| |
Oral Appliances Click Here
For Sport Guards, Grinding Teeth, TMJ & Snorting |
| IS PREVENTION POSSIBLE? |
| Yes. With modern dentistry and constant new
developments, it is possible to prevent or considerably reduce dental
disease. |
|
|
| CAN EVERYONE BENEFIT FROM PREVENTATIVE
DENTISTRY? |
| Yes. Preventive dentistry will benefit
anyone with some of their own teeth. People who don’t have any teeth can
also benefit because conditions such as mouth cancer and denture
stomatitis can be identified and treated during regular visits to the
dentist. It is excellent for children and young people, but it is never
too late to start. |
|
|
| WHAT IS INVOLVED? |
We will first assess your teeth and gums,
and discuss with you any treatment that is necessary. The main aim is to
help you get your mouth really healthy, to try and prevent any dental
problems returning. In a healthy mouth it is unlikely that decay or gum
disease will continue to be a problem. We will thoroughly ‘scale and
polish’ your teeth.
We will show you the best methods of brushing and flossing to remove the
bacterial ‘plaque’ which forms constantly on your teeth and gums. Plaque
is an invisible film of bacteria that forms constantly on the teeth and
gums. When you eat or drink something sugary, the plaque turns the sugar
into acid, which will cause tooth decay. Plaque will also cause gum
inflammation if it is not regularly and thoroughly removed. The hard
tartar (calculus) which builds up on the teeth also starts off as
plaque. You will be advised which oral care products are the best ones
for you to use.
We will discuss diet and any habits such as smoking and drinking with
you as well as make sure that all your fillings are in good repair and
there are no rough edges to make cleaning difficult. |
|
|
| WILL YOU RECOMMEND TREATMENTS? |
| Any ‘preventive dentist’ will often
recommend treatment to reinforce a tooth to make sure that it does not
break. For example, if we see that a tooth is cracked, or is weak and in
danger of breaking, we may advise a new filling or perhaps a crown or
‘onlay’ to protect it. This is always better than waiting till the
breakage happens, and then working out how best to deal with it, perhaps
as an emergency. |
|
|
| WHAT ELSE CAN DR. MORAGA DO TO HELP PREVENT
PREVENT TOOTH DECAY? |
| Fluoride helps teeth resist decay. If we
think added fluoride would be useful, we may recommend the application
of topical fluoride. We may also suggest the use of fluoride rinses,
tablets or drops as an extra help against decay for use at home. Only
use these if you have been advised to do so, and follow the
instructions carefully! |
|
|
| WHAT ARE PIT AND FISSURE SEALANTS? |
| The biting surfaces of children’s teeth can
be protected by the application of ‘sealants’. These make the tooth
surface smoother and easier to clean, and stop decay starting in the
difficult to clean areas. |
|
|
| CAN SMOKING AND DRINKING AFFECT MY TEETH
AND GUM HEALTH? |
Yes. Smoking can lead cause tooth staining,
gum disease, tooth loss and mouth cancer. If you smoke you may need to
visit the dentist or hygienist more often, but the best advice is to
give up smoking.
Some alcoholic drinks contain high sugar levels and some mixed drinks
may contain acids, so they can cause decay or erosion if they are
frequently consumed in large amounts. |
|
|
| WHAT CAN I DO AT HOME? |
It is very important that you keep up a
good routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy at home. We
recommend that you
1. brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste - this
will involve brushing as you have been shown
2. floss your teeth – brushing alone only cleans up to about 60
percent of the surface of your teeth. There are other products you can
buy to clean between your teeth (they are called ‘interdental brushes’).
3. Use a mouthwash – this can help to freshen breath. It can also
help to dislodge any food debris. |
|
|
| IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO? |
Yes. You can take other steps to help
prevent tooth loss, decay and the need for treatment.
1. cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks
2. Use a straw when you have fizzy drinks - this helps the drink
to go to the back of the mouth and reduces the acid attacks on the
teeth.
3. Chew sugar-free gum - it stimulates saliva and stops your mouth
drying out and can help to prevent dental decay and erosion.
4. visit your dentist on a regular 6 month schedule. |
|
|
| WHAT ORAL CARE PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE? |
There are now many specialized formulations
of toothpaste available including tartar control, toothpaste for
sensitive teeth and total care toothpastes.
Mouthwashes can be beneficial and again, there are many different types
including ones with anti-bacterial agents. We recommended that adults
use a toothbrush with a small- to-medium-sized head and soft to medium
filaments (bristles).
Look for products carrying the American Dental Associatinon’s approved
symbol. This means that the claims made by the manufacturer have been
independently validated and are clinically proven. |
|
|
| HOW DO I KEEP MY MOUTH HEALTHY? |
To have a healthy mouth you need to:
1. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
2. Cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks.
3. Visit our office regularly on a 6 month schedule. |
| |
|
|
| Oral Appliances |
| |
| Sport Guards |
 The
ANA and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) estimate that each year 3.5
million children, age 14 and under are injured while playing sports.
Mouth guards help cushion blows that might cause broken teeth and other
facial injuries. These appliances are recommended for any sport
including football, baseball, basketball, soccer, snow boarding, skate
boarding and hockey. These can come in a variety of colors to
choose from. |
| |
| Night Guards (Orthotics) |
 These
appliances are for people who either grind their teeth, or their jaw
relationships are malaligned. These problems can cause headache,
and even migraines. There are several appliances to help cure or
alleviate these symptoms. In addition to relieving head, neck, jaw
joint and
shoulder pains, treating bruxism and clenching is cost effective
compared to ignoring the condition and exposing teeth to continued
grinding. Without treatment, crowns (caps), bridges, implants and
dentures are often needed to repair or replace worn and damaged teeth. |
| |
| Snore Guards |
 An
estimated 80 million people in North America snore. Take into account
the snorer’s spouse and children, as many as 160 million people are
negatively affected by snoring. A snoreguard is an affordable
custom-made snore prevention device that is flexible, thin and
comfortable for the patient.
After evaluation we find some patients can benefit from snoreguards.
Snoreguards are appliances that move the lower jaw forward providing an
adequate airway passage. |
| |
