Dentistry

General Dentistry

General Dentistry appointments should be made on a regular basis, acting as a check-up.

General Dentistry appointments are responsible for some of the most common clinical actions. These are simple procedures that contribute towards your oral health and improve how your teeth look.

Our dentists carry out dental cleaning, tartar and stain removal, polishing, whitening, application of fissure sealants, fluoride application, among others. At Poço Novo Clinic we are properly equipped and we work in a multidisciplinary way.

Dental whitening

Tooth whitening is a safe, minimally invasive procedure, in which an oxidising agent is used to break down the long chains of chromatophores (pigments that darken teeth) into smaller chains that are expelled from the tooth.

Tooth colour can be changed through dental whitening, veneers (ceramic sheets manufactured in the laboratory that are bonded to the front of the front teeth, after wear and tear of 0.5 to 1.5 mm) or crowns (full ceramic veneers for any tooth manufactured in the laboratory that are cemented after approximately 2mm of tooth wear).

The colour achieved remains for several years, but it depends on each person’s habits.

Scaling

Scaling is a cleaning to remove tartar from the teeth. It prevents periodontal disease and inflammation of the gums. It should be done regularly.

Bacterial plaque is a film consisting of leftover food, saliva and bacteria that cling tightly to the teeth. Tartar forms when the bacterial plaque is not completely removed. The minerals contained in saliva (calcium and phosphates) harden it, forming tartar, which is a common situation for most people.

What is a carious lesion and how can it be prevented?

Tooth decay is a “disease”. To prevent the appearance of carious lesions you must:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily;
  • Make regular visits to the dentist;
  • Eat a balanced diet reducing the number of times your teeth are exposed to sugars and acids;
  • Use dental products that contain fluoride.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an inflammation caused by bacterial plaque. Healthy gums are firm and do not bleed. Inflamed gums are reddish, swollen and can bleed when brushed. This inflammation can advance and reach the bone that surrounds and holds the teeth leaving them unstable, giving rise to periodontitis, which is when the gum begins to loosen and retract causing plaque to settle towards the roots, fibres and bone. The teeth become mobile and unprotected and may have to be removed.

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