Recognition of Etiological Factors and Strategies of Plaque/Biofilm Control Flashcards
What should the priority of a dentist be regarding periodontal health?
Focus should be on prevention before cure.
Focus on preventing the cause rather than waiting for symptoms. If there are symptoms then they should be the focus.
What does normal periodontium look like?
Normal periodontium shows no attachment loss, absence of tissue inflammation, and absence of bleeding on probing. Dental floss and perio probe can be used to test bleeding.
How can inflammation of the gingiva be detected?
It can change the colour and the shape of the gingiva
Bleeding on probing
Inflammation is caused by supragingival dental biofilm.
What are the main features of periodontitis?
Attachment or bone loss or bleeding on separation.
MOBILITY ALONE IS NOT A SIGN OF PERIODONTITIS
What are the main aetiological factors of periodontal disease?
Bacteria
Plaque
Biofilm
What types of plaque affect the gingiva and how is their treatment different?
2 types: Supra- and sub-gingival plaque.
Supragingival area is protected usually by the oxygen,
saliva and movements of the oral mucosa and can be removed via brushing/flossing.
Subgingival plaque is a result of accumulation of more haemolytic and anaerobic bacteria in the gingiva. The gingival fluid also increases the effect on it.
How does good oral hygiene affect the gingiva?
Good oral hygiene leads to reduction of inflammation.
How long does plaque take to develop? Who of these people develop periodontitis?
There is an inherent variability in the time needed for it to develop (It WILL develop in everyone eventually though). If plaque is not well controlled everyone will develop gingivitis but not all people will develop periodontitis following gingivitis.
What causes plaque to accumulate?
Predisposing factors foster plaque accumulation
What is calculus?
Calculus is mineralized biofilm and is the main predisposing factor for periodontitis.
What covers calculus?
Superficially it is covered by vital non-mineralised biofilm
How can calculus be treated and why?
Supra and subgingival calculus are treated by being removed to reduce aetiological factors.
Mechanical plaque removal is done by both professional and self-performed methods. Professionally via scaling, brushing, and rubber cap (supergingival) and self-performed via toothbrushing and flossing/interdental toothbrush.
Subgingival plaque can only be removed professionally via a procedure known as debridement.
