At the Charlbury Dental Practice, we believe that ‘prevention is better than cure’, which is why we offer our patients a variety of preventative dentistry treatments to stop decay or disease before it gets severe.
Preventative dentistry is the easiest way to protect your mouth against tooth decay, gum disease and other, more serious issues, such as mouth cancer. Preventative dentistry reduces the level of dental treatment a patient requires and helps to ensure a healthy mouth and healthy teeth.
What are the principles of preventative dentistry?
The two core principles of preventative dental care should co-exist simultaneously for the highest results. The first principle is establishing an oral hygiene routine at home. This means regularly cleaning your teeth and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This should then be combined with routine oral health check-ups with your dentist and regular dental hygiene treatments.
By working closely with our patients, we aim to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and the unfortunate cycle of fillings and extractions. We can also give advice to help prevent tooth wear from erosion or grinding and tailor advice to reduce the risk of oral cancer. There are also secondary benefits of preventive dentistry outside of the mouth. Poor oral health has been linked with diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, premature birth and various other medical conditions.
What can Charlbury Dental Practice do?
Visiting your dentist and hygienist regularly will enable your dentist to either stop or prevent any dental issues before they develop further by:
- Examining your teeth and gums.
- Taking x-rays for a closer look.
- Applying fluoride treatments if necessary.
- Thoroughly cleaning your teeth and gums to remove plaque.
- Providing home care advice and recommending dentist-approved products.
What can you do at home?
Preventative dentistry practices you can carry out at home include:
- Brush twice a day, preferably with an electric toothbrush.
- Try to avoid eating the first hour after brushing your teeth.
- Floss at least twice a day.
- Eat a balanced diet and avoiding sugary drinks and food.
- Stop smoking.
- Reduce your alcohol intake.
- Use a mouth guard if you grind your teeth or clench your jaw.
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