Acupuncture in dentistry

Acupuncture is a technique, originating in China more than 3,000 years ago, in which disease is treated by inserting needles at various points on the body - acupuncture points. A common use of acupuncture is in pain management. There have also been suggestions that acupuncture may reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Anxiety related to dental treatment is rife and acupuncture can offer an alternative to commonly used sedative drugs Temperomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is commonly seen in dental practice. There is no standard treatment, but tranquillisers, physiotherapy, occlusal splint and counselling are treatments commonly tried. Here too acupuncture can be of clinical benefit. Dentists have also found that the gagging response can be effectively controlled by using ear acupuncture. Some patients are so sensitive to dental equipment that they will gag uncontrollably as soon as an instrument touches their mouth which may make it impossible for dentists to carry out any kind of treatment at all. Following ear acupuncture patients have been able to receive a range of treatments including fillings and tooth extractions and are able to leave the practice and travel home unaccompanied. At Absolute Dental we can work with colleagues trained in Acupuncture to provide the best solution to help our patients.

Written by Ruth Page

At the beginning of 2011, the main focus on research has been on very diverse areas including , managing patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia and trying to find helpful, practical solutions for patients who need help due to reduced manual dexterity.
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
Immunodificiency is a state whereby the immune system becomes less efficient, making an individual more susceptible to infection. As a result, some medical conditions or the treatment for them can have quite a deterimental effect on the health of the mouth. One of the conditions which can present symptoms in the mouth is myeloid leukaemia. This condition is cancer of the blood cells in the bone marrow which produces stem cells. These are known to be important for the production of white blood cells which help the body fight infection.
How would we recognise the signs and what symptoms may patients complain of?
The signs in the mouth which could indicate this condition are enlargement of the gingivae, bleeding from the gingivae and also lips and pallor to the lips and gums. Angular cheilitis at the corners of the mouth and glossitis which is inflammation of the tongue may also occur. There may also be an increased risk and rapid deterioration of periodontal disease.
Symptoms patients may have experienced include leukaemia, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, abnornal bruising and bleeding. They may also complain of a sore and burning mouth.
The hygienist has a crucial role in the oral management of CML, as this condition can go unnoticed for a period of time and could have been contributing to the progression of periodontal disease, but not the cause. The main aim is to stabilise the patients periodontal condition, as the patient will be immunocompromised and their ability to fight infection is reduced. Plaque control is essential for patients who are susceptible to periodontal disease. Some medications used to fight CML can cause xerostomia, where the mouth becomes very dry and sore. Fortunately, there are some very effective mouthwashes available to help make the mouth more comfortable.
Where treatment is concerned, it can be more comfortble to try and achieve the treatment in as few visits as possible, using good instrument techniques to prevent excessive bleeding.
How can we help patients with reduced dexterity?
We know how difficult it can be to clean really well if we have had an injury to our hand or wrist or to suffer from medical conditions such as arthritis or if the patient has had a stroke. For the patient, this can be very debilitating and can lead to a great deal of stress and worry, feeling run down and in turn can impact on the oral cavity sometimes manifesting as oral ulceration.
Some of the solutions we find to helping patients adapt their toothbrushing techniques include:
* Using an electric toothbrush. This can help as these type of brushes remove more plaque than manual brushes and tend to have bulkier handles which are easiser to grip. They also have different types of head to allow for better cleaning in between teeth.
* Wrapping elastic bands round the handle of the brush. This helps provide better grip on the handle. Post office elastic bands work really well for this!
* Blu tac. This is extremely versative and can mould round the handles of brushes.
* Tennis ball. This works really well by puncturing the tennis ball with two holes and sliding the brush through.
* Using floss holders on a long handle to allow for better access
* Impression putty. We have a great putty which is normally used when taking impressions and works particularly well as we can shape it round the brush for you!

Some of the dental companies also produce toothbrush holders and I find the some of the best holders can be found on the Molar web site.
If you find that you are struggling with cleaning, let us know and we will help find the solutions for you!

Written by Maureen Milne

Passive Smoking

Ever considered the risk to friends and family.

