Tag: oral health

While many of us know about the link between oral and physical health, there is limited knowledge on if oral health is related to psychological wellbeing – especially in older adults. Now, a research team has sought to find out if a link exists, and how this connection happens. The findings were very positive, and underline the importance of oral health.

Many of us are aware of the link between oral health and physical health. Past research has consistently shown that strong oral health has a positive effect on physical health.

However, in positive news, the link appears to extend further, with new research suggesting that strong oral health can improve psychological wellbeing in older adults [1].

This new research places further emphasis on the importance of oral health. Boosting both physical and psychological health is very beneficial.

Background

As mentioned, there is a well-documented connection between oral and physical health. Poor oral health can have a negative impact on physical health.

However, there is limited knowledge on any impact that oral health has on psychological wellbeing. Therefore, this is a topic area that is of interest to researchers.

Moreover, in Japan, where the research took place, there is a rapidly aging population, meaning that more focus is being placed on geriatric care. Therefore, the researchers were keen on looking at this topic area [1].

Past research shows that as we age, our psychological wellbeing often declines [2]. This often results in low mood, anxiety, sleeping problems and a lack of motivation among other areas.

Therefore, psychological wellbeing is hugely important. For example, it has been shown to increase life expectancy, improve quality of life, and provide general happiness [3].

The Research

The research was carried out by a team at Okayama University, Japan. Their findings have been published in the PLOS ONE journal [1].

In the research, the team examined a range of oral-related conditions. They focused on 218 older adults that visited a dental clinic on Okayama [1]. For the purposes of this study, “older adults” refer to those aged 60 and over.

The team looked at indicators of strong oral health. This meant that they were looking at the bacterial load on the tongue, chewing ability and the swallowing ability of the patients [1].

Then, they compared these measures to the self-reported psychological wellbeing of the same patients. Moreover, they also asked about the nutritional status and environmental characteristics of the participants [1]. For example, these characteristics include their habits, social life and medical history [1].

The researchers were able to take all of this into consideration. They then looked for patterns between the different types of data in order to reach their conclusions.

The findings showed that oral health is related to nutritional status, which then has an impact on wellbeing in older adults [1]. So, oral health does have a positive impact on psychological wellbeing.

The researchers explained this finding. They pointed out that oral health plays a substantial role in determining which food or drink a person can consume. Therefore, this impacts the nutritional intake of a person, thereby influencing their overall health [1].

Moreover, the research also showed a link between oral health and a person’s environmental characteristics, including their social life. The researchers explained this by how poor environmental characteristics were associated with psychological stress, resulting in poor habits like smoking and poor diet developing [1]. Therefore, this would increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Summary

Overall, the main finding was that oral health has a positive impact on wellbeing through its effects on nutritional status, and its consequential effect on a person’s environment.

This research underlines the importance of oral health. Therefore, it is important for us all – especially older adults – to invest time and effort into looking after our oral health, as it can have a range of benefits.

Senior Assistant Professor Noriko Takeuchi led the study, and confirmed the findings. He said that “the results highlight that good oral health” can improve “psychological wellbeing in the long run” [4].

The research team were understandably pleased with the outcome. Furthermore, this is also very positive for humans– and shows that by looking after our oral health, strong wellbeing can follow!

Thinking points…

1) The researchers pointed out that poor habits, such as a high consumption of sugar, or smoking, can impact our oral health. If you do have poor habits, try to get rid of these. A great way of reviewing your oral health is to attend a dental check-up. At a check-up, a dentist can take a look at your oral health and provide advice and treatment if necessary. We recommend booking an appointment now!

2) If you are reading this and you or your parents are aged over 60, or you have friends in this age group, these findings are very relevant! With this in mind, you could share this article with them now. This can help to improve their psychological wellbeing, which would be very helpful to them! Feel free to share the article right away!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Takeuchi, N., Sawada, N., Ekuni, D., & Morita, M. (2023). Association between oral condition and subjective psychological well-being among older adults attending a university hospital dental clinic: A cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE. 18 (11): e0295078. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295078.

