Preventive Dental Care In Hamilton, ON

Preventive Dental Care

Preventive dentistry focuses on the procedures and life practices that help people prevent the beginning or progression of oral disease. It includes at-home dental care performed by patients, as well as dental care and education by professional dental staff in the office or clinic. Preventive dentistry includes two aspects of dental care, both performed to help patients avoid dental disease or catch it in its earlier, more treatable stages. This includes both the oral hygiene performed by the patient at home, and what is done by the dental staff in the office to help maintain healthy teeth and gums. The objective for both at-home and in-office care is to stop the development of oral disease or stop it at an early stage. Dental health professionals most often look for early signs of periodontal disease, dental decay, and other changes in the soft tissue of the mouth that could lead to oral cancer. Preventive dentistry should always be prescribed and not harm patients when done correctly. At the time, dentists need to take precautions when someone has a medical condition that would be affected by some procedures. Dentists need to be aware of certain medical conditions such as infective endocarditis, which needs to be treated with prophylactic antibiotics. Allergies to any of the materials or medications used are rare.

In-Office Care

Preventive care in a dental office includes prophylaxis, or the cleaning of the teeth, which removes accumulations of calculus. It includes examination of the teeth and soft tissue using visual and tactile exams, radiographic examination (like x-rays), and oral cancer screening. Newer techniques to diagnose periodontal (gum) disease include computerized measurement devices that measure the bacterial content in the mouth. Dentists sometimes prescribe medications to help prevent dental disease. These include anti-inflammatory mouthwashes to prevent periodontal problems. Preventive procedures are often performed by dentists for children. This includes the use of fluoride supplements and applications. Dental health professionals also look for malocclusions to correct a patient's bad bite.

Education and At-Home Care

An important part of preventive dentistry performed by dental professionals is educating patients about at-home care, nutrition, and stopping smoking. At-home procedures performed by patients that help ward off dental disease include regular and proper brushing, flossing, and sometimes use of mouth rinses and at-home fluoride applications. Proper brushing includes the use of a soft nylon toothbrush with round-ended bristles. Patients should place the bristles along the gum line at a 45-degree angle to cover the tooth surface and gum line. When brushing, you should be gentle and use a rolling back-and-forth motion, with two to three teeth being brushed at a time. Patients should brush the inner surfaces of their teeth and tilt the brush vertically to brush the front teeth. Ideally, patients should use a back-and-forth motion to brush the biting surface of the teeth and the tongue. Flossing removes plaque from between teeth and at the gum line. It should be done with an 18-inch strip of floss wrapped around the middle fingers of each hand. Then, using your thumbs to insert, one to two inches of floss should be used between each tooth. While keeping it taut, use your index fingers to guide the floss between the lower teeth with a gentle zigzag motion. While contouring the floss around the sides of the teeth. Each tooth should be flossed with a clean section of floss and ensure that the floss goes under the gum line.

A Full Life Experience

Preventive dental care should begin in infancy, within the first year of life before teeth appear, and should be continued throughout the whole life. Even before teeth erupt, parents can clean an infant's gums after feeding. Preventive care during adolescence includes brushing, flossing, and wearing a custom-made mouth guard to protect the teeth during contact sports. Considering that 75% of North Americans have some form of dental disease, regular dental visits are particularly important for adults. Seniors also often benefit from training in proper techniques of denture care and cleaning, which includes brushing the replacement teeth. Those who have problems moving their hands because of arthritis or other issues may also benefit from adaptive toothbrush tips designed for easier handling.

Results and Benefits

The results of good preventive dental care are healthy teeth and gums throughout one's life and the early detection of oral disease. Preventive procedures, such as fluoride applications and sealants, can prevent tooth decay. Regular dental checkups and oral cancer screenings can detect oral cancer at its most treatable stages. Dental check-ups and consistent at-home preventive dental care can stave off caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss. An estimated 75% of adults have periodontal disease. Regular dental check-ups can reduce the risk of permanent tooth and gum damage and expensive treatment in the future. Because of preventive dental care, people tend to keep their original teeth throughout life and don't need as much restorative dental work. Preventive dental examinations also ensure that a dentist will notice any oral signs of systemic disease. A dental check-up might reveal a lesion in the mouth that could lead to a referral to a physician for further investigation.

Treatments

Treatments resulting from preventive dental procedures are designed to stop the progression of disease. Restorative dentistry, including the placement of fillings, clowns, and dental work, addresses tooth decay and tooth loss that can result from periodontal disease, Periodontal treatments help restore healthy gums and can prevent tooth loss.

Roles of Health Care Team

The dentist oversees the process of examination, diagnosis, treatment planning, and education. The allied dental personnel include the dental hygienist and dental assistant. Dental hygienists sometimes perform preventive techniques, including cleaning, fluoride, sealant application, and patient education. The dental assistant (in some states depending on licensing) can perform many of the same procedures as the hygienist, assist the dentist during check-ups, and provide patient guidance and education.