oral health

Pain-Free Dentistry in Dublin is a Must for Dublin18 Dental Care Patients

Going to the dentist for regular check-ups is an important part of keeping in good health. It can help maintain your teeth and nip developing problems in the bud. Many people, however, are scared to visit the dentist because they associate the dentist with pain. There are now many new methods available from Dublin18 Dental Care, Dublin to help ease dental anxiety, all of which can be discussed with your dentist on the day of your visit or on the phone prior to your appointment.

Local anaesthetic

Pain free dentistry is no longer an optional “extra.” If your dentist feels that you may experience pain during any procedure, your mouth will be numbed first. Your dentist will use the precise amount of anaesthetic required and check that everything is okay periodically throughout the procedure. If you experience any discomfort the amount of anaesthetic can be adjusted. Communication is essential to a happy visit to the dentist. At Dublin18 Dental Care we strive to ensure our patients are in control at all times and we endeavour to make it a pleasant experience.

It may sound a little extreme but some people find it impossible to sit through any kind of dental procedure. This means that it is necessary to sedate them so that they don’t experience it at all. Some people only require sedation during certain procedures or simply to ease their phobia. Sedation can be administered orally and helps our patients relax which eases their fear of dental treatment.

Dublin18 Dental Care is Happy to Help Patients from Foxrock Fight Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the most common dental complaints and many adults will suffer from it at some point in their lifetime. Gum disease will not cause any serious long-term oral health problems if it is treated quickly; however, if gum disease is left untreated it can develop into more serious conditions. Dublin18 Dental Care is here to ensure patients from Foxrock and surrounding areas do not have to put up with this problem.

There are two main types of gum disease:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque (bacteria that builds up on teeth and around the gums). Gingivitis can develop if this plaque build-up is not removed.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. An excessive build-up of plaque will cause the gums to separate from the teeth, forming ‘pockets’ of space between the gum tissue and the tooth. Plaque and tartar (a hardened build up of plaque) can build-up in these pockets and prolonged inflammation can destroy the bone tissue that fixes the teeth in place, causing the teeth to become loose and even fall out.

The symptoms of gingivitis include:

Red, swollen gums.
Bleeding gums (noticeable when brushing and/or flossing).

The more serious symptoms associated with periodontitis include:

Dark red/purple swollen gums.
Bleeding gums.
Bad breath.
Receding gums.
Sensitive teeth.
Loose teeth and tooth loss.

How is gum disease treated?

Prevention is, of course, the best way to avoid gum disease and you can maintain good oral hygiene by brushing the teeth twice a day and flossing regularly. It is also important to make regular visits to your dentist. Smoking is also one of the biggest causes of plaque build-up, so it is highly recommended that you quit.

If you are diagnosed with gingivitis then your dentist may recommend that you see a dental hygienist. Hygienists assist in the treatment and prevention of oral health problems such as gum disease, and your hygienist will remove the plaque build-up from your teeth through a procedure called ‘scaling’. You may also be prescribed antibiotics or an antiseptic mouthwash. If you have developed periodontitis then more complicated procedures are required to remove the plaque and tartar from the roots of the teeth. In some cases surgery is required to either remove or strengthen teeth in cases of extensive bone loss.

If you are worried about gum disease make an appointment with Dublin18 Dental Care today.

Dublin18 Dental Care Helps Patients from Monkstown take Care of Their Baby’s Oral Health

Taking good care of your baby’s teeth will help them establish a good oral hygiene routine, which will hopefully stay with them for the rest of their lives. Here is some useful advice for looking after your baby’s teeth:

Dentist

On average a baby’s first tooth will appear at around 6 months old and, although it sounds early, it is recommended that you register your baby with a dental practice as soon as their first tooth emerges. Dublin18 Dental Care welcomes families from Monkstown and adjacent areas looking to start their good oral health journey.

Brushing

Use a damp cloth to clean your baby’s gums when their teeth are not yet come through. Then, brushing can begin as soon as your baby’s very first tooth emerges, which will prevent bacteria from building-up on your baby’s teeth and gums, as well as getting them used to the brushing routine. You should use a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles and you should replace the toothbrush every three months. Brush the front, back and biting surface of their teeth gently, twice a day. It is up to you to brush your baby’s teeth until they are old enough to do it for themselves, or without your assistance. Children should be supervised with tooth brushing until the age of seven.

