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Teeth Whitening Offer – 20% Off
Dental Care Ireland’s Teeth Whitening Offer – gives an amazing 20% off until the 31st August in selected practices only.
If you are interested in improving the colour of your teeth and appearance of your smile, then ask your dentist about our teeth whitening offer. Teeth Whitening brightens the shade of your teeth so they appear brighter and whiter.
What happens in Teeth Whitening?
Firstly, the dentist will perform an examination to determine the suitability of your teeth for whitening. This will include a check-up and may include an X-ray.
Then the dentist will work with you to identify the shade of white you wish to achieve.
Impressions will then be taken of your teeth so that we can develop a bespoke whitening kit that suits you and which you can use yourself at home.
You will be invited back to the practice to pick up the kit and will receive advice as to how to use it.
Teeth whitening takes approximately 10 days to three weeks depending on the shade you have chosen.
Selected practices are as follows * Ashbourne, Carlow, Navan, Knocklyon, Swords, and Kells.
Teeth whitening demand growing around Ireland
The number of patients interested in teeth whitening is rising, particularly in Dental Care Ireland practices in Dublin 16, Dublin 18 and Swords
There are many foodstuffs and drinks that can stain your teeth, including some of your favourite food and drinks such as coffee, red wine, soft drinks and even berries. This is natural and regular brushing should help to keep staining to a minimum. Also, as we get older the white teeth we may have had as children become naturally pale grey and yellowish due to ageing, and general wear and tear.
There are many whitening toothpastes on sale which some patients find effective in keeping their teeth white. Also, there are a number of whitening strips available that give your teeth a temporary gleam. Most of them dissolve in your mouth in just a few minutes and have a minty taste.
However, more patients are choosing to get their teeth whitened professionally as this can prove to be the best way to keep them sparkling for longer, and improve your smile! This involves a visit to the dentist with a home teeth-whitening kit created just for you.
At Dental Care Ireland, we recommend that the first step in deciding whether or not to whiten your teeth should be taken in consultation with your dentist. Our whitening kits are tried and tested.
Your dentist will first need to examine your teeth, mouth and gums. This is to better understand if there are any outstanding treatment needs and to assess your suitability for teeth whitening. At this initial consultation, your dentist may take X-rays to help ensure that your mouth is in tip-top condition. He or she will then take impressions of your teeth to make the teeth-whitening trays for use with your home whitening kit. You will then receive an appointment to try out the kit and will receive advice and instruction on how to use it to optimum advantage.
Your dentist will also work closely with you to identify the shade of white you wish to achieve. Teeth whitening can take approximately 10 days to three weeks depending on the shade you have chosen. It is important to remember that whitening your teeth involves a bit of time and effort, but it is worth it. Your teeth occasionally can be a little sensitive after the treatment, but this generally resolves shortly afterwards.
Initial improvement whitening treatments start at about 10 days and, depending on the sensitivity of your teeth, it may take longer. You should be prepared to dedicate an hour each evening to the couch and avoid food and drink that can stain the teeth such as the aforementioned coffee and red wine. Remember that teeth-whitening only works for natural teeth, so you should let your dentist know if you have any crowns or veneers so they can match them to your new shade.
Experts differ on how long teeth whitening will last in general, as it varies from person to person, if you smoke, how often you brush your teeth, and the food and drinks you consume.
Teeth-whitening can last for up to two years, but your Dental Care Ireland dentist will be able to give you a far more accurate estimate after a consultation.
The following Dental Care Ireland practices currently offer dental whitening services: Ashbourne, Cabinteely, Castlebar, Kells, Knocklyon, Swords, and Tullamore. Get in touch to make an appointment.
Dental Q&A – Cabinteely dentist Dr Mary Crossling
In this article, DCI Cabinteely dentist Dr Mary Crossling talks about how she became a dentist, what she loves about the job, and what the future holds for the sector.
Q: What made you decide to go into dentistry when you were younger?
A: I decided early on that I wanted to be a dentist; I think I was 11! I’ve always enjoyed people’s company, and as I grew older I really developed a love of science and chemistry which obviously helped. After doing dental-related work experience in school, I knew it was the right career choice for me. I briefly considered veterinary studies, but interacting with people on a day-to-day basis was important to me, so dentistry it was!
