Redmond Molloy Blog

Simply brushing, drinking and grinding can damage your Teeth.

Tooth Wear is the loss of tooth surface, which is not caused by decay or by an injury. It can cause many dental problems, from tooth discoloration to sensitivity to more severe dental problems, such as indentions in the teeth, severe tooth sensitivity, and even cracked teeth.

Tooth wear can do severe damage to your teeth, but it can also be prevented. Since tooth wear can occur from several different factors, it's important to talk with our dentists at Redmond Molloy if you suspect that you might have tooth wear. We can also point you in the direction of dental products that are designed specifically to help prevent sensitivity caused by tooth erosion, abrasion or attrition. Solutions are generally really simple from a simple filling to a grinding splint all less than €150.

There are three categories of Tooth Wear:

o Erosion

o Abrasion

o Attrition

Early Symptoms of Tooth Erosion

Erosion is caused by excessive acid exposure on the teeth.( Wine,fizzy drinks, Cider, excessive fruit consumption)

Discoloration - The dentin (underlying tooth substance) of the tooth is exposed during tooth erosion, discoloration or yellowing of the teeth can occur. The more dentin that is exposed, the more yellow the teeth will become.

Tooth Sensitivity

Rounded Teeth

Transparent or Sand Blasted Appearance

Advanced and Severe Symptoms of Tooth Erosion

Cracking - The edges of the teeth can start to crack and crumble giving a rough feeling.

Dents

Extreme Sensitivity

Severe Acid Erosion 

Abrasion

This is the wearing down of tooth surface caused by friction most commonly by tooth brushing.

o Occurs when teeth are brushed too forcefully usually with horizontal strokes.

o The use of a hard toothbrush and abrasive (smokers) toothpaste can also cause the problem.

o It is often evident on the outer surfaces of the back teeth.

o A wedge or V shaped indentation of the tooth will be seen at the gum margin

Attrition

 

Bruxism

It can take place during waking hours, but occurs more commonly while people are asleep.

The causes of Bruxism are considered to be stress, anxiety and the abnormal positioning of jaws and of teeth (malocclusion).

The effects of bruxism can be treated and made more comfortable, by the use of a nightguard.

Tips to prevent or minimise tooth wear:

After consuming acidic foods or beverages, rinse your mouth with water to neutralize the acid.

Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after consuming acidic foods or beverages to allow the teeth to remineralise after the acid exposure.

Cut back on fizzy drinks and try replacing them with water, milk or un-sweetened coffee and tea.

Remember Diet Coke is more acidic than regular Coke.

Swallow acidic liquids quickly instead of swishing them around or holding them in your mouth. Also the use of a straw minimizes the exposure of the teeth to acidic liquids.

Chewing sugar-free gum can help increase the saliva flow and reduce dry mouth, allowing for your teeth to remineralise.

Always use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride can help to reduce tooth sensitivity and strengthen teeth.

Wear a dentist supplied night time bruxing splint if you clench or grind your teeth.

 

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO PREVENT TOOTH WEAR

 

 

 

 

 

Jaw pain some common causes from Redmond Molloy

Chronic facial pain and jaw pain is a very common condition. Some common symptoms of jaw pain include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, or moderate to severe headaches and neck pain.

Two joints and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak or swallow. They include muscles and ligaments, as well as the jaw bone--the mandible with two joints called the temporomandibular joints or “TMJ.”

The TM joints are among the most complex joints in the body. Located on each side of the head, they work together to make many different movements, including a combination of rotating and gliding actions used when chewing and speaking.

Each TM joint has a disc between the ball and socket (see diagram). The disc cushions the load while enabling the jaw to open widely and rotate or glide. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder and jaw pain.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Our dentists at Redmond Molloy can help identify the source of the jaw pain with a thorough dental exam and appropriate x-rays. Often, the jaw pain may be from a sinus problem, a toothache or an early stage of periodontal disease.

But for some types of jaw pain, the cause is not easily diagnosed. The pain may be related to the facial muscles, the jaw or the TM joint.
 
Some TM problems result from arthritis, dislocation or injury. Muscles that move the joints are also subject to injury and disease. Injuries to the jaw, head or neck, and diseases such as arthritis, might cause some TM problems. Other factors relating to the way the upper and lower teeth fit together (the bite) may cause some types of TM disorders. Stress and teeth grinding are also considered as possible factors. 

Diagnosis is an important step before treatment. Part of the dental examination includes checking the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving. Your complete medical history may be reviewed. Our dentists may take x-rays and may make a "cast" of your teeth to see how the upper and lower teeth fit together.

