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Five Tips to Tackle Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism, is a common condition that often remains undiagnosed until complications arise.

Teeth grinding frequently occurs during sleep, so many people are not aware that they are doing it. Typical symptoms include worn or sensitive teeth, soreness around the jaw in the morning, headaches, or making a grinding sound while asleep.

The cause of teeth grinding is not always clear, but it can be linked to both physical and psychological factors such as abnormal alignment of teeth, stress, anxiety or sleep problems.

With many dentists reporting an increase in stress-induced bruxism as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Colm Traynor from our Carlow practice shares some tips on how to prevent long-lasting damage.

#1 Regular dental visits

As you may not be aware of your teeth grinding, it is important to visit your dentist for regular check-ups. Your dentist will recognise signs of grinding such as worn teeth and fillings, or damaged dental crowns and bridges.

#2 Use of a mouthguard

If you grind your teeth, your dentist may recommend a custom-made mouthguard. This is a specially fitted plastic guard that fits over your top or bottom teeth. A mouthguard is one of the most successful and cost-effective means to stop teeth grinding. It is typically worn at night but can also be used during the day if needed.

#3 Mouth exercises

By learning to relax your jaw muscles, you can help to reduce the tension that often leads to an aching jaw or headache. Your dentist can suggest gentle, muscle relaxing exercises to ease tension and discomfort in the mouth and jaw area.

#4 Orthodontic braces

The way your jaw and teeth fit together is a common reason for grinding and clenching. Even at rest or asleep, your jaw sitting irregularly can cramp the muscles and cause unnecessary wear and tear on your teeth. If jaw misalignment is an issue, your dentist might suggest orthodontic braces as a solution to bruxism.

#5 Relaxation techniques

To stop stress-related grinding, both children and adults can benefit from regular physical exercise, a balanced diet, and relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga. Relaxation techniques, especially before bedtime, can drastically reduce grinding at night.

To book an appointment for a dental check-up, find your local Dental Care Ireland practice.

Tooth-Friendly Tricks for a Healthy Halloween

Six Halloween Dental Tips

Although Halloween celebrations may look a little different this year, there will always be time for scary costumes, spooky games and ghoulish treats.

Many Halloween sweets and drinks contain high levels of sugar, which can ultimately lead to cavities and tooth decay. With some clever planning, however, it is possible to limit the scary effects of Halloween treats on your family’s little fangs.

Dr Lean McMorrow from our Greystones and Knocklyon practices, shares some useful Halloween dental tips to help protect children’s teeth and oral health.

Halloween Dental Tips:

#1 Filter the feast

Try to avoid treats that tend to linger in the mouth, such as sticky sweets or hard candy canes. The length of time sugary food stays in your child’s mouth can affect tooth decay. A plain chocolate bar is an example of a less harmful option, as it is softer on the teeth and melts quickly in the mouth.

#2 Restrict treat frequency

Instead of grazing on Halloween treats throughout the day, try to limit sweet treats to mealtimes, such as straight after dinner. Saliva production increases during meals, which helps rinse away sugary food particles and can reduce the risk of cavities.

#3 Drink water

It is important for children to drink plenty of water to rinse away the sugar after eating Halloween treats. The water will help to dilute any acid attacks caused by sugary snacks. Try to avoid carbonated drinks and even some fruit juices or smoothies, which can be high in sugar and therefore lead to erosion of teeth.

#4 Try a mouth-cleanser

A small piece of cheese eaten after a treat will help return the mouth to its natural acid balance and reduce the chances of developing tooth decay. Alternatively, eating crunchy fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apples and celery will stimulate production of saliva, which in turn helps to wash away sugary foods.

#5 Wait before brushing

If teeth are exposed to more sugar than usual, maintaining a basic dental care routine is key for all the family. After eating sugary treats, however, it is a good idea for children to wait 30 minutes before brushing. Some acidic foods soften your enamel, so if you brush right after eating them, you can risk damaging your enamel further while it is in a weakened state.

