Gums And Brains

“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”

By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield

Gums And Brains

Hello again, I hope you are well. I got back safely from my motorbike trip to Holland, Germany and Belgium, I’m happy to say. My friend and I managed to soak up some World War 2 history with museums in Arnhem in Holland and Bastogne in Belgium. It was great. So, so interesting. Some brave men and women.

National Dementia Action Week

As I write National Dementia Action Week is about to start. There are 850,000 people in the UK, who are affected by dementia, and it does not just affect the elderly, 40,000 people in the UK under the age of 65 suffer from early onset dementia. It is believed that by 2051 the number of people who have dementia in the UK will have risen to 2 million.

What have Gums Got To Do With Brains?

There has been quite a lot of research all over the world in top class research centres of late trying to find the cause of Alzheimer’s.

There has been an association with gum disease shown by several teams. One of the most recent was in January this year.

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, uncovered a potential link between Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacteria associated with periodontal disease (commonly known as gum disease) and Alzheimer’s. Researchers analysed brain tissue, spinal fluid, and saliva from Alzheimer’s patients—both living and deceased—and found evidence of P. gingivalis. Gingipains, the toxic enzyme secreted by P. gingivalis, were found in 96 percent of the 53 brain tissue samples examined, with higher levels detected in those with the pathology and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. 

The study confirmed via animal testing that P. gingivalis can travel from the mouth to the brain and that the related gingipains can destroy brain neurons. These findings are noteworthy in that they suggest a biological mechanism for how periodontal disease bacteria may play a role in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s.

Carried In The Blood

When gums are infected with P.gingivalis it causes inflammation and gum disease from early gingivitis to bone loss and loose teeth. When you brush and eat the bacteria get into the blood stream and travel to other sites in the body including the brain. So, getting your gums looked at and treated if needed could be more beneficial than just saving your teeth. Often the mouth can be looked at as the gateway to your health.

International Education

I’m getting ready this week to travel Lake Bled in Slovenia to attend an international Medical Laser Congress. There are literally people from all over the world and a really great event. My work colleague Ilay Maden will again, be speaker at the event. I hope it is as good as last year. It promises to be.

Until next time. Take care and be good.



Chris Branfield is Principal Dentist at Castle Park Dental Care, Castle Villa, 28 Castle Road, Cottingham, telephone 01482 772550. He has been in dental practice for 26 years and has a special interest in Life Changing, Pain Free Dentistry with Dental Implants, Teeth Straightening and Cosmetic Dentistry. And, not only that Chris is founder member and trustee of Dental Mavericks charity- ending the daily dental pain of Moroccan kids. For more patient success stories and Chris’ Humanitarian work go here now www.castleparkdental.co.uk

Keeping Up With The Digital Age

“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”

By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield

    

Keeping Up With The Digital Age

Hello again, I hope you are well.  Well, as I write it is nearly Easter and the sun is out.  Hope it’s a nice long weekend.  We all need  a good rest from time to time.  These last few years has seen a lot of fast moving changes in the way we live.  Most of this is due to the digital age. Some of these changes are good, some not so good.  Social media is good to connect with friends and family but can put pressure on kids growing up.  Sometimes it’s good to escape by just turning off your phone, eh?

Dentistry Moves On

In 2012 we at Castle Park Dental Care went away from conventional film with x-rays and onto digital.  This makes things quicker and more convenient.  It also gets rid of the need for liquid fixer and developer that ultimately need to be disposed of.  We hung on until 2012 because up until then there was no gain in terms of quality of the x-ray images, which is important for diagnosis.  Once the quality became on a par with film, with scope for improvement, we took the plunge and have not looked back.  It’s better for the environment, now gives more consistent results and gives a much reduced radiation doses, up to 90% less.

To get a 3D scan we used to have to send people to hospital for a conventional CT scan (a day trip to Leeds).  This gave a very large image will a relatively high radiation dose.  Then we couldn’t read the data and had to send off to a different company to make sense of it.  This took time and was expensive.

With the newer Dental Cone Beam CT scans we can get smaller, more specific images and the dose is reduced by loads. Also, they come with software that we use to view them and make accurate measurements.  This reduces cost by about 75%.  That’s we have one and use it on a regular basis

Why 3D? 

