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dentist

Before I start this rant-like article, it is important that you know I have no personal hatred towards actual dentists – just everything they represent. 

You are lovely people, who help keep our smiles looking fresh – but I will NEVER ever enjoy meeting you. Ever. 

I would consider myself a pretty brave individual, I have tattoos and stuff and they've never bothered me. 

But the dentist is a different form of torture for me – the moment I walk in, my entire body goes into shock. 

sloth no GIF

There are always tears (I'm 26 by the way – whatever), there have been one or two actual panic attacks – and I always leave with a numb face, and a maxed-out credit card. 

What's not to love?

Anyway, I was in the torture chamber on Saturday, so I decided to do up a list of reasons why I hate it. 

PS: My dentist is sound. 

1. So.damn.clinical. 

In you go, up onto that plastic covered chair, where you will endure at least 30 minutes of absolute discomfort. There is no love in the air, no art o n the walls, no comfort. It is just a big white and steal monstrosity. This is probably for hygiene reasons, but Jesus, would a splash of colour kill you?

recess GIF

2. Tad invasive, no?

You will reach a level of intimacy with your dentist that you will rarely reach with anyone else. Kindly get your big ole dentist paws OUT OF MY MOUTH. I know that it is 'technically' your job to poke around in my mouth, but I would really rather if you didn't. Oh, and to those dentists that don't wear rubber gloves (I have heard a story or two), SHAME, SHAME, SHAME. 

dentist GIF

3. Good Jesus, THE NOISES. 

My skin actually CRAWLS at the sheer thought of those hideously chronic torture machines. The drilling noise is so violent that you almost feel like your brain is being excavated. Why don't they play REALLY loud music to drown out the sounds? Little bit of One Direction to take the edge off, lads. 

yelling steve carell GIF

4. Those needles. 

I am sooo fine with needles most of the time. I get vaccines, I have had blood taken, and have piercings and such – but there is something almost inhumane about sticking a needle into a human's mouth. And adding insult to injury, you will probably be numb for a few hours after leaving the clinic – making eating, speaking and smooching (not that this one would be an issue for moi) less than cute. 

sassy honey boo boo GIF

5. The small talk. 

What in the name of God makes you think I am up for a chat? And even if I did feel like talking to you about work, or my upcoming holiday – your hands are in my MOUTH. This makes chatting rather difficult, don't you think? Let's endure this in silence – for everyone's benefit. 

please stop talking mean girls GIF

6. The inevitable bankruptcy. 

'Thank you for coming, please leave your entire life savings with the receptionist as you leave!'

Seriously though, has anyone ever gone to the dentist and NOT felt like they've been ripped off? I know that it is a necessary cost, but WOW, any chance of cheeky discount?

bridesmaids help me im poor GIF

All in all – not something you want to spend your Saturday doing, however important it may be. 

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Imagine never needing to get another painful filling again – we can only hope.

Well, researchers have now found an innovative way to treat damaged teeth, making them regenerate themselves.

Hurrah!

The treatment has been developed at the Dental Institute, King’s College London, and involves the stimulation of stem cells already present in the tooth pulp – using an Alzheimer’s drug.

The research, published in the Scientific Reports journal, was led by Professor Paul Sharpe.

He explained afterwards: “The simplicity of our approach makes it ideal as a clinical dental product for the natural treatment of large cavities, by providing both pulp protection and restoring dentine.

“In addition, using a drug that has already been tested in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease provides a real opportunity to get this dental treatment quickly into clinics.”

The discovery stands in stark comparison to the treatments currently available for use by dentists such as man-made cements and fillings which are prone to infection.

“As this new method encourages natural tooth repair, it could eliminate all of these issues, providing a more natural solution for patients.  

The treatment will involve low doses of the drug small molecule glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3) inhibitor applied to the tooth using biodegradable collagen sponges.

The sponge will disintegrate over time, replaced by new dentine and resulting in a complete natural repair.

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In the face of an international backlash – fuelled by celebrity input – American Walter J Palmer has hired a PR firm. 

The dentist controversially killed Cecil the lion – one of Africa's most famous big cats and the star attraction at Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park – around three weeks ago. 

