Most dentists aim to practice preventative dentistry but in practice it can be harder than it seems for them to achieve these aims. Preventative techniques take longer and sometimes dentists are encouraged to just “drill and fill” and sometimes pull teeth as a reaction to plaque and decay instead of getting to the root of the problem and trying to prevent future dental problems.
Teethwise, believes that preventative dentistry is the best way to preserve a healthy mouth and maintain good oral health. For those who don’t know preventative dentistry involves carrying for your teeth in advance to prevent plaque, dental cavities and other dental problems.
The main tools for practising preventative dentistry are simple really:
- Toothbrush, floss and mouthwash. Yes it can be that simple. Preventative dentistry starts at home and will involve you taking the time each day to properly care for your teeth. You should brush properly for 2 minutes before and after sleeping. You should floss after meals and also use mouthwash to kill off bacteria.
- Polish and scale. Some people are put off preventative dentistry when they realise it requires more visits to the dentist. Whilst this is true you should be visiting the dentist every year for a check-up and scale and polish, your dental visits should be more pleasant as they are less likely to involve drills and require extractions. Every year your dentist should assess your teeth. They will be able to identify areas of your mouth you may be neglecting and can discuss your daily routine and any changes to this that may help to reduce plaque build-up around teeth. The dentist should also do a scale and polish on your teeth which will help to reduce any plaque that has built up on your teeth over six months. If you would like to learn more about dental braces you can visit the Teethwise website.
- Eating health food will help to reduce plaque and cavities. Good foods to eat are natural foods such as fruit and vegetables and some meats. Sugar free chewing gum is also good to eat as it helps your mouth to create saliva which is a great natural defence mechanism against bacteria in your mouth.
Practising preventative dentistry makes a lot more sense as it helps you to avoid cavities, gum disease and other dental issues. It does not require much effort but it can have drastic effects on the health of your teeth.
