Preventive Dentistry
At Galston Dental Practice routine oral health care advice will be given to you to encourage you to keep teeth and gums healthy and attractive. In this way, you can reduce the amount of treatment needed. To ensure you and your teeth receive the best care, you may be advised to visit our hygienist on a regular basis. When treatment is required, you may rest assured that the highest quality, longest lasting and most aesthetic restorations will be utilised.
We believe that your visit to our practice should be as relaxed and as pleasant as possible. Our friendly staff are committed to providing highest quality dental care, including education and motivation to facilitate effective home-care by you.
What is the aim of preventive dentistry?
The aim of preventive dentistry is to help you improve and maintain your long-term oral health through working with your dentist. This approach means that where possible, invasive treatment, for example, fillings, is kept to a minimum.
How can I benefit from preventive dentistry?
The ultimate benefit of preventive dentistry is that it can considerably reduce gum disease and decay, which are both significant factors in tooth loss and general health.
What causes tooth decay?
In the absence of a good dental care routine, an invisible layer of bacteria will form on your teeth and gums. This is called Plaque. When you intake sugar, the plaque within your mouth turns the sugar into acid, which results in tooth decay.
How can I help to prevent dental decay?
You can help to prevent dental decay by brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. This will help to keep your teeth healthy and can help to sometimes even stop decay in the earliest stages. When children are brushing their teeth, it is recommended that they only use a small blob of toothpaste and that they are helped by an adult.
How can my dentist and hygienist help with preventive care?
Reducing the frequency and amount of sugary foods and drinks will also help to prevent decay. Your dentist will be able to give you more detailed advice as he or she knows your own specific dental needs. You need to ensure that you make regular visits to your dentist or hygienist, so that they can recommend ways of maintaining a healthy mouth, such as using fluoride rinses, high fluoride toothpaste or flossing. Your hygienist is also likely to discuss your diet, as a reduction in the amount of food and drink that contain sugar could help to significantly reduce decay.
At Galston Dental Practice, we want your children to have perfect teeth throughout their lives. We undertake all aspects of children’s dentistry, placing particular emphasis on prevention and oral hygiene. We take great care to ensure we use fluorides to their optimum effect and apply fissure sealants earlier rather than later, to prevent problems building up.
How often should I visit my dentist?
Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups is one of the most important factors in maintaining good oral health.
Regular check-ups can help prevent problems before they happen:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Oral cancer
You are entitled to 6 monthly free dental check-ups on the NHS
You are entitled to 3 monthly hygiene visits on the NHS
Here are our top tips to help you keep smiling:
- Brush at least twice a day
- Floss regularly
- Use a Fluoride mouthwash
- Drink plenty of water and milk
- Chew sugar free gum
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Healthy diet
- Visit your Dentist every 6 months & Hygienist every 3 months