oral health

Looking After Your Teeth in the City of Dublin for Years of Smiles

Your teeth are different from the rest of your body, in that they cannot regenerate new material when damaged has occurred. If you break a bone or scrape your knee your body will repair the injury, creating new bone or skin to correct the damage. However, if dental enamel is worn, broken or damaged it will not be able to regrow and will gradually become worse if left untreated.

What can I do to look after my teeth?

Caring for your teeth is incredibly easy and it just requires persistence to prevent the development of any problems. A good dental health routine should occur daily and should include:

Brushing

Brushing your teeth is the bedrock of your dental health and should take up two minutes of your time in the morning and before you go to bed. Brushing removes the build-up or plaque and debris that lead to dental health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. For the best results brush in small circular motions, using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft bristled brush. Using a soft brush also allows you to gently clean the gums.

Flossing

Flossing is often forgotten, but it is an essential action to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing removes the plaque and debris trapped between the teeth, which cannot be reached using a toothbrush. Flossing also helps clean the gums, for complete dental health.

Mouthwash

Mouthwash is the crowning glory of your dental health routine and rinses any leftover bacteria from the mouth. Mouthwash is also a great idea if you like fresh smiling breath.

Although something you can’t do every day visiting your Dublin dentist every 6 months will also ensure that your teeth are in the very best of health and will prevent the development of any dental problems.

A daily routine is sure to keep your teeth gleaming and healthy for years to come.

Top Tips for Patients Near Deansgrange Wearing Fixed Braces

Braces are often, rather nastily, compared to train tracks, and, in a sense, braces are a bit like a train ride to some heavenly destination; it just takes a good while and you have to pass through a multitude of small nations, each with their own bureaucratic methods of nuisance, before you get there. Before this analogy gets a bit sidetracked, it’s important to focus on braces as being a means towards an incredibly desirable end, but you need to learn how to make a potentially uncomfortable journey as painless as possible.

Foods to avoid

The dining cart of our metaphorical brace train will, sadly, have a limited menu. The main objective is to avoid anything that could loosen or break your brace. Apples, for instance, are fine provided you cut them first, but bagels and hard rolls are notorious for bending wires and loosening brackets. Bubble gum poses no major threat, but will be a real nuisance to clean up. Crunchy stuff like hard sweet, crisps and nuts are a no-go, but most meats should be fine, provided they’re not too tough and there is no threat of accidentally gnawing a bone. Pizza is fine, just not the crusts, and now would also be a good time to give up a few bad habits: Biting your nails or chewing on pencils won’t do much good to your brace. Avoid sugary and starchy foods where possible: Bacteria can feed on the sugar and starch, creating plaque and if you don’t keep your teeth clean while wearing braces your teeth can scar!

Cleaning

Cleaning your teeth while wearing braces shouldn’t be a daunting task for patients near Deansgrange. Brush your teeth three times a day with fluoride toothpaste, paying particular attention to where the gums and teeth meet. At night, after brushing, do not rinse your mouth! This will leave some fluoride on your teeth and make them stronger. Purchasing Interdental brushes will also help with cleaning the brace itself as they can get around the brackets of a fixed brace.

Patients Near Monkstown have the Very Whitest Teeth with the Amazing Beyond ™ Pearl White ® Whitening toothpaste

We all know that dental hygiene is important, for several reasons. Cleaning and flossing teeth regularly helps stop tooth decay and thus helps prevent damage. Keeping a clean mouth helps prevent bad breath, and also helps teeth look their most brilliant and white, to ensure a bright smile you can be proud of flashing. However, no matter how much we try to keep our teeth clean, certain foods and drinks, such as tea, coffee and red wine, as well as cigarettes, can stain teeth and cause them to become discoloured. Some degree of discolouration is normal, but it can be easy to feel self-conscious about this and wish there was a way to achieve brighter, whiter teeth, but without the need for expensive artificial tooth-whitening procedures.

Beyond ™ Pearl White ® Whitening toothpaste

Thankfully, help is at hand in the form of Beyond Pearl White toothpaste. Using this dentist-recommended toothpaste regularly will not only help to keep your teeth clean and protected, but it will also help whiten your teeth. The toothpaste contains a powerful stain remover, calcium peroxide, which will help remove stains inside the teeth, while its fluoride will ensure that your teeth remain clean so there is no further build-up. Surface stains are also gently removed by regularly using Beyond Pearl White toothpaste and it will also remove tartar build-up and plaque, leaving teeth feeling smooth, looking shiny and protected against bacteria and plaque. In addition, the fresh minty flavour will leave your breath smelling and feeling fresh. Two varieties of the toothpaste are available, Advanced Formula to ensure a thorough clean, and Sensitivity Formula, suitable for more sensitive teeth. This toothpaste is now available exclusively from Dublin18 Dental Care near Monkstown, and is in high demand, so place your order today to ensure that you don’t miss out.

