Prevention & Profilaxy
PRE–VEN–TION
4 STEPS 4 KIDS:
1. brush your teeth at least 2 times a day
2. use dental floss and antibacterial mouth wash as complementary means for cleaning the teeth and gums
3. eat healthy and nutritious foods and avoid snacks and eating in between meals
4. set a dentist appointment once every 6 months and make a habit of talking to your dentist every time it is necessary
One cavity, two cavities…
Bacteria colonies in the dental plaque (an adhesive film forming on the teeth) combine with the sugars and form an acid that later on attacks the tooth enamel and causes cavities. At the same time, food residues stuck on and in between the teeth after having your meal favour bacteria and dental tartar formation, thus fostering the appearance of dental cavities, gum diseases and finally tooth loss. If you don’t want to count your cavities and be in pain … we recommend you to do everything for the health of your teeth, starting with your childhood years. NO CAVITIES or prevention and minimum intervention
The DENT ESTET 4 KIDS & 4 TEENS 2 clinic promotes preventive dentistry and treating the causes of cavities. This is why we make available to the patients a set of tests that indicate the predisposition of your teeth to cavity formation and the presence of certain bacteria in the saliva. Also, we can analyze and indicate the way in which an unbalanced diet and poor oral hygiene affect the oral health of your child.
It is preferable to have these tests done as early as possible in order to prevent dental problems later on. And as there is no age limit for these tests, your child can be the first beneficiary of these new dental cavity prevention technologies starting at the age of 1, when there is the highest risk for baby bottle cavity.
Did you know that the mere contact of the child with the saliva of family members can cause the transfer of bacteria responsible for dental cavities and gum diseases?
Say “Aaaa”…
Saliva tests prevent cavities. Three simple tests can detect early on the imbalances in the saliva and tooth problems. Taking the saliva sample takes a few seconds, without any discomfort or pain for your child. The results for each test can be obtained between 5 and 15 minutes. This period of time also includes the explanation of the results by the specialist doctor, as well as giving out the recommendations for each patient.
Saliva Check Mutans is a method for diagnosing the high level of the Streptococcus Mutans bacteria in the oral cavity. This species of bacteria plays the most important role in the occurrence of dental cavities.
Saliva Check Buffer is another test by which we check the flow and viscosity or consistency of the saliva, the pH level and if the acidity level in the oral cavity is high. Also, we measure the quantity of saliva, which indicates the existence of salivary gland disorders. Last but not least, this test assesses the quality of the stimulated saliva, determining the efficiency of the saliva in neutralizing acids in the mouth. Plaque Indicator Kit identifies the age and the level of risk of the bacterial plaque in just 5 minutes. It is a simple test care that gives a clear image of the areas where there is an accumulation of dental plaque and distinguishes between newly-formed bacterial plaque and mature plaque, accumulated over time. Having these tests done on time enables the adoption of some extremely important measures that ensure tooth hygiene and health:
• correction of mineral imbalances at the level of tooth enamel
• education regarding oral hygiene and the use of professional care products
• changing the diet
• prevention of cavity formation
Dental Prophylaxis Tooth Brushing
Tooth brushing using tooth paste is undoubtedly the most crucial component of the oral hygiene. Brushing cleans and whitens the teeth and, at the same time, diminishes the risk of cavity and gum diseases. Tooth brushing is done at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, for at least three minutes, without aggressive action towards the teeth. In the first years of the child it is VERY IMPORTANT to practice dental hygiene together with the family as a game, an amusement. Your personal example thrills the child and helps to form healthy habits early on.
The tooth brush
For brushing you can use a manual or an electric tooth brush. The manual tooth brush must have soft or medium bristles in order to avoid injuring the gum. We recommend changing your child’s tooth brush every three-four months, at the most.
A used tooth brush cannot clean efficiently your child’s teeth.
The electric tooth brush may be interesting for your child and spares him of some effort, but not of the obligation to brush his/her teeth. The electric tooth brush is used just as a manual one, and its head is replaced 3 months or earlier, if the bristles have started to deteriorate.
The tooth paste
Most tooth pastes have as basic ingredients calcium, fluorine and an antiseptic. It is important that you choose the tooth paste according to the age of your child.
Supervise your child during tooth brushing, especially up to 4-5 years of age, in order to prevent the child from swallowing tooth paste. Choose several tooth brushes depending on your child’s age. Use the tooth paste only after the child has got the ability to spit. This way you avoid swallowing of excess fluorine. Dedicate 10 minutes each day to supervising your child’s dental hygiene. Invent, create, trick him, get personally involved and transform the moment of tooth brushing into something fun. Thus you will give him the most valuable present – healthy teeth!
Dental floss
Dental floss is used to clean food residues in the spaces between teeth after a meal. It can reduce the risk of cavities by 80%. It is recommended to use dental floss at least once a day, and whenever possible, at least three times a week. Dental floss may be used for dental hygiene starting with age 3. It is used by the parent, with care, so as not to injure the gum.
Teach your child to use dental floss correctly: take a 45 cm section of dental floss, twist on the index or middle fingers and pass between teeth with light moves, from the gum to the free edge of the tooth, thus cleaning each interdental area. Do not allow your child to use tooth picks: they could injure the gum!
Mouth wash
Mouth wash in an antiseptic, antibacterial product that fights the development of pathogenic germs in the oral cavity. Mouth wash may be used after tooth brushing. It does not replace tooth brushing, but completes it. As mouth wash changes the balance of organisms in the oral cavity, after a period of use it is recommended to take a break. The use of mouth wash may only be recommended by the dentist, depending on the patient’s age.
Diet
Food plays a very important role in tooth formation and development.
In order to boost your child’s immunity and to maintain the health of his/her teeth we recommend that the diet should contain as many fruits and vegetables as possible, foods containing calcium (milk, yoghurt and cheeses), magnesium (cereals, walnuts, hazelnuts, red meat), phosphorus (egg yolk, fish), fluorine (tea, fish).
Serve your children simple foods low in carbohydrates, which do not need prolonged boiling.
Your children’s fear of the dentist, justified by the discomfort they feel during classical dental treatments, the fear of the „little bee” or the specific smell in the dentist’s office may be very easily removed:
Early detection, prevention and prophylaxis.