#6 Schedule an annual exam

The mid-term break is a good reminder to schedule a family dental appointment if you have not already done so this year. The best way to prevent dental worries is a regular dental examination, and a thorough cleaning routine.

To book an appointment for a dental check-up, find your local Dental Care Ireland practice.

Official Opening of Tuam Practice

Dental Care Ireland this month marked the official opening of its newly rebranded practice on High Street in Tuam, Co. Galway.

Dental Care Ireland Tuam, previously known as Abbeytrinity Dental Practice, has been serving the community in Tuam for over 15 years. Despite a new sign over the door, it continues to be led by previous owner and well known Tuam dentist, Dr John Burke.

Dr Burke works alongside Dr Conor Gill and Dr Amita Bhagwat, as well as dental hygienists Jenna Howley and Aoife Kelly, to offer a full range of dental treatments for all the family. The clinical team is supported by practice manager Regina Farnham, who manages the day-to-day running of the practice.

In recent months, Dental Care Ireland has upgraded the five-surgery practice to provide state-of-the-art facilities, including additional safety equipment such as air purifier machines and perspex screens.

Tuam dentist, Dr John Burke says: “Partnering with Dental Care Ireland has allowed us to greatly enhance our overall patient offering, both in terms of latest facilities and new treatment options, as well as additional services such as online booking. In light of COVID-19, the practice has also implemented a number of new, group-wide procedures to ensure the safety of patients and staff.”

Dental Care Ireland Tuam is part of a growing network of 15 established, family dental practices nationwide, including locations in Claregalway, Ennis and Castlebar. As an essential healthcare service, Dental Care Ireland practices will remain open for patient appointments throughout all levels of the National Framework for living with COVID-19.

To book an appointment with a Tuam dentist or any of our Dental Care Ireland practices nationwide, contact us here.

Six Steps to a Stress-Free Smile

We have all become too familiar with stress and how it can impact both our physical and mental wellbeing. But did you know that there are also links between stress and oral health?

Too much stress can have serious implications for the mouth and gums, from teeth grinding and mouth sores to dry mouth and even gum disease. To combat the effects of stress on your oral health, it is vital to ensure a balanced diet, drink plenty of water and follow a basic oral health routine.

Dr Jennifer Collins from our Ballsbridge practice in Dublin 4 shares six stress and oral health tips to help maintain a healthy mouth throughout these challenging times.

Six Stress and Oral Health Tips:

#1 Remember your routine

During stressful times, it is important to continue with a basic dental routine at home. Ideally, brush twice per day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and drink plenty of water.

#2 A regular dental check-up

Regular check-ups are the best way to avoid unnecessary pain and reduce disruption to important work, family or study time. Consistent attendance allows your dentist to detect conditions such as tooth decay, teeth grinding and gum disease at an early stage.

#3 Maintain a balanced diet

A balanced and varied diet is essential for maintaining a healthy mouth. Fresh fruit and milk are rich in vitamins C and D, which are necessary for keeping gums healthy. Try to avoid drinking fruit drinks and smoothies too frequently, as many tend to be high in sugar and therefore impact on dental decay. Instead, opt for water or milk if possible.

#4 Be aware of teeth grinding

Increased anxiety and stress can lead to teeth grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism. Common symptoms of bruxism include worn, damaged or sensitive teeth, soreness around the jaw in the morning, sometimes headaches and making a grinding sound while asleep. Your dentist can examine the mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism, help to work out possible causes, and suggest appropriate treatments, such as a mouth guard.

#5 Drink plenty of water

Stressful situations can result in a dry mouth, causing a lack of saliva, which increases the risk of tooth decay. Drinking plenty of water helps to promote healthy production of saliva, which washes away leftover food particles. To prevent dry mouth, sip tap water frequently or try chewing sugar-free gum.

