We’re so glad Bunker Hill was featured this May. Pick up a copy to see his spotlight and other Houston “Top Dentists”.
Contamination The handpiece is a vital piece of equipment in any dental surgery. But, it is one that is heavily contaminated internally with saliva, blood products and tissue. It has been demonstrated that contamination occurs when the treatment procedure is interrupted resulting in re-suction. Incorrectly or poorly maintained Dental Unit Waterlines can also introduce contamination. This is in addition to the contamination which covers the external surfaces following treatment. Despite heavy usage and the potential for internal contamination, the handpiece is a tool with inherent design floors. The complex internal lumen and intricate water and air channels make removing this debris incredibly difficult and pose dental professionals with an issue – How do you clean and disinfect a handpiece? Falling short of Standards The decontamination and maintenance of a handpiece is done in three steps – cleaning, disinfection, then lubrication and sterilization. Due to the complexity of the internal lumens of a handpiece this area is often glossed over and “cleaning” refers to manual brushing/ wiping of the outer surfaces followed by a visual inspection. Often lubrication/cleaning oils are applied to handpieces due to the claims of cleaning activity. The newly published HTM01-01 points out that "The addition of oil-based compounds to the cleaning process is wrong in principle, as they cause contamination over the entire cleaned surface. Only the water-soluble type should be used. Mineral oils have poor biocompatibility and can inhibit the penetration of steam or sterilant gases on terminally sterilized product." This is for acute care but the point remains - you can't sterilise a dirty handpiece and cleaning is not achieved by lubrication. The new legislation for acute care goes further to state that: "Lubrication should only be applied to those areas where it is required during the inspection/packing process after thorough cleaning of the instrument" HTM01-01 Part D Evidence suggests that washer disinfectors with handpiece irrigation systems can significantly reduce the contamination when used. As most practices in the UK are yet to embrace mechanical cleaning fully, this must be compared with the current standard – Manual Cleaning. Manual Cleaning Manual cleaning is not able to remove the internal debris present in a handpiece. The contamination left behind is “baked” onto the surface during sterilization rendering the reprocessed handpiece potentially contaminated with blood product. A dirty handpiece will not be decontaminated by sterilisation, only the application of the full decontamination cycle can render it safe for re use. It is recognised in the HTM01-05 that non-vac autoclaves will have no effect on the sterility of a handpieces and that washer disinfectors can have a positive impact if compatible. "Cleaning and drying of reusable load items before packaging and sterilization is essential, since the efficacy of the process will be reduced if soiling protects microorganisms from exposure to the sterilant. All items should therefore be scrupulously clean." HTM01-01 Part D Practices may well be falling short of the standards expected by not fully cleaning this critical piece of equipment, The Solution So what is the answer? Disposable handpieces ? – well that’s not going to happen, but for practices without washer disinfectors how is this problem being addressed? In order to ensure these expensive tools are maintained and safe to use an internal handpiece cleaning system must be applied in addition to manual cleaning and sterilisation. The risk of “baking on” proteins and cross contamination is removed when the handpiece can be fully decontaminated with a clinically assured and validated cleaning system and then sterilized effectively. From the manufacturers of Alpron, the WL system for handpiece cleaning and disinfection use the same clinical expertise to ensure the internal surfaces of handpieces can be decontaminated as effectively as your DUWL’s. The WL system removes blood product and has excellent microbial efficacy. The System The system is delivered in pressurized spray cans. The solution is forced through all internal channels flooding the contaminated areas and removing debris and blood product without bonding or damage. CLEAN – WL-Clean removes blood, saliva and debris without bonding or damage DRY – WL-dry removes all chemical residues and prepares the handpiece disinfection. DISINFECT – WL-cid chemically disinfects the internal lumens and surfaces making it safe for sterilisation DRY – WL-dry removes all chemical residues and prepares the handpiece for lubrication and onward sterilisation. Make your handpiece SAFE for use on your patients, PROTECT them against the risk of cross infection and TRUST the WL System as your handpiece decontamination assurance. Don’t just take our word for it – NSK, Sirona and many others approve the WL System for its excellent material compatibility and cleaning efficacy. https://www.qwsonline.co.uk/13-handpiece-water-lines http://blog.qwsonline.co.uk
