Preventive Dentistry
We focus on preventive dental care to help you and your family to achieve good oral health. We want you to be confident that your breath is fresh and your smile looks its best.
What Do We Mean By Preventative Dental Care?
As the term suggests, preventive dentistry encompasses all the activities that help you avoid oral health issues. Our team of dentists and dental practitioners place a huge focus on preventing issues from starting before we have to treat massive and complex dental problems.
This proactive approach is all about caring for your teeth to keep them healthy and ward off common oral healthcare concerns. It’s as simple as that.
Regular Dental Check-ups
We recommend routine dental examinations at least twice a year, so we can deal with any potential problems early on (as well as offering regular oral cancer screenings). These visits help reduce the need for more complicated treatment in the future. During these visits, we do a professional analysis of your mouth, and give your teeth a deep-clean. Our highly-qualified dental hygienists also give you practical advice on how best to care for your teeth and gums.
Avoiding or Minimising Gum Disease
Our dedicated hygienists play a key role in preventing gum (periodontal) disease and treating gum disease while it’s still early. Periodontal disease causes bad breath and bleeding gums, and if left untreated can ultimately lead to tooth loss. Since gum disease has also been linked with other health conditions, including heart disease, strokes and diabetes, we can help promote better overall health for years to come.
Gum disease is usually the result of poor oral hygiene. It comes with many symptoms, such as:
- Swollen gums
- Bright red gums
- Gums that bleed easily, such as when brushing or flossing
- Tender gums
- Loose teeth
- Receding gums
- And more
The earlier you treat gum disease, the better the outcome. Our aim is to help you to keep your teeth and gums healthy, so you can be confident that your breath is fresh and your smile looks its best.
Preventative Dental Care Benefits Patients
This proactive dental approach is beneficial for our patients for several reasons.
- It’s much less expensive to come for a checkup than pay for restorative dentistry.
- Preventative dental care helps maintain healthy teeth and gums, making it less likely that you will lose teeth from gum disease or tooth decay.
- By avoiding more involved dental treatments with proactive care, patients are spared any discomfort from correcting additional dental issues.
- Many sources link oral health and overall health. A healthier mouth can help your body be healthier too.
How to Practise Preventative Dental Care at Home
Coming to our dental practice for a check-up every six months isn’t enough preventative dental care. You need to establish good oral hygiene habits at home, and be diligent in making them part of your daily routine.
Here are some preventative dentistry tasks you can do at home:
- Use a fluoride toothpaste, and brush your teeth and tongue twice a day (or more if you want to brush after each meal).
- When brushing, use gentle circular motions to avoid irritating the surrounding gum tissue.
- Floss at least once every day (at the end of the day), or more often. You can floss every time you brush your teeth for a better overall clean.
- Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Fresh toothbrush bristles are more effective at clearing plaque, and older toothbrushes risk more bacteria build-up.
- Limit your intake of sugary or acidic foods and drinks that can erode your teeth’s enamel.
- Take note of any changes you notice in your teeth or gums, and let us know of any areas of concern.
We’re Always Happy to Welcome You to Southview Dental Care
We think of our patients as teammates when it comes to taking care of their oral health. Your at-home preventative dental care, and our in-office expertise and deep cleaning help ensure your teeth remain as healthy as possible.
If you’re due for a check-up, or you want some advice on better preventive dental care, please get in touch if you would like to book an appointment with our friendly and supportive team.
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