Cat Burford is preparing to become one of only a handful of women in the world to do a solo unsupported expedition to the South Pole, and the first dentist.
As a practising dentist at the River Practice Specialist Centre in Truro, you’d think there’s few opportunities for her working world to cross paths with her extreme pursuits, and yet Cat tells us that dentistry has influenced her adventures far more than you’d imagine.
The Science of Snacking
On a practical level, oral health has been a concern of Cat’s as she plans for her trip. She will be carrying her belongings – including all her food – for the entire 700-mile, 45-55 day expedition on a pulk. She explains: “Weight is paramount: you have to consider every item packed. You also need to get the maximum amount of energy for the minimum amount of weight, so you’re looking for foods that are really high in sugar that you eat on an hourly basis to maintain energy levels.”
Of course, an abundance of sugary snacks doesn’t bode well for anyone well versed in oral health. “The dentist side of me is very aware of what this means for my teeth: the Stephan Curve shows that for every bit of sugar it can take 40 minutes for your mouth to really reach a safe pH, at which point I’ll soon be stopping for the next sugar hit again,” Cat says.
Not only an issue for those heading to the Antarctic, Cat notes that high-sugar foods can cause issues for anyone who relies on an energy boost when training: whether they’re out cycling with gels, reaching for sweets while marathon training or hiking, or using energy drinks before a gym session. “I was in a quandary, thinking this could destroy my teeth and discovered it’s a real issue for athletes competing in sports and for expedition dentistry,” she explains.
A Health Plan for the Expedition
Cat has formulated an oral health plan for the expedition, many points of which are relevant to anyone using high-sugar snacks for training. “I’ll start by using Colgate Duraphat toothpaste a good time before going off on expedition to help build up resistance,” she explains. “Then while on the expedition, I will take toothpaste tablets – I’m planning to use Parla ones – which are super light, but have a fluoride dose in them. So I’ll have my snack and then chew on one of those and mix with water. This means I’ve had that sugar hit, but my teeth aren’t going to be at risk of decay.”
She adds: “Another thing I do is finish with a block of cheese after sugar. It’s something that we recommend to patients: choose cheese as a snack as it will stimulate the saliva to wash away the sugars off your teeth.”
Top 5 Oral Health Tips for Training
- Consider toothpaste tablets if you’re eating high-sugar snacks at regular intervals. They’re light and will give you a hit of fluoride.
- Add a high-fluoride toothpaste – like Colgate Duraphat – to your routine ahead of periods of training, to build up resistance.
- Make sure you book in regular dental check-ups to pick up on signs of decay early.
- Try eating a small piece of cheese after high sugar snacks: it will stimulate the saliva to wash away the sugars off your teeth.
- Remember to not rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth, so you leave a layer of fluoride on your teeth to protect them.
Of course, snacking is just one small – although essential – element of Cat’s planning, as she continues training and preparing for her epic adventure. She hopes to fly out at the end of November 2023, almost three years after she made the decision to do the expedition.
Learn more, and follow Cat’s adventures, on her Instagram account: @molarexplorercat – including her expedition, which is due to start later this year. You can also read her previous article by clicking here.