Toothpaste

Using toothpaste will help strengthen your baby’s teeth. Make sure you check the fluoride content first. Children under three should use a low-fluoride toothpaste and you should look for a concentration of ‘1000ppm’ (parts per million) of fluoride. When your baby is old enough, encourage them to spit the toothpaste out once finished brushing. A small smear of toothpaste is enough for children under three.

To make sure your baby’s first smile is a healthy one, register them and the whole family at Dublin18 Dental Care.

South Dublin Dentists Help Patients to take Care of Their Teeth and Gums

Dublin18 Dental Care, South Dublin is here to support patients in taking care of their teeth and gums, but the hard work of preventing oral health problems has to be done at home too. Of course regular check-ups and appointments with our dental hygienist are a vital part of your oral healthcare routine, but it is no good taking care of your teeth and gums in the week leading up to an appointment at the clinic if you neglect your mouth for the rest of the year.

There are three important steps to ensure that your teeth and gums are as clean – and therefore as healthy – as possible; brushing, flossing and using mouthwash. Everyone was probably taught how to brush their teeth as children, and when it comes to your own kids it is never too early to start. You should even start with a damp cloth on your baby’s gums if their teeth are not yet emerged.

Toothbrushes should be changed every two or three months, or when the bristles are starting to go flat. People with sensitive gums should make sure they select a brush with soft bristles to avoid bleeding. There are lots of expensive toothbrush brands with fancy attachments and angled heads; while they do make it easier to reach awkward spots at the back of the mouth, you can still give your teeth and gums a good clean with a basic but effective model.

Flossing is an essential part of an oral healthcare regime as it gets to the places that toothbrushes can’t; the tiny gaps between your teeth and even below the gum line. Dental floss can remove any trapped pieces of food or layers of plaque that have escaped the brush; and if you find flossing with string awkward, there are disposable plastic floss sticks which are much easier to use.

Finish your routine every morning, night and after each meal with mouthwash. Not only will this kill off the bacteria that cause bad breath, but it gives your teeth and gums one last clean to catch any food or plaque that both the brush and the floss have left behind.

Dublin18 Dental Care Offers Regular Dental Checks for Patients from Leopardstown

The most important procedure you will ever have carried out at your dentist is your regular check-up. This appointment, often only made twice a year, can help keep your teeth healthy and spot any potential problems early, so they don’t become major problems. Dental health checks not only help patients maintain good oral health, but dentists can often spot the first signs of conditions such as mouth or throat cancer during these regular visits, diseases which are easier to treat if found early.

At Dublin18 Dental Care there is a comprehensive and detailed 13-point plan that all the dentists follow when giving patients a dental health check, whether they are new clients from Leopardstown or they have been coming here for years. Although each person is different and will have different problems and issues that they want to discuss with the dentist, the 13-point plan has been developed to cover the most common problems.

It will start with a general chat about the patient’s current oral and general health before the dentist carries out that vital screening for mouth cancer. Other areas of the mouth are then checked for any signs of disease, such as the salivary glands and the tongue. Only then does the practitioner move on to the parts of the mouth that other dentists usually start with i.e. the teeth and gums. After checking for any indication of tooth decay and any issues with the patient’s current fillings, crowns or false teeth, the next step at Dublin18 Dental Care is to make sure that both the teeth and the jaw are in the correct place.

After the gums have been checked the dentist will again have a chat with the patient about their oral healthcare routine. On a first visit, or if the practitioner has spotted something unusual, X-Rays may be required, but most dental health checks will end once both the patient and dentist are happy that all areas of the mouth have been checked and all questions answered.

Mouthguards are Available at Dublin18 Dental Care for People in Leopardstown

You don’t have to be a professional boxer or rugby player to need a mouthguard. In fact you don’t need to be interested in sport at all, as mouthguards of different shapes and designs can be used for many different purposes. Whatever the reason you need a mouthguard, the staff at Dublin18 Dental Care will be able to give you advice and information before you make your decision.

