What Is Dental Prophylaxis? 6 Essential Practices & Benefits

Have you ever heard of, what is dental prophylaxis? Hippocrates said that “The best medicine of all is to teach people how not to need it.” This wise phrase summarizes the importance of all strategies to prevent diseases, including dental prophylaxis.

What is dental prophylaxis?

According to the WHO, approximately half of the world’s population is affected by oral diseases. Contrary to what most people think, dental prophylaxis is much more than cleaning; it includes the most important and effective set of procedures to maintain oral health.

What are the benefits of dental prophylaxis?

Visiting the dentist to perform dental prophylaxis on a regular basis is the best way to detect oral diseases in time. The early detection of oral pathologies means that the required treatments are:

● Simpler.
● More economical.
● Shorter.
● More effective.
● Less invasive and painful.

Other benefits:

● Reduce the risk of developing cavities and gum disease.
● Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, among others.
● Improves dental aesthetics.
● Prevents tooth loss.

What to expect at a dental prophylaxis appointment?

Preventive dental care involves various actions and procedures that the patient can access during regular dental checkups:

1. Complete dental check-up:

During a thorough dental examination, it is possible to identify early signs of oral disease. Cavities, periodontal disease, and even oral cancer often show early signs, which can be detected with a thorough dental checkup.

2. Taking X-rays:

Although X-rays are not always taken during dental check-ups, these are usually requested by the dentist to complement the dental examination on suspicion of:

● Very deep cavities or cavities found between teeth.
● Defective restorations.
● Infections of dental origin.
● Impacted teeth (that have not erupted).
● Problems of dental and jaw development.

3. Dental cleaning:

The accumulation of bacterial plaque is responsible for the most common oral diseases: tooth decay and gum disease or periodontitis. Therefore, performing dental cleanings to remove plaque bacteria has proven to be very effective in preventing these diseases.

Plaque is a thick layer of bacteria and food debris that adheres to the teeth. At first, this is a soft film, which, if not efficiently removed by brushing and flossing, hardens and becomes calcified.

Typically, a dental cleaning procedure may include:

● Descaling: the removal of tartar or calcified plaque, through the use of specialized instruments, either manual or ultrasonic.
● tooth polishing: the removal of soft plaque, using a rotating brush with a paste that polishes the surface of the teeth. With this procedure, you can also remove stains caused by dark food or cigarettes.

4. Oral Hygiene Education:

During the dental consultation, the dentist will seek to identify conditions that facilitate the development of oral diseases, such as those that make hygiene difficult or cause tissue damage. The dentist might give some suggestions to help prevent oral disease, such as:

● Tips related to healthy eating for teeth.
● Tips to improve tooth brushing.
● Ideas to motivate children to perform good oral hygiene.
● Recommendations for hygiene of dentures and orthodontic appliances.
● Training on the use of special hygiene devices.
● Recommendations for mouthwashes and toothpastes for specific cases.
● Suggestions to correct harmful habits for the development of the proper bite in children.

5. Fluoride Application:

Fluorides are substances applied in the form of varnish or gel during dental prophylaxis consultations to strengthen the teeth and thus prevent tooth decay. When cavities are starting and detected early, fluorides can also help repair these lesions, avoiding the need for additional treatment. The application of fluorides is especially recommended for children, pregnant women, patients with a history of cavities, and people who do not have easy access to dental services.

6. Sealant placement:

The molars or posterior teeth on their chewing surface have an irregular surface, with cracks and grooves where bacteria and food debris can accumulate more easily, increasing the risk of cavities occurring there.

Sealants are thin plastic layers applied before cavities appear to “even” the irregular surfaces and avoid the accumulation of bacteria in cracks and grooves. The application of sealants is recommended in children, especially when the permanent molars have just erupted.

How often should I attend a dental prophylaxis appointment?

Normally, it is recommended that adults visit the dentist every year for a complete checkup. However, frequency depends upon the oral health status of each patient:

● Prophylaxis appointments in children are recommended every 6 months, with the first one at 12 months of age.
● Patients with a history of caries, tooth loss or periodontal disease may require dental prophylaxis appointments every 3 – 6 months.

Regular attendance at dental prophylaxis appointments has been shown to reduce the need for invasive dental treatments.

Can dental prophylaxis be done at home?

Of course. Performing dental prophylaxis at home is as simple as following the dentist’s advice.

● Reduce the consumption of sugary foods.
● Brush your teeth 3 times a day with fluoride toothpaste.
● Floss at least once a day.
● Adopt the care advice provided by your dental provider.
● If you have pain, bleeding, or oral lesions that don’t heal after a couple of weeks, see your dentist.

Conclusion

Most of the oral diseases that affect the world population are totally preventable. Therefore, dental prophylaxis is essential to maintain a healthy smile and to avoid other general diseases that can develop as a result of poor oral health.