Confusion in the savoury snacks aisle in Tesco!

We like to keep everything current here at Absolute Dental and so Christina and Ruth decided to update the "Healthy Snacks" leaflet we give out to our younger patients last week.

Christina our very talented dental therapist, loves a challenge and took to the internet to do her research and looked to ways to jazz up the leaflet.

We came across one surprise and thought we should share it with you.....

Plain breadsticks (often a common lunch box favourite of mums and considered a good healthy snack and an alternative to sweet biscuits) left us all scratching our heads.

We checked the ingredients of Tesco Plain Breadsticks, and NO sugar - result!

We looked at the mini alternatives too - better for little eaters! Once again, NO sugar - perfect!

However, the problem comes when we looked at the more convenient "lunch box" alternative, the same Original Mini Breadsticks but in handy individual packs........

 

.....In these, the third ingredients on the list (in other words, the 3rd largest ingredients in the product) is SUGAR!!!!!

 

Christina quickly emailed Tesco to highlight this to them, and raised her concern that in her effort to promote "healthy snacks" to patients to reduce tooth decay, the message can easily become confused by inconsistencies such as these - and went on to ask them when they would be removing sugar from their recipe!

 

The response from Tesco was swift, and is as follows:

 

Dear Christina

Thanks for emailing me.

I’m sorry to learn that you’re unhappy with the sugar content found within our own brand breadstick; after reading through your email I can understand your concern with this.

I’m unable to make a decision as to changing any part of a products recipe but I’ve now spoken to my Business Support Team and have advised them of your concerns with the sugar content; they’ve taken this as feedback that we can give to our suppliers as a suggestion.

Thank you for taking the time to email me; if I can be of any further assistance please feel free to contact me.

Kind regards,

Aaron Watson

Tesco Customer Service

Tesco Customer Engagement Centre

We are sharing this with you as we feel many people would examine food labels as closely as we were able to on this occasion - and want to raise awareness that even the healthiest seeming snacks are not all that they seem.

 

Maybe some of you will be motivated by this to read labels more closely - or even do as Christina has done and drop an email to a high street shop.....we need to take action on this, either on a personal level or on a larger scale to try and change the health of a nation an their teeth.

 

Please share this to raise awareness - and maybe a few back to school pack lunches will look a bit different next week.....

 

 

 

 





So many things to smile about from Brazil!

If you, like us, are missing the Olympic Games already and eagerly awaiting the Paralympic Games, here is a great blog from Ruthie about Brazilians and their smiles! 

Brazilians take cleanliness extremely seriously. Showering twice a day is standard and even the most basic restaurant has an outside sink with soap and paper towels so you can wash your hands before you eat. 

 

 

 

 

What may come as a surprise is what can be found in a cafe "rest room":  

Push the soap dispenser and instead of fragrant foam, some minty liquid will land on your hands. This is mouthwash. Look around the bathroom and spot dental floss too!

"We smile a lot. Every time we ask something, we smile, we apologise smiling, people see their smile as their calling card," says Ronaldo Art, marketing manager for Oral Care at Johnson & Johnson in Brazil.

The company puts its Listerine mouthwash in public toilets for free so they can try the product. One of the latest tactical moves by a global company to take a slice of Brazil's massive oral hygiene market, and it seems to be working. 

Research for the BBC carried out by international brand consultancy Millward Brown reveals that out of the top twenty most powerful foreign brands, three are for toothpaste - Colgate, Oral B, and Close-Up. 

"Historically in Brazil if you had a nice smile, it would show you were a wealthy person," said Eduardo Campanella, brand director for oral care for Unilever in Brazil. 

"Everybody in Brazil will have their toothbrush and their toothpaste in their purse .There is even a joke, if you see someone in the UK brushing their teeth in the toilet, no doubt he's Brazilian," he says.

It is estimated Brazil has the highest number of dentists in the world - more than 240,000. That is equivalent to 15% of the dentists in the entire world. 

Overall, the dental market is number three in the world after the US and China.And a Brazilian household would spend nearly the same amount on oral care as a US household, even though economic productivity, or wealth, in Brazil is a fifth of that in the United States. 

The dental market is healthy and not without its surprises 

Unilever launched a range of stain removers, the company had an idea of how well it would sell. "It was double," says Marcos Angelini, the homecare vice-president at Unilever Brazil.

So check out those beautiful Brazilian smiles . They are gold medal winners ! 

Tooth Enamel and Acid Wear - Start Protecting Today!

Erosive Tooth Wear, also known as Acid Wear, Acid Erosion, Enamel Erosion or Tooth Erosion, is of growing concern and could quickly become the next big threat to the long-term health of our teeth – it’s a real challenge for the 21^st century. Yet few people have heard of it.

This ground-breaking research has revealed that an acid-rich modern diet can result in Acid Wear, one of the main components of Tooth Wear.

Tooth Wear is known to get worse over time, so this study is even more revealing as it shows that as many as 30% of young adults (18-35 year olds) are showing some signs already.

We can’t see the early signs ourselves but when a dentist is checking for tooth decay or tooth pain, they will also be looking for Tooth Wear, including these 5 signs of Acid Wear: weak, thin, transparent or see-through, yellowing and dull enamel.

A modern acid-rich diet could be putting your teeth more at risk than you might think.  

