Preventive dentistry reduces the amount of dental treatment necessary to maintain a healthy mouth. The two major causes of tooth loss are decay and gum disease. The better we prevent or deal with these two problems, the more chance you have of keeping your teeth for life. The joint efforts of both you and Dr. Charles can help to prevent the need for treatment, and so avoid the traditional pattern of fillings and extractions. Dr. Charles may recommend a course of treatment to get your mouth into good condition, and will then work out a maintenance plan to help you keep it that way. The following are some of the tools used in the practice of preventive dentistry:
Oral Hygiene Education: Dr. Charles will show you the best methods of brushing and flossing to remove the bacterial ‘plaque’ which forms constantly on your teeth and gums. Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that forms constantly on the teeth and gums. When you eat or drink something sugary, the plaque turns the sugar into acid, which will cause tooth decay. Plaque will also cause gum inflammation if it is not regularly and thoroughly removed. The hard tartar (calculus) which builds up on the teeth also starts off as plaque.
Fluoride: Fluoride helps teeth resist decay. If Dr. Charles thinks added fluoride would be useful, she may recommend the application of topical fluoride. She may also suggest the use of fluoride rinses, tablets or drops as an extra help against decay for use at home. Only use these if you have been advised to do so, and follow the instructions carefully.
Sealants: The biting surfaces of teeth can be protected by the application of ‘sealants’. These make the tooth surface smoother and easier to clean, and stop decay starting in the difficult to clean areas.