A study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontologylooked at the impact of an anti-inflammatory diet on gingivitis.[i]As a result of a randomised controlled trial, an ‘experimental’ group (who switched to a diet low in animal proteins and processed carbs, but high in plant nitrates, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamin D) showed an improvement in gingival health, compared to the ‘control’ group, who made no changes.

Bringing a discussion of nutrition and how to optimise nutrition for good dental health to appointments is not a new concept for practitioners committed to a preventive approach. Talking to patients about reducing their consumption of sugary snacks and drinks should form part of every patient’s visit to the dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist. This latest study is interesting, though, as its focus is on what you shoulddo, rather than what you shouldn’t. An anti-inflammatory diet that includes nuts, seeds and lean protein alongside plenty of fruit and veg, is said to have other long-term health benefits associated with reducing and controlling chronic inflammation. Major diseases and conditions linked to chronic inflammation include arthritis, diabetes, depression and some cancers.[ii]Now, we have evidence that this diet can naturally reduce gingival bleeding (in the study, participants were requested to stop cleaning interdentally for the duration of the trial). It should also be noted that although primarily plant-based, an anti-inflammatory diet can include oily, fatty fish. 

In the media, any conversations about dental health/nutrition are focused on sugar and ways to reduce or eliminate it from our diets. The UK’s Sugar Tax supports this focus, with high-sugar drinks costing more since 2018 in an attempt to curb rising decay as well as obesity. We can argue that patients have ‘always’ known that sugar is bad news for teeth, but not how detrimental it can be to general health. It wasn’t that long ago when sugary snacks were advertised with campaigns boasting their energy-giving properties. It was OK for mothers to give their children a sweet, chocolate snack after school, the adverts said, as it would give them a boost which would keep them going until dinner time. It was only when rising levels of obesity forced food companies to change their advertising, did we see a shift away from ‘energy’ and towards ‘pleasure’. There are also now rules that prohibit ads for junk food appearing alongside children’s television programmes.[iii]In the UK, we still eat lots of sugary snacks and drinks, though, and children are consuming more than twice as much sugar as they should.[iv]Manufacturers are reducing sugar content to avoid the levy, but sugary food and drinks can still be purchased cheaply, especially if a consumer avoids branded products.

Back to the study that links an anti-inflammatory diet to reduced gingivitis, this is a new angle for practitioners who want to motivate patients to eat better. It also ties in with work published in The Lancet, that looked at diets worldwide and which country’s eating habits were shortening the most lives.[v]It found that high-salt diets shortened the highest number of lives and diets containing “low levels of nuts, seeds, vegetables, omega-3 from seafood and fibre” were also “dangerous” for long-term health. These are key components of an anti-inflammatory diet.

Dental practitioners must widen the nutrition conversation. Patients know sugar is bad for them and although they may be more aware of just howbad, we need to promote positive food choices that leave little appetite for junk – an anti-inflammatory diet is full of nutrient-rich food that will also leave them feeling fuller for longer.

Alongside a solid daily cleaning routine, using high-quality products such as TANDEX brushes and adjunctive products for cleaning teeth and gums, we can motivate patients better by refocusing our message. They know the bad news, let’s tell them the good stuff, for supporting their optimal dental and general good health. 

For more information on Tandex’s range of products, visit www.tandex.dkor visit the facebook page:

www.facebook.com/pages/Tandex-UK/234855250044190?fref=ts

References

[i]Woelber JP, Gärtner M, Breuninger L, Anderson A, König D, Hellwig E, Al‐Ahmad A, Vach K, Dötsch A, Ratka‐Krüger P, Tennert C. The influence of an anti‐inflammatory diet on gingivitis. A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 2019 Apr; 46 (4): 481-90.

[ii]Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School. Foods that fight inflammation. Published 7 November, 2018. Link: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation(accessed June 2019).

[iii]NHS news. Does TV and internet advertising feed children’s junk food habits? 17 October, 2018. Link: https://www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/does-tv-and-internet-advertising-feed-childrens-junk-food-habits/(accessed June 2019).

[iv]BBC. Children in England consuming ‘twice as much sugar as recommended’, 15 June 2018. Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-44483081(accessed June 2019).

[v]Afshin A, Sur PJ, Fay KA, Cornaby L, Ferrara G, Salama JS, Mullany EC, Abate KH, Abbafati C, Abebe Z, Afarideh M. Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet.2019 Apr 4.

Communication between dentist and laboratory technicians is incredibly important, especially as it can directly impact the quality of any restorations.

Keep this bond strong by encouraging referring dentists to choose the CS 3600 intraoral scanner from Carestream Dental.

