PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
Children
Children’s Teeth
As dental professionals we believe in Preventative dental care and encourage our patients to bring their children to the practice from an early age. Regular check-ups from a young age will ensure children will not suffer from untreated dental decay with devastating effects to their growing dentition. There are a number of Preventative treatments that our team can provide for your children.
Fluoride applications are a safe and effective way to safeguard your growing child’s teeth from developing decay. The fluoride is painted onto the surface of the child’s teeth and this helps to mineralize them. Fissure sealants are tooth-coloured and applied to biting surfaces of children’s teeth to prevent decay.
Studies have shown that the younger the age that you bring your child to the dental practice, even if just for a check-up, the more likely they are to have a positive experience and grow up not to be afraid of the dentist. Our team will take special care of your child to make them feel safe and cared for.
Treating a child from an early age also allows the dentist to spot early signs of underbites, cross bites or overbites developing. As with most things, the sooner you can start to treat it, the quicker it can be resolved.
Prevention is always better than cure so call the practice today to make an appointment for your child.
Dental Hygiene
Brushing
Dental hygiene treatment is delivered by a dental hygienist who will help to remove any plaque from your teeth that may have built up in certain areas. Your teeth will be professionally cleaned with special equipment and pastes. This process is also known as descaling and polishing. An important aspect of the hygienist’s role is to show you how to look after your teeth so they remain free from plaque. You will be advised on the best brushing technique and be given tips on flossing and using interdental brushes.
Dental hygiene at the dental practice also forms part of treating gum disease and bad breath. If you have a bridge, denture, orthodontic treatment or a dental implant you will have specific hygiene needs that the hygienist will be able to assist you with.
It is recommend that you come in for regular hygiene appointments to ensure your mouth stays clean and healthy.
Bad Breath
Bad Breath Dental
Bad breath is a very common problem and there are many different causes. Persistent bad breath is usually caused by the smelly gases released by the bacteria that coat your teeth and gums.
However, strong foods like garlic and onions can add to the problem. Smoking is also one of the main causes of bad breath, along with certain illnesses such as nasal and stomach conditions.
Bits of food that get caught between the teeth and on the tongue will rot and can sometimes cause an unpleasant smell. So correct and regular brushing is very important to keep your breath smelling fresh.
The bacteria on our teeth and gums (plaque) also cause gum disease and dental decay. If you see your dentist regularly this will not only help prevent bad breath but will also let the dentist look for and treat these problems.
Gum Disease
Screening for gum disease forms an integral part of your routine examination.
WHAT IS GUM DISEASE?
Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.
WHAT IS GINGIVITIS?
Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.
WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out.
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF GUM DISEASE?
All gum diseases are caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing.
WHAT HAPPENS IF GUM DISEASE IS NOT TREATED?
Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so that you do not notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE GUM DISEASE?
The first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
The word periodontal means “around the tooth”. Periodontal disease attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). When plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone. Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
Four out of five people have periodontal disease and do not know it! Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages.
Not only is it the number one reason for tooth loss, but research also suggests that there may be a link between periodontal disease and other diseases such as, stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy. Researchers are currently determining if inflammation and the bacteria associated with periodontal disease can contribute to these systemic diseases and other conditions. Interestingly, smoking also increases the risk of periodontal disease.
Please specify what risk you are referring to during pregnancy.
Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.
Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease:
Bleeding gums
Gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss.
Loose teeth
Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers (fibers that support the tooth to the bone).
New spacing between teeth
Caused by bone loss.
Persistent bad breath
Caused by bacteria in the mouth.
Pus around the teeth and gums
Sign that there is an infection present.
Receding gums
Loss of gum around a tooth/teeth.
Red and puffy gums
Gums should never be red or swollen.
Tenderness or Discomfort
Plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth.
BONE GRAFTING
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of bone loss in the oral cavity, though there are others causes such as ill-fitting dentures and facial trauma. The bone grafting procedure is an excellent way to replace lost bone tissue and encourage natural bone growth. Bone grafting is a versatile and predictable procedure which fulfills a wide variety of functions.
A bone graft may be required to create a stable base for dental implant placement, to halt the progression of gum disease or to make the smile appear more aesthetically pleasing.
Bone regeneration therapy may be aided by:
Gum/bone tissue regeneration
A thin barrier (membrane) is placed below the gum line over the grafting material. This barrier creates enough space for healthy tissue to grow and separates the faster growing gum tissue from the slower growing fibers. This means that bone cells can migrate to the protected area and grow naturally.
Tissue stimulating proteins
Enamel matrix proteins occur during natural tooth development. Emdogain is a matrix protein product which is usually placed on the affected site before the gum is sutured. It mediates the formation of a ccellular cementum on the tooth which provides a foundation to allow periodontal attachment to occur. Tissue stimulating proteins help to create lost support in areas affected by periodontal defects.
Platelet-rich growth factors (PRGF)
A high platelet (platelets are small disc-like structures in the blood that allow the blood to clot when there is bleeding) concentration liquid can be used to create a blood clot at the site of a wound. It has recently been discovered that PRGF also stimulates bone growth. This means that there is a denser graft in a shorter time period.
The gum is sutured into place and a follow-up appointment will need to be made within 10 days to assess progress. Bone grafting is a highly successful treatment and a good base for further periodontal restorations.
If you have any questions about bone grafting, please ask your dentist.
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