ENCOURAGING PATIENTS TO TAKE

CONTROL OF TOOTH DECAY

Dental caries, commonly called tooth decay, damages the surface structures of the teeth. It occurs when bacteria on the teeth break down food particles and produce an acid.

It is this acid that eats away at the enamel surface that protects teeth.

INTRODUCTION

Tooth decay is common in children from about 6 years old throughout adolescence. However, it is not just a problem of childhood.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, root level decay affects 9 out of 10 adults over the age of 20.

Dentists should advise patients of all ages how to prevent tooth decay.

INTRODUCTION

The American Dental Association recommends brushing teeth twice each day, morning and night, with fluoride toothpaste.

This action helps to remove the bacteria that make the acid that eats through tooth enamel.

Regular brushing will also have a teeth whitening effect, removing stains from commonly ingested foods like coffee and tea.

REGULAR BRUSHING

Emphasize to your patients the importance of daily flossing to remove food particles from between teeth that can lead to tooth decay.

Your patients can choose from a wide range of flossing products, including waxed floss, unwaxed floss, flavored flosses that help to freshen breath and interdental brushes make it easy to reach between the teeth to dislodge trapped food debris.

Ensure that patients understand that daily flossing can help to reduce the incidence of tooth decay.

DAILY FLOSSING

Your patient’s diet can have a significant effect on their risk of developing cavities.

Educate patients on the problems of eating carbohydrates that bacteria use to produce cavity-producing acids. Encourage patients to avoid carbohydrate snacks, sugary candies, baked goods, pretzels, chips and other foods that can leave a film on the teeth.

AVOIDING CAVITY-PRODUCING FOODS

Some patients may be particularly susceptible to tooth decay. These patients may benefit from the application of dental sealants that help to resist the acids that cause tooth decay.

These sealants are thin layers of plastic that go on in a gel form and take only a few minutes to set to a hard consistency that will protect teeth. Sealants can last as long as 5 to 10 years.

APPLYING DENTAL SEALANTS

Dentists should identify patients that are vulnerable to tooth decay and encourage them to drink tap water that contains fluoride.

They may also benefit from topical applications of fluoride products that are applied to the teeth.

These products are also available in rinse or gel form that the patient can apply at home. These can be an additional measure of protection for teeth that are prone to tooth decay.

ADDITIONAL FLUORIDE

Use social media and other new media to remind patients about the importance of regular dental examinations and tooth cleaning.

These visits can help to find small cavities before they become bigger problems and other tooth problems that can be repaired to avoid more serious work at a later date.

Regular dental visits can also be used to discuss cosmetic corrections, teeth whitening and other procedures that will help to keep patients’ smiles looking their best.

REGULAR TOOTH CLEANING