Not only is this state-of-the-art scanner able to produce highly accurate images with an exceptional level of trueness, but it also sends files in an open STL format.

This allows lab technicians to use the design software of their choice, helping to encourage smoother, more personalised workflows.

Find out more today.

For more information, contact Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692 or

visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @CarestreamDentl

and Facebook

An oral environment that can damage teeth, also has the potential to interact with appliances. Acids are well known for the damage they can do, not least to teeth and metals. Conditions in the mouth can become more or less acidic depending on various factors, including diet and salivary flow.

Despite being the hardest tissue in the body, cumulative exposure to acid damages dental enamel over time. Enamel is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite [Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂, HAP], which is not a perfectly stable compound, and can be subject to various chemical interactions that can alter it, layer by layer. In some ways this is beneficial – it is why fluoride toothpastes help to protect the teeth. The fluoride ions (F-) replace the hydroxyl ions (OH-), creating fluorapatite, which is more acid resistant. However, interactions with acids can lead to the phosphate (PO₄) being stolen and replaced with carbonate (CO₃), which increases the solubility of the enamel.[i]

Increased acidity in the oral cavity, leads to enamel erosion, which gradually weakens the teeth. The length of exposure, the frequency and the type/strength of the acid all effect the intensity of the erosion.¹Saliva can help reduce the damage caused, by enabling calcium and phosphates to flow around the teeth, neutralising acids and remineralising tooth enamel.^{1, [ii]}Consequently, in patients with xerostomia, the reduction in salivary flow leaves them relatively less protected.

Dietary choices can cause short-term spikes in acidity within the oral cavity, when these become periodic substantial damage can accumulate. The normal oral pH of saliva is between 6.7 to 7.4. When carbohydrates are consumed, bacteria in the mouth begin the digestive process, releasing acidic biproducts. A drop in oral pH to below 5.5 begins breaking down enamel, increasing the chance of the patient developing caries, and eventually losing teeth. Various beverages can cause particularly significant drops in oral pH, including: fruit juices, coffee, and soft drinks (these drinks also frequently contain high levels of sugar). In patients with typical salivary flow, it can take around a quarter of an hour for these fluids to cease affecting the mouth. Solid sugars can take even longer to be cleared, adhering to tooth surfaces and providing bacteria with an extended period to metabolise them into harmful biproducts.[iii]

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an already common complaint, and prevalence is rising – including among the young. GERD occurs where stomach acid escapes upwards into the oesophagus, primarily causing uncomfortable heartburn and an unpleasant taste. Other symptoms include: halitosis, oesophagitis, bloating, nausea and vomiting, difficulty or pain swallowing, oesophageal ulcers, narrowing and scarring.[iv]GERD is a chronic disorder, that affects up to one in four Europeans at some point in their lives. Risk factors for GERD include age, sex, race, use of analgesics, diet, smoking, low levels of physical activity and high body mass index (BMI).[v]

Many of these factors are also associated with edentulism, and in the case of smoking early significantly increases the chances of losing teeth prior to age fifty. BMI as a risk factor for edentulism is somewhat inconclusive across the literature, however, a high BMI does raise the risk of diabetes, which is associated with periodontal disease.[vi]Consequently, a patient with partial or full edentulism, is more likely to have GERD and other comorbidities (such as Type 2 diabetes).

Eating disorders which involve vomiting (such as bulimia), can also subject the teeth and anything else in the oral cavity to highly acidic gastric juices, resulting in significant damage over time. In such cases, it is generally agreed that the disorder must be brought under control before comprehensive restorative treatment, otherwise the continued erosion can lead to failure and further complications for the patient.[vii]

Many partial dentures are supported with metal. Just as acid can damage the enamel, over time it can affect these metals. Gastric acid is strong enough to leach away trace amounts of metal ions into the saliva. While this is believed to be within safe tolerances for most of the population, it could pose problems for patients with metal allergies (approximately 10% of patients, although this figure is believed to be underestimated).[viii]^,[ix]

For partially edentulous patients where acid and/or metal are potentially problematic, an advanced alternative to metal partial dentures is available. Ultaire^®AKP from Solvay Dental 360^®is an innovative non-corrosive polymer that contains absolutely no metal, yet has comparable strength. It has been found that an alarming 40% of patients no longer use removable partial dentures within 5 years due to factors like pain and aesthetics.[x]Removable partial dentures made from Ultaire^® AKP are aesthetically pleasing, non-irritating, lightweight and very comfortable.

