Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Community

Eating sweets need NOT damage your teeth

Published

on

IF YOU need a filling at the dentist how many times have you heard the message ‘you must stop eating sweets and sugar’? Really, in this day and age with

Dr Mark Boulcott: Explaining dental disease to a patient.

Dr Mark Boulcott: Explaining dental disease to a patient.

sugar being added or included in almost all foods as not only a sweetener but as a preservative, texture modifier, fermentation substrate, flavouring and colouring agent, bulking agent and emulsifier, is it even possible to comply with this message and not starve?

It is no surprise, therefore that the statistics of decayed teeth in Pembrokeshire as regularly reviewed by the Hywel Dda Health Board Oral Health Profile (last published in 2013) shows an appalling incidence of dental decay in 5 year olds – and yet dental decay is a totally preventable disease!

So what in reality can you and your children eat and be reassured that your teeth will remain decay free? The answer is that there are really no safe foods. The food industry confuses us with statement like ‘no added sugar’, ‘contains natural sugars’ or ‘reduced sugar’. Sucrose, Glucose, Maltose, Fructose (as labeled on many foodstuffs) are all naturally occurring sugars and all, when eaten, cause acid to form in the mouth: The cause of dental decay with the acid ‘dissolving’ teeth. What is less obvious is the amount of sugar contained within the product.

In essence, sugar is sugar: They all cause dental decay no matter how much or how little you eat. One teaspoon of sugar (sucrose) in your Tea is just as bad for your teeth as five sugars. The only difference is that you may get fat, more prone to diabetes and other health complications with a higher sugar intake but much lower amounts of sugar ingestion will still cause teeth damage. So we have to assume all foods we eat contain sugar (fermentable carbohydrate) of some type.

This dissolving of the teeth, called dental decay or dental caries, puts you and your child at the risk of dental pain, infection and the need for treatments possibly including tooth removal.

Thinking that, in the case of young children, it does not matter (after all, ‘baby teeth’ will be replaced) is wrong. The decay of deciduous teeth may still lead to your child having pain and infection but worse, teeth removal possibly needing General Anaesthesia. This is a procedure not without risk and not easy to access in Pembrokeshire with the nearest GA treatment centre being in Swansea with waiting times often inappropriate for acute pain. There is also the fact that early loss of first teeth is much more likely to lead to crowded or crooked permanent teeth: a fact that may require later orthodontics (treating with braces).

The dentists at Herbrandston, one of Pembrokeshire’s most proactive dental practices in regard to prevention of dental disease, give a different message. Dr Mark Boulcott, the principal dental surgeon states: “I never tell parents to stop giving sweets. That message is unrealistic and unhelpful. The modern diet is full of sugary drinks, sugary confectionary and sugar containing meals. Instead I am far more interested in the frequency of sugar ingestion: how often patients eat sugar, not how much sugar.”

“It has been known for decades that sugar causes bacteria in the mouth to form acid which in turn damages teeth. Of course, no sugar equals no tooth decay, but what most patients (and indeed many dentists) fail to understand is that the amount of sugar required to cause bacteria to produce acid is minimal. The more sugar you eat does not mean more acid in your mouth – but even the slightest sugar intake causes tooth damage.”

Dr Boulcott points to evidence from as far back as the 1940s, when Dr Robert Stephan postulated the coincidence of reducing pH (acidity) and tooth decay: “It is evident even before the advent of the NHS that dental decay was not caused by having too much sugar, but by having too great a frequency of intake. Sugar causes damage by allowing mouth bacteria to produce acid but the amount of sugar eaten is irrelevant. Any damage caused by the acid (at a microscopic level) should be repaired provided the saliva is allowed and able to work properly, converting acid back to neutral products and acting to ‘repair’ damaged teeth. If sugar is regularly ingested and more acid is produced before this ‘repair’ process is completed then dental decay will result. The upshot of this is that if a child ate a chocolate bar for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it is in fact unlikely that they will get significant dental decay. If they eat the same amount of chocolate between meals, then they are much more likely: Twice the cycle of damage and far less time for repair. It should be understood that a sugar diet is inevitable,” states Dr Boulcott.

