eRadio SA

Eskom’s proposed 2027/28 tariff changes could see fixed electricity charges rise significantly. Hahn & Hahn Attorney Merilynn du Plessis explains what the proposals mean for consumers, including potential increases of more than 20% and NERSA’s public consultation process.

Legal Talk is aired every Wednesday morning at 10:00 on eRadio SA and available as a podcast thereafter.

In this interview, Dr Kara Hoffman, who is part of the ICAN network, explores the often-overlooked role of audiologists in diagnosing and managing more than hearing loss.

She discusses tinnitus, dizziness and balance problems, explains how inner-ear issues can affect balance, and highlights when people should seek professional assessment.

Dr Hoffman also offers reassurance and practical guidance for those who have been living with these symptoms for months or even years.

To find an independent audiologist in your area, visit: www.independentaudiologists.co.za

Introduction

In this episode, Dr Clifford Yudelman turns the usual prevention message on its head. Dentistry has spent decades telling people what to avoid, and almost nothing about what actually builds a strong tooth in the first place.

He covers the minerals and fat-soluble vitamins behind healthy enamel and dentine, why vitamin K2 has become a talking point in jaw development, and how chewing tougher foods influences jaw width and the odds of needing braces.

He also tackles the frequency-versus-quantity question on sugar, whether a vegan diet puts a growing child's teeth at risk, and whether grandmothers were right about cod liver oil.

The episode closes on mouth breathing, when an early cavity can be monitored rather than filled, and what modern dentistry does and does not take from Weston Price. The thread running through it all is financial: a well-built jaw and strong enamel in childhood represent decades of restorative dentistry that never has to happen.

Questions and Answers

Question 1. We know sugar is bad, but what nutrients actively build strong enamel in the first place? (0:55)

Enamel and dentine are living structures during development and need calcium and phosphate, plus the fat-soluble vitamins D3 and K2. D3 helps absorb calcium from the gut, and K2 directs that calcium into bones and teeth rather than into muscle. The classic warning sign is a child who brushes perfectly but still develops enamel defects or early decay. Look deeper and you usually find low sun exposure combined with poor dietary fat and a processed diet. In parts of Africa where people are outdoors tending cattle or walking long distances, naturally stronger teeth are common, largely from the vitamin D the skin makes in sunlight. Teeth built well in childhood resist decay and cracking, and that foundation saves decades of fillings, crowns and root canals.

Question 2. What is vitamin K2, and why is everyone suddenly talking about it for jaw development? (3:18)

Think of K2 as a traffic controller for calcium. Without it, calcium circulates but does not necessarily end up where it is needed. Research increasingly shows K2 activates proteins involved in bone and tooth mineralisation, including the jaw bones, which can influence arch width, tooth spacing and facial development during growth. A telling example is narrow jaws and crowding in children despite genuinely low sugar intake. Nutrition does not override genetics, but it influences how the genes express, and anything that reduces the odds of complicated orthodontics later is a long-term financial win.

Question 3. How does vitamin D3 deficiency affect a child's teeth and even their airway? (4:21)

D3 deficiency is surprisingly common even in sunny places, because children spend far less time outdoors than they used to. When D3 is low the minerals do not absorb, giving soft brown teeth, delayed eruption and weaker jaw bone. There is growing interest in how D3 affects airway development and muscle tone, so in a child with frequent chest infections, mouth breathing or poor enamel, more sunshine and better D3 can make both the whole body and the mouth more resilient. Oral health, airway health and immunity are all linked.

Question 4. Does chewing tougher foods, such as carrots or biltong, actually influence jaw growth and reduce the chance of needing braces later? (5:37)

Chewing is exercise for the jaw. Loading bone stimulates bone density and muscle development, so crunchy, tough foods that need real chewing make the jaws grow bigger, as opposed to soft processed foods. It is not about hardness for its own sake but about functional use of the jaw during growth. Children on soft processed diets, junk food or effectively baby food show a marked difference in jaw width and later crowding compared with those eating fibrous vegetables such as celery, carrots and apples along with good proteins. It will not guarantee that braces or Invisalign are avoided, but it plays a bigger part than people realise. For a family with two or three children, putting carrots and celery in the lunchbox instead of something mushy can save considerable time and money.

