PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
This process focuses on keeping proper oral hygiene and taking care of the gums and teeth to keep them in a healthy state. The primary goals are to avoid cavities, gum infections, enamel deterioration, tooth loss, and other dental issues. We were more prone to oral ailments as a result of years of eating a refined diet, therefore maintaining them became crucial. Today’s advancements in dentistry make it easier to prevent oral illnesses. Oral hygiene should begin in early childhood. The simplest kind of preventive dentistry would be daily brushing and flossing twice a week. Another strategy to prevent dental disorders is to visit the dentist every six months. Children benefit the most from the preventative dentistry program, which helps their newly acquired adult teeth to grow strong and healthy. Preventive dentistry is used to prevent the onset and progression of oral problems, limit consequences, and provide rehabilitation.
Dental procedures involved in preventive dentistry:
PREVENTION OF DENTAL DECAY
Pit and fissure sealants Sealants are a safe and painless way to prevent tooth decay Sealants are applied in the deep fissures and pits of back teeth (molars and premolars) which have pit and fissures on the chewing surface and are more susceptible to decay. In this, a protective barrier is placed on the tooth surface which keeps the tooth safe from decays. Fluoride application – Fluoride is a mineral which increases the strength of teeth and also prevents decays and can be recommended in both children and adults. Fluoride gel is applied on trays and then placed on the teeth wherein it forms a strong layer thereby making the teeth resistant to decays .Enameloplasty-In this procedure the deep fissures and fossas are broadened which prevents food lodgement thereby preventing decay. As a result, during chewing the food particles are swept away from the surface preventing the possibilities of decays.
PREVENTION OF GUM DISEASES
Serial extraction-it involves the planned extraction of some deciduous teeth, and then the specific permanent teeth guides the erupting permanent teeth to a favorable position. This prevents crowding in the future from taking place. This is usually done during the age of a to 9 years. Space maintainers- Space maintainers are individually fabricated appliances which are placed to maintain space for the erupting permanent teeth. If deciduous teeth get lost earlier than normal because of caries, trauma or by early shedding of milk/ primary teeth, the space for the upcoming permanent tooth can get lost if the posterior teeth move forward. Space maintainers are given to prevent this migration of adjacent teeth into this empty space. These are preventive appliances so that no complications in the eruption of teeth occur.
ADVANTAGES OF PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
- Helps in keeping both sets of teeth and gums healthy.
- Prevents tooth decay.
- Prevents gum diseases.
- It can help reduce or prevent the chances of upcoming misalignment of teeth.
WHO ALL ARE BENEFITTED FROM PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY?
Preventive Dentistry is for everybody, right from childhood when the teeth are just emerging to that stage when one might have a chance of losing the teeth or might have lost some. They help the teeth from getting decayed in kids and also help your newly grown permanent teeth to stay strong and fit. This keeps the permanent teeth healthy in growing adults, and that can be eventually a reason for healthy living. Because Oral Health is a window to your health, therefore, keeping your teeth protected ensures healthy living and more years to your age.
Best Practices for Healthy Teeth
- First and foremost, brush your teeth twice daily, make this a habit. And make sure that you brush before going to bed; this helps fight off the bacteria which are going to stay the night and perhaps hurt your tissues.
- Floss daily. This aids in cleaning off the particles stuck between your teeth, which may be a reason for cavities. Flossing will help rid you of these particles to make your teeth healthy.
- Wash after your meal. Because This will ensure that there isn’t any food particle stuck on your gums. This keeps your mouth unsoiled, which, in other words, leads to healthy teeth.
- Eat balanced food; it is essential in helping your teeth acquire all the nutritional elements. Drink a lot of water and avoid any soft drinks. Have a diet which provides all the essential food vitamins and minerals since they are required for health and agility of your teeth.
- Consult a Dentist: Apart from maintaining the above-mentioned routine, visit a dentist to after every 6 months for a routine check-up. Your dentist will be able to let you know whether the practices that you are following are good enough or you need to be extra cautious about your oral health.
WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY MEASURES?
It would help in early detection of emerging dental problems and manage them at a far lesser cost compared to treating them when they become worse and require intensive management related to greater expenses. This depends on factors such as the treatments opted for, complexity of the treatment, and your oral condition. You can find further details on them by visiting any of our dental clinics in India.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
While people having good oral health can visit a dentist once in a year, patients with a bad history of oral health must visit a dentist every six months for proper oral hygiene. Find an expert dentist for your oral health at your nearest Dental Clinic.
It is advisable to make visits to a dentist every six months to ensure the good oral hygiene of your children and for the early detection of developing infections or diseases.
Yes, fluoride in the quantity it is present in tap water and toothpaste commonly used is completely safe. Indeed, it contributes to stronger teeth, good oral hygiene, and no cavities.
Gum diseases occur because of improper cleaning of teeth, which eventually results in plaque formation over the tooth surface. It can be easily prevented by regular brushing and flossing with healthy eating habits. The patients with infected gums can approach a dentist for cleaning teeth to remove plaque easily.
No, fissure sealants at all do not hurt. The procedure is quite simple and straightforward without using anesthesia.
Are you ready to shine with a healthier smile?
Request an appointment at Sri Sanjeev Dental today.