A teeth cleaning is one of the simplest things you can do to ensure healthy teeth and optimal hygiene for your mouth. Routine cleanings are crucial to keeping your teeth and gums healthy by preventing tooth decay, bacterial infection, and gingivitis. During a cleaning a dentist removes tartar and plaque surrounding the area where your teeth meet the gums. Excessive plaque or tartar in the mouth causes bleeding gums and, without additional care, can lead to disease. Periodontitis, a severe gum disease, can deteriorate the bones, the gums and the surrounding tissue. 75% of people in the United States have some form of periodontitis and statistically 97% of them will suffer lasting damage because they didn’t get it checked out soon enough.
Cavities, also known as dental decay, are the most prevalent chronic disease in children, with 40% of children starting kindergarten already affected. It is important to begin proper dental hygiene when your child is young to prevent unhealthy habits.
1. brush morning and night, and floss daily;
2. Keep a toothbrush with them; and
3. See the dentist every 6 months
Cavity Prevention Tip: Sealants
The premolars come in around 6 years of age, and when they arrive get sealants on them to prevent cavities.
Sealants will protect the groves in the teeth from leftover food or plague. Sealants are thin coatings that protect your molars from tooth decay (cavities) by placing a protective layer over the grooves in your molars where it can be hard to reach and clean. These should be applied to every child’s mouth and will last about ten years (while they do need to be checked routinely). At first, sealants are 80% successful in preventing cavities, and a 60% successful for the next ten years as long as routine dentist appointments are attended.
Get an x-ray of your child’s teeth to see if there are any issues arising unseen by the naked eye.
A root canal is a dental procedure used when a cavity in the tooth has spread down to the root of your tooth and into your gum, causing it to become infected or inflamed. When getting a root canal, it is first necessary to remove the infected root, and replace it with a permanent filling. The dentist will first, numb the tooth; second, remove the tooth’s root and third, fill it with a temporary filling until a permanent filling or crown is inserted. A crown is usually placed on top after a root canal has been filled. The crown will be specifically created for your mouth to provide an aesthetically pleasing result.
A dental extraction is the procedure of removing a tooth. Teeth extractions are necessary when there is no hope in repairing the tooth. Sometimes due to severe decay or infection, it is best to remove the tooth.This may be the best option to choose from if a tooth has been broken, deteriorated by decay, or by gum disease. Ideally, after the tooth is extracted, an implant will be put in place of it and a crown will go on top of the implant, creating the appearance of a healthy tooth.