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Welcome back to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth. In the previous episode, Eon Engelbrecht and Dr Clifford Yudelman looked at laser dentistry and whether a laser can really replace the drill. This episode steps back from the tools altogether and asks a bigger question: why do teeth fail in the first place? It looks at functional dentistry, an approach that asks why damage keeps happening before deciding how to fix it.They cover what functional dentistry is and how it differs from holistic and biological dentistry, why dentists now look at sleep, breathing, reflux and diet as root causes, and when a dentist should work with a patient's doctor. They also discuss whether bite adjustments can really fix neck and posture problems, how a dentist can spot diabetes warning signs early, what inflammatory load from the mouth means, whether functional dentistry costs more, how stress damages teeth, the warning signs that should make a patient ask why something keeps happening, and how OptiSmile builds functional thinking into everyday care.10 Questions and Summary Answers[1:15] What is functional dentistry, and how is it different from holistic or biological dentistry? Dr Yudelman explains that functional dentistry is not a belief system and not an alternative dentistry, and should not be confused with evidence-based biomimetic dentistry. He says it is about thinking before acting: before fixing the damage, you ask why it happened. Biological dentistry focuses on materials, whereas functional dentistry focuses on the forces driving the disease. It is not anti-drilling or anti-crowns, and it is not softer dentistry but smarter dentistry. He raises it now because it is appearing a great deal on social media.[2:44] Why are dentists now looking at nutrition, sleep and breathing as root causes of dental problems? Dr Yudelman says teeth live in a body, not in a vacuum, and this thinking is becoming more mainstream. Mouth breathing dries out saliva, which is the teeth's natural defence, so he asks what is causing it, such as allergies, a deviated septum or a blocked nose. Silent reflux brings stomach acid into the mouth at night and erodes the inside surfaces of the upper teeth, almost like bulimia, which may call for a referral for a gastroscopy. He also sees snoring and sleep apnoea linked to night-time grinding, and mentions a patient who was not overweight and had a narrow neck, yet had worn teeth and admitted she snored. She is now having a sleep study. He stresses that a beautifully rebuilt mouth will fail again if reflux or grinding goes untreated.[5:38] Should your dentist be talking to your doctor, your cardiologist or even your dietitian? Dr Yudelman says yes, one hundred per cent in complex cases, though not necessarily for everyday dentistry where a medical history and medication review is enough. Gum disease and diabetes affect each other in both directions, so gum disease makes blood sugar harder to control and diabetes makes gum disease harder to control. Gum disease is also linked with heart disease, although he says we cannot be sure that treating the gums prevents heart attacks. When a patient keeps losing bone despite good flossing, hygiene and regular visits, he has often referred them for an HbA1c test, which shows blood sugar over the previous three months. Over the years he has helped some patients get diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and he says dentists who ignore the full picture are stuck in one groove.[6:59] Can your bite actually cause headaches and jaw pain, and what about the claims that fixing your bite cures neck and posture problems? Dr Yudelman says clenching and grinding are linked with jaw pain and headaches, and they wear down and crack the back teeth and fillings. Protecting the teeth with a well-made bite guard or Michigan splint makes sense. The bigger claims that adjusting your bite fixes your posture, back or neck are not really supported by research. He describes dentists who sell expensive bite reconstructions or full mouth rehabilitations, telling patients with neck problems that fixing the bite will fix the neck. When he looked for good evidence while preparing for the episode, he could not find any. Good functional dentistry removes unnecessary strain but does not promise miracles.[8:27] Is it possible for a dentist to spot diabetes or other health problems before a doctor actually does? Dr Yudelman says dentists do not diagnose diabetes but often see the warning signs first. These include gums that bleed despite good care, slow healing after an extraction or other procedure, repeated infections and a dry mouth. In those cases he would rather ask the patient to have their GP or doctor send them for a blood test, just to be safe. He mentions a large Cochrane review, and explains that Cochrane reviews hundreds of studies and discards the weaker ones. It found that treating gum disease in people with diabetes can measurably improve their long-term blood sugar control. In his words, the teeth and gums whisper something the body has not yet shouted.[9:38] What is the inflammatory load from the mouth, and how do you measure it? Dr Yudelman describes it as a chronic low-grade fire, like a bushfire. Gum disease across the whole mouth amounts to a large inflamed wound, possibly the size of a hand or even an A4 sheet of paper, and the body notices it. The simplest measure is bleeding when the gums are gently probed, because healthy gums do not bleed. He also looks at pocket depths and at bone levels on X-ray. After cleanings, root planing, or special toothpastes and mouthwashes, a patient who does not respond as expected has a much higher inflammatory load. He adds that healthy, firm, pink gums are part of general health and not just cosmetic.