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Plaque

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film consisting of bacteria and sugars that form constantly on teeth. This is the main cause of conditions such as cavities and gum disease. If not cleaned and removed thoroughly every day, dental plaque hardens into tartar and could cause future problems.

Plaque forming bacteria uses the ingredients in saliva and microscopic food leftovers to develop and grow. Plaque is a major cause for cavities. Acids from the plaque attack the teeth after eating. Repeated acid impacts weaken the tooth enamel and can develop a cavity. If plaque is not removed, it can also irritate the gums and cause inflammation. This could easily lead to gingivitis, pyorrhea and even loss of teeth. Some of the symptoms of gingivitis are red, swollen or bleeding gums.
Good news is it's really easy to get rid of the plaque and prevent build-up. You just need to take proper care and make sure to brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day. Make sure you brush at least 5-6 minutes to remove the plaque from all surfaces.

Dentists recommend to floss daily. This helps remove the plaque in places where the toothbrush may not reach properly - between teeth and under the gumline.

Tartar/Calculus

Tartar (also known as calculus) a hardened plaque. Tartar can form at and underneath the gumline and often irritates gum tissue. Tartar gives plaque more surface area to grow on. This, and the stickier surface to adhere to, can lead to far more serious conditions - i.e. cavities and gum disease among others.

Tartar threatens the health of teeth and gums, but is also a cosmetic and aesthetic problem. Tartar is porous, so it absorbs stains very easy. If you drink coffee or tea, or smoke, it is crucial to prevent tartar build-up if you want to keep your teeth white and healthy.

Tartar is a mineral build-up that easily becomes visible – the most common sign is a yellow or brown coloring of the teeth and/or gums.

How to prevent tartar build-up

To prevent tartar build-up dentals specialists recommend proper brushing with a tartar-control toothpaste, as well as daily flossing. Good oral hygiene is the key to reducing plaque and tartar build-up.

Tartar, once formed, can be removed only by your dentist – the process is called scaling. It is not necessary pleasant procedure, but it’s not painful either. Dentists use special instruments to remove the hardened plaque that forms tartar from the teeth, both above and below the gum line.

Dental cavities (caries)

Cavities are probably the most common form of oral disease and one of the most common chronic diseases known to man. The process of getting caries is known as tooth decay -
the destruction of the hard, outer layer of the teeth, or the enamel. Caries can affect everyone - children, teenagers and grown adults.

Plaque is a sticky bacterial film that forms constantly on teeth. When a person eats or drinks sugar containing foods or beverages, bacteria in plaque produces acids, attacking the tooth enamel.

The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth, and over time the enamel can break down.

The types of caries formed can be divided in two major types or groups:

• Pit and fissure caries
• Smooth surface caries

Pit and fissure caries are often found on chewing surfaces of the back (molar and premolar) teeth, and on the back of the front (anterior) teeth. Teeth are composed of several sections of enamel. The places where these sections meet, like pits and grooves, can trap plaque. This can cause decay. The proper application of pit and fissure sealants, a hard plastic material applied to seal the grooves and pits when the teeth have erupted, can help prevent this specific type of caries. Sealants can make it less likely that the patient will need restorations or fillings on those teeth surfaces.

Smooth surface caries are most often found along the gum line and the surface where two teeth touch (the interproximal space between the teeth). The proper daily use of dental floss can help prevent most smooth surface caries in the interproximal area. Using a manual or power toothbrush along the gum line can help prevent great deal of caries cases in the area.

Gingivitis

Healthy gums are firm and pale pink. If the gums are puffy, swollen, red and/or bleed easily, the patient may have gingivitis. The condition is not usually painful, so it could remain hidden if regular dental examination is missed.

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum (periodontal) disease. Gingivitis causes irritation, redness, swelling and inflammation of the gums. Sometimes gingivitis can be mild, and the patient may not be aware of the condition. Gingivitis can lead to serious gum disease – periodontitis - and tooth loss.

It is known that the most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Good oral health habits, brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular prophylactic dental check-ups can help prevent great deal of gingivitis cases.

Signs and symptoms of gingivitis:

• Swollen gums
• Soft and puffy gums
• Receding gums
• Tender gums
• Gums that bleed easily
• Change in the colour of the gums (from a pink to red)
• Bad breath

The symptoms of various diseases and conditions of the teeth can occur in different ways. One of the most common complaints from patients, of course, is pain. Toothache is a feeling of acute or dull pain, often accompanied with discomfort in the mouth or tooth (or teeth).

Main toothache symptoms

Pain in your tooth and mouth is the primary symptom of a toothache. The type of pain can vary and present itself in multiple ways, such as:

• Sharp, throbbing, or constant dull pain
• Tooth pain that occurs only when pressure is applied
• Swelling
• Painful gums
• Bad taste in the mouth (from a tooth infection)
• Fever
• Headache

Main toothache triggers

Different behaviors or foods are known as "triggers":

• Cold drinks or food
• Sweet foods
• Biting down
• Applying pressure on the tooth

Any dental emergency (an injury to the teeth or gums) can be potentially serious and should not be ignored.

What to do in case of some of the most common dental problems:

Toothache

Thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to remove lodged food. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek. See a dentist as soon as possible.

Chipped/broken teeth

Save any pieces, rinse mouth using lukewarm water, rinse out any broken pieces. In case of bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area until the bleeding stops. Apply cold compress on the outside of the mouth, cheek or lip near the chipped tooth to try and keep any swelling down. See a medical professional as soon as you can.

Extruded or partially dislodged tooth

See your dentist right away. You could use a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area in order to relieve pain.

Objects, caught between the teeth

Try using dental floss to remove the object very gently and carefully. If you can't get the object out, see a dentist. Never use a pin or other sharp object!

