I had an unpleasant surprise as I ate my breakfast this morning and a filling came out (with a bit of tooth attached as well, I was told later). I got on the phone to my dentist, they had an appointment free at lunchtime and I went in. Turns out there was a bit of decay under the filling, and no amount of brushing my teeth would likely have stopped it. Doing the filling needed local anaesthetic and took 25 minutes as it went into the gum a bit. The whole thing only cost ?12!
OK, so that was probably more detail than you wanted, but I mention it as it set me thinking. It was very easy and cheap for me to get this fixed only six hours after it happened, but how would this change post-peak? I realise dentistry itself is probably not that energy intensive, though it does require electrical power and some specialised equipment - will they be able to keep this kit working? What about the economic side? Will we end up having to pay a fortune for treatment as goverment funds for the NHS run out? Will the poor end up going to back-street places to get their teeth pulled out with pliers while they're strapped down? Or will it all be fine and I'm worrying about nothing?
Dentistry post-peak?
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mikepepler
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peaky
A while ago I decided to stock up on floss and heads for the electric toothbrush. Those two things did more for the health of my teeth and gums in 1 year than all the visits to the dentist in the previous 20! It got me thinking that a high standard of medical care may not be that easily available post peak so I want to make sure I can still take care of them for as long as possible.
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Blue Peter
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Re: Dentistry post-peak?
Was that private or the NHS? I can't really believe either. I think that I've been charged more for a check-up with both private and NHS,mikepepler wrote: The whole thing only cost ?12!
Peter.
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mikepepler
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Re: Dentistry post-peak?
That was NHS, it was just a small filling, no check-up. I think the problem was it was a tricky filling to do, but as it was small the price was low. I'm not complainingBlue Peter wrote:Was that private or the NHS? I can't really believe either. I think that I've been charged more for a check-up with both private and NHS,mikepepler wrote: The whole thing only cost ?12!
Peter.
though I'm going to brush my teeth more - it'd be good not to have a mouthfull of rotten pegs when society's collapsed! 
Well, after quizzing my mother (who happens to be a dental nurse) about this (though she still seemed very skeptical that it could happen ), the main problem would be the supply of materials.
This would include (most importantly) anaesthetic, if that can't be gotten hold of, then the dentistry we have at the moment would either be out the window, or requiring leather straps on the chair.
There's also the materials used for the fillings, such as mercury, silver, tin, copper and any other materials used for amalgum fillings. For the composite (tooth like colour, not metal ones) you need (usually) plastic and glass as well as a few other things. You could go back to having a gold filling....but for that you still need to get the gold.
It's all been done at a lower technical standard before, and with fewer up-to-date materials, such as just tin or gold for a filling.
Then, there's the dentist's equipment, such as the diamond used in the drill, all the x-ray fluids and chemicals, disposable gloves.
The things that would be problematic would be deeper, harder to do things like wisdom teeth extractions, which usually require a visit to the hospital to dig them out.
I don't imagine that it's going to go down the pot like some other medical services. Apart from metals, it's not that energy intensive as most tools are re-used after sterilisation in the small autoclave.
Still, I'd keep off the sugary substances and remember to brush your teeth anyway
), the main problem would be the supply of materials.This would include (most importantly) anaesthetic, if that can't be gotten hold of, then the dentistry we have at the moment would either be out the window, or requiring leather straps on the chair
.There's also the materials used for the fillings, such as mercury, silver, tin, copper and any other materials used for amalgum fillings. For the composite (tooth like colour, not metal ones) you need (usually) plastic and glass as well as a few other things. You could go back to having a gold filling....but for that you still need to get the gold
.It's all been done at a lower technical standard before, and with fewer up-to-date materials, such as just tin or gold for a filling.
Then, there's the dentist's equipment, such as the diamond used in the drill, all the x-ray fluids and chemicals, disposable gloves.
The things that would be problematic would be deeper, harder to do things like wisdom teeth extractions, which usually require a visit to the hospital to dig them out.
I don't imagine that it's going to go down the pot like some other medical services. Apart from metals, it's not that energy intensive as most tools are re-used after sterilisation in the small autoclave.
Still, I'd keep off the sugary substances and remember to brush your teeth anyway
Who needs dentists anyway - miserable lot. They're always looking down in the mouth.
Andy Hunt
http://greencottage.burysolarclub.net
http://greencottage.burysolarclub.net
Eternal Sunshine wrote: I wouldn't want to worry you with the truth.
Making your own tooth cleaning stuff.
Tooth powder: In a mortar and pestle grind up some chalk (8 parts), salt (1 part) some dried mint and sliver of dried soap that has totally dried out (cut a bit off a block and leave it till its? crumbly).
Or, 10 parts baking powder and 1 part salt ? get it really fine in a mortar and pestle and get rid of all that plaque ? cleans like zilit bang on manky teeth (not a harmful abrasive ? its? the effervescence that does it).
