Common dental health problems can cause bigger problems unless they are treat quickly and effectively
Dental health is something that can be taken for granted, but its importance cannot be overestimated. Eating sugary treats and skipping brushing teeth can all take a toll on our teeth, until suddenly, we get the exquisite agony of a toothache.
Poor dental health can seriously impact a person’s general health, and among common oral health problems are bad breath, gum disease and cavities, to name just a few. Worryingly, oral diseases also share common risk factors with chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. The role of the community pharmacy in promoting and maintaining dental health is increasingly important.
One of the most common dental problems is gum disease. It is a consequence of a build-up of plaque on the teeth and around the gums. Plaque is a sticky substance that contains bacteria that can be harmful for gums. It is estimated that around 80 per cent of Irish people have some form of gum disease. Fortunately, it is treatable, and the earlier it is treated, the more effective the treatment is.
It can be caused by many factors, but poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of the build-up of plaque. Smoking, age, and diabetes can also increase the risk.
Gum disease
The initial symptoms of gum disease can include red and swollen gums and bleeding gums after brushing or flossing teeth. This stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, which if left untreated can develop into periodontitis, which can, eventually, cause tooth loss. Symptoms of this can include halitosis, loose teeth, and gum abscesses.
Tooth decay is another problem. Often caused by having too much sugary food and drink and not cleaning teeth and gums, early treatment can help stop it from worsening. It may not cause any symptoms at first, but if it gets worse it can lead to problems, such as a dental cavity. Patients should be advised to see their dentists as quickly as possible if they experience a dental pain.
When we have a toothache, pain relief can be essential. There are a range of over the counter pain relief medications, such as Panadol, and Nurofen, which can be used to ease symptoms. Another one of the best known pain remedies for a sore tooth is clove oil and it has natural analgesic properties which help relieve the pain of toothache. It also has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties which make it good to use on acne, warts, scars and parasites. There are a wide variety of clove oil brands in pharmacies.
Its popularity is even acknowledged by Colgate, which has a lengthy article about it on its website, where it says that eugenol, an ingredient within clove oil, provides pain relief. Eugenol is a natural anaesthetic and antibacterial agent, and it works well at reducing inflammation in the mouth. The company cited a 2015 study by the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons which showed that eugenol is much more effective than using another analgesic and doing nothing else. However, Colgate warns that while clove oil reduces the pain and swelling of a toothache, a dentist should be visited as soon as possible.
“Toothaches are usually caused by tooth decay, and the longer you delay before seeing a dentist, the worse the decay can become,” it said.
The HSE says that the best way to treat gum disease is by developing and maintaining good oral health. This includes brushing teeth with toothpaste, mouthwash, and flossing.
Bad breath
Bad breath is also a very common dental problem, which is often caused by a build-up of bacteria in the mouth. Bad breath can be embarrassing and cause awkward situations for people in their professional and personal lives. It can affect a person’s confidence and perhaps even mental health.
Fortunately, there are numerous well known and respected over the counter products from electric tooth brushes to floss that can help to freshen breath and protect teeth. Some of the best known products come from Colgate.
Among its products is Colgate Advanced White Toothpaste. It promises whiter teeth in 14 days. Its active micro-cleansing crystals are clinically proven to gently polish and effectively whiten teeth and also help prevent new stains from adhering. It also freshens breath, fights cavities, and removes plaque.
There are also Colgate Baby and Kids Toothpastes for younger members of the family, which are perfect to help develop healthy young teeth. Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste contains fluoride which is clinically proven to fight cavities on teeth surfaces and exposed roots. The liquid calcium formula helps to strengthen teeth and repair weak spots before cavities start.
Aquafresh Extreme Clean contains sugar acid protection from fluoride and germ-killing micro-active bubbles, helping to fight bad breath. Brushing twice a day with Aquafresh Extreme Clean Deep Action Toothpaste helps give every tooth a thorough clean. Containing five times smaller cleaning micro-crystals, Aquafresh’s unique foam gets between the teeth to help clean hard-to-reach places that other toothpastes might miss. It provides a superior clean while still protecting tooth enamel. It also leaves the mouth feeling fresh with a minty flavour.
To help brighten teeth, there is also Aquafresh Extreme Clean Whitening Action Toothpaste. As teeth can become stained from exposure to things like coffee and red wine, toothpastes with whitening agents contain particles that polish teeth back to their natural whiteness. Aquafresh Extreme Clean Pure Breath Action Toothpaste helps to neutralise bad breath for 80 per cent cleaner, purer breath.
Aquafresh Little Teeth toothpaste is specially designed by experts to provide gentle care for a child’s teeth to help ensure their adult teeth come through healthy and strong. Its formulation is highly effective at delivering fluoride to enamel surfaces and helping remineralise early enamel lesions, thereby strengthening little teeth from the inside out.
Another popular brand is Oral B. Included in its range is the Oral-B Pro-Expert Deep Clean Toothpaste. This uses dissolving microparticles active on surface stains for an outstanding deep clean. It delivers a unique cleaning sensation and has up to five times smaller microbeads than regular Oral-B Pro-Expert toothpaste. It contains stannous fluoride complex, a unique combination of ingredients, which targets and protects against issues such as cavities, plaque, gum problems, sensitivity, stains, bad breath, tartar, and enamel erosion.
