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Sometimes, even after thorough even after brushing our teeth thoroughly, there may be certain areas that the brush cannot clean. Those areas become accessible to plaque and tarter build up. If plaque or tartar is left on the tooth surface, it can provide an environment for bacteria to thrive on the tooth surfaces. These in-turn can cause serious gum problems like swellings and irritation to the gums, bleeding from the gums during brushing etc. Hence, getting routine oral prophylaxis treatment can prevent the occurrence of serious gum related problems and also helps maintain good overall oral hygiene.
EARLY DETECTION OF DISEASES.It is a well known fact that your mouth is a window of your general health. Hence, your dentist may actually be the first healthcare provider that will be able to detect signs and symptoms of other medical conditions that are manifested during a routine oral exam.
As a preventive measure, Oral prophylaxis is recommended to be done twice a year i.e once every 6 months, but it should be performed even more frequently for patients with more severe periodontal disease. For patients who have braces or other orthodontic appliances, oral prophylaxis is recommended to be done as frequently as possible. This procedure can be done for all ages to help fight tooth decay and gum disease. It is important to keep the oral cavity healthy thus daily oral hygiene practices, like tooth brushing and flossing, along with routine dental check-up should be followed properly.
Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your teeth from tooth decay. A sealant is a protective coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.
During a routine thorough dental check up of your child’s teeth, the dentist will determine whether or not they have pits and fissures and may be at an increased risk for developing dental caries. Not all teeth that carry this condition require sealing, which is why a pediatric dentist analyses the teeth to see if it is necessary and advise for getting dental sealants. Ideally a child that has deep pits and fissures on the teeth is eligible to get dental sealants.
Dental sealants coat and seal the deep pits and fissures that are present on the tooth surface preventing even the most the harmful bacteria from accumulating on the tooth surface. Dental sealants are typically used on the molars and premolars which are the teeth present at the back, and these are the teeth that most frequently have the tendency to develop deep pits and fissures.
Until your child receives a proper dental check up, make sure he or she is maintains good oral health. This includes proper brushing and flossing of the teeth using proper techniques. After sealants are applied, it’s just as important to maintain oral hygiene and keep up with the regular visits to the dental office.
Sealants usually last for many years, but your dentist will want to check them regularly to make sure that they are still intact. They may wear off with time, so sometimes the dentist will add or replace some sealant to be sure that no decay can start underneath it.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that builds strong teeth and prevents cavities from occurring. Fluoride supports healthy tooth enamel by making it stronger and resistant to the bacteria that harm teeth and gums. Fluoride is especially helpful if you’re at high risk of developing dental caries, or cavities.
Our team of Pediatric Dentists provide professional fluoride treatments in the form of a highly concentrated rinse, foam, gels, or varnishes. The treatment may be applied with a brush or cotton swabs or trays. It only take a few minutes to apply. You may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after the treatment so the fluoride can fully absorb.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a professional fluoride treatment at your dentist’s office every 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on your oral health. If you’re at high risk for cavities, your dentist may also prescribe a special fluoride rinse or gel to use regularly at home.
The following can increase your risk of cavities:
If your child is less than 3 years old, they should only brush their teeth with close supervision. Apply only a thin film of fluoride toothpaste to their toothbrush. The toothpaste should cover less than half of the bristles or be no bigger than a grain of rice.
Fluoride toothpaste the size of a pea is recommended for children ages 3 to 6 years old. You should watch children to ensure they spit toothpaste out while brushing.
Fluoride works by reinstating the minerals to tooth surfaces where bacteria may have eroded the enamel. it prevents the bacteria to cause further decay by making the tooth structure strong and resistant. Fluorides are helpful to both children and adults. The sooner the child is exposed to fluoride, the less likely they are to develop cavities.
Routine Dental X-rays (radiographs) are extremely important to assess, the status of the primary (milk) teeth and also to closely monitor the permanent (new) teeth that will come into the mouth. These X-rays are used with low levels of radiation to capture images of your teeth and gums. Children often need to have dental X-rays more than adults because the pediatric dentist might need to monitor the growth of their adult teeth. This is important because it can help us to determine if baby teeth need to be pulled to prevent complications, such as adult teeth growing in irregular patterns.
Types of X-rays
There are several types of dental X-rays, which record slightly different views of your mouth. The most common are intraoral X-rays, such as:
