Preventative Dental Treatments
Dental Hygiene Treatments
Dental hygiene treatment includes professionally cleaning your teeth. This is called scaling and polishing. However, our most important role is showing you the best way to keep your teeth free of plaque at home. We will also advise you on what dental products will work best for you at home.
In order to keep your gums healthy you need to remove the daily build up of plaque from all the surfaces of your teeth by -
In order to keep your gums healthy you need to remove the daily build up of plaque from all the surfaces of your teeth by -
- Brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time. Ask us which type of tooth brush is best for you, as many of us use brushes that are too hard or too large.
- Floss your teeth or use interdental brushes as a toothbrush doesn't always reach into the gaps in between the teeth or below the gum line.
- Do not brush your teeth too hard as this can damage your gums,we will show you the correct technique
- Use fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in food and water which helps to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay, by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and sugars. If fluoride is lacking from the diet, the teeth will be prone to tooth decay and cavities.
The hard outer surface of the tooth is called enamel. Everyday plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth attack the enamel causing it to weaken. This process is called ‘demineralisation’. Minerals such as fluoride, calcium and phosphate from the food and water we consume and the toothpaste we use, helps to strengthen the enamel. This process is called ‘remineralisation'
Fluoride intake is also very important when teeth are developing to develop strong enamel.
Fluoride treatments are offered to children and adults who have a number of cavities or are at high risk of developing cavities. Fluoride treatment is a very simple process administered by the dentist or dental hygienist which helps to prevent tooth decay.
The hard outer surface of the tooth is called enamel. Everyday plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth attack the enamel causing it to weaken. This process is called ‘demineralisation’. Minerals such as fluoride, calcium and phosphate from the food and water we consume and the toothpaste we use, helps to strengthen the enamel. This process is called ‘remineralisation'
Fluoride intake is also very important when teeth are developing to develop strong enamel.
Fluoride treatments are offered to children and adults who have a number of cavities or are at high risk of developing cavities. Fluoride treatment is a very simple process administered by the dentist or dental hygienist which helps to prevent tooth decay.
Fissure Sealants
Fissure sealant is a tooth coloured coating which is applied on the chewing surface of adult molar teeth to prevent cavities from forming. Once applied the coating is permanent, and will stay on your teeth for a number of years. It is most frequently done in children as the adult molar teeth erupt. But adults can have fissure sealants done also in unfilled teeth.
Preventative Dentistry
At our practice, our youngest patient is 1 and our oldest is 94. So as you can see we can look after all ages! But did you know your dental needs change over the years?
Children's Dental Health
Now is the the time for children to develop good tooth brushing habits and healthy eating..... sweets and fizzy drinks are for occasional treats only! We believe that a trip to the dentist should be fun for young patients. Dr. O'Neill and her nurse have many years of experience in talking to and treating young patients.
Young Adults
Many young adults these days have only a few fillings and look after their teeth fairly well. So why should you bother going to the dentist? Firstly, if any small problems are developing, often times you won't be aware of these, we will be able to spot them early and we can help to correct them before they become big problems. If spotted early enough, we can often use preventative techniques that do not require a filling. Secondly, about half of all adults are likely to develop gum disease, and this usually begins in your 20's and 30's! Many of us brush our teeth fairly well but have never been shown how to clean our gums effectively especially between our teeth. We will show you how.
Adults
We will carefully check any existing fillings and other restorations. Even if some of these have been there for many years, doesn't mean they will require replacement, fillings can last a long time. However, if there are cracks within teeth or fillings, decay under fillings or crowns or worn down areas, it is better to correct things now rather than wait and hope the problem goes away: it doesn't.
Things have changed and now most people want to keep their own teeth for life, or perhaps have only a partial denture where previously they may have had full dentures. Thankfully, modern methods can help you keep your teeth where previously they might have been taken out. As people get older the teeth may be more susceptible to root decay, where gums have receded, we will show you how to look after these areas at home.
If you have been wondering about doing something about a discoloured tooth or filling, replacing a missing tooth, some worn or overlapping teeth, ask us. We are here to help you.
Things have changed and now most people want to keep their own teeth for life, or perhaps have only a partial denture where previously they may have had full dentures. Thankfully, modern methods can help you keep your teeth where previously they might have been taken out. As people get older the teeth may be more susceptible to root decay, where gums have receded, we will show you how to look after these areas at home.
If you have been wondering about doing something about a discoloured tooth or filling, replacing a missing tooth, some worn or overlapping teeth, ask us. We are here to help you.
