When It Comes To Oral Health, Prevention Is Better Then Cure

The old saying "prevention is better than cure" applies very much to dentistry, and most dentists prefer to prevent problems occurring rather than have to treat them at a later date. 

Ideally, you should get your children to the dentist early in their lives and make a regular visit every six months. This way, children will become used to going to the dentist and not be afraid of it. The dentist will be able to check for any signs of decay early on and can also provide applications of fluoride and tooth coloured fissure sealants to the biting surfaces of children's teeth in order to prevent decay.

Dental hygiene is, of course, vital for everyone and everyone should brush and floss their teeth twice a day. However, preventive dentistry in Shoreditch is also assisted by a regular visit to the dental hygienist. The hygienist will check your oral health and give your teeth a professional scale and polish which will go a long way to preventing gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque and it is a film of bacteria that form on the teeth and gums every day. Many of these bacteria are harmless, but others will cause gum disease if not removed with regular brushing and flossing.

Gum disease generally progresses without producing any pain, so you may not notice that you have a problem, although sometimes the bacteria can make your gums sore which can lead to abscesses. The first sign of gum disease is blood on the toothbrush when you clean your teeth or in the rinsing water. The bacteria on your teeth can also lead to bad breath as a result of gases released by them. Eating certain foods such as garlic can add to the problem, and smoking is another major cause.

Another very good reason for a regular visit to the dentist is tooth decay, which also fails to give any early warning signs. However, the dentist can take an x-ray of your teeth and gums and see if there is any decay underneath the enamel or infections in the roots, and possible bone loss.