Oral Hygiene
What is oral hygiene?
Oral hygiene means professional care of the oral cavity and removal of dental plaque to prevent any disease caused by plaque. It is the most important method of preventing decay and decaying diseases. The procedure lasts from half an hour to an hour.
During professional oral hygiene, the accumulated hard and soft plaque is removed from the tooth surface using an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments. Pigment stains caused by nicotine, coffee, tea and other coloring products are removed with a special Air-flow machine. It sprays a powder of pearls mixed with a stream of water and air onto the tooth surface via a strong stream. This method is special in that the powder particles are not sharp, so they do not scratch the surface of the teeth and do not damage the gums, and the teeth become naturally brighter. It’s healthy and beautiful!
Before performing all other dental procedures (caries treatment, prosthetics, periodontal operations, teeth whitening, orthodontic treatment, implantation), it is recommended to perform professional oral hygiene to ensure the quality of subsequent procedures.
What procedures are performed during professional oral hygiene?
- The condition of teeth, fillings, prostheses and implants is assessed.
- Therapeutic, tooth-strengthening and desensitising preparations (for example, fluoride varnish) are applied
- Patients are trained in correct oral hygiene, and the necessary oral care products are selected for them: toothbrushes, pastes, rinsing fluids, interdental floss, interdental brushes.
Teeth whitening procedures
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular procedures in aesthetic dentistry. Modern whitening equipment focuses on high results, fast and long-lasting teeth whitening. Depending on the individual wishes of the client, different bleaching systems can be selected, i. y. teeth whitening is done both at home and in the dental office. The most popular solution is laser teeth whitening and chemical grave whitening, zoom lamp. Studies show that whitening healthy teeth with hydrogen peroxide does not damage either the tooth structure or the surrounding tissues. Our specialists will assess the condition of your teeth, answer your questions and help you choose the right teeth whitening method for you.
What causes tooth discoloration?
The most common causes of tooth discoloration are old age, smoking, and frequent consumption of coloring products such as tea, coffee, red wine, and carbonated beverages. Also – various inflammations and dental defects, heredity, dental plaque (although usually invisible, in some cases may darken), caries, tartar. In rare cases – dental trauma, use of antibiotics (tetracycline).
What should be done before a teeth whitening procedure?
If you are interested in teeth whitening, you should first consult a dentist. Remember – the whitening procedure can be performed only after assessing the condition of the oral tissues and teeth, as well as after determining the reasons why the teeth changed colour. Only after taking into account all of the external factors, we choose the most appropriate method for teeth whitening. We recommend professional oral hygiene before starting teeth whitening.
What results can be expected?
Whitening procedures apply only to healthy and / or filled teeth. Otherwise, the teeth will become very sensitive and cause permanent discomfort. The teeth whitening effect is individual in each case, regardless of which whitening method you choose. The whitening effect depends on the innate tooth shade, enamel thickness, patient age and diet, hygiene and harmful habits. The results of teeth whitening can last for several years, but in order for this to happen it is crucial to take proper care of oral hygiene and follow the recommendations of specialists.
What teeth do not whiten?
- Fillings
- Dead teeth
- Porcelain restorations
- Crowns
Teeth whitening methods
- Laser teeth whitening
- Chemical teeth whitening at home
- Teeth whitening using a Zoom Lamp
- Internal tooth whitening
The course of professional oral hygiene
During the examination, the dentist assesses the general condition of the mouth:
- the amount of plaque is determined
- the condition of fillings and prostheses is assessed
- the condition of the periodontium is assessed
- the efficiency of tooth cleaning is determined
- if necessary, further treatment is prescribed
Stage One:
Ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments are used to remove supernatant and subcutaneous plaque, microorganisms and their toxins. If the patient’s teeth are sensitive, the procedure can be performed with anesthesia or with the application of a sensitizing gel.
Stage Two:
With a strong stream of air, water and soda powder, pigment plaque is removed from all teeth quickly and without pain.
Stage Three:
After removing all concretions and plaque, the teeth are polished using special brushes, rubber disks and polishing paste. Properly polished tooth surfaces are much more resistant to tooth decay, with less accumulation of stones and plaque.
Recommendations after oral hygiene procedures
After professional oral hygiene, you should not eat, drink (tea, coffee, wine, etc.), smoke for three hours. The recommended restrictions will help slow down the formation of pelicles (films) that accumulate soft plaque and keep your teeth clean for longer. Specialists remind you that after the procedure, you may feel uncomfortable for a few days: sensitivity of your teeth to temperature stimuli or bleeding gums. After the procedure, we recommend cleaning your teeth with a medium-hard or soft brush, interdental floss – dental floss, interdental brushes.
Professional oral hygiene after prosthetics on teeth and implants
For those who have dentures on their teeth or dental implants, proper oral hygiene procedures are more complicated and requires special care. Prostheses and prostheses on implants are carefully cleaned during professional oral hygiene, as improper removal of plaque can lead to inflammation around the implant, which, when spread to deeper tissues, develops a peri-implant that can lead to implant loss. Careful care of dentures and implants is essential to ensure their longevity.
How often should professional oral hygiene be performed?
A healthy and well-groomed person should perform professional oral hygiene 1-2 times a year.
Professional oral hygiene should be performed 2-3 times a year for people with poor dental care and smoking, and 3-4 times for patients with periodontal diseases.
During treatment, it is recommended to perform orthodontic professional oral hygiene every 1 to 3 months, and for those with implants – every 6 months.
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