WHAT IS DENTAL PROPHYLAXIS?

What the experts say about preventative dental care.

Dental prophylaxis is the medical term used for various procedures used to promote oral health. This includes a variety of procedures which range from a routine dental check-up to the application of sealants used to prevent cavities.

Dental Services

Prophylactic dental services include a variety of treatments. Each service focuses on different functions. For examples, dental exams check the mouth for signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer and other issues. X-rays are used to expose any signs of tooth decay. Professional dental cleanings are performed to remove plaque, hardened decay and tartar.

Scaling or root planing is a form of cleaning used to remove tartar and other hard deposits from the teeth. Flossing is used to remove food and plaque in areas between the teeth. Polishing the teeth involves cleaning with a special paste in order to remove stains and the accumulation of plaque. Fluoride treatments and sealants, which are commonly used for children, are used to prevent tooth decay.

Prophylaxis for Kids

Children have special needs as it relates to their dental care. They are especially vulnerable to decay and other dental problems which can follow them into adulthood. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that kids have their first dental examination and cleaning before their first birthday.

Pediatric dentists receive special training to work with children who have fear and anxiety from dental visits. The primary goal of prophylaxis for young children is early intervention for issues and to help make them comfortable with seeing the dentist. The early exposure to the dentist helps ensure preventative procedures can be conducted when needed. These procedures may include the application of sealants or fluoride treatments which are used to prevent future tooth decay.

Effectiveness

There are various recommendations regarding dental prophylactic measures and how often the procedures should be completed. The journal Evidenced-Based Dentistry is focused on measuring the effectiveness of dental prophylactic practices.

What Is EBD?

Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD) shares reviews and summarizes reviews from other sources. The EBD collects evidence regarding what dental practices are effective or which practices are ineffective.

Dentist Visits

One review specifically assessed data from the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP looked at 36,000 children to determine how preventative dental exams impacted overall dental care over time. The study found that over time, preventative visits were associated with fewer dental fillings and other restorative care later on.

Contrary to standard guidelines, the study reported that it was not beneficial for children to visit the dentist twice a year. The study asked what the primary reason is that kids don't visit the dentist more often with dental issues. It’s possible that children who regularly visit the dentist don't have as many dental issues in the future. It could also be due to the fact that children have sealants applied which protect them from other dental issues that would require dentist visits.

Dental X-Rays

X-rays are a standard procedure that accompany most annual dental prophylactic appointments. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), annual X-rays are not always beneficial for all patients. This is especially true for patients who do not have existing dental issues.

The ADA suggests that adults who have good oral hygiene and no existing issues, only require X-rays every few years.

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