Blog

Dental hygiene is something most of us learn about as children, either from our dental visits or through education at school. As adults, however, we can tend to underestimate the importance of good dental hygiene for our overall health.

Today on the SCR Clinic blog we want to share with you the link between dental hygiene and overall health. With a minuscule time investment, you can boost your health, starting today!

The Importance of Dental Hygiene for Overall Health
We tend to think of our mouth and dental health as somehow separate from our overall health, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Our dental health can affect our overall health and illnesses can produce symptoms which show up in the mouth.

Medical professionals can tell a lot about a person’s health just through their mouth. 90% of systemic diseases, those are ones that affect the entire body, display symptoms in the mouth. This can help a doctor or dentist spot a health concern early so that you can get treatment.

Saliva also holds lots of secrets about your health. Through saliva testing doctors can test for hormones, antibodies, bone loss and even for some cancer markers.

Effects of Poor Dental Hygiene
While good dental hygiene keeps your mouth healthy, if you don’t look after your dental health it can have serious effects on your health.
No matter how clean we keep our mouth, there are about 500 types of bacteria that live in there all the time. They form plaque on the teeth which if not removed can build up causing tooth decay and gum disease.
Gum disease in itself isn’t pleasant, but recent research suggests there is a link between gum disease and a difficulty in controlling diabetes, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and, in
pregnant women, an increased risk of giving birth before reaching full-term.

Establishing a Good Dental Hygiene Routine
It doesn’t take much to establish a good dental hygiene routine. All you need is about 7 minutes per day to keep your mouth, teeth and gums in good nick.

Toothbrushing
The first and most important step is to brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush the right size for your mouth and brush in circles back and forth. You need to be careful to brush all surfaces of the teeth and the tongue.
Get into the habit of avoiding a final rinse of your mouth after brushing your teeth. This allows some of the toothpaste to remain in your mouth and protect your teeth during the day.
Store your toothbrush upright in an area where it can dry off between uses. Avoid using toothbrush caps which can create an environment in which bacteria can thrive.

Flossing
Next, use dental floss or an interdental brush to reach those cervices between the teeth that your toothbrush can’t clean properly. At the start, you may experience some light bleeding as your teeth get used to the new sensation. Don’t let this be a reason to stop, the bleeding should stop with practice.

Mouthwash
Finally, if you want to, you can use a mouthwash to rinse your mouth and keep it clean and healthy.

That’s it, about three and a half minutes in the morning and before bed will set you up for good dental hygiene.
When you maintain this dental hygiene routine and schedule regular dental check-ups, your teeth and your overall health will thank you for it.

Get Professional Help
Even with a great dental hygiene routine at home, there are times when we all need to get the professional help of a dentist. It is wise to schedule an annual check-up as part of your dental hygiene routine. During your visit, which is free for those in the PRSI system, your dentist will check your teeth and perform a scale and polish to remove tartar. During the polishing stage, your teeth are buffed to keep them bright and shiny and remove any crevices where plaque might accumulate in future.

However, if you are concerned about your teeth or oral health then don’t delay in picking up the phone. If you experience bleeding gums regularly, or gums that are red and sore, pain when eating or notice new sensitivity, it can be a good idea to visit your dentist as there may be a problem developing which needs to be treated.

Although it can be tempting to put off a dental visit, when we’re experiencing symptoms and don’t get them checked, the condition and associated pain worsen. Prompt action can mean less pain and better health.

Contact us to schedule your appointment for a dental check-up at SCR Clinic on 01 - 454 9688.

At SCR Clinic, we are pleased to announce that from October, we will be extending our monthly anti-wrinkle clinics to a daily service. In collaboration with our experienced aesthetic doctor, Dr. Kevin McDonald, from the 1st of October, we will be offering anti-wrinkle appointments daily. However, that’s not all – we’re also introducing a new service to SCR Clinic, lip fillers.

In today’s post, we want to share with you why offering lip fillers at our clinic makes sense for us and our patients.