Normal x-ray images show detail in just 2 dimensions.  Most of the time this is enough but for more detailed diagnosis and treatment planning we need 3D.  It is useful when things are superimposed.  Examples of this include seeing exactly where a nerve is in relation to a wisdom tooth.  Another example is planning implants.  A normal 2D X-ray will show bone height but not how thick it is.

Detailed Dental Implant Planning

We can now use digital technology to design and 3D print an implant placement guide after virtually planning the implant placement using the software.  This can mean more  minimally invasive procedures with faster healing and less discomfort.  It also makes restoring with crowns etc. an easier process.

So, 3D planning can really improve, diagnosis and planning and ,most importantly SAFETY.  I bet that’s got your pulse racing!, I know I am such an anorak.

Europe Here I Come

Next month I’m off to Holland and Belgium with a mate doing a bit of a World War 2 motorbike tour.  A bit after that I’m off to Slovenia to an international Medical laser conference.  Last year it was a great learning experience and I was one of the invited speakers.  I’m looking forward to updates on Laser Dentistry,  the most gentle dentistry on the planet.

Until next time.   Take care and be good. 

 

Chris Branfield is Principal Dentist at Castle Park Dental Care, Castle Villa, 28 Castle Road, Cottingham, telephone 01482 772550.  He has been in dental practice for 26 years and has a special interest in Life Changing, Pain Free Dentistry with Dental Implants, Teeth Straightening and Cosmetic Dentistry. And, not only that Chris is founder member and trustee of Dental Mavericks charity- ending the daily dental pain of Moroccan kids. For more patient success stories and Chris’ Humanitarian work go here now www.castleparkdental.co.uk

National Stop Snoring Week

“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”

By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield

National Stop Snoring Week

Hello again, I hope you are well.  This month we have National Stop Snoring Week.  It is actually 22nd – 28th April.  There seems to be a national week or national day for most things now and snoring has not escaped.  Snoring and lack of sleep is gaining more interest, as is sleep medicine as a subject.  Poor sleep can have serious health repercussions.

Snoring

The sound of snoring is irritating and annoying and can lead to sleep deprivation for the bed partner. But the noise of snoring can also cause a number of health problems.  The level of noise that starts to have an effect on sleep is around 40dB.  The noise of snoring can range from about 50dB to 100+dB.  Research has consistently found that when exposed to noise at these levels, it can have a negative effect on all areas of wellbeing.

Sleep disturbance, hearing impairment, daytime functioning, mental health problems, cognitive issues and negative social behaviour can be symptoms of being subjected to loud noise over an extended period of time.  Sleep deprivation can also have a negative impact on body systems such as hormonal release, glucose regulation and cardiovascular function.  Some bed partners who sleep with a snorer try to ignore the noise.

Although they may manage to sleep through the night, the quality of sleep is much reduced and they will not feel as refreshed in the morning as they should.  Noise tends to reduce deep refreshing sleep to more shallow sleep, and will reduce dreaming sleep.

Facts About Snoring:

• 15 million snorers in the UK.
• 10.5 million men 4.5 million women.
• 40-50% of patients do not comply with suggested treatment.
• Men are louder snorers than women.
• 58% of snorers are between 50-59 years of age.
• The average sound of snoring is around 50dB but can reach up to 100dB which is the equivalent to listening to a motorbike roaring in your ear.
• Napoleon Bonaparte, Winston Churchill, Teddy Roosevelt and even Queen Victoria were all snorers.
• Snorers have less sex than their non-snoring counterparts.

The Good News

So, why’s a dentist going on about snoring?  Well, a whole lot of snoring is caused by the soft palate on the tongue.  With a Non-Surgical Laser Therapy or a Mandibular Advancement Device we can successfully alleviate loud snoring.

There is an app that you can get for your smart phone called Snore Lab.  It’s a really good way to follow your snoring.  We advise using it before during and after treatment as a guide to how you are doing.  Here is an actual series a kind (and very happy) patient let me share during Nightlase Therapy.

Until next time. 

Take care and be good.

Here’s to making a difference.







