I remember Judy Geeson (who played Caroline Penvenen in the second series of Poldark) once asking me how long I took cleaning my teeth!
Such a question! It must have been nerves—anxiety provokes strange conversations.
We were standing around waiting to record a scene at the BBC’s Studios in Birmingham, in 1977.
She was shocked when I told her it usually took me about 20 seconds and that I once had to have 22 fillings after not seeing the dentist for 3 years.
“You must spend at least 3 minutes and floss every time, beforehand.” she told me sternly.
Duly admonished I have followed her advice ever since.
This exchange came to mind when Meredith sent me the link to a website that describes in detail what can happen to a diabetic’s teeth when glucose levels are unchecked.
It also has useful tips about how to keep your mouth healthy:
People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place and may lead to painful chewing problems. Some people with serious gum disease lose their teeth. Periodontal disease may also make it hard to control your blood glucose (blood sugar).
By controlling your blood glucose, brushing and flossing every day, and visiting a dentist regularly, you can help prevent periodontal disease.
I brush and floss three times a day.
Thanks Judy!
(We quickly got our teeth into the scene!)
Toothsome threesome--Angharad, Robin and Judy!
Robin Ellis 
You look like you all enjoyed making the series as much as we enjoyed watching!
We did!!
Great post & really good advice, Judy! This applies to heart disease too…it’s been found that there’s a strong link with poor oral hygiene there as well…but it’s probably a good idea for everyone anyway!! Maybe this isn’t the best time to tell you that I’ve made you a cake Robin?! On my blog…www.browniesformozart.blogspot.com – I hope you enjoy it! Have a great week. Shame about the rugby yesterday too…the French played the better game, although in the competition overall it was probably the right result!
Wow, Rachel–a cake!
Thanks–I’ll go look.
Wonderful game and a just result i think–though the outcome was in doubt down to the wire.
When I look at a photo of you in Poldark your teeth alway look very good-still do.I hate the taste of toothpaste so tend to get it over with as quickly as possible.
Jimmy spends ages doing his- he moans at me for being to quick,-so I suppose he is right, after reading your post I with grit mine and try to stay with it longer.
Regards Elaine
Robin, did you and your cast mates every pull pranks on each other? Best regards! Lily
You look like you are having so much fun in the picture!
My mother who is a diabetic tells me that she brushes her teeth for 2 minutes at a time. I having been striving for 2, and I guess I should aim for 3. Yikes!
Genie Pohl
Sounds like you are doing fine!
Brushing and flossing thrice is just wonderful, but minimum twice is indispensible. You are very right and diabetic patients are really very prone to get periodontal disease.
There is another very important thing that many of the patients often do not notice – untidy and infected mouth increases the glucose level. So, as diabetes can bring periodontal disease, periodontal disease can also increase its ‘creator’. So, it’s really very important!
Thanks Robin!
Thank you Pueblo dentist–very valuable and another reason to look after your teeth.
I imagine that a number of readers of your blog were young, carefree and confident about their health in 1977. By coincidence, I am on day 5 of exactly the regime you were recommended back then, having seen no reason to be worried about teeth until I was warned by my dentist last week. Your post and some of the comments have come as a very timely incentive.
Hello Robin,
Hoping everything is OK with you and the family.
I was at a fresh dentist 3 days ago, to fill and repear a tooth what was good done.Better then the previous dentist cowboy I had, who bursted/cracked a tooth (what has to be repared in 14 days) no wonder it took me several years to find (and have now confidence back )in this fresh new dentist.I have actual good teeth and like to keep them, but I take a lot of medicines like Codeine fizzy (what is bad for the teeth) but it gives me some pain relief for my spinal cord together with my other pills.
We had today a very warm day here in Belgium for the time of the year 19 °c, went to the grave yard to my mother & oldest sister (what I do every month, when the weater is not too bad, it’s in a other city 30 km from Antwerp).Here in Belgium we have a long weekend this Tuesday we have All Saints, I think that’s also in France?
Hope the weater is good in France, enjoy and say the cats hello from me, hughs,
Chantal(from Belgium-Antwerp)
Hello Chantal–yes All Saints November 1st is a holiday here too.
Hope your new dentist continues to give you confidence in him/her.
We have lovely rain here and we–the farmers especially–need it.
Dear Robin, Many thanks for the reply.Tuesday 6 th I have to go back to the dentist.I’ve read you go to N.Y the 11 th, enjoy it overthere and come safe back.
Many regards, Chantal( from Belgium-Antwerp).