Plaque Research
has shown that controlling plaque is important in the
control of decay and gum disease. Plaque is neither food or
food residue. Plaque is a clear, sticky deposit of of
bacteria that adheres to the surface of teeth and gum
tissue. It is so adherent that it can only be removed by
mechanical cleansing. Plaque contains a variety of different
types of bacteria. For this reason, certain types of plaque
are associated with dental decay, others with calculus
formation, and others with the inflammatory response of the
gums (gingivitis).
Plaque begins
forming on the teeth in as little as 4 hours after brushing.
This is why it is so important to brush your teeth at least
twice a day and floss daily. The rate at which plaque forms
and the location in which it develops can vary between
individuals and even between different teeth in the same
mouth. One of the prime areas in which plaque accumulates is
at the gingival margin and sulcus where the tooth meets the
gum.
Calculus Plaque which is not removed
regularly by brushing and flossing can harden into calculus
(also called tartar). Calculus is plaque that has
mineralized, forming a tough, crusty deposit that can only
be removed by your dentist or hygienist. These deposits can
form above (supragingival) and below (subgingival) the gum
line. Calculus deposits are a significant contributing
factor in periodontal disease because it is always covered
by a layer of non-mineralized plaque. The calculus keeps the
plaque close to the gingival tissue and makes it much more
difficult to remove the plaque bacteria. Thorough removal of
these deposits is necessary to prevent the progression of
periodontal disease.
Some people form
heavy calculus deposits rapidly while others form little or
no mineralized deposits. This is due to differences in the
saliva, the types of plaque bacteria, and dietary factors.
One can help reduce the formation of calculus by brushing
with and ADA-accepted tartar control toothpaste and
by having regular professional cleanings every 6 months or
more frequently as recommended by your dentist or hygienist.
The prevention of
gum disease and decay requires a life-long commitment to
fighting plaque and calculus formation.
The Brush To
Use
Hard bristles were once recommended but are now thought to
be too abrasive to the teeth and gums. We now suggest a soft, rounded-end nylon bristle brush. Be sure to
discard brushes when the bristles are bent or frayed or
approximately every three to four months.
How To Brush
Begin by placing the head of the brush beside your teeth,
with the bristles angled against the gum line (where the
teeth and gums meet ). Think of the brush as both a
toothbrush and a gum brush. With the bristles contacting
both tooth and gum, move the brush back and forth several
times across each tooth individually.
Use a short
stroke and a gentle scrubbing motion, as if the goal were to
massage the gum. Don't try to force the bristles under the
gum line; that will happen naturally, especially with a
brush that has soft, flexible bristles.
Brush the outer
surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. Then use the same
short back-and-forth strokes on the inside surfaces. Try to
concentrate harder on the inside surfaces; studies show
they're more often neglected. For the upper and lower front
teeth, brush the inside surfaces by using the brush
vertically and making several gentle up--and-down strokes
over the teeth and gums.
Finish up by
lightly scrubbing the chewing surfaces of the upper and
lower teeth. You should also brush your tongue for a fresher
breath.
Instructions With all of the wonders of
modern man available to you there is no better way to clean
the sides of your teeth than DENTAL FLOSS.
Inexpensive, readily available and easy to use. A modern
wonder, maybe not. But it is and has always been an
excellent tool in the fight against dental decay and
periodontal disease. There are many types of dental floss
available in your local drugstore. Please speak with our
hygienist regarding the best floss for your particular set
of dental needs.
Here's How To
Floss
You should floss under both sides of each flap of gum tissue
between your teeth. The following technique has proven to be
very effective: Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind
a good bit of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the
rest around the middle finger of the other hand. Grasp the
floss with the thumb and forefinger of each hand, leaving
about an inch of floss between the two hands to work with.
Pull the floss
taut and use a gentle sawing motion to insert it between the
two teeth. When the floss reaches the tip of the triangular
gum flap, curve the floss into a C Shape against one of the
teeth. Then slide the floss gently into the space between
the tooth and the gum until you feel resistance. Holding the
floss tightly against the tooth, scrape up and down five or
six times along the side of the tooth. Without removing the
floss, curve it around the adjacent tooth and scrape that
one too. Repeat on the rest of your teeth. Don't forget the
far sides of your rear teeth. When the floss becomes frayed
or soiled, a turn of each middle finger brings out a fresh
section of floss. After flossing, rinse vigorously with
water.
