Preventative Dentistry
What is preventative dentistry?
Preventative dentistry focuses on proactive measures and minimally invasive treatments that help you maintain a healthy smile with reduced risks of dental complications. These preventative methods can help save you countless dollars in costly treatments in the long run.
A good dentist doesn’t just provide quality dental solutions; they also guide you on the best preventative measures to keep your oral health in tip-top shape. Our goal at Wyndham Dental is to make sure you leave our clinic with a healthier, beautiful smile along with professional guidance on how to take care of your teeth in between appointments.
Save time & money with preventative dentistry!
What is the main goal of preventive dentistry?
The main goal of preventative dental checkups is to help you learn how to maintain your oral health and intercept any problematic conditions in their earliest stages, when they are less painful and far more affordable to fix. Preventative dentistry is something that everyone can benefit from!
If you keep a close eye on your child’s dental health from early childhood years onwards, this significantly improves their chances of having healthy teeth that last them well into adulthood! As an adult, it will help you maintain your beautiful smile. Preventative dental measures are considerably less invasive as well.
Preventative dental checkups can help you avoid or lessen the likelihood of conditions like cavities, gingivitis, enamel loss and periodontitis.
What does preventive dentistry include?
At our dental clinic, we offer several different preventative services when you come in for your routine checkups, including:
Professional Dental Cleaning
Daily brushing and flossing are vital to maintaining good oral hygiene in between appointments, but so is attending a scale and clean every 6 months! This will help our dentist remove even the most stubborn plaque buildup that your home routine can miss, to avoid further decay and infections.
Diagnostic Tests
During your consultation, our dentist will carefully examine your teeth and gums for any signs of dental conditions. If we find any, diagnostic tests will then help us determine the severity of the dental issue and create a treatment plan.
Fissure Sealants
This is a liquid sealant that is usually applied on top of your teeth as a protective coating to prevent future decay. Fissure sealants are mostly used for children since kids are at a higher risk of cavities due to sugary diets.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer can be quite hard to detect on your own. Oral cancer in advanced stages can be very difficult to treat, so an early oral cancer screening may just save your life.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatment after a scale and clean helps strengthen your enamel, remineralise the surfaces of your teeth and fight tooth sensitivity as well.
Mouthguards
If you clench or grind your teeth a lot, you may suffer from Bruxism. If we notice any signs, we may recommend a custom mouthguard for you to wear at night to prevent yourself from wearing down your enamel in your sleep. We also provide custom-fitted sports mouthguards for extra protection during contact sports.
Oral Hygiene Instructions
Similarly, we may suggest other oral hygiene instructions depending on the conclusions we reach after assessing your current oral health.
How to reduce your chances of decay at home
During your checkup, we make it a point to give you instructions on how to care for your teeth and gums between appointments to reduce your chances of tooth decay. Here are some of our general tips you should follow at home for good oral health:
- Brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day as it can help strengthen your enamel while reducing the risk of tooth decay.
- Your toothbrush isn’t as efficient as flossing when it comes to removing food stuck between your teeth making it important to floss regularly. Bacteria tend to accumulate in these nooks and crannies, so it’s essential to floss each day to remove leftover food particles.
- Opt for a balanced diet by limiting the intake of sugar, even simple carbs like white bread should be consumed in moderation. There’s been plenty of research on the harmful effects of snacking on sugary foods and having fizzy drinks. The best way to stay hydrated during the course of the day is to stick to water and snack on calcium-rich foods like cheese, yoghurt and almonds, which can help strengthen your teeth. Vitamins are vital for oral health, a varied vitamin-rich diet will help you maintain a healthy smile.
- Be cautious when consuming acidic fruit like oranges, grapefruit, lemon and lime as it can affect the enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity. The low pH levels in acidic food are harmful when taken in excess and is recommended to be taken with water to neutralise
- When eating food types like hard candies, food with bones, nuts, seeds or pits, you should be mindful to avoid damaging and chipping your teeth.
The importance of regular checkups
We don’t just recommend a regular checkup for professional teeth cleaning. As you can see from the above, there are plenty of other ways we can help you be more proactive when it comes to your dental health. Early intervention ultimately means less dental problems, more money saved and less discomfort.
At Wyndham Dental, our approach to dental care is focused on being proactive and preventing dental problems before they arise. Our team has worked on creating happy, healthy smiles for over 30 years ensuring you are in expert hands when it comes to preventative dentistry services. Why wait? Our friendly support staff is here to help you schedule your appointment. Call us today to take the first step towards a healthier, happier smile!