subject: Oral Prophylaxis [print this page] Oral prophylaxis is a procedure that involves removal of plaque, calcular deposits and external stains on the surfaces of the teeth done by dental professionals to help maintain healthy gums and its surrounding structures and help prevent dental caries.
There is a normal flora of bacteria present in the oral cavity. Disease starts when the normal bacterial flora is disturbed. It happens when the growth of bacteria or the accumulation of plaque is not mechanically removed by toothbrushing and flossing. The bacteria in the plaque release toxins and this result to the inflammation of the gums. The gum becomes reddish in color, loses its firmness or becomes edematous and bleeds upon slight provocation. This condition is called gingivitis or the inflammation of the gums. Some patients (not all) develop Periodontitis. This disease involves the destruction of bone and supporting structures of the tooth which leads to mobility and ultimately, the loss of tooth.
The accumulated plaques, when not removed, will calcify and turn into calculus. The calculus then becomes a predisposing factor to the development of gum disease. These calcular deposits, by being hard and firmly attached on the surfaces of the tooth, can only be removed by dental professionals through the use of ultrasonic scalers and manual scalers. Some types of ultrasonic scalers are not to be used on patients who have pacemakers since it may interfere with the cardiac device. After removal of calcular deposits and external stains, the tooth is then polished to remove the remaining plaque. Polishing involves the use of a polishing rubber cup, prophylaxis brush and prophylaxis paste which contains abrasives like pumice.
Usually, dental professionals recommend patients to undergo oral prophylaxis twice a year. During the procedure, it is normal that the patient may feel sensitivity if the roots or the dentin of the tooth are exposed. It is also expected that the gums may bleed during the procedure because a gum that is inflamed bleeds upon slight provocation and also because dental professionals make sure that plaques and deposits are removed even below the gum line. Some patients believe that their teeth become loose after undergoing oral prophylaxis. Oral prophylaxis is not the cause of tooth mobility. The tooth may be loose prior to the procedure and this may be due to periodontitis.
If you experience bleeding when brushing your teeth, you might have gingivitis or even periodontitis and should consult a dental professional as soon as possible. Patients should be reminded that even though they underwent oral prophylaxis, it is still important to maintain proper oral hygiene at home to prevent reappearance of deposits, gum diseases and dental caries. Technique is more important than frequency. Even though you brush your teeth two times a day and floss once a day but you do not do it properly, plaque will still accumulate on areas you did not reach during toothbrushing and flossing. As an adjunct to toothbrushing and flossing, you may also use mouthwashes. Patients with braces, wider interdental spaces, etc., an interdental brush is recommended. The use of rotary toothbrushes is highly beneficial to physically and/or mentally handicapped patients.
