Many people dread Robina Dental because they hear prodding noises and feel strange sensations during their visit. It can be a big source of anxiety and prevent them from getting the care they need.
Regular visits to the dentist are necessary to keep your oral health in check and to catch problems before they get out of hand. Your dentist or dental hygienist will perform a routine cleaning every six months to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Flossing
Flossing is a crucial part of dental care that helps remove food and bacteria from tight spaces between your teeth. When left unchecked, these foods and bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
The good news is that flossing can be very easy to do. You just need to make sure that you do it correctly and regularly.
Start by inserting the end of a piece of floss under the spot where your teeth touch. Angle the floss so it hugs one of your teeth in a “C” shape, pushing it up and down gently to remove plaque buildup from that curved surface.
After you complete this step, repeat on the other side of the tooth.
Gums may bleed when you first begin flossing, but it usually subsides after a few days. If the bleeding continues, see your dentist or hygienist.
Scaling
Scaling is a process in which hygienists use metal tools to scrape plaque and bacteria from teeth. It’s a standard part of most dental cleanings, but it can also be an important part of treating gum disease.
The goal of scaling is to remove excess bacteria from your gum tissue, which pulls away from your tooth and can lead to gum disease. This can be a serious problem and even cause bone loss if left untreated.
When done regularly, scaling helps to prevent this buildup and keeps your mouth healthy. However, it’s not necessary for everyone and some people may need a more invasive procedure like root planing to remove excess plaque.
For this reason, it’s essential to talk with your dentist about how often you should have your teeth cleaned. Generally, a professional cleaning every six months is recommended for most healthy patients.
Root Planing
A root planing procedure goes below the gum line to remove tartar and plaque from the tooth roots. This helps prevent future buildup from occuring.
Periodontal disease causes deep pockets around each tooth, creating a space where bacteria can thrive. This condition can progress to bone loss and tooth loss if left untreated.
To help halt this process, your dentist will perform pocket readings and X-rays. This will determine if you have advanced gum disease (periodontitis).
Scaling and root planing are usually prescribed when pockets are more than 3 millimeters in depth, which is the first stage of periodontitis.
During this procedure, your provider numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic. The provider uses a vibrating metal tip on the scaler to chip tartar off of your teeth above your gum line and a water spray to wash away the remaining plaque in the gum pockets.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens the teeth and helps to prevent tooth decay. It can be found in varying amounts in community water supplies, foods and oral care products.
Our dentists recommend that kids undergo professional fluoride treatment at an early age to increase their resistance against dental caries. Our team will discuss the appropriate level of fluoride for your child’s needs and make the proper recommendations.
Throughout the day, minerals are lost from a tooth’s enamel layer (demineralization) and redeposited onto it from food and drink sources (remineralization). Too much demineralization without enough remineralization to repair the enamel leads to tooth decay.
Our dentists can apply fluoride varnish to your teeth during your next appointment for a quick, easy and effective way to boost your tooth’s resistance to cavities. The high concentration of fluoride packed into a varnish provides immediate and long-lasting results!