Dental Plaque – Causes, Symptoms And Preventive Measures

Plaque is a condition in which sticky white substance accumulates, consisting of bacteria and germs, on the teeth. In this condition, a gelatinous component becomes the reason for thriving and breading of oral bacteria and it also promotes production of tooth-decaying acids over time, the plaque transforms into a hard tartar with an improved potential to make further damage to the teeth.

Dental Plaque

The bacteria in tooth plaque have the potential to secret acids to damage your tooth enamel. Continuous acid assaults on enamel can cause cavities in teeth. If plaque is not cleaned on regular basis it may become stringent to become calculus on your teeth.

Cause of Dental Plaque

Cause of plaque is several, which you have been hearing since prior to losing your baby teeth. The six most prominent causes are mentioned as under:

Not Brushing Daily

If you can brush your teeth softly two times a day you can keep away from dental plaque but it has been noticed that most of us do not follow this time-tested routine. You must brush your teeth with toothpaste having fluoride two times regularly to avoid plaque formation.

Not Flossing Regularly

Bristles of your brush often do not reach some very remote parts of your teeth, breading plaque there. These are spaces between teeth are most are vulnerable. Regular flossing can remove plaque from the teeth formed between the teeth and protects your teeth from getting further damage.

Not Rinsing Teeth Properly

Rinsing your mouth with fluoride liquid can also protect your teeth from decay. This rinsing habit reduces gingivitis, bad breath and plaque. Don’t rely just on any mouth wash ensure that your mouth wash has antimicrobial or a fluoride properties.

Avoiding the Dentist

Even after brushing and flossing regularly, you may miss some plaque. With the passing time, these plaques stiffen to become tartar that requires medical involvement to be removed. But the survey proclaims that more than a third of people do not visit their dentist in a year.

It is advisable to clean your teeth at least once a year by a professional Melbourne dentist. Twice a year is much better for many people.

Neglecting Natural Toothbrushes

When there were no toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste were not invented, there were certain foods that acted like natural tooth brush avoiding plaque off the teeth. These include crunchy vegetables or fruits with great amount of fiber including its skin to scrub off plaque, i.e. carrots, cucumbers, apples, and some other raw vegetables and fruits. They were all teeth-friendly, in spite of containing sugar. We should never neglect such nature toothbrushes.

Eating Sugary Food

Carbohydrates like sugar are the breading component for bacteria. Consuming sugar based soft drinks and candy often sticks within our teeth inviting bacteria for a feast. Keeping your teeth plaque free is impossible for anyone throughout the day but taking maximum care can keep your teeth healthy and beat plaque thus saving your smile.

Plaque Symptoms

Symptoms of plaque are difficult to notice on the teeth as it is colorless. Albeit, it can result in a variety of dental problems which may include:

  • Dark red or red-purple spots to gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • Tender gums on touching
  • Sour mouth
  • Swollen gums
  • Loose tooth
  • Painful teeth
  • Sour or bitter mouth taste
  • Bad breath

How Plaque Be Prevented?

  • Brush your teeth minimum twice a day with a rounded-tip bristled toothbrush. Ensure that you reach the meeting point of gums and teeth. Let the toothpaste contain fluoride.
  • Practice floss between teeth minimum once a day to remove food particles and any bacteria.
  • Visit dentist or oral hygienist at least once in 6 months for teeth cleaning and thorough dental check-up.
  • Just ensure from your dentist if you are in need of dental sealant. It is thin, plastic layer applied on the chewing surfaces of teeth for protecting them from decay and cavities.
  • Have a balanced diet and avoid munching habit. Even if you want to eat snack opt out for plain yogurt, fruit, cheese, or raw vegetables.
  • Relying on antibacterial mouth rinse is also good for getting rid of bacteria that may lead to plaque and often gum disease.

