Dental hygienists assist dentists in treating patients. They use preventive, educational and therapeutic methods for the control of oral diseases to aid individual patients and groups in achieving and maintaining oral health. They are a registered dental care provider, oral health educator and clinical operator.
Dental hygienists are trained to do specific clinical procedures which aim to prevent dental and periodontal (gum) disease. They usually work under the supervision and prescription of a dentist.
Oral Health Therapist
Oral health therapists are dental professionals who are dual qualified in dental therapy and dental hygiene. Oral health therapists provide a wide range of dental care in a variety of settings to children, adolescents and adults. An oral health therapist will work as a multi-skilled member of a dental team. They provide dental therapy services to children and adolescents and dental
Fissures are naturally occurring grooves usually found on biting surfaces of back teeth. Prominent fissures are also sometimes found on incisors and canines. Toothbrush bristles cannot clean out food particles stuck in deep fissures. Bacteria acts on these trapped food particles releasing acid. Tooth enamel is dissolved by this acid causing decay. Deep fissures are five times more likely to have caries than other areas of the tooth.
These grooves can be sealed off using certain coatings or cements. A well-sealed fissure is fully protected against decay. The best time to have fissure sealants placed is as soon as teeth fully appear in the mouth. The permanent molars and premolars appear between 6-14yrs of age. Fissure sealants may be recommended in stages depending on the eruption sequence and the depth of fissures. Sometimes fissure sealants maybe recommended for baby teeth if there us a higher risk of caries in your child’s mouth.
Studies suggest those who grind and clench their teeth may experience up to 80 times the normal tooth wear per day compared to those who do not. The good news is that we at MP Dental are able to prescribe a custom-made splint, which offsets the damage and pain caused by this often-subconscious habit of bruxing (grinding) your teeth.
Though splints are also available to buy from a pharmacy, it is unlikely to fit and function as well as one that is made by a dentist.