You can make an antibacterial mouthwash from garlic ? puree a clove into ? litre of warm water with ? teaspoon of salt, then put in a bottle (including gunk). Shake bottle and swig after brushing.
Toothbrush ? UK dogwood (Sanguinea) makes good chewing sticks (its? a common plant in the UK) or a brush can be made from animal hair (furry pig or hourse main).
Tooth powder: In a mortar and pestle grind up some chalk (8 parts), salt (1 part) some dried mint and sliver of dried soap that has totally dried out (cut a bit off a block and leave it till its? crumbly).
Or, 10 parts baking powder and 1 part salt ? get it really fine in a mortar and pestle and get rid of all that plaque ? cleans like zilit bang on manky teeth (not a harmful abrasive ? its? the effervescence that does it).
You can make an antibacterial mouthwash from garlic ? puree a clove into ? litre of warm water with ? teaspoon of salt, then put in a bottle (including gunk). Shake bottle and swig after brushing.
Toothbrush ? UK dogwood (Sanguinea) makes good chewing sticks (its? a common plant in the UK) or a brush can be made from animal hair (furry pig or hourse main).
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mikepepler
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Doesn't that leave you stinking of garlic? I suppose it will keep the vampires away at least.ToY wrote:You can make an antibacterial mouthwash from garlic ? puree a clove into ? litre of warm water with ? teaspoon of salt, then put in a bottle (including gunk). Shake bottle and swig after brushing.
Garlic smells nice, and as your using it as a mouthwash it only lasts about 20 minutes on your breath (it does not get into your bloodstream).
Remember, the French invented French kissing so they could like the garlic off each other?s gums.
I don?t think superficial vanity will be a big concern in a post-industrial society anyway ? the days of paying ?65 to have your hair made to look like ?2.99 clown wig from a joke shop will be over.
Just in passing, whenever I see someone with those silly fluorescent white teeth, it always makes me think they are wearing dirty underpants.
Remember, the French invented French kissing so they could like the garlic off each other?s gums.
I don?t think superficial vanity will be a big concern in a post-industrial society anyway ? the days of paying ?65 to have your hair made to look like ?2.99 clown wig from a joke shop will be over.
Just in passing, whenever I see someone with those silly fluorescent white teeth, it always makes me think they are wearing dirty underpants.
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Adamrock
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emordnilap
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A spambot brought up an interesting thread here. 6 years ago!
We've used our own toothpaste for several years now and really like it: vegetable glycerin, baking powder, salt and a few drops of peppermint oil. The proportions are made up on the spot. I reckon you could miss out the glycerin but it does help everything to hold together.
Just a bit of salt on the finger is a reasonable last resort toothbrush.
Toothbrushes would be fairly easy to make, I think; no sense in worrying too much about them at present.
We've used our own toothpaste for several years now and really like it: vegetable glycerin, baking powder, salt and a few drops of peppermint oil. The proportions are made up on the spot. I reckon you could miss out the glycerin but it does help everything to hold together.
Just a bit of salt on the finger is a reasonable last resort toothbrush.
Toothbrushes would be fairly easy to make, I think; no sense in worrying too much about them at present.
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker
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Snail
Yeah, it was an interesting thread.
I had a mercury filling fall out several years ago, but my tooth seemed fine so never needed to goto the dentist. Its still fine; reckon dentists must have been paid bonuses or something per fillings.
Remember a school experiment with red dye and different ways to brush your teeth. just using a dry brush or finger with no toothpaste took away as much plaque as brushes with toothpaste. So regular dry brushing and flossing are probably all that's needed for a healthy mouth.
James Wong does a good good book called 'Grow your own drugs' and contains lots of herbal recipes including one for toothpaste.
I had a mercury filling fall out several years ago, but my tooth seemed fine so never needed to goto the dentist. Its still fine; reckon dentists must have been paid bonuses or something per fillings.
Remember a school experiment with red dye and different ways to brush your teeth. just using a dry brush or finger with no toothpaste took away as much plaque as brushes with toothpaste. So regular dry brushing and flossing are probably all that's needed for a healthy mouth.
James Wong does a good good book called 'Grow your own drugs' and contains lots of herbal recipes including one for toothpaste.
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energy-village
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This book might be useful.
Where There is No Dentist
'Community health workers from around the world use this book to help people care for their teeth and gums. A focus on the treatment of urgent dental problems and the importance of prevention make this book an valuable resource. "Where There is No Dentist" provides detailed and well-illustrated information on using dental equipment, placing fillings, and removing teeth, as well as methods for teaching hygiene and nutrition. The book was developed as a companion volume to "Where There is No Doctor", and encourages people to care for their own teeth and prevent tooth and gum problems in their communities. '
http://www.DODGY TAX AVOIDERS.co.uk/Where-There-Den ... 0942364058