As few as four acidic ‘moments’ throughout the day can put enamel at risk from Acid Wear also know as Acid Erosion. http://www.pronamel.co.uk/how-acid-wear-affects-you.html

It’s not just the fizzy drinks, coffee or wine; surprisingly it can even be our healthier choices: fruit, fruit juices, sparkling water with lemon and even salad dressings can count towards our daily acidic ‘moments’.

Revealing how today’s diet can affect our teeth. That’s The Acid Truth.

Enamel and Acid Wear

Enamel is the white, mineral-rich protective outer layer of our teeth. It’s not just strong, it’s the hardest substance in our bodies. Surprisingly though, enamel can be weakened or softened just by the acids found in our everyday food and drink. If weakened, our enamel can then be more easily worn away. Over time, it can get gradually thinner, duller and see-through – eventually revealing the yellow layer underneath. These are just some of the effects of Acid Wear.

Tooth Wear can be described as the loss of tooth substance (i.e. enamel) and is different from Tooth Decay. Tooth wear can be caused by either mechanical (e.g. grinding) or chemical (e.g. dietary acids) challenges. Erosive Tooth Wear, also known as Acid Wear, is the wearing away of enamel often due to dietary acids.

 

We believe that everyone, young or old, should have strong, healthy and beautiful teeth whilst still being able to enjoy delicious, healthy food and drinks – for a lifetime.

Every day protection is everything when it comes to Acid Wear prevention

Acids in our daily diet can weaken teeth, dissolving essential minerals and making the enamel surface easier to wear away.

Once enamel’s gone, it’s gone forever.

 

Speak to us today about your concerns and our team of dentists and hygienists can help identify areas in your diet to make changes and suggest toothpastes that can strengthen weakened enamel.

 

 

 

Pre-Season Training? Have you got your new Mouthguard?

Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one or two of your front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating—everything would suddenly be affected. Knowing how to prevent injuries to your mouth and face is especially important if you participate in any sporting activity.

Summer holidays have only just started, but we are already getting calls from organised parents who want mouth-guards made for children ready for the new school term in September - or even pre-season training.

Mouthguards help cushion a blow to the face, minimising the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. Your top teeth take the brunt of any potential trauma because they stick out slightly further, your bottom teeth are a little more protected because they are further back.

When Should You Wear a Mouthguard?

When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of sports equipment that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age.

Types of Mouthguards

The best mouthguard is one that has been custom made for your mouth by your dentist.

• These are made by your dentist for you personally. They are individually created for fit and comfort. Call us today on 01548852165 to make an short appointment for impressions - it's so simple but could prevent nasty injuries....

Protecting Your Braces

A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks.

Talk to your dentist or orthodontist about selecting a mouthguard that will provide the right protection. Although some mouthguards only cover the upper teeth, your dentist or orthodontist may suggest that you use a mouthguard on the lower teeth if you have braces on these teeth.

If you have a retainer or other removable appliance, do not wear it during any contact sports.

Mouthguard Care and Replacement

Talk to your dentist about when is the right time to replace your mouthguard, but replace it immediately if it shows sign of wear, is damaged or ill fitting. Teens and children may need to replace their mouthguards more often because their mouths are still growing and changing.

• Between games, it’s important to keep your mouthguard clean and dry. Here are some tips for making sure your mouthguard is always ready to go:
• Rinse before and after each use or brush with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Regularly clean the mouthguard in cool, soapy water. Then, rinse it thoroughly.
• During your regular dental checkups, bring your mouthguard for an evaluation. Your dentist may also be able to give it a thorough cleaning.
• Store and transport the mouthguard in a sturdy container that has vents so it can dry and keep bacteria from growing.
• Never leave the mouthguard in the sun or in hot water.
• Check fit and for signs of wear and tear to see if it needs replacing.
• Some mouthguards have fallen victim to family pets, who see them as chew toys. Store your mouthguard and case somewhere your pet cannot get to it!

Pretty Muddy 5k - The Absolute Angels' tale of mud, sweat and the odd tear!

The sun was shining on the morning of Saturday July 23rd, as the team of Absolute Angels set off to Westpoint in Exeter to take part in the Cancer Research UKs "Pretty Muddy 5k".

The strap line for the event is "Cancer plays dirty, but so can we!" and so we knew we weren't going to stay dry and clean on this particular event!

As with all these events, it started with an enthusiastic warm up led by a military PT instructor (the highlight of my day!!!), where it was clear that some of our team were going to be running to their own beat today!

As our wave assembled on the start line we were all encouraged to crouch down and to take a moments silence to remember why we were all taking part in the event this year...this part is always hard.

When we, as a team, signed up for this event at the end of last year, our dear friend and colleague Maureen (Mo) was battling this horrible disease. We knew Mo wouldn't be able to run with us, but we could all imagine her there on the side-lines cheering us on. Sadly, Mo lost her battle with cancer in April of this year, and we all still miss her terribly. This gave us all the incentive to do our best on the day, raise lots of money to beat this disease and we all felt she was with us on the day, smiling down at our efforts to get around the course!

The course was made up of obstacles that involved us climbing over, under and through various inflatables....all of which were surrounded with mud and water!! And if that didn't get us wet enough, the cheery marshals had industrial water pistols to ensure we were thoroughly soaked!

Cargo nets, space hoppers, slides and tunnels all made the course very entertaining, and there were many laugh out load moments on the way round! We crossed the line as a team, and the first thing we did was seek out Rhod (who couldn't run with us in this ladies only event) and gave him a huge, wet, muddy hug!!!

We raised over £1500 for the charity and hope Mo would have been very proud of us.

Di