Are you looking for Dental Disease Prevention? Prevention and treatment of dental diseases and oral hygiene play an important role in the health of adults and children. All preventive measures should be taken in combination, only then it will be possible to avoid serious pathologies that require long-term therapy. Care should be provided both at home and in the clinic since not all procedures can be performed independently. If you have any questions regarding the choice of effective methods, it is better to consult a dentist.
Causes
The main factors in the development of pathological processes in the oral cavity:
- Poor hygiene;
- Untimely treatment of caries and other pathologies;
- Hereditary predisposition;
- Bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse, strong coffee, and black tea);
- Close arrangement of dental units;
- The presence of chronic diseases;
- The use of carbohydrates in large quantities;
- Toxicosis during pregnancy;
- Increased viscosity of saliva, its high mineralizing activity;
- Bite defects;
- Violation of the terms of eruption, etc.
Most of the prerequisites can be eliminated with the help of preventive measures.
Types of prevention Dental Disease Prevention
All methods can be conditionally divided into 3 large groups. The first includes methods of influencing hard tissues and mucous membranes, which make it possible to prevent pathological processes. There are secondary as well as tertiary preventive measures. They come to the rescue in cases where the problem has already appeared and signals characteristic symptoms, but with a competent approach to hygiene and the use of effective techniques, teeth, and gums can return to normal in a short period of time.
It is better to prevent the occurrence of diseases and pay all attention to home care. Procedures are performed both at home and in the clinic. It depends on the condition of the tissues, the presence of acute inflammation, and other possible problems in a particular patient.
Primary Oral Prevention in Dentistry for Dental Health
These are methods to prevent the occurrence of dental pathologies. With the appearance of the very first symptoms of disorders, it is possible to stop the further progression of the disease, if the a timely response to the ongoing changes. Valid ways:
- High-quality personal oral hygiene;
- Professional hygiene procedures in the clinic;
- The use of specialized compounds with fluorine;
- Local prophylactic agents;
- Informing the population about existing methods to prevent problems with teeth and gums.
Secondary prevention
These include traditional techniques that allow you to stop the pathological process that has already begun, prevent possible complications, and preserve tissues. The main methods used in this case:
- Dental treatment for carious lesions (installation of fillings, endodontic manipulations, etc.);
- Therapy of periodontal diseases;
- Surgical intervention;
- Other methods aimed at eliminating pathology.
Tertiary prevention
Lost functions of dental units are replenished with the help of special materials that replace missing tissues. Rehabilitation of patients is carried out, and over time, the body almost completely returns to normal.
Memo on the means of complex prevention of dental diseases
What every person who cares about oral health needs to remember:
- Regular cleaning at home in the morning and evening;
- Use of floss and rinse aid during the day;
- Dental check-ups every six months;
- High-quality brush, paste, and other accessories;
- Professional procedures in the clinic, especially when indicated;
- Timely treatment of pathologies;
- Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
Fundamentals of dental treatment for dental diseases, prevention of complications
Each person should take care of the health of the oral cavity and take care for it regularly, providing high-quality hygienic care, including at a professional level. Despite daily brushing and rinsing, scheduled visits to the dentist should not be neglected. As a rule, most patients come to the clinic when unpleasant symptoms appear, although it is much easier to follow simple preventive rules and prevent the development of pathologies.
Oral hygiene
The fact that you need to brush your teeth regularly is known to both adults and children. Without daily hygiene procedures, the development of bacterial microflora, and the formation of dense plaque, which eventually turns into stone, cannot be avoided. Hygiene includes not only brushing with toothpaste, but also the use of flosses, irrigators, and rinses. After each meal, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with clean water.
In the presence of chronic pathologies, it is better to discuss care procedures with a dentist. It is possible that some methods will be contraindicated, while other means will show the greatest effectiveness with absolute safety.
