An extremely important part of any routine dental examination is the detection of decay.
Although decay may not cause any discomfort or pain, the tooth may still be deteriorating and therefore must be treated properly. By using the latest cutting edge technology we can detect decay in the very early stages- helping to prevent future costly dental treatment.
During a regular visit to your dentist or hygienist they will use special tools and techniques to check for areas of early tooth decay. They will then remove any plaque and show you the proper way to effectively clean your teeth and prevent further buildup.
Even though a tooth may look and feel healthy the only way to be sure your teeth are healthy is to visit your dentist regularly. At Gracefield Dental we use highly advanced low-dosage x-rays to assess the whole of the tooth, including the roots and bone surrounding your teeth which can’t be seen with the naked eye.
Mouth cancer is a malignant growth which can occur in any part of the mouth including the lips, throat and tongue. Although your dentist will perform a routine screen during examinations, you should inform them at once if you have any concerns or notice anything unusual.
Research shows that mouth cancers have a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, skin cancer or cervical cancer. Despite treatment, the mortality rate is just over 50%, with over 1,750 deaths per year in Ireland and the UK. Most of these deaths occur because of late detection, so it’s imperative that we check for any abnormalities in every patient’s mouth.
As with any cancer, early detection of mouth cancer is key to raising your chances of surviving the disease. Our dentists at Gracefield Dental will check for abnormalities at every one of your routine appointments.
The temporomandibular joint or ‘TMJ’ is the joint located just in front of your ears. Like all joints, the TMJ has a cartilage disc that is subject to wear and displacement which can cause pain, clicking or, in the worst cases, locking.
A hard plastic mouth guard worn at night is often the solution.
Unlike other joints in your body that work in isolation to each other (i.e. you can bend one of your knees on its own without bending the other), the TMJ is comprised of two joints on the left and right which have to move together. If either is out of synchrony with the other it can lead to TMJ dysfunction. Grinding and/or clenching your teeth can cause TMJ damage over time.
Anti-inflammatory tablets and painkillers may help relieve symptoms as well as massaging the affected muscles, applying ice packs and avoiding hard or chewy foods. If there is an underlying cause such as a grinding habit or a misalignment of the joint, a specially made hard plastic mouth guard worn at night may be required as a treatment. If teeth are missing in the posterior of the mouth it may be necessary to replace them.
Symptoms and signs of a TMJ problem may include:
Long term effects of TMJ problems include:
In addition to being damaged by decay, teeth can be eroded over time by acids in the mouth that come from food, drink or from your stomach. These acids dissolve minerals in a tooth's hard enamel surface, making it thin and extremely sensitive to hot and cold food and drink.
Erosion can be caused by the acidity in fizzy drinks including ‘diet’ drinks which are just as harmful as their sugar based equivalents. Your Gracefield Dentist or Dental Hygienist will discuss the harmful effects of fizzy drinks and other foods during your appointment.
You can help protect your teeth from erosion by following these guidelines:
COPYRIGHT ©2017 GRACEFIELD DENTAL PRACTICE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