Q: What do you really enjoy about your job?
A: It’s great to meet so many people from different walks of life in our Cabinteely dentist. It’s really rewarding in particular to work with small children, young adults and older patients. Of course, helping people get rid of aches and pains is one of the best parts of the role, and it’s also interesting to work in a relatively small team here in the practice. That kind of exposure creates a very personal, dynamic environment where we all feel like we’re making a real difference in the community.
Q: Would you recommend dentistry as a career choice?
A: I would say that if you love science, you enjoy the company of people but you’re also not afraid of working independently in a problem-solving environment, then dentistry would be a fantastic career choice. One of the things I’ve been particularly happy to see has been the emergence of so many women in what has traditionally been quite a male-dominated sector. I’m originally from Newcastle in England, and studied there too. In my university class, for example, we only had 11 male graduates out of a class of 70!
Another positive about dentistry is the flexibility in terms of your working hours and week, as well as the ability to practise abroad. I went to Australia and worked with Aboriginal communities, which was fantastic. There’s also lots of sub-specialities such as orthodontics, paediatrics, periodontology, and much more. Dentistry is a great sector in which to work, and advances in technology are making it better all the time.
Q: What advice can you give people about looking after their teeth?
A: It depends on the age of the patient. For example, we would always tell parents to bring their baby to see the dentist once they get their first teeth, so that we can examine them and make sure that any potential issues don’t turn into problems.
For young adults, obviously we would recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, but it’s also important to watch your diet. Sweets and fizzy drinks have been highlighted as being bad for teeth, but juices and smoothies can also be very acidic and, although they may be good for your body, they may not be doing your teeth any favours if you consume too many of them. Most of all, people should see their dentist regularly. Don’t wait until your teeth start to hurt before you see us!
Q: What’s it like to work in Cabinteely?
A: Honestly, no two days are ever the same in our Cabinteely dentist. I just love the variety of the work here. As I mentioned earlier, there’s a broad demographic that comes to this practice – from older patients to teenagers – which means our team get to know the whole spectrum of the community. I’ve been working in Cabinteely since October, but even in that time I’ve built up a great rapport with our clients. Part of that is also down to the fact that we have a personal, dedicated service and we’re in a strong community setting. I’ve been in Ireland for six years now, having lived in the UK beforehand, and I just love it here. The people are so friendly!
Q: Having lived in both the UK and Ireland, how do the two countries compare in terms of dentistry?
Obviously the NHS makes a huge difference in the UK, and our public sector has a long way to go to catch up to that level of treatment and care. I think that particular emphasis has to be placed on treating children, older people and those with special needs in the public healthcare system in Ireland. It is promising to see specific dental policies being discussed and planned for the years to come, and we have to hope that they come to pass sooner rather than later. And don’t forget, private patients here on the whole receive excellent care and benefit from the time spent on their tailored prevention and treatment plans.
The Cabinteely practice of Dental Care Ireland is a local, family dentist formerly known as Park Clinic Dental. To make an appointment with Mary or any of the team in Cabinteely, just click on this link. Alternatively, just call 01-2853666
Dental Q&A: Knocklyon orthodontist Dr Lian O’Dwyer
Braces have come a long way in recent years, and now there is a varied choice for both children and adults when it comes to specialized orthodontic work, according to our Knocklyon orthodontist Dr Lian O’Dwyer
How do I know if my child needs braces?
There are many reasons why a child might benefit from braces. Often, your child’s dentist will be the first to notice problems during a regular visit and recommend that you see a specialist orthodontist. The orthodontist can decide whether your child does indeed need braces and which devices would be best.
Some signs that a child may benefit from braces include:
- Early, late, or irregular loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- Crowding, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
- Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
What causes the need for braces?
Sometimes tooth and jaw problems can be caused by losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. If there is not enough room in the jaws for the teeth they become crowed or crooked. Often tooth and jaw problems are inherited, so if you or someone in your family needed braces, it’s likely that your kids will too.
At what age should my child be examined for orthodontic care?
Some children may benefit from an orthodontic evaluation as young as age 5 or 6 and others can wait until the baby teeth have fallen out and the permanent teeth are coming into place (ages 10-13).
