An attractive and healthy smile is important when meeting people and making friends. And it can boost your confidence and help you feel good about yourself. If you don't look after your teeth and gums properly you could suffer from a number of different conditions that will make you stand out from the crowd for all the wrong reasons:
Every time you eat or drink anything sugary, your teeth are under acid attack for up to one hour. This is because the sugar reacts with the bacteria in plaque and produces harmful acids. Plaque is a build-up of bacteria which forms on your teeth.
It is better to have three or four meals a day rather than lots of snacks.
Dental erosion is the gradual loss of tooth enamel caused by acid attacks. Enamel is the hard, protective coating of the tooth. If it is worn away, the dentine underneath is exposed and your teeth can look discoloured and become sensitive.
Acidic foods and drinks cause dental erosion.
Still water and milk are the best things to drink.
Try to drink fruit juice just at mealtimes. If you want to drink fruit juices between meals, try diluting them with water.
Avoid sugary snacks. If you need to eat between meals try these foods instead:
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer and affects the skin that lines the moist areas of the body (such as the mouth). It can be spread through oral sex. Practising safe sex and limiting the number of partners you have may help reduce your chances of getting HPV.
You may hear about teenage girls being offered the HPV vaccine to help prevent the virus. Talk to someone at your medical practice, or your parents or guardians, if you want to know more about this.
Your dentist may ask you questions about your lifestyle choices and general health because these may affect the health of your mouth.
Some people are unhappy with how their teeth look and feel self-conscious smiling in photos or in social situations. But you can have treatment to correct any problems.
Orthodontic treatment (braces) will straighten or move your teeth to improve their appearance and the way they work. It can also help to improve the long-term health of your teeth, gums and jaw joints by spreading the biting pressure over all the teeth. Many people want to have whiter teeth. The only person who can whiten your teeth legally for you is a dentist. You have to be 18 or older.
It depends on how severe the problem is, and it may take anything from a few months to two-and-a-half years. However, most people can be treated in one to two years.
A mouthguard will help protect you against broken and damaged teeth, and even a broken or dislocated jaw.
Professionally made mouthguards offer better protection than shop bought DIY ones.
Our most up to date hours can be found on our Google page.
There is someone available at reception Mon-Fri 8am- 6pm, Sat 10am-1pm to answer telephone calls. Telephone calls may or may not be answered outside of these times.
Carton Dental
Silken Gardens
Dublin Rd
Maynooth
Co. Kildare
W23 X2T7
Ireland