Question 5. Is it how much sugar a child eats, or how often, that really drives cavities? (7:49)

Frequency matters more than quantity. Every time sugar is eaten, the plaque on the teeth makes acid and that acid attacks the enamel for about twenty to thirty minutes. A can of Coke drunk with lunch produces one acid episode; the same can poured over ice at ten in the morning and sipped every half hour produces acid attacks all day, and after a few years of that the difference in the teeth is dramatic. The same principle applies to citrus: eat the whole naartjie and get it over with rather than popping a segment every twenty minutes. Grazing all day, including on juice, simply keeps the teeth covered in acid. Anything both sugary and acidic, such as a sour sweet or citrus, is worse again.

Question 6. Is a vegan diet safe for developing teeth, or are supplements essential? (10:10)

It is not the veganism itself that is the problem, it is the unrecognised deficiencies during critical growth windows. On a vegan diet it is hard to get enough B12, D3, calcium and K2. A well-meaning, ethical vegan family can be completely unaware that a child's poor enamel, and the dental problems that follow for the rest of their life, trace back to a gap in the nutrition. Anyone raising a child vegan should look specifically into foods with high levels of those nutrients. It is much cheaper and better to address that than to deal with enamel problems later.

Question 7. Does cod liver oil actually help prevent cavities, or is it just an old wives’ tale? (12:02)

Cod liver oil is genuinely very rich in vitamins A and D, both important for enamel and dentine, and its use long predates modern supplements. Grandmothers were not entirely wrong; they had a point, and those practices developed over years of observation. It supports mineralisation alongside good hygiene and low sugar exposure, and it is very low cost, often cheaper than modern supplement ranges. It does not replace brushing and fluoride toothpaste, which remain essential.

Question 8. How does mouth breathing tie into all of this, beyond just the airway? (13:54)

Mouth breathing usually points to airway obstruction and nasal issues, and it then causes problems in the mouth. It dries the mouth, which changes the oral bacteria, reduces saliva's protective role and makes enamel erosion worse. Sleep quality also suffers, which affects how the body releases growth hormone at night, and that matters for a developing child. A chronic mouth breather with restless sleep can get rapid decay despite a decent diet. Making sure a child is breathing properly, including allergy testing or an ENT referral, helps not only the teeth and the growth but even cognitive development.

Question 9. Can nutrition actually reverse small cavities in children, or is that wishful thinking? (15:10)

Very early decay, known as white spot lesions, can stabilise or remineralise under the right conditions, with good plaque control, brushing, flossing, fluoride, tooth mousse and nutritional support all working together. It does not mean every cavity will heal, only the ones caught early. A patient of 19 with several cavities visible on x-ray was discussed at the practice's Tuesday case meeting and most were left alone and monitored, because his oral hygiene is now excellent; he was given whitening trays to hold tooth mousse rather than to whiten, with x-rays at regular intervals. Another patient, now 25, has areas that look identical on x-rays taken in 2018, 2023 and today. Not every cavity needs a filling, and it is fair to ask questions when told you need eight.

Question 10. What is the Weston Price theory, and does modern dentistry actually support any of it? (17:30)

Weston Price held that traditional unprocessed diets correlate with lower decay rates and wider jaws in the populations he studied. His methodology was not perfect by modern research standards, but several of his observations do align with current nutritional science. Modern dentistry does not reject fluoride or preventive tools because of it: nutrition matters, but it works alongside evidence-based dentistry rather than replacing it. The sad cases are the ones where families believe the body can heal any cavity regardless of size; once decay is into the dentine, no theory substitutes for treatment. Dentists worldwide are required by law to earn continuing education points to keep their licence, which is what keeps practice anchored to current evidence, even though nutrition itself is barely taught in dental school.

Closing Thoughts

Dentistry has spent decades telling people what to avoid and almost nothing about what to actually eat. None of this replaces brushing, fluoride or a proper check-up, but getting the nutrition right early means a family is not fighting an uphill battle for the next fifteen years.

As Dr Yudelman puts it, if you build it right the first time, the cheapest orthodontics and the cheapest fillings are the ones you never needed. A well-built jaw and strong enamel in childhood are decades of avoided restorative dentistry. To learn more or to book a full examination, visit OptiSmile.co.za.

