Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

E ating disorders can be physically and emo- tionally destructive, but the results of a new clinical study indicate oral health is also destroyed by the condition. The study by the University of Bergen in Norway revealed patients with an eating disorder – such as Anorexia and Bulimia - had significantly more den- tal health problems than those without, including tooth sen- sitivity, facial pain and severe dental erosion. The report highlighted that more than one in three of those with an eating disorder (36 per cent) had ‘severe dental erosion’ compared to just 11 per cent of the control group. Those with an eating disorder also self-reported higher daily tooth sensitivity, higher oc- currence of facial pains and of dry mouth. It is estimated eating disor- ders affect 1.1 million women and men in the UK, although many more do not come for- ward with their problems. While vomiting is often asso- ciated with eating disorders, the results of the research re- veal oral health is likely to suf- fer too. Chief Executive of the Brit- ish Dental Health Foundation Dr Nigel Carter discussed the reasons behind the apparent poor oral health and offered some advice for sufferers. Dr Carter said: “When you vomit repeatedly, as with cer- tain eating disorders, it can se- verely affect oral health. “The high levels of acid in the vomit can cause damage to tooth enamel. Acid attacks of this sort on a frequent ba- sis means the saliva in your mouth won’t have the oppor- tunity to naturally repair the damage done to your teeth by the contact with the acidic vom- it, hence the increased severity of dental erosion witnessed in the study. “People suffering with an eating disorder should look to, wherever possible, rinse their mouth as soon as pos- sible after vomiting to help reduce acid effects. Do not brush immediately after vom- iting as this may brush away softened enamel. The use of a fluoride toothpaste will help to protect teeth over time, and by chewing on sugar free gum it will help to increase saliva flow and neutralise ac- ids in the mouth. Your dentist can also prescribe high strength fluoride toothpaste which will help to protect your teeth. “We would highly recom- mend more frequent visits to the dentist to ensure the prob- lem does not deteriorate fur- ther and to identify whether any treatment would be re- quired. If the problem per- sists, don’t be afraid to discuss your problems.” Support groups such as Anorexia and Bulimia Care www.anorexiabulimi- acare.org.uk/ are on hand to provide advice and sup- port. The Foundation’s own ‘Tell Me About’ www.den- talhealth.org/tell-me-about/ topic/mouth-conditions/den- tal-erosion leaflet on den- tal erosion also gives some advice on how you can con- tinue to look after your oral health. DT Severe dental erosion link to eating disorders T he bacteria associated with the most common cause of tooth loss in adults could be a pre-curser for the development of bowel cancer, according to a team of scientists. The link comes as scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer In- stitute and the Broad Institute in America found an abnor- mally large number of Fuso- bacterium, a bacterium asso- ciated with the development of periodontal (gum) disease, in nine colorectal tumour samples, pointing to the pos- sibility the two could be asso- ciated. Bowel cancer, also known as colon cancer, is one of the top three deadly cancers in the UK. Around 35,000 people get diagnosed with bowel can- cer every year and around half of them die. Although lead author Mat- thew Meyerson, MD, PhD, co-director of the Center for Cancer Genome Discovery at Dana-Farber and a professor of pathology at Harvard Medi- cal School believes further re- search is needed to discover the extent of the link, the re- search suggests the bacterium could be a factor in the devel- opment of cancer. Dr Meyerson stated: “At this point, we don’t know what the connection between Fusobacterium and colon can- cer might be. It may be that the bacterium is essential for cancer growth, or that cancer simply provides a hos- pitable environment for the bacterium. Further research is needed to see what the link is.” Chief Executive of the Brit- ish Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, believes the research further highlights the importance of good oral health. Dr Carter said: “This re- search, although at an early stage, is more evidence of the systemic links between oral and overall health. Everyone sufferers from gum disease at some point in their lives, which could potentially en- danger thousands of people if they persist in neglecting their oral health. “If you have swollen gums that bleed regularly when brushing, bad breath, loose teeth or regular mouth in- fections appear, it is likely you have gum disease. To avoid further deterioration in your oral health, visit your dentist for a thorough check- up and clean.” The research, presented in Genome Research (Octo- ber 18 2011) made the discov- ery by sequencing the DNA within nine samples of normal colon tissue and nine of colo- rectal cancer tissue, and vali- dated by sequencing 95 paired DNA samples from normal colon tissue and colon can- cer tissue. Analysis of the data turned up unusually large amounts of Fusobacterium’s signature DNA in the tumour tissue. DT Research points to possible association between oral bacteria and bowel cancer A record number of dentists and dental practice man- agers from all over the UK celebrated achieving a nationally recognised management qualifi- cation with UMD Professional at an awards ceremony in London last month. 72 managers and dentists achieved an Institute of Leader- ship and Management qualifica- tion with UMD Professional in the last year, the highest number to date, and 23 of them came togeth- er in London to celebrate their success at an awards reception. The successful candidates were presented with their certifi- cates by John Tiernan, Director of Educational Services for MPS and Dental Protection Limited. Fiona Stuart-Wilson, Director of UMD Professional said: “We are delighted not only to celebrate everyone’s success but also to mark a record number of pass- es in the last year. We are very pleased to see in so many cases that practices are willing to con- tinue investing in their managers’ development by supporting them through the course, and to reap the benefits of the training they have undertaken.” UMD Professional is currently taking applications for their re- gional workshop courses and dis- tance learning programmes, and grants are still available in some areas. DT UMD Professional celebrates a record number of qualified practice managers The successful managers at the ceremony with John Tiernan of Dental Protection (front centre left) and Fiona Stuart-Wilson of UMD Professional (front centre right) February 27-March 4, 20124 News United Kingdom Edition