Your general or pediatric dentist will help you determine the best time for evaluation and treatment. The Orthodontic Society of Ireland recommends that you bring your child for an orthodontic assessment at approximately 7 or 8 years of age.
Starting the process early doesn’t mean a child will get braces right away. It just means the orthodontist will be able to assess the child’s situation and decide the best time to start treatment.
What is the best age to be fitted with braces?
The best age varies from patient to patient. Orthodontic treatment most commonly begins between ages 8 and 14. Children in this age range have at least some permanent teeth and are still growing.
Some problems, however, are best addressed early, even while mostly baby teeth are present. A specialist orthodontist will be able to advise you on the appropriate time to start any treatment that may be indicated. It is never too late to have treatment. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy there is no age limit to treatment, and an increasing number of adults are availing of the benefits of orthodontics.
What types of braces are available?
- Traditional/Metal braces
Metal braces continue to be the most popular choice for children and adolescents. The individual brackets are cemented to each tooth and an archwire is attached to apply a continuous gentle pressure to the teeth. - Clear/Ceramic braces
Ceramic or “clear braces” are tooth coloured so that they blend in with your teeth and are much less noticeable than metal braces. For this reason they are very popular with adult patients. - Invisalign™ clear aligners
Invisalign™ braces straighten teeth using a series of clear plastic aligners which are custom-made for your mouth. They are popular with adults as the aligners are removable and are barely visible. Ask your orthodontist if you are a candidate for the Invisalign brace system. - Removable appliances and Functional appliances
- Removable braces are mostly used in early orthodontic treatments for children such as to correct a single tooth, expanding the dental arch or to correct deep bites. Sometimes they are used prior to fixed braces.
- A functional appliance is a removable brace that is used in growing children to help reposition the lower jaw in a more forward position. They are typically used in children who have an “increased overjet” i.e. a large gap between their top and bottom teeth and often a lower jaw which is “short” compared to the upper jaw.
Dr Lian O’Dwyer is an Orthodontist in Dental Care Ireland based in Knocklyon Shopping Centre. Book an appointment with Dr O’Dwyer or contact 01 493 6909
An Introduction to Orthodontics: Why Do You Need the Treatment?
The treatment of orthodontics is becoming more and more popular as technology improves and people strive for that perfect smile.
In last month’s blog, Dental Care Ireland talked about the importance of regular visits to the dentist. Of course, many trips to your dentist will be for a scheduled check-up or to address an issue that’s causing discomfort. However, there is another factor which more and more people are considering when it comes to their dental health: orthodontics.
Orthodontics is defined as the treatment of irregularities in the teeth and jaws. In the past, orthodontic treatments were largely confined to children from the ages of 12 to 16 or 17, with brackets used to realign teeth and jaws.
The general rule of thumb then was that, seeing as younger people’s jaws and teeth are generally softer than those of adults, treatment would be confined to those in their teens and below, as it was easier to manipulate teeth and bone structure in younger people.
However, the technology of orthodontics has improved hugely over recent years. The introduction of self-ligating brackets made from ceramic or even titanium has resulted in more controlled, faster, less forceful orthodontic movement of teeth and much more discreet treatment, which has in turn increased the popularity of orthodontic intervention in adults.
The introduction of clear-tray aligner systems has also increased awareness and uptake of orthodontics, though treatment times can vary depending on the amount of tooth movement required. In terms of the identification of dental issues, improved imaging systems (like the CT cone) make the visualisation of teeth and jaws much clearer, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment planning.
As this technology has improved, so naturally has the prominence of orthodontic treatment. We have even seen a number of celebrities invest in orthodontics over the past number of years, including Faith Hill, Tom Cruise and even Faye Dunaway at 61 years old.
However, orthodontics isn’t merely about cosmetics and looking well; there is a functional aspect to getting treatment. Certain people may find that, even if they have crooked teeth that aren’t visible, these teeth can still pose an issue as food can regularly get stuck and stay stuck, thus increasing the chances of gum disease. Orthodontics can straighten teeth and, by extension, make it easier to brush and floss.
