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Stuck for a Christmas gift idea? Here are some of our favourite health-friendly gifts this year!
Stuck for a Christmas gift idea? Here are some of our favourite Healthy Christmas gift ideas.
• Electric toothbrush – The perfect gift for someone who has everything, the electric toothbrush gives a professional clean feeling and is suitable for all ages. Compared to manual brushes, electric toothbrushes are more fun to use, clean more thoroughly and remove stains better. Check out Oral B professional care series for a range of toothbrushes approved by your dentist.
• Bobble water bottle – Staying hydrated is important for your whole body, and it is also important for your teeth. Our saliva protects our mouths by washing away food, mineralising the surface of our teeth and buffering acid attacks. This BPA-Free bottle is a handy handbag sized gift, with a reusable carbon filter to improve the taste of tap water.
• Fitbit – For the fitness fanatic in your family or friend looking to make a healthy start, the Fitbit series of wristbands are a great way to motivate and track activity. The products range from a simple pedometer to a full performance band complete with GPS tracking, heart rate and sleep monitoring.
Happy Christmas from all the team at Dental Care Ireland.
Top tips for Healthy Christmas Smile
It’s that time of year again – Christmas lights have started to twinkle, cards and Santa lists are being sent and the countdown has begun. It is a fun and festive time of year, filled with gatherings of family and friends, not to mention lots of delicious food and tempting treats. At Dental Care Ireland, we also like to get into the spirit of the season and sample the delights it has to offer. To help ensure you and your family have a wonderful holiday season, we would like to share some of our Top tips for healthy Christmas Smile.
- At Christmas time, there is likely to be a lot more sweet treats around at home and in work. Think tooth-smart and keep boxes of chocolates, biscuits and sweets out of arm’s reach. Frequency of sugar consumption causes decay, so instead of grazing on your favourite celebrations or sugar cookies, have a few as dessert after a meal. This will help you portion better and protect your teeth from damage.
- Beware of hidden sugars in Christmas puddings, mince pies and cake. The dried fruit in these season favourites are high in sugar and are also very sticky.
- Say yes to the cheese board. Many of the food and drinks we indulge in this season are acidic and lead to erosion of our teeth (fizzy drinks, wine, champagne, fruit). Luckily, cheese does the opposite as it neutralises acid and contains calcium, which helps the tooth surface. Even a small piece of cheese can have a positive effect, so don’t pass on that cheeseboard after dinner!
- Remember your basics in oral hygiene. Your teeth will be exposed to significantly more sugar and acid over the Christmas period, so it is important to remember to keep up your at-home dental care routine. Brush twice per day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily with tepe brushes or floss, and drink plenty of water to keep your Christmas Smile bright.
Sensodyne Sensitive Dentist Awards – Dental Care Ireland Nominations
3rd December 2015
Sensodyne Sensitive Dentist Awards – Dental Care Ireland Dentists nominated at the Dentist of the Year Awards
Dental Care Ireland, the national group of dental practices has announced the nomination of two of its dentists, Dr Kieran Davitt and Dr Maura McGuinness for the Sensodyne Sensitive Dentist of the Year Awards. The Awards organised by Sensodyne and supported by the Irish Dental Association will take place at the RDS in Dublin on Saturday 5th of December 2015.
Over 100 dentists from all over the country have been nominated for the awards for going above and beyond normal patient care, from regular check-ups to toothaches and emergency care to the delicate treatment of nervous patients or young children.
Dental Care Ireland Group Clinical Advisor, Dr Kieran Davitt of Galway and Dr Maura McGuinness of Kells in County Meath have been nominated in recognition of the care they have provided to their patients. Dr Kieran Davitt, BDentSc has been practising as a dentist in Co Galway for over 15 years. Dr Maura McGuinness is based in Dental Care Ireland’s practice in Kells in Co Meath. The practice became part of the Dental Care Ireland group in April 2015.
Established in 2014 by former Euromedic Ireland, Chief Executive, Colm Davitt, Dental Care Ireland is a national network of family dental practices that is fast become the leading dental group in Ireland. The Group specialises in investing in local dental practices and to date has acquired five clinics where it delivers a combination of general and specialist dental care for all the family including Castlebar in Mayo, Kells in Co Meath, Cabinteely and Knocklyon in Dublin and Tullamore in Offaly.
For further information visit www.dentalcareireland.ie
About Dental Care Ireland
Established in October 2014 by brothers Colm and Kieran Davitt, Dental Care Ireland offers a new approach to the provision of dental care in Ireland. According to Mr Colm Davitt, CEO Dental Care Ireland, the company’s strategy is to acquire and invest in local dental practices and develop them in partnership with the incumbent dentist.
