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Strategies for preventing and treating decay

10 Sep 2014  |  No Comments

Dental caries is a saliva- and sugar-modified bacterial disease. The decay process represents the interaction of many factors over time:

  • salivary factors: flow, pH (acidity) , fluoride intake levels. Reduced salivary flow rates result in reduced salivary pH (more acidic) and buffer capacity (ability to negate acids in the mouth)
  • tooth factors: location, fluoride levels, developmental issues
  • plaque factors: amount and composition of plaque
  • dietary factors: the form and frequency of sugar and acid intake – particularly a high intake of acidic foods & drinks which shifts the environment to suit bad bacteria!
  • oral hygiene: frequency and efficacy and use of fluoride toothpaste

 

teeth

Saliva modification:
Saliva affords both static protective effects, which act continuously, and dynamic effects, which act during the time-course of a challenge. Salivary buffering and sugar clearance are important dynamic effects of saliva which prevent demineralization (breakdown of teeth). Chewing sugar-free gum is a fantastic way of increasing the amount of saliva in the mouth.

Fluoride:
At lower concentrations, fluoride inhibits breakdown of teeth and enhances repair, and this is the major mode of action of fluoride in drinking water and in fluoride-containing toothpastes. The key to prevention is consistent and constant intake of fluoride via drinking tap water, which is topped up morning and night by brushing with a fluoride-containing toothpaste.

Fissure sealing and Tooth surface Protection:
Most plaque forms on the central grooves of erupting molars. These areas are notoriously difficult to clean! Where there is bad plaque, decay will often follow. Fissure sealing a tooth will prevent bad plaque from residing in hard-to-clean areas, preventing decay and protecting the surface of the tooth. Through the Child Dental Benefit’s Scheme, eligible children are now able to have fissure sealants covered by Medicare at our clinic!

At Marsfield Dental Care, we are motivated to keep your teeth strong and healthy. We believe prevention is the best cure. If you have any queries, leave a comment below or contact us directly and we’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible!  Risks and consequences may apply to any treatment. Always seek a second opinion when considering complex treatment. A referral to a specialist may be required in certain situations. 

If you're looking for a dentist in Sydney who takes genuine care in their work and the well-being of his or her patients, call today and let Dr Choo, Dr Ip and their friendly staff look after you, your family and those pearly whites!

"The information in this website may be simplified in nature and does not replace professional advice. Risks and consequences may apply to any treatment. Always seek a second opinion when considering complex treatment. A referral to a specialist may be required in certain situations. Quotations can only be given after proper clinical assessment and so pricing details cannot be given over the phone."