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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.
The Budget & Your Dental Health
The Budget & Your Dental Health
June Shannon takes a look at the implications of #Budget17 for dental patients.
On budget day earlier this month the Department of Social Protection announced that changes to the dental and optical treatment schemes would benefit 2.5 million people.
The details are still unclear as to exactly what dental treatments PRSI workers and the self-employed will be entitled to as a result of #Budget17 and any changes will have to be negotiated with dentists who provide treatment under the schemes before patients see the benefits.
The PRSI Dental Scheme was established in 1952 and under the scheme PRSI workers were entitled to a range of treatments including an annual oral exam, gum cleaning, fillings, extractions and root canal treatment. However in Budget 2010 the range of treatments available was significantly reduced with the result that PRSI workers were only entitled to on oral examination once a year.
The Irish Dental Association (IDA) has long campaigned for a restoration to the PRSI dental benefit scheme for dental health however the association gave a cautious welcome to the recent Budget announcement.
Commenting, the Chief Executive of the IDA, Mr Fintan Hourihan said dentists had been campaigning for the return of grant in aid benefits to hard-pressed workers and their families since savage unilateral cuts were made to the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme in 2010.
However he warned that the Department of Social Protection would have to engage in talks with the IDA before any proposed changes come into force.
“Very few details are available at this stage on the precise nature of Minister Varadkar’s proposals. Dentists are not currently contracted to treat the self-employed so this will require contract talks to take place between the Department and the IDA. Separate negotiations on the other proposed changes, so far unspecified, for currently eligible PRSI contributors will also be required.”
“Recently the IDA warned the Department of Social Protection that any changes or proposed new scheme would have to be guided by best practice. Any changes would also need to be evidence based for patients as well as being economically viable for dentists” Mr Hourihan added.
According to the Irish Dentists Association (IDA), “currently, over 2 million PRSI contributors and their dependent spouses remain eligible for the free dental examination. The Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme was availed of by 312,659 people during 2015 at a cost of €10.3 million. In 2009, the last year the scheme operated unrestricted, the cost of the scheme was €62.3 million.
It is unlikely therefore that dental patients will see any of the benefits announced in Budget 2017 until after the outcome of negotiations between the IDA and Government, which, in reality, could take some time.
Another bone of contention in #Budget17 was the introduction of a ‘sugar tax’ or tax on soft fizzy drinks, which was widely expected to be introduced but postponed in its introduction until 2018.
On the same day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report which urged all countries to tax sugary drinks. According to the WHO “taxing sugary drinks can lower consumption and reduce obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay and improve dental health”.
WHO stated that “fiscal policies that lead to at least a 20 per cent increase in the retail price of sugary drinks would result in proportional reductions in consumption of such products”. “Reduced consumption of sugary drinks means lower intake of “free sugars” and calories overall, improved nutrition and fewer people suffering from overweight, obesity, diabetes and tooth decay,” the WHO stated.
In its ‘Programme for Partnership Government” published earlier this year, the Government made a commitment to “make a number of key public health interventions” including the introduction of “a health levy on sugar-sweetened drinks (SSD).”
The British Dental Association (BDA) estimated that nearly a quarter of the added sugar in our diet comes from soft drinks and children aged 11-18 get 40 per cent of their added sugars from soft drinks.
Last year the IDA revealed that 10,000 children under 15 were being hospitalised every year in Ireland for dental extractions under general anaesthetic, and the IDA estimated that these dental health figures could be up to five times higher than the UK.
“The Department of Finance’s public consultation process will now seek input from stakeholders, including SSD producers, in terms of how to impose the new tax in a way which ensures that the health objectives of the tax are met, that Revenue is enabled to collect it efficiently, fairly and effectively, and that compliance with the tax is not overly onerous on producers. The tax must also be designed so that it is compliant with EU State aid rules. Finally, the design of the tax must take into account cross-border issues, and so should complement the proposed soft drinks industry levy which is due to be imposed in the UK from April 2018.”
The public consultation process is now open and it will run until 5pm on Tuesday January 3rd 2017. Contact us today for more information.
To Floss or Not to Floss?
To Floss or Not to Floss?
Earlier in the summer media reports suggested that the health claims for dental flossing were unproven due to a lack of long-term studies. The issue received widespread media attention and caused a lot of confusion among the general public. The question remained To Floss or not to Floss?
