Children’s Check-Up: When and Why?

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

Why do children need bi-annual checkups?

Preventive Care Vs Treatment

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

Establish Good Habits

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

Determine Need for Braces

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

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

Ideal time to bring children to the dentist

With summer here and children getting off school, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring them to the dentist whether for their first visit, a regular check-up or an orthodontic consultation

It can be hard to get your children to the dentist at the best of times, but when they’re at school, it can be even more difficult for busy parents to organise. So when summer arrives, it is often easier for all concerned to make the time for a vital check-up.

First visit

It is recommended that infants should first be brought to the dentist when their first tooth appears which is generally when they are about six months old. It is good to get them used to the idea of a dentist from an early age. Dentists will also be able to advise you on how best to look after your young children’s baby teeth. They will also be able to spot the beginnings of any problems that may occur later.

We have written in the past about how to ensure your child’s first dental visit is a success and we believe it is crucial that children should feel comfortable and relaxed so that subsequent visits are also stress-free.

School children

Most national or primary level school children finish up at the end of June. You may then be going on holidays or they may be doing summer camps, so it is worth booking them in for a check-up before those things happen. That way, you won’t have to worry about it for the rest of the summer or be under pressure when school begins again in late August.

Ideally, of course, there would be regular free check-ups during school and the Irish Dental Association (IDA) has consistently urged to government to introduce more frequent dental screenings in Irish schools. The Health Service Executive (HSE) does operate the Schools Screening Services which aims to screen children in second, fourth and sixth class. However, the IDA points out that “due to restrictions in the public service, these target classes are not always reached”.

So it is worthwhile bringing your children yourself. Your dentist will then get an opportunity to assess what treatment is needed, if any, including fissure sealants or fillings. They will also be able to advise you and your child on how best to look after their first teeth, including what food and drink to avoid and how to brush properly. Often, children need to hear this not just from you as parents but from a professional.

As with most health issues, prevention is better than cure, so regular visits will allow dentists to spot potential problems and deal with them as early as possible. At this age – from four to 12 – regular dentists will also be able to monitor how your child’s mouth is developing and when – or if – they will need to see an orthodontist.

Teenagers

If your children have been used to going to the dentist regularly from an early age, it will generally be easier to get them to go when they become teenagers. However, as any parent will tell you, bad habits can begin to slip in when your children hit their teens.

It is up to you to encourage good dental habits, such as brushing regularly, flossing and having the right diet (as much as possible). It is also worth encouraging them to be independent and take care of themselves, which means going to the dentist for a check-up or to see a hygienist. However, as we all know, ‘ordering’ teens to do anything, let alone go to the dentist, can be counter-productive.

Teenagers, like the rest of us, care about their health and their appearance so will want to have strong, healthy teeth. So help them to achieve this by allowing them to make their own appointments with the dentist and taking responsibility for their own wellbeing.

However, you can also make an appointment for them and bring them to the dentist if that’s easier for all concerned. The important thing is to make sure they are getting regular check-ups.

Orthodontics

As well as good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, orthodontic treatment will probably be the biggest dental treatment your children will need. A majority of young people need to get braces fitted and the best time to do it is usually between the ages of 10 and 13, though it will depend on the child.

While braces were once unwieldy and sometimes uncomfortable, nowadays they are much easier to fit and to wear. Thanks to modern technology, people can now choose from traditional braces, tooth-coloured ceramic ones or clear Invisalign types which are custom-made for patients’ mouths and which blend in naturally so that they are not unsightly. We use all three kinds in Dental Care Ireland practices and we work with our patients – and their parents – to choose the most suitable type.

Click here for more on the range of treatments available in Dental Care Ireland practices around the country. To find a practice nearest you, visit our website here: https://www.dentalcareireland.ie/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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 20^th-24^th.

Book an appointment for your children in your local Dental Care Ireland practice.

Many thanks and happy brushing!

The Dental Care Ireland Team

Win a Free Dental Exam, Clean & Tooth Whitening

Win a free dental exam!! It might be a miserable January but spring is only just around the corner. We at Dental Care Ireland are here to help you look your best with an exclusive dental care offer available to our Facebook fans.

The prize will include a free dental exam with one of our dentists, teeth cleaning and take home whitening kit (worth up to €300) from the Dental Care Ireland Clinic of your choice. We have clinics in Cabinteely, Knocklyon, Castlebar, Kells and Tullamore.

You’ll receive your exam and clean before having impression taken for your home whitening kit trays. Trays may take up to 10 days depending on the practice you visit. Castlebar patients should receive their trays within 48 hours.

To enter, simply like and share the Facebook post and you will be added to a random draw.  The winner will be selected at 5pm on Monday 25 January and announced on Tuesday 26 January 2016.

You must ‘like’ and ‘share’ the post before 4pm on Monday 25 January 2016  for your entry to be included.

Good luck!

Oral Cancer – Lowering risk

Oral Cancer
Lowering your risk

Oral cancer is the 8^th 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