[2] Snowden, M., Dhingra, S. S., Keyes, C. L. M., & Anderson, L. A. (2010). Changes in Mental Well-Being in the Transition to Late Life: Findings From MIDUS I and II. American Journal of Public Health. 100 (12): p2385-2388. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105%2FAJPH.2010.193391.

[3] Vazquez, C., Hervas, G., Rahona, J. J., & Gomez, D. (2009). Psychological well-being and health. Contributions of positive psychology. Annuary of Clinical and Health Psychology. 5: p15-27.

[4] Okayama University. (2024). Study finds oral health indirectly influences subjective psychological well-being in older adults. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-01-oral-health-indirectly-subjective-psychological.html. Last accessed: 1st February 2024.

Water Fluoridation is commonly regarded as one of the most effective health advancements in recent decades. Studies have consistently shown the benefits of water fluoridation to oral health. However, with fluoride commonly found in other products, can governments and policymakers justify the costs of further water fluoridation projects? Now, new research has tackled this topic.

Recent research has looked into the impact of Water Fluoridation programs in England. This includes both existing programs, and potential projects in the future.

The research suggests that while existing water fluoridation programs help to save money, there is no guarantee that future schemes will follow the same pattern [1].

This is an interesting finding, with water fluoridation a topic that elicits differing responses from many nations. These findings may help to guide future government policies.

What is Water Fluoridation?

Water Fluoridation refers to the process where a small amount of the natural chemical Fluoride is added to the public water supply. Numerous studies have shown that water fluoridation is associated with a reduction in cavities [2].

However, water fluoridation has also proven to be a controversial topic. Many countries have banned its practice outright, citing ethical concerns, and the potential dangers to over-exposure to fluoride.

This research took place in the United Kingdom. Approximately 11% of those living in England live in areas with water fluoridation schemes [3]. Therefore, the majority do not. The cities of Newcastle and Birmingham are among the largest areas to have water fluoridation schemes [3].

As the majority of research into water fluoridation was conducted prior to fluoride being added to toothpaste in the 1970s, it has been argued that more contemporary research is needed.

The Research

The research was carried out by the University of Manchester. Their findings have been published in the Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology journal [1].

Their research forms the largest ever study into the effects of water fluoridation on the dental health of adults [1]. In England, the majority of people access their dental care through the National Health Service (NHS).

The research involved looking at 6.4million adults and adolescents living in England [1]. Across these millions of adults, some lived in areas with fluoridated water, while others didn’t.

This created two cohorts. The researchers looked to see how patients in each cohort reacted over a 10-year period. Furthermore, this involved looking at areas like fillings, teeth extractions, tooth decay and missing teeth [1].

Overall, the findings were largely positive in respect to water fluoridation. Over the 10-year period, areas with water fluoridation cost £10.30 per person on average [1]. Moreover, NHS treatment costs were £22.26 lower per person – representing a 5.5% reduction compared to those in areas without water fluoridation [1].

Moreover, patients in fluoridated areas paid marginally less in dental charges. Unlike the majority of the NHS, dental care is not free in the UK. On average, those in fluoridated areas paid £7.64 less than their counterparts in non-fluoridated areas [1].

In locations where water fluoridation was in operation, there was a 3% reduction in NHS invasive dental treatment like fillings and extractions [1]. Moreover, there was a 2% reduction in decayed, missing, and filled teeth [1]. These reductions were in comparison to a group of people that lived in non-fluoridated areas over the 10 years.

The researchers came to the conclusion that the public sector saved £16.9million between 2010 and 2020 due to water fluoridation [1]. This presents large savings to the NHS.

Are the benefits worthwhile for the future?

Based on the findings, it could be argued that water fluoridation is worthwhile, and that further water fluoridation programs should take place.