Lost or fallen crown

If a crown falls off, make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. Bring the crown with you.

Broken braces and wires

If a wire breaks or sticks out of a bracket or band and is poking your cheek, tongue, or gum, try using the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire back into a comfortable position. If you aren't able to reposition the wire, cover its end with orthodontic wax or a small cotton ball. You can also use a piece of gauze until you can get to your orthodontist. Don’t cut the wire. There is a risk of swallowing it or breathing it into the lungs.

Abscess

Abscesses are a serious condition that can damage tissue and surrounding teeth. Infection could spread to other parts of the body if not treated. Abscesses are infections that occur around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums.

If you discover a painful, pimple-like swelling on your gum, contact your dentist. To ease the pain and draw the pus toward the surface: rinse with mild salty water solution, several times a day. Seek medical help immediately.

Injuries of the soft-tissue

Injuries to the soft tissues include the tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips. These could often result in bleeding. You can use some of the following steps to control the bleeding:

• Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution
• Use a moistened piece of gauze to apply pressure to the site, hold for 15 to 20 min.

To control the bleeding and relieve the pain, apply cold compress on the outside of the mouth or cheek for 5 to 10 min.

If the bleeding doesn't stop, see a dentist right away or go to a hospital. Continue to apply pressure.

When to see a dentist

Dentists recommend regular check-ups to identify and diagnose early conditions such as gingivitis, cavities, pyorrhea, etc. If you notice any signs and symptoms of gingivitis, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of reversing damage and preventing the progression of the condition or the disease.

Did you know

Researchers are developing new means to prevent tooth decay. One study found that a chewing gum that contains the sweetener xylitol temporarily retarded the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay. In addition, several materials that slowly release fluoride over time, which will help prevent further decay, are being explored. These materials would be placed between teeth or in pits and fissures of teeth. Toothpastes and mouth rinses that can reverse and "heal" early cavities are also being studied.

Professional dental cleaning

During a typical checkup your dentist or dental hygienist will remove the plaque and tartar (plaque that builds up and hardens on the tooth surface and can only be removed with professional cleaning) from above and below the gum line of all teeth.

If you have some signs of gum disease, your dentist may recommend professional dental cleaning more than twice a year. Keep in mind that professional dental cleaning are not treatment for active gum disease, but they are a key preventive measure.

Scaling and root planning

Scaling and root planning is a deep-cleaning, non-surgical procedure. It is done under a local anesthetic. The plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line are scraped (scaled) away, followed by smoothing the rough spots on the tooth root (planing).

Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to re-attach to the teeth.

Dental prophylaxis is a cleaning procedure performed to thoroughly clean the teeth. Prophylaxis is an important dental treatment for halting the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis.

Periodontal disease and gingivitis occur when bacteria from plaque colonize on the gingival (gum) tissue, either above or below the gum line. Bacterial colonies can cause inflammation, irritation and chronic inflammatory response. The body begins to systematically destroy gum and bone tissue, which could make teeth shift, become unstable or fall out. The pockets between the gums and teeth become deeper and house more bacteria. Bacteria, on the other hand, may travel with bloodstream and infect other body parts.

Prophylaxis is great way to help keep your teeth and oral cavity in good health, as well as halt the progression of gum disease.

Here are some of the benefits of prophylaxis:

Tartar removal – Tartar (calculus) and plaque buildup, both above and below the gum line, can cause serious periodontal problems if left untreated. Even using the best brushing and flossing homecare techniques, it can be impossible to remove debris, bacteria and deposits from gum pockets. The experienced eye of a dentist using specialized dental equipment is needed in order to spot and treat problems such as tartar and plaque buildup.

Aesthetics – It’s hard to feel confident about a smile marred by yellowing, stained teeth. Prophylaxis can rid the teeth of unsightly stains and return the smile to its former glory.

Fresher breath – Periodontal disease is often signified by persistent bad breath (halitosis). Bad breath is generally caused by a combination of rotting food particles below the gum line, possible gangrene stemming from gum infection, and periodontal problems. The removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria noticeably improves breath and alleviates irritation.

Prophylaxis is usually performed in stages:

1. Supragingival cleaning – The dentist will thoroughly clean the area above the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and calculus.

2. Subgingival cleaning – This is the most important step for patients with periodontal disease because the dentist is able to remove calculus from the gum pockets and beneath the gum line.

3. Root planing - This is the smoothing of the tooth root by the dentist to eliminate any remaining bacteria. These bacteria are extremely dangerous to periodontitis sufferers, so eliminating them is one of the top priorities of the dentist.

4. Medication - Following scaling and root planing, an antibiotic or antimicrobial cream is often placed in the gum pockets. These creams promote fast and healthy healing in the pockets and help ease discomfort.

5. X-ray and examination – Routine X-rays can be extremely revealing when it comes to periodontal disease. X-rays show the extent of bone and gum recession, and also aid the dentist in identifying areas which may need future attention.

Prophylaxis is recommended at least twice annually as a preventative measure. It should be performed every 3-4 months if you suffer from periodontitis. Gum disease cannot be completely reversed, but prophylaxis is one good way to effectively halt its destructive progress.

Tooth decay is the destruction of tooth structure and can affect both the enamel (outer coating) and the dentin (inner) tooth layer.

Tooth decay occurs when foods containing carbohydrates (such as sugars and starches) -bread, cereal, milk, soda, fruit, cake or candy - are left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth digests those foods and turns them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combined are forming plaque. When acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the teeth, they create holes in the teeth. These are called cavities.

To prevent cavities and tooth decay:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. For best results - brush after each meal
• Clean between your teeth daily with dental floss
• Rinse daily with antiseptic mouthwash
• Eat balanced
• Limit snacks
• Avoid carbohydrates
• Visit a dentist regularly

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