September 11th, 2009 by admin
The effect, in the mixed dentition, of early loss of primary molar
teeth depends on the amount of crowding in the dental arches,
and on which tooth it is that has been lost (Richardson 1965). If
the dentition is crowded, then the crowding tends to become
apparent either in the incisor region, or else in the region of the
permanent molar teeth. The cumulative size of the primary canine
and molar teeth exceeds the cumulative size of the permanent Read the rest of this entry »
September 9th, 2009 by admin
These provide a steady or pulsating stream of water escaping
through a nozzle under pressure. Oral irrigators should not be
used as a substitute for toothbrushing, and are time-consuming
and messy to use. There is also a risk that patients using irrigation
devices may believe them to be more effective than proved, and
reduce their efforts in manual plaque control. Nevertheless, Read the rest of this entry »
September 9th, 2009 by admin
Although flossing requires more digital skill and is much more
time-consuming than using wood points, there appears to be no
alternative method of cleaning proximal surfaces when a normal,
healthy papilla fills the interdental space. When toothbrushing is Read the rest of this entry »
September 9th, 2009 by admin
The wood point is effective only where sufficient interdental space
is available to accommodate it. Triangular wood points are superior
to round or rectangular ones, which are ineffective on lingual
aspects of proximal surfaces. Posterior teeth normally have wider
lingual than buccal embrasures and although access is much more
restricted, wood points can be fixed in a handle and inserted from
the lingual side.
September 9th, 2009 by admin
It has long been established that brushing with a conventional fluoride
toothpaste is a more effective means of plaque control than
brushing with water alone. This effect may be attributed to detergents,
abrasives, or the antimicrobial effect of fluoride. Nowadays,
many toothpastes are formulated with more effective antimicrobial
agents, which make significant contributions to plaque removal and
reduction of gingivitis. Although the degree of abrasivity may not
influence the amount of plaque removal achieved, the abrasive property Read the rest of this entry »
September 9th, 2009 by admin
There is evidence to suggest that powered toothbrushes will
improve plaque control in specific patient groups: those with
fixed orthodontic appliances; children and adolescents; those with
a physical or learning disability; and institutionalized patients
who depend upon care providers to brush their teeth. It is difficult
to know whether the improvement in plaque control is due to
increased efficiency in brushing, or whether it is likely to be more Read the rest of this entry »
September 9th, 2009 by admin
Design variations in toothbrushes include dimensions of the head,
the length, diameter, and modulus of elasticity of the filaments
and their number, distribution, and angulation. Operating efficiency
may further depend on moisture content, temperature of
the water used, and brushing technique. These variables confound
comparison of the many investigations carried out to determine
optimum toothbrush characteristics. Although current opinion Read the rest of this entry »
September 9th, 2009 by admin
Plaque formation is not dependent on the presence of food in
the mouth. Furthermore, the effect of dietary sugars on plaque quantity in man is generally far less pronounced than could be
anticipated from theoretical considerations. There is great individual
variation in the amount of plaque formation, and its
response to different dietary regimes. Although diet may influence
the quantitative proportions of plaque micro-organisms, the
clinical significance of such changes with respect to the initiation
and progress of periodontal disease is not known.
The traditional concept of natural cleansing by abrasive foodstuffs Read the rest of this entry »
September 9th, 2009 by admin
The objective of oral hygiene education is to produce a change in
behaviour, which will result in a reduction of plaque accumulation
sufficient, if possible, to prevent the initiation and progression
of dental caries and periodontal disease, and to make the patient as independent as possible of professional support. A successful
outcome will depend not only on mastery of plaque control
techniques but also on a change of behaviour and compliance
with the suggested plaque control regime. Clearly, therefore, the
clinician must use an educative approach aimed at changing the
patient’s attitude to periodontal disease and dental care, incorporating Read the rest of this entry »
September 7th, 2009 by admin
Chlorhexidine is the most effective antibacterial agent that has
found wide application in dentistry, particularly in the treatment
of gingivitis and as an adjunct to periodontal therapy. Oral rinsing
or topical application of chlorhexidine causes a rapid drop in
the viability of plaque bacteria, and its effect on mutans streptococci
has been well studied. Numbers of mutans streptococci can Read the rest of this entry »
