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Eliminating periodontal disease and maintaining good oral health
is an essential part of keeping your smile attractive and healthy.
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 Good Dental Hygiene:
Ask our hygienists to demonstrate good
brushing and flossing techniques for you at your next scheduled
cleaning and checkup.
 | Brush teeth twice a day with a fluoride
toothpaste including the tongue |
| Floss once a day |
| Remove dentures at night and clean them
thoroughly. |
| Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not
have a long-lasting effect, however some help to deter the
accumulation of plaque. |
| A fluoride mouth rinse, used along with
brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay.
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Regular Checkups: Schedule regular dental visits for a
professional cleaning and checkup
(at least twice a year).
Be sure to let the doctor know if you've had any
surgery or illness since your last appointment.
If you are bothered by persistent bad breath,
keep a log of the foods you eat and make a list of medications
you take. Some medications may play a role in creating
mouth odors. Let Dr. Webster know if you must constantly
use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor.
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Fluoride Treatments:
The key reason tooth decay has been reduced
dramatically over the past few decades is fluoride. It also
helps to repair tooth decay caught in the early stages even before
the decay becomes visible.
Unfortunately, many people continue to be
misinformed about fluoride and fluoridation. Fluoride is like any
other nutrient; it is safe and effective when used appropriately.
Self-Applied Fluoride
One method of self-applied topical fluoride is fluoride-containing
toothpaste. Please consult with us if you are considering the use
of toothpaste with fluoride for a child before age 2.
Another method of self-applied fluoride is
mouthrinses. These rinses are designed to be rinsed and spit out,
either prescribed by the dentist or an over-the-counter variety.
Not recommended for
children under six years of age because they may swallow the
rinse.
Professionally-Applied
Professionally-applied fluorides are in the form of a gel, foam or
rinse, and are applied by the dentist or dental hygienist during
dental visits. Because these fluorides are more concentrated than
the commercially sold fluorides, they are not needed as
frequently.
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Sealants:
Dental sealants act as a barrier, protecting the
teeth against decay-causing bacteria.
The sealants are usually
applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and
molars) where decay occurs most often.
Sealants are easy for the dentist to apply, and it takes only a
few minutes to seal each tooth.
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The teeth to be sealed are
cleaned. |
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To help the sealant adhere to the tooth, the
chewing surfaces are roughened with an acid solution .
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The sealant is
then 'painted' onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to
the tooth and hardens. |
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To help the sealant harden, a special curing light is used
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As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth
surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under
the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before
a reapplication is needed.
During your regular dental visits, the dentist will
check the condition of the sealants and reapply them when
necessary.
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