Protecting your teeth is important from an early age.

The first example is given by our parents. They are the ones who should teach us the good habits of an oral hygiene.

The main rule for the prevention of oral pathologies is to eliminate tartar and bacterial plaque from teeth and gums, since they are the cause of gingivitis, periodontitis and dental cavities.
The aim of a professional oral hygiene is to clean teeth in spots that cannot be reached by the toothbrush.
Moreover, during the oral hygiene session in our dental Clinic, our hygienists and orthodontists are at your disposal for any specific pieces of advice on brushing techniques to do at home and on which tools to use to keep the treatment´s efficacy over time.
All of this is called prevention!

How is the DENTAL BLEACHING done in our clinic?

Who is in charge of the professional oral hygiene? 

A dental hygienist is a doctor graduated in Oral Hygiene. His/her job is to perform the oral hygiene, teach the patient on correct nutrition and motivate him/her to do regular check- ups.
The dental professional measures biometric parameters of the periodontium, takes part in filling out the medical record, uses diagnostic measures to highlight the bacterial plaque, mechanically and manually removes bacterial plaque and tartar and polishes teeth. He/she is in charge of taking care of the oral cavity, by applying fluorine, remineralizing agents and sealing cracked teeth. He/she also does the professional dental bleaching.

Why is an oral hygiene session important and how many times a year should it be done?

The professional oral hygiene is fundamental in keeping our mouth healthy. It eliminates dental plaque (collection of food and bacteria) which, if not removed correctly, mineralizes and transforms into tartar, which is then difficult to remove with just the aid of a toothbrush.
The oral hygiene should be done at least every 6 months, since this is the average period of time it takes for non-pathogenic bacteria, normally present in the mouth, to transform into pathogenic ones.
Patients presenting alterated relationships of salivary pH, oral diseases, periodontitis, gingivitis or malocclusions should intensify oral hygiene sessions every 3-4 months.
The oral hygiene is not painful, except in some cases of high sensitivity or high presence of tartar. In these cases, we can use the anesthesia.
The hygienist must carry out a first periodontal diagnosis and an overall condition of the mouth.  It is important that he/she compares with the periodontologist for further suggestions or interventions.

How a professional oral hygiene session should be done?

The session normally lasts about 60 minutes and in this time the hygienist takes care of your mouth, in order to have smooth and shiny teeth.

• the first step is to remove tartar and bacterial plaque from the teeth surface and under the gums. This is done through manual and sonic instruments, ultrasounds and curettes;
• the second step is to pass floss and abrasive strips between teeth;
• we then proceed with the removal of dental spots by using a paste specifically for surface spots;
• then comes the polishing and the application of fluorated masks to reinforce and remineralize the enamel;
• endoral X-rays should be done at least once a year and panorexes every now and then to check wisdom teeth and maxillary sinuses;
• after the hygiene session, do not eat nor drink for at least 30 minutes.

10 tips for a correct oral hygiene

Protecting your teeth with good daily habits is important from an early age. We support parents and children by teaching the prevention and care of teeth to have a perfect smile. Here are some important tips.

1. It is important to brush your teeth after each meal for at least 2 minutes. If you take less time you will not remove all plaque from teeth and gums. When you brush parts of the gums, you need to tilt the brush to a 45 degree angle from the axis point of the tooth, with a rotating action from the gums and brush towards the tooth. Remember to pass the toothbrush on the inner and outer surface of the teeth and brush the tongue to remove any bacteria that could cause bad breath.
2. Devote as much attention to anterior and posterior teeth. We often neglect the back of the dental arches in favour of the front teeth, but over time, this bad habit will negatively affect molar teeth and gums.
3. Use fluoride toothpaste that provides a protective antiseptic and mineralises the tooth enamel.
4. Do not forget to often change your toothbrush when you see the bristles lose their firmness while this cannot guarantee an effective cleaning action. We recommend that you replace it every 2 months.
5. We advise you to buy a toothbrush with artificial bristles that have rounded tips, as opposed to natural ones whose irregular tips and quarries may retain micro residues and do not exert an optimal rubbing like the artificial ones. The bristles we suggest are an average medium hardness so that they do not damage the enamel of your teeth.
6. When you finish brushing your teeth, floss your teeth as well (at least once a day) by gently pressing the floss between your teeth and working with their natural curves. Do not rub the floss on the gums, otherwise you risk damaging it, and end it with a rinse.
7. A mouthwash is not essential and does not replace brushing but, for the treatment and disease prevention of particular conditions, can be very effective. On the possible use and the choice for the best mouthwash, you should ask your dentist.
8. We suggest visiting your dentist at least once a year, even if you don’t have any problems. This will help to prevent the occurrence of tooth decay or other problems and allow you to seek guidance on how to take care of your teeth and gums.
9. Remember that a healthy mouth also depends on proper nutrition. Avoid excessive consumption of sugary foods and drinks, do not exceed with alcohol and do not smoke. Since teeth are formed in the mother’s womb, a healthy diet is essential for future mothers. Calcium-rich foods such as dairy products, nuts and soybean are particularly suitable for developing strong bones and teeth in infants. Even fluoride is essential for resisting tooth decay.
10. Taking care of your teeth is a good habit to be encouraged from an early age. Help your children understand the importance of brushing your teeth regularly and making the task fun. For the first year of your child’s life you will have to do the cleaning, remembering that children’s gums can be cleaned by rubbing a damp cloth or gauze to remove any remaining plaque after meals. The dentist or hygienist can show you how to do this. Once teeth have grown, they should be gently cleaned with a toothbrush with soft bristles.