The destruction and loss of the natural dentition is a gradual process, with many underlying factors. Some of these factors can also potentially affect dental prostheses. Lower pH levels in the mouth correspond to greater metal ion release from metals. Diet, alcohol-based mouth wash, eating disorders and acid reflux can all contribute to a more acidic oral environment.9Where it is within the patient’s power to modify these risk factors, it should be encouraged.

To book a Solvay Dental 360^®Professional Lunch and Learn or to find more information Ultaire^®AKP and Dentivera^®milling discs,
please visit www.solvaydental360.com

References

[i]Derceli J., Faraoni J., Pereira-da-Silva M., Palma-Dibb R. Analysis of the early stages and evolution of dental enamel erosion. Brazilian Dental Journal.2016; 27(3): 313-317. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-6440201600667June 6, 2019.

[ii]Karlinsey R., Mackey A., Blanken D., Schwandt C. Remineralization of eroded enamel lesions by simulated saliva in vitro. The Open Dentistry Journal. 2012; 6: 170-176. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3486963/June 13, 2019.

[iii]Hans R., Thomas S., Garla B., Dagli R., Hans M. Effect of various sugary beverages on salivary pH, flow rate, and oral clearance rate amongst adults. Scientifica.2016: 5027283. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/scientifica/2016/5027283/June 6, 2019.

[iv]NHS. Gastro-oesphageal reflux disease (GORD). NHS Inform. 2019. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/gastro-oesophageal-reflux-disease-gordJune 6, 2019.

[v]Yamaskaki T., Hemond C., Fass R. The changing epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease: are patients getting younger? Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. 2018; 24(4): 559-569. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6175565/June 6, 2019.

[vi]Latif T., Vieira A. Risk factors and comorbidities associated with complete edentulism in individuals younger than fifty years of age. Journal of Dentistry and Oral Health. 2017; 4: 1-6. http://www.jscholaronline.org/articles/JDOH/Risk-Factors-and-Comorbidities.pdfJune 6, 2019.

[vii]Bonilla E., Del Aguila C., Wetzel D., Scott E., Bonilla S. Eating disorders: diagnosis and prosthodontic management. BAOJ Dentistry. 2017; 3(3): 37. https://bioaccent.org/dentistry/dentistry37.pdfJune 13, 2019.

[viii]Mercieca S., Conti M., Buhagiar J., Camilleri J. Assessment of corrosion resistance of cast cobalt- and nickel-chromium dental alloys in acidic environments.  Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Functional Materials. 2018; 16(1): 47-54. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.5301/jabfm.5000383June 13, 2019.

[ix]Jafari K., Rahimzadeh S., Hekmatfar S. Nickel ion release from dental alloys in two different mouthwashes. Journal of Dental Research, Dental Clinics, Dental Prospects. 2019; 13(1). https://joddd.tbzmed.ac.ir/Files/Inpress/joddd-17959.pdfJune 13, 2019.

[x]Campbell S., Cooper L., Craddock H., Hyde T., Nattress B., Pavitt S., Seymour D. Removable partial dentures: the clinical need for innovation. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 2017; 118(3): 273-280. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022391317300732June 6, 2019.

“I have tried dental loupes in the past and found them very uncomfortable,” says Dr Diane Bastian. “I met Nuview at a Jason Smithson course I attended in Birmingham, which is where I tried a demo set of the EyeMag Pro loupes that Nuview supplies.

“I explained to John Woods that I had issues with the comfort of traditional loupes, so he suggested I invest in a headband version of the EyeMag Pro loupes. These are much more comfortable to use, easier to adjust, and they also feel robust.

“Combined with the EyeMag Light II, the EyeMag Pro loupes are brilliant – so much so that I don’t necessarily have to rely on a dental light. These loupes make a big difference to my own personal comfort in practice and I think the quality of my dentistry is going to improve as I will be able to visualise more.

“The customer service I received from Nuview was excellent. John was very helpful and accommodating. I would definitely recommend the Nuview team, as they offer high quality products and if I feel I have a problem, I can always call them. They’re very approachable.”

For more information please call Nuview on 01453 872266, email info@nuview-ltd.com, visit www.nuview.coor ‘like’ Nuview on Facebook.

When patients come to you for specialist orthodontic treatment, they deserve to be treated with effective appliances.

The Incognito Lite appliance system from 3M Oral Care is proven to deliver accurate results,[i]allowing you to provide your patients with safe and predictable orthodontic care.

Designed in close cooperation with orthodontists and endorsed by more than 9,000 specialists across the globe, the Incognito Lite system is the ideal choice for experts.

