Say Hi! to the newest member of our team. This is Casper, our CPR mannequin who arrived, along with his two identical borthers to help train our team in CPR. I recently trained as a CPR instructor with the American Heart Foundation. Last week, we had two training days in my living room at my home in Cootehill, Co. Cavan. It was really informal and very enjoyable. We had scones for morning break and went to lunch afterwards. Any excuse!

On a more serious note however, CPR, if carried out correctly, could save a life. CPR skills are lost in weeks after a training course. As a dental practice carrying out surgical procedures and sedation, it is of paramount importance that we are highly proficient in dealing with an emergency. We have procedures in place whereby, everyone knows their job in an emergency situation.
And you know what they say– If you are prepared for the worst, it will never happen!

There are two main types of dental X-rays: intraoral
(meaning the X-ray sensor is inside the mouth) and extraoral (meaning the X-ray
sensor is outside the mouth).

• Intraoral
  X-rays are the most common type of X-ray taken. You’ve probably had many
  sets of these X-rays taken in your life already. These X-rays provide a
  lot of detail and allow your dentist to find caries, check the health of
  the tooth root and bone surrounding the tooth, check the status of
  developing teeth, and monitor the general health of your teeth and
  jawbone.
• Extraoral
  X-rays show teeth, but their main focus is the jaw and skull. These X-rays
  do not provide the detail found with intraoral X-rays and therefore are
  not used for detecting caries or for identifying problems with individual
  teeth. Instead, extraoral X-rays are used to look for impacted teeth,
  monitor growth and development of the jaws in relation to the teeth, and
  to identify potential problems between teeth and jaw and the
  temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or other bones of the face. (See the
  document, “Temporomandibular Disorders” for more information.)

Are there different
types of intraoral X-rays that might be taken and if so, what are these types?

There are several types of intraoral X-rays, each
of which shows different aspects of teeth.

• Bite-wing
  X-rays
  show details of the upper and lower teeth in one area of the mouth. Each
  bite-wing shows a tooth from its crown to about the level of the
  supporting bone. Bite-wing X-rays are used to detect decay between teeth
  and changes in bone density caused by gum disease. They are also useful in
  determining the proper fit of a crown (or cast restoration) and the marginal
  integrity of fillings.
• Periapical
  X-rays
  show the whole tooth, from the crown to beyond the end of the root to
  where the tooth is anchored in the jaw. Each periapical X-ray shows this
  full tooth dimension and includes all the teeth in one portion of either
  the upper or lower jaw. Periapical X-rays are used to detect any
  abnormalities of the root structure and surrounding bone structure.
• Occlusal
  X-rays are
  larger and show full tooth development and placement. Each X-ray reveals
  the entire arch of teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.

What types of
extraoral X-rays might be taken at Church Street Dental and for what purpose?

• Panoramic
  X-rays show
  the entire mouth area – all the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws –
  on a single X-ray. Panoramic X-rays require the use of a special X-ray
  machine. This type of X-ray is useful for detecting the position of fully
  emerged as well as emerging teeth, identifying impacted teeth, and aiding
  in the diagnosis of tumors.

Other types of extra-oral xrays may be required and
for these you may be referred to a hospital:-

• Tomograms
  show
  a particular layer or “slice” of the mouth while blurring out
  all other layers. This type of X-ray is useful for examining structures
  that are difficult to clearly see – for instance, because other structures
  are in very close proximity to the structure to be viewed.
• Cephalometric
  projections show
  the entire side of the head. This type of X-ray is useful for examining
  the teeth in relation to the jaw and profile of the individual.
  Orthodontists use this type of X-ray to develop their treatment plans.
• Sialography involves visualization of
  the salivary glands following the injection of a dye. The dye, called a
  radiopaque contrast agent, is injected into the salivary glands so that
  the glands can be seen on the X-ray film. (The glands are soft tissue that
  would not otherwise be seen with an X-ray.) Dentists might order this type
  of test to look for salivary gland problems, such as blockages or
  Sjogrenâ’s syndrome.
• Computed
  tomography,
  otherwise known as CT scanning, shows the body’s interior structures as a
  three-dimensional image. This type of X-ray, which is performed in a
  hospital rather than a dentist’s office, is used to identify problems in
  the bones of the face, such as tumors or fractures.

