Prevention
At the ARTIMEDICA clinic, we perform a range of professional preventive treatments that complement daily oral hygiene.
The first step in treating dental and periodontal diseases (i.e. diseases of the tissues surrounding the teeth) is to focus on prevention.
Its main objectives are:
- combating plaque, which is the main cause of tooth decay and periodontitis,
- increasing the resistance of tooth and periodontal tissues to bacteria and acids.
Follow-up examination
Regular check-ups enable early detection of any pathological changes in the oral cavity and allow for prompt treatment.
A check-up involves a detailed examination of the condition of the teeth and periodontium. It should be performed at least once every six months for adults and once every three to four months for children.
Oral hygiene instruction
Choosing the right brushing technique and appropriate hygiene products and materials is not an easy task and requires professional expertise and a good knowledge of the products available on the market.
Proper oral hygiene is the basis of dental prevention. Daily hygiene activities should include:
- regular brushing of teeth with appropriate toothpaste and toothbrush,
- cleaning of interdental spaces,
- cleaning the tongue,
- rinsing the mouth with appropriate preparations, if necessary.
Due to the individual physiological conditions of the patient, the condition of their teeth and periodontium, and varying manual dexterity, we recommend consulting with the medical staff at the ARTIMEDICA clinic regarding the choice of brushing technique and the necessary hygiene products and materials.
A useful tool is the plaque disclosing test. The test results show us the areas of the teeth that are not being cleaned properly during daily hygiene procedures. At the ARTIMEDICA clinic, you can purchase a plaque disclosing agent and test the effectiveness of your tooth brushing on your own.
Scaling – removal of dental tartar
Untreated bacterial plaque hardens (mineralises) after just a few dozen hours and forms tartar. Unfortunately, tartar is resistant to regular brushing and requires a visit to the dentist to remove it.
Scaling is a procedure that involves removing tartar from the surface of the teeth.
Tartar contains large amounts of pathogenic bacteria. By adhering to the surface of the teeth and their roots, it promotes further bacterial plaque build-up, irritates the gums and, as a result, leads to pathological changes in the periodontium, commonly known as periodontitis.
At the ARTIMEDICA clinic, we perform scaling (tartar removal) using ultrasonic and/or manual scalers. This procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia.
Sandblasting and polishing of tooth surfaces
Using a professional tool called a sandblaster, which ejects particles of dental sand mixed with water under high pressure, discolouration and deposits are removed from the teeth. The sand particles are hard and compact enough to remove plaque, yet gentle enough not to damage the tooth enamel. With a sandblaster, it is possible to reach hard-to-reach areas, such as interdental spaces.
Teeth polishing is one of the final stages of oral hygiene. The full procedure begins with tartar removal (scaling), followed by sandblasting and, finally, teeth polishing. Special pastes with cleaning and polishing properties are used for tooth polishing. The pastes are applied to the teeth, which are then polished. Special rubber cups and dental brushes are used for this purpose. After polishing, the teeth are very smooth and shiny.
Teeth that have undergone sandblasting and polishing are significantly brighter, smoother and thoroughly cleaned. The effect is visible immediately after the tooth polishing procedure. It is very important to note that after polishing, tartar and impurities accumulate on the teeth much more slowly.
After sandblasting and/or polishing the surface of the teeth, a tooth remineralisation treatment should be carried out.
Tooth remineralisation
Remineralisation treatment is particularly recommended after scaling and sandblasting procedures to further strengthen thoroughly cleaned and polished tooth surfaces.
The remineralisation treatment (often referred to as varnishing) involves covering the cleaned tooth surfaces with a foam, paste, gel or liquid preparation with a high active ingredient content, which, when incorporated into the tooth enamel surface:
- repairs damage caused by bacterial acids,
- prevents secondary caries (around fillings),
- reduces plaque adhesion,
- prevents caries formation during treatment with fixed and removable appliances,
- reduces tooth sensitivity.
Teeth remineralisation treatment should be performed 2–4 times a year, depending on susceptibility to tooth decay.
At the ARTIMEDICA Clinic, we use preparations containing calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite as active remineralising ingredients (e.g. ApaCare Build&Repair gel).
Sealing
Sealing is a very effective, simple and painless method of preventing tooth decay. It can reduce tooth decay by up to 90%.