He paid €45,000 to shoot the animal with a crossbow, later leaving him skinned and headless on the outskirts of the park after posing up proudly for photographs with his body.

And it has now been revealed that the medic has gone into hiding. He has received numerous death threats since news of the lion's slaughter first emerged earlier this week.

Indeed, he has employed Austin & Associates, a public relations firm based in Ohio, to handle to controversy. 

In a statement – the first time he has spoken publicly on the matter – Dr Palmer claimed: “In early July, I was in Zimbabwe on a bow hunting trip for big game.

"I hired several professional guides and they secured all proper permits. To my knowledge, everything about this trip was legal and properly handled and conducted.”

“I had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favourite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt,” he continued.

“I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt. I have not been contacted by authorities in Zimbabwe or in the US about this situation, but will assist them in any inquiries they may have.

Again, I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion.”

His Minneapolis dental surgery has since been forced to close. Activists have also left flowers, cards, and stuffed toys – in particular lions – at his place of work and his home.

Some have also dressed as 'dentist hunters' – armed with water-guns and wearing lion masks.

Cara Delevingne, and Ricky Gervais, as well as models Behati Prinsloo and Candice Swanepoel – who hail from Namibia and South Africa respectively – are just some of the celebrities who have take to social media to criticise Dr Palmer's actions. 

In an emotional appeal, American television host Jimmy Kimmel also asked viewers to donate to the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit in retaliation. 

And Peta said on its Twitter account that he should be "extradited, charged and, preferably, hanged," for his actions. 

Yesterday, Emmanuel Fundira, the president of the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe, confirmed at a news conference that Dr Palmer is wanted for the death of Cecil.

The Zimbabwean authorities are acting fast too: Dr Palmer's hunting colleagues, Zimbabwean Theo Bronkhorst and local landowner Honest Ndlovu are due to appear in court today on poaching charges.

If convicted, the men face up to 15 years in prison.  

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You may think that by brushing your teeth twice a day you will help keep your mouth healthy. But do you brush for long enough? And do you keep up with your dental appointments?

Recent research have shown that people with the most bacteria on the surface of their teeth and gums have an 80% increased risk of premature death, particularly from cancer.

So how can we keep our mouths healthy?

See your dentist regularly
Health guidelines advise that we shouldn’t leave longer than 24 months between dental appointments. If you have gum problems you should see your dentist every six months and those with good oral hygiene should go every 10 months.

Brush thoroughly
Twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is still enough, but brush properly. Always wait an hour to brush teeth after eating or drinking fruit juice, as acidic foods and drink soften the tooth enamel and leave it prone to damage.

Clean between teeth
A lot of decay and gum disease occurs between the teeth caused by food and the build-up of plaque, so this area shouldn’t be neglected. Floss once a day by sliding it gently up and down between your teeth, then curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line.

Chew gum after meals
Saliva is the tooth’s natural protective mechanism, and chewing gum helps produce it. Chew sugar-free gum after a meal or snack to increase saliva flow.

Scrape your tongue
Many toothbrushes have a scraper on the back for cleaning the tongue. Contrary to popular belief, the bacteria it removes is not connected to serious health conditions – but removing it may make us more pleasant to be around.

Use a mouthwash
This can be useful if it has additional effects, such as preventing decay or build-up of bacteria. But be warned, mouthwashes can’t replace brushing.

Monitor your gums
Our gums naturally start to recede as we age, but this can also indicate gum disease. Look out for bleeding gums as this is the first sign of the condition and means you need to see a dentist.

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It seems brushing your teeth has more benefits than simply creating a bright white smile. According to researchers in the US, brushing your teeth can help prevent you from developing arthritis in old age.

During their study, scientists found a link between the bacteria that causes gum disease and early onset rheumatoid arthritis and found that gum disease is two times more prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

According to researchers in the University of Louisville’s School of Dentistry in Kentucky, gum disease causes a unique enzyme that “enhances” collagen induced arthritis.

Jan Potempa, who led the research team, said: “Taken together, our results suggest that bacterial PAD may constitute the mechanistic link between P. Gingivalis, periodontal infection and rheumatoid arthritis, but this ground-breaking conclusion will need to be verified with further research.”

Maybe it’s time for a trip to the dentist.

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