What Does Preventative General Dentistry Entail?
What Does Preventative General Dentistry Entail?Preventative General Dentistry includes Oral Hygiene, Wisdom Teeth Removal, Periodontics, Bruxism/Teeth Grinding, Custom Fitted Mouth Guards, Fissure Sealants, Oral Cancer Checks and Children’s Dentistry.
Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene refers to the practice of keeping your teeth and mouth clean so you can prevent different dental problems, bad breath included. By maintaining good oral hygiene, you can avert the build up of plaque and tartar (calculus) – the two main culprits that lead to tooth decay (caries) and gum diseases. Read More.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are located at the very back of the mouth. They typically grow through the gums during one’s teenage years or early 20s. In some instances, there is not enough space for a wisdom tooth to grow properly. This can cause it to emerge partially, get stuck, or even emerge at an unusual angle. It is common to refer to wisdom teeth that don’t grow normally as impacted. Read more.
Periodontics
This specialized branch of dentistry deals with structures that support the teeth, such as the gums, the periodontal ligament, cementum, and the alveolar bone, as well as conditions and diseases that affect them. Read more.
Bruxism/Teeth Grinding
Bruxism refers to a condition where a patient clenches or grinds his or her teeth. When you clench your teeth, you end up putting unnecessary pressure on structures around the jaw. Over time, this can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, and severe loss of tooth structure. Read more.
Custom Fitted Mouth Guards
The Australian Dental Association recommends that all people who play contact and collision sports should use professionally-made, properly-fitted custom mouth guards. Why? Well, more than five million teeth are knocked out every year globally, and replacing even a single tooth involves considerable expenditure. It also causes preventable psychological trauma to the affected individuals. Read more.
Fissure Sealants
Hard-to-reach fissures in the back molars are prone to accumulation of food and bacteria. This can lead to decay, which in turn, can cause caries (cavities). Fissure sealants are plastic coatings that we apply, typically on the grooves of the back teeth. The sealant creates a protective layer, keeping food and bacteria at bay. Read more.
Oral Cancer Checks
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there are around 2,500 new cases of oral and pharyngeal cancer registered in the country every year. The most common form of tobacco use in Australia is cigarette smoking. However, the use of smokeless or chewing tobacco is associated with an increasing number of oral cavity cancer cases. Read more.
Children’s Dentistry
All children lose their baby teeth to make way for permanent ones. However, protecting baby teeth against infection is crucial. Bad bacteria can linger around long enough to affect permanent teeth. Not to forget, your child’s teeth play a vital role in developmental aspects such as speech and chewing. Read more.