#6 Treat mouth sores

Stress can impair the immune system’s response, resulting in inflammation of the gums, as well as unexpected mouth sores such as ulcers or cold sores. To ease irritation from ulcers, try an over-the-counter numbing remedy as recommended by your pharmacist, and avoid spicy, hot or acidic foods. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which can be spread to other people, so if you feel that familiar tingle, it is best to treat straight away.

To book an appointment for a dental check-up, find your local Dental Care Ireland practice.

Children’s Check-Up: When and Why?

Being a parent isn’t the easiest thing in the world, and that’s partially down to the sheer amount of care that goes into raising a child. We all know it’s not as simple as feeding them food and keeping them safe and entertained; it’s also taking them to their regular doctor and dentist checkups. Which leads to; how often should I book my children’s check-up? At Dental Care Ireland encourage that children come in for at least two checkups every year.

Why do children need bi-annual checkups?

Preventive Care Vs Treatment

As children grow, they can potentially experience problems such as misaligned bites, tooth decay, and teeth growing in crooked. By coming in for a regular children’s check-up, we can assess their teeth and catch problems before they become, well, problems.

Establish Good Habits

It’s common for children to be resistant to brushing their teeth. However, by bringing your children in for a regular children’s check-up, we can instill a desire and a habit to practice good oral hygiene which can carry through into adulthood. If you still hate flossing as an adult, it might be because you didn’t establish this good habit at a young age!

Determine Need for Braces

Not every child is going to need braces, but you won’t be able to tell without the help of a children’s dentist. Dental Care Ireland offer orthodontic services at several locations across the country that can determine if braces are necessary. This will help you get a head start on the orthodontic process, and you may even prevent future issues!

If you would like to schedule your child’s next checkup with us, you can contact your local Dental Care Ireland practice or book online today. Of if you wish to learn more about your children’s oral health, why not check out our Children’s Dentistry page.

Back to School: Healthy Lunchbox Ideas!

It’s that time of year again – long winter nights and busy early mornings. Transitioning back to school will be a little challenging this year, but every little helps, so we’ve put together some ideas for some healthy lunchboxes for the kids.

Sandwiches: No school lunch box blog would be complete without mentioning a classic – the sandwich. Sandwiches don’t have to be boring. Check out some the recipes below for some healthy meat-free and even bread-free options!

Bread-Free: If your child has a wheat allergy or you’d prefer not to give them bread every lunchtime, you could check out some alternatives. For example, you could wrap up some filings in iceberg lettuce leaves or roll up some salad in a slice of meat, offering an easy alternative to the bread sandwich.

Meat-Free: Most kids love a good ham sandwich but if your child is vegan or vegetarian, check out this creative blog for vegan sambos. The Happy Pear is also always good for meat-free options.

Bento Box: Anybody who’s been to Yo Sushi with the kids will know how much they love it and Sushi is generally a healthy option! So why not turn the lunchbox into their very own Bento Box. You can buy Sushi in most supermarkets these days, or you can make it yourself and make it as colorful as you like but beware – this one will take a bit more preparation! Click here for some ideas.

Yoghurt: Yoghurt is a healthy way to have a slightly sweet treat after a savory snack at lunchtime. As long as you go for a low sugar fruit based option and use a small treat sized yoghurt, with regular teeth cleaning, it should be perfectly safe for your child’s teeth.

Fruit: A piece of fruit is another way to give your child a small, slightly sweet treat without harming their teeth. Keep in mind that fruit is high in sugar however, so we would recommend as with everything, to have it in moderation. Too much fruit during the day is not necessarily good for you or your teeth!

Drink: Avoid fruit drinks and smoothies that can often be billed as healthy but tend to be high in sugar and bad for your teeth. Go for a small child’s size bottle of water if possible or a small carton of milk.

Sweet Treats: Thankfully, most schools advise against bringing treats into the classroom with maybe an exception sometimes on a Friday. It’s no harm to put a small treat into the lunchbox once a week, and it adds to the child’s excitement and enjoyment around eating.

If your looking to book a back to school checkup for your children find your local Dental Care Ireland practice by checking out our contact page.

