Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry is the modern way of helping you keep a healthy mouth, which means you need to have less dental treatment!
The two main causes of tooth loss are decay and gum disease. The better you prevent or deal with these problems, the more chance you have for keeping your teeth for life.
Can everyone benefit from this?
Preventive dentistry will benefit anyone with some of their own teeth. People who don't have any teeth will also benefit because conditions such as denture stomatitis and mouth cancer can be spotted during regular visits to the dentist and then treated.
It is excellent for children and young people, but it it never too late to start.
What does it involve?
+ Regular 6 monthly check-ups for plaque and tartar.
+ Your dentist may suggest getting your teeth cleaned and also best way to brush and how to clean in between your teeth using interdental brushes or floss.
+ You will be guided towards oral care products best for your use.
+ We will discuss about your diet and any habits you may have such as smoking and drinking.
+ Your dentist will make sure all your existing fillings and dentures or caps are in good condition.
+ We will also recommend treatment to strengthen a tooth to make sure it does not decay. These would be Fluoride varnishes and gels or Pit and Fissure sealants.
Fluoride varnishes and gels:
Fluoride varnish is a highly concentrated form of fluoride that is applied to the tooth's surface. It may be applied to enamel, dentin, or cementum of the tooth to prevent decay, remineralize tooth surface and to treat dentin hypersensitivity.
It is very advantageous when treating younger patients, moderate to high decay risk cases, elderly patients with gum recession and to prevent decay on exposed root of the tooth.
Pit and Fissure sealants:
Chewing surface of back teeth, that is molars and premolars have pits, fissures, or grooves. Some teeth naturally have deep grooves and pits which will need to be sealed. Deep pits and grooves aid in easy lodgement of food and bacteria causing tooth to decay.
Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your teeth from decay.
How does it work?
The process is usually quick and straightforward, taking only a few minutes for each tooth. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, a special solution is applied, and dried. A liquid sealant is then applied and allowed to set hard, usually by shining a bright light onto it.
It is totally pain free and the teeth do not feel any different afterwards.
When to go for it?
Sealants are often applied as soon as the first permanent teeth start to come through. This is usually between 6 to 7 years of age. The rest are usually sealed as soon as they appear which can be anytime between 11 to 14 years of age.
Be sure to ask your dentist about these!