Chris Branfield is Principal Dentist at Castle Park Dental Care, Castle Villa, 28 Castle Road, Cottingham, telephone 01482 772550. He has been in dental practice for 26 years and has a special interest in Life Changing, Pain Free Dentistry with Dental Implants, Teeth Straightening and Cosmetic Dentistry. And, not only that Chris is founder member and trustee of Dental Mavericks charity- ending the daily dental pain of Moroccan kids. For more patient success stories and Chris’ Humanitarian work go here now www.castleparkdental.co.uk

A Bridge Too Far

“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”

By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield

A Bridge Too Far

Hello again, I hope you are well.  Another very busy month here.  Not much in the way of courses and talking but head down changing lives.  The laser, non- surgical snoring therapy is absolutely Wowing people as it is proving to be so effective.  I love it.  I got a lovely thank you card the other day from a kind lady who had dental implants to say how food had never tasted so good as she was now able to eat everything she wanted.  This is the best thing about the job.

Bridging The Gap

Dental Bridges are one fixed solution to replacing missing teeth. Modern bridges usually involve some grinding down of a tooth either side of the gap. To a very large degree they are superseded by dental implants as these do not involve tooth grinding, so have less problems in general.

A Bridge Too Far?

Dental Bridges are not new, not by a long way. There have been bridges discovered dating back to the fourth or fifth century B.C.

One such bridge was found in Sidon, chief city of ancient Phoenicia. The Phoenicians were a people contemporary with the ancient Egyptians and Hebrews and lived in what is now modern day Lebanon. The bridge had four natural human incisor teeth with two carved ivory teeth between them. These ‘teeth’ were bound together with gold wire.

The Etruscans also were very adept in the art of dental prosthesis.  Here again there have been dental findings dating back to 500 B.C. Soft gold bands where fitted around natural teeth. The false teeth were fastened to the bands with rivets. The false teeth (pontics to use the dental jargon) were made up of human teeth with the roots cut off or more often oxen teeth. In some cases a groove would be made down the middle of a wide ox’s tooth to make it look like two teeth. Absolutely ingenious. These guys must have had some time on their hands, not like the 100 miles an hour of 21st century living, eh?

Elephant, Hippopotamus Or Walrus?

The Choice Is Yours.  Over the years dentures have been made out of different materials including ivory, gold, stainless steel, cobalt-chromium, vulcanised rubber and acrylic. The teeth on the denture made from ivory, natural teeth, porcelain and acrylic. The ivory that was meticulously carved came from different sources. Namely elephant, hippopotamus or walrus. Each type of ivory had its own characteristics in terms of grain and texture. There is evidence of ivory being used for dentures as far back as Roman times.

Would You Like Springs With That Sir?

One famous denture wearer was the American President George Washington. He was plagued by toothache and abscesses for many years and only had one tooth left by the time of his inauguration.

He had several dentures made by the best people of the time and had them made from the whole range of materials available. 

His last set was made by John Greenwood. The upper palate was swaged from a sheet of gold and had ivory teeth riveted to it. The lower denture was carved from a single block of ivory. The two dentures were fastened together by a steel spring! I bet that took some getting used to. I also bet that you can’t get them on the NHS.  How much do you think that would cost now?

So there you go, a little jaunt back in time to dental practice of bygone eras.

Until next time.   Take care and be good.  Here’s to making a difference.

Chris Branfield is Principal Dentist at Castle Park Dental Care, Castle Villa, 28 Castle Road, Cottingham, telephone 01482 772550.  He has been in dental practice for 26 years and has a special interest in Life Changing, Pain Free Dentistry with Dental Implants,  Teeth Straightening and Cosmetic Dentistry. And, not only that Chris is founder member and trustee of Dental Mavericks charity- ending the daily dental pain of Moroccan kids. For more patient success stories and Chris’ Humanitarian work go here now www.castleparkdental.co.uk

It’s A Bit Scabby

“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”

By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield

It’s A Bit Scabby

Hello again, I hope you are well and had a great start to 2019.  It’s only just into the New Year and this dental anorak has already been on a course and given a talk about Dental Mavericks.  I had a lovely reception by a group of nice ladies who gave a  donation to our Charity.  It was a bit different as it was in a pub.  It felt like they turned the TV up louder and then somebody started playing pool. Anyway, I just had to talk a bit louder! It was a good gig with a great crowd. Thanks for the invite ladies and thanks ever so much for the donation!