[11:10] Does functional dentistry cost more than traditional drill and fill? Dr Yudelman says it could, depending on the practice, although he believes many good dentists already practise some level of functional dentistry. At OptiSmile a new patient exam is booked for 90 minutes, and more than half an hour of that can be spent on the medical history and discussion before any examination starts. That extra time can cost more. He argues that paying once for a thorough smile and oral health assessment is better than paying repeatedly for teeth that chip or fillings that fall out. He says the most expensive dentistry is dentistry done twice, and also the dentistry you did not need. The second most expensive is having fillings done without a proper diagnosis.[12:34] How does stress damage teeth, and where does managing it fit into a dental plan? Dr Yudelman points back to an earlier episode on how stress shows up in the mouth. Stressed people clench and grind in the day and at night, snack more, eat lollies and candy, sometimes skip brushing when they are in a hurry, and see their gums flare up. A stressed patient can destroy excellent dentistry without knowing it. Often the most useful step is a hard night guard made to stop grinding in sleep, which is different from a rubber sports mouth guard. He says the approach is to point out the pattern rather than rush into more treatment.[13:36] What are the warning signs that should make a patient ask, why does this keep happening? Dr Yudelman lists several red flags: teeth or fillings that keep breaking, teeth that are getting shorter, flatter or more sensitive, gums that bleed even with good brushing and flossing, a constantly dry mouth, and snoring. If a husband or wife complains about your snoring, he says you should listen. He suggests the SnoreLab app, which records your snoring at night so you can listen back, and says you would be quite worried. Eon adds that hearing it is frightening and you feel sorry for your partner. A partner may also complain of a creaking or squeaking sound like a cricket, which is teeth grinding together. Instead of asking what to fix, he says patients should ask what is causing it.[14:44] How does OptiSmile put functional thinking into everyday care? Dr Yudelman explains that new patients get a 90-minute exam in which the team asks about sleep, snoring, reflux, medication and stress. They take photos, 3D scans, 2D X-rays and, when needed, a 3D X-ray, run the images through AI and then sit down with the patient to co-discover and co-diagnose. If a sleep study shows mild or moderate sleep apnoea, they make a sleep appliance, and if it is mainly grinding, they refer the patient to a physiotherapist and later make a Michigan or bite splint. They refer for blood tests when they suspect problems such as B12 deficiency or diabetes, and may offer a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist for severe stress, or send the patient back to their GP. Every decision goes through one question: how do we keep this tooth working as long as possible with the least harm?OutroEon's closing takeaway is that the most expensive dentistry is the same repair done again and again. Functional dentistry asks why before it asks how, and that question alone can save teeth and money for decades.Dr Yudelman closes by saying that keeping a tooth working as long as possible with the least harm is the essence of Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth. Next week: how to keep your teeth until you're 100.Further ResourcesCan a Laser Really Replace the Drill (Episode 132): https://optismile.co.za/blog/laser-dentistry-can-a-laser-really-replace-the-drill/What a Stressed Mouth Looks Like (Episode 126): https://optismile.co.za/blog/what-a-stressed-mouth-looks-like/What Do Gum Measurements Mean (Episode 121): https://optismile.co.za/blog/what-do-gum-measurements-mean/Dental Solutions for Snoring and Sleep Apnoea (Episode 39): https://optismile.co.za/blog/dental-solutions-for-snoring-and-sleep-apnea/OptiSmile Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Treatment: https://optismile.co.za/dental-problems/snoring-sleep-apnea/OptiSmile Dental Checkups: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-checkup/SnoreLab: https://www.snorelab.comCochrane

Getting your business online has never been easier or more affordable! In this edition of eRadio Business Focus, we chat with Tanya Kann from SiteHub about making professional websites accessible to businesses of all sizes.Discover what makes SiteHub different, what businesses can get for just R2,000, and how even those with no technical experience can establish an online presence.Tanya also explains SiteHub’s unique “Preview First. Pay When Happy.” approach, the different types of websites available, and how easy it is to get started.Whether you're launching a new business or looking to improve your online presence, this is a conversation you won't want to miss!🎧 Tune in to eRadio Business Focus and discover how SiteHub can help bring your business online.Contact DetailsWebsite: www.sitehub.co.zaEmail: [email protected]: 079 470 5614Want us to shine the spotlight on your business too? Email [email protected] 

Are you financially prepared for retirement, or could your savings run out sooner than you think?In this episode of Your Money Maument on eRadio SA, financial expert Mauritz Oberholzer explores what it really takes to retire comfortably. From calculating how much money you'll need to understanding the impact of inflation, rising living costs and longer life expectancy, Mauritz shares practical insights to help you assess your retirement readiness.Whether retirement is just around the corner or still years away, this episode will help you make more informed decisions about your financial future.Your Money Maument is aired on eRadio SA every Thursday and available as a podcast afterwards.