Your teeth are the only source of the healthy and pearly smile. If it emits bad smells or is discolored and full of plaque – chances are you may lose some of your pearly teeth. Beware never avoid the above discussed precautions and the signs of dental plaque. You will own a blissful and beautify set of teeth, flashing million dollar smile! The choice is yours!

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Dental Fillings

Why live with painful and unsightly cavities when you can have them filled by our dentists in a painless procedure!
In order to repair a cavity, the decayed portion of your tooth will be removed by your dentist. The portion of the tooth occupied by the decayed material will then be filled. Fillings are utilised to repair teeth that are broken, cracked, or that have cavities.

What Are The Steps For Filling Teeth?
Initially, a local anaesthetic will be injected into the area that surrounds the tooth. Novocaine is normally used. Then, a drill, laser, or air abrasion will be utilised to remove the area that is decayed. The type of instrument that is used will depend on the preference and training of your dentist, along with the extent and location of the tooth decay.

Your dentist will then test and probe the area of decay to ensure that all decayed material has been removed. After the removal of the decay, the space to be occupied by the filling will be cleaned so that all debris and bacteria are removed. If the area of the decay is close to the root, a liner constructed of a composite resin, glass ionomer or other type of material may be used in order to provide protection to the nerve. After the insertion of the filling, it will be finished and polished.

Additional steps are needed for fillings that are tooth-coloured. Subsequent to the removal of decay and cleaning of the area, the material that is tooth-coloured will be applied in layers. A specially designed light that hardens or cures each layer is used. After the completion of the multi-layering procedure, the composite material will be shaped by your dentist, excess material will be trimmed, and it will be polished.


Filling Materials Used
There are several types of filling materials that are currently available. Teeth may be filled with porcelain, gold, silver amalgam, or tooth-coloured composite resins. Silver amalgam is comprised of mercury with tin, silver, copper, and zinc mixed with it. The extent and location of the cavity, expense of filling material, insurance coverage of the patient, and the recommendation of the dentist will determine the kind of filling material that will best suit your needs

Gold Fillings
Pros

  • Extremely durable – will usually last for the life of the patient. Will not corrode.
  • Strength – Can withstand almost any chewing forces
  • Aesthetics – Some people prefer the look of gold to sliver amalgam

Cons

  • Expense – more costly than other types of material. Can be 10 X more costly than amalgam
  • Multiple Office Visits – requires a minimum of two visits
  • Aesthetics – some patients don’t like its appearance

Silver Amalgam Fillings
Pros

  • Durability – Normally lasts longer than composites. Normally lasts ten to fifteen years or more.
  • Strength – able to withstand all chewing forces
  • Expense – costs less than gold or composite fillings

Cons

  • Generally poor aesthetics – natural colour of teeth is not matched
  • Requires more space – A portion of the tooth that is healthy must be removed, at times, to provide a large enough area for the amalgam filling.
  • Discolouration – a hue that is greyish may be imparted to the adjacent tooth structure
  • Fractures and Cracks – All teeth expand and contract with temperature changes, which can cause cracking. However, amalgam materials may expand and contract to a greater extent than other materials, leading to an increased incidence of fractures and cracks.
  • Allergies – approximately 1% of patients have allergies to the mercury that is in silver amalgam

Composite Fillings – Tooth Coloured
Pros

  • Aesthetics – composites can be closely matched to the colour of the patient’s teeth. They are particularly useful for teeth that are visible
  • Bonding – composite fillings will bond chemically with a tooth and provide structural support to the tooth
  • Versatile – can also be utilised in the repair of broken, worn, or chipped teeth
  • Space requirement – at times less tooth material is needed to be removed in comparison to silver amalgam fillings when preparing a space for this filling.

