Layout 7 - Biggleswade Rugby Club

10 BULLETIN DECEMBER 2011 TEL: 01234 843905 EDITORIAL: editorial@biggleswadebulletin.co.ukLocal news and information for Sandy and surrounding areaSANDy Community websitewas founded back in August1999, as a focal point in the communityand to provide news andinformation about what’s goingon the local area. As well as linksto local resources and other sitesof interest to visitors accessingthe website, there are regularnotices posted about eventsbeing mounted by other communitygroups in the area.The website has a ‘potted history’of the town, which datesfrom the very early Roman-British era, right up to modernday. Whilst not intended to be acomprehensive history of thetown, the history section does atleast give a flavour of how Sandyand the local area has developedover time.The Local links page bringstogether access to other communitywebsites in the area andhopefully, these sites receive visitorsfrom these links. There arealso Local Services pages, whichgive details of schools, localauthorities and, through thesponsorship of some local businesses,information about these.The website has developed overthe last 12 years or so and for along time, did not accept anyform of sponsorship or paid foradvertising. however, since2008 and the economic declinefelt all over the world, there wasa need to keep the website onlineand updated through a smallamount of funding from thirdparties and some affiliate advertising.Today, this has movedinto some front page ‘spotadvertising’, which generatesenough income to keep the websitegoing in its current form.There is also a ‘Blog’ at:www.sandybedsblog.com wherelocal issues can be aired and discussed.It’s free to register andpost your comments on existingissues or even something youThe vicious circle of diabetesand gum diseasefeel should be raised throughyour own topic.The website is now maturebut new ideas and suggestionsfor improvement are alwayswelcome – it is after all a communitysite for the community.There is a small level of disappointmentin that even todayin this highly charged era ofonline communication, manylocal groups still rely on puttingposters up in shop windows andon noticeboards. That is not tosay these methods are redundantbut the newer channels ofcommunication with potential‘customers’ should be exploredin order to complement thephysical media. SandyCommunity website will bepleased to post notices of localevents being advertised onbehalf of not-for-profit groupsand organisations. All that isneeded is an email to the websitewith the What’s On details andGuM disease has no respect forage, sex or ethnicity. For themajority of us, the disease willnot advance beyond tender,swollen gums or bleeding duringbrushing provided it’s treatedimmediately. But for people whohave Type 2 diabetes, if it is notdetected in the earliest stages, itcan literally be life threatening.Diabetics are more susceptibleto infections. Periodontal (gum)disease is one of the most commoncomplications of diabetes andthose who don’t have theirdiabetes under control are especiallyat risk.Gum disease allows bacteria anopportunity to get into the bloodstreamand circulate throughoutyour body, which could lead toadditional health risks.Gum disease also reduces thebody’s ability to produce insulin,which makes it more difficult for aperson with diabetes to controltheir blood sugar levels. This is avicious circle because if it’s leftuntreated or uncontrolled, gumdisease and diabetes directly affectone another. Poor blood sugarlevels mean that the glucose insaliva increases; this feeds the bacteriain the mouth, which in turndevelops into gum disease!Tooth loss is also anotherproblem for diabetics who sufferfrom gum disease. Our teeth areheld in place in the jawbones byligaments which keep them stableand healthy. Gum disease cancause loss of bone and as a resultyour notice will be up within acouple of days. If you have acopy of a poster advertising yourevent, even better. either send itby email, or drop it it to theWebmaster’s letterbox andagain, it will be on the website ina couple of days. Please note thatin order to achieve the maximumimpact, event noticesshould be at least 3-4 weeks inadvance of the event takingplace. There is no charge for thisservice .The Community Website willbe here for a long while yet andas online media developmentsand improvements comethrough it will move with thesenew innovations in order tomaximise accessibility to localinformation for Sand and thelocal are.you can find us by ‘Googling’Sandy, or accessing us directlyat: www.sandy-bedfordshire.co.ukdeeper pockets develop around theteeth and gums where bacteria canbreed. Gum disease also attack theligaments which hold the teeth inplace so they may become looseand eventually fall out.Smoking also increases the riskof gum disease. Smokers withdiabetes aged 45 or older, are 20times more likely to get severegum disease and bone and toothloss than diabetics who don’tsmoke. So if you are diabetic andsmoke these additional risk factorsmay directly be shortening yourlifespan.But there is light at the end ofthis gloomy tunnel. Good dentalhygiene will help you keepdiabetes under control and bloodsugar levels steady. You shouldclean your teeth and floss regularlyand rinse your mouth with anantibacterial mouthwash afterbrushing, but a visit to your dentalhygienist will make sure that anygum disease is detected andtreated early.Make sure your dentalhygienist knows about yourdiabetes. That way they caninclude a regular oral healthassessment, to pick up early signsof infection, as part of your routinediabetes management.For more information aboutoral hygiene and dental care visitwww.ballardandtucker.co.uk or toarrange an appointment callBallard and Tucker on 0844 5769888.