Benefits of ozone therapy for your teeth explained by Yadkinville dentist
Ozone is a molecule that is composed of three oxygen atoms. It occurs naturally in the earth’s atmosphere as a colorless gas, but did you know that it can also be used therapeutically in both medical and dental applications? At Virtue Dental Care in Yadkinville, North Carolina, Dr. William Virtue and Dr. Mary Katherine Taylor are committed to using treatment options and materials that help promote overall health and well-being and uses ozone therapy in a variety of treatments to help restore health to your teeth and gums.
Benefits of ozone therapy
Ozone therapy is a gentle and safe treatment when used properly by a trained practitioner. The reason ozone is so beneficial for teeth and oral health is that it is an energized form of oxygen. Disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi have very few antioxidant enzymes. When they come into contact with ozone, it causes them to rupture and die, effectively eliminating these microbes while leaving healthy cells intact and unharmed. Additionally, ozone can help stimulate oral tissues’ intake and processing of oxygen, as well as activate the immune system and decrease inflammation.
How we use ozone therapy
While ozone naturally occurs as a gas in the atmosphere, it can also be used in an oil or liquid form. Ozone therapy can be incorporated into the treatment plan for many oral health issues, including:
- Gum disease: When periodontal pockets have formed due to gum disease, ozone water and gas can help rinse the pockets to eradicate the disease-causing bacteria.
- Cavities: During treatment for tooth decay, ozone gas can be used to disinfect the area before a filling or other restoration is placed on the tooth, helping prevent further decay and damage.
- Root canal therapy: Root canal treatment is often the only way to save a natural tooth that has become severely damaged or infected in the inner pulp chamber. During root canal therapy, ozone is used to disinfect the dentin tubules and main nerve canals. We also place ozone oil on our dental tools to take advantage of ozone’s anti-inflammatory and sterilizing properties throughout your treatment.
- Bone cavitation: Because ozone therapy can promote circulation and the body’s healing response, it can be a useful component of treatment for cavitations and osteonecrosis.
- Tooth extractions and oral surgery: During tooth extractions or other oral surgeries, we irrigate the site with ozonated water and use ozone gas in the surrounding soft tissues to help flush away bacteria, promote healing, and reduce the chances of post-operative pain and infection.
- Sensitive teeth: If you find that your teeth are painful when exposed to hot or cold foods and beverages, ozone gas can be used to trap acid-producing bacteria in areas of weakened enamel that can cause tooth sensitivity.
To learn more about ozone therapy and how it can benefit you, call Virtue Dental Care today at (336) 606-0040.
