Maintaining Oral Hygiene

Unchecked gingivitis can develop into periodontitis. Periodontitis is a disease that affects not only the gums but also the bone surrounding the teeth. Inflammation due to harmful bacteria causes the bone to move away from the source of inflammation in an effort to protect itself. As a result, there is less bone around your teeth leading to loose teeth and areas that are very difficult to clean. This process is cyclical and will eventually lead to tooth loss.

If periodontitis has developed, a specialized deep cleaning will be necessary. This requires cleaning both above and down beneath the level of the gums around the root of each tooth. If you have periodontitis, a tooth brush and floss can’t reach far enough down between the gums and root surface to adequately remove plaque and calculus and thereby reduce inflammation and control the disease. Deep cleanings will help control bone loss around the teeth, improve the smell of your breath, and reduce harmful bacteria and inflammation. This reduction in harmful bacteria and inflammation is important not only for your oral health but for your overall systemic health, as periodontitis has been linked to diseases such as diabetes, respiratory disease, and heart disease.

Tooth decay is more commonly referred to as a cavity. Tooth decay occurs when plaque, which contains bacteria, is allowed to remain on teeth. The bacteria secretes acid which demineralizes the hard outer layer (enamel) of your tooth. Overtime this demineralization reaches the softer inner layers of the tooth and the rate at which decay occurs increases and can lead to infection. Here at Elk Meadow Dental Care, your dental cleaning and exam is the foundation needed to deter and detect decay.

One of the ways we help prevent tooth decay is by using fluoride. Over time important minerals are leached out of your teeth due to the acids secreted by bacteria. Fluoride is important because it will re-mineralize your teeth, filling the voids where tooth structure has been removed. This strengthens the teeth and as an added benefit causes the bacteria in your mouth to grow at a slower rate.

Sealants are another way to help prevent tooth decay. Your teeth have grooves in them which is often where food and plaque often accumulate. Wherever plaque is allowed to stay, decay is sure to follow. Sealing the grooves in your teeth with a small tooth colored filling will remove the repository for food and plaque, reducing the chance for decay to develop.

Exams are important to evaluate the health of each tooth, the gums, and to make sure that everything looks normal and healthy in the mouth. X-rays allow us to see inside the teeth, checking for any decay or infection. Getting an exam is more than just looking at the teeth, it also involves looking at the surrounding structures of the mouth, face, and neck to make sure everything is healthy and normal.