"PREVENTATIVE dental care

 FROM A HIGHLY TRAINED team"

 

C  R  A  I  G  E  N  T  I  N  N 

D E N T A L  H E A L T H  C E N T R E 

57 Duddingston Crescent 

Edinburgh, EH15 3AY  

Tel. 0131 669 2114 

 

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  "FIRST CLASS dental care

 FROM A HIGHLY TRAINED team"

 

C R A I G E N T I N N Y  

D E N T A L   H E A L T H  C E N T R E  

57 Duddingston Crescent

Edinburgh EH15 3AY

Tel. 0131 669 2114

 
 

Welcome

 

Welcome to the December  Newsletter. The team have had a busy few months since our last newsletter. As well as the most important business which is  caring for our patients, we have held an event for Children in Need and John and Fraser have been published on one of their favorite soapbox subjects Children's Dental Health. 

This months newsletter has a short article on the links between headaches, migraines and teeth as well as a  timely reminder of the importance of a healthy life style in the prevention of oral cancer to coincide with Annual Oral Cancer Awareness Week.

With Christmas and then 2006 just around the corner ( sorry to remind everyone ) could we take this opportunity to thank you for your support over the last 12 months. We are looking forward to improving  the care and service that we provide  further in the next 12 months. 

Have a great festive season and a happy and healthy 2006

John, Fraser, David and The Craigentinny Dental Health Centre  Team

 
        
 

What connects Headaches, Migraines and  teeth?

 

 

It has been known for many years that among the long list of possible causes of headaches and migraines is tooth grinding. Tooth grinding  usually happens at night when the sufferer is sleeping, often leaving them unaware of the problem. Tooth grinding or Bruxism as it is known is thought to be one of the bodies reactions to stressful times but often when the original cause of the stress has passed the tooth grinding remains as a habit. 

One group of  muscles that are used to close the jaw are attached to your scalp round about your temples so that when you bite together tension is created. In daily living it is estimated that we only spend about 14 minutes with out teeth in contact when we are chewing so it is little wonder that  problems arise if you are grinding your teeth for an hour or two overnight. 

Headaches triggered by tooth grinding may focus on the temples, across the forehead or at the back of the head where it joins the neck.  Studies have shown that many people who suffer from headaches and migraines on a regular basis may benefit from a new type of  bite protector called an NTI -TSS.  It works by using the bodys own natural protective mechanisms to switch off the grinding habit. Some  more traditional bite guards often do nothing more than protect the teeth from damage while allowing the bruxism to continue. The NTI -TSS bite protector has proved effective at reducing the frequency and severity of  many migraine sufferers  in clinical trials in the States. 

While more research is still necessary it is also thought that excessive tooth grinding can also be responsible for increased tooth sensitivity as well as accelerated wear round the necks of some teeth. If you feel that tooth grinding may be an issue for you please chat to your dentist.

     

Oral Cancer Awareness Week

The  British Dental Health Foundation organise and Promote  Oral Cancer Awareness week every year towards the end of November. Oral cancer is still a growing problem in the UK sadly affecting more patients and younger patients than ever before. Of the  4000 patients who were diagnosed as suffering from mouth cancer last year around 1700 will not survive 5 years. The poor survival rates from this disease are usually due to late diagnosis. As part of your regular examination or visit to see the Hygienist,  we always check for Mouth  Cancer looking under and around your tongue, cheeks, lips and accessible areas of your throat. The latest  advice on reducing your risk of developing this problem is listed below; 

What  to look out for

If you or any member of your family has any of the symptoms below for more than 14 days it is very  important to come and see us to get things checked out. The symptoms below do not mean that you have oral cancer, indeed  they are usually not related at all, however we can assess things for you and rapidly put your mind at rest.  Should there be a problem then early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment.

  • difficulty in chewing or swallowing.

  • a chronic sore throat or hoarse voice that does not heal.

  • red patches in the mouth or on the tongue.

  • white patches in the mouth or tongue.

  • a lump or overgrowth of tissue anywhere in the mouth.

 

Reduce Your Risk Of  Mouth Cancer

 

1. Avoid  smoking or chewing tobacco


2. Limit alcohol consumption

3. Work towards a  "low meat, low fat" diet. 

 

4. Where possible  Choose beans, seafood and poultry as alternatives to beef, pork and lamb.

 

5. Try to eat at 5 portions of  vegetables and fruit everyday

Mouth  Cancer Awareness Week is designed to raise the profile and awareness of mouth cancer. As part of this  we would like to ask you  to consider forwarding this article to any Friends or relatives who might benefit from the information contained here.

 

 

 
 

 The Partners Soapbox! 

 

 

 Our   18-Zero Campaign  has resulted in our Hygienists working  hard along with  local nursery staff  to increase awareness of  childrens dental health issues. Our Hygiene Team, Pamela and Alison twisted several compliant arms and encouraged toothpaste and toothbrush manufacturers to provide appropriate brushes and toothpastes to over 400 children (Our thanks to the lovely people at Oral B)  In addition to this we also distributed in excess of 400 copies of our  Guide to Childrens Dental Health 0-4 years (get your copy here).  As a result of all this, a  kind editor at Families Magazine gave John and Fraser a few hundred words in their publication  to write about  food labeling and hidden sugars. To spare your inbox we have not reproduced the article here however it  can be viewed  by following this link.

 
      

Children In Need 

 

This year the team decided to raise funds for  the Children in Need appeal. Care nurse Lesley ( now known as Face Painter Lesley ) took charge of events with help from the rest of the team and organised a number fundraising activities. These ranged form a tombola, to face painting where even the dentists did not escape the artists brush. John and Fraser were sent to a locked room until they agreed to offer  an extra days annual leave as a prize in the team raffle. They were even more upset  when they were not allowed to enter! Overall several hundred pounds were raised for a good cause  with the practice matching the money raised by the team. This event now  looks set to become an annual event in our calendar. Many thanks to our patients who contributed on the day and still  managed to conceal their bemusement at having their examinations carried out by Harry Potter. (pictures are available if you ask at reception nicely)

 

 
     
  And Finally................  

There are some major changes upcoming in Emergency out of hours dental care in Edinburgh and the  Lothians over the next few months. We will keep you posted of all of the relevant details as soon as we have them at our disposal. 

Well that's is for this newsletter we hope you enjoyed it. Please feel free to forward it to  anyone who you think may find it of interest. Do let us know your thoughts on any of the above items too. Thanks  once again your continued support and encouragement over the last 12 months

Have a Great Festive Season

Kind regards

Fraser, John, David and The Craigentinny Dental Health Centre  Team

 

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57 Duddingston Crescent, Edinburgh, EH15 3AY

Tel. 0131 669 2114

 

 

 

 

All content and images are (c)  The Craigentinny Dental Practice 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a preventive practice we offer all of our patients access to a Dentist In Edinburgh that will focus on dental health first  rather than repair. Directions to our dental practice in Edinburgh