Trick Or Treat – Limit The Sugar Damage
October 28, 2010
With Halloween fast approaching and the increase in the appeal of trick or treat in this country put some thought into the damage you could be causing the young tricksters and go for treats that are less harmful to their teeth.
The worst type of sweets are those that stick to the teeth like caramels and toffee. They are almost impossible to remove without brushing and flossing and the sugar in them feeds bacteria which causes tooth decay. As far as sour sweets are concerned you are actually better off NOT brushing straight away because this will scrub the acid they contain into your teeth. Have a drink of water and rinse around the mouth first.
The best option (other than a sugar free gum) is chocolate, but of course it still contains sugar so is best kept to a minimum. So try to limit the damage by offering small treats and steering away from the sticky and sour varieties.
The Harsh Facts About Mouth Cancer
October 1, 2010
Here’s a frightening statistic for you – one person in the UK dies from mouth cancer every five hours. Over the last decade cases of mouth cancer have risen by 41% and it seems that lack of public awareness is part of the reason for this rise, meaning that about 70% of mouth cancers are detected at a late stage, reducing the chances of survival. Catching mouth cancer early is very important – that’s why we routinely conduct a soft tissue check during patient check ups. We also encourage patients to keep an eye on their mouths between appointments and to let us know if they are concerned about any unusual symptoms. These include ulcers that don’t heal within three weeks, red or white patches and any other unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth. November is Mouth Cancer Action Month which seeks to raise awareness of mouth cancer and urges people to get screened, so pop in and make an appointment to get checked out and we can work to lower these frightening statistics.