Preventive Dentistry: How To Save Your Teeth

| Thursday, October 13, 2011
By Mark Tennison


Preventive dentistry is more than giving you a perfect smile; it helps save your teeth. It can also impact on your general health. It has been shown by research that heart attack, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis are all connected to periodontal disease.

Preventive dentistry, is as the name implies, dentistry that aims at preventing problems rather than treating problems of the teeth which have already arisen. There are several steps that are involved with good preventive dentistry. First, regular check ups with your dentist are a must. At these visits, you can bring up any questions you have about your teeth, such as pain or sensitivity that you are currently experiencing.

At these visits, the dentist or the hygiene specialist will give your teeth a radical pro clean to get rid of the tartar that has built up. This process must be carried out at least biannually. At the same time, the hygiene worker will instruct you in the best way to sweep and floss your teeth. She will doubtless advise you utilize a soft toothbrush, as this is the cause of the least damage to gums and teeth.

You will also be given a guide about the best oral care products to use,eg toothpaste and antibacterial mouthwash if needed so you can do proper caring for your teeth and gum disease treatment if needed. Ultimately, the dentist or hygiene specialist may talk to you about the best diet to follow to preserve your teeth. He will no doubt warn you against the consumption of sugary nibbles which inspire the formation of plaque. If snacks are eaten, they should be fruit, raw vegetables, yogurt or cheese.

Another measure which the dentist may prescribe is the use of a fissure sealant. A fissure sealant is a protective coating placed on the biting surfaces of the teeth to prevent tooth decay. It is often used on the first permanent molars which appear in the mouth at about six years of age. These teeth have deep grooves which cannot be properly cleaned with a toothbrush or floss, so the sealant acts as a barrier to prevent decay occurring in these grooves. The application of the sealant is quick and easy and will remain for years if looked after properly.

A very useful device for preventive dentistry is the mouth guard. This is crucial if the patient plays a large amount of contact sport. The mouth guard covers and protects the teeth and gums and will stop injury to the mouth, teeth, lips and gums. It is a profitable investment for any parent of active kids who play a large amount of sport.

Preventive oral care ideally should start in the very earliest years of a child's life. When the first tooth arrives, or at a minimum by his first birthday, the child needs to be taken to the dentist. The dentist can in this way keep a tight watch on the teeth that are coming through, to make certain that they are sound and growing straight and he will also start to build a rapport with the kid for the years ahead.

A well-cared for teeth won't only make sure the child remains pain-free, but will enable him to develop self confidence. Poor-looking teeth rob a kid or indeed an adult, of self-image, but a great smile will make him feel and look great. Preventative dentistry from dentist Melbourne is the most effective way for anybody to be sure that their teeth are free from pain and their mouth is healthy. This is what you must do if you would like to save your teeth today.




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