[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/plaque-gum-disease\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/plaque-gum-disease\/","headline":"Plaque and Gum Disease: Young Adults Series","name":"Plaque and Gum Disease: Young Adults Series","description":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0|0px|0|true|” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_css_main_element=”z-index: 0;” padding_mobile=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header background_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” content_max_width=”none” module_id=”top-header” _builder_version=”3.22.6″ title_font_size=”25px” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/how-effective-is-mouthwash.jpg” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”height: 350px; padding: 1px;” background_url=”https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/faqs.jpg” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Plaque & Gum Disease: Young Adults” content_max_width=”none” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ background_color=”#0aaaaf” […]","datePublished":"2016-06-18","dateModified":"2021-04-19","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/author\/admin\/#Person","name":"admin","url":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/author\/admin\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7e8332d597554647ad1a751e441d0749?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7e8332d597554647ad1a751e441d0749?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Dr Colin Priestland","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/index.png","url":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/index.png","width":577,"height":143}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/how-effective-is-mouthwash.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/how-effective-is-mouthwash.jpg","height":382,"width":619},"url":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/plaque-gum-disease\/","about":["Dental Hygiene"],"wordCount":2495,"keywords":["adults","dental hygiene","gum disease","oral hygiene","plaque","young adults"],"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0|0px|0|true|” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_css_main_element=”z-index: 0;” padding_mobile=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header background_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” content_max_width=”none” module_id=”top-header” _builder_version=”3.22.6″ title_font_size=”25px” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/how-effective-is-mouthwash.jpg” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”height: 350px; padding: 1px;” background_url=”https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/faqs.jpg” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Plaque & Gum Disease: Young Adults” content_max_width=”none” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ background_color=”#0aaaaf” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”height: 80px; padding: 1px;” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” min_height_last_edited=”on|phone” min_height_phone=”120px” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.0.3″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” top_divider_style=”wave2″ top_divider_color=”#0aaaaf” top_divider_height=”32px” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off”]Preventing plaque and gum diseaseThis article, the third\u00a0in the series, is written\u00a0to help young adults understand dental diseases and the preventive actions they can take to minimise their experience of tooth decay and gum disease, by the proper way of controlling plaque.What about using other mouthwashes?There are many mouthwashes available in the supermarkets and pharmacies.\u00a0 Unfortunately, it is very difficult to scientifically evaluate each one and compare one with another in any useful way.\u00a0 In terms of effectiveness, it depends on what you want from a mouthwash.\u00a0 Some are antibacterial, some are analgesic, some effervesce in a cleansing action, and others may be anti-inflammatory.In many cases, it is assumed by patients that by using a mouthwash the plaque will be killed and that it assists in controlling plaque.\u00a0 This is not entirely true.\u00a0 The majority of the cleaning and antibacterial disruption is due only to the mechanical cleaning action of the filaments of a toothbrush used in an effective manner for sufficient time. There is no mouthwash that adequately controls plaque.Often the manufacturer\u2019s claims made advertising the effective antibacterial effect of their mouthwash are based on studies where the mouthwash was used in a bacterial culture dish in a laboratory where the bacteria are not covered by a protein matrix. This does not represent the true clinical situation in the mouth and hence, many mouthwashes have very limited antibacterial effect when used in the mouth. Few studies are conducted on the\u00a0thick plaque as would be encountered in many patients, as the protein matrix of the plaque prevents the chemicals of the mouthwash from exerting the chemical damaging effects on the plaque bacteria.What works as a mouthwash?A very effective mouthwash is available containing an antibacterial agent calledChlorhexidine. This\u00a0will have a very significant antibacterial effect, even in the mouth despite the presence of plaque matrix, and will slow the growth of bacterial plaque significantly.\u00a0 Such mouthwashes include Savacol and Curasept.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Chlorhexidine\u00a0leads to staining of the teeth and tongue if it is used for around 2 weeks or more.\u00a0 This disadvantage has been overcome by the manufacturers of Curasept.\u00a0This mouthwash contains an anti-discolouration system allowing the mouthwash to be used for longer periods without staining.