Have you ever encountered an attendant cleaning dental equipment while at the dentist’s for your routine checkup? They are likely sterilizing the instruments before they are used again. But are you aware of how important this step is in administering dental care?
This blog will explain why sterilization before dental procedures is an integral part of all dental treatments.
Preventing Bacterial Growth
Sterilization of medical equipment is important for dentists to ensure the prevention of bacterial growth. Our saliva is capable of carrying bacteria, which might settle in your gums or cavities (if any), worsening oral decay over time.
Without the sterilization of medical tools before dental procedures, patients are at risk of catching hepatitis, herpes, tuberculosis, and several other diseases. So, speak with your dentist about the methods they deploy for sterilizing their dental equipment.
Reducing Cross-Contamination
Sterilizing dental tools in-between dental procedures ensure that no cross-contamination occurs between clients. This can cause you serious health problems, especially if you have pre-existing health issues that may be impacted by a viral or bacterial infection.
Sterilization usually involves using certain chemicals to remove harmful particles. But your dentist might also have the instruments physically scrubbed in addition. To ensure that you’re not taking any unnecessary risks with your dental care, opt for a licensed dental service provider.
How We Sterilize Our Equipment
At Advanced Dental Care, we take sterilization for dental procedures quite seriously. By using three kinds of indicators – biological, mechanical, and chemical – we monitor the entire sterilization process from start to finish.
We also make use of the Rapid Steam Autoclave to sterilize instruments. After they have been prepared, they are placed for 40 minutes in 3.2% of glutaraldehyde and subsequently transferred to ultrasonic cleaners, where they spend the next 15 minutes getting cleaned.
Finally, the instruments are taken out and dried before sealing them in pouches, which go into the Autoclave for an additional 15-20 minutes at 275º F (35psi).
To learn more about our sterilization process, get in touch with our experts in Germantown.
Do you have a sudden toothache whenever you drink your morning coffee? You should call your dentist immediately and schedule an oral exam. Our experts in Germantown can administer several cosmetic and general dentistry services, including extractions, teeth whitening, dental veneers, and emergency dental care among others.
If you’d like to speak with our dentists, call (301) 353-8890 or leave us an email with your queries atadvanceddentalctr@gmail.com.