Flossing
Problems
If you don't like manipulating floss, try one of the
commercial floss holders. They have limited flexibility,
however, and you must use them with care to avoid injuring
the gum. You may have trouble working with the floss between
certain teeth, or the floss may consistently break or tear
in certain areas. Several causes are possible, including
calculus buildup, or improperly installed fillings. Please
let us know if this problem occurs. Flossing between bridges
requires additional instruction and the use of floss
threaders. Alternatives to floss includes such things as
Stimudents, Perio-Aids or Plac-piks. Please discuss these
tools with your dentist or hygienist before using them. None
of these are as good as floss in tight areas between teeth.
Pit and Fissure Sealants Prevent
Cavities
Dental Caries (tooth decay) is the most wide-spread dental
disease. Your dentist can help prevent or reduce the
incidence of decay by applying sealants to your teeth.
What Causes Decay?
Decay is caused by dental plaque, a thin sticky, colorless
deposit of bacteria that constantly forms on everyone's
teeth. When sugar is eaten, the bacteria in plaque produce
acids that attack the tooth enamel. After repeated acid
attacks, the enamel breaks down, and a cavity (hole) is
formed.
What Is A Sealant?
A sealant is a clear or shaded plastic material that is
applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
Why Are Sealants Necessary?
The back teeth have depressions and grooves on the chewing
surfaces of the enamel. These irregularities are called pits
and fissures. They are impossible to keep clean, because the
bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach into them. Therefore,
pits and fissures are snug places for plaque and bits of
food to hide. By forming a thin covering over the pits and
fissures, Sealants keep out plaque and, thus, decrease the
risk of decay.
One of the main
goals of modern dentistry is the prevention of tooth loss.
All possible measures should be taken to preserve and
maintain your teeth because the loss of a single tooth can
have a major impact upon your dental health and appearance.
However, it is still sometimes necessary to remove a tooth.
Dr. Brody can perform these procedures when necessary.
Abrasion: wearing away of a tooth due to abrasives. Abscess: the formation of a sac of bacteria. Symptoms
are swelling pain, throbbing, and a sensation of heat. Anaesthesia: drug to block off any pain impulses from
the nerves. Analgenic: pain killer. Ankylosis: teeth that do not fully erupt because they
are attached to the bone.. Antibiotics: medication to fight off bacteria causing
infection. Asepsis: sterilization of the surroundings and
instruments to prevent infections. Attrition: wearing away of a tooth due to the
opposing tooth and grinding.
B
Bleaching: oxygenating and conditioning the teeth with an acid based
gel Bridge: when missing teeth, a dentist can use two or
more teeth present to "bridge" the space.
C
Calcification: the pulp is hardened due to calcium and phosphorous salts. Calculus: hardened plaque. Cavities: when acids decalcify the tooth enamal and
disintegrates the dentin. Caused by acids produced by
microbialenzymatic action on ingested carbohydrates. Cementum: the dull yellow surface of a root. Cingulum: an enlargement or bulge on the lingual
aspect of the front teeth. Contact point: area where two adjacent teeth touch
each other. You floss the contact point. Crossbite: when the lower back teeth overlap the
upper back teeth when closing the mouth Crowding: lack of space produces teeth that are
overlapping Cusp: a point or peak on the top surface of a tooth.
D
Deciduous
dentition: (Baby Teeth) the primary dentition, also
known as the milk teeth (20). Dentin: the hard tissue under the enamel and
cementum. Denture:
Full denture: when the patient has no teeth
(edentulous).
Immediate: getting a denture at the time the
patient gets teeth extracted.
Partial: when the patient has a few teeth
(partially edentulous). Diastema: the space present when the central incisor
are separated.
E
Edgewise: orthodontic appliance Enamel: the hard shiny surface of a tooth. Erosion: a dissolution of tooth due to reason
unknown. Excision: cutting and harvesting the tissue usually
for study of possible pathology Extraction: removal of a tooth.
F
Fistula: tract made by infection exiting often through the gingiva
and resembling a pimple. Full denture: when the patient has no teeth
(edentulous). Fusion: tooth appears double but a separation is
present due to two teeth fusing together.