Quite a number of the enquiries we receive about mouthguards are from patients who grind their teeth while asleep. This is not just an annoying habit, but something that can cause problems with oral health further down the line. Often people don’t even realise they are grinding their teeth, until a new partner mentions it or they decide to try and find out just why they always have such a sore mouth in the morning. Specially-designed mouthguards can be worn at night to prevent damage to both the teeth and jaw. Mouthguards are comfortable to wear and many people get used to wearing their mouthguard at night within just a few days.

Anyone who has had orthodontic work done at Dublin18 Dental Care near Leopardstown will be given a retainer to wear once their braces are removed to make sure that their newly-straightened teeth don’t slip back into their old positions. An Essex retainer is different to the usual style and is more like a mouthguard, made of moulded plastic, which is comfortable to wear and easy to remove and maintain. Patients who are given an Essex retainer should wear it every night and for at least four hours each day, to make sure that they keep their new smile looking as straight as possible.

However, we do still get many enquiries from sportsmen and women about mouthguards that will protect them during their chosen activity and a lot of the time it is parents who are concerned about the safety of a child who has just started playing rugby at school or taken up boxing. Any sport that involves significant physical contact could require participants to wear a mouthguard, in order to protect their teeth in the event of an accidental or, in the case of boxing, deliberate blows to the mouth.

General Dentistry Available from Dublin18 Dental Care near Dundrum

Dublin18 Dental Care has a vast array of cosmetic dental treatments available, but our primary concern has always been the health of your teeth. It is impossible to achieve a healthy smile if your teeth aren’t at their natural best.

Dental health checks

Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly helps maintain the health of your teeth, but it is also important to get checked out by Dublin18 Dental Care near Dundrum every so often (approximately every six months). This means your dentist can check that there are no problems developing and you can discuss any worries you have. Your dentist can also offer advice about how you can improve your oral hygiene routine.

Fillings

Fillings are designed to provide protection against bacteria by forming a seal over a damaged tooth. Composite fillings are white in colour and therefore far more popular than traditional amalgam metal fillings. They often cost more but are worth it for a completely natural looking smile. Cerec onlays combine the sturdiness of amalgam fillings with the discreet nature of composite fillings and able to treat larger cavities.

Root canal treatment

This is a slightly unpleasant but completely necessary treatment that involves drilling into the tooth cavity and removing diseased pulp. The tooth is then refilled with dental putty and sealed. This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic so it is completely painless and can save teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted.

Extractions

Unfortunately, leaving an infected tooth inside the mouth can endanger your health, and that tooth will need to be removed. Usually teeth can be removed under local anaesthetic by your dentist, but sometimes more invasive surgery may be required. No matter what happens, you will always be in the hands of an experienced dental professional who is acting in your best interests. There are many options available for replacing lost teeth, which can be found in other areas of the website.

No matter how large or small, Dublin18 Dental Care is here to deal with all your dental needs.

Dentures from Dublin18 Dental Care are a Welcome Delight to Patients from Dun Laoghaire

When you think of dentures certain images may come to mind, such as toothless old folks with their teeth in water and comedy moments with teeth flying across the dining table. However, modern dentures are actually far removed from this stereotype and there are now many different kinds of dentures to fit your individual needs, provided at Dublin18 Dental Care near Dun Laoghaire. These include:

Partial acrylic dentures, which are dentures designed to replace a few missing teeth. They are made out of pink acrylic resin and are usually cheaper than shelling out on dental implants or bridges. It also prevents your other teeth from drifting into the empty spaces left by your missing teeth and eating is made much more comfortable. They can be made far more quickly than the traditional metal framed dentures, but it must be noted that they are less durable.

Full acrylic dentures follow the same basic principle of partial acrylic dentures, but are designed to replace all of your teeth.

Chrome cobalt dentures are more durable than their acrylic counterparts. They are often held in place by clasps attached to your natural teeth, so products like poligrip are not necessary. They are generally thinner and some have an open palate at the top of the mouth to allow more sensation whilst eating. This form of denture takes longer to craft and will cost more than acrylic dentures.

