Guide on Caries Risk Assessment by Dental Hygienists in Abu Dhabi

The Caries Risk Assessment is a method of determining your risk of dental decay caused by cavities. Dental experts are better able to take early preventive actions appropriate to your unique needs depending on the outcomes of the Caries Risk Assessment to help you preserve your teeth. This equipment has become the gold standard in dentistry, and, likely, it\’s already being used at your regular checks.

Importance of the Caries Risk Assessment Tool

Prevention of dental caries begins at home. You may greatly minimize cavity-inducing germs in your mouth by controlling what you eat and practicing basic dental hygiene. Your dental professional can use the Caries Risk Assessment to assess your risk factors if you work closely with them. Dental professionals can provide recommendations and devise a strategy to help prevent tooth decay before it begins (rather than reacting to cavities with fillings, root canals, or even extractions when it\’s too late).

How does it work?

Dental hygienists and dentists will examine the bacteria in your mouth, your diet, and the state of your mouth and teeth using the Caries Risk Assessment form.

There are three key factors in the caries risk assessment and management form:

• Dental professionals will thoroughly search for any apparent cavities, recent restorations, white patches, or demineralized enamel.
• Your dentist will make a note of your systematic bacterial count, inconsistencies in the salivary flow, open roots, evaluation of oral appliances (if any), have deep fissures and grooves in your teeth, or if you have any lifestyle or behavioral problems that could harm your teeth for example (frequent snacking, smoking, poor oral hygiene, etc.)
• Fluoride, xylitol, and other antimicrobial components that assist remineralizer the teeth will be mentioned as proactive actions done to protect your teeth.

To analyze these factors, dental professionals will utilize a variety of equipment and approaches. They may employ dental X-rays, a laser tool to determine the quantities of acid-producing bacteria in the mouth, and inquiries regarding your nutritional habits and salivary flow. There are three levels of risk: high, moderate, and low. Your dental practitioner will be able to offer suitable suggestions for oral care depending on your risk of tooth decay using the Caries Risk Assessment. They may recommend a disease treatment regimen if necessary to prevent the progression of early or incipient (newly emerging) cavity lesions.

There are suggestions for each category based on the child\’s age. Nutritional adjustments, fluoride supplements, sealants, and more frequent cleanings and examinations are all standard recommendations.

Keep in mind that the most important preventive actions begin with you. It is, therefore, essential to have strong willpower to change the lifestyle and stick to the instructions as recommended by the dental professional. To have healthy teeth and gums, you must practice good dental hygiene, monitor, what you eat, and have frequent dental exams. And let\’s say you listen to your dental professional\’s advice after you have completed the Caries Risk Assessment. In that case, you are likely to have a healthy set of white and healthy teeth even in your older ages.