Just to let you know that the practice will be closed on Friday 26th October.
We’ll be busy being updated on all the latest cross-infection protocols so we can keep the practice shiny and clean for all our lovely patients and also having our annual refresher on dealing with medical emergencies.
If you are in need of an emergency appointment please call the practice on 01159283253 where you will hear details of our emergency cover for the day.
We’ll reopen at 8am on Monday 29th October
E-cigarette vapour disables key immune cells in the lung and boosts inflammation
Research led by the University of Birmingham has found that vapourised e-liquid fluid has a similar effect on the lungs and body that is seen in regular cigarette smokers and patients with chronic lung disease.
The research, published in Thorax and funded by the British Lung Foundation, shows that e-liquid that has been vapourised through the use of an electronic ‘e-cigarette’ boosts the production of inflammatory chemicals and disables key protective cells in the lungs that keep the air spaces clear of potentially harmful particles.
They found that vapour impairs the activity of cells, called alveolar macrophages, which are key to the immune response within the airways. Alveolar macrophages engulf and remove dust, bacteria, and allergens that have evaded the other mechanical defences of the respiratory tract.
The findings have prompted the researchers to suggest that, while further studies are needed to better understand the health effects of vaping on people, e-cigarettes may be more harmful than we think.
Professor David Thickett, of the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, said: “Cigarette smoking is associated with the cause of almost every lung disease – lung cancer, asthma, COPD and fibrosis.
“It has been suggested electronic cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes, and this narrative is increasingly supported by tobacco companies that have established research institutes devoted to generating supportive data.
“E-cigarette users have been given advice based on relatively little information. We hope that by disseminating this data as widely as possible the public can at least make an informed choice; the public must be aware that these devices are not harmless.
“We hope this information will be taken on board by advisory bodies when considering their public advice strategy. We also hope this highlights the need for dedicated funding and research to determine the long term effects of e-cigarette usage.”
Dr Aaron Scott, also of the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, said: “Several previous studies have examined the effects of unvaped e-cigarette liquid however, it is well established that the vapourising process changes the chemical composition of the liquid.
“The use of vaped liquid in our study makes this a better reflection of the exposure of the user, allowing us to examine whether e-cigarettes have a negative impact on the viability and function of cells called alveolar macrophages, which are key to the immune response within the airways.
“Our work clearly shows that vapourised e-cigarette fluid is toxic to living cells; increases the production of inflammatory chemicals; and inhibits the function of cells that are key to the immune stystem.
“Importantly, we found that exposure of these cells to e-cigarette vapour induced many of the same cellular and functional changes in function seen in cigarette smokers and patients with COPD.
“While further research is needed to fully understand the effects of e-cigarette exposure in humans in vivo, we suggest continued caution against the widely held opinion that e-cigarettes are safe.”
To find out the impact of vaping e-liquid, the researchers devised a mechanical procedure to mimic vaping and produce ‘condensate’ from the vapour.
They extracted alveolar macrophages from lung tissue samples provided by eight non-smokers who had never had asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A third of the cells were exposed to plain e-cigarette fluid, a third to different strengths of the artificially vaped condensate with and without nicotine, and a third to nothing for 24 hours.
The results showed that the condensate was significantly more harmful to the cells than e-cigarette fluid and that these effects worsened as the ‘dose’ increased.
After 24 hours of exposure the total number of viable cells exposed to the vaped condensate was significantly reduced compared to the ‘untreated’ cells, and condensate containing nicotine exaggerated this effect.
Exposure to the condensate increased cell death and boosted production of oxygen free radicals 50-fold and significantly increased the production of inflammatory chemicals – more so with condensate containing nicotine.
What’s more, the ability of cells exposed to vaped condensate to engulf bacteria was significantly impaired, although treatment with an antioxidant restored this function and helped lessen some of the other harmful effects.
The researchers conclude that the vaping process itself can damage vital immune system cells, at least under laboratory conditions.
Article credit: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2018/08/e-cigarette-vapour-disables-key-immune-cells-in-the-lung.aspx
Image credit: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321130.php
Mouth Cancer Action Month is a charity campaign which aims to raise awareness of mouth cancer and make a difference by saving thousands of lives through early detection and prevention.
Throughout November, we aim to raise awareness to get more mouth cancers diagnosed at an early stage. By increasing education of the risk factors and signs and symptoms to encourage everyone to discuss these with their dental professional.
The importance of Mouth Cancer Action Month
In the UK, more than 7,800 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer last year and globally there are in excess of 300,000 new cases every year.
The number of people being diagnosed with mouth cancer has grown by around a third in the last decade and remains one of very few cancers which are predicted to increase further in the coming years.
Although there are risk factors heavily linked to the disease, mouth cancer can affect anyone – that’s why it’s so important that we all know what to look out for. The campaign is all about taking action and promoting the messages:
- Don’t leave a mouth ulcer unattended for more than three weeks.
- Don’t ignore any unusual lumps or swellings or red and white patches in your mouth.
- Early detection could save your life. If you notice any changes in your mouth speak to a dentist or doctor immediately.
Mouth Cancer Action Month 2018
This year, we want everyone to get involved, whether you’re on your own or as part of a team, we have numerous ways you can be part of the campaign and make a real difference.
Mouth Cancer Action Month remains a focal point for everybody across the country to act and help spread awareness of the disease. Your support for the campaign continues to grow year-on-year, as does our passion to reduce the number of lives effected by mouth cancer.
A big thank you
We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who continue to help us raise awareness of mouth cancer – your participation, no matter how big or small, is always warmly received and makes a huge difference to the campaign’s success.