At Church Street Dental we use a new X-ray
technique called digital imaging. Instead of developing X-ray film in a dark
room, the X-rays are sent directly to a computer and can be viewed on a screen,
stored, or printed out. There are several nice benefits of using this new
technology including:

• The
  technique uses less radiation than the typical X-ray and there is no wait
  time for the X-rays to develop. The images are available on a screen a few
  seconds after being taken.
• The
  image taken, of a tooth for example, can be enhanced and enlarged many
  times it’s actual size on the computer screen, making it easier for your
  dentist to show you where and what the problem is.
• If
  necessary, images can be electronically sent to another dentist or
  specialist – for instance, for a second opinion on a dental problem to
  determine if a specialist is needed. The images can also be sent to a new
  dentist (for example, if you move).
• Software
  added to the computer can help us digitally compare current to previous
  images in a process called subtraction radiography. Using this technique,
  everything that is the same between two images is “subtracted
  out” from the image, leaving a clear image of only the portion that is
  different. This helps dentists easily see the tiniest changes that might
  not have been noticed by the naked eye.

When you attend a CRP course you are a certified CPR provider for 2 years but studies
show that CPR skills are lost in weeks after a CPR course. For this reason I
recently carried out a CPR instructor course so I can train my team regularly,
every 3 months, so if an emergency arises, we will be prepared.

The use of
CPR dates all the way back to 1740, yet even today, most Irish people don’t
know how to perform it. Given properly and immediately to sudden cardiac arrest
victims, CPR can save lives. Anyone can learn CPR and everyone should! Sadly, recent
evidence is showing that 70% of people feel helpless to act during a cardiac
emergency because they either don’t know how to administer CPR or their
training has significantly lapsed. This alarming statistic could hit close to
home because home is exactly where 80% of cardiac arrests occur. The life you
save with CPR is most likely to be someone you love.

WHY LEARN CPR?

Cardiac arrests are more common than you think, and they can happen to anyone
at any time.

• Nearly 300,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests occur annually, and 80
percent of cardiac arrests occur at home.

• Many victims appear healthy with no known heart disease or other risk
factors.

• Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack.

o Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when electrical impulses in the heart become
rapid or chaotic, which causes the heart to suddenly stop beating.

o A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is
blocked. A heart attack may cause cardiac arrest.

WHO CAN YOU SAVE WITH CPR?

The life you save with CPR is mostly likely to be a loved one.

• Four out of five cardiac arrests happen at home.

• Statistically speaking, if called on to administer CPR in an emergency, the
life you save is likely to be someone at home: a child, a spouse, a parent or a
friend.

• African-Americans are almost twice as likely to experience cardiac arrest at
home, work or in another public location than Caucasians, and their survival
rates are twice as poor as for Caucasians.

WHY TAKE ACTION?

Failure to act in a cardiac emergency can lead to unnecessary deaths.

• Effective bystander CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can
double or triple a victim’s chance of survival, but only 32 percent of cardiac
arrest victims get CPR from a bystander.

• Sadly, less than eight percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside
the hospital survive.

• The American Heart Association trains more than 12 million people in CPR
annually, to equip Americans with the skills they need to perform bystander
CPR.

SEE A VIDEO, SAVE A LIFE

You can prepare yourself to act in an emergency by simply viewing the Hands-Only™
CPR instructional video.

• A study published in the March 8 issue of Circulation:
Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes showed that people who view a
CPR instructional video are significantly more likely to attempt life-saving
resuscitation.

• Hands-Only CPR (CPR with just chest compressions) has been proven to be as
effective as CPR with breaths in treating adult cardiac arrest victims.

• The American Heart Association has recommended Hands-Only CPR for adults
since 2008

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/WhatisCPR/CPRFactsandStats/CPR-Statistics_UCM_307542_Article.jsp

As part of my PGdip in Conscious Sedation we had to complete an ACLS course. ACLS or Advanced Cardiac Life Support is a course that trains us to deal with medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest and stroke, until the emergency team arrive. In order to keep your ACLS certificate, you need to refresh every 2 years. This time I did it mostly online with a practical examination at Cavan General Hospital. So I’m certified for another 2 years and hopefully, I won’t ever need to use it at Church Street Dental.

Are You a Candidate for Tooth Whitening?

Not everyone can use tooth whitening solution. Circumstances that may prevent the use of tooth whitening product are:

• Teeth that which have been bonded white fillings, veneers or crowns, cannot be whitened with whitening gels.These materials do not whiten past the color they were originally made. The color of these types of restorations were determined by the surrounding teeth. If the surrounding teeth are whitened, the restorations will stand out and look artificial.
• Teeth that have internal staining, discoloration from developmental conditions or have been root treated may not be affected by the typical whitening process. Internal tooth whitening or permanent restorations may be an option to consider.
• Natural tooth colors that are brown or gray in hue may not produce desired results. Typically, teeth with a yellow hue will produce the best results.
• Pregnant or nursing mothers should avoid whitening their teeth as there is not enough research to determine the safety of tooth whitening products during pregnancy or lactation.
• People with hyper sensitive teeth should avoid tooth whitening, because this process may enhance the level of sensitivity they experience.

