Preventative Dental

Our teeth play an extremely important role within our lives. A thorough oral hygiene cleaning removes bacteria from teeth and gums helping to maintain good oral health. Failure to maintain clean tooth surfaces and gums can lead to a deterioration of oral health which in turn, can lead to a variety of dental problems such as gum disease, tooth decay and even loss of teeth. Not only that, research indicates inadequate oral health can have a significant impact on the rest of your body.

People with poor oral health have been associated with suffering from increased risk of stroke, heart disease, respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease. Achieving healthy teeth and gums is a fundamental component to general wellbeing. At Putney Dental Surgery we encourage you to get a preventative dental check-up.

Preventative Dental Check-up includes

• Home Oral Hygiene routine
• Professional check-up and cleaning at regular intervals
• Fluoride treatments
• Healthy Balanced Diet
• Fissure Sealants
• Regular Dental Visits

Home Oral Hygiene

Regular tooth brushing, flossing and tongue hygiene are the basic requirements for healthy gums, teeth and a fresh breath. Patients often brush several times a day but their technique may be inadequate for effective cleaning. During your examination we can detect areas where you may not be brushing effectively and we can demonstrate how you can improve.

A thorough home oral hygiene routine should include the following:

• Brushing twice daily with a soft, rounded bristle toothbrush
• Flossing daily
• Use toothpaste with added fluoride
• Cleaning the tongue and cheeks

Visit us at Putney Dental Surgery every 6 months for your routine  Preventative Dental check up

Professional check-up and cleaning

Your teeth benefit from regular professional cleanings and check-up to maintain function and health of your mouth. A professional clean removes plaque, tartar and stains from the teeth. It is essential to have this procedure done regularly (every 6 months) to help prevent the occurrence of diseases such as gum disease and caries. At your check-up visit an intra-oral examination and if necessary xrays allows us to detect any minor problems and fix them before they become major problems.

There are many reasons your gums could bleed.

In some cases, bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease. If your gums bleed easily or bleed when you brush, speak to Dr Patel about your oral health. Gingivitis is reversible and preventable. Some pregnant women develop a condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis,” an inflammation of the gums that can cause swelling and tenderness. Gums also may bleed a little when brushing or flossing. If you take blood thinners, these medications may cause your gums to bleed. Contact your medical practitioner if the bleeding does not stop quickly. Your gums could also be bleeding if you brush too hard. Use an extra-soft or soft-bristled toothbrush when brushing your teeth. If your gums bleed regularly or enough to worry you, make an appointment with your dentist. It could be a sign that something else is wrong. Your maintenance visit will usually consist of scaling.

So what is scaling or cleaning?

The purpose of scaling is to remove plaque and calculus (tartar) deposits that build up around the teeth. The presence of these deposits can contribute to the development and progression of periodontal disease (gum disease). The periodontium is made up of the gums and bone that support the teeth. Plaque is a mixture of bacteria, food particles and salivary minerals. It is an irritant and over time will cause inflammation of the gums, known as gingivitis; gums will appear red, swollen and bleeding. Plaque may be removed by effective brushing and flossing techniques.

If not effectively removed by home care plaque will accumulate minerals and harden into calculus hard deposits on the teeth. This cannot be removed with a toothbrush or dental floss. The persistence of plaque and calculus in the mouth may lead to chronic inflammation of the gums. This continual inflammation, around the gums leads to bone loss around the teeth, weakens the supporting tissues and causes teeth to loosen. The loss of bone and attachment tissue around teeth is known as periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is present in nearly one quarter of Australian adults (aged 18 and over). The Australian Dental Association states that periodontal disease is the fifth most common health ailment in the Australian population.

Periodontitis may be linked to a range of conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and diabetes. Scaling is carried out by ultrasonic scalers. Where teeth are sensitive or deeper scaling is necessary local anaesthetic may be given. In more advanced cases of periodontal disease you may be referred to a periodontist, a dentist who specialises in the treatment of gum disease.

(pictures by American Academy of Periodontology)