What are Lip Fillers?

Lip fillers are a non-surgical aesthetic treatment during which a gel-like solution is injected into a number of points around the lips to create a fuller effect. As we age, we lose tissue volume
around and in the lips. So, while we may have full lips through our twenties and thirties, we may start to notice thinning as we get older.

We put a lot of importance on our appearance as it is how the world sees us. If, and when that starts to change, it can be distressing for some. However, lip thinning does not have to be something we accept. Lip fillers are a simple treatment which can help you restore some of the lost volume in your lips. If you have spent some time working with your dentist to get your smile just right, whether through braces or whitening treatments, you need no longer feel that your thin lips are letting you down.

What Type of Lip Fillers Do We Use?

The lip filler that we use at SCR Clinic is called Juvederm. It is a hyaluronic acid filler which has been used widely since it was first released onto the market in 2006.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body and there’s a lot of it in your skin. It holds onto water and keeps the skin plump. But like everything in our bodies, we make less of it as we age. So, using a lip filler that uses hyaluronic acid as its key ingredient is a good idea.

Who Performs the Treatment?

Your lip filler treatment will be administered by Dr. McDonald who has plenty of experience with injectable treatments. He will perform a consultation with you beforehand to ensure that lip fillers are the right choice for you and that there are no medical reasons why it might not be a suitable choice.

You will also discuss the results you hope to achieve and how the treatment will achieve this. We have the option of 5ml of filler, which is €195 or 10 mls at €290. When you’re starting out, it’s best to opt for a smaller amount and top it up if necessary. Your doctor will advise on this, too.

What’s Involved?

The treatment itself can take about half an hour and involves a number of tiny injections into the lips. The procedure can be a little painful, however, there is a component in the lip filler which
provides a numbing action. The doctor will also massage the area a little to ensure that the filler spreads evenly throughout the lips to give a natural finish.

You may find that the area is a bit red and sore for a couple of hours after the treatment, but this should pass without delay. You will be able to see the results straight away although there may be some swelling that will go down within a day or so.

The results of your lip filler treatment can last anywhere from six months to up to 2 years.

At SCR Clinic, we know how important a beautiful smile is to our patients. We see many people come in who are embarrassed about their teeth and are afraid to smile in photographs. When we see the difference a beautiful smile makes to their confidence, it really gives us great satisfaction in our work. We already offer whitening treatments to help your smile sparkle, now you
can add the finishing touch with a lip filler to address any outstanding concerns and have the beautiful smile you’ve been looking for.

Contact our reception on 01 - 454 9688 for more information or to make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. McDonald.

If you’re so scared of the dentist that you’re feeling a little uncomfortable reading this post, you’re not alone. As much as 10 per cent of the population are estimated to be so terrified of the  dentist that they will avoid going even when they are in pain. While lots of people would rather do something else than attend a dental appointment, the fear we’re addressing today is not a passing one. At SCR Clinic, we know the difference between someone who isn’t too fond of the dentist and someone who breaks out in hives at the mention of a check-up.

Lots of people have anxiety about different things. Often our fears are labelled as irrational, but they can stem from a very real bad experience from the past. We want you to know that we understand that your fear of the dentist is as real and justified as the next person’s fear of flying or drowning.

When a fear gets so bad that it impacts on your life and well-being, it’s time to do something about it. If you’re holding your mouth in agony while reading this and hoping the pain will just go away by itself, your dental phobia is getting the better of you – and we’d like to help.

1. Identify the Root of Your Fear

People are terrified of the dentist for many different reasons. For some people, it’s the thought of an injection or a drill being used in their mouth. For others, it’s the whole environment with the
clinical setting, the smells, tastes and feel of hands digging around in your mouth. Other people are scared about having someone even look in their mouth because they’re embarrassed about their teeth or dental health. Then there’s the fear of how much the treatment is going to cost.