Emergency Saturday Dentistry for Patients Near Foxrock at Dublin18 Dental Care

It goes without saying that taking care of our teeth is of vital importance. Without healthy, strong teeth, we cannot eat properly or speak correctly, not to mention the negative way unhealthy teeth affect our appearance. Yet no matter how much care we take of our teeth, accidents can still happen. Some of the worst problems that affect our teeth can occur quickly, when we least expect it, rather than as part of a gradual process. These sorts of ‘immediate’ problems can range from trauma– such as having a tooth knocked out or chipped in an accident – to an abscess suddenly making itself known by causing extreme pain that simply cannot (and should not) just be covered up with painkillers. When problems like this strike, it’s important that you visit a dentist for emergency dental care.

Emergency dentistry at Dublin18 Dental Care

When problems such as chipped teeth, abscesses, loosened teeth or any unexplained severe pain in your mouth make themselves known, the first thing you should do is call the dentist. It’s not worth thinking that you should put it off, or just try to ‘grin and bear it’, as this will not only cause you to suffer, but could lead to further problems if the problem is not treated right away. Try to call Dublin18 Dental Care near Foxrock straight away, and we will try to see you as soon as possible, on the same day, to ensure that the problem can be solved as swiftly. This includes on Saturdays, when emergency dentistry is also available. We can help with many problems, from emergency root canal surgery to helping with tissue damage or teeth that have fallen out. Call Dublin18 Dental Care to help with your emergency dentistry needs on 01 235 4631.

Different Types of Mouthguard and What They do for Patients in South Dublin

Whether you’re a keen sports player or a mouth grinder, there is a mouthguard for you. Mouthguards can do a lot of good for a lot of people, but they come in a variety of styles that will suit some individuals more than others. Here, we will guide you through the various types available.

Nightguards

These are less for those who dream of playing in the rugby final and more for the teeth grinders. Nightguards are worn when sleeping and help to prevent jaw deterioration as a result of tooth grinding. Night-time teeth grinding will often lead to headaches, face and jaw pain, earaches and clicking jaw joints and can also damage your teeth and enamel, as well disrupting the sleep of you (and your partner). Nightguards provide a reasonably cost-effective alternative to these problems for patients in South Dublin, as they provide a cushion between the teeth.

Sports mouthguards

Contact sports are a dental minefield, but many issues can be avoided through the use of a sportsguard. It should be noted that participants in other non-contact sports or activities, such as mountain biking or skateboarding, may also benefit from a mouthguard for when accidents occur. Sport mouthguards provide a protective cushion around the teeth, helping to prevent damage. Although these can be bought in stores, a mouthguard fitted by your dentist will offer the best protection.

Essix retainers

In contrast to the two types listed above, Essix retainers do not so much cushion the teeth as hold them in place. Essix retainers consist of clear, strong plastic and are used post-treatment to ensure that your teeth will stay in place. They are designed to provide optimum comfort and would mostly be worn when sleeping, though wearing them for a few hours during the day may also be recommended.

Why Should Patients Near Foxrock Wear a Bonded Retainer After Braces Treatment?

Braces are hardly greeted positively, so wanting to rid your mouth of any additions post treatment is more than understandable! However, it is possible for the teeth to return to their original position, thus negating the entirety of your brace treatment. That is, unless retainers are used.

What is a retainer?

Put simply, a retainer is a removable device, usually made of plastic and wires, which keeps in place (or ‘retains’) the position of your teeth after brace treatment. Retainers come in the three types: Hawley, Essix and Bonded. Hawley retainers are the best known of the three types and utilise a metal wire that surrounds the teeth to keep them in place, they also have the added benefit of being adjustable for minor tooth movement. Essix retainers are clear, made of PVC and similar in appearance to ‘ invisible’ braces. Bonded retainers consist of a wire that is permanently bonded to the back of your teeth.

Specifics

It can take months for your teeth to set post-treatment and they will be especially prone to ‘relapse’ after the first month, so it is crucial that you wear a retainer during this period! At this stage your retainer should be worn throughout the day, except for when you eat or brush your teeth. Your dentist will most likely guide you through how long you should wear a retainer in this manner. This period could be anything between two and twelve months, but can, in some circumstances, be more. It is recommended that, following this, the retainer is still worn occasionally, whilst sleeping for instance, to prevent any possible problems from occurring in the future. This goes especially for people with tongue thrust issues!

In conclusion

Remember: Attend your check-ups, listen to your dentist near Foxrock and wear your retainer or all that hard work may be for nought!

Oral Hygiene and Check-ups to Keep Patients from Deansgrange Smiling Happily for Years

To ensure that your teeth and mouth remain healthy, patients from Deansgrange should visit the dentist twice a year for a check-up and mouth maintenance service. A dentist can look at your teeth in greater detail and with state of the art technological advancements will be able to spot the first signs of any issues or problems with your teeth, so that you will always have healthy teeth and gums.

Here at Dublin18 Dental Care we look after our patients and make sure that they visit us every six months so we can maintain and look after our patients’ teeth. With specialised cleaning, scaling and polishing methods we can make your teeth gleaming and bright,.

