Many periodontal diseases and their complications, the most severe of which is tooth loss, can be prevented via proper oral hygiene. The main etiological factors of such diseases – DENTAL PLAQUE and CALCULUS – are easily controllable.

These factors trigger an inflammatory process that results in periodontitis and, eventually, in tooth loss. Treatment of periodontal diseases usually begins when first symptoms appear. However, preventive measures are applied in healthy organism in order to maintain health.

The main task of oral preventive measures is to prevent periodontal diseases and thus tooth loss. The best way to achieve this is TO PREVENT THE FORMATION OF PLAQUE.

Personal oral hygiene involves toothbrushing and flossing.

A healthy person who takes good care of his/her teeth should undergo professional oral hygiene procedures every half a year. In people without proper oral hygiene habits, plaque and calculus accumulate much faster, and therefore professional oral hygiene procedures in such people should be performed every 2-3 months. A person with periodontal diseases should visit an odontologist at least every three months.

Thus, the main etiological factors of periodontal diseases are dental plaque and calculus, which adhere to the tooth surface, and can only be removed mechanically. Calculus usually first appears in adolescence, and with time becomes more abundant.

Oral hygiene measures prevent the accumulation of plaque. In periodontal surgery, plaque control is also highly important. If the patient does not take sufficient care of his/her oral cavity, no surgical procedures will be effective. An odontologist or an oral hygienist should perform oral hygiene procedures prior to the periodontal treatment.

Periodontological instruments are used to remove all plaque and calculus, to smoothen crown and root surfaces, and to perform flap procedures or surgical bone corrections.

Hard and large calculus may be removed using an ultrasonic device. Using this device, rapid vibrating movements are applied to remove calculus and coffee, tea, or nicotine stains. This ultrasonic device operates at 25000–50000 cycles/s in very small amplitudes. Vibrating movements are used to remove calculus, and water flowing in a compressed air stream provides cooling, and therefore the procedure is painless.

“AIR–FLOW” is one of the newest plaque removal techniques. This is an excellent painless method for the removal of nicotine, coffee, or tea stains, or for tooth whitening. “AIR–FLOW” more rapidly and more effectively removes dental plaque, compared to the conventional tooth polishing measures. This technique is highly effective even in poorly accessible sites. A strong stream of air, water, and soda powder is directed perpendicularly to the tooth surface and rapidly and painlessly removes plaque.

After the “AIR–FLOW” procedure, you will be pleasantly surprised at your natural smile and a feeling of comfort and cleanliness in your mouth.

Only an oral hygienist can effectively remove dental plaque and calculus. It is important to understand that continuous care helps to prevent odontological problems and to save time and money. Regular visits to the oral hygienist should become a habit for those who savor their health, since dental and gingival diseases negatively affect the whole organism.