You should visit your dentist at least once a year, more often if you have difficulties. Remember under the PRSI and Medical Card dental schemes you are entitled to a free oral examination once a year!

PRSI payers are entitled to an annual oral examination free of charge, and a subsidised scaling and polishing.

Generally, you are entitled:
    •    One Oral Examination in a calendar year
    •    Two Emergency Fillings in a calendar year
    •    Extractions
Most other treatment has been limited to high-risk patients i.e. patients who are suffering from a medical condition or emergency circumstances. Your dentist will apply to the HSE for approval for your treatment.

If you think there is a chance you might be pregnant, it is always wise to inform your dentist before you begin treatment. Being pregnant will not prevent you from having dental treatment carried out, but most dentists prefer to defer any elective procedures (procedures that are not absolutely necessary) until after the pregnancy is over. This is particularly the case during the first and third trimesters. The taking of dental x-rays is also best avoided during pregnancy. However, experts agree that x-rays may be taken, where necessary, in the case of an emergency.

The most common reason why gums bleed is due to the teeth and gums not being cleaned thoroughly enough. If you leave bacteria-containing dental plaque sitting on the teeth, the bacteria may inflame or infect the gums. This is the source of the bleeding.

Absolutely! Normal brushing doesn't clean in between the teeth fully. The most common and effective way of doing this is by flossing. The dental floss removes the plaque between teeth. It is important flossing is carried out correctly, and regularly, at least once a day. You should get your dentist to demonstrate for you. Some patients may need to use other methods, like small brushes that fit between the teeth, particularly if the spaces between the teeth are bigger than normal. Your dentist will advise you on the method most suitable for you.

Tooth whitening is a procedure that should be carried out by a dentist only. There are many reasons for this. Hydrogen peroxide is a substance that should be handled with care and this should only be done by a qualified dentist. Any staining on your teeth may be due to an underlying condition and your dentist may diagnose this. Further information is available here.

Unfortunately sometimes fillings for whatever reason may fall out or become chipped or broken. There are many reasons for this including biting down suddenly on something hard such as a hard boiled sweet. Symptoms can vary from none at all to sensitivity to hot and cold or tenderness on chewing. A lost filling will always feel much bigger to the tongue. It is important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. However, if you cannot immediately access a dentist here are some helpful tips.
    •    If you are having sensitivity try avoiding eating or drinking in that area, similarly if it is painful on biting.
    •    The use of toothpaste can help with the sensitivity by rubbing some fluoride toothpaste on the tooth in question.
    •    As a temporary measure until you visit your dentist you may try and get some oil of cloves or a temporary filling kit from your pharmacy.

However, it is important that you attend your dentist as soon as possible to get the tooth restored to normal function.

Finally, the use of over-the-counter painkillers from a chemist if is constantly painful are also helpful until you contact the dentist.
Don’t place any pain-killing tablets on the site of the tooth or its gum as this can cause burns to the gum.

If a tooth is knocked out, the most important thing is to replace it as soon as possible. The tooth should be picked up by the crown (the part visible in the mouth normally) only. You should not touch the root.

The tooth should be rinsed briefly under cold water to dislodge any dirt. Do not scrub the tooth!

Still holding the crown, place the tooth gently back into the socket. (Make sure it is the right way round - looking at the same tooth on the other side will help here.)

If the tooth can't be put back in the socket, the most important thing is for it to be stored properly until you get to the dentist. Milk is ideal, as it simulates conditions in the body quite well. If milk isn't available, water is better than nothing, but don't let the tooth dry out.

You must attend a dentist as quickly as possible. With all dental injuries, time is of critical importance and will make the difference between possibly keeping the tooth, or surely losing it.

Root canal therapy is where the nerve in the tooth has died and has to be removed. When the nerve dies, as it decays, bacteria multiply and cause an infection. This leads to pain and an abscess if left untreated. 

The procedure is actually totally painless, and can be quite a relief if you've been in pain beforehand! The dentist uses small precision files to clean out the space in the middle of the tooth that contains the nerve. This space is then filled with a rubbery material, sealing it. This procedure allows a tooth to be kept that would otherwise have to be extracted.

A crown is like a jacket or a cap that fits over a prepared tooth. It has the same shape as the original tooth. If a tooth is badly broken down, a crown is often the only option.

By fully enclosing the tooth it is strong, and looks just like a real tooth. It can be made of porcelain or a variation of porcelain. To allow the crown to fit, the tooth must be prepared first. This involves trimming the tooth down a little. Crowns are fixed in place with dental cement.

Avoid rinsing or spitting forcefully for 24 hours after the extraction to avoid dislodging the clot that forms in the socket. After 24 hours, rinse your mouth with a solution made of 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 a glass of warm water.

This is a common problem which mainly affects adults. There are numerous causes including trauma, awkward biting and stress. This is due to excessive grinding (bruxing) of the teeth which can make the chewing muscles around the mouth tender and inflamed. It often happens subconsciously when you are asleep. It is important to contact your dentist if this problem arises. Simple jaw exercises or the application of hot and cold may ease the tension or spasm in the muscles. 

A splint that is like a night guard can also be made by your dentist to prevent your teeth contacting during grinding. This is a relatively straightforward procedure where your dentist takes impressions of your teeth. Otherwise painkillers or other over-the-counter remedies like anti-inflammatories may help relieve the symptoms.

Dental implants are a comparatively recent development. An implant is basically a titanium screw, upon a false tooth is supported, which 'screws' directly into the jaw bone. Implants are used as replacements for missing teeth and as anchors for fixed false teeth. 

Implants are very successful, but they are not suitable for everybody. You must have enough bone to place the implant into for example. Implants are quite expensive, but where they can be used, they are often the ideal solution to replacing missing teeth.