As the former CEO of Euromedic Ireland which specialised in radiology, Colm has years of experience of building up successful group practices in this way. “This time last year I started looking at the dental sector and given my experience in building Euromedic I felt there was probably an opportunity in the dental sector to do something similar in terms of the creation of a high quality group of dental practices,” he stated.
“The market is very fragmented in Ireland most of the dental market is comprised of single handed practitioners …so I felt that there was an opportunity to create a group which would take the best traditions of your local dental practitioner and work to support them in terms of a more contemporary approach. To take some of the hassle away from the dentists,”Colm added.
According to Colm one of the key trends he has witnessed in dentistry in Ireland in recent years is a reluctance on the part of younger dentists to own their own practices as it can come with all the potential headaches associated with running your own business such as HR, administration etc. This is where Dental Care Ireland can help. By taking over the running of the business from an administration point of view the dentist is free to concentrate on what they do best – taking care of patients.
Our strategy is to acquire and invest in existing, strong, local dental practices and help to develop them into the future, Colm explained. “We can provide a good supportive organisational structure to work with those dentists, which can work quite well for us and the dental practitioners. There will be increasing requirements in terms of compliance on dentists in the years ahead and many of the dentists will have to invest in their practices, so we feel that the timing is good in terms of creating a group of dental practices,” he added.
To date Dental Care Ireland have acquired a number of dental practices, including Dr John McHugh’s practice in Castlebar Co Mayo, Dr Maura McGuinness’s in Kells in Co Meath, The Park Clinic Dental in Cabinteely and Knocklyon and Dr Kieran Ryan and Dr Chris Scott’s practice in Tullamore. The company is also on track to successfully complete negotiations with more in the coming months.
To date Dental Care Ireland has received extremely positive feedback from dentists with many valuing the many benefits the company can provide to their practices. “We always like the practitioners to stay on with us for anything from a year to five years. The practitioners we are talking to are very supportive because it enables them to realise some value for their lifetime’s work. They can remain practicing as a dentist for a period of time, in many cases easing themselves into retirement. Also they can see that the practice may need an investment or a fresh approach and they are happy to work with us to continue the development of their practice into the long term,” he explained.
Coupled with taking over the hassles associated with running your own business, Dental care Ireland also invests in the practice in areas such as new equipment etc. as well as providing professional marketing and public relations. It will also look after the raft of compliance issues which are coming down the track as a result of promised new dental legislation to replace the 1985 Dental Act.
“We will run the practices on a day to day basis so the practitioner can focus on seeing patients, Colm stated.
There are also numerous benefits to be gained by patients as Dental Care Ireland will offer competitive prices, longer opening hours and a modern high quality patient centred service. “Patients will get a more consistent more standardised approach. We will invest in terms of the facilities, equipment and standards ensuring that they are always at top level”, Colm added.
Dr Kieran Davitt is Group Clinical Advisor to Dental Care Ireland and as a working dentist with a busy practice in Galway; Kieran is all too aware that dentistry in Ireland is changing in more ways than one.
While traditionally dentists have been single handed practitioners working out of their own homes or from a small office off a busy street, Kieran believes that much like what has happened with GPs, more and more dentists will come together to work from larger purpose built practices or primary care centres.
Like Colm, Kieran believes that Dental Care Ireland can play an important role in supporting dentists with the business side of their practices for which they received little if any training.
“When we go to College we get training on clinical issues we are not really trained on running a business, or management or dealing with HR. Longer established dentists haven’t really have to deal with it because there wasn’t that much legislation, but with the new Dental Act that is coming in there are more and more regulations all the time. I find in my own practice I spend much more time now away from the dental chair than I would have five or ten years ago,” he explained.
“If you ask any dentist what they are most comfortable with, they will probably tell you that seeing their patients, treating their patients and doing their dentistry is probably what they are happiest doing. What gives them real headaches and stress would be the extra stuff on the side like the administration and all the other things that they are probably not used to, or trained to do,” Kieran added.
Dental Care Ireland therefore can come in and take over the headache of administration leaving dentists to their clinical work and their patients. Kieran believes that this is something that would be very appealing to a number of his colleagues.
“Our idea is to run modern, well-equipped practices that are well marketed. We would like to improve or grow existing dental practices and we would like dentists to be part of it,” he concluded.
