Oral Prophylaxis
ORAL PROPHYLAXIS
Periodontal diseases are infections of the gums and supporting structures which gradually destroy the bone and loosen your natural teeth. Bacteria found in plaque produces toxins or poisons that irritate gums, which may cause them to turn red, swell, and bleed easily. If this continues, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets to form surrounding the teeth. As the disease Progresses and is left untreated, the supporting gum tissue and bone that hold teeth in place deteriorate leading to bone loss, mobile teeth and ultimately tooth loss. Dental Plaque is the primary cause of gum diseases in genetically susceptible individuals. Basic oral habits like brushing and flossing will prevent most gum diseases and periodontal conditions.
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Why Oral hygiene is so important?
- Adults over the age of 35 years and above lose more teeth due to gum diseases than from cavities.
- The Best way to prevent cavities and periodontal diseases is by maintaining good oral hygiene.
- Periodontal diseases and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque . Plaque is a colorless film which sticks to the teeth surface where the teeth and the gums meet.
- Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. Due to lack of maintenance and improper brushing it stays on the gum line and gets calcified by salts present in the saliva which in turn becomes hard and difficult to remove by regular brushing. It is called calculus or tartar.
- At this stage, it is required to be removed by a professional method called the Oral Prophylaxis
Dental Prophylaxis/Professional Teeth Cleaning
A Dental Prophylaxis is a cleaning treatment performed to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums. It is an important dental treatment for stopping the progression of gingivitis & periodontal diseases.
Also, it is an effective procedure in keeping the oral cavity in proper health and halting the progression of gum diseases.
- Is it Painful? Cleaning is not at all painful. If the patient has decayed teeth and receded gums then they experience some hypersensitivity while cleaning is being carried out.
- Do teeth become loose after cleaning? It is one of the myths and misbeliefs associated with cleaning, which is not true. Teeth do not become loose after cleaning. After the removal of calculus, the empty space between the receded gums can be felt by the patient for a few days till the swelling in the gums is gone.
- How frequently is oral prophylaxis needed? It is recommended that the patient gets his/her teeth cleaned every six months. However a faster rate of deposits over the teeth and gums may lead the dentist to recommend cleaning at shorter intervals.
Advantages of Teeth Cleaning
- Plaque/ Tartar/ Calculus Removal
- Habit counselling & Provision of habit breaking appliances
- Healthy looking smile
- Improved aesthetics of a smile
- Reduction in bleeding of gums
- Fresher Breathe
Other Factors affecting the health of your gums include
- Hormonal changes such as Puberty, Menopause, Menstruation and Pregnancy.
- Smoking
- Diabetes and genetic susceptibility
- Clenching and Grinding teeth
- Medications
- Poor Nutrition
Symptoms Of Gum Disease:
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth.
- Pulling of gums away from teeth
- Teeth loosening
- Pain while chewing
- Pus discharge between teeth and gums
- Teeth sensitivity
- Tender or swollen gums when touched
- Foul or bad breath
- Sparing between the teeth
Preventing gum Disease
The best way to prevent gum disease is regular brushing and flossing, professional examinations and cleaning. Gum Diseases have a genetic predominance. So once the disease starts , professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.
Treatment for gum disease
- Oral Prophylaxis
- Root Planing – the removal of tartar and plaque above and below gums under local anesthesia and the surface or rough spots over the root or neck of the tooth are made smooth.
- Different surgical treatments include:
- Flap surgeries
- Bone grafting, soft tissue grafts etc