What is Preventive Dentistry?

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Prevention is always better than cure. This adage has stood the test of time for a reason. A lot of oral diseases are preventable and can be manageable if identified early on. The best way to avoid the pain from tooth decay, tooth cavities, gum disease, and the dental fees associated with them, is by looking after your oral health. You can safeguard yourself from these problems with preventive dentistry.

Preventive dentistry is oral care designed to treat and maintain the health of your teeth, gums and other oral structures. It also involves educating your family about the proper techniques for cleaning your teeth, maintaining your gums, and the importance of regular preventive dental check-up and cleans. Preventive dentistry is effective if a patient’s oral hygiene routine is complemented by expert guidance with a dentist through regular dental examinations.

Book an appointment with a top Sydney dentist today. Call Putney Dental Care on (02) 9808 2588 or email us on [email protected].

At Putney Dental Care, we recommend at least two dental examinations and professional cleaning in a year. This can help to identify and manage any oral conditions, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and dental abscesses before they become painful and difficult to treat. In other words, this may prevent the much-dreaded root canal treatment and tooth extractions!

Preventive dentistry for children

Preventive dentistry is doubly important for young children. It is the responsibility of parents to emphasise the importance of oral hygiene at a young age to build these healthy habits. It is also best that parents help to allay their children’s fears of visiting the dentist for a dental examination.

As children grow, their dental structures start to develop as well. Their first adult molars can start to erupt as early as 6 years old. Early examinations and cleaning can prevent cavities and ensure healthy teeth for children. It also helps determine if they need orthodontic treatment, such as a removable plate or braces to prevent teeth and jaw misalignment. At this age, they are also exposed to new food items, especially sweets and biscuits. Dental check-ups and cleaning will help prevent tooth decay and cavities usually caused by these types of food. The dentist can also help to provide advice on your child’s cleaning habits and diet to maintain a healthy smile,

Preventive Dentistry Practices

There are several preventive dentistry practices that you and your children can undergo at home. The most important is brushing at least twice a day for 2 minutes to prevent the buildup of plaque. If left uncleaned, plaque can harden to form the more severe tartar buildup that causes gum diseases. Plaque may also create acids that can soften and demineralise the tooth enamel and lead to dental decay or cavities.

A balanced diet is also essential to preventing oral diseases. Sugar-rich food should be eaten at a minimum as they provide oral bacteria the fuel to produce plaque. Foods that are rich in calcium will help strengthen your teeth and jawbone.

Believe it or not, saliva plays an important role in protecting our tooth enamel as it contains plenty of antimicrobials and minerals. Drinking plenty of water and remaining well hydrated are also important in ensuring good salivary levels.

These at-home preventive dentistry practices should go hand-in-hand with dentist counselling. Regular dental visits help detect oral diseases early on. A professional cleaning will also help remove dental plaque that you may have otherwise missed during your oral hygiene routine. For children, an oral examination will also ensure that the teeth and gums are developing properly.

State-of-the-Art Technology for Disease Prevention

At Putney Dental Care, we are committed to giving you the best dental service for oral disease prevention. We believe that early detection can give you more treatment options and the best chance to fight these diseases.

We use digital x-ray imaging to see complications that are not visible to the naked eye. For complex treatments, we use cone beam 3D imaging for a more precise view of problematic areas. We also have diagnodent, a painless laser technology that can detect hidden tooth decay before it can damage your teeth. Finally, an intra-oral camera provides us with a high-resolution picture of your oral structures. These state-of-the-art pieces of equipment help us perform preventive dentistry with confidence.

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