What are the different oral hygiene programs offered by our office?

1. Prophylaxis (regular cleaning)

This procedure is the regular periodic cleaning of teeth with no infections at the gum and bone.

It is to remove plaque, stains and calculus (tartar) above the gum level of the teeth.

2. Periodontal Maintenance

This procedure is instituted following periodontal therapy and continues at varying intervals, determined by the clinical evaluation by the dentist, for the life of the dentition or any implant replacements.

It includes removal of the bacterial plaque and calculus from supragingival and subgingival regions, site specific scaling and root planning where indicated, and polishing the teeth. If new or recurring periodontal disease appears, additional diagnostic and treatment procedures must be considered.

3. Periodontal scaling and root planing - four or more teeth per quadrant

This procedure involves instrumentation of the crown and root surfaces of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus from these surfaces. It is indicated for patients with periodontal disease and is therapeutic, not prophylactic, in nature. Root planing is the definitive procedure designed for the removal of cementum and dentin that is rough, and/or permeated by calculus or contaminated with toxins or microorganisms. Some soft tissue removal occurs. This procedure may be used as a definitive treatment in some stages of periodontal disease and/or as a part of pre-surgical procedures in others.

The patient is numbed for this procedure

Bad Breath (Halitosis)

There is nothing more uncomfortable for you and those around you than bad breath. This condition can be painfully embarrassing and put a damper on your social life, not to mention a job prospect. And really nothing beats the feeling of a clean, fresh mouth.

The Fundamentals of Bad Breath

When you experience bad breath, it is a biological reaction to your body’s release of volatile sulfur into the atmosphere. This includes sulfur, hydrogen sulfide and methyl marcaptan.

Release of foul odors occurs when food remains in your mouth after brushing. The most common offender is food left in between your teeth. These small bits of food begin to rot and start to smell.

Culprits of Bad Breath

Improper hygiene is the number one reason for foul breath. There are other causes, of course:

-Food — When you eat smelly foods, your digestive system  will release strong gases that are unpleasant; gases can be released 24 hours after you’ve eaten that stinky item. Common bad-breath-causing foods: garlic, onions, cheeses and dairy.

-Undigested foods from the stomach

-Medical conditions 
- Severe kidney failure
- Diabetic ketoacidosis

-Large dose of vitamins

-Dry mouth syndrome (xerostomia)

-Cavities

-Abscessed teeth/ Impacted teeth

-Gingivitis (any form of gum disease)

-Tongue — The tongue harbors bacteria that if left to build up can cause bad breath.

Preventing Bad Breath Before it Starts

Brushing twice a day, flossing daily and using mouthwash at bedtime is your ticket to a life free of bad breath. These steps cannot be emphasized enough! Proper oral hygiene is intertwined with daily maintenance. Some suggest brushing after consuming any sugar, but that would also include any food that converts into sugar once it hits your mouth (all carbohydrates, i.e., pasta, bread, potatoes, milk). To avoid bad breath, daily maintenance is essential.

Before you spend any money on breath mints, gums or breath strips, remember that those generally only help for a short time. Only good oral hygiene and regular cleanings at your dentist’s office will ensure you never get in an embarrassing social situation because of bad breath.

Plaque

Chances are, when you think of a “community,” you probably don’t think of dental plaque. But in scientific terms, plaque is actually a community made of about 400 different species of bacteria.

In plain terms, dental plaque is the sticky invisible film that accumulates on your teeth — on the biting surfaces, in the spaces between the teeth, and along the gum line. Plaque gets a jumpstart from sugar and starch. So the next time you bite into that chocolate bar or eat a bag of chips, just remember that these foods also cause the bacteria in plaque to produce acids that attack your teeth and gums.

How to Keep Plaque in Its Place

Fortunately, indulging in your favorite snacks doesn’t have to be such a dismal affair: You can remove plaque by brushing and flossing every day. If you don’t, plaque can eventually wear down your tooth enamel and cause cavities, or turn into calculus or tartar and cause gingivitis.

Other ways to prevent plaque:

- Use an interdental cleaner to clean between teeth.
- Eat a balanced diet and limit snacking.
- See your dentist for regular cleanings and exams.
- Consider getting dental sealants.

Types of Plaque

Like most things, plaque is complex and hard to pin down into one category. According to Dr. Susan Kinder Haake of UCLA’s Periodontic Information Center, plaque can be classified in several ways:

- By its relationship to the gum line (subgingival or supragingival)
- By its relationship to the tooth surface (attached or unattached)
- By association with its disease state (health-associated or disease-associated)

Examine Your Teeth for Plaque

You can rely on your dentist to tell you if you have plaque, but you can also take the do-it-yourself route. Disclosing tablets, swabs and solution are plaque-revealing products that can be used at home. These products temporarily stain plaque so that you can see where it is and how much there is on your teeth.

Recent Studies

Researchers at the University of Buffalo examined the dental plaque on the teeth of seniors who were admitted to the ICU. They discovered that the patients who contracted pneumonia while in the ICU had more plaque on their teeth and were more likely to have respiratory pathogens living in their plaques.

In addition, researchers from Eastman Dental Institute in London say that the presence of certain bacteria in dental plaque of children could help predict their risk of developing periodontal disease as adults.

Dental floss is either a bundle of thin nylon filaments or a plastic (teflon or polyethylene) ribbon used to remove food and dental plaque from teeth. The floss is gently inserted between the teeth and scraped along the teeth sides, especially close to the gums. Dental floss may be flavored or unflavored, and waxed or unwaxed.

You probably know that brushing alone won’t take care of your oral hygiene – you hear it all the time from commercials, your dentist, probably even from your mother.

You probably know they’re all right, too.

Brushing alone won’t get rid of all the horrid food particles and plaque left in between your teeth and your gums that become bacteria’s haven. Soon, these deep dark places become a playground for all kinds of dental diseases including cavities and bad breath.

That’s what the floss is good for, because it is a stringy material used to clean in between teeth and places that the brush can’t reach. It helps prevent this little playground you already have from becoming a bacteria theme park.

Floss can come waxed or unwaxed, flavored or unflavored, thin or wide. The kind of floss you want is entirely up to you, though you might want to consider that waxed floss slip in between teeth easier, and smooth and soft floss ensure the maximum comfort for your gums. Of course, flavor doesn’t hurt either.

It is recommended to floss before brushing at least once a day, or once every 24 hours.

Here’s how:

The American Dental Association (ADA) advises to floss once or more per day. It should be noted that overly vigorous or incorrect flossing can result in gum tissue damage. For proper flossing, the Association advises to curve the floss against the side of the tooth in a ‘C’ shape, and then to wipe the tooth from under the gumline (very gently) to the tip two or three times, repeated on adjacent tooth and on all other teeth too. Dental floss does not clean the interproximal areas beneath the contact point, because the area is concave.