G
Gemination: tooth appears double due to splitting of a single tooth
germ. Gingiva: the soft tissue that surrounds a tooth (the
gum). Gingivitis: inflammation of the gingiva (bleeding
gums). Graft: a piece of tissue taken from one area and
placed at another. Groove: a sharply defined linear depression.
H
Hutchinson's
teeth: screwdriver shaped teeth due to prenatal
syphilis.
I
Immediate
denture: getting a denture at the time the patient gets
teeth extracted. Impacted Tooth: a tooth that is blocked fully or
partially from exiting the gum line by an adjacent tooth.
Full bony extraction: the tooth is submerged in the
bone, full bone removal is necessary.
Fully soft tissue extraction: the tooth is submerged
in the tissue, full cutting is necessary.
Partly bony extraction: partial bone must be taken
out to be able to reach the tooth to be extracted.
Partly soft tissue extraction: partial cutting of the
tissue is needed to reach the tooth to be extracted. Implant:
A substitute for a lost tooth. It functions as
additional support, most often providing the very important
option of esthetics, non removable rather than removable
tooth replacement. Implants are fabricated from body
compatible bio-materials, most often titanium or one of its
alloys. It can vary in shape from a blade-like shape to a
screw type shape. Incision and drainage: cutting of tisue in order to
allow the infection to flow out and reduce pain and the
swelling. Incision: cutting. Inlay: restoration used when less than 3/4 of a tooth
is present and the cusps are not missing. Intravenous sedation: putting someone to sleep with
an IV.
L
Laminate
Veneer: fingernail like restoration made of porcelain or
composite.
M
Mandible: the lower jaw. Maxillae: the upper jaw.
N
Nightguard:
occlusal guard.
O
Occlusal
guard: appliance used to prevent grinding (nightguard). Onlay: restoration used when 3/4 of a tooth and part
of the cusps are missing. Open bite: due mostly to thumb sucking, the front
teeth do not touch when closing the mouth Overbite: when the upper front teeth overlap the
lower front when teeth when closing your mouth Overdenture: denture made over existing teeth or root
tips that have had root canal. These roots are left there in
order to reduce bone loss. Overjet: the distance between the upper and lower
front teeth, when the upper are bucked out and the lower are
more refracted inside towards the tongue.
P
Palate, Hard: the front part of the roof of the mouth. Palate, Soft: the back part of the roof of the mouth. Paraesthesia: lack of sensation at the sensory level. Papillate: gums between the teeth. Partial denture:
when the patient has a few teeth (partially edentulous). Pericoronitis: gingival tissue area of an empty tooth
that is inflamed. Most often the Wisdom Tooth. Periodontitis: inflammation of the bone (bone loss). Pin and tube: orthodontic appliance Plaque: film of materials made up of saliva, molds
and bacteria. Dead cells, blood cells, food particles and
bacterial residues. Post and core: used in order to build up tooth to be
able to place a crown on it. Pulp: the center of a tooth made up of vessels and
nerve tissue.
R
Recontouring: reshaping the teeth. Retainer: appliance to hold the teeth in a certain
position. Ribbon arch: orthodontic appliance Root canal: removal of the nerve tissue due to
infection from cavities or trauma, and filled with gutta
percha. Root planning: scraping root below the gums.
S
Scaling: scraping of the tooth above the gums. Sinus: air spaces above the upper teeth. Space maintainer: appliance used to allow teeth to
come into a certain area. Splint: appliance used to stabilize loose teeth. Succedaneous dentition: the permanent dentition (32). Suture: stitches.
T
TEETH
Canines: the cornerstone of the mouth, the fangs or
the cuspid (upper and lower).
Incisors, Lateral: the next teeth on either side of
the central incisors (upper and lower).
Incisors, Central: the two front teeth, the cutting
teeth (upper and lower).
Molars: the back teeth, the chewing teeth (upper and
lower).
Premolar: the middle teeth or the bicuspid (upper and
lower). TMJ(TMD): temporomandibular joint(disorder), the
place near the ear where the lower jaw "joins" the skull. A
defect of the disc or other parts are involved. A clicking
is most common.
U
Uvula: a
small fleshy structure hanging from the center of the soft
palate.
