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Dental prophylaxis, tooth decay and periodontitis

Dr. med. dent. Silke Liebrecht-Ruesing
Photo: djd

Expert Interview

The WUNDERWEIB expert for dental prophylaxis: Dr. med. med. dent. Silke Liebrecht-Ruesing

Dr. med. dent. Silke Liebrecht-Rüsing is Senior Physician at the Dental Clinic of the University of Cologne.

She specializes in complex prosthetic restorations, implant prosthetics and TMJ patients.

In the large WUNDERWEIB interview, the expert answers questions about dental prophylaxis, tooth decay and periodontitis.

It explains how best to prevent the development of tooth decay and how periodontitis can be recognized.

She also explains which standard treatments are available and what they cost on average.

Tooth decay is the "classic" dental disease. What is the best way to prevent the development of tooth decay?

Dr. med. dent. Silke Liebrecht-Rüsing : Caries development depends on many factors. To avoid them, one should take as rare as possible sugary snacks.

These include sweetened drinks, which are often not recognized as sugary. In contrast, products that are provided with the "tooth man" are harmless. Fluorides prevent caries formation.

They are found in certain foods, such as black tea, but are also added to table salt or toothpastes and mouthwashes.

And what good oral hygiene can do?

Dr. med. dent. Silke Liebrecht-Rüsing : Of course caries prevention is also an efficient oral hygiene.

This includes regular brushing (at least twice a day) with fluoridated toothpaste and the use of dental floss or interstitial brush once a day.

But regular checks at the doctor are important for the caries prophylaxis: Here, the teeth are professionally cleaned, fluoridated and possibly made bite wing shots. On these radiographs caries in the interdental space can be detected early.

In adults, periodontal disease has become a common disease. How dangerous is the disease?

Dr. med. dent. Silke Liebrecht-Rüsing : Especially the chronic periodontitis is often not recognized by the patient, as he usually has no pain. Only when the disease has progressed, symptoms such as tooth loosening or pain occur. In middle and high patient age, periodontitis is the most common cause of tooth loss.

And how can periodontitis be detected?

Dr. med. dent. Silke Liebrecht-Rüsing : The patient usually notices periodontitis due to persistent gingivitis and bleeding. Only in the advanced stage occur deep gum pockets and bone loss. In the final stage it finally comes to tooth loosening and ultimately to the loss of teeth.

However, there are also courses of disease in which the periodontitis without recognizable gingivitis is accompanied. It is often diagnosed only during x-ray inspections, as bone loss can be accurately seen here.

How important in your opinion are regular prophylactic measures? Which standard treatments are available here and what do they cost on average?

Dr. med. dent. Silke Liebrecht-Rüsing : Regular prophylactic measures are very important. The pads are removed and the tooth or root surfaces polished and then fluoridated. Of course, the oral hygiene instruction and motivation of the patient is part of it.

The patient receives feedback about the success of his measures and is made aware of any weaknesses. The existing plaque can be stained to demonstrate to the patient where he still needs to improve the care. These benefits are free for children. The adults have to pay between 50 and 200 euros for it.

Read the expert interview on tooth preservation and dental insurance with expert Bianka Monika Hock.

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