Also, crooked teeth can lead to issues other than tooth decay, such as jaw pain, problems with chewing or even speaking, and facial pain issues.
Orthodontic treatment is measured and priced on a case-by-case basis, and treatment duration also depends on what is needed; however, the general treatment timeframe is roughly 12-18 months.
So, how do you know if you actually need orthodontics? A scientific paper from the January 2017 edition of The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dermofacial Orthopedics suggested that the perceived need for orthodontics versus the actual need for orthodontics was about equal. Simply put, this means that if you feel that you need orthodontics, then you probably do.
A scientific paper from the same journal in June 2015 said that many factors influence reasons for orthodontic uptake in adults – particularly marital status and concerns for better, more predictable, long-term oral health outcomes. In this case, health and self-esteem are both important factors.
Orthodontics, just like the rest of dentistry, is constantly evolving. The new methods and materials which continue to come to market mean that your local Dental Care Ireland practice is better placed than ever before to assess and provide orthodontic treatment for you.
Your first step to a straighter smile is a visit to your local dentist. By accurately assessing your current bite, they will be best informed of your baseline bite and general oral health. Where simple rotations or movement are possible, your dentist will advise you on the best course of treatment for your specific needs.
As we have already seen, teeth that are straighter and less crowded are easier to clean. The treatment benefits from straight teeth can help secure good oral health into the future and, of course, give you that perfect smile you’ve always wanted.
Orthodontic services are currently available in the Knocklyon, Cabinteely and Callan practices of Dental Care Ireland. Remember, if an existing Dental Care Ireland patient refers a friend to a Dental Care Ireland practice, the referred patient receives a €20 discount off their first visit and the referring/existing patient gets a €20 credit applied to their account at Dental Care Ireland. See www.dentalcareireland.ie for more terms and conditions, prices, and contact details for our practices.
Why a Regular Dental Check Up with your Dentist are so Important
A regular Dental Check-Up with your dentist provides peace of mind, as well as maximising your appearance
Putting off a visit to the dentist is something that we all have experience of, yet we should all try to go on a regular basis. Many people remember childhood visits which can play on their minds, but it’s important to remember that dentistry has come a long way, and uncomfortable visits are largely a thing of the past. The reality is that if you take care of your teeth, your dental check-up will probably be just that and nothing more.
The good news is that 8 out of 10 Irish adults are entitled to a free examination through either PRSI or Medical Card schemes. Further cover is available for those with dental insurance, which is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland and allows a greater focus on prevention.
Some people have the impression that seeing the dentist can be put off if nothing is visibly or physically wrong. However, it’s important to note that most dental issues don’t start to cause pain until they are at an advanced stage. The key here is to ensure that your dentist sees you for a regular dental check-up before any small issues develop into more serious (and costly) ones.
One of the benefits of seeing a trusted, experienced dentist is the chance to maximise your dental health and, by extension, your appearance. According to the British Dental Journal, “people are perceived more favourably over a range of judgments, including numerous personality traits, when they have normal dentition as opposed to abnormal tooth colour (caused by caries or severe dental fluorosis) or tooth arrangement”.
Perception is an important thing in any walk of life, be it personal or professional. Clean and visibly healthy teeth are something that we can generally all enjoy with minimal effort once we brush and floss regularly and see our dentist once every six months or once a year.
Getting into the habit of seeing your dentist regularly will also ensure you never have to worry about how your teeth are looking. If you have children, it’s also a good idea to lead by example and reinforce the need for them to look after their teeth as well as they grow older.
So, when should you go to your dentist other than your regular dental check-up? Below are some of the symptoms that should have you booking an appointment with your local Dental Care Ireland practice for your treatment needs straight away.
- Sensitive teeth: this can be the result of tooth decay or cavities caused by not brushing and flossing regularly, and consuming too many sugary foods and drinks.
- Bleeding gums after flossing: a few specks of blood in your saliva after flossing is normal (especially if you haven’t flossed in a while), but if you are seeing quite a bit, it could be an early sign of gum disease and should be treated as soon as possible.
- Long-term bad breath: this can be the result of tooth decay, a build-up of bacteria in your mouth or tongue, or even oral cancer. Using mouthwash to disguise the issue won’t help resolve it.