Further Resources

Paediatric Dentistry at OptiSmile — child-focused dental care, prevention and first visits: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/paediatric-dentist/

Fluoride vs Fluoride-Free Toothpastes: Myths & Facts — the evidence on fluoride, remineralisation and white spot lesions: https://optismile.co.za/blog/fluoride-vs-fluoride-free-toothpastes-myths-facts/

Dental Solutions for Snoring and Sleep Apnea — mouth breathing, airway and sleep-disordered breathing: https://optismile.co.za/blog/dental-solutions-for-snoring-and-sleep-apnea/

Are All These X-Rays Necessary? — x-ray frequency and monitoring early lesions rather than filling them: https://optismile.co.za/blog/x-rays-dentist-gives-necessary/

Secrets of Your Teeth Exposed Through Dental X-Rays — what each type of x-ray reveals, including early decay: https://optismile.co.za/blog/secrets-of-your-teeth-exposed-through-dental-x-rays/

The Ultimate Guide to Dental Check-Ups — what a thorough examination includes and how findings are discussed: https://optismile.co.za/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-dental-check-ups/

Pregnancy and Dental Health — nutrition and oral health before the first tooth appears: https://optismile.co.za/blog/pregnancy-and-dental-health/

OptiSmile Podcast Series — the full Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth archive: https://optismile.co.za/podcasts/

OptiSmile YouTube Channel — video episodes and patient education: https://www.youtube.com/@OptismileZa-dentist-cape-town

Book an appointment — contact OptiSmile in Sea Point, Cape Town: 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 opinions expressed by Dr. Clifford Yudelman and any guests are designed to foster a better understanding of dental health, preventive measures, and general well-being, but should not be interpreted as professional dental or medical recommendations. Dr. Clifford Yudelman does not diagnose, treat, or offer prevention strategies for any health conditions directly through this podcast. This platform is not a substitute for the personalized care and advice provided by a licensed dental or healthcare professional. We strongly encourage our listeners to consult with their own dental care providers to address individual dental health needs and concerns. The information shared here aims to empower listeners with knowledge about dental health but must not be used as a basis for making health-related decisions without professional guidance. Your dental care provider is the best source of advice about your dental and overall health. Please always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health professionals regarding any questions or concerns about your dental health.

This week, John Harris talks about one of the biggest advantages of choosing Hartland Estate - Securing your erf first, then letting Dalmar Construction build the home you've always dreamed of!

From finding the right erf with the right views, to guiding you through the process and then handing your dream home over to the team at Dalmar Construction - the Brothers at Hartland are here to help make the journey simple, personal and stress-free.

For more information:

John Harris

📞 083 234 7525

✉️ [email protected]

Vaughn Harris

📞 061 458 8606

✉️ [email protected]

The Brothers @ Hartland

"Two Brothers, One Goal: Your Family's Future"

What would happen to your finances if you suddenly couldn’t work due to an illness or injury?

In this episode of Your Money Maument, Mauritz Oberholzer explains why income protection is an essential part of a sound financial plan.

He discusses how income protection can help safeguard your lifestyle, cover everyday expenses and provide financial security when you are unable to earn an income.

Tune in to learn why protecting your income can be just as important as protecting your assets.

Your Money Maument is aired on eRadio SA every Thursday and available as a podcast afterwards.

For more information visit https://www.mauritzoberholzer.co.za/

Introduction

Few subjects in dentistry generate more heat and less light than the silver amalgam filling. One camp insists the fillings are entirely safe and should be left alone. The other insists that anything containing mercury should come out at the first opportunity.

Both camps are loud, and neither is right in every case. In this episode Dr Clifford Yudelman works through what the published evidence actually shows about mercury exposure from amalgam, why two dentists can look at the same filling in the same week and give a patient opposite advice, and how to tell a genuine clinical reason for removal from a business model built on fear.

The episode also separates the mercury question from the mechanical one, which is where most of the real clinical decision-making sits. Old amalgams expand, they do not bond to the tooth, and they respond to hot and cold at a different rate to enamel, which is why they crack teeth and leak over the years. Dr Yudelman covers the SMART removal protocol and why high-volume suction matters more than most patients realise, whether removal automatically commits you to a crown, what an amalgam tattoo is and why it needs no treatment, what to do during pregnancy, and whether South Africans should be alarmed by international phase-outs of amalgam. The overriding message is that fear is not a clinical indication for treatment.

Questions and Answers

Question 1   [1:27]

Are silver amalgam fillings actually dangerous or toxic?