What questions should you ask your new dentist? Once you have found a dentist you can trust, you need to make sure you get the most from their care. If you're thinking of becoming a new patient, there are a few things you need to know. ”How healthy is my mouth?” If you don’t know your current dental health status, how can you be expected to improve it? Beyond the health of your teeth, you need to ask your dentist about the condition of your gums, tongue, and the underlying facial or jaw structures that support your mouth. Keeping the entire mouth healthy will do more than ensure the health of your teeth; it will ensure the health of your entire body. For example, bacterial infections which have been linked to heart disease frequently feed on plaque, so keeping your mouth healthy through routine dental checkups will keep your heart at its strongest. ”Could you provide me with a prioritized list of needed treatments and procedures?” If it’s been a while since you’ve visited a dentist, your dentist may recommend several different dental procedures and treatments to restore radiant health to your mouth. Even if it you have always regularly visited the dentist, the bewildering array of options available to improve dental health can quickly become confusing. This is one time when you want to take advantage of your dentist’s professional expertise. Ask her or him for a prioritized list of every recommended procedure or treatment. Then, you will know what appointments you need to make. This is also a good time to find out approximately how much each treatment will cost. Your dentist may not know what the exact cost of your procedure will be, but he or she can give you a good estimate. If you have dental insurance, taking a few minutes to find out how much your policy will cover can save you quite a bit of aggravation and worry later. ”What are the top three moves I can make to improve my dental health?” Since more than 90% of your time is spent outside of your dentist’s office, you need to know how to keep your teeth healthy at home beyond routine brushing, flossing, and other dental health measures such as eating less sugar or avoiding tobacco products. Make it your mission to ask your dentist the top three things you can do to keep your mouth in top condition. Such recommendations will be specifically tailored to your current dental health needs. Therefore, they often focus on reducing the severity of your recurrent problems or reducing your risk for other dental health issues. "What type of technology and amenities does your practice offer?" From digital photography for more efficient treatment planning, to comfy blankets and nitrous oxide, each practice is unique in the experience they provide. Be sure to ask your dentist to explain what makes their practice different. While no one likes spending time in the dentist’s chair, taking a few extra minutes to ask your dentist these important questions will inform you of your current dental health status as well as give you a plan for professional office and personal home care to help you achieve your brightest, healthiest smile ever.
You certainly want to sport a broad, pretty smile and that is the pretext to your visiting Chino Dental Offices in CA. Having a strong dental health is also highly essential these days. This is why you and your entire family should access the modern dentistry services that dental clinic in Chino offers. They help you with meeting the broad needs of all family members, be it restorative or cosmetic dental services. Services offered by Chino Dental Clinics General Dentistry – This involves diagnosing, treating and managing the oral healthcare of an individual. This service may include frequent gum cleanings and investigations. Educating individuals about preventive oral care also falls under this category. Ensure that you visit a dental clinic in Chino to get the routine investigations done. Whitening of Teeth – This helps in lightening the teeth color, also assists in removing any stains or discoloration. It’s a cosmetic dental procedure and depending on the status of your teeth, this process should be repeated at designated intervals. Composite Fillings – If you have a fractured teeth, composite fillings will provides robust durability. People, who prefer having their fillings look more natural, use composite fillings. They can be used either on your front teeth or rear teeth as well. Tooth Crowns – If you want to restore the shape, size, strength of your teeth and also enhance its appearance, dental crowns or tooth crowns are the best bait for you. It helps encase the noticeable portion of a tooth above the gum line after being cemented into the teeth. Root Canal – If you have a badly decayed tooth or it is infected, go for a root canal treatment. During this procedure, the nerve and the pulp are eliminated and the portion inside the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. Porcelain Veneers – Customers can get tailor-made porcelain veneers which are mere shells used to cover the frontal portion of the teeth. It also helps enhance the tooth appearance as these shells are made of tooth-colored materials. Dental Implants – If you are seeking to replace the roots of your tooth, dental implants is the best option. Implants will give a strong foundation to your teeth that is at par with your natural teeth. Cosmetic Dentistry – This process is not related to maintaining the oral health but is more directed towards enhancing the dental appearance and improving your smile. It uses advanced technologies but ensures that the smile makeovers are comfortable as well as convenient. Digital X-Rays – Dental radiographs are a essential part of a dental care treatment plan. It precisely helps to diagnose the issues proactively helps dentists detect issues such as cavities, tooth roots, overall oral health such that corrective actions can be adopted. So, it is best to identify which of these services you require and find out the most relevant Chino Dental Offices to get yourself treated. With the state-of-the-art techniques and equipments, assure yourself to get a comfortable experience.