- Mouth sores: these can be uncomfortable, and could be signs of cold sores or oral thrush. Your dentist is ideally placed to advise you on their management or treatment if needed.
- Pain: it may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people put off dealing with a sore tooth or jaw. If you are experiencing pain that makes you uncomfortable, see your dentist.
Of course there is another reason to see your dentist, and that is if you are unhappy with your smile or your teeth in general. Today, no one need worry about having to tolerate bad teeth if they don’t want to. Trusted dentists provide a range of treatments and patient-focused care to offer you a winning smile, such as teeth whitening, orthodontics or dental implants. For a list of specialist treatments, see our website
Regular attendance at your dental practice gives you easy access to professional dental care, advice and treatment. Together with our experienced clinical team, we will minimise the likelihood of costly treatment later on, giving you and your family the peace of mind that comes with attending a trusted health professional. Click here to find your nearest Dental Care Ireland practice.
If an existing Dental Care Ireland patient refers a friend to a Dental Care Ireland practice, the referred patient receives a €20 discount off their first visit and the referring/existing patient gets a €20 credit applied to their account at Dental Care Ireland. See dentalcareireland.ie for more terms and conditions, prices, and contact details for our practices.
Five Ways to Keep Your Children’s Teeth Strong And Healthy
Five Ways to Keep Your Children’s Teeth Strong And Healthy
Caring for your teeth is something that none of us can take for granted, regardless of our age. This is especially true for children, who need all the help they can get to ensure they have a good foundation for dental health for the rest of their lives.
From a personal point of view, it is also really heartening when you take your child to the dentist for their regular check-up, and they are given a clean bill of health. Of course, it won’t always be this way, but there are plenty of things you can do to ensure your children have strong, healthy teeth.
Here are Dental Care Ireland’s top five tips for healthy children’s teeth:
- Regular Brushing
As parents, we all know that brushing and flossing can be a chore, but we do it because it has become a “good habit”. Encourage your children to make it their good habit by making them brush twice a day: once in the morning and once at night. If it becomes a routine, there’s more chance that it will continue to be so for the rest of their lives. You can help this process by starting children brushing their teeth as soon as the first tooth appears, though always with supervision so they don’t swallow toothpaste. You can also make it fun by timing it or by making into a game where each tooth gets brushed.
Find out more on this subject.
- Restrict Sugary Drinks
The dangers to young teeth from sugar have become even more apparent in recent years. We also now know that it is not just soft drinks, sodas and sports and energy drinks that can cause decay because of their sugar content. It is also natural fruit juices, even if they say “no added sugar”. Also, diet soft drinks can contain acids which are not good for children’s teeth. Make water and milk the preferred options and restrict the more sugary options to treats only or, if necessary, to mealtimes. Again, this is a good habit for children to develop.
Find out more on the big offenders.
- Watch What They Eat – and When
The same rules apply to the food our children eat. It seems these days nearly everything contains added sugar, so obviously be wary about giving them too much of things such as biscuits, cakes, pastries, chocolate and sweets. However, also watch out for breads, cereals and “healthy” bars which may also contain added sugar. And note that “sugar” may come under different headings in lists of ingredients, including dextrose, fructose, honey, “high-fructose corn syrup” and many others. In general, try to get your children to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, along with their carbohydrates (bread, rice, potatoes, pasta), protein (meat, fish, beans, eggs) and dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheeses). It is also better, whenever possible, to have them eating healthy, family meals as opposed to snacking throughout the day. If they do need to snack, introduce fresh fruit, such as apples or grapes, or vegetables, such as tomatoes or peppers, as the go-to snack as early as possible. Also, it is worth bearing in mind that cheese is a good option as it neutralises acid and contains calcium, which helps the tooth surface.
Find out more on the right things for children to eat.
- Keep an Eye on Things
It might seem like simple advice, but it is important to monitor your children’s teeth and listen to your children when they tell you about any pain or sensitivity. It is also worth having a look in their mouths before and after they brush to make sure they are doing a good job and to see if there are any cavities. Like with most things in life, if problems do occur, the earlier they are spotted, the better. As your children get older and new teeth appear, it is also worth bearing in mind that they may need orthodontic treatment at some point. Again, the earlier this is dealt with, the better for all concerned.
