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Plaque Disclosing Tablets

For years dentists have known the benefits of disclosing tablets. What are they?

Disclosing tablets contain a harmless coloured dye that is attracted to the plaque on your teeth.  Their use is simple:

  1. Take a tablet, chew it up and swish the accumulated saliva in your mouth for 60 seconds, spit and rinse.
  2. Now the disclosing tablet dye has coloured the plaque on your teeth allowing you to easily see areas that need special attention.
  3. The dye should be removed from all surfaces of all teeth.

Plaque disclosing tablets are available from reception.

Tip of the week: Importance of Wearing a Mouth Guard

  1. A mouth guard or gumshield is used in sports to prevent oral injuries to the teeth, mouth, cheeks, tongue and jaw.
  2. Dentists estimate that between 13% and 39% of dental injuries occur while playing sports.
  3. About 80% of all dental injuries affect at least one of the front teeth.
  4. The use of a mouth guard can prevent more than 200,000 dental injuries to the mouth each year.
  5. A custom fit mouth guard from the dentist is best.
  6. The mouthguard must fit very accurately so it stays in place all the time and it must be thick enough to protect the teeth.
  7. If you get a blow to the mouth usually the upper and lower teeth get knocked together and the two front teeth take all the trauma which results in trauma to the tooth or fracture.
  8. The mouth guard acts as a cushion between all the teeth and protects them.

Tip of the Week – How to Brush

What is the right way to brush?

Proper brushing takes at least two minutes.  Most adults do not come close to brushing that long.  To properly brush your teeth, use short gentle strokes paying extra attention to the gumline, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns or other restorations.  Keep the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gum margin.  Concentrate on thoroughly cleaning each section as follows:

  1. Clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth.
  2. Clean the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth.
  3. Clean the chewing surfaces.
  4. For fresher breath, be sure to brush your tongue too.

Use a soft-bristled brush as this is the best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth.  Small headed brushes are also preferable since they can better reach all areas of the mouth, including hard-to-reach back teeth.  For many, a powered toothbrush is a good alternative.  Your toothbrush should be replaced when it begins to show wear or every three moths, whichever comes first.

The Mouth-Body Connection

  • You may have heard of the mind-body connection but what about the mouth-body connection.  To many people, a dental visit is just about getting their teeth cleaned or getting a filling.  However, a dental visit is not just about teeth.  It is also about your overall health.  What goes on in your mouth can affect the rest of your body and vice versa.
  • Many diseases and conditions can affect your oral health.  For example, people may get more infections in the mouth if their immune system is weak.
  • Your oral health also can affect other medical conditions.  If you are a diabetic, a mouth infection can disrupt your blood-sugar levels and make your diabetes harder to control.
  • Gum disease (periodontal disease) may increase the risk of various medical problems.  These may include heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.
  • Medicine for other conditions can also affect the health of your mouth.  Many drugs can cause dry mouth.  This can increase your risk of dental decay.
  • This is why it is extremely important to see the dental hygienist every six months and to see the dentist annually for a dental health check with oral cancer screening.

Tip of the Week: Flossing

  • Toothbrushing alone will only remove about 70% of the soft plaque (food and bacteria) off the teeth.
  • Flossing your teeth will remove the rest of the soft plaque from between your teeth.
  • Because plaque build-up can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, flossing twice daily is highly recommended.

To receive the maximum benefits from flossing, use the following proper technique:

  1. Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with.
  2. Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up and down between your teeth.
  3. Gently curve the floss in a “C” shape around the base of each tooth, making sure to go beneath the gumline.  Never snap or force the floss as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue.
  4. Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
  5. To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.

Mouth Cancer

  1. Over 300 cases of cancer of the mouth are diagnosed every year in Ireland.  If found early there is a 80%-90% survival rate.
  2. In Britain the rate of mouth cancer has increased faster than any other cancer in the past 25 years.
  3. 75% of the people diagnosed over the age of 50 are smokers.
  4. Those who smoke and drink have 15 times greater risk of developing oral cancer.
  5. Any sore which does not heal within 2 weeks should be checked by your dentist.
  6. Other symptoms are:  A lump or mass which can be felt inside the mouth or neck, pain or difficulty swallowing, any wart like masses.
  7. Clem carries out an oral cancer screen during your dental health check.  This should be done annually.