How Are Teeth Whitened?

Enamel, first layer of tooth surface, is actually semi-translucent, or clear. The layer underneath the enamel, known as dentine is typically yellow, but may be gray, brown or black. This hue is what is seen penetrating through the enamel, In order to whiten the dentin, a peroxide solution is placed on the enamel. This process opens the pores of the enamel, allowing the solution to reach the layer of dentin. The solution will then begin to lighten the dentin, resulting in the appearance of whiter teeth.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

I frequently get questions about teeth whitening and safety. Teeth whitening done correctly is safe, and it does not work by stripping enamel from your teeth!

Many people may have gotten the wrong idea because of how older whitening formulas used to work. Remember “Pearl Drops” for smokers? It used harsh abrasives that literally scoured away the stains and took off a little enamel in the bargain!  Abrasives are the enemy,  but teeth whitening works with chemical agents, not abrasives. These whitening (or bleaching) agents actually react with the stain deep inside your teeth to neutralize it. There’s no harmful stripping of enamel.

View your teeth under a microscope and the surface will look something like a honeycomb. Thousands of tiny tubes (called “enamel rods”) are lined up side by side forming the enamel, and beneath them “dentin tubules” form the tooth’s inner layer. Over time, the stains on the tooth’s surface work their way through this system of tubes and become trapped within the honeycomb structure. The stain is now part of your tooth. We dentists call this “intrinsic stain”. It can’t be brushed away, no matter how hard you try.

Now, it takes a lot of time for intrinsic stain to form because the tubes in the “honeycomb” tend to be “plugged up” with organic matter. If they were wide open, your teeth would be terribly sensitive to temperature changes, especially cold. In order to work, bleaching agents need to remove the plugs so they can penetrate to the inner layer of your teeth, where they work their magic. The active ingredient loses effectiveness quickly, so no need to worry that you’re trapping harmful chemicals inside. After some time (usually a couple of weeks), the plugs return. This explains why it’s common for teeth to become sensitive during and after the teeth whitening process, and why the effect subsides.

The bottom line is that for the vast majority of us, teeth whitening is a perfectly safe and harmless beauty treatment that almost anyone can afford.

Bad breath is a very common problem and can be extremely embarrassing. Most people often suffer from bad breath and are still not aware of the fact. Tobacco, foods with too much garlic, or may be lax toothbrushing are a few culprits for bad breath. This condition is also termed as halitosis. Halitosis is caused due to bad oral health, when proper brushing is not included in the daily routine, the food particles get stuck to the teeth and bacteria contaminate the mouth. Halitosis can also be caused due to some pungent foods like garlic and onion. Here are few tips to get rid of bad breath, prevent it in the future and keep your mouth clean and fresh.

1. Brush your teeth

First and foremost, it is essential to practice good oral hygiene to kill the bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Brush your teeth and floss them twice a day. Visit your dentist once in six months. You can also use mouth rinses, mint flavored chews, to mask your bad breath, although it can not resolve your problem.

2. Clean your tongue

It’s important to clean your tongue after brushing. Bacteria lingering on the tongue can also be the culprit.

3. Visit the dentist & Hygienist

Preventing bad breath is achievable when you treat dental problems such as tooth decay, gum abscess, and tooth abscess. Never feel scared to visit the dentist. It should be the first thing to do if you feel anything hurt or you feel a hollow inside the tooth, or anything related. Keep everything on hold and first get an appointment.

The hygienist is specially trained to remove plaque, tartar and stains from your teeth. Bacteria gather in the plaque under the level of the gum and longterm can cause gum disease and tooth loss. Our hygenists are very experienced and will monitor your progress and coach you on effective tooth brushing and flossing techniques. 

4. Avoid tea, coffee

Tea and coffee can directly cause a strong odour but in addition these hot drinks contain caffeine that can dry your mouth adding to the problems of bad breath. These drinks also lead to stain build up and discolouration so opt for the healthier option of water!

5. Quit smoking

Tar and nicotine can build up on the surface of the teeth, tongue and cheeks. It can also dry the mouth and inhibit saliva flow

Witches, fairies and even a dinosaur visited Church Street Dental on Thursday 3^rd November. Our little patients had their faces painted and had oral hygiene instruction with our tooth fairy! Joanne and Peter carried out examinations and each child received a party bag containing toys, stickers and oral hygiene products. Another triumph for the little patients of Church Street Dental!  These children will remember this check-up visit for a long time!

To download and print off the colouring entry PDF,  just click on the picture below, print off the PDF file that’s downloaded/displayed in your browser, then colour it in and drop in competed entries before 12^thDec 2011.

• 1^st prize €50 voucher for local toyshop. 
• Two runner up prizes of €20 vouchers.