Dental prophylaxis is a preventive and curative treatment of caries, which in the long term, can stop the formation of microbial disease. Individual dental prophylaxis performed on an individual in a dental office begins with a diagnosis from saliva tests and radiographs. These are followed by procedures consisting of sealing, scaling, polishing, fluoridation, and/or antimicrobial therapy. Wichita Dentistry also includes advice on hygiene and oral diseases.
The formation of plaques, tartar and caries
Plaque is a soft accumulative film of food debris and bacteria. Over time, plaque becomes tartar, which is a porous material with high adhesion to teeth. Its pores house sources of microbes, which turn into buccal diseases, like gingivitis, periodontitis, caries, etc. Due to the adverse effects of plaque and caries, it is important to have good oral hygiene.
Proper hygiene consists of dental cleanings, both personal and professional. Personal cleaning consists of brushing your teeth two to three times a day for a period of three minutes. This method must be accompanied by professional cleanings. These must be performed by a dentist, mainly because your toothbrush cannot remove all bacteria, especially around the molars and premolars. Your dentist can perform the dental cleaning by scaling, polishing and/or through dental prophylaxis.
Individual dental prophylaxis
Dental prophylaxis is a technique that dentists use to reduce and evaluate the initial caries risk. It is detached in the case where it is performed on a particular in a dental surgery. This is a treatment for both preventive and curative reasons. Dental prophylaxis is especially designed for people who have a high risk of caries, meaning they have had more than two caries in three years or more than 10 teeth treated in the past.
Diagnosis and treatment
As the risk varies for each patient, diagnosis and treatment will always differ in individual dental prophylaxis. Wichita Dentistry will then perform an evaluation of the oral cavity, which begins with a diagnosis from clinical exam tests. These tests consists of three points:
1. The ability of saliva to clean the teeth from saliva flow;
2. To determine the salivary pH demineralization of enamel; and
3. Bacteria in the oral cavity.
Bacteria may be lactobacilli, which favor cavities, or streptococci, which create them. After detecting an abnormality, dental prophylaxis is then engaged. For more information about dental prophylaxis, or to inquire about other dental procedures, visit u today.