Understanding Your Dental Benefits

Dental Care Ireland is always on hand to assist you in getting the full benefit of all your dental entitlements. Simply read below, or ask any of our reception teams about how you can claim your dental benefits, whether through your PRSI or dental insurance provider.

Do you pay PRSI, or self-employed?

You may be entitled to an exam, scale and polish for only €15. Call your local Dental Care Ireland practice, and our reception team will check your eligibility on your behalf. We will require your consent to do so, your PPSN and date of birth.

Have you applied for tax relief?

A number of specialised dental treatments qualify for tax relief under the Med 2 scheme. This means that you can offset the full cost of the treatment against your income tax liability. To claim the tax relief for these treatments, you will need to fill in a Med 2 form. These forms are available at each of our receptions. When the procedure is then completed, your dentist will sign and submit on your behalf.

Treatments covered by the Med 2 include:

Orthodontics
Bridges
Crowns
Veneers
Root canal treatment
Periodontal treatment
Surgical extraction of a Wisdom Tooth

For more information on dental benefits, please go to www.revenue.ie

Covered by Dental Insurance?

Dental insurance can cover some or all of the cost of many dental treatments. Please contact your insurance provider to find out if your treatment is eligible for cover under your plan.

Popular dental insurers that are accepted at Dental Care Ireland include:

VHI (VHI Direct Pay available)
Laya Healthcare
DeCare Dental
Aviva

For more information on your dental benefits, contact your local Dental Care Ireland practice here. If you’re looking to book an appointment in one of our practices around the country, we can offer you the help and care that you need.

PRSI: Frequently Asked Questions

Dental Care Ireland is pleased to offer a PRSI Dental Examination, scale and polish for only €15, to all those who qualify under PRSI, including self-employed individuals. This includes small business owners, farmers, tradespeople, freelancers, contractors, and professionals.

Unsure how to claim your PRSI entitlements? No problem, we have answered your more frequently asked questions below:

Who can claim PRSI entitlements?

The Treatment Benefit Scheme is available to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.

To qualify, you must have paid class A, E, P, H or S social insurance (PRSI) contributions. The amount of social insurance you need depends on your age.

If your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant does not have enough social insurance contributions, he/she may still qualify for Treatment Benefit on your social insurance record. To do this, you must qualify for Treatment Benefit and your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant must be dependent on you.

For more detailed information, contact the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection on 074 91 64480, or visit www.welfare.ie

How do I check if I am eligible?

Call your local Dental Care Ireland practice, and our reception team will check your eligibility on your behalf. We will require your consent to do so, your PPSN and date of birth.

If your claim is “approved “, you will be eligible for an PRSI Dental Examination, Scale & Polish within the calendar year for only €15.
If your claim is “pending “, it may mean that a large volume of checks are being processed by the site at the time, or that your eligibility requires further checks by a welfare administrator. In this case, we will be obliged to charge full private fees on the day of your appointment. If/when we receive confirmation of your eligibility, we will reimburse the excess, so that you can still avail of an Exam, Scale & Polish for €15.
If your claim is “not approved “, you can still choose to make an appointment privately.

Contact information for all of our practices can be found here.

I didn’t claim my entitlements last year, can I claim twice this year?

No, it is not possible to claim twice in one year. These benefits are only available once per calendar year, from January to December.

I’m eligible for PRSI entitlements, what do I receive?

The following dental benefits are available to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions:

A full oral examination once a calendar year
A subsidised scale & polish (capped cost of €15)
- OR alternatively, a part-subsidised “Protracted Periodontal Treatment”. This is a deep cleaning, often carried out under local anaesthetic, where a regular scale & polish would not be sufficient to restore optimum gum health.

These entitlements are available to those eligible once per calendar year. This means that you may claim once between 1^st January and 31^st December each year, not once every twelve months.

If you still have questions, your local Dental Care Ireland team will be on hand and happy to assist you.