Moving money across borders isn't always straightforward, especially when dealing with exchange control regulations or blocked funds.In this episode of eRadio Business Focus, we speak to Andre Claassen from Offshore FX Global about the challenges South Africans face when transferring money internationally.We unpack exchange control regulations, the difference between discretionary allowances and transactions requiring South African Reserve Bank approval, and the process of accessing restricted funds.Andre also explains what clients can expect during their first consultation, how long applications typically take, the costs involved, and what to look for when choosing a foreign exchange service provider.Whether you're an individual or business dealing with international payments, this conversation offers valuable insights into navigating South Africa's foreign exchange regulations.Contact Andre ClaassenM: +27824581766E: [email protected]: www.offshorefx.co.zaOffshore FX Global (Pty) Ltd is a South African Reserve Bank approved financial services intermediary and a registered financial services provider with the Financial Services Conduct Authority of South Africa. FSP No: 51832

Welcome back to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth. In the previous episode, Eon Engelbrecht and Dr Clifford Yudelman looked at bioactive fillings, the smart materials that help a tooth protect itself. This episode turns to the tool that does the cutting, and asks whether a laser can really replace the dental drill.They cover how hard tissue erbium lasers remove enamel and decay, why most practices that advertise laser dentistry only have soft tissue lasers, whether lasers really do away with the drill sound and the injection, how precise lasers are, and whether they can overheat a tooth. They also discuss what lasers cannot do, including removing old amalgam fillings, how well fillings bond to laser-prepared teeth, where lasers truly shine around gums, veneers and implants, why not every dentist owns one and whether laser fillings cost more, and the three questions patients should ask before choosing a laser dentist.10 Questions and Summary Answers[3:12] We know lasers can treat gums, but can they really cut tooth enamel without a drill? Dr Yudelman explains that hard tissue lasers, mainly the erbium family, fire short pulses of light that are absorbed by the water in the tooth. The water turns to steam and blows away tiny particles of tooth, like microscopic popcorn, with no spinning burr, no grinding pressure and very little vibration. Lasers are slower than the drill, but for a small cavity in a nervous patient, slower and calmer can be the right choice. They can cut enamel, and they are even better at removing decay.[4:45] If a practice advertises laser dentistry, does it mean they can do fillings with it as well? Usually not. Most dental lasers in practice are diode soft tissue lasers, which Dr Yudelman has used since 2004 and believes every good modern practice should have, but they cannot cut teeth. Erbium lasers that cut enamel and dentine are far more expensive; a Fotona he saw at the South African Dental Association conference costs around 1.8 million rand, and BIOLASE is the more widely used brand. He shares a story from Perth of a laser practice whose laser sat in the corner unused while its name kept the phone ringing.[8:00] Does a laser get rid of that high-pitched drill sound, and is it true that you sometimes don't need an injection? Instead of the drill's whine, a hard tissue laser makes a soft popping sound, which matters to people who have avoided the dentist because of the noise. A Cochrane review found that patients treated with lasers reported less pain and needed fewer injections, with decay removed just as well, but the evidence came from small, low-quality trials. Deeper decay still needs an injection, and anyone promising painless dentistry is selling. Dr Yudelman adds that if you hate the drill sound, you can simply ask whether the dentist uses quiet electric handpieces rather than air turbines.[9:42] Is a laser more precise than a drill? Does it actually save more healthy tooth? It can, because decayed tooth holds more water than healthy tooth, so the laser removes decay efficiently in small, careful steps. But it is not a magic decay detector. Dr Yudelman, who trained on an erbium laser in 2004, says he would still use a decay-detecting solution and a gentle spoon excavator to check whether the tooth is hard or soft. Precision dentistry is about knowing when to stop, whether you use a laser or a drill.[11:07] Does the laser actually heat up the tooth, and can that damage the nerve? Used properly, with water spray and very short pulses, the temperature stays in a safe range. Used badly, a laser can overheat a tooth, just like a drill run without enough water. Dr Yudelman recalls a dentist in London in the 1980s who prepared crowns with little or no water spray; her room smelled of burning hair, and most of the teeth she crowned lost their nerves. The lesson is the same for both tools: plenty of water.[12:39] What can't lasers do? Can they remove old metal fillings, for example? There is a lot lasers cannot do. They cannot remove old amalgam fillings, because that releases mercury vapour; safe removal needs a drill, high volume suction, an amalgam separator and lots of water. They are too slow for removing porcelain inlays or crowns or for shaping teeth, so patients expecting a drill-free visit may still end up with the drill. Where they excel is removing old ceramic veneers: Dr Yudelman recently referred a patient to a local BIOLASE dentist whose laser popped off six veneers, before she returned to OptiSmile for injection moulded composite bonding.