Dental Hygiene and Prevention
Prevention includes regular dental exams, cleaning and x-rays. Fissure Sealants and fluoride are also a great preventive treatment that helps protect the teeth. Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It is continued in the dental surgery by the efforts of your dentist and dental hygienist to promote, restore and maintain your oral health.
Treatment carried out by hygienist includes:
- Oral hygiene instruction: our hygienist will demonstrate how to maintain good oral health with a proper brushing technique and use of interdental aids such as floss and interdental brushes
- Removal of calculus: this is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is firmly attached to the tooth surface. It is removed with special dental instruments.
- Removal of plaque: plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth and it consists of living bacteria food debris and saliva. If left on the teeth it can cause gums to bleed.
- Teeth polishing: removes stain and plaque that is not removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
Treatment of Periodontal disease
If calculus and plaque continues to build up the gums begin to recede from the teeth and pockets form between teeth and gum and fill with bacteria. Gums become irritated inflamed and bleed. Bone loss may occur.
Periodontal disease has been linked with a number of health risks including heart disease and diabetes.
Treatment involves:
- Before any periodontal treatment commences it is essential to record the dept of any gum pockets and the amount of plaque and bleeding present. This allows to assess how treatment is progressing and if further specialist treatment is required .
- Cleaning the Root surfaces of all teeth with instruments that removes any hardened plaque and allows the gum tissues to heal. This is carried out when the gum tissue is numbed.
- This may take one to two visits and follow up maintenance every four to six months.