Wherever people smoke, there is secondhand smoke in the air although you might not notice it because it is almost invisible and odourless.
Even if you open a window, secondhand smoke will still be present in a room after two and a half hours! Even if you can't see or smell any smoke, it's probably still there. Smoking in a car is even worse because all of the smoke is concentrated into a small space.
Secondhand smoke contains the same toxic chemicals and people that breath secondhand smoke are at risk of the same diseases as smokers, including cancer and heart disease, because secondhand smoke contains these toxins. It is estimated that secondhand smoke causes thousands of deaths each year. Children are particularly affected by secondhand smoke because their bodies are still developing, and around half of all British children are growing up in homes where at least one parent is a smoker.

Did you know?
On average, each cigarette shortens a smoker's life by around 11 minutes.
Of the 300 people who die every day in the UK as a result of smoking, many are comparatively young smokers.
The number of people under the age of 70 who die from smoking-related diseases exceeds the total figure for deaths caused by breast cancer, AIDS, traffic accidents and drug addiction. Non-smokers and ex-smokers can also look forward to a healthier old age than smokers.

Would you like to give up but need help?

There is lots of support available: from nicotine replacement therapy to helplines with trained advisors. Call to speak to a trained, expert adviser for free on the NHS smoking helpline 0800 0224332.

Time to Quit?
Today is National No Smoking Day.
Do you know the risks associated with smoking?
Most people know that smoking can cause lung cancer, but it can also cause many other cancers and illnesses, including oral cancer (mouth cancer) In the UK approx 4000 people per year are diagnosed with an oral cancer. Early detection and treatment is essential to increase chances of a full recovery.
Smoking kills around 114,000 people in the UK each year. Of these deaths, about 42,800 are from smoking-related cancers, Cigarettes contain more than 4000 chemical compounds and at least 400 toxic substances. When you inhale, a cigarette burns at 700°C at the tip and around 60°C in the core. This heat breaks down the tobacco to produce various toxins. As a cigarette burns, the residues are concentrated towards the butt. The products that are most damaging are: tar - a carcinogen (substance that causes cancer) nicotine - is addictive and increases cholesterol levels in your body carbon monoxide - reduces oxygen in the body The damage caused by smoking is influenced by: the number of cigarettes smoked, whether the cigarette has a filter & how the tobacco has been prepared.
Have you tried to give up?
Having a positive attitude and being in the right frame of mind to quitting makes the chances of success more likely. There are many products and services available to help make quitting easier, there is no need to rely on will power alone.
Think of the benefits to your body, the health of your family, you will enjoy the taste of foods more, you will save money - as much as several hundred pounds a month, if you're a heavy smoker.
Would you like to give up but need help?
There is lots of support available: from nicotine replacement therapy to helplines with trained advisors. Call to speak to a trained, expert adviser for free on the NHS smoking helpline
0800 0224332.

Bill Beare, specialist in restorative dentistry recently gave a presentation on cutting edge periodontal disease treatments at both Absolute Dentals’ study group and a Plymdental meeting. Aimed at the whole dental team to make sure the whole team is aware of the new treatments and technology on offer to patients.

Tissue regeneration using Emdogain featured in the latest study group hosted by Absolute Dental, Emdogain promotes the generation of new periodontal tissue lost as the result of periodontitis by mimicking the natural process of tooth development. The result can be a solid, functional new attachment in the bone and soft tissue.
Straumann Emdogain has been documented in over 400 scientific papers, and has been used in over a million patients. Bill Beare has seen some fantastic results from this procedure.

Future study group meetings for 2011 open to the whole dental team include:
Demolition Dentistry May 16th Bill Beare, ‘A view from whose chair?’ July 4th Fiona Stewart-Wilson, ‘Occlusion and toothwear’ 10th October Bill Beare.

Patients don’t just speak to their dentist or specialist about their care they trust the whole dental team to be able to answer questions or direct them towards further information.

Hopefully discussing hot topics also encourages people to go out and learn more so they can make progress in their careers and provide great dental care.

If you are interested in joining us for any of our study groups please call 01548 852165 or email us with your booking requirements.