However, the NHS needs to take cost into consideration, and may need to judge if the outlay required for further water fluoridation programs can be justified based on cost savings.

For example, while there were benefits to those in fluoridated areas, these improvements were rather marginal. Therefore, it is questionable as to whether or not these modest improvements can justify the expenditure involved.

A new water fluoridation scheme that would replicate similar programs from 2009 would cost approximately £50million. Therefore, based on this research, it would take around 30 years for the NHS to experience any savings [1]. This represents a significant time period.

It has also been argued that people have more access to fluoride through toothpastes and mouthwashes in the present day. This also adds to the suggestion that water fluoridation programs are not entirely needed for future generations.

Summary

Water fluoridation has been hailed as one of the most important health advancements in recent decades. There are many benefits to it, despite some opposition to it.

But water fluoridation isn’t enough on its own. Excellent oral hygiene and regular check-ups are needed. After all, there have been concerns from dentists over tooth decay levels.

For example, lead author Dr. Deborah Moore – from the University of Manchester – has said that “tooth decay remains almost universal by adulthood, even in populations that have had access to fluoride toothpastes and fluoridated water from birth” [4]. Therefore, even those in fluoridated areas are still able to develop tooth decay.

Overall, while existing water fluoridation programs in England provide marginal savings for the NHS, there is no guarantee that new schemes would continue to provide such cost savings. This represents an interesting dilemma for health professionals and policymakers going forward.

Thinking points…

[1] While the addition of fluoride to toothpaste and mouthwash products has helped to protect against cavities, we all need to ensure we have excellent oral hygiene! This includes attending regular dental check-ups, as this provides your dentist with the chance to examine your mouth, provide advice, and suggest treatment if needed. You should attend the dentist at least twice per year. We recommend booking an appointment now!

[2] Do you know if the area you’re in has fluoridated water? It can be interesting to find out! Why not have a discussion about the topic with those around you to see how everyone feels towards its practice? Feel free to share this article with your friends and family to start a discussion! You could also speak about it to your dentist if you need further advice.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.

We hope to see you soon at our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Moore, D., Nyakutsikwa, B., Allen, T., Lam, E., Birch, S., Tickle, M., Pretty, I. A., & Walsh, T. (2024). How effective and cost-effective is water fluoridation for adults and adolescents? The LOTUS 10-year retrospective cohort study. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. (Pre-publication issue).DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12930.

[2] Slade, G. D., Grider, W. B., Maas, W. R., & Sanders, A. E. (2018). Water Fluoridation and Dental Caries in U.S. Children and Adolescents. Journal of Dental Research. 97 (10): p1122-1128. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0022034518774331.

[3] Department of Health & Social Care. (2022). Health and Care Bill: water fluoridation. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-and-care-bill-factsheets/health-and-care-bill-water-fluoridation. Last accessed: 17th January 2024.

[4] Addelman, M. (2024). Future benefits of water fluoridation not guaranteed, study shows. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-01-future-benefits-fluoridation.html. Last accessed: 17th January 2024.

The announcement of the Canadian Federal Government’s National Dental Care Plan was hailed as an exciting and transformative moment for healthcare in Canada. However, various provinces have raised concerns over how existing dental programs will co-exist with the government’s plan. This has resulted in concerns that many Canadians will see a change in their dental care, while costs of the federal plan could also rise significantly.

The National Dental Care Plan has received a rather lukewarm reaction from Canadian provinces, with questions raised over how existing programs can co-exist with the federal government’s plan.

As a result, some provinces are reviewing their own dental plans [1]. Therefore, many Canadians may see a change in the dental care they receive, following the outcome of these reviews.

Background

In December 2023, the Canadian Government finalized the details of the national dental plan [2]. The plan aims to provide financial assistance towards dental care to those from low- and middle-income families.

The plan will be rolled out using a phased approach – with seniors and children among those to first receive access to the plan [1]. The current plan suggests that the full rollout will be complete from 2025.

