Preventive Care
Professional Cleaning
Daily brushing and flossing will keep plaque and calculus build up to a minimum, but regular professional cleanings are needed to remove plaque and calculus your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your regular visits to Progressive Dentistry are an important part of your preventative care. With regular check-ups and proper preventive care, we believe that most of our patients can expect to keep all of their teeth for the rest of their lives.
If you have any pain, or questions about how to brush or floss properly, please give us a call at 215-742-4343 or come in for a hands on demonstration.
 return to top
Sealants
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are thin, plastic films directly bonded to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth - molars and premolars - and are highly effective in the prevention of tooth decay (caries and cavities). Dental sealants are extremely effective on the back teeth, as the back teeth contain more hard-to-reach pits and grooves that collect food debris and plaque build-up.
Because the sealants act as a physical barrier to decay and plaque build-up, in most cases, they provide 100 percent protection - with the most important variable being how well the dental sealant adheres to the teeth. In addition, research has shown that sealants actually stop cavities when placed on top of a slightly decayed tooth. This action seals off the supply of nutrients to the bacteria that causes the cavity.
What does the procedure involve?
This painless preventive procedure begins by cleaning the surface of the tooth, rinsing the surface to remove all traces of the cleaning agent, and drying the tooth. A solution or gel is applied to the surface of the tooth, including the pits and grooves, to make the surface of the tooth rough. After several seconds, the solution is thoroughly rinsed away with water and the site is dried. The liquid sealant is then applied and allowed to harden.
With proper oral hygiene, sealants may last five to 10 years.
return to top
Your Health (Homecare)
A healthy mouth offers more than just a pretty smile. Maintaining oral hygiene can also play a significant role in your overall health. Recent research has linked periodontal disease as a risk factor for ailments including diabetes, premature/low-birth weight babies, heart disease and a number of other systemic diseases.
Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is by daily brushing and flossing with the proper techniques.
Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque, a colorless film that sticks to your teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. With thorough daily brushing and flossing you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease.
How to Brush
Using a soft toothbrush, brush the outside surfaces of your teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes. Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that you feel any discomfort.
When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth.
To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don't forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue.
Next you will clean the biting surfaces of your teeth by using short, gentle strokes. Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. Try to watch yourself in the mirror to make sure you clean each surface. And, don't forget to brush your tongue. One cause of bad breath comes from not removing (brushing) the bacteria that rest on your tongue. After you are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened while brushing. Thoroughly cleaning your teeth takes about 2 minutes.
How to Floss
Plaque and tartar, the chief causes of periodontal infection, usually appears between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is the most effective way to remove bacteria/debris from these surfaces. The following instructions will help you, but remember it takes time and practice.
Begin with a piece of floss about 12" long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand.
Hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap it in to place. Bring the floss to the gum line then curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance. Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth. Remember there are two tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned in each space. Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes soiled, turn from one finger to the other to get a fresh section.
Complete your flossing with a vigorous rinse of water to remove plaque and food particles. Do not be alarmed if during the first few days of flossing your gums bleed or are a little sore. If your gums hurt while flossing you could be doing it too hard or pinching the gum. As you floss daily and remove the plaque your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop.
Feel free to call or stop by our office for a hands on demonstration on how you can keep your mouth healthy and free of infection.
return to top
|
|