Are endoral X-rays essential before completing the oral hygiene?

Endoral X-rays provide a detailed view of 3-4 teeth in their constitutive components (crown, root, gum tissue) and are essential in diagnosing many dental pathologies.
X-rays are extremely useful to evaluate the length of teeth roots, measure the length of canals in cases of root canal therapies or examine intra bone pockets which can have tartar or bacterial plaque inside.
The patient must wear an apron as a protection from X-rays and a collar. The X-ray is taken by placing a digital plate inside the mouth, blocked by a film holder, and through the aid of a radiographic appliance.
Digital films expose with a very low level of radiations, at least ten times lower than traditional ones. They can therefore be seen on the computer screen in a very short time together with the dentist

Is the floss necessary or is the toothbrush enough?

The toothbrush acts on the surfaces of our teeth.
Therefore, in order to clean spaces between one tooth and the other, we must use the floss.
90% of our cavities origin between teeth, so keeping this area clean is fundamental to prevent them.

What is the difference between an oral hygiene and a dental bleaching?

The oral hygiene removes tartar from teeth, along with plaque, spots from coffee and smoke and brings back teeth to their natural color, without changing it.
The dental bleaching acts on the enamel and makes teeth whiter, compared to their initial color. The degree of whitening is measured through a scale range.

How is the DENTAL BLEACHING done?

In our Clinic, the bleaching is done by the dental hygienist. Before the bleaching, it is necessary to do an oral hygiene in order to remove all those spots which normally form on teeth. After having isolated gums and sensitive parts of the teeth, we apply a whitening gel which is activated through an ultraviolet light lamp. The process lasts around one hour and a half and has to be repeated twice during the same session.
At the end of the treatment, the hygienist checks on the color and will give you a special whitening toothpaste.
More on the professional dental bleaching.

Prevention

Prevention is the basis of a nice and healthy dentition over time. It is important to insist with children who, if educated from an early age, will acquire correct and natural habits. During this phase, the dentist has a main role in teaching children and giving pieces of advice to adults.
Also in orthodontics it is possible to prevent some anomalies linked to dental eruption, by modifying some bad habits which, if protracted over a certain age, will influence the bone growth of maxillaries.

Among these: the use of the pacifier after the age of 3, the habit of thumb sucking after the age of 2, the use of the baby bottle after the age of 5 and other habits such as biting pens and nails.
Prevention also means giving to parents the task of keeping under control the regularity of home hygiene, oral breathing, problems of phonation or swallowing, snoring, nocturnal dyspnea or the tendency to always keep lips open (labial incompetence). If present, the dentist should be informed so that he/she can proceed to correct them.

What is the cause of gum bleeding?

Gum bleeding is the first sign of a wrong oral hygiene which can lead to an inflammation due to the collection of bacterial plaque. This then mineralizes and transforms into tartar. If not treated in time, it can become a gingivitis and later a periodontitis.
However, gum inflammation can also be caused by an excessive brushing or by using brushes with too hard bristles.
Gum bleeding can sometimes be caused by hormone disorders, menstrual cycle and some cancer pathologies.

What is periodontitis and how can we prevent it?

The term periodontitis indicates a bacterial disease which damages the periodontium, the support structure of our teeth and the main cause of tooth loss.
Collections of tartar under the gums lead to a gum inflammation, the destruction of periodontal ligaments and bone retraction.
When the process becomes chronic, “periodontal pockets” appear. They are collections of pathogenic bacteria which originate pus, bad breath and mobility of those teeth involved in the infection.
The basic therapy to prevent this dangerous infection is the professional oral hygiene, which should be done periodically (tartar removal, polishing and prophylaxis).

Is sugar dangerous for my teeth? How can I avoid cavities

Sugar contained in food is converted into acid by bacteria normally present in the oral cavity. Totally eliminating the sugar that we ingest is not possible, but it is important to learn how to carry out a correct oral hygiene, by avoiding too many sweet foods and brushing teeth after meals.
The use of floss is fundamental to control cavities.
It is possible to get preventive treatments against cavities, such as sealing dental cracks or applying fluorine.

Is fluorine useful in the prevention of cavities?? Are there any counterindications?

Fluorine is fundamental in preventing cavities. However, its abuse can cause fluorosis, with negative effects on teeth and other organs.
The right dose should be calculated based on the child´s age and also on the amount of fluorine present in the water he/she drinks.
There are specific tables regarding the most common waters sold, while for tap water it is possible to contact the supplying company. (To deepen fluorine prophylaxis)

Are diabetics more exposed to periodontal diseases?

Yes, they are. Diabetes facilitates the proliferation of bacteria present in the bacterial plaque. These bacteria transform sugars into acid, cause gingivitis and cavities.

Which tools can I use at home besides toothbrush and floss?

According to suggestions given by our hygienist and based on our problems and needs, we can use specific toothpastes, both in paste or gel, and teeth cleaners.
Other tools to be used are electric toothbrushes and the water pic.
These are very refined and more advanced compared to the ones used in the past and represent a good support to traditional techniques.