Oral Hygiene
The overall aim of the Oral Hygiene Team at Bergvliet Dental & Medical is to support you as you maintain your optimal oral health. We work alongside our Dentists, tailoring and implementing a personal program to better your Oral Health. Maintaining a good oral health helps you to ensure a good general health.
Your Oral Health Exam, Preventive as well as Curative treatment plan with us, could include the following:
Removal of calculus (tartar)
Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time. Once calculus has formed on the tooth, the surface becomes rough making the tooth an ideal platform for further plaque and tartar formation. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
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Removal of plaque
Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible foam like mass that forms on our teeth. When you run your tongue over it, you may feel a rough surface. This is a growing colony of living bacteria, food particles, debris, and saliva. If left for 24 hours plaque begins to calcify (starts hardening). After plaque has hardened brushing alone will not remove. When the bacteria is left over time, it produces acids. This is the starting process of tooth decay, gum inflammation which may lead to periodontal disease! Seeing an Oral Hygienist helps maintain plaque build-up, stopping the process before it’s too late.
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Teeth polishing
Remove stains and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling. By using a non-abrasive agent, which consists of fluoride to strengthen enamel.
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Fluoride application
Fluoride helps to protect teeth against dental decay. Applied as a desensitize agent for sensitive teeth. Fluoride aids in strengthening enamel of weak teeth. Prevents white spot lesions on tooth surface during orthodontics (braces).
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Teeth whitening
Removing of any stains caused by smoking, coffee/tea/ red wine. We safely provide in chair whitening as well as at home whitening. Our in chair is a 40% system and at home 15% - 20%. We monitor and guide you according to your personal oral hygiene by changing the shade of your teeth to an acceptable brighter white.
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Fissure sealants
It is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves of the teeth. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves.Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and are very susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy to clean surface.
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Our Oral Hygiene Team will focus on assisting the Dentists in addressing the following common conditions.
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Halitosis
Halitosis or otherwise known as Bad Breath can be caused by a variety of medical or lifestyle issues (dry mouth / smoking / foods you eat / yeast infections / medical conditions or medications). Together with the Dentist, Oral Hygienist and Medical Practitioner we will help you get to the root of the problem and save you from compromising your health further.
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Bad breath can be an early warning sign indicating a gum (periodontal) disease. The plaque build-up around your tooth becomes the host for bacteria to grow and this forms toxins that may irritate the gum. If left untreated, it will affect the gum as well as its supporting structures such as bone below the gum line.
Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissue or gum that support your teeth. A tooth needs a healthy supportive tissue and gum to anchor it in its bony socket. The longer contact time between the plaque and tartar with your teeth the more harm they may cause.
The gums develop “gingivitis”– become red and swollen and can bleed easily – this is a easily reversible process can be treated with daily routine of brushing and flossing and regular Oral Hygiene visits. A regular deep cleaning program, as agreed with your Dentist, should be followed in order to restore gum health and reverse the effects plaque and tartar build up has on your teeth.
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Support during Orthodontic Treatment
Properly aligned teeth are less difficult to clean and less likely to develop decay and periodontal disease on account of plaque build-up. Once you straighten formerly protruding teeth, you might reduce the risk that your teeth will be broken or damaged in an accident. Straight teeth wear far more evenly, reducing pressure that can result in chronic facial discomfort and headaches.
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When you embark on orthodontic treatment as recommended by your Dentist or Orthodontist, you will need additional assistance in cleaning your already compromised teeth. Cleaning around the appliances that were fixed to your teeth in the process of re-aligning your teeth is as important. We recommend that you come and see the Oral Hygienist at least every 6 weeks during this time in order to prevent calculus formation around any of the orthodontic appliances on the teeth. Possible problems can be detected early on and better managed by the primary Dentist.
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Support during Pregnancy
During this special time of your life you need all the support you can get. We would like to help you to maintain optimal Oral Health during this time. This is a taxing period for your body and with many hormonal changes taking place, it might also have an impact on the health of your gums and teeth. Pregnancy gingivitis is a common condition many pregnant women experience and may raise in many different forms. As minor as mild bleeding to the extent of moderate to severe sensitive. Having good oral health is not only important for mom but also for baby. Maintaining a low bacterial count ensures less bacteria traveling in the blood stream. Periodontitis (gum disease) have been linked to babies born with low birth weight. Visiting the dentist in the first trimester is encouraged, this helps decrease your chances of a gum disease forming during the duration of pregnancy. See the dentist or oral hygienist for more details about good hygiene during pregnancy. A healthy baby stems from a healthy mom.
Whitening Prices:
Inchair whitening: R 4 700
Includes: Scale & polish, 45% Booster of Opalescence, top and bottom trays and take home kit.
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At home kit: R 3 700
Includes: Scale & polish, 6 x 20% Opalescence, top and bottom trays and take home kit.