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  • Wentworth Avenue
  • Slough
  • Berkshire
  • SL2 2DG

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  • Wentworth Avenue
  • Slough
  • Berkshire
  • SL2 2DG
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Our October Newsletter….

5th October 2021

Hello and welcome to our October newsletter. We hope you are all keeping well and that you had a good September!. With Halloween drawing near we share a little info about sweets and their impact on oral health. We also share about our fantastic solution to tooth whitening. Additionally we’ve also included our usual updates, question of the month and team news!.
The Terrors of Too Many Halloween Sweets…

Halloween is a fun time! A time for kiddies and big kiddies to dress up and collect as much candy as they can. Sweets can, and should, be enjoyed…… within moderation! Too much sugar can cause tooth decay which will lead to cavities (holes) in your teeth that will require fillings.

What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay, or ‘dental caries’, occur when acid from within the mouth attacks the enamel and dentine of the teeth causing holes or cavities to form. The acid is produced by bacteria that are found within the plaque – a sticky and thin film that repeatedly forms over the teeth. When sugar is consumed it interacts with the bacteria within the plaque to produce acid. This acid is responsible for tooth decay because it slowly dissolves the enamel creating holes or cavities in the teeth. Tooth decay can lead to tooth abscesses, which may result in the tooth having to be removed.

Despite the decreasing levels of tooth decay over the past decades, it still remains one of the most common problems in the UK, second only to the common cold. It is estimated that 1 in 3 adults suffers from dental caries and close to 1 in 4 children equally suffer from some form of tooth decay.

Sugar and tooth decay:

Sugars in food and drinks play a major role in the development of dental caries. Bacteria within the plaque use the sugar as energy and release acid as a waste product, which gradually dissolves the enamel in the teeth.
In 2010, the World Health Organisation (WHO) commissioned a systematic literature review to answer a series of questions relating to the effects of sugars on dental caries. The systematic review showed consistent evidence of moderate quality supporting a relationship between the amount of sugars consumed and dental caries development. There was also evidence of moderate quality to show that dental caries is lower when free sugars intake is less than 10% of energy intake. Dental caries progresses with age, and the effects of sugars on the dentition are lifelong. Even low levels of caries in childhood are of significance to levels of caries throughout the life-course. Analysis of the data suggests that there may be benefit in limiting sugars to less than 5% of energy intake to minimise the risk of dental caries throughout the life course.

Furthermore, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) in the UK recently published a draft report in 2014 indicating a clear link between the consumption of sugars-containing foods and sugars-containing beverages and the incidence of dental caries both in deciduous and permanent teeth. SACN reviewed 11 cohort studies that identified a relationship between consumption of sugars-containing foods and the incidence of dental caries in deciduous dentition in children. They also reviewed seven cohort studies that presented evidence on the relationship between dental decay in children and sugars-sweetened beverages. A greater frequency of consumption was also found to be associated with higher incidence of dental caries.
Free sugars are now found in almost all food and are the most important factor in the deterioration of oral health. It is especially problematic in children who have become accustomed to sugar at an early age. Tooth decay is the leading cause for hospitalisation among 5-9 year olds in the UK, with 26,000 children being hospitalised each year due to tooth decay – in other words, 500 each week.

Who is at risk of tooth decay?

Everyone is at risk of tooth decay, but children and adolescents are most at risk. Dental caries are the most common cause of tooth loss in young people. Plaque begins to build up on teeth only 20 minutes after we begin eating and if it is not removed effectively, tooth decay starts. People who regularly consume sugar have a higher risk of developing dental caries, particularly if the food they eat is sticky or consumed in between mealtimes. Sugars-containing snacks and sugars-sweetened beverages have particularly bad effects on teeth. People who smoke and consume alcohol are also more at risk. The prevalence of dental caries is also associated with social factors – where adults from lower income households are more likely to suffer from dental caries than those from higher income households (37% compared with 26%).

Dietary Advice:

We currently consume far too much sugar in our diets. The report published by the WHO and by the SACN highlight the need for a reduction in sugars intake to 5% of our energy intake. This is the equivalent of 7 teaspoons/cubes or 30g of sugar per day for an adult. The recommendation for children is 24g for children aged 5-11 and 19g for children aged 4-6. This 5% limit is far below the current intake which is of 11.9% in children aged 1.5 to 3; 14.7% in children aged 4 to 10; and 15.6% in children 11 to 18. It is also thought that adherence to the 5% recommended sugar intake would halt the increase in obesity.

Other ways to reduce dental caries include [4]:

  • Brushing teeth thoroughly twice a day with fluoride-containing toothpaste as well as
    flossing daily.
  • Reducing the amount of sugars-containing sticky food, and rinsing the mouth with water if they are consumed.
  • Reduce snacking; which helps reduce the production of acid in the mouth.
  • Reduce the consumption of sugars-sweetened beverages.
  • Only eat sugary foods at mealtimes.

NB. Whole fruit is not harmful for your teeth.

This information was provided by Action On Sugar. If you would like to know more about oral health and treatments available please visit our site.

Happy Birthday Katie!….
This month one of our lovely receptionists, Katie is celebrating her birthday! We hope you join us in wishing her a Happy Birthday!
Feel free to follow us on social media for more team news.
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Question of The Month….
Each month we publish a question that one of our patients has asked.
This month’s question was:Q: How much is an NHS check-up at the moment?

A: The current NHS charge is £23.80. If you need any additional information visit the NHS website.

Social Media Check-Up….
Feel free to follow us for more updates….
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Do You Wish You Had Whiter Teeth?….

Here at Moonlight Dental Surgery, we pride ourselves on changing lives, one smile at a time!

With our tooth whitening solutions, we are able to help patients looking to enhance their smile, and in some cases, even their confidence which can improve their general day to day life.

These results were achieved in just two visits!

How will teeth-whitening treatment benefit you?

  • Feel great about your smile.
  • Restore your confidence.
  • Custom treatment that centres around your tooth dimensions.
  • Minimally invasive treatment.

 If you are interested in our fantastic, smile making solutions email us at [email protected], visit our website or call 01753 526301 for more information or alternatively click the button below to book your consultation

IN CLOSING
The strength of our clinic grows from the recommendations of our patents. We are currently in a position to accept new patients and find that the very best way to get more patients like you is by personal referral.  We are very grateful if you choose to spread the word about Moonlight Dental Surgery’s professional and caring service. You can keep up with us online and leave reviews here:
      
We will be in touch again in a month or so with our next newsletter. In the meantime, stay safe and keep smiling!Kindest regards,

All at Moonlight Dental Surgery

 

Moonlight Dental Surgery
Wentworth Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL2 2DG
01753 526301
[email protected] – www.moonlightdental.co.ukYou are receiving this email because you are a patient or friend of Moonlight Dental Surgery.
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Moonlight Dental Surgery. Wentworth Avenue, Slough Berkshire SL2 2DG

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