Dental decay is caused by bacteria which effectively produce acid by reacting with fermentable carbohydrates, particularly sugars, in your diet. This acid causes demineralisation of the enamel, and if present for sufficient time, will lead to an opening in the enamel which then allows destruction of the underlying dentine. This is called decay and presently this decay can only be treated by removal and restoration of the resulting cavity ie a filling.

To reduce your risk of decay, avoid snacking as much as possible. When you eat a meal, significant amounts of saliva will be produced, and this saliva will help to neutralise the acid. However, by snacking, you are starting the cycle of acid attack and demineralisation all over again.

In a normal day, your mouth can recover from 3 or maybe 4 attacks, that is at mealtimes. The highest risk time for decay is between meals, when your saliva flow is low. So, put simply, snacking is out if you want to avoid decay, and this includes snacking on "healthy" snacks, such as fruit, fruit juice or yogurts. These foods should be confined to mealtimes and ideally you should not eat or drink within 2 hours of bedtime, again because your saliva flow is lower overnight meaning that your teeth are more susceptible to decay.

Besides not snacking, how can I protect my teeth?
Fluoride will help remineralise teeth that have been attacked by acid. Fluoride occurs naturally in many water supplies and in Ireland fluoride has been added to the water supply since the 1960's. This has led to a visibly dramatic reduction in the amount and extent of decay present in teeth.

Any objection to the inclusion of fluoride is purely philosophical, and there are no known health risks as a result of the small amount of fluoride that is added. Fluoride is also contained in most toothpastes, again in minute quantities.

Do not rinse out your mouth on the day of the surgery.
On the second and third day following surgery, rinse out your mouth with warm salty water, after meals, and last thing at night.
If the tooth socket starts to bleed, sit up ( do not lie down ) and bite tightly on a damp tea bag, or some cotton wool, or a clean handkerchief, for at least 15 minutes.
Take simple analgesics ( painkillers ) such as Panadol or anti-inflammatory tablets e.g. Neurofen or Neurofen Plus, if required. Follow directions on pack.

Remember, a Dental Extraction is in fact a compound fracture of the jaw bone, but healing is normally uneventful and usually involves only a small amount of discomfort post-operatively.

DRY SOCKET
If you should experience severe pain following extraction, the most likely cause is a dry socket.

Dry socket is a very painful condition, lasting a week to 10 days. The exact cause is unknown but it is more commonly seen following extraction of lower, back teeth, and following difficult extractions. Dry socket is also more common in women than men, and particularly in women using the oral contraceptive pill. The commonest age group is 30-35 years. The pain, characteristically described as being like a toothache, usually starts 24 hours after the extraction and is often accompanied by a bad taste.

TREATMENT
The treatment of dry socket is as follows:
Gentle rinsing with warm salty water.
Pain relieving medication e.g. Neurofen Plus, Solpadeine, etc.

Pain relieving dressings can be applied in the surgery.
Antibiotics are not used as there is no evidence of bacterial infection as a cause of dry socket. Antibiotics are also thought to delay the healing of a dry socket.

Your new dentures will be carefully examined and fitted on the final visit and any necessary adjustments will be carried out.

Dentures may require one or more visits for small adjustments (fine tuning) following the day the dentures are completed. There is no fee for adjustment visits.

*REMEMBER If you have any problem, please phone for an adjustment appointment.

CARING FOR YOUR DENTURES
You should not wear your dentures at night. It is most important to give the tissues in your mouth a rest, and also to allow 8 hours to sterilize your dentures.

STERILISING
Dentures can be sterilised by placing them in a glass of water with ½ teaspoon of MILTON sterilising fluid, overnight. Dentures should be sterilised every night.

CLEANING
To clean your dentures, use a soft toothbrush, very gently, and some washing-up liquid. This is done before sterilizing. Clean your dentures as required, not necessarily every night.

CARING FOR YOUR MOUTH
It is important to have the soft tissues of your mouth examined at least once a year, particularly if you are wearing dentures.

Patients with PRSI entitlement are allowed one full examination, including xrays where necessary, in any 12 month period. Since January 1st 2010 the Goverment removed all other treatment benefits from the PRSI scheme.

Patients can only avail of the free annual examination where PRSI entitlement has been confirmed by the Dept of Social and Family Affairs. Patients whose entitlement has not been confirmed before the examination will be asked to pay the normal fee, however this will be refunded in full if benefit is subsequently confirmed.

To confirm your entitlement to PRSI benefit, please advise us of your PPS number at least one week before your visit, by telephone or email info@kenheritage.ie