Dental appointments are designed to keep your teeth in top shape, and preventative care matters! Just brushing and flossing at home aren’t enough to keep signs and symptoms of serious tooth decay from developing eventually. Ignoring your teeth can lead to some extremely serious problems that go far beyond your mouth. We’ve all seen those pictures of people with missing and rotting teeth and gums. It makes us want to cringe and politely look away. If you think that you’re immune to issues that cause this, think again. Teeth are an incredibly precious commodity, and it’s much easier to care for them when they’ve received regular maintenance. It’s much cheaper, too. Caring for your teeth needs to start at a very young age. Even baby teeth deserve special attention. This sets the foundation for your adult teeth, and can stave off the effects of gum disease. A Cosmetic Dentist in Moreno Valley, California can help to correct some of the damage, and can help you to regain your self-confidence. The best plan of action will always be preventative care and regular dental checkups. You’ll agree after looking through some of these common problems caused by neglecting your teeth: Halitosis This is a symptom and a major problem all rolled into one. Halitosis, very simply, means bad breath. If people shy away when you speak, and you have that chronic rotten smell when you breathe heavily, you could have some underlying dental issues. This can indicate everything from serious tooth decay to a sinus infection. Either way, bad breath can be an excellent motivator to seek some professional help! Periodontal Disease Also known as gun disease, this is a very common side effect of poor dental hygiene. It comes in two stages: Gingivitis; and Periodontitis. Gingivitis is a treatable form of this disease that can cause red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If you’re noticing red in the sink after you brush, it’s definitely a good time to call your dentist! If you catch this early, it can be stopped and the effects reversed. Periodontitis is the more advanced stage of this disease. At this point, plaque and bacteria have made their way to the areas underneath your gum line. This causes an autoimmune response from your body, and it will attack the areas around your teeth. Teeth will actually become loose and will eventually fall out. This disease is bad news, and definitely warrants some professional intervention. Sensitive Teeth This is a problem that nearly everyone experiences at one point or another in their lives. That sudden shock of pain that comes when you bite down on something that’s too hot, too cold, or simply too sweet. This happens when you have an area of your tooth that may be exposed to nerves within your teeth. Erosion of enamel gives way to these sensitive spots. This is a treatable problem, and can be remedied with fillings and other methods your dentist can suggest. Tooth Decay Tooth decay happens when areas of our teeth begin to breakdown and erode. This can happen when teeth are not being brushed and flossed properly, and food is left on the surface. Plaque is a tiny bacterium that lives on the surface of your teeth, and plaque’s favorite food just happens to be whatever gets stuck to your teeth. They are particularly partial to sugars. Plaque produce acids as they digest these sugars, and these acids literally eat away at your smile.
How to choose a good cosmetic dentist When choosing a cosmetic dentist, it is very important to keep in mind not only your budget, but the results you are looking to achieve. Choosing the right cosmetic dentist will have a crucial impact on your final results, meaning that finding the right dentist for the job is worth the time it takes to research them. All dentists are taught how to perform certain procedures, however some specialize in specific areas, and others have more experience doing certain procedures than other dentists may have. You may be thinking, how can I know which cosmetic dentist is right for me? Fortunately, there are a variety of ways with which you can use to determine which dentist is right for you. List Your Needs and Wants The first step in determining which dentist is right for your smile is first deciding what exactly you are looking to change about it. Do your research about cosmetic dental procedures, and try to determine what may be right for you. List exactly what you would like to see different about your teeth, and consult dentists about what options you may have. There is a fair number of cosmetic dentists in Melbourne, and talking to several about what they can offer you and your smile is important in determining how you can have your needs and wants fulfilled. If you have several chipped teeth in need of repair, or if you are looking to add porcelain veneers to your smile for example, you should put this on your list to help determine which cosmetic dentists can help you. Settle only for a dentist who will fulfill your needs to the fullest, and avoid those who are looking to cut corners. Discuss Your Options Similar to making a list, discussing your options with several cosmetic dentists is very important. Make sure that you communicate exactly what you would like, so that they may use their expertise to determine which procedures can work for you. You should also discuss the practicality of your wants, as many dentists will have the knowledge to tell you whether or not it is feasible, and whether or not they think it will look good in the end. You may think a certain procedure looks great from photos, however a trained cosmetic dentist will be able to tell you with some certainty if the procedure will work for you specifically. It’s important to communicate with the dentist exactly what look you are going for, so that they can discuss with you the best options for your appearance. Examine Past Work and Qualifications This is essentially the most important part of choosing the right cosmetic dentist. With the development of the internet, many dentists choose to show photos of their work online, through blogs and websites. If you simply search “cosmetic dentists in Melbourne,” you will find dozens of results featuring the web pages of many dentists. Visit these web pages to get an idea of the results you will see from them; these photographic accounts will speak for themselves regarding the quality of work you can expect from a specific dentist. If you like the look of the photos, contact the dentist, and learn more about what he or she has to offer. In addition to looking at past photos, it’s also important look at a dentist’s qualification. Learn about where they studied dentistry, and be sure that they are up to date on their dental certifications. Looking for good work from a dentist is important, but making sure that they are qualified is vital to guaranteeing that you will receive the end result you seek. Avoid dentists who are not up-to-date on their qualifications, as well as those with few photos to show you about past procedures. If a dentist does not come across as experienced and qualified when meeting with them, look to avoid that as well. Looking for a well-qualified, confident dentist with significant proof of their results is important, and you should avoid any who cannot fill these requirements. Overall, finding a great cosmetic dentist who can offer services which fit your needs can be a long and difficult process. Luckily, the large number of cosmetic dentists in the Melbourne area will give you a large selection to choose from. Finding the right cosmetic dentist heavily relies on good communication, and good research. By listing what you would like to see changed in your smile, getting referrals from friends and family, as well as being very clear with your requests, you can find a dentist that can fit your needs in little time at all.
