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THE MOUTHPIECE Gate Dental Clinic Galway   091 547592

Will you keep your teeth for life?

www.gateclinic.com

At any one given time four out of every five adults suffer from gum disease. Gum disease is never cured, it is only controlled by attention to detail and removal of plaque on a daily basis. However, if caught in the early stages it is entirely possible to control the progress of this endemic problem and keep your smile for life.

Signs of Gum disease.

1. Bleeding while brushing your teeth.

2.     There may also be redness, swelling, and unpleasant breath.

3.     Some people also experience an odd metallic taste in their mouth.

4.     Your teeth may also become highly sensitive to changes in temperature. ( The adverts for sensitive toothpaste should say. “See your dentist and find out why they are sensitive.”)

5.     Exposure of root surfaces and the appearance of “longer” teeth.

Causes of gum disease

There is a cuff or collar of gum around every tooth we call a “pocket” and this forms a hiding place making it difficult to clean. The bacteria (plaque) irritates the soft gums  causing inflammation.  This  inflammation slowly but surely eats away the bone. Over time this means the grip for the teeth is lost and the teeth get loose  eventually falling out or need extraction.

There are many factors that contribute to this process and we will look at these in following articles, including:

Teeth that have tipped and tilted into the spaces of teeth that have been extracted and not replaced.

Poorly fitting fillings and restorations where food and bacteria may catch between them.

Health factors such as diabetes, pregnancy, dry mouth syndromes or drug therapies you may be taking. Even  the physical inability to manipulate the toothbrush correctly.

Dietary factors. What you eat will influence both the type of bacteria and your body’s response to the bacterial build up.

Treatment of gum disease.

First the problem must be identified and diagnosed. Your dentist can assess the degree of bone loss and depth of pockets around your teeth. They may use x-rays to assess the current levels of bone and keep these as a record to compare back to at a later date. Identifying contributory factors and correcting these will be an important part of the treatment. But removal of the bacteria, again and again and again is the mainstay of controlling your gum disease.

This is a joint exercise between you and your dentist and the hygienist.

You need to learn the techniques and acquire the daily habits of good toothbrushing either manually or using an electronic toothbrush, correct daily flossing, appropriate mouthwashing.

Your dentist and team will diagnose, advise and offer you the treatment needed to help you keep your teeth for life.

If you don’t have a dentist, the best way to find one is “ask a friend”.

Dr Paul Moore BDS.  Galway.

School starts shortly and time once again to kit out our sons and daughters for the season. Hurling, football camogie, soccer, rugby… Lets start it with a smile and finish it with a smile.
Statistically, one in six children will damage their front teeth!
Mouthgaurds come in various guises. You can buy mouthgauards in the sports shop and heat them in water moulding tham to your teeth, or you can ask your dentist to make a vacumm fitted, customised mouthgaurd. The latter is better, as we shall see.
The purpose of a mouthgaurd is to protect your teeth and gums and to cushion a blow to the jaw to reduce the chance of tooth fracture, tooth loss, jaw fracture and concusion. The important point is the mouthgaurd must be comfortable to wear and must be worn at all times during contact sport or training. The custom made mouthgaurd is less bulky to wear and therefore more likely to be worn but equally important will not be dislodged at point of impact because it grips so well. Because the fit is so good the mouthgaurd stays in place and cushions the impact of a ball, an elbow, a hurl … reducing  the force  imparted to the teeth and limiting the damage.
Every year at the practice we have half a dozen chipped teeth which will never be whole again  and despite our best efforts with fillings, venners, crowns, bridges and implants, nothing is as good as the original tooth.
Its also very straightforward to make. With one accurate system impression your dentist can send this to the technician who will cast a precise model of the teeth and using a vacuum system, pull an even sheet of soft  polycarbonate onto the model to cover the teeth and 3 – 4 mm of gums. These can even be made in diferent colours and have the name inserted!.
There are various thicknesses and some mouthgaurds have a soft inner and hard outer layer to improve comfort and strength. They can even be made in various colours!
Usually costing from 70 – 100 euro these mouthgaurds should be a compulsory requirement for all contact sports to prevent unncessary dental trauma.
If an injury does occur during a sporting event, remember these basic rules.
With any head injury there is a danger of concussion. “If in doubt, check it out.” Go straight to the hospital where you have any of the following symptoms over the following days: headaches, loss of conciousness or memory, confusion,  sleepiness, nausea, dizziness, slurred speech, vomiting, vision impairment or behavioural changes.
If there is a dental injury,
Keep any fractured bits of teeth. These can sometimes be bonded back in place.
If the tooth is knocked out completely, seek dental attention as soon as possible. Teeth can  be  washed and re-implanted,  ( the sooner the better ) and held in position unitl you can get to a dentist who can splint it in position. If you can do this immediately their is a good chance that the tooth will reintegrate.
“Prevention is better than Cure.”
Ask your dentist for a customised vacuum formed mouthgaurd and keep that winning smile