Oral Cancer – Lowering risk
Oral Cancer
Lowering your risk
Oral cancer is the 8th most common cancer worldwide and affects the lips, tongue and mouth. It is no longer a disease confined to heavy smokers and drinkers, and is something that should be examined for at all ages. In the early stages, oral cancer can go unnoticed. Unfortunately, most cases of this cancer are found in the late stage when treatment is extremely difficult and invasive. Oral cancer screening is one of the many reasons why a regular dental check-up is so important. At every check-up, your dentist will examine your entire mouth for early signs of oral cancer.
Visit mouthcancerawareness.ie for more information.
Early detection of oral cancer could save your life. Examine your mouth on a regular basis for changes that last more than two weeks. Things to look out for are non-healing ulcers, extremely dry patches, changes in colour or texture, unexplainable lumps, or difficultly swallowing. If you are concerned about any changes in your mouth, do not hesitate to visit your dentist. Your dentist may recommend that you have a small biopsy taken of the area concerned. This is a simple straightforward procedure.
How can I lower my risk?
- Visit your dentist at least once a year for a full check-up, even if you wear full dentures
- Lower your consumption of alcohol
- Try to quit smoking
- Wear sun factor on your face and lips EVERY time you will be outside for extended lengths of time (e.g. playing sports, farming, sailing, fishing etc)
- Eat a nutritious diet full of fruit and vegetables
- Protect yourself from viral infections such as human papilloma virus (HPV) which is spread via oral sex
Mouth Guards
It is an exciting time in Irish sports with the Rugby World Cup starting tonight and the GAA All-Ireland Senior Championship final this weekend. Just like professional athletes, your family deserves the best protection while playing contact sports. As the school and college term kicks off, there is no better time to invest in protective mouth guards.
Contact sports are a great way to stay active. At the same time, they put our teeth and jaw at risk of contact injury. As dentists, we frequently see dental injuries such as fractured teeth, teeth pushed up into the socket, knocked out teeth and occasionally broken or dislocated jaws.
How can I protect my teeth?
Protecting your teeth against dental injury starts with a custom sports guard. Unlike store-bought “boil and bite” guards, custom sports gum shields protect your teeth, gums and surrounding bone. Store-bought guards are more bulky, lack retention, interfere with speech, breathing and need frequent replacement. By contrast, custom sports guards are bespoke to your mouth, with the thickness tailored to the level of impact of the sport for shock absorption, optimum retention and are long-lasting. Research has shown that store-bought guards are also twice as likely to lead to mild traumatic brain injuries or concussion than custom guards (Academy of General Dentistry, 2014).
Where can I get a custom sports guard?
Your dentist can create a custom gum shield for you. They will take impressions (moulds) of your mouth, and will send these to a laboratory for fabrication of the guard. Your dentist will discuss the type of guard suitable to the sports you play and customize your guard appropriately. They can also add team colours!
Replacement of a sports guard is recommended each year for a growing child, as their jaw and teeth arrangement will change. As adults, replacement is needed when the guard is showing signs of wear. Bring your sports guard to your dental check-up so that your dentist can assess whether it is giving you maximum protection.
Stress and your Oral Health
Stress and your Oral Health
We are all too familiar with stress, and how it can affect our energy levels, sleep patterns and mood. What you may not be aware of is how stress can also have an impact on your mouth. As dentists, we are seeing more and more cases of patients with stress-related oral health problems. If you are concerned about your oral health, please visit your dentist for a consultation.
Teeth grinding and clenching
Bruxism is the habit of grinding or clenching the teeth. People often do this at night-time or while concentrating on something. You may notice yourself waking up to a sore jaw, suffering from frequent headaches or a partner may hear you grinding at night. Over time bruxism can lead to extensive tooth wear, cracked teeth, jaw pain, sensitive teeth and headaches.
Treatment for teeth grinding and clenching involves jaw exercises, and creating a custom night guard (splint), which acts to protect your teeth, correctly reposition your jaw, and relax your jaw muscles.
Sores and ulcers
Stress can also affect the gums and soft tissues of the mouth. It is a common cause of mouth ulcers (aphthous ulcers) and cold sores (herpes labialis). Many of our patients find that they are prone to sores or ulcers during exam time or with deadlines at work. It is important to listen to your body and try to relieve stress even when you are busy. Remember to take breaks, eat well and get exercise.
Top tips for relieving stress
- Introduce an activity such as swimming, walking or yoga into your routine
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Limit your evening time spent on backlit screens (phones, tablets and computers)
- Limit your caffeine intake, and try not to have any tea/coffee after 6pm
- Try meditation or listening to relaxing music
- Indulge yourself with a massage, or simply take time out for a bath
Your oral health
Did you know that your dentist could spot signs of coeliac disease and diabetes during a simple dental examination? Look after your oral health with Dental Care Ireland.