Dr Yudelman's short answer is that his own wife still has two of them in her mouth, which tells you what he thinks of the risk. Mercury in amalgam is bound into a stable alloy rather than sitting loose, and one review calculated that you would need somewhere in the region of 450 to 530 amalgam surfaces, roughly a hundred large fillings, to reach the World Health Organization urinary threshold associated with the most subtle preclinical effects. A Cochrane review by Worthington and a further systematic review found no consistent or clinically important difference in harm between amalgam and composite.

Question 2   [8:12]

Why do some dentists say to remove them all, while others say to leave them alone?

It comes down to philosophy and training, and sometimes to a business model, but that does not mean either side is lying. The precautionary camp removes amalgam to eliminate any mercury risk at all, while the minimal intervention camp leaves stable fillings alone and monitors them. Both positions are defensible in the right context, and the problem only arises when one is sold as a universal truth for every patient regardless of individual risk.

Question 3   [10:05]

What is the SMART protocol, and why does isolation such as the rubber dam matter so much during removal?

SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique, which Dr Yudelman describes as common sense with an acronym. The filling is not the hazard while it sits quietly in the tooth; the vapour and particles are generated when it is drilled out, so the protocol relies on isolation, copious water spray and, above all, properly maintained high-volume suction positioned right next to the tooth. Research indicates that without high-volume suction, mercury vapour levels in the operating environment can run several times higher than the recommended threshold.

Question 4   [16:11]

Is it true that amalgam fillings can eventually crack the tooth around them?

Yes, and this is the reason Dr Yudelman actually removes most of the amalgams he removes, not the mercury. Amalgam does not bond to the tooth; it is mechanically wedged in, so as the tooth flexes under biting the filling does not flex with it, and many old fillings continue to expand over the years. Large old amalgams are monitored so that a crack can be caught before a cusp breaks off, which is a different conversation entirely from the mercury debate.

Question 5   [18:32]

Separately from cracking, do old silver fillings expand and contract with temperature differently to the natural tooth, and does that cause its own problems?

Metal and tooth structure respond to hot and cold at different rates, so every coffee and every cold drink creates a small mismatch. Thousands of those cycles over the years open up gaps at the margins, which is how decay eventually gets underneath an old filling. It happens slowly and quietly, which is precisely why it is not usually an emergency and does not justify panic.

Question 6   [19:48]

If I have my metal fillings removed, do I automatically need a crown, or is there a more conservative option?

You do not automatically need a crown, and the old default of grinding the whole tooth down has cost patients a great deal of money over the years. Depending on how much tooth is left, the options run from a bonded composite through to an inlay or onlay that covers only what genuinely needs protecting. Before agreeing to any removal, ask what is replacing the filling and why that option was chosen, and if no clear biological reason is offered, seek a second opinion.

Question 7   [21:39]

What is an amalgam tattoo on the gum, and if I have one, should I be worried?

An amalgam tattoo is a grey or blue mark in the gum caused by a tiny fragment of amalgam left behind, often decades earlier when a baby tooth with a silver filling was extracted. It is purely cosmetic, it does not spread and it does not cause disease, and the fragments usually show up as small white specks on an x-ray near the mark. There is no need for removal, and no need for the biopsies that some patients are unfortunately sent for.

Question 8   [23:33]

Do you get more mercury exposure over the years from chewing on an old filling than you would from having it removed properly?

Chewing, grinding, clenching and particularly chewing gum release very small amounts of vapour from an old filling continuously, year after year. A properly conducted removal with high-volume suction and water spray is a single controlled exposure rather than an ongoing one, so a filling left in place for decades can plausibly amount to more total exposure than one removal appointment. That is not an argument for removing stable fillings for the sake of it, but it does cut against the idea that leaving them forever is automatically the safer choice.

Question 9   [26:46]

What about pregnant women, should they have their amalgam fillings removed?

Generally no. Stable amalgams are left alone during pregnancy, and elective or non-urgent dental work is avoided as a matter of course. If there is a genuine clinical need such as active decay or a cracked filling, it is treated with the appropriate precautions, but fear on its own is not a clinical indication for treatment.

Question 10   [27:51]

Some countries have restricted or phased out amalgam altogether. Should South Africans be worried about the fillings they already have?

