Preventative Dentistry

Preventive dentistry is dental care that helps maintain good oral health. It’s a combination of regular dental check-ups along with developing good habits like brushing and flossing.

It’s a combination of regular dental check-ups coupled with developing good oral hygiene habits.   Taking care of your teeth starts early in childhood and extends throughout the course of your life.

Here at Oatlands Dental Lounge, it’s our aim to help you avert the need for complex treatment in the future and advise you of the best techniques and habits to employ, when caring for your smile. As the most common dental diseases are completely preventable, regular dental check-ups and hygienist appointments are paramount in staying ahead of developing problems with your teeth and gums.

Preventing gum disease

A staggering 19 in 20 of us suffer from gum disease at some point in our lives, but with good and consistent dental care it’s possible to keep it at bay. It’s essential to visit the dentist regularly, especially as research links gum disease to many general health conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, strokes, diabetes and even premature births.

Whilst the average recommendation for visiting the dentist and hygienist is every 6 months, we will recommend appointment times according to your personal dental habits and risk profile. Regular visits to the hygienist and dentist, and twice daily cleaning between your teeth and brushing will prevent the build-up of plaque; the primary threat to your teeth and gums. Whilst it’s normal to have some degree of plaque every few months, it’s essential that this gets removed professionally, during a visit to your hygienist here at Oatlands Dental Lounge.

Preventing tooth decay

Sugars (non-milk derived) are a major contributory factor of tooth decay. Limiting the frequency of these, correct use of fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes are all critical to preventing cavities. We may also suggest fissure sealants, in areas which are most susceptible.

Preventing tooth surface loss

Nowadays, tooth surface loss is also a major concern. There are typically three causes: Attrition (usually related to clenching/ grinding of your teeth); Erosion (tooth loss due to presence of acidic fluids) or Abrasion (tooth loss by contact with abrasive materials such as a hard toothbrush).

Mouth cancer screening

We honestly can’t stress how important routine appointments are in helping to spot possible signs of mouth cancer early. During your appointment, our dental care team will thoroughly examine your mouth for any concerning signs and refer you on for further examinations if required.

Educating and inspiring you

As dentists and hygienists, we’re passionate about helping to protect your smile, so that it remains healthy, and you remain confident and happy.

Patient education is high up on our list of priorities here at Oatlands Dental Lounge. If you’re keen to cut out bad habits like smoking and poor dietary choices, we can help support you in this. We’ll also offer advice on the type of products to use, so that you can best care for your smile day-to-day. For example, if you’re yet to make the switch to an electric toothbrush, or haven’t given fluoride toothpaste a go yet, we can talk you through the benefits of these changes.

When it comes to your oral health and hygiene, knowledge is power.