The plan has been met with excitement from many dentists and dental professionals. Moreover, the plan is expected to have a very positive impact on the oral health of Canadians.

However, one of the main issues with the plan involves the concern regarding the co-existence between current provincial programs and the new plan [1].

Problems of co-existing

Following the announcement of the plan, Health Minister Mark Holland said that the program was intended to “fill the gaps”, rather than replace existing provincial dental programs [1].

However, this has proven to be problematic. Amidst concerns that provincial programs will change their approach, Holland has since said the provinces shouldn’t “shove” dental costs onto the government [1].

For the provinces, they are in a position now where they feel they can change their existing programs in a way that offsets many residents towards the federal government’s plan.

If provincial programs do change, or even entirely shut down, the price of the national dental plan could rise significantly. Already, the cost has risen substantially, with the cost expected to be $4.4billion per year. This is on top of the initial $13billion budget.

Different approaches

One such example comes from the province of Prince Edward Island (PEI). PEI has an existing dental plan, although it provides far more limited provisions compared to those seen in the federal program.

Therefore, in PEI, there is a belief that there will be a change in how dental bills are covered in the province, once the federal program is up and running [1]. For example, the federal plan will be open to far more PEI residents compared to the existing plan.

Furthermore, Alberta is another province that has an existing dental program. This program is aimed at children and seniors. However, as with PEI, the program is not as comprehensive as the federal program. Therefore, this will reduce the need for Alberta to run their own dental program.

Spokesperson Charlotte Taillon has said that Alberta wanted to see the federal government invest in existing programs, rather than start “an entirely new insurance-based plan” [1].

Moreover, Taillon said that Alberta “urged the federal government to work with the provinces and territories” to improve existing coverage [1]. However, this didn’t happen. Instead, the government opted to introduce their own program.

Taillon went on to say that Alberta is “currently reviewing the federal announcement” – suggesting that changes are likely to be made after the review [1].

The province of Nova Scotia is also said to be “currently reviewing the federal dental program details to better understand the impacts it will have on dental programs” within the province [1].

In the province of Ontario, they launched a senior’s dental program in 2019 [1]. A spokesperson for the province has said they aren’t expecting any immediate changes based on the federal plan. However, changes in the future cannot be ruled out.

What will happen next?

Each individual province will have their own decision to make in terms of altering their existing plans. Each province will have their own circumstances to consider, including the size of the population and their needs.

Once reviews have taken place, it is likely that we will see changes in existing provincial programs. Therefore, some people may need to access services in a different way, or some may lose some access altogether.

The federal government is hoping that the provincial programs will remain in place after these reviews. This would help to keep the costs down, and keep existing infrastructure in place. There is no timeline on how long these reviews will take.

The aim of the dental plan was to see a vast improvement in the oral health of Canadians around the nation. But we now run the risk of seeing little improvement due to the problems in co-existence between provincial and federal dental plans.

Thinking points…

1) Many people appear to be planning on waiting for the dental plan to be rolled out before next attending the dentist. However, we strongly recommend that you do not change the timing of your regular dental check-ups, especially as the full rollout of the plan is probably around a year away. Attending a check-up at least twice per year is crucial. Therefore, remember to attend appointments regularly! We recommend that you make an appointment soon!

2) One of the leading reasons for the dental plan is concerns over the cost of dental care in Canada. For many people, cost is a big barrier. However, here at our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental, our fees are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This means that our prices are fully transparent, competitive and reliable. You can find out more about us on our website Savanna Dental. We would love to see you at our Calgary dental clinic soon!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Tasker, J. P. (2023). Provinces are reviewing their own dental care programs as Ottawa announces federal plan. Available: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/provincial-dental-programs-reviewing-1.7059399. Last accessed: 6th January 2024.

[2] Government of Canada. (2023). The Canadian Dental Care Plan. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2023/12/the-canadian-dental-care-plan.html. Last accessed: 6th January 2024.