Implant retained dentures are dentures that are assisted by dental implants. If the bone in your mouth is not strong enough to support dentures, implants are placed and the dentures are attached to them. They do not occupy the entire palate, which is better for eating as well as helping patients with a sensitive gag reflex. They are more secure than other kinds of dentures and after a while it won’t feel like you’re wearing any false teeth at all. Missing teeth can cause bone loss, as the teeth reposition themselves, but implant retained dentures prevent this and maintain your natural facial structure.

It is advisable to talk to the Dublin18 Dental Care team to find out what type of denture is right for you.

Dublin18 Dental Care near Foxrock Care about Children’s Dental Health

Want to know the best way to look after your children’s teeth? It’s as easy as A – B – C!

A is for … ADVICE. As a parent, it is important to know that you are doing the right thing for your child. Taking your child to regular dental check-ups at Dublin18 Dental Care near Foxrock is important, because at these appointments you will be able to get all the advice you need to help ensure your child’s teeth are healthy, strong and well looked after. Dentists draw upon their expert knowledge and years of experience to help you make informed choices about your child’s dental health care. Regular visits to the dentist will help familiarise your child with the practice, reduce their nerves and minimise the risk of developing dental phobia.

B is for… BRACES. Deciding whether or not your child needs orthodontic treatment can be a difficult decision, but the importance of braces should not be under-estimated. Braces can help correct tooth alignment problems, such as gaps, crowding or abnormally shaped teeth. They also correct bad bites, including Overbites (when the upper teeth significantly overlap the bottom teeth), Underbites (when the lower set of teeth overlap the top teeth) and Crossbites. Properly aligned teeth not only improve your child’s confidence and self-esteem, they also ensure that your child can eat and speak properly and maintain good oral hygiene in later life. If your son or daughter is worried about wearing the traditional metal braces, ask their dentist about some of the more discreet treatment options, such as our ‘invisible’ braces.

C is for… CLEAN. When it comes to young children and oral hygiene, it is important to establish a good routine. Teeth should be brushed twice a day – once in the morning and once at night before bed. The recommended brushing time is two minutes, and you could even try setting an egg timer to make the process more fun for your child and to let them know when they can stop. There’s also a good selection of novelty toothbrushes out there to make brushing more appealing for children. To strengthen your child’s teeth and prevent tooth decay, it is important to buy toothpaste that contains fluoride and to monitor their sugar intake.

The Importance of a Visit to Dublin18 Dental Care’s Dental Hygienist Serving Carrickmines

Dental hygienists don’t just clean your teeth – they are there to check that your teeth and mouth are in good health and offer advice on the best products and techniques required to maintain good oral hygiene. Sometimes a hygienist may even offer you dietary advice if they believe that it will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Neglecting your oral hygiene can cause discolouration or staining of the teeth, gum disease (swollen, inflamed and bleeding gums) and even tooth loss.

Here are some of the things a dental hygienist can do for you.

Scaling and Polishing

By scaling and polishing your teeth, the hygienist at Dublin18 Dental Care serving Carrickmines removes plaque (a yellowish coloured substance that clings to your teeth caused by a build up of bacteria) and tartar (also known as calculus, plaque that has become hard and scaly over time). A dental cleaning helps makes your teeth both look and feel cleaner and will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Fluoride Therapy

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to strengthen tooth enamel. It is applied to the surface of the teeth in the form of a gel, foam or varnish, to help prevent plaque from forming.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants work in a similar way to fluoride application. A clear or tooth-coloured substance is applied to the teeth (mainly those at the back of the mouth) to form a protective layer that will ‘seal’ the surface of the tooth and make it smoother. This treatment helps prevent plaque build-up both on and around the teeth and protects them from decay.

Hygienists are there to give patients advice and guidance about the best ways that they can look after their teeth. First and foremost, a visit to the hygienist should be seen as a preventative step – hygienists have been specially trained to notice problems with your teeth and gums at an early stage in order to prevent them developing into more serious conditions.