What can I expect from my dental hygiene visit? Your dental hygienist will assess your individual oral health condition,
and incorporating the most current scientific research, plan a
specific treatment designed to make sure you
have the best oral health possible. Because targeted
and specific systemic diseases like
heart disease and diabetes have signs and symptoms
that appear in the mouth first,
dental hygienists monitor for evidence of disease,
and where they find suspicious
conditions, inform the patient and the dentist.
Your hygienist will perform an extensive exam and
charting of the gums to screen for
periodontal (gum) disease. She will also perform a
thorough head and neck examination
to screen for oral cancer and other problems. High
tech laser cavity detection will be
employed on suspicious areas of teeth that confirm
the presence of decay. Extensive
digital video imaging may also be used to better
visualize and document significant oral
conditions. Finally, she will take intra- and
extra-oral X-rays when necessary to screen
for cavities and assess the jaws and allied tissues.
If a routine cleaning is prescribed, she will remove
plaque (a stubborn film that contains
bacteria) and calculus, both above and just below
the gum line, by scaling and polishing.
To prevent cavities and control periodontal disease,
the hygienist will also provide
nutrition counseling, apply fluoride and/or pit and
fissure sealants, and instruct on proper
brushing and flossing techniques.
How can I prepare for my child's first visit to the dentist?
While your child is still an infant, thoroughly
clean his or hergums after each feeding with a
water-soaked infant washcloth or gauze pad to
stimulate the gum tissue and remove food. When the
baby's teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with
a small, soft-bristled toothbrush using a pea-sized
amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
At age two or three, you can begin to teach your
child proper brushing techniques. But remember, you
will need to follow up with brushing and gentle
flossing until age even or eight, when the child has
the dexterity to do it alone.
Schedule regular oral health appointments starting
around your child's first birthday. Your hygienist
or dentist will check for cavities in the primary
teeth and watch for developmental problems, as well
as help to create a positive experience that may
alleviate fear at future visits.
Allow and
encourage your child to discuss any fears he or she
might have about visits to the dentist, but do not
mention the words 'hurt' or 'pain'. Saying "it won't
hurt" instills the possibility of pain in the
child's thought process.
Ask your dental hygienist about sealant applications
to protect the chewing surfaces of your child's
teeth; and about baby bottle tooth decay, which
occurs when teeth are frequently exposed to
sugar-containing liquids for long periods of time.
What is premedication and when do I need to do it?
Premedication is the administration of antibiotics prior to certain medical procedures as a preventative (prophylactic) measure against Bacterial Endocarditis, an infection of the heart's inner lining (endocardium) or the heart valves. This can damage or even destroy your heart valves. In past years, the American Heart Association has recommended that patients at increased risk for endocarditis take prophylactic antibiotics before certain dental procedures.
The American Heart Association has concluded that an exceedingly small number of cases, if any, of endocarditis may be prevented by giving antibiotics prior to a dental procedure. If such benefit from prophylaxis exists, it should be reserved only for those patients at highest risk who would have the worst outcomes if they contract endocarditis. Please consult with your heart specialist to determine whether you need to premedicate.
What is the proper way to brush and floss? The ADA recommends the following for good oral hygiene:
Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay–causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. Finally, eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
How can I handle dental emergencies when away from home? Lost Crown - If a temporary or permanent crown falls out and you are able to save it, apply a small bead of toothpaste to use as "glue" to hold it in until you can come into the office. This temporary fix will usually last for a couple of days.
Broken or Cracked Tooth - Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Apply a cold compress on the area to reduce swelling. Call the office immediately.
Toothache - Rinse your mouth with warm water. Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact your dentist.
Tooth Knocked Out - Hold the tooth by the
crown and rinse off the root of the tooth in water
if it's dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any
attached tissue fragments and don't let it dry out.
If
possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its
socket. If that isn't possible, put the tooth in a
cup
of milk or put it back in your mouth and hold it
under your tongue and contact Dr. Jay as quickly
as possible. Remember to bring the tooth with you.
What is oral cancer and what are the warning signs?
Approximately 35,000 new cases of oral cancer are
diagnosed each year in the United States. Some 25
percent of those people will die of the disease.
According to the American Cancer Society, oral
cancer occurs almost as frequently as leukemia and
claims more lives than melanoma or cervical cancer.
Oral cancer’s incidence is rising among women, young
people and non-smokers.
Routine, careful examination of patients is
appropriate and necessary. This can easily be
achieved during a regular dental visit. The stage at
which an oral cancer is diagnosed is critical to the
course of the disease. When detected at its earliest
stage, oral cancer is more easily treated and cured.
When detected late, the overall five-year survival
rate is about 50 percent.
Oral Cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed
white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth. It
can affect any area of the oral cavity including the
lips, gum tissue, check lining, tongue and the hard
or soft palate.
Warning signs include: - A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
- A color change of the oral tissues - A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small
eroded area - Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the
mouth or on the lips - Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving
the jaw or tongue - A change in the way the teeth fit together
(Source: American Dental Association)
For more information visit the
American Dental Association website or download this
helpful fact
sheet from the American Dental Hygienists'
Association.