Which of these is closest to the reason you’re afraid of the dentist? It might even be a combination or something else entirely. Once you know what triggers your fear, we can set about addressing it.

2. Start Slow & Be Patient

If you’ve been terrified of the dentist for years, it’s not going to magically go away overnight. You can overcome these fears for once and for all, but it will take time and commitment. Make a
promise to yourself that you’re going to start chipping away at your fear and that you will stick with it, even when it gets tough.

3. Talk to Your Dentist

Your dentist and dental team are the first place to turn for support in overcoming your fears about the dentist. I know it sounds like going into the dragon’s lair and asking them not to hurt you!
Honestly, though, dentists aren’t dragons and we don’t want to hurt you. When you let us know that you are not just nervous but extremely anxious, we can address it with you.

As dentists, we can explain everything that we are going to do before it happens so that there are no surprises. We can also put plans in place so that if you need to take a break, we can do that.
There may be options like dental sedation which can make the process easier for you. We will discuss those with you too.

4. Plan Your Visit

Find out everything you need to know before your visit and plan accordingly. If you haven’t been to a dentist in a long time find out where you need to go, the last thing you need is the stress of
being late or getting lost.

Ask a friend or family member to come with you. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed about this. No doubt they have their own fears and when they understand that this is important to you, if  they’re free, they’ll happily accompany you.

Have a rest afterwards. If possible, plan to go home and rest. Even if you don’t need a rest physically, you may need one mentally. Facing your fears is hard work so go home and put your feet up for a while you deserve it!

5. Reward Yourself

Once you’ve recovered from any treatments you’ve had, give yourself a little reward. Rewards act as positive reinforcement, they give us a reason to go through challenges. You might work
hard all year for the reward of a lovely holiday. Or go on a diet to experience the reward of fitting into your favourite dress- why should the dentist be any different? Identify a reward that you will give yourself every time you visit the dentist and take another step in overcoming your fears of the dentist.

6. Start a New Dental Routine

Ask your dentist for guidance on how to practice a good dental routine at home. This might involve making slight changes to your diet, introducing flossing, or changing the way you brush your teeth and how often. Add your dental visits into your new routine. By scheduling regular visits, you will keep on top of your dental health and minimise the need for invasive treatments. In time, visiting the dentist will become second nature.

7. Explore Other Options

If, with the best will in the world, the previous steps haven’t been helpful in overcoming your dental phobia, it might be time to explore more options. These can include positive visualisation, hypnotherapy, dental sedation or counselling. While the first two options use the power of the mind to help you overcome your fears, dental sedation involves being put under a light sedation during your dental visit so that you don’t need to experience all of the sensations involved in a dental visit. Counselling provides an open environment where you can express your concerns and resolve them with the help of a professional.

Only you know what is right for you.

Ultimately, this is about your health and well-being. If you continue to be terrified of visiting the dentist your oral health will suffer and the mouth is a key part of the body. If it’s not healthy, this can lead to further health problems and complications.

At SCR Clinic, we want to help all our patients maintain optimal dental health and so we strive to maintain a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Whatever your concerns are, we’ve heard them before. Remember, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about! If you let us know about your dental phobia then we will do our very best to help you overcome your fears.

You can take the first step by giving us a call and letting us know what’s happening for you. We’ll have a chat and take it one step at a time, letting you guide us. You can call us on 01 - 454 9688, we look forward to speaking with you.

A trip to the supermarket reveals the huge selection of toothpaste available on the market today. And a supermarket doesn’t even carry the full selection, when you consider large pharmacies and health food shops, the selection grows even more. We all need toothpaste, but which one is best? The choice can be overwhelming at times.
Today, on the SCR Clinic blog, we compare the benefits of a fluoride-based toothpaste with a charcoal-based one.