Irrigator
This device is used to maintain hygiene at a high level and prevent pathological conditions associated with poor-quality cleaning of hard and soft tissues. In the modern market, there are a lot of models from various manufacturers. Which device is best should be discussed with the dentist. Typically, the design is a reservoir for water and solutions, a nozzle for irrigation, and a motor for creating jet pressure. Most modern devices are equipped with a button for adjusting the force of water pressure. This indicator will depend on the condition of the oral cavity and the periodontium in particular.
This method of prevention of major dental diseases in adults, children, and adolescents is recommended for:
- The presence of orthopedic and orthodontic structures in the mouth;
- Halitosis;
- Inability to fully clean hard-to-reach areas;
- Decreased immunity;
- Smoking;
- Bearing a child (at different gestational ages).
The irrigator is considered one of the most effective home care products.
Teeth cleaning
It is impossible to prevent the regular occurrence of plaque since the microorganisms involved in this process are an integral part of the human body. In order to eliminate the negative effect of bacteria on the enamel and deeper layers of dental tissues, it is necessary to take care of the oral cavity daily.
Brush your teeth twice a day (after breakfast and before bed). Experts note that the duration of cleaning should be at least 3 minutes. So not a single unit will be left without attention. Special scrapers and brushes are purchased for the tongue.
It is very important to choose a quality toothbrush. You should choose accessories that have passed state registration, in sealed packaging, with the detailed information provided on it.
In order to prevent dental diseases, you need to use pastes with fluoride. They help not only to prevent the accumulation of a large amount of plaque but also to strengthen hard tissues.
Dental floss
The brush is not able to clean the interdental spaces efficiently. The bristles are not small enough to penetrate the gaps between closely adjacent teeth.
Despite the abundance of products on store shelves, experts agree that the type of floss is not so important if you know how to use it correctly. For beginners, it is better to give preference to waxed types, because they penetrate the interdental spaces more easily, and do not tear or break into fibers.
To facilitate the process, special holders were created, which are called flossers. This option is optimal for people who cannot master the flossing technique, as well as for people with impaired finger mobility. This type of prevention of dental diseases is also used in pregnant women.
Mouthwash
Such liquids can be divided into 2 large groups. The first includes products that are applied before cleaning and subsequently facilitate the removal of plaque with a brush and paste. They are designed to soften deposits.
The second group includes formulations used after cleansing. They reduce the adhesion of the bacterial layer to the tooth surfaces. Products containing antiseptics are especially effective.
Sometimes doctors recommend using antiseptic rinses after surgery in the presence of an inflammatory process in the mouth. However, such formulations cannot be used on an ongoing basis, they are intended only for temporary therapy during periods of exacerbation of ailments. In addition, if you use them for too long, the bacterial microflora adapts over time, and the effect approaches zero.
Features of the prevention of dental diseases in the clinic
The main task that specialists set for themselves are to prevent and quickly cure pathologies of hard tissues and mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Occupational hygiene involves careful surface treatment to remove food particles and old deposits, as well as the subsequent application of protective compounds to prevent the development of a pathological process.
The procedure consists of several successive steps:
- Advising the patient on the need to perform hygiene measures, the formation of a correct understanding of the importance of dental care;
- Antiseptic treatment (irrigation) of the oral cavity;
- Removal of deposits (stone, plaque);
- Coating with special remineralizing preparations.
Professional teeth cleaning
This is an effective way to remove plaque pigment and tartar, which are a suitable environment for the growth of bacterial microflora, and therefore the main cause of periodontal disease. In general, the service includes the direct removal of deposits, polishing, and strengthening of the enamel layer. These actions are performed in various combinations depending on the individual characteristics of the patient, the clinical picture, and contraindications.
In dentistry, the following types of professional cleaning are distinguished:
- Ultrasound. The device affects even those deposits that are located in the subgingival region. The effect of the procedure can last up to a year.
- Laser. Plaque and stone are eliminated, and the enamel becomes lighter. In some cases, even the shade of dentin changes. A pronounced result can be observed for up to 2-3 years.
