Redress The Balance
Being steady on your feet might be more important than you realise
FEELING A BIT less stable than before? Maybe you find yourself holding on to handrails more when going down steps or stairs?
As we get older, our balance gets worse. But how much does it matter?
A lot, it turns out. If your balance isn’t great, you’re more likely to fall. That can have disastrous consequences as we age, when bones are often less dense. Research has also shown that balance is crucial for life expectancy.
A study of 1,702 people aged 51 to 75 published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine last year found that participants who couldn’t stand on one leg for ten seconds were nearly twice as likely to die in the next ten years. Falls could be one reason why, but that’s unlikely to be the whole story. Individuals who were in worse health were more likely to fail the ten-second test.
There are three components to balance. The first is the visual system, which shows us whether we’re tilting. Then the vestibular system in the inner ear sends information to our brain about the motion of our head in relation to our surroundings. Thirdly, proprioception is our body’s ability to sense its location, movement and actions. People with ear problems that cause dizziness, or with joint problems or muscle weakness are more likely to have balance issues. If you suffer from dizziness, see your GP to find out the reason. But there’s a lot you can do yourself to improve physical strength.
If you exercise, you’re ahead of the game. One study found that a group that did 32 weeks of resistance training improved their ability to stand on one foot by 25 per cent and another group that did 32 weeks of aerobic exercise increased theirs by 31 per cent. Otherwise, improve your balance by walking, cycling or climbing stairs—this will strengthen muscles in the lower body—or by practising yoga, pilates or tai chi. Or simply practise balancing on one leg—hold onto a chair to begin with, if necessary.
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How did you become interested in cosmetic dentistry? I’ve had a passion for healthcare since I was young. When I started working in dentistry, I realised how impactful it can be on patients’ lives when you give them back their smile, and how important that is for self-esteem.
What are the main cosmetic dental treatments? In the last few years, minimally invasive dentistry has become extremely popular. We try to improve as much as we can without biological damage to the teeth. The most popular is braces, including invisible braces, which can be done at any age. The second is whitening. There’s also an increase in bonding— adding composite and resin to improve the shape of the teeth. A treatment to resolve medical problems is implants to replace missing teeth, often because of an accident or gum disease.
What are the benefits? Cosmetic dentistry improves patient confidence. Braces improve the bite, preventing wear and chipping, balance and jaw joint problems, and make teeth easier to clean. Good cleaning can prevent bacteria in the mouth causing teeth and gum issues.
What are the disadvantages? There’s a lot of marketing online and medical tourism offering treatments abroad. Dental treatment is a medical treatment. It’s not like buying clothes. It’s also about maintenance. People buy treatment upfront without a proper assessment, perhaps based on a photograph. Also, you don’t need extensive training to do composites or invisible braces. They are sometimes done by relatively inexperienced dentists who might not be able to diagnose or deal with complications.
How should you choose a cosmetic dentist? It’s important to meet two or three dentists and compare. Ask family and friends. Having a good general dentist who can refer you is helpful. Avoid an invasive procedure for the sake of a good aesthetic result. Veneers and crowns give immediate results but weaken the tooth and there’s a risk of damaging the nerve.
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