Patient Education, Professional Care. Dentist Redmond, Alan Nohr D.D.S., Redmond Medical Center, a Redmond Dentist, Patient Education

Oral Hygiene ( Professional Care )

PLAQUE & TARTER CONTROL


	Plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on teeth. Saliva, food and fluids combine to produce these deposits which collect on the tooth surface and along the gumline.

	Plaque begins forming on teeth within a few hours after brushing. If it is not removed regularly it will lead to the formation of decay and gum disease. This is why it is so important to brush and floss at least twice a day.

	Plaque which is not regularly removed by brushing and flossing, can also harden into unsightly tarter (also called calculus). Tarter formation may also make it more difficult for you to remove new plaque and bacteria. This crusty deposit creates a cohesive bond to the tooth and can not be adequately removed by brushing and flossing alone.

	Individuals can vary greatly in their susceptibility to plaque and tarter. For many individuals these deposits build up faster as we age. This is why it is so important to have your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis.

SEALANTS

Sealing Out Tooth Decay!

Daily brushing, flossing, and fluorides form an effective team in the fight against dental disease. Now days, Dentists use seal-ants to further protect your child's teeth from decay and to prevent him or her from ever experiencing the discomfort of a toothache.

What Are Sealants?

A sealant is a tough, plastic material, designed to bond with tooth enamel. Clear or tooth-colored sealants are routinely applied to the pit and fissures of the back teeth. This invisible barrier reduces the risk of tooth decay by keeping food and plaque out of cavity prone areas.

What Are Pits And Fissures?

During normal tooth development, deep grooves form in the back of the teeth. These grooves are called fissures. Where two fissures cross, they form a pit. The pits and fissures will fill up with food and bacteria. Because toothbrush bristles are to thick to reach into the pits and fissures, the food and bacteria cannot be easily removed by brushing, flossing, or rinsing. The protective enamel layer on the tooth is particularly thin in these pit and fissure areas. Bacteria acts on the food to form strong acids that weaken and destroy the tooth enamel. Decay starts and a cavity is thus formed. In order to save the tooth, it must be repaired by a Dentist.

Why Use Sealants?

The use of fluoride has dramatically reduced the incidence of tooth decay. However, fluorides are most effective in protecting the smooth surfaces of the teeth. Their use is limited in the pit and fissure area. Sealants provide additional protection by shielding these hard to reach grooves from decay-causing agents.

When Should Sealants Be Applied?

Tooth decay occurs much faster in children than in adults. Sealants should be applied to a child's teeth as soon as possible, before decay has had a chance to set in.

How Are Sealants Applied?

Sealants are applied quickly and easily by either the dentist or oral hygienist. There is no discomfort and no need for anesthesia.

First, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned to remove debris and bacteria.

Then, the surfaces to be sealed are chemically treated to etch the tooth for better bonding.

The liquid sealant is then painted on the surface of the tooth, where it flows into the pits and fissures.

Some sealants harden with air exposure, while others require ultraviolet or visible light. A hand held "light wand" may be used for this purpose.

The Sealant shields the hard to reach pit and fissures from decay-causing agents.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Sealants usually last many years. The abrasive nature of some foods, like ice, hard candy, or sticky foods, can dislodge or damage a sealant. When this happens, the sealant can be reapplied to the tooth.

Decay And Sealants

If the decay process had already started, it is too late to apply sealants as a preventive measure. Decay will not start under a fissure sealant because the decay causing organisms are deprived of the food and oxygen they need to flourish.