Taking care of all the elements that make up the oral cavity is very important. Neglecting any part of this set (deficient oral hygiene) may result in diseases like caries and periodontitis and, over time, might even cause the loss of teeth. This is why strict oral hygiene is essential even before your first tooth erupts and throughout your entire lifetime.

In order for brushing your teeth to be a truly effective habit, it must be a daily routine performed when you wake up in the morning, after every meal and then again right before going to bed. Regularity is a determining factor in maintaining oral health, since dental biofilm continuously builds up, and the only way to avoid its harmful effects is by removing it from the oral cavity. Proper technique is also crucial. If brushing is not performed adequately, it does not accomplish its purpose and, even worse, it can be harmful to your teeth and irritate your gums. You can always ask your dentist for help.

Take care of your teeth throughout your lifetime
Proper oral hygiene must start during the first month of life. The first tooth appears around the sixth month. At this age the use of a brush or dental floss is not necessary, but it is advisable to clean your baby´s teeth and gums with wet gauze after giving the baby his/her bottle or any type of food. For optimum development of baby's teeth and in order for your baby to become familiar with healthy oral hygiene habits, it is a good idea to visit the paediatric dentist on a regular basis.

At age 6, children have the ability to rinse out their mouths, and their teeth start to fall out. Therefore, using a children's tooth gel together with a soft-bristled toothbrush is advisable. Parents must show their children how to brush properly and make them aware of the importance of the daily oral hygiene.

In their teens your children have already adopted regular oral hygiene habits – brushing at least three times per day. They have graduated to an adult toothbrush and toothpaste. Now interproximal cleaning is important for complete oral hygiene.

Adults need to maintain optimum oral hygiene habits and visit the dentist regularly throughout their lives. This should even increase with age. As one grows older, the production and secretion of saliva decreases, meaning that saliva's function of stabilizing the pH of the mouth (acidity level) might be affected. This can be solved by using specific toothpaste for Dry Mouth and a whole range of products that can help slow down the oral aging process.

  Dr. Claudio A. Sorrentino

  www.dentalpalermo.com.ar

How Does Fluoride Prevent Tooth Decay?

Cavity or tooth decay is one of the most frequently occurring tooth problems these days. This is caused by bacteria which are present everywhere - in our mouths, toothbrushes and even teeth. In teeth, they start accumulating in the form of plaque, saliva and remains of food. After settling on the teeth, these organisms feed themselves on the food particles remaining there and acid is produced as a consequence of their feasting. This acid corrodes the tooth enamel and is responsible for causing tooth decay.

Although human tooth enamel can be repaired to a moderate extent by re-mineralizing, it is not that effective in tooth decay as the rate of corrosion caused by the acid surpasses the rate of restoration.

Fluoride, a natural mineral present in the crust of the earth, helps in reducing the cavity. It is also found in certain water supplies and foodstuffs. It is believed that people who drink fluoridated water can prevent tooth decay up to approximately 67% in comparison to those who do not consume naturally fluoridated water. But the question that arises here is how does fluoride prevent tooth decay?

When we eat something, the acid produced as a result of bacterial activity in saliva causes demineralisation which dissolves the phosphorous and calcium present on the tooth enamel. Fluoride slows down this process that takes place in the mouth naturally.
When the saliva is not much acidic, fluoride adopts the opposite approach of replenishing the phosphorous and calcium levels of the teeth in order to strengthen and harden them. This procedure causes re-mineralsation in teeth. The mineral deposits make the enamel harder and stronger to prevent dissolution in the subsequent demineraliSation stage.
Fluoride also helps in developing and strengthening children’s teeth, leading to hardening up of the enamel of the teeth that have already appeared and also the baby or milk teeth that are yet to grow.

Another important question that arises is how will one make sure that he or she is consuming adequate amount of fluoride content to prevent cavity?

If people do not consume fluoridated water, use of fluoride toothpaste will ensure that sufficient fluoride is provided to children as well as adults.

Another alternative available is fluoride drops or tablets prescribed by the dentists or pediatricians to children as well as to adults.
If the source of water is from public water supply, one can evaluate its fluoride content by calling an officer from the local water supply office.
If the source is a private well or private boring, one can get it tested by an independent research laboratory or by any water testing company that offers these kinds of water testing services.

Some kind of action to prevent cavity is very important. If left untreated, the bacterial acid can even make the enamel hollow from inside thus causing a hole into the pulp and dentin layers of the teeth. Healthy and disease free teeth are not only vital for oral health, they are also important to prevent certain other health problems including those of the heart.

  Dr. Claudio A. Sorrentino

  www.dentalpalermo.com.ar

All about Dental Sealants and how they help prevent Tooth Decay

At times your dentist may place a plastic coating on the chewing (occlusal) surface of the permanent back teeth (the molars and premolars). This plastic coating is known as sealant and it helps to protect the teeth from decay.

Why are dental sealants used on teeth?

The chewing (occlusal) surface of the permanent back teeth (the molars and premolars) has grooves or "fissures." Food particles get deposited in the narrow grooves and it can be difficult to clean them as the fissures can be deep and narrower than even a single bristle of a toothbrush. Plaque (a sticky substance that is formed when bacteria present in the mouth get deposited along with saliva, food particles and other natural substances on the surface of the teeth) gets accumulated in them. The bacteria in plaque break the sugar (carbohydrate) in food and lead to formation of acid in the mouth and can lead to tooth decay if it is not removed. The dental sealants protect the grooved and pitted areas by creating a smooth surface by covering the fissured area.

When are dental sealants applied?

In children a dentist may apply sealant as soon as the molar teeth come fully into the mouth (erupt) to protect them from caries. Application of dental sealant on the chewing (occlusal) surfaces of these teeth helps to protect the tooth from caries.

Can dental sealants be used only on the chewing surface of molar and premolar permanent teeth?

Dental sealants are mostly used to cover the chewing (occlusal) surfaces of the back permanent teeth (the molars and premolars) as they have grooves or pits. The sealant helps to protect these teeth for decay. They may be placed on other teeth if they have grooves or pits.

Can dental sealants be used on teeth of adults?

Yes sealants can be placed on teeth of adults as well. But they are used less often in adults. They are used in adults if they have deep grooves and fissures that do not already have fillings or dental sealants.

What do dental sealants look like?

Various types of sealant are present. They can be clear, white or have a slight tint depending on the type of dental sealant that is used.

How are dental sealants placed?

Your dentist will first clean your teeth with a paste and brush, then rinse and dry your tooth/teeth. An acidic solution will be placed on the tooth to make a fine rougher surface than the surrounding tooth enamel (this rough surface promotes the dental sealant to attach to the tooth). After drying the tooth your dentist will place the liquid dental sealant on the tooth and it is hardened by using a light. After the sealant hardens on the tooth you can chew on the tooth again.

How long does a dental sealant last?

Dental sealants have been proven to be effective in preventing decay on chewing (occlusal) surfaces. They can last for years and can be reapplied if needed.

Is fluoride needed after dental sealant is placed?

Yes, as the sealants protect only the surface they are applied on where as fluoride protects all the surfaces of the tooth from decay and cavities.

  Dr. Claudio A. Sorrentino

  www.dentalpalermo.com.ar