Tooth decay and periodontitis are widespread conditions. They not only pose a threat to teeth – they can also cause lasting inflammation, which is damaging to the patient’s overall health. We know what to do about this and can prevent dental conditions before they arise.
We recommend the prevention pass
We recommend that our patients have professional teeth cleaning carried out at least twice a year, or four times a year if the risk of periodontitis is high. With our prevention pass, every tenth PTC treatment is free of charge.
The risk of repeated infection by tooth decay (caries) pathogens is high. For effective protection, we recommend regular preventative treatments for the whole family.
PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING (PTC)
Dental conditions are particularly prone to occurring in places where the toothbrush cannot reach. Normal brushing is not effective enough when it comes to the areas between the teeth and at the edge of the gums. That is why prevention is essential to maintaining healthy teeth. Tooth decay and periodontitis don’t stand a chance against regular professional teeth cleaning.
THE ALL-ROUND CLEAN TREATMENT
Professional teeth cleaning (PTC) is at the core of prevention. Using special instruments, we can thoroughly remove sticky plaque and tartar from your teeth. An all-around cleaning treatment for the surface of the teeth will polish them to a brilliant shine.
To protect your teeth in the long-term, we apply a special fluoride coating after the teeth are cleaned. It makes the tooth enamel more resistant to future acid attacks, which prolongs the effect of preventative treatment.
HEALTH BEGINS IN THE MOUTH
Regular professional teeth cleaning effectively prevents dental conditions. It eliminates the need for uncomfortable and costly treatments. That is why prevention is the gentle and prudent way to keep teeth healthy in the long term.
Improved oral hygiene also supports good health and overall well-being, as removing harmful bacteria (and the inflammation) reduces the burden placed on the immune system. It can also get rid of bad breath.
More than just healthy teeth
Studies show that periodontitis interacts with other widespread conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Regular preventative treatments are the most efficient way to prevent and control these risks.
TOOTH DECAY (CARIES): AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Contagious bacteria are responsible for this disease. Infection usually occurs in early childhood and is often transmitted by a family member. Simply licking a spoon of porridge or checking the heat of an infant’s bottle is enough to cause this.
The bacteria can spread rapidly through the oral cavity while settling primarily on the teeth and tongue. Their metabolisms can produce a damaging acid that breaks down the minerals in tooth enamel. The teeth begin to decay – the process of cavities have begun.
A HARMFUL FILM OF BACTERIA
The mouth is an ideal habitat for bacteria, and they will multiply quickly if they are exposed to lots of sugar, which promotes their metabolisms and in turn causes acid formation. This causes the bacteria to form a harmful film (plaque) over the surface of the teeth.
Tartar forms at points where plaque accumulates and if not removed quickly enough. The edges of the gums are particularly susceptible to tartar build-up. The gums become inflamed (gingivitis) and begin to bleed at the slightest irritation. This is a serious symptom which must not be ignored.
WARNING SIGNS: BLEEDING GUMS
If the inflammation of the gums is not curbed through professional treatment, it can spread. When this occurs, the gums can recede and the neck of the tooth is exposed. This is another area where tartar deposits may form. Over time, it can penetrate under the edge of the gums while advancing more deeply into the gums around the roots of the teeth. At this stage, the condition is known as periodontitis.
If this condition arises, deep periodontal pockets form, which can reach as far as the jawbone and cause severe damage. At some point, the damaged jawbone cannot hold the roots of the teeth in place properly, and there is a risk that the teeth may fall out. Preventing this requires extensive treatment.
PROTECTION THROUGH PREVENTION
Brushing your teeth alone is not sufficient for preventing dental conditions. It can only be avoided through regular preventitive measures – allowing your teeth to remain healthy and attractive for life. That is why we recommend that all patients have preventative treatment every three months.
Our goal is to give your teeth ideal protection. That is why we test your risk of periodontitis using bacterial analysis in the laboratory and take a targeted approach. Take the test by booking your first appointment today!
Ask us!
There is a lot you can do to ensure your child’s teeth stay healthy and attractive for life. In addition to proper and child-friendly oral hygiene with regular prevention, nutrition plays a key role.
Filling feeding bottles with juice or sweetened tea is a particular problem. They are among the primary causes of tooth decay among small children.
We would be delighted to help you! You can book an appointment here.
KEEPING CHILDREN’S TEETH HEALTHY
Milk teeth are less resistant to bacterial acid attacks. They are more prone to tooth decay (cavities) than permanent teeth. This is particularly painful for children. Damaged milk teeth also severely impair development. We can stop the damage from reaching this stage. Our preventative treatments begin as soon as the baby’s first milk tooth appears.
PREVENTING DENTAL CONDITIONS
To prevent the development of dental conditions, children need particularly careful dental care, because if the milk teeth become infected with tooth decay once, this can completely damage the teeth within a few months, or they may need to be removed by a dentist.
This can cause severe pain and further developmental problems. Healthy milk teeth are vital as “placeholders” for the permanent teeth, and if they are lost, the permanent teeth that follow will have nothing to guide them in the right direction.
This can lead to mispositioning of the teeth and speech impediments, which may require lengthy and expensive orthodontic treatment and speech therapy – but this can all be prevented with the right dental treatment.
PREVENTION PROVIDES EFFECTIVE PROTECTION
Because brushing alone is not enough, we place particular emphasis on effective prevention against tooth decay when it comes to our little patients. In this process, we remove plaque from each tooth with the greatest care using extremely delicate instruments. The clean surface of the teeth is gently polished.
Afterwards, the teeth are specially sealed using a coating that contains fluoride. It prevents new bacteria from settling, particularly between the cusps on the back teeth (fissure sealing).
MAKING TOOTH CARE FUN
Kids have to learn how to brush their teeth correctly! In the “tooth brushing school,” children and their parents learn how. Our trained assistants will show you the best brushing techniques. Coloring the teeth with special solutions makes the results clearly visible. Not only do the children learn, they also have plenty of fun!
Why go to the dentist when you’re pregnant?
Periodontitis during pregnancy increases the risk of a pre-term birth and low birth weight. That is why dental health is particularly important right now. The same applies if you are trying for a child: if you are planning a family, come to the practice for a consultation.
HEALTHY TEETH IN PREGNANCY
Pregnancy is a very special time – for dental care, too. That is because pregnant women are more prone to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and other dental conditions. Sensitive care is needed to avoid the need for treatment during pregnancy.
SENSITIVE GUMS
The reason for this is – of course – hormones, which make the oral mucosa and other parts of the mouth more sensitive and more easily irritated. This means that pregnant women suffer from inflammation of the gums more often (pregnancy gingivitis) and more intensive gum bleeding.
Many people get a shock when they see blood in the bathroom sink all of a sudden, and it makes them feel uneasy. Women who have never had or who have had very few problems with their gums are particularly likely to be alarmed by it.
AVOIDING THE RISKS AT AN EARLY STAGE
But women who avoid brushing their teeth because they are afraid of bleeding gums will end up in a vicious circle. The plaque bacteria will multiply and spread, making the inflammation worse and increasing the gums’ tendency to bleed. This also increases the risk of periodontitis.
HEALTH FOR TWO!
To support you during this time, we recommend making two prevention appointments during pregnancy. We will provide you with a special, very gentle preventative treatment that takes into account all the particular aspects of pregnancy.
Our practice specializes in treating pregnant women. Alongside particularly gentle treatment, we consciously focus on providing comprehensive advice. Book an appointment as early as possible!