So, What’s A Bit Scabby?

Fibrin, that’s what.  You know when you have a cut or a graze and get a scab and then have a bath or a shower and get it wet and it goes yellow?  Well that’s fibrin.  It is a protein that acts as a mesh scaffold or a matrix for healing.

A few months ago I was banging on about stem cells and how they are used in medicine and surgery to promote healing and how we are using them in our practice by taking blood and spinning in a special machine to utilise them.  The other thing we get is something called Platelet Rich Fibrin or PRF. This stuff acts a scaffold for healing but it also contains more concentrated ingredients such as growth factors and stem cells.

A Bit Of A Head Start

There are many different growth factors.  Some of the most important stimulate the ingrowth of blood vessels.  This is called Angiogenesis.  Angio = blood vessel as in angiogram.  Genesis = the origin or mode of formation of something, in our case new growth.  Angiogenesis is vitally important as blood vessels carry oxygen and that is what is needed for sustained life within the tissues.  Other growth factors stimulate fibroblasts.  Fibroblasts are cells that lay down collagen, which can then be transformed to bone or connective tissue.

Having these more concentrated ingredients for healing can give up to 2 weeks head  start on bone formation after a tooth extraction.  There are also more white blood cells to help prevent infection. All really clever stuff don’t you think. It works very well in dental implant therapy in particular but is not limited to that.

Back From An Adventure Of A Lifetime

I mentioned last time how my son, Edward was off to Peru and then returning to work with us in February.  He’s not back as I write but seems to be having a blast.  He has been making friends!

Having A Ball

Next week is the Dental Mavericks Ball when we aim to raise some money to continue our humanitarian work in Morocco and in Lebanon.  The theme is Peaky Blinders meets Great Gatsby so it should be fun with many a Flapper.

Until next time.  Take care and be good.  Here’s to making a difference.

Chris Branfield is Principal Dentist at Castle Park Dental Care, Castle Villa, 28 Castle Road, Cottingham, telephone 01482 772550.  He has been in dental practice for 26 years and has a special interest in life changing, pain free dentistry with dental implants, rapid teeth straightening and cosmetic dentistry. And, not only that Chris is founder member and trustee of Dental Mavericks charity- ending the daily dental pain of Moroccan kids. For more patient success stories and Chris’
Humanitarian work go here now www.castleparkdental.co.uk

Here’s To Bright New Year

“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”

By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield

Here’s To Bright New Year

Hello again, I hope you are well and had a fantastic Christmas.  

Branfield And Son

I am a proud Dad and I’m excited that my son, Edward, will be coming back to join the team at Castle Park Dental Care.  This time, though, it will be as a Dental Therapist, so he will be a clinician.  I know he will be great.  Before he joins us he’s off to Peru for some jungle trekking and climbing Machu Picchu.  I hope he gets back in one piece.  He will be coming with me to Morocco with Dental Maverick’s Charity to do some humanitarian work later in the year.  He has been before as nurse a few times.  That’s what cemented his decision to be a Dental Therapist.  Branfield and Son, eh.

What’s So Bright Then?

Well, I was reflecting on 2018 and what have been my clinical highlights and successes.  The thing that stands out the most as the brightest is…….wait for it….treating snoring with my laser.  Oh I can hear the groans.

Yes, this works like magic.  Using the laser without contact or any cutting or surgery, shrinking back the soft palate to open up the airway to improve breathing 24/7 and stop snoring.  The success rates and positive feedback of the results have been incredible.  No need to sleep in the spare room any more, no  more grief and sore ribs.  I love the life changing stuff and this is the real deal on that score.  Treating snoring with surgery is horrible, often very, very painful and may not work.  It has been removed from NHS services after a NICE review.  I have invested about £200,000 in lasers all together because I knew that it was the best way to treat all sorts of things and help the body heal itself on a cellular level.  I’m very proud of that.   So I’ll continue shine the light in 2019.  Ooh, more groans I feel.  

Getting Even Greener

We have a Green Achiever Certificate because we try where we can to be green and environmentally conscious within the practice.  It’s a tricky thing with all the consumables we have to use.  We have a water dispenser in the lounge area and we have been looking for a more green solution to plastic throw away cups.  We looked at paper but most of these have a plastic inner bit which means that are not recyclable or completely biodegradable.  

