Just like adult teeth, milk teeth or baby teeth need to be properly cared for. They are susceptible to tooth decay as well and must be protected and looked after. Although they are often adorable little peggies, baby teeth play a vital role in a child’s development. They are essential for holding the position for permanent teeth and losing baby teeth too early could lead to permanent difficulties with the alignment of adult teeth.

Oral Hygiene

The same routines adults adhere to when caring for their teeth can be employed for children. Thorough, regular brushing supervised by an adult will help preserve baby teeth. Just as adults must be vigilant about the types of foods they eat, children should as well, not only for weight issues but to avoid tooth decay.

A healthy diet

Parents are encouraged to avoid allowing their children to continually graze on sugary foods and refined carbohydrates. Other tips dentists suggest for helping to prevent problems with teeth later in life is to teach your child use a cup when drinking by their first birthday. It is essential to wean babies from bottles as soon as possible lest they fall victim to baby bottle decay, where their teeth are more susceptible to decaying teeth from sucking on milk or juice bottles for prolonged periods.

As children grow older, it is vital that they attend regular dental check-ups from as early as three years old. At your child’s first dental visit, the dentist will take time to get your child used to the idea of visiting a dentist. They will count how many teeth they have and discuss dietary advice with their parents. When your child attends their first dental check up at Dublin18 Dental Care in South Dublin, you can feel confident that they will enjoy themselves—we do our very best to make each child’s visit an enjoyable experience.

Firstly, what is a filling?

A filling is essentially a way to restore and protect a damaged tooth. They fill holes caused by tooth decay. Fillings also help prevent further decay by closing off spaces where bacteria can enter.

There are a whole variety of filling types available, each with their own pros and cons.

Amalgam fillings

Formed from of a combination of metals (including silver, tin, copper and mercury), these fillings are incredibly durable and relatively inexpensive. Their main problem is that, because of their dark colour, they are far more noticeable than their composite counterparts.

Composite fillings

Composite fillings can be matched to the colour of your teeth and are practically indistinguishable from the real article to all but the most super of sleuths. They are not ideal for filling large cavities as they can chip and wear down over time. They can also stain and tend only to last for three to ten years. They are, however, very popular as a result of their aesthetic advantages.

CEREC Onlays

An onlay is similar to a dental crown, in that it covers the cusp of a tooth, but will protect and operate like a standard filling. We at Dublin18 Dental Care in South Dublin produce CEREC onlays which, unlike standard onlays which are produced in a separate lab, can be created in house during a single visit. CEREC onlays can be blended to match the colour of your teeth and are very durable.

Fissure Sealants

Sealants are more prevention than cure: The top surfaces of your teeth are covered in pits and fissures which where plaque, safe from the reach of your toothbrush, can build. Fissure sealants essentially form a barrier in these areas, preventing plaque from forming.

 

 

 

 

 

Those of us who do not have perfectly straight teeth may be self-conscious about our smile, and it’s a terrible shame for anyone to have to hide their smile away. Luckily, help is at hand thanks to fixed braces, which can help create the perfect smile. There are now many different types of brace available, but fixed braces remain among the most popular, after a long history of being used to treat various irregularities in teeth.

What is a fixed brace?

Fixed braces are probably the most common type of dental braces. They are made of metal brackets which are, as the name suggests, fixed onto the teeth so that they cannot be removed. Wires link these brackets, and this mechanism asserts gentle pressure onto the teeth over time to allow for the gradual correction of the teeth. In other words, the teeth are gently pushed into a straighter position over time. The braces will occasionally be tightened by your orthodontist to ensure your teeth move in the correct way.

When is a fixed brace useful?

Fixed braces can be used to correct various cosmetic problems with teeth, including straightening teeth, to correct the overall shape of a jaw, or to correct the spaces between teeth – for example, to close up gaps between teeth, or alternatively to help teeth which are too close together. The treatment can take between six months and three years, depending on the exact situation. While there are many different types of braces, fixed braces have a proven record of results. Despite the fact that they are more noticeable than so-called ‘invisible braces’, they are much more affordable. Fixed metal braces are suitable for most patients, except those with allergies to the metal, and in some rare cases with patients with periodontal problems, for example sufferers of type one diabetes.

Contact Dublin18 Dental Care near to South Dublin for more information.

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.

 

It is incredibly important to be aware of what foods you eat, as many may be causing tooth decay, gum disease and sensitivity in the mouths of many patients from South Dublin.

The Usual Suspects

Several popular drinks, such as tea and coffee, are particularly common offenders, with black tea being one especially nasty customer. Red wine and cola not only stain but also erode the enamel. Cola, when served chilled, also causes tooth enamel to become more vulnerable and thus susceptible to staining. Soy sauce not only contains powerful discolouring agents but also sticks to the teeth, allowing staining pigments to leech deeper into them. The herbs and spices used in most curries are powerful staining agents, as are sweets and berries. The list hardly stops here but, for the sake of brevity, I think I will.