According to Dr Kieran Davitt, Group Clinical Advisor, Dental Care Ireland, while the media reports pointed to a lack of long-term studies or evidence to prove that flossing was effective in reducing dental decay, from a clinical point of view, “every dentist and every hygienist would notice a big difference in a patient’s oral health” if they are flossing regularly.
Flossing reduces decay but it will also improve your gum health as well, Dr Davitt stated.
According to Dr Davitt reports questioning the effectiveness of flossing have been a little misleading.
“From a clinical point of view we can tell the difference if a patient is flossing…it will reduce bleeding in the gums and the gums will be in much better shape. It makes sense if food is caught in between back teeth you need to remove it,” he stated.
Dr Davitt said he wanted to reassure patients and encourage them to continue to floss once a day as it reduces dental cavities and improves gum health.
He said while there are various ways to floss, the standard method involved winding standard floss around your index fingers, placing it between the teeth and move it up and down a number of times.
“There are other types of floss like flosettes that some patients prefer because they have a handle on them so they can get into back teeth a little bit better, but it is up to the individual. Sometimes the floss on a handle or the flosettes can be a little bit more expensive, so if you can get used to the standard tape, the standard floss, it is not as expensive,” Dr Davitt explained.
Another option is interdental brushes, which look like tiny bottle brushes. These come in different sizes depending on the interdental space.
“Sometimes for patients the space in between the teeth might be a little bit wider and if you are flossing, then it probably isn’t as effective in some of those spaces. If you have spaces between back teeth sometimes the interdental brushes are a bit more effective. Whereas if you have front teeth that are very tight together, it would be difficult to get an interdental brush in there, so you are better off with floss,” he added.
According to the Dental Health Foundation Ireland, periodontal or gum disease is a pathological inflammatory condition of the gum and bone support surrounding the teeth. Most Irish adults suffer from some form of periodontal disease: based on the most recent national oral health survey, only 18 per cent of 16–24 year olds, 8 per cent of 35–44 year olds and 7 per cent of older people aged 65 years and over have healthy gums.
The two most common periodontal diseases are: gingivitis – inflammation of the gum at the necks of the teeth, and periodontitis – inflammation affecting the bone and tissues of the teeth.
As Dr Davitt stated regular flossing can help to keep your gums healthy and while this is very important for your overall oral health, it can be equally important for your overall physical health as well.
The link between oral health and overall physical health has been well proven with research suggesting that gum disease may increase the risk of a number of health conditions including stroke, heart disease and diabetes.
“When people present to us with gum disease we stress to them that the first issue here is the gum disease and you are at risk of losing your teeth or losing gum attachment, but there is the risk of cardiovascular disease as well. You really should be looking at your overall health and systemic health. If somebody comes in with gum disease there is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease as well,” Dr Davitt stated.
According to Dr Davitt there are a number of systemic diseases that can affect gum health and these include diabetes.
“Anyone with diabetes would be much more prone to gum disease. Somebody with diabetes whether it is type 1 or type 2 should be attending a dentist or hygienist for regular check ups and cleanings”.
According to Dr Davitt the main take home message from the great floss debate would be not to be put off by the recent reports and to continue to floss every day.
“Every dentist would still recommend that you should be brushing at least twice and day and flossing once a day. Absolutely, we would still recommend flossing.”
Book Your Oral Cancer Screening Today
Book Your Oral Cancer Screening Today
According to the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) there are more than 300 cases of cancer of the mouth (oral cavity and pharynx) reported in Ireland every year.
While traditionally oral cancer was more common in men than women, the ICS states that this is changing and the incidence rate of oral cancer has increased significantly in women at a rate of 3 per cent per year.
The ICS also states that while oral cancer mainly affects older people younger people are now also being diagnosed.
In Britain, the incidence of mouth cancer has increased faster than any other cancer in the past 25 years and according to the National Cancer Registry in Ireland, roughly half of all mouth cancers and even less of cancers of the pharynx are diagnosed at an early stage.
According to the ICS while it depends on the cancer site, more than half of those with oral cancer who get treatment will have good survival outcomes and this continues to improve each year.
Early detection of oral cancer greatly improves the chances of survival and this is why oral cancer awareness day is so important.
Dentists have a key role to play in the early detection of mouth cancer and in the prevention of the disease by identifying those patients who are exposed to risk factors.
