Preventive dentistry is the practice of taking care of your gums and teeth and good oral hygiene to keep them healthy. The main objective is to avoid cavities, gum infections, enamel wear, tooth loss, and more.

Oral diseases, hence maintaining them has become of tremendous importance, for years after a refinement diet has brought in along with it vulnerability towards this. Prevention of oral diseases has become relatively easier and smoother with advancement in dental science. It needs to be practiced from early years for oral hygiene maintenance.

The simplest form of preventive dentistry is brushing and flossing twice daily. Visiting a dentist with 6 months follow up is another form of preventing oral diseases. Children benefit most from the preventive dentistry protocol as this allows their newly developed adult teeth to come strong and healthy. Preventive dentistry aims to prevent initiation and progress of dental diseases, limits their complications and also to provide rehabilitation.

PREVENTION OF DENTAL DECAY

1. Pit and fissure sealants – Sealants are an effective and painless process of preventing decay. It is applied on the pit and fissures of those back teeth (molars and premolars) which, due to pits and fissures on the chewing surface and are more vulnerable to caries. Here, through this process, a kind of protective covering is fixed on the tooth surface that safeguards the teeth from decays.
2. 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.
3. 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

1. Oral prophylaxis: An easily performed procedure of dental clean-up by a dental expert dislodges plaque deposit on the teeth. Thereby, it protects gum health. This can be conducted every 6 months.

PREVENTION OF MALPOSITION OF TEETH

1. Serial extraction – It’s a planned extraction of certain deciduous teeth and specific permanent teeth to guide the erupting permanent teeth into a favorable position. This prevents the possibility of crowding in the future. This is usually done during the age of 8 to 9 years.
2. Space maintainers – Space maintainers are custom made appliances which are placed to maintain space for the erupting permanent teeth.
3. In cases of early loss of deciduous teeth, either because of caries, trauma or early shedding of milk/ primary teeth the space for the upcoming permanent tooth can be lost, if the posterior teeth move forward.
4. In order to save this migration of adjacent teeth into this empty space, space maintainers are given. These are a preventive appliance to ensure no complication in the eruption of teeth.

ADVANTAGES OF PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY

1. Helps in the preservation of the health of gums and teeth.
2. Prevents the occurrence of cavities.
3. Prevents gum diseases
4. Prevents or reduces the chances of upcoming malalignment of teeth

WHO ALL ARE BENEFITTED FROM PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY?

Preventive Dentistry is for all. Right from childhood when the teeth are just emerging to the age when one might have an opportunity to lose his/her teeth or have lost some already. For kids, this helps the teeth not to rot and helps your newly born permanent teeth to stay long and strong. In growing up adults, this keeps one’s permanent teeth healthy, thus being the reason for having healthy living.

Because Oral Health is a window to your overall health, therefore, keeping your teeth protected ensures healthy living and more years to your age.

Best Practices For Healthy Teeth

1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, that’s the first and foremost rule in keeping your teeth healthy. And always remember to brush before sleeping, as it prevents the overnight bacteria which causes harm to your tissues.
2. Floss daily. This helps to clean off the particles stuck between your teeth which can be a reason of cavity. Flossing helps to get rid of these particles making your teeth healthy.
3. Rinse after every meal. This is done to ensure that there isn’t any food particle stuck on your gums. This keeps your mouth clean which eventually leads to healthy teeth.
4. Balance Diet-Eating a proper diet provides required nutrients to your teeth. It is advisable to drink as much water as possible. Carbonated drinks must be strictly avoided. Consult a dietitian to provide a diet consisting of all vitamins and minerals, which are important for your teeth.
5. Visit a dentist. Apart from practicing the routine as mentioned above, visit a dentist after every 6 months for a routine check-up. Your dentist will help you know whether the practices 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?

Preventive dental visits can help in the early management of budding dental problems that is much less expensive than addressing these problems when they have become worse & require more aggressive management & correspondingly higher expenses. The cost depends on various factors, especially treatments opted for and your oral condition. You can learn more about them in detail by visiting any of our dental clinics in India.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.1. How Often Should I Get Dental Check-Ups?

People with good oral health can go to a dentist once in a year, whereas patients with a bad oral health history should visit a dentist every six months to maintain good oral hygiene. Find an expert dentist for your oral health at your nearest Clove Dental Clinic.

Q.2. How Often Should I Bring My Child In For A Check-Up?

It is always advisable to visit a dentist every six months to maintain good oral hygiene for your children and to identify the developing infections or diseases in advance.

Q.3. Is Fluoride Safe?

Yes, fluoride is absolutely safe in the quantity that it is present in tap water and toothpaste commonly used. It actually helps in strengthening teeth, maintaining good oral hygiene, and preventing cavities.

Q.4. How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?

Gum diseases are caused due to poor oral hygiene that leads to plaque formation on the surface of teeth. It can be prevented by regular brushing, flossing and healthy eating habits. Patients experiencing gum infection can visit a dentist for teeth cleaning that can help in the removal of plaque with ease.

Q.5. Do Fissure Sealants Hurt?

No, fissure sealants do not hurt at all. The procedure is very simple and straightforward without the usage of anaesthesia.