Oral hygiene is key to healthy teeth

Looking after your teeth should mean a lifetime of permanent natural teeth, but you must follow a regular dental hygiene routine for this to happen. When you wake up in the morning give your teeth a good brush. You should also brush your teeth more thoroughly before you head for bed at night, as food debris will have built up throughout the day. Flossing is a great way of removing any debris stuck between the teeth, which may turn into plaque if left over time. There are different kinds of floss and once you start using it you will see a big difference in the cleanliness of your teeth.

Fluoride toothpaste is recommended to keep your teeth as healthy as possible and mouthwash is an added welcome to your oral hygiene routine, removing any last bits of plaque and debris that the flossing and brushing did not remove.

Try to keep sugary treats to the minimum and eat a healthy diet and you will be well on the way to smile perfection!

Mouthguards for All Round Protection for Patients from Dublin18

Mouthguards can be used for a number of reasons, from protection during contact sport to treating the pain of teeth grinding. Here at Dublin18 Dental care we offer a range of mouth guards to suit individual patient’s needs, which includes:

Nightguards

Many people suffer from teeth grinding for a number of reasons, with anxiety and stress being a main cause of teeth grinding for patients from Dublin18. Patients often grind their teeth at night so are unaware of such behaviour until symptoms of teeth grinding occur, such as a painful jaw and flattening of the teeth.

A nightguard is worn throughout the night whilst the patient sleeps so that if teeth grinding does occurs the teeth and jaws are protected. A nightguard doesn’t solve the problem of why you are teeth grinding but it does stop you causing yourself more harm and injury.

Sports

Aggressive contact sports such as rugby and boxing require mouthguards in order to stop any harm or injury from occurring if the person is hit in the mouth or face. Dental injuries can be very severe if a mouthguard is not worn whilst taking part in contact sports. There could be tooth loss or tooth breakage, which can lead to costly dental treatment in the long run.

Essix Retainers

Essix retainers are made from completely clear plastic and are used after braces have been taken off to prevent the teeth moving back to their old position. Essix retainers are incredibly strong, keeping your teeth in place while you sleep. As well as wearing your Essix retainer during the night they should also be worn for around 4 hours during the daytime, however, they are very comfortable and clear, so no one will be able to see them.

It is very important that you wear your retainer after orthodontic treatment to ensure that your post treatment positioning remains in place and doesn’t revert back to the way they were prior to the treatment.

Patients from Deansgrange learn about mouth cancer at Dublin18 Dental Care

Mouth cancer in the Ireland is an increasingly widespread problem, yet the majority of people are uninformed about its causes and symptoms. In recent years the government has teamed up with dental organisations and dental practices across the country, in order to try and raise awareness of mouth cancer and increase survival rates.

What causes mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer is most commonly associated with drinking alcohol and smoking. These are behaviours that can be easily stopped and doing so can make a big difference. Poor dental health is also a negative behaviour and can lead to several dental and general health problems.

Symptoms

Dr Goggins diagnosed 2 cases of oral cancer in the last two years. Early diagnosis is important and people must be aware of the relevant symptoms. Symptoms of mouth cancer include sores that take a prolonged amount of time to repair, red or white patches in the orifice and irregular bulges or swellings in the throat or mouth. If you experience any of these symptoms, feel free to call us for an appointment to have this problem checked or GP as soon as possible. Even if you are not sure it is best to err on the side of caution, as early diagnosis can save lives.

In Ireland survival rates for oral cancer are low because most people are diagnosed at an advanced stage. If people are better aware of the symptoms and causes, they can look out for the warning signs and get the treatment they need as quickly as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can better rates of survival by as much as 90%.

Reducing your risk

You can reduce your risk of developing mouth cancer by sticking to the recommended daily intake of alcohol, avoiding smoking and attending regular dental check-ups. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will also help to boost your general health, as well as your oral health.

At Dublin18 Dental Care near Deansgrange we provide mouth cancer screenings to enable early diagnosis.

Dublin18 Dental Care inform patients from Dundrum about the dangers of Easter eggs

We all like a bit of chocolate. There’s no denying that. And we’re sure everyone will expect dentists to be killjoys when it comes to the topic of Easter eggs, but the fact is that eating a small amount of chocolate or sweet treats during the holidays is no problem at all – provided that you take care of your teeth by means of good oral health maintenance. This is important for children and adults alike, especially those with a particular liking for chocolate treats.

Adults should keep up with a good oral hygiene routine; brushing teeth, using mouthwash and don’t forget flossing. Sugar-free chewing gum can also prove a valuable asset after you have finished eating all those chocolate eggs. It helps to remove debris from around the mouth and aids in the production of saliva. This is vital to the removal of plaque and other bacteria in the mouth – though it is always best to go sugar-free.

Children also need to keep up with a good oral health routine, especially as their teeth are likely to come under attack from more sugar than normal. If your child is old enough then chewing gum can once again prove beneficial.

Sugar-free Easter eggs may not sound fun, but they do actually taste great and still give you that chocolate fix. What’s more they make sure that your teeth are not coming under constant attack from potentially damaging bacteria.

If you do partake in some munching of Easter eggs over the break, which we are sure many of you will do, please stick to a good dental health routine and don’t overdo it. And don’t forget that Dublin18 Dental Care near Dundrum is always here to help.