There are several treatments for TMJ disorders. They may include simple resting of the jaw a softer diet for a short time frame, stress-reducing exercises, wearing a mouth protector / Grinding Splint to prevent teeth grinding, orthodontic treatment, medication or surgery.

 

 Treatment may involve a series of steps beginning with the most conservative options. In many cases, only minor, relatively non-invasive treatment may be needed to help reduce the pain.

 

If you have jaw pain book and appointment now

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrities and their teeth Redmond Molloy sheds some light !

 At Redmond Molloy we thought that we would lift the lid as to why you always see beautiful teeth when you look in magazines celebrities aren't necessarily born with everything in the right place, from very simple inexpensive procedures to more complex treatments we explain best we can who has had what.

Nicolas Cage

 

As you will see from the before and after pictures in a lot of the male stars in this blog the main treatments are to have whitening and then full coverage crowns to both whiten and lengthen the teeth and give a fuller smile. Above Nicolas Cage has had all his top and bottom teeth crowned.

So the moral is not to believe what you see, as all this natural beauty that we see in magazines etc has been enhanced, this is not a bad thing as it is routine everyday dentistry and all these treatments are easy to access and are performed by any of the Dentists at Redmond Molloy.

 

David Beckham 

 

There is no major difference between before and after here other than the fact that he may have had a teeth whitening procedure, very simple and conservative could be done over a lunch time.

 

Tom Cruise

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom was not born with a god given smile if you look at the 'Risky Business' 'Top Gun' era you will see that he had problems with a front tooth a poorly fitting crown, since that he has had Orthodontics to move all his teeth to the left for better symmetry and then had an implant placed on the upper right central incisor, you can see it in the picture above if you look very closely.

George Clooney 

Before you can see slightly yellow discoloured teeth which are worn down with use over the years making his front teeth look short and this alters his smile making it look less attractive, his makeover seems to consist of full coverage crowns upper and lower and a much brighter shade to give a fuller longer whiter tooth all round. 

Chris Rock

Before he has gap between two front teeth the symmetry of the gums is higher at the front than the back, showing a lot of gum when he smiles

After colour more uniform throughout everything much more symmetrical, from gum line to tooth shape, also showing a lot less gum. We think that he had had some gum surgery to better shape the top of each tooth and to lenghten the teeth to show less gum. He has had at least ten veneers on the top to correct colour and shape and to bulk out the back teeth to make his smile broader and less narrow, This is straight forward procedure done in two distinct stages gum work first and then the veneers.

 

Zac Effron

Definetely has some whitening and some bonding work done to close the gap between his two front teeth, this can be done very simply by adding white filling material or alternatively by the use of two veneers depending on budget. Whitening is always done first a then you have your new shade to match the restorations into.

 

Noel Gallagher

 

We think that Noel has really had the full mouth rehab done.Got his gums treated by a periodontist first to give a good foundation on which to retsore, then has had approximately 12 crowns placed, after that he is looking a lot more symmetrical and balanced which is really the secret to what makes teeth look beautiful and the smile confident.

Don't ignore loose teeth Redmond Molloy explains.

1. 1. Should I be concerned about loose teeth?

• Yes, you should. Loose teeth can lead to serious problems.
  • Food trapped between teeth can cause gum disease and loosening of teeth.
  • The ability to chew properly can be impaired.
  • Teeth moving out of their normal positions can make the mouth less attractive.
  • Loose teeth will eventually have to be extracted if they are not attended to.

 

 
2. What causes loosening of teeth?

• Gum disease
  • Gum Disease is the major cause of loose teeth.
  • The gums and supporting bone are destroyed.
  • Loose teeth and receding gums are a symptom of gum disease.
• Malocclusion
  • Teeth meeting the wrong way during chewing.
  • Extra stress is put on the teeth that come together before all the other teeth meet. This causes the surrounding bone to thin. It is then not able to hold the tooth firmly in place.
• Bruxism or the habitual grinding or clenching of teeth.
• Trauma to teeth during sporting or other accidents.
• Infection can cause teeth to be loose 

X-ray of bone loss

Gum disease

Illustration of x-ray showing gum disease and bone loss

3. What can be done about loose teeth?

• The cause of the loosening must be found and treated.
• Treating the gum disease that has caused the loosening can firm up the teeth.
• Teeth loosened by malocclusion (bad bite) can firm up when the bite is corrected by orthodontic treatment and/or replacement crowns.
  • The new crowns will fit over the natural crowns.
  • They will be made to correct the previous imbalance in the size and position of the teeth.
• Teeth that are loosened by a grinding habit can be firmed by wearing a night guard, that fits over teeth and prevents grinding. It is usually worn at night.
• Teeth loosened by a blow often firm up with time.
  • Resting the loose tooth is important.
  • Try not to chew on it for a while.
• If these measures are not successful, the loose teeth can be stabilised by joining them to firmer ones, using a splint.