Anyway we’ve found some biodegradable “plastic” cups now.  I do hope that they do what say on the tin so to speak.  I have a collapsible coffee mug that I take round with me so tat I don’t need a cup from the coffee shop.  It fits in my pocket!  I even got my Life one for Christmas.  Last of the big spenders, eh.  Lucky woman I here you say.

Until next time.   Take care and be good.  Have a great 2019.  Here’s to making a difference.

Chris Branfield is Principal Dentist at Castle Park Dental Care, Castle Villa, 28 Castle Road, Cottingham, telephone 01482 772550.  He has been in dental practice for 26 years and has a special interest in life changing, pain free dentistry with dental implants, rapid teeth straightening and cosmetic dentistry. And, not only that Chris is founder member and trustee of Dental Mavericks charity- ending the daily dental pain of Moroccan kids. For more patient success stories and Chris’ Humanitarian work go here now www.castleparkdental.co.uk

Stand Up To The Big C

“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”

By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield

Stand Up To The Big C

Hello again, I hope you are well.  Another busy month on the onward quest for better.  Been to Manchester, Cambridge University and Birmingham this month looking at updates on a myriad of subjects from osseo-densification to 3D imaging.  Knowledge is King and every little bit of extra can make a big difference at times.  That’s why it never stops.  Making a difference is the buzz.

Standing Up To The Big C Then

Now, by the Big C I don’t mean Christmas.  Even with some of the over commercialisation that is a bit Ba Humbug. No, by the Big C, I mean Cancer.  As I write we are in the middle of Mouth Cancer Action Month.  There has been a new, up to date survey done and it is a bit concerning to say the least.  In the last 10 years moth cancer has increased almost 50%!!!

So What Causes It Then?

Most cases of mouth cancer are linked to tobacco and alcohol. Cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking are the main forms of tobacco use in the UK. However, the traditional ethnic habits of chewing tobacco, betel quid, gutkha and paan are particularly dangerous.

Alcohol increases the risk of mouth cancer, and if tobacco and alcohol are consumed together the risk is even greater. Over-exposure to sunlight can also increase the risk of cancer of the lips.                                                               
HPV

Many recent reports have linked mouth cancer to the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the major cause of cervical cancer and affects the skin that lines the moist areas of the body. HPV can be spread through oral sex, and research now suggests that it could soon rival smoking and drinking as one of the main causes of mouth cancer. Practicing safe sex and limiting the number of partners you have may help reduce your chances of contracting HPV.

What Should We Be Looking Out For?

Mouth cancer can appear in different forms and can affect all parts of the mouth, tongue and lips. Mouth cancer can appear as a painless mouth ulcer that does not heal normally. A white or red patch in the mouth can also develop into a cancer, as can any unusual lumps or swellings. It is important to visit your dentist if these areas do not heal within three weeks.

How Can Mouth Cancer Be Detected Early?

Mouth cancer can often be spotted in its early stages by your dentist during a thorough mouth examination. If mouth cancer is recognised early, then the chances of a cure are good.  Remember, your dentist is able to see parts of your mouth that you cannot see easily yourself.  If mouth cancer is spotted early, the chances of a complete cure are good.

How Can I Keep My Mouth Healthy?

It is important to visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend, even if you wear dentures. This is especially important if you smoke and drink alcohol.

When brushing your teeth, look out for any changes in your mouth, and report any red or white patches, or ulcers, that have not cleared up within three weeks.  A good diet, rich in vitamins A, C and E and folic acid provides protection against the development of mouth cancer.  Plenty of fruit and vegetables help the body to protect itself, in general, from most cancers.  Cut down on your smoking and drinking, of course.

We Need To Look After Ourselves

Until next time. 

Take care and be good. 

Have a great Christmas!


Chris Branfield is Principal Dentist at Castle Park Dental Care, Castle Villa, 28 Castle Road, Cottingham, telephone 01482 772550.  He has been in dental practice for 23 years and has a special interest in life changing, pain free dentistry with dental implants, rapid teeth straightening and cosmetic dentistry. And, not only that Chris is founder member and trustee of Dental Mavericks charity- ending the daily dental pain of Moroccan kids. For more patient success stories and Chris’s charity work go here now www.castlepark