Why
preventive dentistry should be important to you?
Prevention is better than a cure! It’s as simple
as that.
Preventive
dentistry focuses on preventing dental issues rather than waiting to fix broken
or worn down teeth. At the heart of preventive dentistry is the belief that if
you follow all the important steps of maintaining good oral hygiene, many
dental issues or emergencies can be prevented.
Why do
I need preventive dentistry?
If you
speak to any of our dentists at Epsom Dentalcare they will tell you that most of
the dental issues that their patients experience result from poor oral hygiene.
Instead of relying on a cure to treat dental ailments, preventive dentistry
focuses on taking care of the patients teeth so the risk of developing a major
disease diminishes. Patients who don’t maintain good oral hygiene and ignore
their dental health will increase the risk of emergency dental care.
What
does preventive dentistry include?
Preventive
dentistry generally includes the following:
Regular brushing and flossing–
Brushing your teeth twice every day and flossing at least once helps remove
plaque from the teeth. If you don’t brush or floss regularly, plaque can build
up inside your mouth to create acid-producing bacteria that cause tooth decay
and gum disease. An important thing to remember is that while many people make
it a point to brush twice a day, the duration for which they brush is often
less than a minute. All dentists will recommend that one should brush for at
least two minutes.
Healthy diet–
In addition to regular brushing and flossing, having a healthy diet also plays
a major role in preventive dentistry. Eating cheese, chicken, nuts and meat
protects tooth enamel while chocolates and carbonated soft drinks increase the
risk of tooth decay and gum diseases. Eating a healthy diet not only benefits
dental health but also works wonders for your overall health.
Fluoride use-
Fluoride has been used as a defence against tooth decay. We use it in
toothpastes as well as our water supply to give daily protection to our teeth.
While there is a general amount of fluoride recommended to patients some patients
however need more than others. So if you think you would benefit from more
fluoride but are unsure have a chat with your dentist!
Routine dental visits–
Many dental problems don’t have any major signs or symptoms until they reach an
advanced stage. Therefore, it is important to visit a dentist every six to
twelve months to detect any problems before they become ‘cavities’.
Why preventive dentistry should be important to you?
02 December 2014 by Claire Vaevae