DENTAL EDUCATION

Please see below for more information and educational diagrams.

DEEP CLEANINGS

Scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning, is meant to address an advanced form of gum disease called periodontitis, which involves a buildup of hardened plaque, called calculus, around or below the gumline. If not removed, calculus causes pockets in the gums around the teeth to deepen. If unaddressed, this will lead to inflammation, bone loss, and ultimately infection and tooth loss. In addition, gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease because inflammation in the gums and bacteria may eventually lead to narrowing of important arteries.

DENTAL CARIES

Dental caries or decay, more commonly known as a cavity, are caused by a breakdown of the tooth enamel. This breakdown is the result of bacteria on teeth that breakdown foods and produce acid that destroys tooth enamel and results in tooth decay.

Although dental caries are largely preventable, they remain the most common chronic disease of children aged 6 to 11 years and adolescents aged 12 to 19 years.

Water fluoridation has been a major contributor to the decline of the rate of tooth decay. Studies have shown that water fluoridation can reduce the amount of decay in children’s teeth by 18-40%.

In addition to fluoridated water, good oral hygiene can help prevent tooth decay:

Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaner
Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking
Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral examination
Check with your dentist about use of supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth, and about use of dental sealants (a plastic protective coating) applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay

BRUSHING

Please see the diagram to the right regarding brushing technique. Remember the 2-2-2 rule: Visit the dentist 2 times a year, and brush 2 times a day for 2 whole minutes.

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

The root canal procedure is meant to save your tooth! Patients typically need a root canal when there is an infection in the roots of a tooth. During the treatment, the infected nerves and blood vessels (collectively called the pulp tissue) are removed. The canals are then cleaned, disinfected and shaped in order to receive a filling to seal the root canal space. A tooth that received a root canal tends to be more brittle due to the amount of tooth structure removed during the procedure. As a result, a buildup and crown almost always are needed.