Orthodontics

  • What is orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth, to improve the appearance of the teeth and how they work.  It can also help to look after the long-term health of teeth, gums and jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure over all the teeth.

  • Why should I have orthodontic treatment?

Many people have crowded or crooked teeth.  Orthodontic treatment will straighten the teeth or move them into a better position.  This can not only improve their appearance but also the way the teeth bite together, while also making them easier to clean.  In some patients the upper front teeth can stick out and look unsightly.  These “prominent” teeth are more likely to be damaged, but orthodontic treatment can move them all back into line.  In others, the way the upper and lower jaws meet can cause teeth to look unsightly and lead to an incorrect bite.  Orthodontic treatment may be able to correct both.  When the teeth don’t meet correctly, this can put a strain on the muscles of the jaw, causing jaw and joint problems and in some cases headaches.  Orthodontic treatment can help you to bite more evenly and reduce the strain.

  • At what age should I have orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatment is generally best carried out in children, but adults can have orthodontic treatment too.  Age is less important than having the proper number of teeth.  In children it may be necessary to wait for enough teeth to come through before starting treatment.

  • Who carries out orthodontics?

We have an orthodontist, Dr Jarlath Durkan, who attends our practice on a Wednesday and he carries out all the orthodontic treatment.

  • What does the first visit involve?

The most important thing is to have a full examination first of all.  This will usually involve looking at your teeth and gums and taking x-rays.  The orthodontist will then discuss what treatment is possible and organise a treatment plan.

  • Will I need to have teeth taken out to make room for my other teeth to move?

You may not have enough room for all your permanent teeth and so it may be necessary to take out some permanent teeth to make space.  The orthodontist will tell you whether this is the case.

  • How is the treatment carried out?

A fixed appliance, or braces as they are more commonly known, are used to help straighten the teeth.  This consists of brackets and bands which are temporarily stuck to the teeth.  A flexible wire joins all the brackets and allows the teeth to be moved.  It is not possible for the patient to take the appliance out and so it is called a fixed appliance.

  • Will it hurt?

The braces may feel strange to begin with and can cause discomfort but this will settle in time.  Teeth are also uncomfortable immediately after the braces are adjusted.

  • How many visits will it take?

The braces will usually need to be adjusted every 4 to 6 weeks.  The orthodontist will always tell you how often your braces need to be adjusted.

  • How long will the treatment take?

The length of the treatment depends on how severe the problem is, and may take anything from a few months to two and a half years.  Most people can be treated in one to two years.

  • What happens when the teeth are in the right position?

When treatment is finished all the brackets, bands and wires are removed from your teeth and impressions of your teeth are taken.  The teeth then need to be held in position for a period of time by appliances called retainers.  These retainers are to be worn constantly for the first three months after having the braces removed and then only at night time after those initial three months.  A permanent retainer (which is a small wire) is also fixed to the back to your teeth to help keep them straight.

  • Is orthodontic work permanent?

Even after retention, it is normal for minor tooth movement to happen throughout life, so no permanent guarantee can be given.  However, it is unusual for teeth to alter enough to need further treatment.

  • Can orthodontics damage my teeth?

Your teeth can be damaged if they are not properly looked after during treatment.  Appliances will not in themselves cause damage, but poor cleaning and too many sugary foods and drinks can cause permanent damage.  Brackets, wires and braces can trap food and cause more plaque than usual to build up.  So the teeth need to be cleaned very thoroughly.  It is recommended to see your dental hygienist every six months to have your teeth cleaned especially when you have braces.

  • How do I care for my braces and teeth?