No. Dr Yudelman sees no good reason to place new amalgam fillings, but the international phase-out is driven by environmental policy on mercury rather than by evidence of patient harm, and mercury waste regulations are now coming into force locally. In lower-resourced settings amalgam still saves teeth, although newer materials such as glass ionomers and resin-reinforced glass ionomers now handle similarly and offer a mercury-free alternative. A ban in Switzerland is not a reason to come home and have all your fillings replaced.

Closing Thoughts

The consistent thread through this episode is that the mercury conversation and the mechanical conversation are two separate things, and confusing them costs patients money. The evidence to date does not support removing stable, well-sealed amalgam fillings on toxicity grounds, and removing a sound filling out of fear means losing more tooth structure, which compounds over a lifetime. Every removal takes away more of the tooth, and that is not free.

Where removal is genuinely justified is when a filling is leaking, decayed underneath, or expanding and cracking the tooth around it, and even then the replacement should be the most conservative option that will do the job rather than an automatic crown. If a dentist cannot give a clear biological reason for what they are recommending, that is the moment to ask for a second opinion. Do not panic, do not act on a social media post, and have the individual risk properly assessed before anything is drilled.

Further Resources

All links below have been verified on the OptiSmile website.

Unveiling Dental Fillings: Preservation Meets Aesthetics

https://optismile.co.za/blog/unveiling-dental-fillings-preservation-meets-aesthetics/

Beyond Fillings and Crowns: The Magic of Inlays and Overlays

https://optismile.co.za/blog/beyond-fillings-and-crowns-the-magic-of-inlays-and-overlays/

Dental Inlays and Overlays Treatment

https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-inlays-overlays/

Comprehensive Guide: Dental Inlay versus Crown

https://optismile.co.za/blog/dental-inlay-vs-crown/

Cracked Teeth: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

https://optismile.co.za/blog/can-cause-cracked-tooth/

Toothache Troubles: Managing Dental Pain and Costs

https://optismile.co.za/blog/toothache-troubles-managing-dental-pain-and-costs/

Parafunctional Habits: Ice Chewing

https://optismile.co.za/blog/parafunctional-habits-ice-chewing/

Dental Bonding at OptiSmile Sea Point

https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-bonding/

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 opinions expressed by Dr. Clifford Yudelman and any guests are designed to foster a better understanding of dental health, preventive measures, and general well-being, but should not be interpreted as professional dental or medical recommendations. Dr. Clifford Yudelman does not diagnose, treat, or offer prevention strategies for any health conditions directly through this podcast. This platform is not a substitute for the personalized care and advice provided by a licensed dental or healthcare professional. We strongly encourage our listeners to consult with their own dental care providers to address individual dental health needs and concerns. The information shared here aims to empower listeners with knowledge about dental health but must not be used as a basis for making health-related decisions without professional guidance. Your dental care provider is the best source of advice about your dental and overall health. Please always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health professionals regarding any questions or concerns about your dental health.

In this episode, we explore the new Recreational Area at Hartland Lifestyle Estate.

Vaughn Harris tells us about the planned club house, swimming pool, dams with picnic areas, amphitheater for entertainment, full day spa, padel courts and more.

For more information:

John Harris

📞 083 234 7525

✉️ [email protected]

Vaughn Harris

📞 061 458 8606

✉️ [email protected]

The Brothers @ Hartland

"Two Brothers, One Goal: Your Family's Future"

Thinking of taking a balloon payment on your next car? Financial Advisor Mauritz Oberholzer explains how balloon payments work, the risks they can pose, and why a lower monthly instalment could end up costing you more in the long run.

Find out what to consider before signing your next vehicle finance agreement.

Your Money Maument is aired on eRadio SA every Thursday and available as a podcast afterwards.

For more information visit https://www.mauritzoberholzer.co.za/

What is a Rescission of Judgment and when can it be applied for? We ask Thabiso Tshukudu, Associate Attorney at Hahn & Hahn.

For more information, visit https://hahnlaw.co.za/

Legal Talk is aired every Wednesday morning at 10:00 on eRadio SA and available as a podcast thereafter.

A conversation with Dodo Manisi, SA Harvest’s Cape Town Procurement Lead, about turning surplus food into meaningful social impact.

Discover how food rescue helps fight hunger, why businesses should donate rather than waste edible food, and how collaboration can create hope, dignity and meals for communities in need.

For more information or to get involved, visit: https://saharvest.org/