Find out more about dental examinations.
- Regular Visits to The Dentist
It is worth taking your child to the dentist for their first check-up when they are as young as one year old or when their first teeth begin to appear. This has two beneficial results: first, it allows the dentist to make sure the teeth are growing properly and second, it gets children used to the dentist, which is essential. Waiting until a child has a toothache to visit the dentist is a guaranteed way of ensuring they will not enjoy the visit and develop a fear of the dentist as a result. After that initial trip, visits can be every six months or whenever your dentist advises.
There is also no better time than the mid-term break to schedule a check-up. To help with this, Dental Care Ireland practices in Carlow, Kells and Ashbourne are offering offer all children’s check-ups at half-price on February 20th-24th.
Book an appointment for your children in your local Dental Care Ireland practice.
Many thanks and happy brushing!
The Dental Care Ireland Team
Christmas Opening Hours at Dental Care Ireland
All Dental Care Ireland practices are closed on the 26th & 27th December 2016 and on Monday 2nd January 2017.
The Northumberland Institute of Dental Medicine is closed from 24th December 2016 through to Monday 3rd January 2017.
Dental Care Ireland Swords is offering an on-call emergency service only from 23rd December 2016 through to Tuesday 3rd January 2017.
The following are the opening hours in all our other practices:
Dental Care Ireland Cabinteely
Open: Saturday 24th December – 09.00 am – 1.00 pm and on Wednesday 28th – 9.00 am – 11.30 am.
Closed: Monday 26th Dec, Tuesday 27th Dec, Thursday 29th Dec, Friday 30th Dec and Monday 2nd Jan.
Dental Care Ireland Knocklyon.
Open: Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th December – 9.00 am – 1.00 pm
Closed: Monday 26th Dec, Tuesday 27th Dec, Thursday 29th Dec and Monday 2nd Jan.
Open – Friday 30th December – 12.00 pm – 2.00 pm.
Closed: Monday 26th Dec, Tuesday 27th Dec, Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Monday 2nd Jan.
Open: Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th December – 9.30 am – 1.00 pm
Closed: Monday 26th Dec, Tuesday 27th Dec and Monday 2nd Jan.
Open: Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th December – 9.30 am – 5.00 pm
Closed: Monday 26th Dec, Tuesday 27th Dec and Monday 2nd Jan.
Dental Care Ireland Tullamore.
Open – Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th December – 9.00 am – 1.00 pm
Closed: Monday 26th Dec, Tuesday 27th Dec, Friday 30th Dec and Monday 2nd Jan.
Open: Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th December – 9.00 am – 11.00 am
Closed: Monday 26th Dec, Tuesday 27th Dec and Monday 2nd Jan.
Open: Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th December – 10.00 am – 2.00 pm.
Closed: Monday 26th Dec, Tuesday 27th Dec, Thursday 29th and Monday 2nd Jan 2017.
We would like to wish all our patients and their families a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year!
Taking Care of Your Teeth in Sport
Have you ever wondered what Michael Phelps or Rob Kearney eats in a day?
One of the most frequently posed questions to professional athletes is about calorie intake. Professional sport is continuously evolving to create quicker, leaner, more physically imposing athletes – increasing dietary intake, supplementation and higher collision forces in contact sports.
Often, athletes are expected to meet these increased physical demands while building an aesthetically pleasing media-friendly profile to attract sponsors and boost performance dependent revenues.
Sports dentistry is a multidisciplinary science which covers prevention and treatment of sports injuries, and explores ways to improve oral health and athletic performance.
As sports science has evolved, ‘prehab’ has played an increasingly greater role. By strengthening an athletes weaker areas, potential future injury can be minimised or avoided.
What is ‘Prehab’ when it comes to your teeth?
Prevention of injury and tooth decay. 10% of athletes are at risk of sustaining a severe injury to the face or mouth, while a UK survey shows 55% of athletes experience tooth decay and/or regular dental pain.
So how do we manage this?
Competitive athletes are generally required to consume approximately 4,000 – 6,000 calories per day. Sugary foods and sports drinks are a cornerstone of fast acting carbohydrate replacement for athletes. These can be managed in a number of ways to reduce decay rates.
