Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mueller’s
CARIES
PROTOCOL
The answers to your questions.
4. Continued care
Bacterial Control
• Reduce number of caries causing
bacteria
• METHODS:
– Plaque Removal: brushing and flossing
– Anti-bacterial Mouth Rinse
– Xylitol Gum / Mints
Reduce Risk Level
• Decrease exposure to sugary / starchy
snacks
• Increase repair or remineralization process
• METHODS:
– Diet counseling
– Eliminate food sharing
– Fluoride application to strengthen weakened
areas
– Calcium Phosphate application to strengthen
teeth
Repair Active Decay
• Provide fluoride, calcium, and
phosphate to repair enamel
• Remove caries and replace with
restorations
• METHODS:
– Prescription strength Fluoride toothpaste
– Calcium and Phosphate paste
– Fillings for small caries
– Crowns for teeth with large caries
Continuous Care
• At home and in office
• METHODS:
– Review plaque removal and diet control
– 6 month cleaning appointments with
fluoride and x-rays
CARIES PROTOCOL
• Using x-rays and an oral exam, it has
been determined you have dental caries.
• You are a HIGH RISK patient who not
only needs treatment, but a method of
prevention for the future.
What are Dental Caries?
1. Caries is also known as: cavities or
tooth decay.
2. Caries, if stopped early enough, can
be reversible.
3. Caries is a bacterial infection
caused by specific bacteria.
4. Caries is transmissible, or can be
transferred from person to person,
and from tooth to tooth in a patient’s
mouth.
Caries as a Reversible Process
Different forms of Caries
• Inactive decay- When a tooth has a surface lesion but is
not rough upon examination.
- Inactive decay can be in a state of remineralization or repair. The
tooth, with help from fluoride, calcium, and phosphate is trying to
repair itself.
Positive factors
3. As you move to the next area unwind your floss and use a
clean piece. Repeat the above process.
4. Floss between all teeth and behind the last teeth as well.
Pictures courtesy of HIVdent http://www.hivdent.org/_peag/faq-essc.htm
Plaque Removal with braces
When brushing braces it is important to use a
prescription fluoride toothpaste.
2. Next take your brush facing towards your gums but placed near
the ends of your teeth. Gently vibrate and continue till all areas are
cleaned.
4. Finally, tilt your brush vertically to clean behind your front teeth.
9 Baking soda
10 Great Salt Lake, Milk of Magnesia
11 Ammonia solution
12 Soapy water
13 Bleaches, Oven cleaner