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Yes. With modern dentistry and
constant new developments, it is possible to prevent
or considerably reduce dental disease.
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.
Preventive
dentistry will benefit anyone with some of their own teeth. It is excellent
for children and young people, but it is never too late.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
deal with 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.
Hygienists
Dental hygienists are specially trained to work with the dentist in providing
care to the patient. They play an important role in dental healthcare and are
mainly concerned with gum health, education in correct home care, diet advice
and the application of preventive materials to the teeth and gums.
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