[16:34] Do fillings stick as well to a tooth that's been prepared with a laser? Despite conference claims that lasers make etching unnecessary, Dr Yudelman says dentists must go back to the research. A laser leaves the tooth rough, but bonding results vary widely between lasers and adhesives, so a full bonding routine is still needed. At OptiSmile, an AquaCare unit, a small sandblaster shrouded in water, cleans and roughens enamel and dentine with very fine 29 micron aluminium oxide so the etch and bond work even better. The laser is just another tool.[18:33] Where would you say lasers really shine, around gums and implants? Lasers shine with gums and soft tissue, such as trimming excess gum back to the enamel to correct a gummy smile, which OptiSmile does with its diode laser. Erbium lasers like BIOLASE and Fotona can do more, including some crown lengthening procedures, tongue ties and lip ties, and cleaning inflamed tissue around implants with less bleeding, although OptiSmile's EMS machine with its special implant powder does a similar job. Lasers cannot drill bone for implants; that still needs guided surgery and a slow, water-cooled drill. Where a laser is clearly the best option, OptiSmile refers patients to a colleague who has one.[22:28] So why doesn't every dentist use one, and does a laser filling actually cost more? Hard tissue lasers cost millions of rand and need serious training; in South Africa, BIOLASE training is close to a year-long programme. They are slower for many procedures, which does not suit practices built on speed and volume. Fees are sometimes the same, but often extra codes are added because someone has to pay for the laser. Dr Yudelman has practised for 43 years without a hard tissue laser, though he would welcome one for anything that helps avoid crowns or root canals.[23:52] Is it the death of the dental drill, and what should patients ask? No, and it should not be; the drill is still an excellent tool, and lasers add choice without replacing judgement. Patients should ask what type of laser the dentist has, whether it suits their particular tooth, and, if they have a silver filling, whether the laser can actually remove it. Be wary of social media claims that you will not need an injection. The future is not drill-free but the right tool for the right tooth at the right time, and Dr Yudelman believes the next leap will be robotic drills, not robotic lasers.OutroLasers are a valuable addition to dentistry, especially for gums, soft tissue and removing old ceramic veneers, but they do not replace the drill or the dentist's judgement. Before paying more for laser dentistry, patients should find out exactly what kind of laser a practice has and what it can and cannot do for their tooth.Closing the episode, Dr Yudelman reflected on more than two and a half years and 132 episodes with Eon and E-Radio, and said he is grateful that listeners have managed to save money, and in some cases save their teeth.Further ResourcesBioactive Fillings, Can a Filling Help Your Tooth Heal? (Episode 131): https://optismile.co.za/blog/bioactive-fillings-can-a-filling-help-your-tooth-heal/Are Silver Amalgam Fillings Dangerous (Episode 123, safe amalgam removal): https://optismile.co.za/blog/are-silver-amalgam-fillings-dangerous/Crown Lengthening for a Gummy Smile (Episode 98): https://optismile.co.za/blog/episode-98-crown-lengthening-fixing-the-gummy-smile/Tongue Ties in Adults, Speech, Gum Health and Sleep (Episode 101): https://optismile.co.za/blog/tongue-ties-in-adults-speech-gum-health-sleep/Dental Injections Explained (Episode 102): https://optismile.co.za/blog/dental-injections-explained/Robots and AI in Dentistry (Episode 128): https://optismile.co.za/blog/robots-and-ai-in-dentistry/The Advantages of Injection Moulded Composite Veneers (Episode 22): https://optismile.co.za/blog/the-advantages-of-injection-moulded-composite-veneers/An In-Depth Look at Dental Veneers (Episode 20): https://optismile.co.za/blog/an-in-depth-look-at-dental-veneers/Behind the Scenes, Advanced Technology and Personalised Dentistry (Episode 50): https://optismile.co.za/blog/behind-the-scenes-advanced-technology-and-personalised-dentistry-in-south-africa/Injection Moulding Technique for Veneers and Bonding: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/injection-moulding-technique/Dental Veneers in Cape Town: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-veneers/Teeth Cleaning in Cape Town: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/teeth-cleaning/Dental Implants in Cape Town: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-implants/Cochrane Review, Lasers for Caries Removal in Deciduous and Permanent Teeth: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010229.pub2/fullFotona Dental Lasers: https://www.fotona.com/en/BIOLASE Dental Lasers: https://www.biolase.com/AquaCare by Velopex: https://velopex.com/aquacare/EMS Dental: https://www.ems-dental.com/South African Dental Association: https://www.sada.co.za/OptiSmile Podcast Series: https://optismile.co.za/podcasts/OptiSmile YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OptismileZa-dentist-cape-townContact OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/contact-dentist-cape-town/Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast, "Save Your Money Save Your Teeth" on Medical Mondays, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as dental or medical advice. The insights and opini