Counter-attacks

So, what can one do about this? Well, drinking tea through a straw is one option, but what if the damage is already done? Superficial blemishes can be handled by specialist toothpaste or a hygiene appointment with your dentist, but deeper, embedded stains will require teeth whitening treatment. ‘Teeth whitening’ uses a peroxide-based bleaching gel which penetrates the tooth surface and cleans the teeth.

However, in very extreme cases, even teeth whitening might not be effective. In these circumstances, dental veneers are viable option. Veneers are thin shells of material that are bonded to the front of the teeth, the shade of which can be selected to give the impression of a pearly smile. Veneers come in two forms – porcelain and composite. If you are going for a full smile makeover, porcelain is the optimal choice, it being more durable. Porcelain veneers require a minor re-shaping of the mouth, however, so composite veneers are preferable if you only need a few teeth re-coloured and wish to retain more of your natural mouth structure.

 

Most adults feel a degree of trepidation when confronted by a trip to the dentist. For children this fright can be even more intensified on their first visit, especially when greeted with the noise of the dentist drill. At Dublin18 Dental Care, South Dublin we aim to promote good oral health habits for children. Taking your child to the dentist from an early age is essential if your child is to be comfortable in dental surroundings and in control of their oral health.

Why are dental check-ups important for children?

Recent statistics suggest a rise in the number of children with tooth decay. This can be related to issues such as diet, especially fizzy drinks and other sugary snacks, lack of dental education and poor oral hygiene. Tooth decay can lead to the possible development of pain and discomfort, and could even have an effect on your child’s confidence and self-esteem.

We recommend parents bring their child into the practice as soon as possible. This can even be done during one of your own appointments, so children can grow used to the sights, sounds and smells of the practice. This also encourages a friendly relationship with the dentist.

Tips for parents

Try to make a trip to the dentist fun by playing games, reading stories about going to the dentist and talking to them about what will happen. It is also important to set a good example and maintain your own dental check-ups. If your child doesn’t like brushing their teeth, try to make it fun by telling stories, or there are also fun dental health products with amusing characters to make the process more enjoyable.

We are happy to help your little ones feel at home when they visit our practice. Our team at Dublin18 Dental Care are friendly and happy to take time out so your child can become acquainted with their surroundings.

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.

Cosmetic surgery and celebrities has always gone hand-in-hand; from Jordan’s breast implants to magazines trying to spot which ageing actresses have had Anti wrinkle injections, both the stars themselves and their fans seem to be obsessed with cosmetic procedures. And now a new trend has developed among younger celebrities desperate to get the edge over their “Hello!” rivals; cosmetic dentistry.

The most common procedure, and one that is very easy to spot in before and after photos, is the fitting of veneers. These act like covers for your own natural teeth, giving you a perfectly straight and dazzling smile; the kind of smile that usually takes years of orthodontic work which is why celebrities with veneers are easy to spot.

Cheryl Cole, Victoria Beckham and her husband David and pretty much the entire cast of the TV show “The Only Way is Essex” have been seen sporting whiter-than-white smiles recently. And dental experts are sure that the quick and easy fix offered by veneers is the answer.

Yet while these celebrities will no doubt have paid top money for their new smiles, the results are not always a complete success. If the veneers are the wrong size or shape, or even too white, then the smile can easily end up looking fake and everyone can spot that you have had dental work done; whether you’re famous or not. David Beckham’s dental work has improved on his own natural smile, even to the extent of keeping his slightly misshapen canine teeth when they could easily have been covered with veneers or pushed into a more perfect position by using braces.

Compare that to some other celebs and their smile stands out for all the wrong reasons. With cosmetic dentistry at Dublin18 Dental Care in South Dublin, less is more and we will do all we can to ensure the results at the end of veneer treatment is all you ever hoped for and more.

Dental veneers from can instantly improve your appearance and give you the confidence you never thought you would have. Having dental veneers fitted at Dublin18 Dental Care is a quick and painless process, which can transform your smile in as little as two visits.

Dental veneers can conceal the flaws in your mouth, such a damaged or chipped teeth, crooked teeth, stained teeth, and can even fill in gaps between your teeth. Those problems that you thought could never be resolved can now be fixed, with dental veneers custom-made to suit your face and smile.

Are dental veneers for me?

You can choose from a range of cosmetic dental veneers in South Dublin, but the most commonly used material for veneers is porcelain. Porcelain veneers are strong and long-lasting and are the most natural looking of all the veneers.

Any other options?

The alternative to porcelain veneers are composite veneers, which are cheaper, but do no last as long. They also stain more easily than porcelain veneers, so although porcelain veneers are usually more expensive, you may save money is the long-run.

How are veneers fitted?

The veneers are fixed onto the surface of the teeth, like a false nail over a real nail, eliminating any flaws that may have previously existed. Having dental veneers is nothing to worry about and If you can have artificial eyelashes, a fake tan, fingernails and hair, then why not improve the one thing that will make you feel most confident – your smile.