Maintaining good oral health could help keep thinking skills intact in the ageing population, according to an American study.

Researchers from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York claim that gum disease can influence the functioning of the brain through causing inflammation in the body, which they claim can be a risk factor in the loss of good mental functioning. 

The study which was based on adults aged 60 and above found that those with serious gum disease were three times more like to have trouble recalling a three word sequence after a specified period of time.

The research project also found that adults with the highest levels of the pathogen which causes gum disease were two times more likely to fail three digit reverse subtraction tests. They were also nearly three times more likely to struggle with verbal memory tests and twice as likely to fail on verbal recall and subtraction tests.  

The study which was reported in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, was based on more than 2,350 men and women who were tested for periodontitis and completed numerous thinking skills tests as part of a national survey.    

Source: Dental Tribune Dec 2009

When you think of the word stylist, you normally think of a person who creates a look for someone using clothing and accessories, in order to make a statement.  But have you ever thought about your dentist as your personal stylist,ensuring your smile suits your unique style?

Sunita Verma, Principal at Sparkle Dental Boutique says “To style a smile takes a keen eye, and a real interest in understanding your facial features. All faces differ with differing facial symmetry, such as the size of nose or lip width and we need to look at this very carefully before changing your smile, so that your new smile fits with your other facial features.”

“To me styling a smile involves working closely with a patient to gain their trust and confidence. Sometimes they may be celebrities, or may be high fliers in the world of business, but most are ordinary people knowing that their smile needs an overhaul.”

“We do this by meticulously planning each smile transformation. We start by taking photographs of your smile and impressions of your teeth which we use to make a 3d wax up model. This model shows you how your teeth will look like, before actual treatment begins.  We then prepare a smile design prescription or detailed instructions for our master ceramist, another stylist, so that he can make the porcelain veneers or crowns to order. All this careful planning allows us to give you a cosmetically pleasing, stylish smile that will last for many years to come.”

It’s that time again when Dentistry magazine launch their shortlist for the Dentistry Top 50 awards. 

This poll is open to all readers of Dentistry magazine and users of Dentistry.co.uk. Readers are asked to consider who they think are the most influential people in the UK dental profession whether it be colleagues, tutors, association leaders, political figures, media analysts or whoever and we are pleased to confirm that Dr Sunita Verma, Principal of Sparkle Dental Boutique has been shortlisted once again.  

Sunita says “I’m very surprised to be shortlisted. It’s a great honour to even be considered amongst such people who are changing the face of dentistry in the UK.”