We often view oral health as separate from general health but the two have much in common. Some risk factors for chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer are the same for oral disease. Yet few people connect what’s going on in their mouth with what’s happening with the rest of their body. The links are largely ignored despite mouth problems impacting school attendance, nutrition and an individual’s overall quality of life and wellbeing.
Dentists can identify possible signs of a number of serious conditions due to the fact that health issues can lead to oral problems and vice versa in some cases. Mouth lesions could be a sign of a HIV infection and pale and bleeding gums could signal the presence of blood disorders. The presence of aphthous ulcers in the mouth could also mean a patient has coeliac or Crohn’s disease.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), risk factors for oral diseases include, tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diet, poor oral hygiene and social factors. A lot of these risk factors are present for cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.
Common Risk Factors
The “Oral Health in Ireland: A Handbook for Professionals”, produced by the Irish Dental Health Foundation, outlines that several risk factors for major chronic diseases are shared with oral disease. They include diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, hygiene, injuries, control and stress and socio-economic status. The handbook states that diet is a risk factor for dental decay, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancers and obesity.
Stress and control, according to the Handbook, are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and periodontal disease. “It has been theorised that chronic stress speeds up the process of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries and that the stress hormone cortisol plays a role in increased periodontal destruction. Cortisol also acts to suppress the immune system, allowing bacteria to flourish in the mouth,” the Handbook outlines. We’re all familiar with the phrase ‘too much sugar will rot your teeth’ but poor nutrition can also lead to many other health problems, as outlined above. The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated more than 10 years ago that a clear relationship exists between oral health and general health. In 2005 a bulletin from the Organisation remarked that: “oral health affects people physically and psychologically and influences how they grow, enjoy life, look, speak, chew, taste food and socialise, as well as their feelings of social wellbeing”.
“Oral diseases are the most common of the chronic diseases and are important public health problems because of their prevalence, their impact on individuals and society, and the expense of their treatment,” the Organisation declared.
Kieran Davitt of Dental Care Ireland says that he has picked up on a number of undiagnosed health conditions during dental examinations. “I would have diagnosed ulcerations before and they would have lead on to oral cancer. “I have also come across a lot of people with oral ulcerations and sometimes it’s very severe and can be a sign of vitamin and iron deficiencies. It can be a sign of coeliac disease and it can be Crohn’s disease.”
Diabetes
Decay and periodontal or gum disease are the two major conditions that impact the teeth. Severe periodontal disease is linked to diabetes, as diabetes can lower the body’s resistance to infection placing patients more at risk of having oral health problems. According to the HSE toothache, stress and anxiety can affect blood sugar levels. Patients with diabetes are advised to inform their dentist of their condition. Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes are more likely to develop oral health problems such as dry mouth, which increases the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, oral infections and poor healing.
Diabetes affects almost six per cent of the Irish population, with around 190,000 patients in Ireland. The HSE has projected that this figure will increase by 60 per cent in the next 10 to 15 years, which is a huge cause for concern as diabetes care already consumes 10 per cent of the Irish healthcare budget. A paper in the Journal of the Irish Dental Association entitled: “Does the dentist have a role in identifying patients with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus?” recommends that a screening policy be developed for implementation in practices to detect undiagnosed diabetes.
“Dentists are ideally suited to screen for signs and symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes through medical history taking and oral examination, and should refer any patients about whom they have concerns to their general medical practitioner for further testing,” the paper notes. It adds that dentists have an important part to play in identifying patients with undiagnosed diabetes and says dentists may have a crucial role in helping to manage the condition by treating periodontal disease. Mr Davitt believes there is a role for dentists in identifying diabetes and is in favour of screening in practices. “I think it would be a good idea if there were more concerted, coordinated policies in place. For example dietary policies on anti-smoking or alcohol, and I think to include dentists in that would be a great idea.”
Cancer
World Head and Neck Cancer Day recently took place, highlighting the prevalence of such cancers in Ireland.
Mouth Cancer Awareness Day takes place in Ireland on September 16 this year. Audit figures for the number of oral cancers in Ireland annually, compiled by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) and the National Cancer Registry, show there were 165 oral cancers recorded in 2009. This figure rose to 183 in 2010 and in 2011 183 oral cancers were documented. In 2012 the figure dropped to 159.
