The achievements of modern dentistry that can help us keep a healthy smile are fortunately already available to each of us. In any good pharmacy or specialist shop we can buy modern dental prevention tools for home use that will help care for the teeth every day. The dentists of the NL Clinic dental centre recommend in particular the following tools and preparations for maintaining oral hygiene:
Home tools for oral hygiene
Sonic toothbrush
This is a breakthrough in the prevention of dental and periodontal diseases. While electric toothbrushes already show an incomparably higher effectiveness in removing plaque than traditional manual brushes, the effectiveness of sonic toothbrushes far exceeds even electric ones. The secret of their action lies in the rotary way the bristles move. The teeth are cleaned not only at a rate of over 30,000 movements per minute, but also in a way that is optimal and non-invasive for them – i.e. with a movement along the spaces between the teeth. Thanks to this, all food remnants and plaque are literally swept off the surface of the teeth.
Dental irrigator
A dental irrigator is a more precise and effective alternative to dental floss, interdental brushes or toothpicks. It proves its worth especially when cleaning the interdental spaces of crowded teeth or in people wearing braces – it is a device that allows the interdental spaces to be cleaned effectively in a quick and simple way. An irrigator can replace dental floss, interdental brushes or toothpicks. It is a solution that is decidedly more effective, faster and more precise than traditional ways of cleaning the interdental spaces.
Why should I attend check-up visits even if I have no cavities?
Even daily, repeated brushing, flossing and rinsing of the teeth cannot fully protect us from decay or other irregularities, e.g. of an unusually sensitive mucosa. That is why everyone who cares about themselves and their health should have "their own", trusted, attending dentist who – knowing the patient – will be able to make a diagnosis much faster in the case of any newly arising problems.
The importance of dental prevention
From the earliest years we should instil in children how important daily oral hygiene is. Hygiene neglect can affect their health, as well as their relationships with peers and their self-esteem. As dentists, we notice that parents' awareness of decay prevention is fortunately growing. More and more parents know that decay is an infectious disease which can also spread through the use of the same, previously unwashed cutlery, tasting food before giving it to the child or even through kisses. Tooth decay is by far the most common dental problem, occurring both in children and in adults. We would remind you, however, that many years of hygiene neglect also lead to many other serious conditions of the teeth and mouth. Among the examples it is enough to mention periodontosis, infections with various types of papillomas or leukoplakia. Left without dental intervention, these ailments can lead to the loss of teeth, serious periodontal diseases and even the development of neoplastic changes. Dental prevention is therefore not limited to protection against decay alone, but also against far more serious consequences. Systematic check-up visits to the dental practice are absolutely obligatory.
A child at the dentist
Let us remember that a child's first visit to the dentist can influence their attitude to later treatment. Under no circumstances should the little one be frightened with a visit to the dental practice, nor needlessly warned about drilling and pain. Parents and dentists should together make sure the visit is pleasant and interesting for the child. That is why we suggest taking part in a so-called adaptation visit, during which the little patient can meet the dentist and look at the practice and the equipment in it. The first visit should be of a preventive nature. Then there is a chance that the child will not feel unnecessary fear of the dentist in the future.
Dental prevention at NL Clinic
The sooner a dental problem is recognised, the greater the chance that it will be fully and quickly cured. The dentists of the NL Clinic dental centre carry out reliable check-ups and offer a wide range of preventive measures that make it possible to eliminate potential threats to the health of the teeth and mouth. Modern dentistry allows treatment at a minimal level of invasiveness and with reduced pain and discomfort for the patient. Among the preventive-hygienic treatments at NL Clinic we perform: sealing of the fissures of permanent teeth, varnishing of permanent teeth with the FLUOR PROTECTOR preparation, removal of tartar, tooth sandblasting and tooth RVG. We are also always at your service with professional advice.
What services does dental prevention at NL Clinic cover?
Early recognition of problems usually allows for more effective, less invasive treatment, which is why we carry out reliable check-ups and offer a range of preventive measures aimed at eliminating potential threats in the bud. Placing yourself in the hands of dentists by vocation, you can be sure that their overriding goal is to spare you pain.