\u00a0 Other side effects may include a sore mouth, burning sensation, increased formation of tartar (calculus), interference with taste and ulceration of oral soft tissues.Listerine is a very commonly used mouthwash containing essential oils (Thymol, Eucalyptol, Menthol and Salicylate) that have some antibacterial effect and being carried in alcohol may to some degree penetrate into the plaque.\u00a0 It has an effect of reducing bacterial activity and plaque mass and has some anti-inflammatory effect and antioxidant effect.\u00a0\u00a0 However, the effect on a mature plaque in the mouth environment is only adequate in conjunction with good tooth brushing for adequate time.A number of other mouthwashes exist containing a number of chemicals and systems that all have differing effects and may have some benefit in different circumstances.Plaque and gum diseaseWhen the plaque bacteria metabolise food, chemicals are produced some of which are toxic to the oral soft tissues.\u00a0 These chemicals include hydrogen sulphide, sulphur compounds, organic acids, and ammonia.\u00a0 These toxic chemicals induce an inflammatory protective response in the adjacent gum tissues.\u00a0 This inflammatory condition confined only to the gum tissue is referred to as gingivitis.\u00a0 This may progress on to become a destructive inflammatory process that results in loss of the bone around the teeth.\u00a0 This is then referred to as periodontitis (destructive gum disease). For more information on gum disease, refer to our website, Media Centre and click on Gum Disease to access several articles written for patients to provide detailed information and advice.Wisdom teeth are frequently a problemAn additional problem many young adults face is infection around their wisdom teeth or crowding of the wisdom teeth referred to as impacted wisdom teeth.\u00a0 This problem is common in young adults usually in the age range of 17-25 years.\u00a0 For more information on wisdom teeth, refer to our website, Media Centre and click on Wisdom Teeth to access several articles written for patients to provide detailed information and advice.The problems of reaching patientsThe fact emergency dental treatment is still frequently necessary is proof there are a number of problems dental teams face in reaching all members of the community and providing sound, early preventive advice about dental disease.There are still large numbers of Australians who are not aware of the underlying causes of dental decay and gum disease and appear not to have received sufficient dental preventive advice to promote the changes in oral hygiene measures and nutrition necessary to reduce their experience of dental decay or gum disease.Dental preventive advice needs to be provided more often and more thoroughly to children and young adults at school and during later tertiary education.\u00a0 Many young people appear to be unaware of the dental problems their diet will cause and the many preventive actions they can take themselves at no extra cost to them.Failing to take easy preventive actions may result in:a lifetime of dental fillingsongoing replacement fillings due to failed restorationsas fillings get bigger, teeth may die and become abscessedhuge costs over a lifetime for dental treatment and re-treatmentthe experience of losing teeth laterthe reduced ability to eat the foods you enjoythe loss of self-esteem and confidence due to poor appearancethe need to wear partial or even full dentures.Nowadays many young adults are increasingly focused on their body image.\u00a0 They attend gyms to take part in aerobics classes, \u201cbootcamps\u201d, and weight training, they use protein shakes, follow low \u201ccarb\u201d or high protein diets, and yet we still we see dental disease because this part of their overall general health has been overlooked and has not received the priority it should in their health education.These are the messages we need to be giving our young people in Australia to motivate change and influence our young adults to take preventive measures to avoid decay and gum disease.The benefits of a dental hygienistThe best way to ensure the necessary standard of plaque removal is being achieved is to make an appointment with a dentist who works with a dental hygienist to arrange for a check up and then follow-up appointments with the hygienist who can teach the newest and most effective ways of achieving good cleaning of the teeth thereby preventing dental disease.A dental hygienist is trained to:provide patients with clear explanations and sound cleaning techniquesthey also provide advice on nutritional changes that may help in reducing the quantity of plaque that build-up on teeththey are able to perform a\u00a0detailed cleaning of the teeth above and below the gum margins to help to eliminate gum diseasethey can provide resin sealant on the teeth to prevent decay of the biting surface of some teeththey can apply high concentration fluoride gels and varnishes to teeth to repair early decay or prevent new decay. Thank you for reading part three of our \u201cPreventive dental information for young adults\u201d blog. If you would like more information, or to make an appointment please contact the friendly team at NQ Surgical Dentistry today on\u00a0(07) 4725 1656 or call in to see us at\u00a0183 Kings Rd, Pimlico QLD 4812\u00a0or check:\u00a0Dental Hygiene Therapy[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”Services” _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”0|0px|0|220px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0%|40px|0%|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”” border_radii=”||||20vw” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”40px” box_shadow_blur=”60px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,64,135,0.06)” global_module=”27339″][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.0.3″ background_color=”#0aaaaf” background_enable_color=”off” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”right” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” 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