There is also Arm and Hammer Advanced White Pro, which promises exceptional deep clean with teeth up to three shades whiter in six weeks with twice daily brushing.
Another tooth whitener is Pearl Drops Luminous Bright White Toothpaste. This promises that teeth will look instantly white after one use and up to two shades whiter after one week.
Another trusted brand is Crest. Crest Complete is a deep clean paste. It delivers the stain-removing power of Crest with a breath-freshening effervescent mint flavour. It helps fight cavities, prevents tartar, and provides teeth whitening from cleaning action that helps to remove surface stains, all while helping to keep your breath minty fresh and ready for anything.
Sensitive teeth
For sensitive teeth, there is Sensodyne toothpaste, which is recommended by dentists all around the world for both sensitive teeth and acid wear. Sensodyne provides long-lasting protection for sensitive teeth. One of its products, Sensodyne Pronamel, helps to re-harden tooth enamel. Tooth sensitivity is a condition that can develop over time, as a result of common problems such as receding gums and enamel wear. Most sufferers are between 20 and 50 years old. Tooth sensitivity can start to happen when dentine becomes exposed.
Sensodyne Daily Care Original provides daily care for sensitive teeth. With twice-daily brushing, Sensodyne Daily Care Original helps strengthen teeth, fights tooth decay and promotes gum health. Sensodyne Daily Care Original has been specially formulated for people with sensitive teeth. It provides all the benefits of a regular toothpaste.
Sensodyne Daily Care Deep Clean Gel is specially formulated for people with sensitive teeth as well as giving advanced cleaning and lasting freshness with foam burst technology. It provides lasting sensitivity care with twice-daily brushing, helps remove plaque, and provides all the benefits of a regular toothpaste.
The HSE also recommends regularly — preferably daily — flossing before brushing teeth. Flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach. Colgate recommends using its Total Pro Gum Health Floss. This helps to reduce gum problems and tooth decay by removing plaque from hard to reach places. Also, it has been designed to slide easily between teeth. There is also Oral-B Essential Dental Floss. Gentle on fingers and gums, it provides advanced flossing action for a fresh, clean feeling. Its advanced, two-layered design provides superior strength, easy handling, and comfort.
Mouthwash
In terms of mouthwashes, there are a wide range of trusted products. Colgate Plax FreshFX delivers a pleasurable cooling sensation that lasts 10 times longer than brushing alone. Colgate Plax is a clinically proven formula that effectively fights bacteria and provides 24/7 plaque protection, when used twice daily.
Another very popular mouthwash brand is Corsodyl. It is clinically proven to help treat the first stage of gum disease.
CB12 mouthwash with fresh mint flavour is also available. It fights the root cause of bad breath with a scientifically proven formula. There is also CB12 Sensitive, which fights the root cause of bad breath and protects sensitive teeth. It has three benefits in one mouthwash: It fights the root cause of bad breath for 12 hours, helps reduce teeth sensitivity, and provides daily teeth strengthening with fluoride. CB12 Sensitive is alcohol-free and has a soft menthol flavour.
CB12 Boost gum is also available. It is a unique formula, sugar-free chewing gum with patented technology and double action. The unique combination of active ingredients protects users while offering instant refreshment with a fresh, minty flavour. During the day, CB12 Boost can be used whenever instant breath freshness is needed. CB12 boost is the perfect supplement to the CB12 mouth-rinse for truly fresh breath.
Grinding
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is often related to stress or anxiety and there are over-the-counter measures that patients can avail of. Teeth grinding usually happens at night-time during sleep and many sufferers are unaware that they grind their teeth. It can cause disturbed sleep and can also have a significant impact on dental health if left untreated. Bruxism can result in problems such as teeth fractures, abnormal tooth wear and gum recession, as well as headaches, earaches, jaw pain, jaw stiffness, and facial pain.
Fortunately, many people experiencing teeth grinding benefit from dental guards, which can be helpful to people who grind their teeth.
One of these is, DenTek Professional Fit Maximum Protection Dental Guard. This custom-fit mouth guard is similar to guards provided by dentists but designed to be much more affordable. The guard creates a cushion of comfort between your upper and lower teeth. This professional fit dental guard can be moulded in two easy steps to individual teeth size and shape, providing a comfortable fit. This mouth guard includes a forming tray for a close-to-professional fit at home and storage case when not in use.
Another One of these is Bruxeeze Night Guard For Teeth Grinding. The Bruxeeze Night Guard has dual-layer technology — a soft inner layer for comfort, and a durable outer layer for protection against wear and tear caused by teeth grinding. It can be easily moulded at home in under 5 minutes, offering immediate and effective relief from teeth grinding symptoms.
For people with dentures, there are also a range of products from Fixodent. Fixodent PLUS promises unbeatable hold with up to 88 per cent of the initial hold remaining at the end of the day. It provides a 10 times stronger hold versus no adhesive and keeps the dentures securely in place. It allows people to eat any kind of tough food due to its exceptional holding power. It acts as a cushion between gums and dentures, allowing for a customized fit. It is easy to apply in thin strips, thanks to the regular nozzle and is suitable for full and partial dentures.
