What is Biofilm?
Biofilm is a thin, sticky and colourless film of bacteria that covers your teeth. The main problem is that biofilm is barely visible to the naked eye, which of course makes it difficult to see and to remove.
What happens if biofilm is left untreated?
Biofilm is the main factor that causes tooth decay and gum disease. How does this happen? When the biofilm comes into contact with sugary foods and drinks, the bacteria starts to break down the enamel which eventually leads to decay in the tooth. The effected teeth would then need to be treated, whether that’s a filling or further treatment. And it doesn’t stop there. The thicker biofilm will also begin to irritate the gums and this can trigger the body’s natural inflammatory response.
The result is sore and inflamed gums which tend to bleed whilst brushing — ouch! If left untreated, gingivitis, (the early stage of gum disease) can progress into serious gum disease, called periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss. Gum disease also increases your risk of arthritis, diabetes, dementia, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases amongst other things, so it’s crucial that we look after our oral health to keep our bodies healthy too.
How Does Guided Biofilm Therapy Work?
For one hour after your GBT treatment, it is recommended that you avoid the following which can cause staining:
No alcohol, No tea or coffee, No smoking
The purpose of GBT is to remove 100% of biofilm from your teeth to stop the damage-causing bacteria in it’s tracks. That’s means a healthier mouth, less fillings, a more confident smile and teeth for life! Here’s how GBT works…
1.
Your appointment will start with a thorough assessment of your teeth and gum health.
2.
Now let’s make the biofilm visible! A temporary purple/blue dye will be applied to your teeth to
highlight the problematic areas to guide the cleaning. Colour removal = biofilm removal!
3.
Your hygiene therapist will give you tailored oral hygiene instructions to improve your brushing technique and home care routine.
4.
Using a combination of warm water, air and specially formulated powder, your hygiene therapist will:
Gently remove the biofilm above and below the gum line and your soft tissues. Remove tooth staining and early hard plaque. Clean and polish your teeth in one go!
5.
This step follows the same procedure as AIRFLOW, but uses a specially designed nozzle which cleans in the gum pockets if required. No needles or anaesthetic is required!
6.
Next your hygiene therapist will gently remove any remaining hard plaque using warm water and pain-
free technology with the special Piezon attachment.
7.
It’s time to smile! Your therapist will check that your mouth is clean and that all biofilm, stains and plaque
have been removed. Any tooth decay that may have been hiding behind removed biofilm and stains
can now be spotted and treated accordingly. A protective fluoride varnish is applied to your teeth.
8.
Based on your individual needs, we will book your next
appointment. Keep on schedule with your GBT to keep your mouth happy and you healthy!
