Oral Hygiene

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre our biggest priority is ensuring that all our patients practice excellent oral hygiene. Prevention is better than cure when it comes to dental disease. Gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss in Dublin and Ireland. Gum disease is avoidable when excellent oral hygiene is practiced and patients attend their dentist every 6 months for a dental check-up and a professional dental cleaning. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene prevents bad breath, gingivitis and Periodontitis(Gum Disease). Your best dentist for oral hygiene advice in Dublin.

How do I practice good oral hygiene?

Everyone is responsible for their own oral hygiene. At Smile Hub Dental Clinic we recommend brushing at least twice a day for 2-3 minutes every time. It is important to use a fluoride toothpaste. Flossing once a day is essential with string floss or inter-dental brushes. This helps to remove the food and bacteria between your teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. Studies have demonstrated that if you do not floss that you’re missing 1/3 the surface area of your teeth! At Smile Hub Dental Clinic our friendly dentists will demonstrate for you effective oral hygiene. All patients are provided you with tailored oral hygiene advice to suit your individual dental needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best ways to practice good oral hygiene?

In addition to twice daily teethbrushing with a soft toothbrush and flossing you can take your dental hygiene to the next level by:

Using dental products that contain fluoride
Limiting snacks that are high in sugar
Eating a balanced diet of fruit and vegetables
Avoiding tobacco

Why are my teeth sensitive?

Patients often report sensitivity and pain when eating or drining hot, cold, sweet or acidic foods. Sensitivity happens when tooth enamel is thinned from repeated exposure to acidity and extremes of temperatures. Sensitivity can occur as a result of:

receding gums
tooth grinding during sleep
chipped or fractured teeth
tooth whitening
orthodontics
fillings

Call Smile Hub on 01 5253888 or Book Online Now to arrange a consultation with one of our highly skilled dentists.

I have sensitive teeth, what can I do?

You can use a toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth. Rub a little toothpaste into the sensitive area when going to bed as it helps protect the surface.

Try to avoid strongly acidic foods and drinks and wait at least an hour after eating before brushing as this could cause even more sensitivity. Grinding your teeth can also increase sensitivity and a mouth-guard maybe necessary.

Make sure to call Smile Hub Dental Clinic or Book Online to receive further care to reduce your symptoms. A number of things can cause sensitivity and your dentist in Smile Hub will be able to identify these and advise the correct care.

Should I use mouthwash every day?

Cosmetic mouthwashes freshen your breath, maintain a healthy teeth colour and contain fluoride to help fight cavities. Therapeutic mouthwashes treat conditions such as gingivitis, tooth sensitivity and inflammation. Prescription mouthwashes contain chlorhexidine gluconate which kill bacteria that causes bleeding, inflammation and plaque biofilm formation.

Why are my gums bleeding?

Gums bleed when they are inflamed. This is due to plaque (a soft film of bacteria) being left on the teeth which causes inflammation called gingivitis and if not addressed can develop into gum disease. Over time, if not cleaned off through daily brushing and interdental cleaning, the plaque can turn into a hard deposits known as tartar or calculus. This requires professional scaling by your dentist to remove it.

It is important even if your gums bleed they are still brushed to keep the mouth clean otherwise the bacteria build up in the mouth will make gum inflammation worse. After a few days of thorough cleaning, your gums should begin to stop bleeding. You should call Smile Hub Dental Clinic on 01-5253888 or Book Online Now to arrange a dental check-up.

A good oral care regime should be able to prevent your gums from bleeding if done correctly. We would always suggest that you have regular examinations at your dentist. This can help diagnose and treat anything unusual in your mouth so you get the correct care and advice.

You may have to use a softer brush whilst the gums are inflamed until they become healthier. It is also important to clean in between teeth daily using interdental brushes or floss.

Smoking can cover up a gum problem as it restricts the blood flow to the mouth. If you have recently given up smoking this could allow the gums to get a better circulation and therefore start to bleed.

Why does my mouth feel dry?

Dry mouth can be a symptom of many different problems and can happen as you get older. Quite often it is a side effect of medication especially heart, blood pressure and depression tablets.

If you have a dry mouth, this can be very uncomfortable and it can make eating certain foods very difficult.

Many prescription medicines can cause a dry mouth, if you are taking any regular medication from your doctor, it may be worth discussing these symptoms with him to see if there is an alternative that does not have the same side effects.

If you think that you are suffering with a dry mouth, you should Call or Book Online with one of our highly skilled dentists in Smile Hub Dental Clinic. They may make recommendations to further relieve your dry mouth including over-the-counter medications.