We have a strong preventative philosophy, and we will work with you in an effort to prevent and reduce the risk of dental diseases like tooth decay and gum disease.
How We Can Help
- Regular check-ups– so we can identify problems and intervene in the disease process as early as possible
- As part of every check-up, we perform an oral cancer check
- Accurate and early detection of new cavities. We have introduced the Diagnocam into our practice to help us diagnose cavities when they are still tiny. It’s possible, using our preventive approach, to stop small cavities from growing.
- Show you how to clean your teeth thoroughly. This can be tricky because teeth are hard and robust, gums are soft and delicate, and dental plaque is colourless and sticky. It is a skill that needs to be taught and practised. If your teeth are crowded or have bridges, implants, or dentures, you may need to learn some special skills.
- Management of gum disease
- Remove plaque and tartar (calculus) from your teeth to make cleaning easier.
- Help you to select the best equipment for brushing and flossing. If you aren’t sure which type of toothbrush to buy or whether you need an interdental brush, we can point you in the right direction.
- Advice about sugar consumption. Sugar is often hidden in the foods we consume. Sports drinks, fruit juices and soft drinks contain the ‘deadly duo’ of sugar and acid, which accelerates damage to tooth enamel. We can help you to identify foods and drinks that might be increasing your risk of developing dental decay (also referred to as dental caries or dental cavities).
- Professional fluoride application. Some people are at high risk of developing decay and require a topical fluoride boost.
- Fissure sealants– if your teeth have deep natural pits and grooves in the enamel, they are more at risk of developing cavities. Fissure sealants are a non-invasive way of sealing these spaces so that plaque bacteria cannot accumulate and cause cavities.
- Management of sensitive teeth
- Protect your teeth from the damage caused by night-time, stress-related grinding and clenching
- Protect your teeth from sports-related injuries by fitting protective and comfortable mouthguards
Learn More About Preventive Dentistry
If you’d like to learn more about this topic, please explore our collection of articles about preventing dental disease.