Designed with a large bonding area for optimum bond strength, the system conforms to patients’ unique dental anatomies, providing maximum comfort.[ii]

To see how you could give your patients the treatments they deserve, contact the 3M Oral Care team today.

For more information, call 0845 873 4066or visit http://solutions.3m.co.uk/wps/portal/3M/en_GB/orthodontics_EU/Unitek/

Or www.hiddenbraces.co.uk  

3M is atrademark of the 3M Company.

Incognito is a trademark of TOP-Service für Lingualtechnik GmbH.

[i]Demling, Anton, Dr., Dittmer, Marc, P., Dr., Schwestka-Polly Rainer, Dr., “Comparative analysis of slot dimensions in lingual bracket systems” (2009) in: Head Face Med. 2009, Issue 5 p.27

[ii]Grauer, Dan, Dr., and Proffit, William, R., Dr., Hill, Chapel, Dr. “Accuracy in tooth positioning with fully customised lingual orthodontic appliance” (2011) in: NC American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics, 2011, Vol. 140, Issue 3 P. 433-443 

Leading manufacturer, W&H, is excited to introduce clinicians to the new Lara sterilizer, featuring a colour touchscreen display for easy navigation.

The standard version of the new Lara offers one of the fastest type B cycles in its performance segment. Through a unique Activation Code system, clinicians can upgrade Lara to future proof their practice. Increased efficiency can be achieved by upgrading to patented Eco Dry+ technology, which automatically adapts the drying time to the mass of each load, thereby saving time and energy.

As well as taking advantage of automatic cycle recording, dental professionals can upgrade the new Lara with an intelligent traceability feature – ensuring each cycle can be traced back to the person who initiated it.

Contact W&H for further details. #incredible

To find out more visit www.wh.com/en_uk, call 01727 874990 or email office.uk@wh.com

Where are we now with Making Tax Digital (MTD)? Well, most of you will know that the pace of change has slowed down somewhat.

In 2017, a new timetable for MTD was announced, in response to concerns that many small business owners, as well as the Treasury Select Committee, had about the speed and scope of the proposed changes.

The slow-down was confirmed in this year’s Spring Statement. The government said it pledged to support businesses with their transition to MTD and therefore would not be making it mandatory for new businesses or taxes until 2020. Briefly, businesses are not obliged to use MTD software for any taxes other than VAT until April 2020 at the earliest.

With regards to MTD for VAT, there are rules around timing: 

• A business will only need to keep digital records and use the MTD software if it has a taxable turnover above the VAT threshold of £85,000 and is not in the deferral group (see below). A business that fits the criteria is now required to use MTD for VAT periods that started on/after 1 April 2019.

• For VAT-registered businesses in the deferral group, mandation to MTD is now delayed until October 2019. What factors might put a business in the deferral group? Having more complex VAT requirements such as being a public corporation and if it uses the annual accounting scheme. This list is not exhaustive, so check with your accountant.

When the MTD proposal was first published in 2015, it promised great benefits – an exciting vision of a tax system that was “fit for the digital age”, by being easier, faster and more efficient.

My advice then was wait, and keep your tax affairs in impeccable order to ensure that your practice’s transition to the digital era is as smooth as possible. The pace may have slowed down, but MTD is still going to happen, so you need to stay prepared. Enlist the services of an accountant that has the knowledge and experience of working for and with dental practice owners, such as the specialist team at Lansdell & Rose. This way, however long the
roll-out takes, you will be one step ahead and ready for a hassle-free switch to digital.

For more information please visit www.lansdellrose.co.uk
or call Lansdell & Rose on 020 7376 9333.

If you went back in time fifteen years and said to people that social media influencers would exist, it’s likely that people would call you crazy. After all, the very concept of someone promoting products on photo-based or video sharing apps and being paid enormous sums of money to do so would seem alien, especially with the celebrity culture already in place.

However, fast-forward to 2019 and social media influencers are bigger than ever. But what is a social media influencer and how are these individuals changing society?

The rise of a new type of celebrity

It’s no understatement to say that social media has hugely impacted the world. Recent statistics show that 45% of the entire world population are now social media users, and that equates to billions of people who consistently check their smartphones in order to keep connected to others and share content.[i]Of course, with this sort of usership it’s understandable that brands and manufacturers have realised the massive marketing potential of these channels.

What’s unique about these platforms, however, is the way marketing works on them. Yes, adverts and brand profiles exist, but the best way to target people on a large scale is to enlist the help of an influencer. Influencers are individuals who have built massive followings on their accounts due to their personality, good quality content and relatability. People want to follow people they feel they know and whose opinions they trust, and this means that selling products through these individuals has proven highly effective.

