The maintenance of good oral hygiene must be given priority. Everyday brushing and flossing is vital for good healthy teeth. If brushing is not done properly, microorganisms present in the oral cavity attack the food we consume. This leads to the formation of a sticky thin, translucent layer on the tooth called dental plaque.
Bacterial plaque is the starting point for many bacterial infections of the teeth and its surrounding tissues.
Regular brushing and flossing can remove the plaque in initial stages. If it is not removed, the plaque gets attached firmly to the teeth and the bacteria multiply. This leads to the formation of hard deposits called calculus or tartar. Once the calculus or tartar is formed, it is very difficult to remove by normal brushing. This needs professional care of a dentist. These deposits are the causes for gum bleeding and bad breath.
In such cases, an oral prophylaxis is done.
Oral prophylaxis is practiced by dentists to remove the hardened deposits. Oral prophylaxis also involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth. Normal prophylactic procedures include teeth scaling and polishing. It is a “professional cleaning” that involves the use of hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers to detect and remove deposits of plaque on the teeth.
By this, the dentist will be able to remove the unseen deposits lodged in pockets that are normally gone unnoticed and untouched by a toothbrush. This is preventive form of treatment and the main aim of oral prophylaxis is to prevent the disease rather than treat it.
The first stage or primary prophylaxis, may involve the prevention of the disease and the secondary prophylaxis may involve treatment to prevent the advancement of the disease.
Therefore, a good oral hygiene regimen must include brushing and flossing and regular visits to the dentist once in six months.