Dr Kieran Davitt, dentist and Group Clinical Advisor, Dental Care Ireland, said Oral Cancer Awareness Day was a great intiative and he would encourage everyone to attend their dentist for a free screen, particularly those who have not attended a dentist in recent years.
Dr Davitt explained that an oral cancer screen takes just five minutes and during the check-up the dentist is looking for a number of things. These include any lumps or bumps, swellings, ulcers that do not heal and hardened tissue in the mouth.
“We try and encourage everybody or anybody who hasn’t been to the dentist in a number of years to come in and get a free screening, it only takes five minutes,” Dr Davitt explained.
“It is just to rule out any problems that patients may have. If anybody was worried about any little bump or swelling, or anything that has been there at all, we would always stress to them to come in, but also patients who haven’t been for a number of years, even if they don’t feel anything,” he added.
2016 marks the sixth year of the oral cancer awareness campaign it was first established in 2010 by a group of mouth, head and neck cancer survivors. On that occasion, more than 3,000 people queued outside the Cork and Dublin Dental University Hospitals for a free mouth cancer examination.
For the examination Dr Davitt explained that the dentist checks all the teeth, the gums all the soft tissue in the mouth.
“We palpate all the tissue, cheeks under the tongue, hard and soft palate and neck for any swellings, gland swellings it is not invasive and there would be no reason for any patients to be worried about it”.
“What we are looking for is anything out of the ordinary, any swellings, any ulcers that may not heal, any hardened tissue… in some cases it might be very normal. A patient might feel a little bump but it might be perfectly normal.
But if we were worried about it at all we can refer the patient to a specialist centre to get a biopsy and rule out any underlying problems,” he added.
The main risk factors associated with oral cancer include excessive smoking and drinking, chewing tobacco betel quid or paan, excessive exposure to sunlight or radiation (for lip cancer), a diet lacking in fruit and vegetables and viral infections, e.g., human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can be spread through oral sex.
Dr Davitt said that the combination of excessive smoking and drinking together could significantly increase the risk of developing oral cancer.
“The two main causes would be smoking and alcohol and if it is excessive smoking and excessive alcohol intake combined, that increases your risk hugely,” he stated.
Encouraging everyone to attend for an oral cancer screen Dr Davitt said: “If you are worried about anything in the mouth, or if you just haven’t seen a dentist in the last couple of years …try and attend for a screen. It just takes 5 minutes and it is a very simple check”.
Cases of concern to general dental practitioners will be referred to the Dental Hospitals for further management.
To book your oral cancer screening at Dental Care Ireland visit our practices page.
Anyone who has concerns about mouth cancer can speak with a specialist nurse in confidence by calling the National Cancer Helpline on Freephone 1800 200 700.
For further information visit www.mouthcancerawareness.ie.
Do You Have Sensitive Teeth?
Do you have sensitive teeth?
Do you experience pain in your teeth when you drink a hot or cold drink? Are there some foods you avoid because you know they will irritate your teeth? Many people ignore sensitivity in their teeth but for some people sensitivity can be a serious issue that affects their enjoyment of food and drink. So what are the causes of sensitive teeth and what can you do about it?
What is Sensitivity?
Sensitivity is a sharp sensation that you might experience when you consume something either very hot or something very cold. Although it is generally brief and you will only experience a short burst of pain it can be very uncomfortable and may often force you to avoid the substance that triggered the pain. The worst offenders are tea, coffee, ice cream or even soup.
What Causes Sensitivity?
Sensitivity is caused by the weakening of the enamel layer that forms a protective covering over the tooth. It causes dentin – the part of the tooth that covers the nerve to become exposed. Once the dentin is exposed the things we eat will come into direct contact with the nerve endings in the mouth and hence trigger pain.
Reasons for Sensitivity:
Dentists believe that sensitivity can be caused by a number of reasons as follows:
- Periodontal Gum Disease.
- Brushing teeth with too much force and pressure, causing the weakening of the enamel.
- Tooth erosion due to Bulimia or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
- Gum recession which is exposing the root surfaces.
People need to realise that sensitivity may not be the only problem at hand.
How to treat sensitivity?
Dentists generally recommend treating the root cause behind the pain and discomfort. They might recommend restoration or implants. In some cases the sensitivity can be cleared up simply by:
- Correct brushing of teeth – with low pressure.
- Changing your toothbrush to one a softer one.
- Using a special toothpaste that can help overcome sensitivity.
For more information on Dental Care Ireland’s practices and treatments check out our locations.
