messages and ‘the dentist’ at an early age.
Our new newsletter is available to download as PDF by click THIS LINK!
With Valentine's Day falling mid-month, February is a great time to focus on matter of the heart. While this usually means spending time with your nearest and dearest, it's also an ideal opportunity to think about the health of your heart and the different lifestyles factors that can affect it. Did you know that your oral health and heart health are linked?
Studies are increasingly finding connections between serious gum disease (periodontal disease) and heart disease. Research is ongoing and scientists have suggested a few different theories; one being that the bacteria responsible for gum disease could be passing into the bloodstream and reacting with already-damaged areas in the heart. Another theory is that the oral bacteria could be stimulating the immune system and producing an inflammatory response, which worsens inflammation elsewhere in the body, such as in the heart.
“It’s clear that taking good care of your oral health can have a positive effect on your overall wellbeing, including your heart health,” says Henry Clover, Chief Dental Officer at Simplyhealth, the experts behind Denplan payment plans. “It’s not as simplistic as saying that brushing your teeth will completely prevent cardiovascular disease but, while research continues to find the links between oral health and heart disease, it’s important to be mindful of your oral health and how it plays a role in your general health.
“If you are at risk of heart disease or have any other wider health issues, it's important to have a thorough oral health routine and visit the dentist and hygienist regularly. Always let your dentist know about your health history and current conditions and any medications you may be taking. Additionally, if you already have heart disease, it’s especially important that you take extra care with your oral hygiene and speak to your dental team about the most effective ways for you to take care of your teeth and gums, as well as regular dental visits.”
Henry’s advice to lower your risk of heart disease by taking good care your mouth and body:
• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Clean between your teeth every day – this can be with floss, interdental brushes or water/air flossers
• Limit sugary snacks and drinks
• Visit your dentist and hygienist regularly for check-ups and cleaning
• Eat a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and avoid foods with high levels of saturated fats and salt
• Stay active, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight
• Maintain a healthy blood pressure
• Reduce stress levels
• Give up smoking
• Keep an eye on your alcohol consumption
For more information on how to keep your heart healthy, visit the British Heart Foundation
*YouGov survey conducted online on behalf of Simplyhealth Professionals. Total sample size was 5,068 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken from 24th January to 2nd February 2017. Figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
