Preventative Dentistry
The majority of dentists today will agree that prevention is better than cure. In fact, preventative dentistry is now widely recognised and promoted within the industry.
You really can make a difference to the long-term health of your teeth and gums by adopting a sensible approach now. Just a few small changes could make a significant difference to the condition of your mouth in the future.
It’s really important to attend regular check-ups with the dentist and hygienist once or twice a year. These appointments will allow them to deal with any issues before they progress and more involved, costly and lengthy treatment is required.
Cavities can be spotted before they become too deep and painful, the development of gum disease can be prevented and early signs of mouth cancer can be detected and investigated for the best chances of treatment.
Our recommendations to help keep teeth healthy in the long-term:
Visit your dentist once or twice every year so that they can check for:
- Cavities and decay in the teeth
- Any problems or changes in the gums
- Changes in other parts of the mouth that could indicate cancer
Visit the hygienist one or twice a year for:
- Scale and polish to remove any tarter build up
- Checks for gum disease
- Tips and advice on how to look after your teeth and deal with any problem areas
Maintain good oral hygiene
- Brush teeth twice a day
- Use interdental devices, floss and mouthwash
- For sensitive teeth try sensitive toothpastes
- Stop smoking as this can cause problems with the teeth and gums
- Brush your teeth after eating if you can
- If you can’t brush, chew sugar free gum or ‘rinse out’ your mouth with water
Be aware of the importance of your diet
- Avoid too many sugary items such as sweet and chocolates
- Reduce your intake of acidic foods such as wine, citrus fruits and fizzy drinks
- Be careful with hard and particularly chewy foods
Educate yourself early about the importance of teeth
- Make brushing a regular part of your child’s day and encourage brushing twice a day
- Supervise until they are old enough to brush alone
- Be careful with sugary drinks and sweets
- Encourage the consumption of foods high in calcium such as milk, cheese and yoghurt
- Register your child with a dentist from birth
- Attend regular yearly check-ups from around 6 months of age
- Speak to your Dentist or health visitor for further advice
