Preventative Dentistry

Dental Hygiene

Good dental hygiene is the bedrock of excellent dental health. However, sometimes you may need a little helping hand to achieve dental hygiene perfection, something an O’Connor Moore Dental Practice hygienist is more than happy to help with.

A deep clean is a great way to boost your oral health in one visit and can protect you from the development of decay and gum disease. It will also leave your teeth smooth and healthy, giving you a gorgeous and rejuvenated smile.

If you are suffering from gingivitis you may benefit from a periodontal cleaning, which is able to remove even the most stubborn of plaque build-ups. An intense clean such as this can prevent gingivitis (gum disease) developing into periodontal disease, which can cause extreme and lasting damage to your teeth, gums and jawbone if left untreated.

If you would like an intense cleaning session with an O’Connor Moore Dental Practice hygienist, please feel free to get in touch with our team and book an appointment.

Proper Toothbrushing Technique

“The OCM Dental team always provide an excellent level of welcome and a top standard service from start to finish.
Visiting Ann the hygienist a couple of times a year helps keeps my dental health in check and is always a pleasant experience. The reception team are very efficient and look after everything you need and more.“

Gum Disease Prevention

Gum disease is one of the major causes of tooth loss in adults and is strongly associated with heart related disease strokes and cancer. The toxins created in the mouth due to gum disease can also cause problems with the heart, such as blocked arteries. Dental plaque causes inflammation in the gums and regular dental checks are a way of preventing it. Generally, people who do not maintain proper oral hygiene are susceptible to gum disease and other illnesses.

Proper Flossing Technique

Steps to prevent gum disease

  • You can easily stop gum disease by preventing plaque/tartar from building up on the teeth and gums. Using toothpaste that contains fluoride with an anti plaque agent and brushing twice a day will help prevent gum disease. Daily flossing is the single best method to remove any plaque between the teeth.
  • Antibacterial mouthwash can also protect your teeth and gums against disease. However, if you already have gum disease, then using an alcohol-based mouthwash can worsen the situation.
  • Sugar free chewing gum is also helpful, since it facilitates oral irrigation and helps remove small particles that get stuck between the teeth.
  • Dental checks can help to identify any current or potential gum disease, most importantly diseases that can cause mouth cancer or heart related diseases.

Preventing gum disease with the help of our hygienist is as important as curing it. Regularly following an effective oral health regime will help avoid most oral diseases.

 

Bad Breath

Bad Breath, also known as halitosis, is actually a disease and not just one of life’s little annoyances. Many who face this problem are embarrassed and subsequently do not take the steps towards asking for help and curing it.

At O’Connor Moore Dentist in Sligo, we offer treatment and advice to help deal with this condition, so that you can once again enjoy social situations without the worry of exhibiting bad breath.

If you need help or more tips on getting rid of bad breath, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to assist.

Mouth Cancer Screening

Screening is the process by which doctors examine a person for signs of cancer. The purpose of screening is to find cancer at its early stage, when it is easier to treat. However, when the symptoms of cancer become obvious, it may have reached the stage where it is more difficult to treat, so it is always better to find cancer earlier rather than later. Mouth cancer screening at O’Connor Moore Dental Practice involves the testing of the face, lips and the oropharynx.

During regular dental checks your dentist will look for lesions in the oropharynx or in the oral cavity. The formation of red and white patches of cells on the mucous membranes is capable of becoming cancerous, and if lesions are found the tissues will require examining.

If you’d like to know more on this topic, please contact our Dentists in Sligo and we will be happy to help.

Fissure Seals

Preventing tooth decay

When the biting surface of the teeth are in danger of becoming decayed, a white plastic coating – called a fissure seal – is painted over them to protect them from cavities. When a large amount of sugar from various kinds of food and drinks collects on the biting surface of the teeth, it can easily lead to tooth decay. Often the bristles of toothbrushes are too large to really clean inside the grooves of our teeth and so we are unable to properly remove debris and plaque. Therefore sealing the fissure and the pits of our teeth is the best method to shield them against decay.

The process of fissure sealing is not at all painful, takes around 5 minutes and you simply need to keep your mouth open during the procedure to keep your teeth dry.

How is it done?

Firstly, the tooth that needs to be sealed is cleaned thoroughly. After this, cotton is placed on the tooth to keep it dry and a blue jelly is applied on the tooth with a tiny brush. The tooth is then washed again with water and a small sucker is used to remove the water and the jelly. The tooth is then dried with the help of an air jet. Finally, the fissure sealant is painted onto your tooth, immediately followed by the shining of a blue light to harden the seal.

A fissure seal from O’Connor Moore Dental Practice can last for 2- 5 years and can easily be replaced once it has worn off.

Decay Detection & Prevention

Tooth decay happens when bacteria are allowed to develop in the mouth. This bacterium excretes acid that eats the tooth away and is found in the sticky substance known as plaque. Plaque resides between the teeth and feeds on the sugar found in the food that we eat. Unfortunately, the symptoms of a decayed tooth are only visible when a cavity is formed. Therefore it is important to know the signs of tooth decay and to attend check-ups with your dentist.

 

Signs of tooth decay

  • White spots: Chalky white spots on the tooth are one of the first signs of tooth decay. It indicates the weakening of enamel and if not treated immediately may become a cavity.
  • Brown spots: These appear when the decay has developed into a cavity.
  • Sensitivity: Sensitivity to sweet food or temperatures indicates that the dentin has been affected and the decay has developed beyond the tooth surface.
  • Softening of the enamel: This may be unnoticeable for untrained eyes, but can be clearly seen by a dentist. Treatment at this early stage can avoid costly techniques later.
  • A dentist is capable of detecting many other early signs of tooth decay, so it is highly recommended that you attend regular dental check-ups.

Book your appointment today

Get in touch to book your consultation. Call us on 071 916 2622.

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