Preventive Treatment

Dental hygiene and prevention with regular professional dental cleanings and exams is a guarantee for the optimal maintenance of dental and periodontal health.

This makes it possible for early detection of cavities and periodontal problems, before permanent damage develops.

Our dental hygienist and prophylaxis assistant will instruct you in proper oral hygiene techniques that work best for you.

What We Offer in Preventive Treatment

Gentle care, carried out by highly qualified professionals
Painless removal of tartar and stain, polishing of tooth surfaces
Nutrition counselling for dental health
Periodontal therapy: root planning and deep cleaning
Laser treatment of periodontal pockets
Regular periodontal charting
Effective and long lasting whitening (Bleaching) of your teeth
Desensitizing of hypersensitive teeth with laser
Special care for implant patients

Advice for Proper Oral Hygiene

Before and after professional
dental cleaning

The most effective way to prevent cavities (tooth decay) and periodontal disease is regular and thorough oral hygiene. The goal is complete removal of all food particles and bacterial plaques.

Tools for oral hygiene generally include a proper toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, floss and/or interdental brushes and stimulators.

Choosing a Proper Toothbrush

The handle of the brush should not be too long and feel comfortable, allowing a firm grip.

Particularly for children, compact forms of handles with larger grips and smaller brush heads are available.

The brush head should be small and rounded on all sides to allow sufficient movement in the mouth. The bristles should be made from synthetic material and be of soft stiffness. Hard bristle brushes can cause abrasion to the enamel and gum tissue resulting in gum recession and sensitive teeth. Bristles from natural origin have been found to hold and colonize bacteria and are not recommended.

Toothbrushes for adults (left) and children,
interdental brushes (right).

After brushing, clean the brush under running water and place it in an area it can dry in order to keep bacterial colonisation to a minimum. The toothbrush has to be changed at least every three month, or when the bristles begin to fray, whichever occurs first.

Electric Toothbrushes

The electric toothbrushes on the market today are an excellent aid in oral hygiene. Though a perfect manual brushing technique is equal, many patients achieve better results with an electric brush. It can be particularly helpful to patients with lack of coordination, those physically challenged or handicapped.

Replaceable
brush head

Though the brush movement happens automatically, you must take care to bring the brush head in intense contact with all teeth surfaces. Therefore a thorough cleaning performed with an electric brush takes more or less the same time as a manual procedure.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste supports the mechanical cleaning effect of the toothbrush. Toothpaste abrasiveness should be moderate to give effective cleaning without causing mechanical damage to tooth tissue. Fluoride is a component of most types of toothpaste and has been proven to prevent tooth decay.

For small children, flavoured toothpastes containing less or no fluoride are available. Many special toothpastes on the market advertising "for sensitive teeth" or "whitens teeth" have a very limited, if any, effectiveness.

Brushing Technique

To be effective, cleansing of the teeth must be done regularly and systematically: after every main meal, if possible, and before bed. In order to ensure proper cleaning of all tooth surfaces, spend at least 3 minutes brushing.

Brushing Technique The toothbrush should be placed at a 45° angle to the tooth.

Brushing Technique With light pressure and vibratory or circular movements, the plaque will be removed from the gum line, followed by a wiping motion towards the chewing surface.

Brushing Technique The same technique is used for posterior teeth.

Brushing Technique For the incisor and canine teeth, the brush handle should be hold in a vertical position.

Brushing Technique Vigorous scrubbing should only be done on the biting surfaces of the teeth.

Brushing Technique Afterwards, run the tongue along the tooth surfaces to feel that all the plaque is removed.

This is naturally only one of many recommended brushing techniques. Each one develops his own "style". When in doubt, consult our hygienists for instruction to find a technique suitable for your own needs

Dental Water-Jet Appliances

A water jet is not able to remove sticky bacterial plaque from the tooth surfaces and, therefore, cannot replace the toothbrush. However, it is useful in removing debris from areas difficult to access, for example, under bridges and around implants. It can also aid in cleaning periodontal pockets and patients in orthodontic treatment.

Dental Floss and Interdental Brushes

Since the toothbrush alone cannot properly clean interdental spaces, daily use of dental floss or interdental brushes is recommended. It is especially important for patients with periodontal disease or implants.

The correct use of dental floss

Interdental brush

Our staff will thoroughly explain proper use of these tools.

Tooth Sealing

Children and young adults are prone to cavities because of the natural shape of their teeth. When back teeth erupt, deep crevices called pits and fissures form on the chewing surfaces of these back teeth. Pits and fissures are so narrow that the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach into them, making them difficult to clean; however, these crevices provide plenty of room for bacteria to grow and cause caries.

Sealant placed
on molar tooth

To prevent these cavities, a thin resin lacquer can be flowed into the fissures, creating a seal against bacteria.

The dentist will decide, depending on the form, depth of fissures and caries risk of the patient, if tooth sealing is indicated.