The vast majority of dental pain and infection can be prevented. In addition to regular brushing and flossing, the best way to prevent dental emergencies is through regular check ups. Depending on your risk for dental disease this may be every 3, 6 or 12 months.
During these visits, your gums and each one of your teeth will be carefully examined to ensure that they stay nice and healthy. However, if there are problems present we will then be able to identify these issues early in the disease process before they start to cause you pain. More importantly, early identification of problems will ensure that we are able to treat any issues with greater ease and simplicity.
Your dentist may also recommend dental x-rays and/or a professional teeth clean to aid in preventing disease, and will identify and discuss any risk factors that may be putting you at greater risk of dental problems in the future.
Dental X - Rays of the back teeth should be taken every two to three years to help your dentist find any decay that has formed, especially in between teeth where it is difficult for them to check in your mouth. They also allow the dentist to check the integrity of existing fillings and ensure that any problems are identified early, which will usually minimise the amount or extent of treatment that is required.
A professional clean, also known as a scale and clean, is performed to remove plaque and tartar that is unable to be removed with normal brushing. If not removed regularly, this plaque and tartar can greatly increase your risk of both dental decay and gum disease. During the clean, any staining can also be removed to make your teeth sparkly white once again.
Fissure sealants are hard protective coating that are placed to cover and protect the deep grooves (fissure) in our teeth and prevent dental decay.
These fissures are most commonly located at the chewing surface on the back teeth and are at high risk for decay as they can be difficult to clean properly, as they are often very deep and narrow.
The bacteria that becomes trapped in the fissures produce acids that can go on to cause decay in these areas. When these grooves are sealed, the risk for dental decay can be markedly decreased making them especially useful in children's teeth.
Tooth Mousse and Tooth Mousse Plus contain a milk protein that enters the teeth and makes them more resistant to decay and less sensitive to hot and cold drinks.
Using Tooth Mousse and Tooth Mousse Plus can also help reverse the early effects of decay, potentially avoiding the need for filings! But this relies on early identification and treatment.