It is important to continue to have your teeth checked by your dentist and cleaned by your hygienist regularly while having orthodontic treatment.  Brush and floss your teeth twice a day as usual and also after you eat.  You are also advised to use a mouthwash.

Free Oral Cancer Screen

Oral Cancer Awareness Day is Wednesday 21st September.

We are providing Free Oral Cancer Screens until the 30th September.

Please contact us on 043-33-41979 to arrange an appointment for your Free Oral Cancer Screen.

Dentists Warn of Danger of Tooth Whitening Products

The Irish Dental Association has warned patients of the danger of many tooth whitening products saying many of them range from “useless to dangerous”.  The Association has also expressed its concern about unsupervised tooth whitening.

The warning coincides with new plans from the European Commission to regulate the use of hydrogen peroxide, the chemical used in tooth whitening.

Under the new regulations, which should come into force next month, only qualified dentists will be permitted to provide this service.

Tom Feeney, IDA representative on the Council of European Dentists, and a Dublin based dentist believes regulation of the sector is long overdue and said the new measures would safeguard patient safety which is the number one priority.

“Dentists are fully qualified to carry out a full oral examination, make a diagnosis on the basis of that examination and the patient’s full dental history and then decide if the use of a tooth whitening product is appropriate.  Other people practicing tooth whitening do not have the ability to do that and the use of tooth bleaching products may be totally inappropriate and may cause serious problems.  There are also issues to do with infection control, the safe disposal of contaminated waste and indemnity insurance issues so we hope the Minister for Health will fully support this measure” Mr Feeney said.

Mr Feeney warned that some teeth whitening products available on the internet contain high levels of hydrogen peroxide and these could be lethal in the wrong hands.  At the other end of the scale some products contain very low levels of hydrogen peroxide and these are next to useless.  The new regulations will ensure that properly qualified dentists are carrying out what is a dental procedure and that safe products are being used.

“Tooth whitening is a safe procedure if carried out by a dentist and maintaining good dental health should always be the priority.  We don’t recommend it for pregnant women or children under 16 years of age” Mr Feeney concluded.

Do you know how to handle a dental emergency?

Did you know that on average 1 in 12 children in Ireland will break a permanent tooth before the age of 15?  With children actively partaking in sport and play from an early age, you never know when a dental emergency may occur.

Following these tips will help you to be prepared for the unexpected:

  • Displaced teeth: If a tooth is pushed in or out, use light finger pressure to move the tooth back to its normal position.  Do not force the tooth.  Use a moist cloth or gauze to hold the tooth in place.  See a dentist within 30 minutes.
  • Toothache: To combat toothache, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it.  Use floss to remove any food that may be trapped between teeth.  You must visit your dentist as soon as possible to find the cause of the toothache.
  • Tears and Cuts: For tears, cuts or punctures to the cheeks, lips or tongue clean the wound immediately with warm water and then go to a hospital or emergency centre for treatment.  If there is a cut to the tongue, pull the tongue forward and apply pressure to the area with clean gauze to stop the bleeding.
  • Knocked Out Tooth: If a tooth is knocked out, it is vital to get your child to the dentist immediately.  If the dentist replants a knocked out tooth within 30 minutes, it may be possible to save the tooth.
  1. Find and pick up the tooth by the enamel or top portion of the tooth to prevent damage to the root.
  2. Handle the tooth as little as possible and do no touch the root.
  3. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with cold running water for 10 seconds.
  4. If possible, replace the rinsed tooth in the socket and hold it in place with your fingers.  Ask your child to gently bite down on it.
  5. If you cannot replace the tooth in the scoket, keep it moist in a container of milk.
  6. Transport the tooth to your dentist as soon as possible either in the container of milk or in your child’s mouth.
  7. For “baby” teeth, do not try to replace the tooth in the socket.  This could damage the formation of the permanent tooth bud.
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Waterfront Dental Clinic, 13 Fee Court, Abbeycartron, Longford, N39 T4A8
Phone: 043 3341979 Email: info@waterfrontdental.ie

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