If you would like to book an appointment to avail of your 2020 PRSI entitlements, please click this link to your local Dental Care Ireland practice below to find their contact details or alternatively book your appointment online today. Ashbourne, Carlow, Castlebar, Claregalway, Ennis, Greystones, Knocklyon, Swords, Tuam, Tullamore, Cabinteely, Kells, Navan, NDC or Callan.

The New ‘Normal’ | COVID-19 Dental FAQ’s

In line with the HSE and Irish Dental Council guidelines, all Dental Care Ireland practice have resumed normal service on a phased and gradual basis since Monday 18^th May 2020. With that, we have introduced many changes and new measures ensuring the safety of patients, dentist and staff, and understandably people have questions. So we’ve answered your most frequently asked COVID-19 dental questions below:

Are Dental Care Ireland practices open?

Yes. All Dental Care Ireland practices are now open and resuming care to patients. Your local practice’s contact details can be found here. We do ask that you do not visit your local practice in-person without a pre-arranged appointment.

Is it safe to attend dental appointments while COVID-19 restrictions are still underway?

Yes. Dental Care Ireland have implemented a number of new measures to ensure everyone’s safety, including the following:

- Staggered & lengthened appointments
- Pre-appointment screening
- Staff and patient temperature checks
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Aerosol reduction/mitigation measures
- Increased infection prevention & control (IPC) processes
- Addition of air purifier machines
- Installation of Perspex screen for reception

During our transition to a new normal, Dental Care Ireland will be following the government, HSE and Irish Dental Council guidelines at all times.

How do I book an appointment?

To book an appointment, contact your local Dental Care Ireland practice via phone or email. The team will be on hand explain our new measures and depending on when your appointment is, they may go through our screening process with you.

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes. All Dental Care Ireland practices are welcoming new patients.

I’m nervous about my appointment, what changes should I expect?

We understand taking a trip to the dentist can be daunting on the best of days, let along without the added anxiety of COVID-19.

But at Dental Care Ireland, while many things within the practice have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety. Therefore, you will notice that we have installed sanitisation stations, perspex screen for reception and air purifier machines in the surgery.

You’ll also find that our dentists, hygienists and nurses will be donning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), but under the layers is still the same great team.

What should I do if I have a dental emergency?

If you have a dental emergency, please call your local Dental Care Ireland practice immediately. A team member will be on hand to advise you on what to do next.

If you have jaw swelling that is causing difficulty in breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or facial trauma please go to your nearest A&E department.

Due to COVID-19, please do not arrive at the practice without an appointment.

I’m over 70 years of age and have been ‘cocooning’, but I need to see a dentist. What should I do?

Call us. Our team will be able to advise you on your options.

If you are comfortable attending the practice, we will talk you through our new measures and arrange an appointment for you. But if you wish to continue ‘cocooning’, our team will be happy to provide telephone support and advice, so give us a call and one of our dentists will do their best to help you.

If you want to book a dental appointment with any Dental Care Ireland practice or or have a COVID-19 dental question we didn’t answer above, contact your local practice.

Returning To Care: COVID-19 Update

Dental Care Ireland Returning To Care: COVID-19 Update: We are delighted to inform you that Dental Care Ireland practices will be resuming normal service on a phased and gradual basis from Monday 18^th May 2020.

Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

During our transition to general treatment, Dental Care Ireland will be following the government, HSE and Irish Dental Council guidelines at all times.

As a result, and to ensure the safety of dentists, staff and patients Dental Care Ireland has implemented a number of measures, including the following:

Staggered & lengthened appointments
Pre-appointment screening
Staff and patient temperature checks
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Aerosol reduction/mitigation measures
Increased infection prevention & control (IPC) processes
Addition of air purifier machines
Installation of Perspex screen for reception

In the weeks ahead, we will be prioritising those patients who had a dental emergency during lockdown. We will also be contacting any patients who had scheduled appointments cancelled due to the lockdown to re-book these appointments and will then be reintroducing our dental hygiene services later on in the month of June.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. Should you wish to make an appointment, contact your local practice here.