“What people must understand is that keeping food intake to mealtimes only is the best way to keep your teeth safe. This one fact is more important than tooth brushing or Fluoride. So, yes, Children (and adults) can eat sweets but keep these short acting (chocolate rather than a chewy sweet) and confine these to mealtimes – avoid eating between meals.”

Sadly some 60 years on and this simple message is still failing to get through. Dentistry and preventive messages still seem to mean little to a large percentage of the population with people in Wales being less likely to have been seen a dentist in the past two years than people in England. (52.2% of adults in Wales and 56% in England; and 64.7% of children in Wales compared to 69.1% in England). Many people argue that the reducing amount of NHS dentistry is to blame but in reality many patients (over half the population of Wales) seek dentists only in event of an emergency; citing anxiety rather than money (or NHS access) as being the major obstacle to visiting.

At Herbrandston, the dentists are trying to change this attitude by breaking down the barriers of fear and anxiety offering often unique ways of dealing with even the most difficult of dental phobias. This not only includes a gentle caring atmosphere of quiet professionalism mixed with genuine friendliness but also techniques such as dental sedation, hypnosis, introductory sessions without treatment and even animal therapy using pigs and ferrets to desensitize. They are working hard to emphasise the preventative message rather than the cycle of repair after repair. A very busy practice despite being in a rather isolated part of Pembrokeshire, Herbrandston will be expanding to open a state of the art new practice in Narberth in March.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Community

Tenby Coaster returns for summer season

Published

on

Open-top double-decker back on scenic Pembrokeshire route from Sunday

PEMBROKESHIRE’S popular open-top bus service is set to return to the roads this weekend, offering stunning views of the county’s coastline throughout the summer.

The Tenby Coaster, now in its fourth year of service, resumes its route between Tenby and Saundersfoot on Sunday (May 25), following a brief appearance over Easter.

The eye-catching blue and yellow double-decker, operated by First Bus, was the first of its kind to run in Pembrokeshire since the 1990s and has since become a firm favourite with both visitors and locals.

Each day, the bus travels from its Haverfordwest depot to the route’s starting point in Tenby, passing key attractions such as Carew Castle and Manor Wildlife Park—making it possible to enjoy an extended journey for those catching it early or late in the day.

Passengers can hop aboard the Tenby Coaster from the stop by the town walls in Tenby, with First Bus promising “breathtaking views and a scenic descent into Saundersfoot”.

The service will operate daily until September 6, with hop-on, hop-off tickets available for those wanting to explore along the way. Fares match those of other local services, with singles starting at £1.60, returns from £3.04, and group day passes for up to five people available for £17.50.

Contactless payment is accepted via the Tap On Tap Off system, and both Welsh Concessionary Travel Cards and mytravelpass cards are valid on the route.

More information is available at the First Cymru website.

Continue Reading

Community

Public invited to explore Pembroke Port at Open Day and Stakeholder Meeting

Published

on

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to go behind the scenes at Pembroke Port as part of a special Open Day and Annual Stakeholder Meeting hosted by the Port of Milford Haven.

The event will take place on Wednesday, 18 June, at Catalina House, Pembroke Dock (SA72 6JD), offering a unique opportunity to discover the inner workings of one of Wales’ busiest ports.

Running from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, the Open Day will include guided bus tours around the site, giving visitors a rare, close-up look at port operations and activities across the facility. Port staff, local business representatives, and partners from across the supply chain will also be on hand to discuss their work and answer questions.

From 6:00pm to 7:30pm, the Port’s Annual Stakeholder Meeting will be held, where attendees will hear updates from the Chair and Chief Executive, meet members of the Board and senior management, and take part in a Q&A session. Questions can be submitted in advance via email to [email protected].

Throughout the day, visitors can explore the wide-ranging roles of the Port of Milford Haven – from commercial marine services and energy sector support to community initiatives and leisure activities. A number of external organisations will also be present, including emergency services, marine experts, and conservation groups highlighting Pembrokeshire’s diverse wildlife.

Continue Reading

Community

RNLI lifeguard patrols extend across Welsh beaches for half term

Published

on

THIS weekend RNLI lifeguard patrols are extending the number of patrolled beaches across Wales, as the lifesaving charity are encouraging the public to visit a lifeguarded beach.

