Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry involves taking care of your gums and teeth and maintaining good oral hygiene.The primary goal is to minimise cavities, gum infections, enamel erosion, and tooth loss. Years of processed food have made us more prone to oral disorders, and hence preserving them has become critical. Prevention of oral illnesses has become simpler due to improvements in dentistry. Oral hygiene must be done beginning at a young age. Brushing and flossing twice a day is the most accessible type of preventative dentistry. Visiting a dentist and following up with them every six months is another approach to avoid dental disorders. Children gain the most from preventative dentistry because it ensures the strength and health of their freshly grown adult teeth. Preventive dentistry is concerned with preventing the onset and progression of oral illnesses, mitigating their effects, and providing rehabilitation.

Preventive Dentistry Dental Procedures: 

PREVENTION OF DENTAL DECAY

• Sealants for pits and fissures — Sealants are a non-invasive, painless method of preventing tooth decay. Sealants are used in the deep cracks and pits of back teeth (molars and premolars), which have pits and fissures on their chewing surfaces and are thus more prone to decay.

This procedure involves the application of a protective barrier to the tooth’s surface, which protects the tooth against decay.

• Fluoride application – Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens teeth and helps prevent decay. It is safe for both children and adults. Fluoride gel is placed on trays and then put on the teeth, producing a solid barrier protecting against decay.

• Enameloplasty – This technique enlarges the deep cracks and fossas, avoiding food lodgement and deterioration. As a consequence, food particles are washed away from the surface while chewing, avoiding damage.

PROTECTION AGAINST GUM DISEASES

• Oral prophylaxis – A simple practice of professional tooth cleaning dislodges plaque deposits on the teeth and promotes gum health. This operation should be repeated at a six-month interval.

PREVENTION OF TEETH CROWDING

• Extraction in serialis the deliberate extraction of some deciduous teeth and certain permanent teeth to guide the emerging permanent teeth into a more advantageous position. This eliminates the risk of future congestion. This is often done between the ages of 8 and 9.

• Space maintainers– Space maintainers, are custom-made appliances used to preserve space for emerging permanent teeth.

When deciduous teeth are lost prematurely, whether due to caries, trauma, or early shedding of milk/primary teeth, room for the approaching permanent tooth might be lost if the posterior teeth advance.

Space maintainers are provided to prevent neighbouring teeth from migrating into this vacant region. These are prophylactic appliances designed to guarantee that teeth usually erupt.

PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY BENEFITS

• Contributes to the preservation of gum and tooth health.
• It prevents cavities from forming.
• Prevents gingivitis
• Prevents or significantly minimises the likelihood of future tooth misalignment

WHO ARE THE PARTICIPANTS IN PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY?

Preventive Dentistry is necessary for everyone. Beginning in childhood, when the teeth are first developing, one may risk losing their teeth or has already lost some. They assist prevent decay in children’s teeth and help your freshly formed permanent teeth remain strong and healthy. This helps maintain the health of permanent teeth in growing people, which may ultimately be a cause for a healthy life.

Because your oral health is a reflection of your entire health, protecting your teeth guarantees healthy living and adds years to your life.

Dental Hygiene Best Practices

• Brushing twice daily is the first and most crucial step in maintaining healthy teeth; make it a habit. Additionally, brush before going to bed to help combat germs that may remain overnight and cause damage to your tissues.
• Floss on a daily basis. This aids in removing debris lodged between your teeth, which may contribute to the formation of cavities. Flossing assists in removing these particles, hence maintaining the health of your teeth.
• Rinse thoroughly after each meal. This is done to guarantee that no food particles get lodged in your gums. This helps keep your mouth clean, which ultimately results in healthy teeth.
• Consume a well-balanced diet. This will assist your teeth in obtaining the necessary nutrients. Consume lots of water and abstain from fizzy beverages. Consume a diet rich in vitamins and minerals since they are necessary for healthy teeth.
• Make an appointment with a dentist. Along with the programme mentioned above, see a dentist every six months for a standard check-up. Your dentist will inform you if the practices you are following are enough or whether you need to be more cautious about your dental health.

Frequently asked Questions