Nightguard

Nightguard over teeth

 

 

 CONCERNED BY A LOOSE TOOTH CONTACT US

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redmond Molloy Dental Plan budgeting for your dental needs.

The Redmond Molloy Dental Health Plan

Our aim is to provide high quality care and treatment in a relaxed, comfortable and safe environment. We are committed to continuing education and keeping abreast of advances in modern dentistry. Research shows that preventive dentistry delivered on a regular basis greatly reduces the risk of dental disease, heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes and provides a platform for a lifetime of improved health. We encourage such an approach and with this in mind we have designed our dental health plan for our patients. Our plan provides the best chance of keeping you dentally fit and to reduce the need for future treatment. When you join the plan, you will have the peace of mind that all your preventive dental care will be covered by convenient monthly payments. Our plan also provides worldwide Supplementary Insurance for dental emergencies or dental injuries whilst at home or abroad

 

Your benefits

• All your preventive dental care is included.

• Payment by convenient monthly Direct Debit, allowing you to budget.

• No need for an assessment – you can join immediately.

• No waiting periods – cover for all treatment is available immediately.

• No maximum value on discounts.

• Early identification of dental problems can prevent pain, discomfort and unnecessary expense.

• Appointment times to suit you whenever possible.

• Access to a 24 hour dental emergency helpline 365 days per year.

• Worldwide Supplementary Dental Injury and Emergency Insurance at terms not available elsewhere.

 

Who is our plan for?

Our plan is designed for any patient who wishes to attend any of our practices and to have peace of mind that their preventive dental care is covered.

 

 

What does our plan include?

 

The Redmond Molloy Dental Health Plan costs €15.00 per patient per month and it covers:

 

• One examination per year including scale and polish, periodontal advice and oral cancer examination.

 

• One hygienist visit per year.

 

• All x-rays as clinically necessary.

 

• 10% discount on fillings, extractions, gum treatments and whitening. 15% discount on root canal treatments, crowns, bridges and veneers (excluding orthodontics and implants)

 

• Membership card with 24 hour helpline number for dental emergencies at home or abroad

 

• Worldwide Supplementary Insurance.

 

How do you join our plan? 

There is no need for an assessment. All you have to do is complete a registration form and Direct Debit mandate. In addition to your first monthly payment, a one-off registration fee of €12 per person will be charged and will be included in your first Direct Debit payment. If you choose to leave the plan for any reason you can do so after the first 12 month period by simply giving us one month’s notice.

 

Any questions? 

If you have any questions about our plan, please contact our reception team at any of our practices who will be happy to provide further information and guidance.

 

What happens in an emergency? 

You will have access to a 24 hour, 365 day worldwide dental emergency helpline, which will endeavour to find an English speaking dentist to assist you.

 

What does the Supplementary insurance cover?

 

Your Supplementary Insurance provides: cover for

• Up to €15,000 worth of treatment following dental injury

 

• Temporary emergency treatment whilst away from home in the Republic of Ireland or abroad (up to the limits specified)

 

• The call-out fee charged by a dentist opening their surgery to treat you in an emergency (up to the limits specified)

 

• Hospital cash benefit if under the care of an oral/maxillofacial surgeon.

 

• Cash benefit if diagnosed with oral cancer

 

24 hour access to a worldwide emergency helpline

The Supplementary Insurance is designed to cover the cost of temporary emergency treatment whilst you are away from home and therefore excludes the cost of emergency treatment carried out by your own dentist, a rota dentist, or any other dentist within a 25 kilometer radius of your practice. However, call-out fees charged by any dentist to open their surgery (including your own dentist) are recoverable up to policy limits.

In the event of a dental injury, treatment carried out by any dentist (including your own dentist) is covered up to policy limits. Please refer to the Policy Summary and Important Information leaflet and the Policy for full details of the benefits, terms, conditions and exclusions.

 

Terms within this plans are subject to change without notice.

 

 

Opening Hours

8 till late – Monday to Friday

Saturday morning – Balbriggan branch

These are subject to variations in the different branches. Please call for an appointment time that suits you.