Advices
ADVICE FOR MAINTAINING ORAL HYGIENE
A very important moment in preserving health is maintaining oral hygiene.
What should the toothbrush be like?
The toothbrush should contain artificial bristles rounded on the top, placed in wisps and the size of the toothbrush’s head depends on whether it is intended for a child or an adult. Children should use toothbrushes with a smaller head, and adults with a larger one. After every use, the toothbrush should be thoroughly washed and placed in a glass to dry (it should not be placed in a box immediately). The toothbrush should be changed every 2-3 months and when necessary, even more often.
How many times a day should the teeth be brushed?
At least two to three times a day. Brushing must be done at night, before going to bed, in order to remove food particles, which serve as a foundation for bacterial action.
How to brush the teeth?
The most important thing throughout the procedure of brushing is to make circle movements starting from the left end molar and move forwards to the frontal teeth, massaging the palates and simultaneously removing soft dental deposits. Then move right to the back upper molar. The same procedure should be repeated for the lower jaw. Open the mouth to wash biting surfaces moving the toothbrush forth and back and finally, brush the inner surfaces of the teeth starting from the upper left and ending with the lower last molar. Rinse the mouth with plenty of water to remove all dirt eliminated with the brush.
An ancillary aid for removing food particles that have not been eliminated is dental floss. The floss is used for cleaning interdental spaces between the teeth, but attention should be paid not to damage the palate.
PREGNANT WOMEN AND VISIT TO THE DENTIST’S
We can often hear that women’s teeth decay during pregnancy. Allegedly, this is explained with the fact that a pregnant woman has an increased need for calcium which causes the exploitation of the one found in teeth. Calcium contained in teeth is in the form of a stable compound (hydroxy apatite), created during mineralization of teeth, which is an irreversible process, unlike calcium in bones which has the form that allows it to be transferred easily into the bloodstream, depending on the needs of the body, and from there to be incorporated into the bones. So, if the food we eat does not contain enough calcium, that lack will be filled by using calcium from the bones, and not from the dental tissues.
It has been noticed that caries more often occurs in pregnant women, but the reasons for that can be found elsewhere. A common thing during pregnancy is vomiting (as a result of the changed hormonal condition), that results in increased acidity in the mouth creating favorable conditions for multiplication of bacteria and enamel demineralization. Pregnant women have increased concentration of progesterone, which causes gingival inflammation (it is red, swollen, painful, bleeding etc.). In this case there is often creation of so called false pockets where food collects and causes teeth decay.
Pregnant women are advised to regularly visit their dentist throughout the pregnancy, so that they could get regular examinations and advice on proper oral and dental care. As soon as the woman has found out about her pregnancy, she should visit her family dentist.
Dental treatment during pregnancy or not?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions by pregnant women. The answer is yes, teeth may be treated. The dentist will choose the best and the most painless way of treatment without harming the unborn child.
Tooth extraction in pregnant women or not?
Often, pregnant women are scared of tooth extraction during pregnancy, thinking that the act of extracting and receiving anesthetic will cause harm to the unborn child. Maybe, this fear is justified to a certain point, if the extraction is made during the first four months of pregnancy or during the eighth month. Tooth extraction between these periods (if necessary) may be performed, but only if the family gynecologist who monitors the pregnancy is consulted.
Should dental x-ray screening be performed during pregnancy?
Sometimes, it is necessary to perform dental x-ray screening during pregnancy, but there are certain requirements for that procedure, as well. It is not allowed to carry out that procedure only during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. After this period it is allowed to perform screening, but only with operable, modern x-ray equipment which is regularly checked and to which protective measures are applied regarding the amount of radiation it emanates.
What about the use of antibiotics during pregnancy?
If it is necessary to use antibiotics during pregnancy, it should be done in accordance with a previous consultation with a gynecologist. From a dentist's point of view the use of antibiotics from the tetracycline group is forbidden, because if used during pregnancy they could change dental color permanently and hamper the development of bones and nails.
ORTODONCY
- Monitoring the growth of teeth and development of jaws
- Production of fixed dentures with porcelain and metal briquettes
- Mobile dentures
Examinations and consultations are free of charge and made by a specialist orthodont.