This Saturday 24 May, RNLI lifeguard patrols begin at a number of beaches across Wales for the half term holiday. The RNLI are advising those planning a trip to the coast, to visit a lifeguarded beach.

Tom John Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Swansea said: ‘There are plenty of lifeguarded beaches around Wales to choose from during half term. Remember to swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags, and surf, kayak or stand-up paddleboard between the black and white flags.

‘The lifeguards position the flags in the safest area of the beach, if you see a red flag the lifeguards have deemed that area of the beach as unsafe – so do not enter the water. If you ever have any questions, feel free to approach the lifeguards who will be happy to help and can provide local beach safety advice for the conditions that day.’

From Saturday 24 May, RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling from 10am-6pm at the following locations:

In Denbighshire, Rhyl and Prestatyn will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. They will then be patrolled on weekends only up until 29 June when they go live full time for the remainder of the season.

In Ceredigion Borth, Aberystwyth South, Llangrannog, Tresaith and Aberporth will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Borth and Llangrannog will continue to be patrolled full time, whilst the other beaches will be patrolled on weekends only up until 19 July when they go live full time until 31 August.

In Pembrokeshire, Whitesands, Newgale Central and Tenby South will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Whitesands and Tenby South will continue to be patrolled every day, Newgale Central will be patrolled on weekends only up until 15 June when it goes live full time.

In Swansea, Aberavon, Langland, Caswell and Pembrey will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Aberavon, Langland and Caswell will continue to be patrolled every day, with Pembrey to be patrolled on weekends only up until 5 July when it goes live full time.

In Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan, Rest Bay, Coney Beach, Trecco Bay and Whitmore Bay will be patrolled every day from 24 May until the end of the season.

Chris Cousens RNLI Water Safety Lead said: ‘If you’re visiting the coast, remember to visit a lifeguarded beach. It’s safest not to go into the water alone – the person you’re with can help you stay safe and get help in the event of an emergency.

‘If you unexpectedly find yourself in difficulty in the water, float to live. If you see anyone else in difficulty anywhere along the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

The RNLI’s advice for anyone struggling in the water is ‘Float to Live’:

  • Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged
  • Relax and try to breathe normally
  • Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat
  • It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently.
Continue Reading

Crime18 hours ago

Milford Haven mother sentenced over shocking neglect case

Faeces on walls, maggots in bedding: Judge brands home ”a pigsty’ A PEMBROKESHIRE mother has avoided an immediate prison sentence...

Crime1 day ago

Man denies charges over death of baby girl in Tenby car park tragedy

A trial date has been set following the death of six-month-old Sophia Kelemen A MAN has pleaded not guilty to...

Entertainment1 day ago

Four days of folk music fill Fishguard and Goodwick

FISHGUARD and Goodwick are ringing with the sound of folk music once again as the Fishguard Folk Festival returns for...

News2 days ago

Warning after near-miss with tanker in Milford Haven waterway

Port Authority issues safety alert to leisure boat users following dangerous manoeuvres THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has issued a...

Crime2 days ago

Two men bailed by police following sudden death in Pembroke Dock

Investigation continues after person dies at Glenview Avenue property TWO men arrested following a sudden death at a property in...

News2 days ago

Lifeboat crew welcomed with bacon rolls after saving sailor off Grassholm

Angle crew rescue exhausted sailor in early hours ANGLE RNLI lifeboat crew were paged in the early hours of Wednesday...

Crime3 days ago

Death at Pembroke Dock property sparks police probe – arrests made

Three in custody on suspicion of Class A drug supply following incident A HEAVY police presence was seen on Glenview...

Education3 days ago

Council shifts stance after backlash over Welsh education survey

New pledge to gather school choice data from all parents — not just those choosing Welsh-medium education PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL...

News3 days ago

Natural Resources Wales criticised over incident response cuts, closures and tax blunder

NRW accused of risking long-term damage to Welsh environment A SENEDD committee has issued a scathing report on Natural Resources...

Charity4 days ago

Angle lifeboat crew respond to three callouts in just twelve hours

More than eleven hours at sea for volunteer RNLI team ANGLE RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat crew were launched three times within...

Popular This Week