James Paul O’Neill, Professor of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the RCSI, says that dentists should review all areas of the oral cavity, including the lips, alveolar margins, hard palate, buccal mucosa, floor of mouth, anterolateral tongue, retromolar trigone for any areas of concern. Dentists “have a definite primary care role” when it comes to mouth cancer, he believes. He advises that any issues should be referred to an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Head and Neck Surgeon. The signs and symptoms of oral cancer specific to the oral cavity include persistent pain, ulceration, bleeding gums, loose dentures, loose teeth and painful swallowing. Individuals that smoke, consume alcohol and who have poor diets high in processed foods and red meat are at greater risk of developing oral cancer.
Thanks to awareness campaigns like Mouth Cancer Awareness Day, Mr Davitt says that more people are now conscious of mouth cancer, particularly smokers. In under a minute a dentist can undertake a soft tissue screening to check for lesions – a simple inspection that could save a person’s life.
Haemophilia
Haemophilia sufferers must take extra care when visiting their dentist due to the reduced ability of their blood to clot. According to the National Haemophilia Council, proper dental care is essential for haemophilia patients. Regular dental visits are advised to reduce the risk of developing infections and other problems. If extractions are required the Council recommends coordination between a patient’s dentist and haemophilia centre to ensure any bleeding is contained and dealt with appropriately.
Bleeding gums signal early gum disease and are a common problem among the general population but individuals with haemophilia must take extra caution if bleeding gums occur and regular check-ups are recommended. The Council advises that everyone with haemophilia attend his or her dentist at least once a year for a check up. Dr Barry White, Consultant Haemotologist and National Haemophilia Director at the National Centre for Hereditary Coagulation Disorders at St James’s Hospital says that the centre has a comprehensive oral heath programme for haemophilia sufferers. “Oral health is very important for haemophilia care,” he advises.
Teeth Whitening – Debunking the Myths
Everyone notices a beautiful white smile. However many of our patients come to us for advice when their teeth have become stained or darkened over time. Superficial staining from tea, coffee, and red wine can often be removed with a professional cleaning. Beyond this, teeth whitening is a safe and non-destructive option that can brighten up the appearance of your smile.
Below are some of the commonly asked questions our patients have about teeth whitening – time to debunk the myths!
Does it work?
Yes! Teeth whitening will lighten the natural tooth surface. The extent to which it works depends on the original shade of your teeth and the reason the teeth were discoloured in the first place. Younger and lightly discoloured teeth are easier to bleach. Older teeth or those with a grey or black appearance will take longer. It is important to be aware that only the natural tooth will whiten, so any fillings or crowns you have will not change colour. Your dentist will tailor a teeth whitening program to suit your needs.
What does it involve?
Professional teeth whitening involves placing a whitening agent into custom made dental trays. You will have a series of appointments with your dentist where you will be examined, get impressions taken of your teeth, the shade of your teeth determined and where progress will be monitored. At home, you will be advised to wear the trays, usually at night, for a number of weeks.
Is it harmful?
No. Some patients may feel that their teeth are sensitive after bleaching, but this usually only lasts a few days and can be relieved with sensitive toothpaste. Other people may notice their gums become sore, which will also be short-term. Overall, it is safe for your teeth and gums.
This type of teeth whitening is prescribed by dentists and complies with EU legislation (2012) as being safe for consumers.
Five top tips for looking after your teeth
Looking after your teeth and keeping your mouth fresh and healthy is easy – follow our top tips to get the sparkle back in your smile!
Scrub up
We all know we should brush our teeth. But do you know when and for how long? Brushing straight after food will lead to tooth wear, so brush before eating in the morning and last thing before bed. Use a medium bristle brush for 2 mins for best results. Electric toothbrushes are a great option for patients with stains or who find it hard to use a manual brush.
Spit don’t rinse!
After you brush, spit out the toothpaste from your mouth – but don’t rinse it! Allow time for the active ingredients in your paste to work their magic on the surfaces of your teeth.
What lies beneath
Remember the last time you cleaned the dark corners of your fridge or cooker? Brushing only cleans the visible surfaces of your teeth, and doesn’t reach the plaque that gets caught in the nooks and crannies around your mouth. Don’t forget to clean between your teeth every night using interdental brushes or floss.
Keep in check
Regular visits to your dentist and hygienist are a critical part of your oral health. At your dental checkup you will be screened for dental decay, gum disease and oral cancer. Your hygienist will help you keep gum disease at bay and can reach areas under the gum that you can’t at home.
Eat for your teeth
Frequency of sugary and acidic foods leads to decay and tooth wear. Limit acid attacks to three per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner). If you need a treat, have it as part of your meal, rather than a snack. Looking after your teeth means choosing low-sugar low-acid foods such as raw vegetables, nuts and cheese if you need a snack on the go. Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth healthy and ward off bad breath.
