The Earth’s ozone is a layer of gas that protects us from cancer-causing rays of light and ultraviolet radiation. It keeps the planet healthy and habitable. Ozone therapy in dentistry has a similar use. Its main purpose is to allow good microorganisms the ability to stay in the mouth while eliminating unwanted bacteria and bacterial waste.
Ozone is used throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world to sterilize public water systems, fruits, and vegetables. Ozone is also used in air purification and swimming pools. In the early 1900s, European medical specialists started using ozone to help heal wounds faster. Today, medical professionals are still conducting research on how ozone can be used for healthcare.
How Does Ozone Therapy in Dentistry Work?
When using ozone therapy in dentistry, three types are applicable for oral tissue, which include ozone water, ozonated olive oil, and oxygen/ozone gases. The main benefit of using ozone water in dental procedures is to increase our ability to remove bacteria in the mouth, this procedure provides our patients with the cleanest treatments.
Once ozone therapy has been administered, it removes bacteria and bacterial wastes in the mouth while leaving behind important microbodies to help prevent infections and tooth decay. It also aids in the remineralization and strengthening of teeth.
Modern advances in dental therapy
As we continue into the 21st century, dentists are still researching new and improved ways to think about your holistic health when treating issues of the mouth. The cone beam CT scan is one such modernization, helping limit the amount of radiation a patient is subjected to when getting an X-ray. Ozone therapy is another innovation that has already taken much of the medical world in Europe and South America by storm. There is currently a number of dental ailments that ozone therapy can help to either heal or prevent.
Treating caries
Ozone therapy is a great way to treat and prevent tooth decay. Not only does it break down the bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoans found in the mouth, it also removes their byproducts or any other breakdown products the microbes leave behind. Ozone therapy goes below the surface of the teeth to clean the enamel, reduce bacteria and help to prevent future damage and decay.
Holes in your teeth are a breeding ground for further tooth decay, bacteria finds a home in these holes and can increase your risk of caries. If your teeth have deep grooves you are likely more susceptible to tooth decay and may still need a filling. Once a larger hole has been created, the only way to deal with it is with a filling. Ozone therapy can still be utilized when you get your filling to help prevent further holes from forming and to strengthen your teeth.
Managing gum disease
When infections and bacteria get into your gums, it can cause halitosis and many different stages of gum disease. This may cause the teeth to feel loose or fall out, as it breaks down the tissues used to help keep the roots of your teeth in place. Ozone water therapy can reach areas that are normally only accessible by surgery, ozone therapy is becoming popular when addressing gum disease.
The biggest downside of treating periodontal disease is the procedures that affect the biofilm on the gums. This layer needs to stay healthy in order to properly protect the gums. Traditional dentistry may use various antiseptics and antibiotics to treat gum disease, however, these methods come with a fair share of drawbacks, such as sensitive gums or bacteria that develops a resistance to the medicine. Dentists use ozone therapy to bypass these drawbacks and keep the biofilm layer healthy.
Ozone therapy posts tooth extraction. —- no root canals—-
Not only does ozone therapy help prevent cavities and gum disease, but it can also prevent the spread of infection. This is helpful when treating teeth that have an infection inside the pulp, thus leading to tooth removal or an unhealthy root canal.
Ozone water can be used to clean the remaining teeth once a pulp has been removed. It’s also used when cleaning the area a tooth is removed from. Once an infection has grown inside a tooth it can spread rapidly in the mouth, in roots, and in the gums. Ozone therapy can be used to disinfect an entire area, thus preventing the infection from finding a place to hide and stay even after the pulp and tooth have been removed.
The Pros of Using Ozone Therapy
There aren’t many disadvantages to speak of when using ozone therapy. Here are some of the many reasons you should consider asking your dentist about ozone therapy:
- No side effects
- Non-toxic
- Doesn’t cause discomfort
- No surgery or invasive operations
- It’s a great option for kids
- Both cleans and helps prevent tooth decay and infection
- No recovery time
- Helps regenerate tissues and accelerate healing
Try Ozone Therapy with Four Seasons Dental Spa
Is it time for your next check-up? Why not try using this innovative procedure? Call the holistic dentists at Four Seasons Dental Spa! They can make an appointment with you to discuss how you can use ozone therapy to help prevent bacteria from making a painful home in your mouth.