- Airflow. Plaque and stone are exposed to a stream of air and a solution based on soda. The effect is visible for up to six months. The procedure is absolutely harmless and painless and does not bring any discomfort.
Tartar removal
Hard deposits of a yellowish, white, gray, and brown hue cannot be removed with a regular brush. Over time, deep tissues are affected, which can lead to periodontal disease. That is why it is important to detect the presence of such plaque as early as possible and consult a dentist.
The Benefits of Using an Oral Irrigator for Optimal Oral Hygiene
The most common cleaning methods are ultrasonic and Air Flow. The longer the deposits are on the teeth, the more difficult it is to get rid of them. Pay as much attention as possible to preventive measures and do not forget:
- Brush your teeth regularly with a good-quality, medium-hard bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Periodically change accessories;
- Do not neglect dental floss and rinses;
- Do not smoke, and give up frequent use of coffee and strong black tea.
Enamel demineralization
This is the saturation of the outer layer of the tooth with mineral components that contribute to its restoration. To achieve the desired effect, the surfaces must be pre-cleaned of plaque and other deposits, so maximum adhesion will be ensured. In addition, it is important to ensure that the remineralizing material remains on the teeth for a long time, refraining from eating for at least 5 hours.
The following types of such therapy for the prevention of stoma diseases can be distinguished:
- Fluorination. The main component of the solution is fluorine, which saturates the enamel layer. For this, special mouth guards with gel, dental fluoride varnish, as well as chemical interaction of substances with enamel are used.
- Remineralization with preparations that do not contain fluoride compounds. They are based on calcium and phosphates. This method is safer but less efficient. You can carry out the procedure at home because even if swallowed, the product will not have a negative effect on the body.
Fissure sealing
The main goal is to eliminate small grooves on the surfaces of chewing teeth. Food particles, and pathogenic microorganisms, which are almost impossible to clean out on your own at home, get into these recesses. Over time, they expand even more, which leads to the development of fissure caries.
Fissures are sealed with special compounds containing silver ions. This helps to strengthen the teeth and increase the resistance of enamel to external influences. Tooth surfaces become stronger and smoother, and the risk of developing carious lesions is significantly reduced.
Indications for sealing:
- The presence of very deep grooves that cannot be hygienically cleaned;
- Hereditary predisposition to pathologies (hypersensitivity, weak mineralization, etc.);
- Detection of depressions during the eruption of molars in children;
- The first symptoms of focal enamel demineralization;
- Caries on the lateral surfaces of the teeth.
The program for the prevention of major dental diseases by sealing includes the implementation of the procedure in a non-invasive and invasive way. The first option is used on dairy units and in cases where the fissures are shallow. The second method requires instrumental expansion of the recesses and their subsequent filling with a sealed composition. Sealants can be both transparent and colored. The main contraindication is the presence of caries on the dental surfaces.
Regular check-ups at the dentist
Constant monitoring of the state of the oral cavity helps to maintain the health of teeth, gums, mucous membranes, and other organs and systems that may suffer as a result of the development of caries and other diseases of a dental nature. Doctors constantly emphasize that prevention should be given priority and not the treatment of pathologies. It is better to visit dentistry once again to prevent serious pathological processes that require long-term and expensive therapy.
During the examination, the dentist identifies risk factors for the development of the disease, assesses the general condition of the oral cavity using a visual examination, and, if necessary, refers to diagnostic procedures. The doctor also helps to choose effective care products and devices for home cleaning of teeth, gums, and tongue.
At the end of the examination, a conclusion is given. It is necessary to visit a specialist without indications at least every six months, while the patient’s age does not matter, it is important for children, adults, and the elderly.
Conclusion on Dental Disease Prevention:
The concept of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of dental diseases includes a set of measures that are aimed at preventing pathological processes, as well as stopping their progression when detected at the earliest stages. Preventive methods are relevant for patients of any age and gender. If you neglect home and professional procedures, you cannot avoid serious complications that require long and expensive treatment. It is high-quality prevention that guarantees the health of both hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity.