Preventive dentistry is the modern way of reducing the amount of dental treatment necessary to maintain a healthy mouth. With the joint efforts of our team, the aim is to prevent the need for treatment, and so avoid the traditional pattern of fillings and extractions. It is likely that a course of treatment will be recommended to get your mouth into excellent condition, and a plan worked out to help you keep it that way.

Is It Possible To Prevent Dental Disease?
Yes. With modern dentistry and constant new developments, it is possible to prevent or considerably reduce dental disease.

Why Is Preventive Dentistry Necessary?
It helps you to keep your teeth. The two major causes of tooth loss are decay and gum disease. The better we prevent or deal with these two problems, the more chance people have of keeping their teeth for life.

What Does Preventive Treatment Involve?
We will first assess your teeth and gums, and discuss with you any treatment that is necessary. The primary aim is to help you to get your mouth really healthy, so that dental problems do not recur in the future. In a healthy mouth it is unlikely that decay or gum disease will continue to be a problem. We will make sure that all your fillings are in good repair and there are no rough edges to make cleaning difficult. Our hygienist will thoroughly 'scale and polish' your teeth. We will show you the best methods of brushing and flossing to remove the bacterial 'plaque' which forms constantly on the teeth and gums. You will be advised which is the ideal brush for you to use, very probably one with a small head. The hygienist will probably discuss diet with you and will also advise you on the importance of cleaning between your teeth.

Cleaning your teeth the correct way
Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria which forms constantly on the teeth and gums. When sugar is also present in the mouth, the plaque turns the sugar into acid, which will cause tooth decay. Plaque will also cause gum inflammation if it is not regularly and thoroughly removed. The hard tartar (or 'calculus) deposits, which build up on the teeth also start off as plaque.

Why Is Fluoride Used?
Fluoride helps teeth resist decay. If we think added fluoride would be useful, we may recommend the application of topical fluoride. We may also suggest the use of fluoride rinses, tablets or drops as an extra help against decay for use at home. Only use these if you have been advised to do so, and follow the instructions carefully. The biting surfaces of children's teeth can be protected by the application of 'sealents'. These make the tooth surface smoother and easier to clean, and stop decay starting in the difficult to clean areas.

What Can I Do To Help?
The process of getting your mouth healthy will be a continuing one. It is very important that you keep up a good routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy at home. This will involve brushing and flossing as you have been shown, and being careful to monitor the frequency of foods or drinks that will encourage decay. It is important to brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. There are now many specialised formulations of toothpaste available including Tartar Control, for sensitve teeth and Total Care toothpastes. Mouthwashes can be beneficial and again, there are many different formulations available. You will also need regular sessions with us to monitor the improvement and give you any help and encouragement. Achieving a healthy mouth does not happen instantly - it may take several months to achieve, and will need continual care to maintain in the future.

Food and drinks containing sugar cause decay.
A reduction in the frequency of consuming sweet things will help considerably. Food such as cheese, fruit, nuts and vegetables make good substitutes. A 'preventive dentist' will often recommend treatment to reinforce a tooth to make sure that it does not break. For example, if we see that a tooth is cracked, or is weak and in danger of breaking, they we may advise a new filling or perhaps a crown or 'onlay' to protect it. This is always better than waiting till the breakage happens, and then working out how best to dealo ith it, perhaps as an emergency.
With the right partnership between patient, dentist and hygienist, preventive dentistry can change the traditional pattern of continuing treatment to one of continuing treatment to one of continuing dental health.