Never had it so good

Hello again, I hope that you are safe and well. Another busy month has passed. I’m proud to announce that my daughter, Harriet got a first class honours degree in Speech and Language Sciences from the University of Newcastle. She’s got a job as a speech and language therapist locally working with adults in a community setting. It was years of really hard work. It shows that hard work and focus pays off.

Last Saturday my colleague Ilay and I were on a day long course with the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine. It was supposed to be a live, in person event originally but I’m glad it was a zoom one in the end. It was interesting and there are some new guidelines coming soon so watch this space.

What’s so good then?

Well dentistry has been going on for over 1000 years. It was not quite the gentler art it is today. Rich people would have implants of other people’s teeth. Poor people would actually have their teeth out and sell them.

Since the Middle Ages, people have sold their teeth for use in both dentures and in transplants for wealthy patients. The results of any transplants were usually short-lived, and the practice died out when practitioners realised that diseases like syphilis could also be transmitted during the process.

In the 18th and 19th Centuries, human teeth set in dentures were the best option for wealthy dental patients whose teeth were rotten from sugar consumption.  Unfortunately, live donors were in short supply and grave robbers could only deliver so many teeth.

The battlefield at Waterloo provided ample opportunity for looters to scavenge for teeth to sell, since there were many bodies above ground, in one place. The teeth of dead soldiers would be pulled out with pliers and sold to early dental technicians who would shape them for dentures.  No need for anaesthetic I suppose.

What have the Romans ever done for us?

Tooth whitening? The ancient Romans whitened their teeth using stale urine. Urine contains ammonia, which Romans used to clean and whiten their teeth. The ammonia acted as a bleaching agent and was allegedly very effective! Now I would in no way advocate this and never have. There are better cleaner things to use.

Like I say, it’s never been so good.

A big thank you

Thank you so much to our very understanding patients. As restrictions have been lifted we, as health care professionals need to carry on with the same stringent cross infection control measures and protocols including distancing and universal mask/face covering wear. The feedback has been fantastic and it’s really built trust. Thanks also to my fantastic team. It’s been tough but they’ve looked after me and done a great job.

Let’s all look after each other.

Until next time. Take care and be good.