All smiles

Jul 1 2008 By Hannah Davies, The Journal

Hannah Davies speaks to Durham cricketer Phil Mustard and discovers the importance of good oral health.

WE’RE all used to celebrities with dazzling white smiles but they very rarely reflect the truth about our nation’s teeth.

Jokes across the Atlantic about the state of our teeth – thanks, Austin Powers – are commonplace and all too often have a basis in fact.

In the North East we are among the worst offenders with more than 50% of the region not visiting their dentist for even one annual check-up.

Which is why Durham county and international cricketer Phil Mustard is speaking out about the importance of oral health care.

As a child, wicket-keeper and batsman Phil would avoid the dentist’s at any cost.

The 25-year-old explains: "When I was younger I was scared of the dentist. I’d do anything I could to avoid going.

"So inevitably really as I got older my teeth got into a worse and worse state."

Phil’s teeth began to really suffer in his early 20s and, even for the talented cricketer, it had a big knock-on effect on his confidence.

"I didn’t really feel confident speaking to people I didn’t know well, and I never wanted to smile, especially not for photographs," he said.

But the increasing deterioration of his teeth meant a few years ago, Phil decided to take action.

"I first went to the dentist’s again about four or five years ago.

"It took a bit of courage to go in the first visit but then it was fine."

Phil now goes to the Cosmetic Dental Clinic in Newcastle and the state of his teeth, which had been stained and suffered from decay, have been turned around.

He says: "I have now been to the dentist four or five times in three years to get my teeth sorted out and I just feel so much happier.

"It’s had a massive impact on my confidence.

"I can go up and speak to people more when I didn’t use to.

"I’d tell anyone who has avoided going to the dentist to just go and it’ll really help.

"But importantly all of this would have been avoided if I’d just looked after my teeth more when I was a child and that’s something parents really need to make sure their children do and children need to take responsibility for looking after their teeth."

The psychological impact of bad teeth can be very significant but not many people are aware of the health problems bad teeth can bring to the whole body.

A survey carried out last month by the British Dental Health Foundation and Oral B uncovered the haphazard approach Brits have to their teeth.

Bad habits the survey revealed included flossing while driving, opening bottles with the teeth, ignoring bleeding gums and using hammers, earrings and lollipop sticks to pick the teeth are just some of the bad habits revealed by this year’s National Dental Survey.

The survey was taken as part of the ‘Brush for Health’ campaign which is raising awareness of the link between oral health and serious general conditions such as diabetes, strokes, heart disease and low birth weight babies.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the foundation, said: "People are putting themselves at risk with their bad habits, yet around 85% of people are completely unaware of the link between the health of the mouth and the health of the body.

"Gum health, in particular, is very important and has been linked to a range of conditions.

"However, people are risking their gum health by picking and flossing without paying the necessary care and attention."

The survey also found 29% of people suffer with bleeding gums and almost half of those simply ignore it or brush their teeth more softly to avoid aggravating it.

Dr Carter continued: "Bleeding gums are a sign of a poor oral healthcare routine.

"People need to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cut down how often they have sugary foods and drinks and visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend if they want to keep their gums and body healthy."

The last Adult Dental Health Survey showed that only 59% of the population is visiting the dentist for the recommended twice yearly check-ups.

Across Newcastle this figure drops, with more than 50% of people not visiting their dentist for an annual check-up, let alone two a year.

Research has shown that some people only visit the dentist once they are suffering from toothache or have a serious problem.

Dr Andrew Stafford, co-founder of the Cosmetic Dental Clinic, says the most common problems the dental clinic in Newcastle treats include gum disease, abscesses and tooth decay.

But, he adds, most of the problems could be avoided through regular trips to the dentist for guidance and tailored advice.

Dr Stafford said: "Almost all cases of tooth ache and other dental problems could be avoided if people were seeing their dentists regularly.

"Unfortunately, too many people don’t understand that it is what they cannot see, that is the real problem.

"It is even more critical for children to have an established routine in terms of dental care and the more often they visit from an early age, the quicker they will become comfortable in the clinical environment.

"Children should start visiting the dentist from around three years old so that they can develop good habits and understand the need for oral hygiene in preparation for the arrival of their adult teeth when they turn six."

For information on the British Dental Health Foundation visit www.dentalhealth.org.uk. For more information on the Cosmetic Dental Clinic visit www.thecosmeticdental clinic.com or call (0191) 260-3688.

Tips for healthy teeth

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day using toothpaste that contains fluoride. A pea-sized blob of toothpaste is sufficient. You can spit out the toothpaste at the end, but don’t rinse your mouth out.

Make sure that you replace your toothbrush regularly, when the bristles become out of shape, which is usually around every three months.

You will also need to clean in between your teeth each day by using dental floss or interdental brushes.

Try to cut down on how frequently you have sugary snacks or drinks. Each time sugar is eaten, the bacteria in the mouth react by producing acid. This acid will attack the enamel of your teeth and cause dental decay. By eating sugary treats at mealtimes rather than as lots of smaller snacks throughout the day, you can reduce the amount of time your teeth are under attack.

You can also help by chewing on sugar-free gum for 10-20 minutes after your meal. Chewing produces saliva which neutralises the acidity produced by the bacteria, and helps to restore the natural balance of chemicals in your mouth.

Make sure you register with a dentist and go for regular check-ups. The dentist will inform you of how often this needs to be.

Visiting your dentist regularly will mean that any problems will be caught early, so they will be easier to treat.