Our thanks also to our sponsor, Simplyhealth Professionals and supporter Dentists’ Provident, whose contributions ensure we are able to reach the maximum number of people with our messages of education, prevention and early detection.
Campaign events and projects
Since we ran the campaign 14 years ago, it has helped facilitate thousands of events and projects, and continues to act as the spearhead campaign for providing organised grassroots activities such as oral health checks and free mouth cancer examinations, talks, sponsored events, roadshows, displays, open sessions – all which have the ultimate goal of engaging people in the importance of being aware of mouth cancer.
This is just a small sample of what we have done for Mouth Cancer Action Month over the years:
- Directly invested £1.5 million into promoting mouth cancer awareness.
- Supported more than 12,000 healthcare organisations taking part in the campaign and provided thousands with patient-facing materials and resources to promote mouth cancer awareness.
- Distributed in excess of 500,000 mouth cancer posters for displays in waiting rooms and practices, with information about risk factors, early warning signs and symptoms of mouth cancer.
- Facilitated around 1,500 specialised mouth cancer events, which specifically aimed to visually examine those patients at risk of mouth cancer.
- Supplied dental practices and hospitals with 5,000 Blue Ribbon Appeal Kits, to be displayed in dental practice waiting rooms. More than 250,000 people now wear our Blue Ribbon Badge to actively show their support for Mouth Cancer Action Month.
- Increased the profile of mouth cancer in the media agenda. More than 6,000 articles have been published, reaching more than 500 million people.
- As a charity looking to make a positive impact in the public arena, we have been able to influence policy regarding smoking, alcohol, diet and gender-neutral HPV vaccinations.
Article credit: https://www.dentalhealth.org/mouth-cancer-action-month
Image credit: https://www.dentalhealth.org/mouth-cancer-action-month
We know that cold sores can be unexpected, inconvenient and painful.
They are also very contagious and our dentists and hygienists have to follow strict Infection Control Guidelines to prevent the spread of the cold sore virus to both patients and staff.
The virus can be spread by direct contact or through water droplets (aerosol) produced by our dental equipment. This may spread the virus to other areas of the face, including the eyes, which may cause serious complications including loss of sight.
If your appointment is for anything other than an emergency, we will need to re-schedule the appointment for another time, when your cold sore has completely healed.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but please understand we only have your health, and the health of our team in mind.
Image credit: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-coping-with-cold-sores/
World Smile Day
Do one act of kindness on
World Smile Day
5 October 2018
Each year the first Friday of October marks World Smile Day. A day to do one act of kindness and make someone crack a smile! So, this year the day of smiles takes place on 5 October 2018.
The day was founded in 1999 by Harvey Ball, creator of the now world famous yellow smiley face. When he thought his logo was becoming too commercial and losing its real meaning, he organised the day to recognise that a smile knows no religion or politics and that we should all spread a little happiness. And after all, it doesn’t take much effort to smile!
When Harvey died in 2001, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was created not just to honour his memory but to sponsor World Smile Day and raise money through donations and the licensing of the smiley face for charities that often receive little recognition.
I’m really pleased that Harvey Ball had the foresight to recognise that his logo would eventually take over the world. Who would have thought that the cute little smiley face that was sewn onto jeans and jackets in the ’70s would become part of our everyday expressions as an emoji!! But, we must not forget that Harvey wants everyone to carry out that one act of kindness – and that really isn’t too hard for us to do!
Now in its twentieth year, 2018 looks to be another big one for World Smile Day, with people all around the world cracking smiles, making the world a better place. So, what could you do to help raise a smile on World Smile Day. Well why not get a group of friends together and pop along to your local care home and hold a sing-a-long. Or you could arrange to help an elderly neighbour by doing their shopping or clearing up their garden.
So … don’t just grin and bear it – give a real smile and spread a little kindness on World Smile Day!
Article Credit: http://www.national-awareness-days.com/world-smile-day/
Image Credit:
Healthy drinks should be default options on kids’ menus, foundation claims
BY SEB EVANS ON 2 OCTOBER 2018
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The Oral Health Foundation is calling on restaurants to offer healthy drinks as the default option on children’s menus.
California recently passed a law meaning milk and water will be the default drink sold with kids’ meals in restaurants.
The foundation believes a similar initiative rolled out in the UK could help fight the effects of sugary drinks on children’s oral health.
‘We know that some children are consuming several sugary and fizzy drinks every day,’ Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says.
‘This is not only contributing to oral diseases, but is at the forefront of general health issues like obesity and diabetes.
‘Around one in four (24.7%) five-year-olds in the UK have tooth decay.
‘The amount of sugar young children are consuming, along with how often, is the root cause of the problem.
‘Any initiative to make water and milk default options for children’s meals must be driven by the restaurant industry.
‘If they fail to show a commitment, then we would be pushing for its introduction by a change in the law.’
Sugar-filled cereals
Research also shows that kid’s cereals could provide at least 50% of a child’s daily sugar allowance in one 30g bowl.
Figures from Sinks-taps.com found none of the cereals tested were below 25% of a child’s recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Of the cereals tested, Frosties came out top of the sugar pile, containing 71% of a child’s RDA per bowl.
‘This investigation into the sugar in children’s cereals has been truly worrying,’ Richard Broadbent, managing director of Sinks-taps.com, said.
‘We hope this information will help parents make more informed decisions on breakfast foods for their kids.
‘It is especially concerning how, even with the recommended serving size, there is a large percentage of a child’s daily allowance of sugar used up before school.’
Article credit: https://www.dentistry.co.uk/2018/10/02/healthy-drinks-default-options-kids-menus-foundation-claims/
Image credit: https://www.thefoodrush.com/articles/health-hydration-and-happiness-can-kids-drinks-have-it-all/