Monthly Archives: November 2014

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
29th November 2014

A healthy, white smile is an asset for anybody, professionally and personally but you may have noticed as you get older that your teeth have changed; they may have lost some of their whiteness and started to take on a more yellow/ brown or grey colour. This is normal and comes with aging, as the tooth enamel becomes worn and less translucent due to tiny micro-cracks and the dentine inside the tooth becomes thicker and darker. You may also be more aware if irregularities and an uneven smile as the teeth may be displaying signs of wear, the teeth may have moved (drifted) or there are restorations placed in the teeth. So, how can you get that perfect smile?

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
15th November 2014

Following on from my last column, this piece continues to look at issues you might be experiencing in your mouth and their wider implications for your general health.

Ulcers/ Recurrent Sores: Stress, compromised immunity (common), Oral cancer (less common but serious)
When an open sore in the mouth doesn’t go away within a week or two, it always warrants visiting a dentist or doctor. Although it is common to suffer from mouth ulcers when we are stressed and our immune system is suppressed, if a problem area persists, this should be checked. Look out for raised sores with red or white borders as well as bleeding and numbness. More than 30,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, most over the age of 60. Cases are often detected late and if you are a smoker your risk is increased.