Many dental and oral health issues can be dealt with at the pharmacy counter
Poor dental health can significantly impact a person’s physical and mental wellbeing. Among the most common oral health problems are bad breath, gum disease and cavities.
Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems. Caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth and around the gums, smoking, age, and diabetes can also increase the risk of the disease, with smokers five times more likely to develop it. Symptoms of this can include halitosis, loose teeth, and gum abscesses. It is estimated that around 80 per cent of Irish people have some form of 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. Fortunately, it is treatable, and the earlier it is treated, the more effective the treatment is.
Tooth decay is another common problem. Often caused by having too much sugary food and drink and not cleaning teeth and gums, it sees teeth become damaged and painful, and it is common among children. Again, early treatment can help stop it from worsening.
Pain relief
When a dental problem does occur, pain relief can be absolutely 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, as it has natural analgesic properties which help relieve the pain of toothache, and there are a wide variety of clove oil brands in pharmacies.
Another very common dental problem is bad breath, which is often caused by a build-up of bacteria in the mouth. Bad breath can affect a person’s confidence and perhaps even mental wellbeing in the longer term.
The best way to prevent dental problems is by maintaining good oral health, and brushing one’s teeth with toothpaste, using mouthwash, and flossing are all part of this.
Fortunately, there are numerous well known and respected over-the-counter products, from electric tooth brushes to floss.
Oral B is a very popular brand and 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 Oral B Gum and Enamel Repair. This is a gentle whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth and helps rejuvenate gums and repair enamel in just two weeks. Its unique ActivRepair technology simultaneously helps rejuvenate gums with its antibacterial action, helps repair enamel and defends teeth against acid erosion.
Colgate is another popular and trusted brand. One of its products is Colgate Advanced White Toothpaste, which 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.
Acid protection
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.
Arm and Hammer Advanced White Pro toothpaste 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.
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.
Flossing and mouthwash
In order to maintain dental health, 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.
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 mouthwash, 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.
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is often related to stress or anxiety and there are over-the-counter measures that patients can use. 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.
Teeth grinding
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 five minutes, offering immediate and effective relief from teeth grinding symptoms.
For people with dentures, there are also a range of products, including from trusted brands like 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.
For teeth cleaning, there are a range of toothbrushes, including a range of electric toothbrushes from Oral B. The iO2 electric toothbrush combines gentle micro-vibrations with a unique dentist-inspired round brush head for a purifying feel of a professional clean. It is tough on plaque, and gentle on gums.
There are also Philips Sonicare electric toothbrushes. The Philips Sonicare Series 5300 Electric Toothbrush offers superior deep cleaning, effortlessly removing surface stains for a radiant, whiter smile.