Teeth Whitening.. Is it safe? Teeth whitening is one of the best cosmetic dental treatments because it allows you to enhance your smile without worrying about veneers or other fixtures. When using teeth whitening products it’s important to make sure that they are safe and that they cannot compromise your teeth. This is vital to the ongoing health of your teeth because whitening solutions are placed in direct contact with your intraoral structures. BlueSpa Dental is located in three convenient locations: Melbourne, Heidelberg and Hillside and at these locations our dedicated team provides the safest teeth whitening available. We deeply care for our patients which is why we have dedicated our dental careers to providing the best treatment in every aspect of dental care. When it comes to teeth whitening, you get what you pay for! Many people have bought cheap teeth whitening solutions from grocery stores and expected the same amount of safety and precautions to have been taken as dental-grade whitening. It’s important to know that this is not the case and if you resort to grocery store treatments you may be putting your teeth at risk of damage due to harmful chemicals that are not balanced ideally. Here at BlueSpa Dental we use the highest quality whitening treatments to ensure the safety and comfort of our patients. Your teeth may seem resilient but it’s important to protect them just the same. Your teeth look like bone, which often makes people think they are practically indestructible. This is not the case! Your enamel is the outermost part of your teeth and at its thickest is approximately 2.5mm, however over time this can erode, especially if you don’t take the precautions necessary to protect your enamel. Enamel can be damaged by acidic imbalance in the mouth which is affected by pH and foods which you may eat. It can also be eroded by teeth whitening solutions if you don’t seek treatment from a professional dentist such as from the team at BlueSpa Dental. Teeth whitening with BlueSpa Dental is safe and will invigorate your smile. Here at BlueSpa Dental we cater to people with sensitive teeth. This is because we use a teeth whitening bleach with a neutral pH so that it does not harm the enamel of the teeth. If you already have even partially eroded enamel, a normal bleach could cause you to experience sensitivity and even pain during treatment. You can rest assured that our teeth whitening process uses a method that is trusted to cause the least sensitivity which means you can fully enjoy your new, sparkly white smile. The benefits of white teeth extend beyond the purely cosmetic. 95% of our communication is through exchanging words face to face. Therefore with whiter teeth you can improve your social skills (by having the courage to show off your great smile), improve your professional potential and even in some cases improve your self-esteem.
Tips for Maintaining Your Oral Hygiene Having a healthy mouth is more than just having white teeth. With this, good oral hygiene should be more than just regularly brushing your teeth. While brushing is perhaps the easiest way to maintain oral health, there are other things that should be done, including those that will be mentioned below. Follow these tips to avoid the growth of bacteria in your mouth, which can be a precursor to various dental problems, such as periodontal disease. Oral Care Routine One of the most important things that you should do for your oral health is to have a regular routine of taking care of your mouth. Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day, which will be an effective way to prevent acid buildup, and consequently, will limit the growth of plaque. Make sure to use the right toothbrush and have it changed after every two or three mouths. Choose a toothpaste that contains the right amount of fluoride to strengthen the enamel. You should also use dental floss after brushing. This is an effective way to reach the particles that have not been reached by your toothbrush bristles. Avoid Smoking Tobacco is one of the reasons why you have stain in your teeth. In addition, it also causes gum problems, and obviously, bad breath. At its worst, it can lead to periodontal complications, and even oral cancer. Choose your Drink Wisely Refrain from soda, juices, or any other beverages with dark colors or high sugar content. They can be precursors of stains in your teeth. Many of these drinks have high levels of phosphorus, which can decrease the level of calcium in your teeth, and hence making its structure weaker. They can also contain ingredients such as corn syrup, which can easily cause discoloration. As an alternative, drink milk. Its high level of calcium will help to restore the strength of the enamel. Have a Healthy Diet A lot may be unaware, but the food that you eat will actually have a huge impact on your dental health. Sugary foods, in general, should be avoided. They can produce acid, which will erode your enamel. Chewing a sugar-free gum can also prove to be helpful. Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables with high nutrient content to prevent the possibility of suffering from gum diseases. Visit your Dentist This is recommended to be done at least twice a year or once after every six months. Your dentist can perform not only treatments but also x-rays and other examinations that will make it possible to detect any problem before it gets worse. Some people are anxious about visiting their dentist. To lessen the anxiety, one of the things that can be done is to bring a friend with you.
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