3 Common Types of Treatments Offered Under Preventative Dentistry

26 October 2018
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Practicing preventative dentistry is vital when it comes to maintaining a healthy mouth. You can keep dental problems at bay by brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding a sugar-rich diet, not biting on hard foods, wearing a mouthguard to prevent sports trauma and also by seeing your general dentist regularly for dental checkups.  

General dentists can provide a wide range of preventative dental treatments geared towards helping patients keep their mouth healthy. Here is a look at some of those treatments.

Dental cleaning

Regular brushing and flossing at home helps remove food debris that remains in your mouth after meals. However, it may not clear all of the debris. Over time, small amounts of food particles that get stuck between teeth and around the gumline can form plaque. Plaque is the sticky, colourless build-up that forms on your teeth when you skimp on regular brushing and flossing. If plaque is not removed, the bacteria it carries can trigger cavities and other dental problems. When you visit your dentist for a routine check-up, they will use a scaler to remove any plaque you might not have been able to clear by brushing and flossing. Getting rid of the bacteria-carrying plaque will help keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy. 

Dental sealants 

Food that gets trapped in the grooves of your teeth might not be removed when your brush and floss your teeth. If your dentist finds that you are cavity-prone, they can provide you with sealant treatment to prevent cavities from wreaking havoc in your mouth. As their name suggests, dental sealants are used to seal off the top surfaces of teeth, forming a protective coating over the nooks and crannies of the teeth. This helps prevent tooth decay. Dental sealants are usually made of plastic resins because plastic material is soft and pliable, and it therefore molds easily onto the teeth.

Fluoride treatment

If your dentist detects early signs of tooth decay, they can reverse the process by administering fluoride treatment. Fluoride helps to disrupt acid production inside your mouth, which usually erodes your tooth enamel and expedites the process of tooth decay. It helps patients develop stronger, more decay-resistant teeth. 

For more information on preventative dental procedures that can be performed to help you maintain a healthy mouth, make sure you see your general dentist for routine check-ups. When it comes to your dental health, it is always best to be proactive.