PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY

The keystone of modern dentistry is the concept of preventive dentistry. Dentistry as been referred to as a profession "trying to put themselves out of business" by some people. This is due to the fact that there has been a general decrease in the severity of dental decay in the American population. Since the advent of fluoridated water systems fifty years ago, there has been an improvement in the dental health of patients, especially children. It must be remembered that even with the fluoride in use today, regular professional examination and cleaning is necessary to prevent small problems that may occur from becoming large problems.

There are several basic concepts to preventive dentistry. The first is the need to keep your teeth clean every day. It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss at least one time daily. See the Oral Hygiene section for more information.

Another very important part of preventive dentistry is routine professional care. For many patients, this means that they should visit the dentist twice a year for an examination and cleaning.

You should also have x-rays taken on a regular basis to prevent small problems from becoming large ones. X-rays can detect very small areas of tooth decay between your teeth that are not yet visible or detectable during your exam. If these small cavities are filled as soon as possible, it prevents the spread of decay deeper into the tooth. Unfortunately, by the time that decay that originates between the teeth is visible, particularly in children’s teeth, the tooth may very likely require very extensive treatment [such as a root canal, crown or extraction] in order to preserve oral health. Routine x-rays also allow the dentist to evaluate the bone structure around the teeth. This can help to determine the extent of periodontal [gum] disease, find infections in the bone, and occasionally locate tumors or growths that were otherwise undetectable.

Sealants are a type of preventive dentistry that have come to be recognized as an effective and valuable asset in the prevention of tooth decay. A sealant is a protective plastic barrier that is bonded to the chewing surface of a back [posterior] tooth. This barrier prevents food and bacteria from accumulating in the grooves on the top of your teeth. These grooves are too small for your toothbrush bristles to completely clean, but big enough for bacteria to collect in. A sealant does not require any drilling or anesthetic to place on the tooth. Sealants do not guarantee that a tooth will not get a cavity or eliminate the need for good oral hygiene.

Fluoride is one of the greatest successes in modern dentistry, providing a tremendous decrease in the total incidence of tooth decay in the United States. Fluoridated water has been used in the United States for fifty years, with the result that the nearly two generations of children that have grown up drinking it have very few large areas of decay. However, not all municipalities have decided to add fluoride to their drinking water [even though the cost is pennies per day], so you should check with your local government to find out about your water supply. Fluoride is also available in toothpaste, tablets, mouth rinses, and gels. You should ask your dentist what combination would be most effective for you and/or your children. It should be noted that fluoride toothpaste has been designed to provide an appropriate daily dose of fluoride in areas that have fluoridated water.

Adults can benefit from supplemental fluoride treatments as much as children! The use of topical [gel] fluoride has been shown to reduce the incidence of root decay and tooth sensitivity and can also decrease the amount of bacteria in the mouth, leading to better gum health.