HILLS INDEPENDENT HILLS 112 OCTOBER 2024 | Page 22

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Which toothpaste is best ?

by Dr Olivia Ignatiou
Dentists often get asked , “ Which toothpaste is best for me ?” The answer depends on who is asking . When parents ask about toothpaste for their children , the answer depends on their age . Children under two should not use toothpaste at all . A small , soft brush with water is recommended . Between the ages of two and six , a low-fluoride toothpaste should be used .
Once the adult teeth start coming through and the child can reliably spit out , regular adult toothpaste can be used . A Beyond this , the most important factor is trying to find a toothpaste that your child likes the taste of !
For adults with good oral health , any toothpaste containing fluoride is recommended . If you have sensitive teeth , there are several very effective options on the market . For people with a high
decay rate , Neutrofluor 5000 can help slow the formation of cavities . For those with a dry mouth , Biotene offers a range of products that are gentle on the mouth .
Another common question is , “ Will this whitening toothpaste actually make my teeth visibly whiter ?” The short answer is probably not , but it may help slow down the build up of stains .
If you are unsure , ask your dentist about what oral hygiene product may be best for you .

Helping back pain from ankylosing spondylitis

with Andreas Klein
Ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ) is an inflammatory arthritis of the spine and other joints . It affects up to 2 per cent of Australians , is three times more common in men than women and usually appears between 15 and 45 years .
AS starts with pain and stiffness in the sacroiliac ( SI ) joint ( between the spine and pelvis ) but can affect other areas of the spine , the hips , shoulders , eyes , skin , bowel , chest and even lungs . Eventually the whole axial skeleton of a person with long term AS can become fused .
Ninety percent of people with AS have a gene called HLA-B27 . This is a perfectly normal gene found in eight per cent of the general population , and less than 2 per cent of people born with this gene ever
get spondylitis . So , the gene itself does not cause spondylitis , but people with it are simply more susceptible to getting spondylitis . Patients may suffer : 1 . lower back pain 2 . red / sore eyes 3 . neck , chest hips , buttocks , knee pain 4 . a hunched posture 5 . slight fevers 6 . fatigue 7 . night sweats 8 . Crohn ’ s disease-like symptoms - intestinal ulcers with cramping and diarrhea or constipation
Nobody really knows why people get AS . The overwhelming evidence suggests that people inherit susceptibility genes from their parents , but then get AS via
an infection , which alters bowel function leading to immune dysregulation and autoimmunity .
The medical literature lists at least fourteen different micro-organisms which can function as possible triggers and though still controversial , it is thought by many , that infection with these organisms can lead to gastro-intestinal changes , triggering commencement of AS symptoms .
Currently , there is no known cure for AS but various medications such as analgesics , anti-inflammatories ,
bisphosphonates , and drugs called DMARDs and bDMARDs are used by doctors to reduce symptoms and manage the pain .
At the clinic we have had some success in treating people with AS . We determine and treat possible infective organisms , alter diet to optimize nutrition and immunity and then use adjunct treatments including muscle elongation therapy to reduce inflammation and remove the need for ongoing AS medications .
If you would like to know more give us a call at the clinic . See our ad on page 13 . 22 ISSUE 112 // OCTOBER 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT