What’s the connection between oral health and overall health?
Just like many areas within our bodies, the mouth is teeming with bacteria, but most of them are harmless. The body’s natural defences and good oral care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can manage to keep these bacteria under control. Without proper oral hygiene, however, these bacteria levels can reach a point that might lead to oral infections such as gum disease and tooth decay.
Good Dental Hygiene helps to prevent a range of dental problems.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a natural substance which helps to protect against tooth decay. Different areas in the world contain a different abundance of this mineral. In its natural form, this substance and is generally found in food, water, plants and added to toothpaste. Fluoride not only helps prevent cavities and slows the growth of decay, but it can also reverse/arrest decay in its early stages. The enamel of a tooth remineralised with fluoride is stronger than the original tooth surface. Although the low-dose generalised fluoridated water is easily accessible via the tap for the majority of Australian’s, some still do not have access to adequately fluoridated water.
At Lifelong Dental, our oral health therapists will take into consideration all your diet and lifestyle factors, systemic concerns and caries risk assessment and will further advise you about other sources of fluoride, relevant to your individualised needs. Our dental team will prescribe the required amount based upon the patient’s age, fluoride levels in the primary source of drinking water, and other dietary sources of fluoride.
In our experience, regular professional application of topical fluorides ensures the material isn’t ingested (swallowed or absorbed systemically) and target the tooth surface directly via a fluoride bath system. If your mouth contains acids or demineralisation, sensitivity or exposed roots (that don’t store fluoride), then regular topical fluorides will assist in preventing further disease and breakdown of important tooth material.
We will inform you of the need for additional fluoride where required.
Gum Disease
Gum disease can often be prevented through maintaining healthy oral hygiene.
Gum disease occurs from bacteria build-up on the teeth. Although the human mouth has millions of micro-bacteria that are beneficial to the human body, this type of bacteria isn’t healthy for your mouth. This bacteria forms plaque when it encounters sugary carbohydrates from foods we consume.
The plaque produces a sticky film onto your teeth and can be removed through cleaning and flossing. If left unattended, the plaque will progress into the gums and structures of the tooth. Eventually, this can lead to future damage to gums and even tooth loss.
Types of Gum Disease
Gum disease (gingivitis-periodontitis) can be identified within a two-stage process. The initial precursor to gum disease is gum inflammation or commonly known as gingivitis.
Gingivitis occurs when the gums become inflamed and swollen from plaque not being removed as well as the gums bleeding from brushing teeth. This can usually be prevented by regularly cleaning teeth (twice a day) as well as flossing and using appropriate mouthwash.
Periodontitis is more serious than gingivitis as it results in the gums eventually moving away from the tooth forming a small pocket which allows for more plaque to be trapped. At this stage, even brushing the teeth won’t remove the plaque. If left unattended over time, the plaque will begin to harden resulting in the build-up of calculus (also known as tartar).
Risks of Gum Disease
One of the more common risks for gum disease is not maintaining healthy oral hygiene. People tend to believe just brushing your teeth once a day is enough. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. When we consume food, particles of food can often end up trapped between teeth or stuck near gums. Just cleaning won’t remove the trapped particles. To maintain oral hygiene, flossing and mouthwash should be done after brushing. This helps to remove any plaque build-up. Other risks can include:
• Sugary drinks – We all do enjoy the odd cold soft drink. But the sugary carbohydrates can often contribute to gum disease. It is usually recommended to consume water straight after as this can help flush away any plaque build-up.
• Mouth Breathing – When you breathe from your mouth, saliva dries up. Saliva contains antibodies which defend tooth decay and gum disease.
Treatment for Gum Disease
With any tooth-related disease, early treatment is always important as it can prevent further damage from occurring.
Early stages of gum disease can often be noticed by your dentist and oral health therapist, who will examine the gums and work out appropriate treatment and best prevention methods. The type of treatment is usually dependent on the severity of the gum disease and your individual needs.
At Lifelong Dental, our committed dental hygiene team will give sound advice on proper techniques for cleaning your teeth and what needs to be used in addition to cleaning. If the gum disease is severe, then treatment may be required for the root area of the tooth or even surgery to remove the bacteria and plaque build-up.
Noticing swollen gums or bleeding when brushing? Contact us for an appointment as early treatment is vital for maintaining excellent oral health.
What is Periodontics?
Periodontics refers to the branch of dentistry that focuses on inflammatory diseases that affect the gums as well as other supporting structures around the teeth.
To maintain a healthy smile, the gums and supporting structures need to remain healthy and free from any diseases. Periodontal simply means “the tissue around the teeth”. Plaque is the most common element causing gum disease.
What to expect from your visits with our skilled and highly trained dental hygiene experts?
The link between oral and systemic health is of great importance and connected. As with all health professionals, our first step will be to obtain and investigate each patient’s medical history. It is important that your hygienist knows of any prevailing medical conditions which may affect or contribute to dental and oral health conditions. As your medical history will inevitably change during life we will ensure we consult with you, help assist to prevent and maintain the best oral health you can achieve.
Examination
Your dental hygienist will conduct a full examination of your mouth, teeth and gum health to diagnose and treat your oral health and the condition of your teeth and gums.
Documentation and recording of periodontal condition, periodontal pocket depths, bleeding, pus or inflammation and the current recession. This will allow for diagnosing treatments required and current level of disease and we can review the healing process and prevention of reoccurrence.
Treatment Plan
Once we have collected all your relevant information, your dental hygienist will then be able to plan an ongoing oral health care program. If there are any oral health problems that require further treatment, then this will be discussed. Your hygienist is your personal expert to advise you on all options and appropriate oral hygiene methods, including brushing and flossing, diet and social factors and the long-term consequences of neglecting a continual oral health care program.
Remember, prevention is better than cure.
FAQs
How can I protect my oral health?
To maintain good oral hygiene and to prevent future oral health-related diseases, good oral hygiene should be practised every day. Good oral hygiene can involve:
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day (for at least two minutes) with fluoride toothpaste.
• Nightly interdental cleaning, floss or stick or picks as prescribed by your hygienist.
• Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
• Avoid tobacco use.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if bristles have frayed.
• Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Use of adjunct therapies where required, fluoride rinses, saliva stimulating gels etc
Dental Hygiene at Lifelong Dental
Our dedicated Dental Hygiene team at Lifelong Dental are uniquely qualified and highly experienced to assist in the prevention and treatment of oral disease and the promotion of a healthy oral environment. Our Hygienists will focus on all aspects of gum health by monitoring oral hygiene practices and assisting patients to develop a home care plan to maintain oral health.
As well as performing routine cleaning, our dental hygienists can offer advice on:
• Prevention of tooth decay
• Nutritional information for the prevention of tooth decay
• Use of fluoride
• Smoking cessation
• Halitosis (smelly breath)
• Stained/discoloured teeth
• Xerostomia (dry mouth)
• Links between dental health and systemic conditions
Offering the ultimate care to all of our patients begins with ensuring their overall oral health is taken care of. The collaborative approach between our highly experienced team at Lifelong Dental includes the skill of Dentists, Hygienists and Therapists and will provide you and your family a range of services for maintaining lifelong oral health.
What are oral hygiene instructions?
Brushing
Regular brushing of your teeth twice a day (morning and night), along with flossing once a day will put you on the right path to effective oral health. To gain the maximum benefit from brushing your teeth, you should be brushing for two minutes, spending roughly 30 seconds on each quarter of your mouth. The tools of the trade are also a very important aspect. You are best using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head and flexible neck which will help to most effectively remove plaque and any debris from your teeth. Aim to replace your toothbrush/brush head every three months or at the first signs of wear and tear, whichever comes first. Below are some tips on brushing, using either a manual or electric toothbrush.
Manual Tooth Brushing Technique
Place the head of the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum margin. Gently move the toothbrush around in a small circular motion, massaging the gumlines to stimulate the release of plaque and bacteria from the gum pocket. Plaque is found both above and below the gum line, therefore we must ensure we clean the tooth surface and the gum margin. Repeat this process for each individual tooth on both the inner and outer surfaces of each tooth. Clean the chewing surfaces by using a backward and forward scrubbing action.
Tooth brushing for Children
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, and children’s fluoride toothpaste appropriate to their age. In the case of increased risks and caries or decay, your oral health therapist will discuss a change in fluoride prescription and required.
Flossing
Did you know that nearly half the surface area of your teeth lies in-between them. By not cleaning this hidden surface regularly, we miss cleaning a large portion of our teeth, maintaining higher levels of bacteria hidden away.
Ultimately left behind long-term, this bacterial build-up will affect how healthy your teeth and gums are. By removing the plaque from between your teeth, you’re helping to prevent gum disease, tooth decay and halitosis, otherwise known as “bad breath”. So flossing, or interdental cleaning as it’s officially known is an essential part of caring for your teeth and gums and ensuring optimal lifelong dental health.
Ideally, we should floss our teeth once per day, best time being at night, as when we’re asleep for 5,6,7,8 or 9hours, the bacteria are enjoying this warm dark moist environment to replicate and multiply and cause the most damage. If you are flossing for the first time, it may be difficult at first, but over time it will become much easier. Our Oral Health Therapists will take the time to instruct and help with even the most trickiest spaces to reach.
What are good flossing techniques?
• Take about 45cm of floss and wrap the ends around the second finger of each hand, leaving only a small piece between the two hands.
• With one of the fingers in the mouth, draw the floss down into the gap between two teeth using a gentle see-sawing action until it slips just slightly under the gum level.
• Wrap the floss around one side of the tooth and use a wiping action to remove plaque and food debris.
• Re-insert a clean section of floss between the same two teeth.
• Wrap the floss around the other tooth and wipe the side of that tooth.
• Repeat these steps around the mouth until the spaces between all teeth have been cleaned.
During your Dental Hygiene consultation with one of our oral health therapists, they will be able to provide advice on the best method for cleaning your teeth and gums. Alternative options such as Pixters and TePe Brushes may be suggested where required.
How to prevent tooth decay?
Dental disease, both gum disease and tooth decay, are caused by plaque being left on teeth. Within minutes of teeth being cleaned, an invisible sticky layer of film, called plaque, forms on all tooth surfaces. Bacteria from the mouth attach to this film and begin to grow. The bacteria in plaque are able to damage the teeth and gums by causing tooth decay and gum disease. A new layer of plaque will grow on teeth every day and for this reason, the plaque should be thoroughly removed with correct brushing and flossing techniques on a daily basis and with regular visits to your Hygienist.
What is a Dental Therapist?
Dental Therapists are an important member of any dental team, they are trained to provide high-quality oral health care for children, adolescents and young adults, including examinations, treatment and preventive care.
Dental Therapists are committed to educating and motivating children, and their parents, to maintain good oral health. Our dental therapists provide all the necessary routine dental treatments including examinations, radiographs, cleaning, polishing and fluoride application, fillings in both permanent and deciduous (baby) teeth, local anaesthetic, fissure sealants and extractions of deciduous teeth. They will bring more complex dental problems, such as root canal treatment, cosmetic dentistry and extractions of permanent teeth, to the attention of the dentists, and can provide referrals to orthodontists, oral surgeons and other allied health professionals as required.
What is a Dental Hygienist?
Dental Hygienists are specially trained members of the dental team who work together with your dentist to provide fully integrated dental care. They play an important role in dental health, preventing dental disease by providing individual oral hygiene care and instruction to patients.
Hygienists perform some main functions:
• Informing each and every patient and individual of their risks assessment, level of health and current disease and focusing on optimal oral health for the future, important for teeth, mouth, gums and overall systemic general health and wellbeing.
• Assisting and modifying where necessary, your oral hygiene techniques on an individual basis. This advice and instruction include care for your gums and teeth, and advice on a healthy diet to prevent dental disease and maintain optimal lifelong dental health.
• Evaluation and assessment of your periodontal (gum) tissue, including x-ray, discussion and review of medical history.
• Regular effective and highest quality cleaning of your teeth and gums, removing plaque and calculus (tartar) build-up whilst focusing on your comfort. This forms at different stages for different individuals and your customised treatment plans will reflect your needs.
• Application of topical remineralising and prevention agents, and where required, inclusion to your oral hygiene regime at home.
Here at Lifelong Dental, we are fortunate to have Oral Health Therapists, Ms Dani Dragojlovic and Ms Bridget Childs, who together with Dr Geoff Storey and you will all form an important role in providing you with the best dental experience, thorough investigations, and optimal treatment outcomes. Our Oral Health Therapists are trained in all preventative and restorative aspects, see here for more information. We look forward to seeing you soon at Lifelong Dental.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed or flossed during cleaning. With good oral hygiene, gingivitis is easily reversed when the plaque and bacteria are removed on a regular basis, the body will heal this inflammatory response.
What is periodontal disease?
Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontitis. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out.
What is the cause of gum disease?
All gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing.
What happens if gum disease is not treated?
Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly overall so that you don’t notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult.
How do I know if I have gum disease?
The first sign is blood on the toothbrush when cleaning clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant.
At Lifelong Dental, our hygienists carry out all non-surgical periodontic work with a strong focus on prevention and avoid future bone loss and oral and systemic disease and destruction.
What is an AIRFLOW® clean?
First, our dedicated dental hygiene team will complete a thorough dental and periodontal exam and identify any specific problems or any concerns you may have. As with all our dental treatments, at Lifelong Dental we will tailor and customise all the appropriate options in your individualised treatment plans.
The AIRFLOW® process is a detailed and lengthy specialised treatment of teeth and gums, includes disclosing (staining and highlighting plaque and bacteria) on your teeth and gums to visualise the biofilm (bacteria) present in your mouth. This is a great educational tool to deliver oral hygiene instructions and ideal for cleaning around orthodontics.
• Pink coloured bacteria is up to 24 hours old (fresh)
• Purple coloured plaque is the gum disease-causing bacteria.
• Dark blue colour is bacteria older than 24 hours
• Light blue colour is acid-producing biofilm which causes infections and cavities and further dental disease.
What is AIRFLOW®?
AIRFLOW® is a revolutionary updated adjunct to the way we can clean teeth. This Swiss invented technology and concept utilise ‘touch-free’ concept in the form of air, water and fine food grade sand particles to remove the biofilm. Similar to how we pressure clean our homes with a gurney, this micro-abrader will penetrate deep into the enamel and remove the most stubborn of stains. Any hard calculus left is removed with the PIEZON® ultrasonic.
Thus, we have Certain criteria and extensively explore all requirements when selecting which method of cleaning is right for your mouth. AIRFLOW®, however, does have some contra-indications for its use, and your dedicated oral health therapist will be able to discuss this with you during your visits.
After the clean, your teeth and gums will be he healthier, feel smoother, cleaner and may look whiter.
Why you need a professional exam & clean?
1mm of plaque on your tooth = 2000 million bacteria
Bacteria left on teeth becomes biofilm and causes oral infections, gum disease and decay. At Lifelong Dental we use Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) to efficiently remove biofilm before it causes dental problems. The best way to remove biofilm is with the AIRFLOW machine in situations where it is indicated for use