Wisdom teeth are no different than other teeth except that they are the last ones to grow into the mouth.  Some people do not grow any wisdom teeth.  Healthy and properly positioned wisdom teeth can be as useful as other teeth.  However, they can cause problems if the teeth do not erupt into the mouth properly.

What is an impacted wisdom tooth?

The term that is used to describe wisdom teeth that don’t come through normally is impacted wisdom teeth.  Two reasons for this are:

1. The lack of space
2. Other teeth being in the way

Impaction means that the tooth may be partially trapped by the jawbone, back teeth or gums.  These teeth can grow sideways, emerge only part way from the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.  Just because a tooth has not erupted doesn’t mean it is impacted.  The teeth may be developing slowly and it may be too early to tell.  Only a dentist, with use of x-rays, can determine if the jaw size can accommodate up to four wisdom teeth and whether the teeth are growing properly.

Problems with wisdom teeth

For most people, wisdom teeth cause no problems at all, but some people can suffer problems such as inflammation of the surrounding gum, higher risk of tooth decay and possible problems with teeth in later life.

When should wisdom teeth be removed?

Patients who have a lot of problems with their wisdom teeth should have them removed.  Problems which include –

• Abscesses
• Recurrent infections of overlying gum
• Untreatable tooth decay
• Damage to adjacent teeth

Some wisdom teeth can be removed with ease in a few minutes by your dentist, especially upper wisdom teeth.  However, some wisdom teeth can be more difficult to remove and in that case your dentist would refer you to an oral surgeon, who is a specialist dentist, to have the teeth removed.  The removal of wisdom teeth by the oral surgeon can be performed under local anaesthetic or conscious sedation.  The first few hours after extractions can sometimes be uncomfortable and you may require painkillers or stronger pain medication prescribed by the dentist/oral surgeon.

Whiplash is a movie about a music academy where a young student is starting to pursue his passion as a drummer under his tutor who is an absolute tyrant, played by J.K. Simmons.  His performance is truly amazing and lives long in the memory, as does the great music.

Fox Catcher follows the true story (if it was fiction I would have thought it too far fetched) of the American wrestling team preparing for the Olympics being coached by John du Pont (Steve Carrell).  I really loved this film and Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo are also brilliant in it.  It is hard to believe it was overlooked at the Oscars, which wasn’t a very exciting show this year.

The film I really want to see next is The Grand Budapest Hotel which looks good and weird!!

“Almost all of us are deficient in Vitamin D” – that line really jumped out at me while reading a book called “The Vitamin D Cure”.

Almost all our Vitamin D comes from exposure to the sun for 20 minutes or more without sunscreen and very little from our diet.

So by April, after the winter months, our supplies are quite depleted and we need Vitamin D supplements.

I am 13 stone and need 4 tablets of 25ug dosage per day as dosage relates to weight even though on the package it will say one per day.

The good news is that it is very difficult to overdose on Vitamin D but it should be taken on its own and not with other vitamins.

From a dental point of view, Vitamin D is essential in the formation of healthy teeth and the bone to support them.

The book is called “The Vitmain D Cure” by Dr James E Dowd and it is well worth reading to decide what dose of supplement is ideal for you.

Halitosis or bad breath is socially unacceptable but self-diagnosis is difficult, as it is not possible to easily detect an odour from ones’ own breath.  Those who have halitosis are often unaware of it and often may be informed by friends or relatives.  Halitosis is mainly caused by excessive amounts of volatile sulphur compounds being produced by bacteria in the mouth.  Studies have shown that up to 50 per cent of adults suffer from mouth odour in early morning before breakfast or toothbrushing.  The reason for this is that saliva incubates bacteria in the mouth during sleep (reduced saliva flow).

Controlling Halitosis:

1. Regular visits to your Dental Hygienist.
2. Plaque control and oral hygiene products aimed at controlling dental caries and periodontal disease can also help prevent halitosis.
3. Mouthwashes also help reduce halitosis.
4. Tongue cleaning devices can also be effective in controlling halitosis.

Our Dental Hygienist, Grainne, attended the Irish Dental Association Annual meeting in the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny on the 17th May 2014.  Sheila Galvin, Specialist Registrar in Oral Medicine (Dublin Dental Hospital) discussed The Diabetic Patient.

1.  A diabetic patient has three times greater risk of getting Gingivitis Periodontitis and has higher plaque levels compared to a non-diabetic patient.

2.  A diabetic patient has increased sugar in their saliva and poorer glycaemic control.

3.  They have impaired immunity which means they cant fight gum disease as well as non-diabetic patients.

4.  Dental abscesses spread more quickly in patients with diabetes.

5.  A diabetic patient needs an appointment with the dental hygienist every three months.  Our dental hygienists, Grainne and Michele, will give you the skills, tools and techniques to remove plaque from all the surfaces of all the teeth everyday.

6.  Diabetic patients can use Bio-xtra / Biothene products to help with dry mouth and Corsodyl or Bio-Kin as an anti-bacterial mouthwash.

By teaching your child how to look after their teeth and by setting a good example with your own oral health, you can help your child develop and maintain a healthy attitude to oral health that will serve a lifetime.

• Encourage healthy food choices and limit sugary snacks
• Make sure your child drinks plenty of water and avoids sweetened or fizzy acidic drinks
• Avoiding sugary snacks and fizzy acidic drinks will help prevent dental decay and dental erosion
• Supervise your child brushing at least twice a day with a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste
• Brush teeth and gums for at least two minutes to remove plaque effectively
• Choose a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles
• Replace your child’s toothbrush every two to three months or more often as needed
• Bring your child to the dentist for regular Healthy Mouth Checks

Is tooth whitening safe?

1. Yes, if it is carried out with the correct product e.g. Opalescence Gel, in the right concentration with a well fitting tray.

2. No, if it is an over the counter product with a PH of 1 or 2, which means that it will wear away your enamel.

3. A safe tooth whitener must have a neutral PH.

4. So if you are considering tooth whitening for a beautiful new smile do it safely with your dentist.

What are they?

Componeers are thin composite shells that can be fixed to front teeth to conceal cosmetic imperfections.

1. They are an exciting new way to improve the appearance of your teeth.
2. They are ideal for closing gaps between front teeth, improving the shape of uneven teeth, masking severe tooth discolouration and concealing other cosmetic problems.
3. There is minimal tooth reduction, Componeers are 0.3mm thick.
4. Treatment is completed in one visit.
5. Life span is 10 years approx.
6. At €350 they are half the cost of porcelain veneers.

Visit www.smile-to-go.info for more information about Componeers.

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.