PROPHYLAXIS

Introduction:

Dental prophylaxis is the medical term for teeth cleaning. It is a routine preventive procedure performed by a dentist or hygienist to clean teeth and remove plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. If not removed, it can harden into tartar, which can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath.

Prophylaxis is usually performed every six months, although more frequent cleanings may be necessary for people with certain medical conditions or risk factors for dental problems. The procedure is generally covered by dental insurance plans.

Types of Prophylaxis:

There are two types of prophylaxis:

1. Mechanical Prophylaxis 

This involves the use of physical devices to remove plaque and tartar from teeth. These devices include toothbrushes, floss, water picks, and interdental cleaners.

2. Chemical Prophylaxis 

This type of prophylaxis uses chemicals to kill bacteria and remove plaque. Chemical prophylaxis is usually done in a professional setting, such as a dental office.

Mechanical Prophylaxis:

Mechanical prophylaxis is the most common type of prophylaxis. It involves the use of physical devices to remove plaque and tartar from teeth. These devices include toothbrushes, floss, water picks, and interdental cleaners.

• Toothbrushes – Toothbrushes can be used to brush away plaque and bacteria from teeth. There are many different types of toothbrushes available, including manual and electric models.
• Floss – Floss can be used to remove plaque and bacteria from between teeth. There are many different types of floss available, including waxed and unwaxed varieties.
• Water picks – Water picks are devices that shoot a stream of water into the mouth to remove plaque and bacteria. They can be used in addition to brushing and flossing, or they can be used instead of brushing and flossing.
• Intersdental cleaners – Intersdental cleaners are devices that are used to clean between teeth. They can be used in addition to brushing and flossing, or they can be used instead of brushing and flossing.

Chemical Prophylaxis:

• Chemical prophylaxis is a type of prophylaxis that uses chemicals to kill bacteria and remove plaque. Chemical prophylaxis is usually done in a professional setting, such as a dental office.
• Dentists may use a variety of chemicals for chemical prophylaxis, including chlorhexidine, fluoride, and triclosan. These chemicals can help kill bacteria and remove plaque. They can also help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
• Chemical prophylaxis is usually done in addition to mechanical prophylaxis. It is not a replacement for mechanical prophylaxis.

Uses of Prophylaxis:

There are many different uses for prophylaxis. Some of the most common uses include:

1. Preventing tooth decay – Prophylaxis can help remove plaque and tartar from teeth. This can help prevent tooth decay.

2. Preventing gum disease – Prophylaxis can help remove plaque and tartar from teeth. This can help prevent gum disease.

3. Preventing bad breath – Prophylaxis can help remove plaque and tartar from teeth. This can help prevent bad breath.

4. Keeping teeth and gums healthy – Prophylaxis can help remove plaque and tartar from teeth. This can help keep teeth and gums healthy.

5. Helping to whiten teeth – Prophylaxis can help remove stain and tartar from teeth. This can help whiten teeth.

6. Helping to prevent cavities – Prophylaxis can help remove plaque and bacteria from teeth. This can help prevent cavities.

7. Helping to prevent tooth loss – Prophylaxis can help remove plaque and tartar from teeth. This can help prevent tooth loss.

8. Helping to reduce the risk of developing cancer – Prophylaxis can help remove harmful chemicals from the mouth. This can help reduce the risk of developing cancer.

9. Helping to reduce the risk of developing heart disease – Prophylaxis can help remove harmful bacteria from the mouth. This can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

10. Helping to reduce the risk of developing stroke – Prophylaxis can help remove harmful bacteria from the mouth. This can help reduce the risk of developing stroke.

11. Helping to reduce the risk of developing diabetes – Prophylaxis can help remove harmful bacteria from the mouth. This can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

12. Helping to reduce the risk of developing alzheimer’s disease – Prophylaxis can help remove harmful chemicals from the mouth. This can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

13. Helping to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis – Prophylaxis can help remove harmful chemicals from the mouth. This can help reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis.

14. Helping to reduce stress – Prophylaxis can help reduce stress.

15. Helping to improve overall health – Prophylaxis can help improve overall health.

16. Helping to save money – Prophylaxis can help save money on dental bills.

17. Helping to protect the environment – Prophylaxis can help protect the environment by reducing the amount of harmful chemicals that are released into the air.

18. Helping to reduce the spread of disease – Prophylaxis can help reduce the spread of disease by removing harmful bacteria from the mouth.

19. Helping to promote a healthy lifestyle – Prophylaxis can help promote a healthy lifestyle by helping to remove harmful bacteria from the mouth.

20. Helping to improve self-esteem – Prophylaxis can help improve self-esteem by helping to improve the appearance of teeth.

Conclusion:

Prophylaxis is a preventative measure that can be used for many different purposes. Some of the most common uses for prophylaxis include preventing tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and keeping teeth and gums healthy. Prophylaxis can also help whiten teeth, prevent cavities, and reduce the risk of developing various diseases.

Prophylaxis can also help improve overall health and promote a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, prophylaxis is an important tool that can be used to improve oral health.