Cons

  • Reduced durability – Composite fillings do not last as long as amalgams or gold. In addition, they often don’t hold up as well under the pressure of use, particularly if they are used to fill large cavities.
  • Takes Longer – due to the process needed to fill a tooth with composite materials, it takes longer in the dentists chair to place them.
  • More than one visit – if composites are being used for onlays or inlays, it may require more than one office visit
  • Chipping – composite materials are more likely to chip than amalgams
  • Cost – composite filling may cost twice as much as amalgam fillings

Additional Filling Materials
In addition to composite resins that are tooth coloured, there are two other types of tooth-coloured fillings. Glass ionomer and ceramics.

Glass Ionomer
This material is constructed of a specific type of glass and acrylic. It is commonly utilised on fillings that are beneath the gum line and for young children. This material releases fluoride, which may protect a tooth from additional decay. Nevertheless, glass ionomer is not as strong as composite resin and more prone to fracture and wear. It normally lasts for five years or less and the expense is similar to composites.

Ceramics
Usually constructed of porcelain. Ceramics are stain resistant, compared to composites, but are more abrasive. Ceramics are very durable, and usually last for 15 years or more, but, they are costly, and the expense can be similar to gold.

Porcelain Crown & Veneers

Rejuvenate Your Smile with Porcelain Crown and Veneers from Monash Dental Group
Remember; beautiful and aesthetically appealing cosmetic dentistry is not a matter of chance; it demands an experienced clinician who is sensitive to your unique needs and an expert dental ceramist who leverages the art and science of dentistry to deliver optimal results. At Monash Dental Group, we boast an expert team of experienced cosmetic dentists, who have extensive experience in fitting patients with porcelain veneers and crowns. Our first-class porcelain veneers and crowns are highly effective for your unique functional and cosmetic needs.

At Monash Dental Group, our products are expertly crafted to compliment your age, gender, expectations, and facial features. We leverage the expertise of the best dental ceramists to guarantee that the veneers and crowns are of premium quality, resilient, and possess excellent craftsmanship. We work diligently to provide you with a top-quality product that beautifully compliments your face, while simultaneously restoring the function and aesthetics of your natural teeth.

Porcelain Veneers
Typically, porcelain veneers are a form of thin laminates of chinaware that are securely bonded to the surface of the tooth. For diverse dental problems, it is one of the most aesthetically appealing means of enhancing your smile. Veneers are one of the most popular treatments for restoration of chips, spaces, fractures, unshapely and discoloured teeth, or misaligned and rotated teeth. They deliver an unmatched cosmetic makeover that allows alteration of shape, position, size, and the colour of your teeth. Monash Dental Group boasts experienced cosmetic dentists who deliver exceptional results with porcelain veneers. We feature:

  • Dramatic yet aesthetically beautiful and natural cosmetic dental enhancement
  • Durable, high quality, and permanent
  • Enhanced self esteem

The procedure typically requires two appointments. At first, the tooth is prepared for minimal reduction to make enough space for the porcelain veneer. A mould of the tooth is taken for fabrication, which takes approximately 2 weeks. In the next visit, the permanent veneer is bonded in place.

Crowns
Crowns are a rigid and strong cap that restores the tooth to its natural function and anatomic contours, as well as protects the underlying tooth. In certain conditions, where veneers are not possible, crowns are a suitable option. Some of the scenarios in which crowns may be used include tooth fractures, large restorations, functionally compromised teeth, history of root canal therapy, and acute damage due to decay. There are a wide range of choices available in crowns and bridges.

Dental crown procedures take just two appointments, depending on the condition of your teeth and gums. First, the tooth is prepared for reduction and an impression is taken for fabrication. A temporary, plastic crown in fitted while the mould is being fabricated. In the next visit, the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is secured permanently into position. The fabrication procedure may take time depending on the type of crown.

Monash Dental Group is an expert in crowns and veneers, delivering matchless quality and desired results. The key benefits are:

  • Extensive protection and support to the compromised or damaged teeth
  • Natural and aesthetically enhanced appearance
  • Restoration of full functions and a confident smile

Contact the professionals at Monash Dental Group for more details on porcelain veneers and crowns. We guarantee excellent quality and fantastic results in a cost-effective manner.