Pit of Fissure Sealants Treatments
The top surfaces of your teeth - where the chewing
takes place - are rough and has deep grooves called pits
and fissures. These are places where plaque can build up
and cannot be removed by your toothbrush and dental
floss. Some of the pits and fissures are so narrow that
even a single bristle from your toothbrush can't get
deep enough to clean them out therefore can cause
cavities in these pits and fissures.
One method of preventing cavities from developing in
the pits and fissures is to seal them off with a special
pit and fissure sealant. Your dentist will clean the
tooth first, then apply a mild acid solution to 'etch'
the surface and make it easier for the pit and fissure
sealant to stick. The whole procedure is quick and
painless. Keeping the area dry and away from your saliva
during the application is very important. If the tooth
gets wet, the sealant might not stick properly. Once
everything is ready, your dentist 'paints' the sealant
right over the pits and fissures on the tooth surface. A
special kind of light cures the sealant , by which we
seal the pits.
Oral Hygiene
Oral Hygiene and Plaque
- Oral hygiene refers to keeping the mouth, and
all the teeth, clean and free of dental plaque.
- "Daily oral hygiene practices such as brushing
and flossing can prevent both caries and
gingivitis."
- You are also advised to see your dentist twice a
year for professional scaling and polishing.
Dental plaque, calculus or tartar
Dental plaque is a thin coating of bacteria and food
particles that stick to teeth.
- Plaque cannot be rinsed off, but can only be
removed by brushing and flossing.
- Dental plaque is formed when the bacteria that
normally live in our mouths are allowed to
accumulate on and attach to the teeth.
- Plaque converts dietary sugars to acid.
- The acid dissolves the tooth material and causes
tooth to decay.
Plaque calcifies and hardens to become calculus or
tartar.
- These hardened deposits can only be removed by
the dentist or hygienist by scaling and polishing ,
as brushing cannot do so.
Why is oral hygiene important and best way to
control dental plaque.
- The practise of oral hygiene is important
because it prevents the build up of dental plaque.
- Plaque causes the two most common diseases like,
dental decay & gum disease.
- The longer dental plaque sticks to the teeth,
the greater is the risk of dental disease.
- Brushing and flossing will control plaque
formation.
- Brush and floss twice a day, after breakfast and
before bedtime.
- Rinse daily with a mouthwash.
- Eating less refined sugar will reduce plaque
formation.
Brushing
Why do we brush our teeth?
- It is important to remove the dental plaque and
food that stick to teeth, and cause decay and gum
disease.
- Brushing and flossing are the most effective
ways of controlling plaque.
- You need to be aware of the fact that plaque is
being formed continuously.
- Plaque formation and growth cannot be stopped.
Plaque can only be controlled by regular daily
removal.
How often should your toothbrush be changed?
The toothbrush should be changed at the first sign of
wear.
- The bristles may become flattened and lose their
shape.
- Bristles wear differently from person to person
depending on how the toothbrush is used.
- Plaque removal becomes less efficient with an
old worn toothbrush.
- It is recommended that you change your
toothbrush every four to six months.
Are electric toothbrushes recommended by dentists?
Electric toothbrushes have proven to be very
successful in maintaining good oral health, and removing
plaque.
- The action of the brush is more efficient than
the manual brush for cleaning teeth.
- Electric toothbrushes are recommended for the
elderly and people with arthritis or other.
- Disabilities, who may find it difficult to
manage with a manual toothbrush.
- Children enjoy the fun of using an electric
toothbrush. It will result in a more thorough
cleaning of their teeth, particularly at an early
age.
- As they grow older it may be less important to
use an electric toothbrush.
- It is effective with fixed orthodontic
appliances.
- Remember that the cleaning of teeth will only be
successful, if the motivation exists to have healthy
teeth and gums.
- Electric toothbrushes may provide interest and
motivation for people who are reluctant to brush
their teeth properly.
- Consult your dentist and follow the
manufacturer's instructions.
Routine Dental Examinations
" Prevention is Better than
Cure "This is what we strongly believe in
& thereby encourage all our patients to come to
us for regular routine dental check ups than to
come to us with problems.
These regular check ups that we conduct
include
- Plaque & Calculus detection.
- Removal of sub & supragingival plaque &
calculus by routine scaling & polishing
procedures.
- Checking for any signs of tooth decay or
cavities.
- Checking the already existing
restorations & prosthesis.
- Checking for signs of food impaction.
- Regular Radiographs to rule out any
future problems.