How Does the Caries Risk Assessment and Management Work?
Your dental hygienist is the most likely person to assess your caries risk factors, as the main focus of their job is prevention. Using the Caries Risk Assessment form, they will evaluate the bacteria in your mouth, diet, and the condition of your mouth and teeth. The form has three major categories:
- Disease indicators: They will look for any visible cavities, restorations are done within the last few years, any white spots, or demineralized enamel you may have.
- Risk Factors: Your dental professional will note your systemic bacterial count, irregularities in your salivary flow, any exposed roots you may have, whether or not you wear braces, have deep grooves in your teeth, or whether or not you have behavioral habits that could adversely affect your teeth (frequent snacking, smoking, poor oral hygiene, etc.)
- Protective factors: Proactive measures taken to protect your teeth will also be noted, such as the use of fluoride, xylitol, and other antibacterial components that help remineralize the teeth.
Your dental professional will use various tools and methods to assess these factors. They may use dental X-rays, a laser tool that measures fluorescence in your teeth, test the levels of acid-producing bacteria in your mouth, and will ask you questions about your nutritional habits and your saliva flow.
By using the Caries Risk Assessment, your dental professional will be able to make appropriate recommendations for care based on your risk of tooth decay. If necessary, they may suggest a disease management protocol to prevent early or incipient (newly developing) lesions from progressing.
Remember that the essential preventive measures start with you. Practicing good oral hygiene, watching what you eat, and getting regular checkups are key to having healthy teeth and gums. And suppose you follow the recommendations your dental professional gives you after doing the Caries Risk Assessment. In that case, chances are you'll have a set of healthy, pearly white teeth well into your golden years. Now, that's something to smile about.