Dental prevention at NL Clinic covers procedures such as sealing (or deep sealing) of the fissures of permanent teeth, varnishing of permanent teeth with the FLUOR PROTECTOR preparation, removal of tartar, professional cleaning of the teeth with sandblasting and tooth RVG.
What do preventive-hygienic dental treatments give, and how do they differ?
- Sealing of the fissures of permanent teeth – a dental procedure involving the sealing of the depressions and fissures on the chewing surface of the tooth. The filling is done using a fissure sealant – a special light-cured substance. Only healthy molars and premolars can be sealed. The procedure strengthens the protection of the enamel against the attack of cariogenic bacteria and acids and is recommended to be carried out as soon as possible after eruption.
- Varnishing of permanent teeth with the FLUOR PROTECTOR preparation – a preventive fluoridation procedure involving rubbing fluoride varnishes into the teeth, which form an effective protective layer for the enamel on the surface of the tooth. The concentration of fluoride in such preparations (from 0.1 to 6%) is much higher than in commonly available toothpastes or liquids. Varnishing with the Fluor Protector preparation just twice a year reduces decay by up to 75%.
- Tooth sandblasting is a procedure aimed at mechanically removing impurities from the surface of the teeth using a so-called sandblaster and specialist chemical agents. It involves removing certain discolourations, deposits and small tartar using a stream of water containing a sandblasting agent. For the patient's comfort, a suction device is used during the procedure that continuously suctions the sand out of the mouth. After the procedure the tooth surface becomes smooth and whiter. In the case of larger tartar deposits, sandblasting often goes hand in hand with scaling.
- Scaling, like sandblasting, is also a method of removing tartar, but recommended in the case of significantly harder and larger deposits of it. It is done using a so-called ultrasonic scaler which, through the very high frequency of ultrasound, causes the tartar to fall off. Thanks to this preventive procedure we prevent such consequences of tartar as the lowering and exposure of the tooth necks, atrophy of the alveolar bone, loosening of the teeth or, finally, periodontosis. After scaling, a varnishing procedure is often carried out to eliminate tooth sensitivity and strengthen the cleaned surfaces.
- Tooth RVG – the most modern and precise method of taking digital images of teeth thanks to radiovisiography. What is more, the radiation used for the images is even 20 times lower than in the case of RTG images. This makes it possible to analyse the condition of the tooth precisely and repeatedly from every angle without exposing the patient's health to unnecessary risk.
Before applying any of the mentioned methods of dental prevention, our doctors conduct a thorough interview to detect any contraindications. Some procedures cannot be recommended due to the condition of the teeth, having a cardiac pacemaker or pregnancy.
Although the importance of dental prevention for health is enormous, it is often undertaken too late or does not turn out to be sufficient to protect against decay or other conditions. In such cases we undertake conservative treatment.
Studies
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Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries
Worthington H. V., MacDonald L., Poklepovic Pericic T., Sambunjak D., Johnson T. M., Imai P., Clarkson J. E. (2019) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · Cochrane systematic review
Interdental cleaning in addition to brushing may reduce gingival inflammation and plaque, though the evidence differs between floss, interdental brushes and water flossers. There is no basis for calling one device best for everyone.
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Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries
Walsh T., Worthington H. V., Glenny A. M., Marinho V. C. C., Jeroncic A. (2019) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis
Fluoride toothpastes prevent caries more effectively than non-fluoride ones, and higher concentrations usually give greater protection. In children, the amount and concentration should be matched to age and caries risk to limit swallowing.
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A 4-week randomized controlled trial evaluating plaque and gingivitis effects of an electric toothbrush in a paediatric population
Davidovich E., Ccahuana-Vasquez R. A., Grender J., Timm H., Gonen H., Zini A. (2024) · International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry · randomised controlled trial
In children, an electric toothbrush improved plaque and gingival control more than the manual brush it was compared with. Regularity, brushing time and a carer's help with younger children still matter most.