Preventive Care

Routine dental cleanings and checkups are an important component of any preventive dental care plan and are one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your long-term oral health. Regular dental checkups enables us to detect dental health problems while they are still in the early stages.  This will save you the time, expense and pain associated with serious dental issues.  Don't wait for something to hurt before you see your dentist.  By that time, the problem is usually more complex to treat.

Hygiene treatments are important for removing plaque

You should try to have at least one oral examination and professional cleaning every year.  Identifying any little problems before they become big ones will be less hassle, and less cost. A dental visit is not much to ask to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

During your regular dental exams one of our experienced dentists will carefully examine your entire mouth to check for signs of any problems such as decay, infection, periodontal (gum) disease and oral cancer. Your routine dental examinations may also include dental X-rays, when needed. We will also take this important time to educate you about oral hygiene and to encourage home care that will promote a lifetime of good oral health.

When we eat foods that contain sugar or simple carbohydrates, acid is produced from the oral bacteria (or plaque as it is commonly known) that is present. This acid weakens the enamel leading to a loss in minerals and over time this leads to dental decay. Avoid snacking on sugary, refined or acidic foods as these provide ample fuel for acid-forming bacteria.  Your teeth need at least a 2 hour gap between consumption to remineralise. Drink water.  This provides a buffering effect and helps keep your mouth hydrated.

Flossing once a day is recommended by dentists; it helps prevent cavities by removing plaque and food particles caught between teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach.

Once any two of your child's teeth touch each other, it's time to start flossing.  A child is usually able to floss their own teeth by around 9 years of age, until then, they’ll need help.

Persistent, excessively bad, breath is known as Halitosis. The most common cause is poor oral hygiene. Bacteria builds up in the mouth creating plaque, which not only causes cavities but can cause gum damage (gingivitis).  This in turn can lead to infection and inflammation of the tissue around the teeth (periodontitis).  People with periodontitis often experience bad breath due to the bacteria accumulating in hard-to-clean areas of the teeth and gums, which then feed on leftover food particles trapped there.  This creates smelly sulphur compounds which cause bad breath!

A dry mouth is another cause of bad breath. When your mouth is dry and not producing enough saliva it provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

Smoking reduces the amount of saliva produced, drying the mouth and encouraging bacteria growth.  It also reduces the blood flow to the delicate tissues in the mouth and can promote gum disease.  And let’s not forget the smell of tobacco lingers on the breath for a long time.  Contrary to what smokers believe, the smell of tobacco is not disguised by mints or mouthwash.

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