Teeth are Trendy: Exploring Smile Fashion

In recent years, the concept of having a perfect ‘movie star’ smile has shifted from a genetic blessing had by few, to an achievable beauty standard. Thanks to pioneering work in the cosmetic dental industry, not only is the smile of your dreams attainable, but also affordable. Shakira can be seen flashing a dazzling pearl white grin in Oral B advertisements on our televisions, Georgia May Jagger (daughter of Mick) and Lara Stone, Supermodels, have brought the gap tooth grin back into fashion, with reports that some individuals have had surgical procedures to imitate this look.

 

 

In Japan, ‘fashion braces’ are a huge trend in the Kawaii culture, with many of it’s followers choosing to have orthodontic braces fitted just for the aesthetic appeal.

 

 

 

Celebrity endorsement of dental hygiene products can only be seen as a positive, in my opinion, as it encourages both viewers and fans to consider these products, and introspectively asses their teeth, and whether or not there appearance can be improved.

 

As it is maintenance of good oral hygiene that gives us great teeth, in the long term, the ‘good teeth’ trend could save the NHS a significant amount of money, and prevent diseases such as mouth cancer for many many people. After all, there is nothing more attractive than good health. Focus on the smile and on dental health in general amongst celebrities and influential movements and figures is very much an exciting and positive development.

 

Paige

Diabetes - Reducing the Risk

Diabetes - Lowering the risk

You may have noticed sugar has recently received a lot of media attention. Rightly so.

Access to sugar and our food choices - be that in cola, cakes, biscuits or hidden away in sauces, soups, dressings, baked beans etc. have sky rocketed our risk of developing Type-2 Diabetes.

Did you know the health of your mouth also has a direct link to your diabetes risk?

What is Type-2 Diabetes?

It usually starts in middle age and is linked to a sedentary lifestyle, worryingly; it is now affecting younger patients too. Diabetes is becoming a ‘global epidemic’.

Type-2 Diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin hormone, or the insulin hormone is ineffective in removing glucose from your blood stream.

Those with uncontrolled Type-2 diabetes are more likely to develop conditions such as heart and kidney disease, leading in turn to a lower life expectancy.

Staggeringly, Diabetes UK reveal that 58% of cases of Type-2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and being active.

How does my gum health affect my diabetes risk?

The British society of Periodontology recognise “in people with diabetes, those who have severe gum disease have higher blood sugar levels (measured by a test called HbA1c), compared with those with healthier gums”.

When you have severe gum disease your body’s control of blood sugar levels is not as good as it should be.

Reducing the risk

The good news is you can reduce your risk of getting type-2 diabetes by eating for health, keeping active & looking after your gum health. The signs of Type-2 diabetes are not obvious to start with and can take up to 10 years before you learn you have it. Prevention is better than cure.

Use interdental brushes or floss before you brush to remove all plaque thoroughly from every tooth. It is important to see your dental professional as often as they recommend so they can monitor your gum health and check your home care regime is working for you.

“Eat for long-term goals, not short term satisfaction”

Diabetes UK agrees that reducing your sugar intake is the way forward:

“Sugar is a type of carbohydrate and because all carbohydrates affect blood glucose levels, reducing your sugar intake can help to keep blood glucose levels under control. As sugar contributes no nutritive value, apart from carbohydrates and calories, it has ‘empty calories’. This doesn’t mean that people with diabetes should have a sugar-free diet. In fact, it’s almost impossible to have a sugar-free diet in the long term.”

 Reducing refined sugar from your diet also reduces risk of tooth decay.

 

Ready to eat for better health? Here’s how to get started:

-          Preparation! Create a list of go-to recipes & fill your cupboards and fridge with wholesome ingredients.

-          Remove temptation.

-          Treat yourself. A local organic seasonal vegetable box can inspire new recipes. Or celebrate a better health milestone with a new kitchen gadget to keep things exciting (spiralized vegetables are beautiful!)

To keep the nutritious recipe ideas flowing ‘JamiesFoodRevolution.org’ promises big things this year, or try searching for ‘paleo’ recipes (no refined sugar or refined flour).

 Here’s to a healthier, happier you.

 Christina.

Don't Let Gum Disease Wipe The Smile off Your Face!

The British Society of Periodontology is running a significant UK campaign in support of European Gum Health Awareness Day – official launch date 12 May 2016.

Why are we doing it?
Gum disease (periodontitis) is a major public health problem affecting quality of life.

                  More than 45% of UK adults are affected.

                  It has known links to other serious conditions.

                  Gum disease is preventable and treatable if caught early.

Take the educational quiz at http://www.bsperio.org.uk/howsyoursmile/index.html to find out if you are likely to be suffering from gum disease and find out how to make your smile more healthy!

The key message is "Don't Let Gum Disease Wipe the Smile Off Your Face"  #howsyoursmile

 

Cancer plays dirty - but so can we! Absolute Dental getting Pretty Muddy!

 

This July the Absolute team will be taking part in the Pretty Muddy Race for Life in Exeter to raise money for Cancer Research. Pretty Muddy® isn’t like any other fundraising event. It is a 5K muddy obstacle course that women of any ability can climb over, crawl under, and charge through to show cancer that hell hath no fury like a woman in pink.

The Absolute Angels (as we like to call ourselves) signed up to this event in January after receiving news that Maureen, one of our hygienists was to undergo some Chemotherapy and an operation for her third episode of this awful disease.

As we got into full swing with our fundraising, Maureen became more and more unwell and in March 2016 we were finally told the devastating news that there was no more they could do for her. She had become too unwell and the Chemotherapy was not going to work.

Our beloved Maureen passed away in April 2016, peacefully at home, and so whilst we started this fund raising journey in support of her, we now continue it in her memory, as well as all our other friends and family we have lost or are currently fighting this.  We will work even harder to raise as much money as we can for Cancer Research in the hope that one day they will find a cure and we can once and for all kick Cancers butt!

If you would like to sponsor us there are sponsor forms available in the practice or alternatively you can sponsor us online at www.justgiving.com/teams/absolute-angels.

Gemma.