- Sipping sugar over a two-hour training session has a dissolving effect on tooth enamel; each time the saliva neutralizes the sugar to protect the teeth, it is hit by another dissolving dose of sugar.
- Replacing a sugary drink with water and a separate sugar gel pouch, taken once every 30-40min during hard cardiovascular exercise reduces the overall exposure of teeth to sugar.
- For less energy intensive sessions, water and a banana, or simply water during the session and a carbohydrate shake immediately afterwards to replace depleted glycogen.
- For strength based sessions where sugar can be avoided, water and immediate protein replacement afterwards should suffice.
- For endurance athletes, recent studies have shown they are at higher risk of decay due to a combination of mouth-breathing and decreased salivary flow during prolonged sessions. Similarly, boxers and rugby players with damaged/reduced nasal function resulting in mouth breathing incur higher levels of decay due to reduced saliva in the mouth.
How can Athletes Combat this?
- Regular 4-6 month dental checkups, oral hygiene advice, dietary evaluation and monitoring for signs of cavitation or decay. Early identification of tooth decay can prevent it from extending to the pulp (requiring extraction or root canal).
- At-risk athletes can undergo further preventative treatment such as erosive lesion replacement, fissure seals and fluoride treatment.
- At the London 2012 games, 55% athletes were found to have tooth decay or gum disease and 20% reported diminished performance as a result [3]. Given that pain from dental decay would also have affected diet and sleeping patterns in the run up to the games, the true figure might well be higher.
Protective Devices
Mouthguards play a vital role in protecting the teeth from fracture and traumatic loss, as well as guarding the lip and gum tissue. Crucially they act as shock-absorbers to the underlying bone by up to 40-50%. However, despite this evidence, in many sports, compliance is poor. In 2014 the GAA issued a ruling where mouthguards were made compulsory at both senior and junior level. In rugby however wear levels are often as low as 30%, even in professional athletes.
Why are players not wearing them?
Discomfort, gag response (mouthguards which extend to the back of the mouth particularly), breathing difficulties and for both professional and amateur players’ difficulty in communicating were the biggest complaints. These issues are easily fixed however, through customised mouthguards and individual athlete mouth guard modification. By reducing the extension and bulk on the back teeth, gag response is eliminated. Similarly, modifications can be made to the areas in contact with the tongue for speech improvement. Mouthguard discomfort is easily reduced by smoothing irritating areas with the dentist in-surgery.
Tooth Position/ Occlusion
The alignment of an athlete’s teeth can also play a role in susceptibility to trauma. Protruding upper front teeth, in children and young athletes particularly, can significantly increase the risk of fracture or tooth loss. Similarly, loss of back molar teeth in athletes can lead to increased force on the front teeth- particularly in impact sports such as boxing and rugby. Trauma or poor biting stability can also result pain and problems with the TMJ (the hinge joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull) which can restrict jaw opening and function for athletes across every sport.
An occlusal assessment with the dentist can help identify any risk factors, and create a treatment plan to treat them before they cause problems. This can often be very simple, minor tooth alignment or tooth replacement for increased biting stability. Mouthguards can be modified to provide increased support to vulnerable areas (protruding teeth), while orthodontic (specialist) referrals can be made for more severe cases.
Quick tips for Prevention:
– Regular dental check ups
– Good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing regularly
– Diet assessment – reduction in frequency of sugar intake
– Customized mouthguard – a must! Modified if required
– Occlusal assessment – removal/reduction of risk factors
Dr Sally McCarthy, BDS, is member of the Academy of Sports Dentistry and International Association of Dental Traumatology.
Sally is based in Dental Care Ireland in Ashbourne in County Meath. To make an appointment visit Asbhourne here or call 018350344.
Dental Care Ireland’s Latest Children’s Offer; Half Term? Half Price!
Half Term? Half Price!
Dental Care Ireland latest Children’s Offer will give you something to do with the kids this Mid-Term?
Why not use the time to get their teeth checked?
For the Mid-Term break only, Dental Care Ireland is offering half-price dental check-ups for children at our dental practices throughout the country.
So book your children’s dental check-up at Dental Care Ireland today.