The No. 1 Trusted Ingredient – Fluoride

When you’re looking for a toothpaste which will help keep your mouth healthy and free of decay, you need to use a toothpaste which is formulated with fluoride. I appreciate some of you
may read this and say, ‘ah, tell us something we don’t know!’ However, much like vaccinations, there is a growing cohort of people who want to avoid fluoride completely due to its perceived negative effects. As dental healthcare experts we, at SCR Clinic, want to make it clear to all our patients and readers that fluoride is a necessary ingredient in both toothpaste and drinking water.

Yes, over-consumption of fluoride can have a negative effect. However, when used in small doses it helps prevent tooth decay and cavities and is perfectly safe. That is why it is used and approved by dental experts across the world.

Other ingredients your toothpaste should are calcium and phosphate which work to strengthen the tooth’s enamel. Always read the ingredients list on your toothpaste to ensure that these
elements are included.

Alternative Active Ingredient – Charcoal Toothpaste

Charcoal toothpaste was first made by the Romans back in 27 BC! And yet, it has made a come back in recent years. If it’s been used for that long, surely there’s a good reason for its
use today? Unfortunately, the scientific research carried out has shown that charcoal toothpaste may do more harm than good.

Charcoal toothpaste is made using activated charcoal, a substance that has been shown to draw other substances to it. This is why it is used in the medical field when someone has ingested
something they shouldn’t have. The charcoal binds the substance to it and flushes out of the body with the charcoal. Using this same principle, it is thought that charcoal toothpaste can draw stains from the teeth giving a whitening effect.

However, in a recent study carried out by the British Dental Journal, it was found that most charcoal toothpastes included in their study didn’t contain fluoride and even the ones that did were not as effective at fighting tooth decay because the charcoal can actually stop fluoride from working effectively.

There are other risks involved with using charcoal toothpaste, too. If you’re taking medication, the charcoal could over absorb it from your body which may decrease its effectiveness.

As charcoal is a naturally abrasive substance, it could actually damage the surface of your teeth and cut your gums. Taking charcoal into the body may not be healthy. Some research
points to the presence of carcinogenic properties while it is known that ingesting charcoal can result in constipation and discolouration of the tongue.

Further, the levels of charcoal in these toothpastes are not enough to produce a significant whitening effect.

At SCR Clinic, we have seen the benefits of a good fluoride-based toothpaste on oral health for many years. When used properly, with a good brushing technique and in conjunction with flossing and regular dental check-ups for a polish, your teeth can be maintained in optimal health. If you would like to explore dental whitening, as charcoal toothpastes are not as effective as you might hope, it is a better option to ask your dentist about safe, effective teeth whitening treatments.

If you are concerned about an existing dental condition you can make an appointment with us at SCR Clinic online, or by contacting our reception on 01- 454 9688.

Cancer is a pretty scary word. No-one likes to hear it and we do our best keep it as far away from us and our loved ones as possible. But there’s no point burying
our head in the sand. The Irish Cancer Society estimates that by 2020, which is only next year now, 1 in 2 people in Ireland will receive a cancer diagnosis at
some point during their lives. That’s pretty shocking. However, it doesn’t need to be all bad. The vast majority of cancers have good outcomes when they are
identified and treated early.

Welcome to our March post, the seasons are starting to turn – we hope! Even just yesterday you could see young and old alike out making the best of the bright evening as the days get a little bit longer. This is a time of year where many of us are fed up of being cooped up in the house and are eager to get out into the air and enjoy being active.

This month, on the SCR Clinic blog, we wanted to share a little bit about our own story and how we’ve grown into the practice we are today.

Welcome back to our blog – and Happy New Year! Although it’s a bright morning outside as I write this post, only a short time earlier there was frost everywhere and you could see your breath as soon as you stepped outside. Today, let’s talk about your skin – and more importantly, how you can combat the effects of winter on it!

Did you know that under the Treatment Benefit Scheme you may be entitled to a free dental check up on an annual basis? Yes, you might say, that’s not news. But what you might not know is that this benefit works from January to December in any given year. So, if you haven’t availed of your free treatment in 2018, you only have a few weeks left to book your check-up.