Today, social media stars are believed to be more influential than celebrities. Research gathered in the US found that 34% of children aged 6 – 17 consider social media stars to be their biggest role models in life, outranking the influence of other famous faces such as athletes, popstars and even the President of the United States.[ii]

How is social media changing people?

Influencers and social media in general have had a huge impact on how people behave, especially the younger generations. Statistics gathered when questioning 6 – 17-year olds found that alarming numbers of these individuals want to become YouTubers or other social media stars, with 75% of them stating these jobs as a future ambition.[iii]

This may not actually be as an outlandish idea as it first seems. Children are easily influenced by people they admire, so it makes sense that they would want to follow in the footsteps of their favourite social media stars. Furthermore, becoming a social media content creator has a degree of creativity that many traditional work routes are without. Influencers also have a vast earning potential. So, who wouldn’t want a job that has a glamorous lifestyle, can be based around their interests, is free from work hours and corporate red tape and which is also highly profitable?

Indeed, earning money as an influencer has fast become a viable avenue. Influencers can earn a huge amount of money per post on platforms such as Instagram – people with millions of followers are able to command sums such as £250,000 for one photo if their following is big enough and their audience is receptive.

What’s particularly interesting is that there are different levels of influencers currently working. Microinfluencers (those with around 10,000 followers) can also earn money from posts and are being targeted by brands because they tend to have better engagement and more dedicated followings. This means that becoming an influencer is accessible to a large amount of people, and this too is likely to be a factor fuelling people’s desire to become one.[iv]

Influencers and aesthetics

A big part of becoming an influencer is being prepared to put yourself and your image out there in front of millions of people. It’s by all accounts little surprise that top influencers tend to be highly polished and attractive individuals, and this is starting to directly affect how people in society think they should look.

The latest beauty trends tend to be borne entirely from Instagram fads created by influencers. This has even extended to cosmetic surgery, with individuals such as Kendall Jenner having work done and causing millions of individuals to follow suit in an effort to achieve the same look.

It’s therefore little surprise that this passion for changing aesthetics has extended to dentistry. Surveys have found that smiles and teeth are routinely voted as the most attractive feature or those that get noticed first.[v]For people with aspirations to become influencers, this is likely something they will focus on.

But what can you do as a dentist? One easy way to monetise on this growing quest for aesthetics is to offer tooth-whitening products to your patients. Saber Tooth Whitening Kits from CosTech Dental Laboratory are a particularly good option as they are easy to use and can fit around the existing lifestyle of users.

A new generation

It’s impossible to know how long the influencer trend will continue, or if it is a bubble that will eventually burst. Regardless of this, the rise of influencers has made it the perfect time to start focusing on aesthetic treatments in your practice.

For more information on Saber Tooth White products call CosTech Dental Laboratory on 01474 320076 or visit the Saber Tooth White website directly to order https://sabertoothwhite.com/

[i]Hootsuite. 130+ Social Media Statistics That Matter To Marketers in 2019. Link:https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-statistics-for-social-media-managers/[Last accessed June 19].

[ii]Mintel. US Kids Say Social Media Stars are More influential than Celebrities or the President. Link: https://www.mintel.com/press-centre/social-and-lifestyle/us-kids-say-social-media-stars-are-more-influential-than-athletes-actors-and-the-president[Last accessed June 19].

[iii]MediaKix. Why Children are Set On Becoming YouTubers When They Grow Up. Link: https://mediakix.com/blog/percent-children-becoming-a-youtuber/[Last accesses June 19].

[iv]Tinuiti. How Much Do Influencers Charge? | Paying Influencers 2019 Guide. Link:https://www.cpcstrategy.com/blog/2019/05/how-much-do-influencers-charge/[Last accessed June 19].

[v]Dentistry IQ. Survey Finds Smile is “Most Attractive” Physical Feature. Link: https://www.dentistryiq.com/practice-management/industry/article/16371644/survey-finds-smile-is-most-attractive-physical-feature[Last accessed June 19].

Dental laboratories need to be able to offer you more.

That’s why at CosTech Dental Laboratory we offer our dentists a number of unique advantages.

As the laboratory has dedicated NHS and Private departments, you can ensure that you will always get your restorations when you need them, completely fuss free. Furthermore, CosTech offers an Express Turnaround service on cases that require a speedy solution.

With these benefits, alongside its commitment to quality, very competitive prices and freepost on all standard orders, it’s easy to see why CosTech is the choice for you.

Find out more by contacting the team at CosTech Dental Laboratory today.

For more information about CosTech Dental Laboratory, please visit www.costech.co.ukor call 01474 320076