Preventive Dentistry in Atwell & Cockburn, Your Family's Gateway to Lasting Dental Health

Preventive dentistry is a fundamental aspect of maintaining good oral health and overall well-being. According to the study, the importance of preventive care includes the following:

• Prevents oral diseases.
  Seeing your dentist regularly allows them to detect the early signs and symptoms of dental diseases. They can provide timely treatments to prevent the condition from worsening.
• Maintain long-term oral health.
  Preventive dental care protects your oral health from the progression or development of dental problems. Thus proactively safeguarding your teeth and gums against complex dental procedures.
• Reduction in treatment costs.
  Investing in preventive dental care can save you money in the long run. You can avoid extensive dental treatments involving higher costs, such as root canal therapy, dental crowns, or dental implants.
• Education on proper dental care at home.
  Your dentist can provide valuable advice on maintaining oral health through proper brushing techniques, flossing, and choosing the right dental products. They can also offer dietary recommendations to help protect your teeth and gums.
• Maintaining good oral hygiene.
  While daily brushing and flossing at home are crucial, professional dental cleanings allow the removal of plaque and tartar that can’t be eliminated by brushing alone. This helps prevent the development of cavities and gum disease.
• Preserves natural teeth.
  Preventive dentistry lays the foundation for long-term oral health. By maintaining the health of teeth and gums, patients are more likely to retain their natural teeth for longer, contributing to better dental health.

Our team of dentists is ready to be your partner in achieving a healthy, beautiful smile with our preventive dentistry in Atwell & Cockburn. Schedule your next appointment with us to learn more about the benefits of getting preventive oral care.

Preventive dental care should begin in infancy. According to the Australian Dental Association, children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after their first baby tooth appears. This early visit is crucial for several reasons:

• Early Assessment:
  It allows the dentist to assess the child’s oral health and identify any potential issues early on.
• Parental Guidance:
  Parents can receive guidance on how to care for their child’s teeth, including proper brushing techniques, the use of fluoride, and dietary advice to prevent tooth decay.
• Habit Formation:
  Early visits help in establishing a routine for regular dental check-ups, which is important for maintaining oral health throughout life.
• Prevention of Tooth Decay:
  Early and regular visits can help prevent tooth decay, which is one of the most common chronic diseases in children.
• Prevents Dental Anxiety:
  By familiarising children early on with the routine of dental check-ups, they are more likely to view dental care as a normal part of their health regimen rather than something to be feared.

For further information about the appropriate age to start preventive dental care, please get in touch with us at Atwell Smiles Dental.

Preventive dentistry includes procedures aimed at caring for your teeth and overall oral health. This generally includes the following:

• Dental sealants.
  This is a thin coating that your dentists can apply to the nooks and crevices of the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent cavities. They block out bacteria and food particles.
• Fluoride treatments.
  Another preventive dental service is the application of fluoride. Dentists recommend this treatment specifically for patients with a higher risk of developing dental decay. The fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and make your teeth resistant to acid attacks from plaque and bacteria.
• Professional teeth cleaning.
  This involves removing plaque and tartar between your teeth, which is difficult to accomplish with only a toothbrush. It helps prevent further accumulation of debris that could weaken your teeth and irritate the gums.
• Oral cancer screening.
  Dentists will check for signs of oral cancer in your mouth and surrounding areas. They will examine your tongue, gums, lips, cheek lining, tonsils, and roof of your mouth.

These preventive dental services are essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. They help make your teeth stronger against potential dental conditions. Atwell Smile Dental is committed to providing these important services to help you maintain a healthy, happy smile.

Professional teeth cleanings, also known as scaling and cleaning, are crucial to your dental care routine. The frequency of these procedures varies depending on your individual oral health needs.

Generally, it’s recommended to have your teeth professionally cleaned every six months. However, your dentist might suggest more frequent visits if you have specific dental problems like gum disease or if you’re at higher risk for plaque build-up or cavities.

Always consult your dentist at Atwell Smiles Dental to determine the suitable teeth cleaning schedule for you.

Scaling and cleaning of teeth can indeed cause sensitivity for some individuals. Here’s why:

• Ultrasonic Scalers:
  Dentists often use ultrasonic scalers for cleaning, which vibrate at high frequencies to remove tartar and plaque. These vibrations can cause temporary sensitivity during the procedure.
• Exposure of Root Surfaces:
  When tartar is removed, especially in cases where there is gum recession, the root surfaces of the teeth may become exposed. These areas are more sensitive than the enamel-covered parts of the teeth. The exposure of these surfaces to hot and cold temperatures can lead to increased sensitivity, especially when consuming hot or cold beverages.

To manage this sensitivity, dentists often recommend the use of anti-sensitivity toothpaste. This type of toothpaste contains ingredients like potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride, which help to reduce tooth sensitivity by blocking the tiny tubules in the dentin of the teeth.

It’s important to communicate with your dentist if you experience sensitivity during or after teeth cleaning. They can provide specific advice or treatments to help manage this sensitivity. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are crucial for maintaining oral health, so finding a way to manage any discomfort is important.

Fluoride treatment is often considered necessary for maintaining oral health because it plays a significant role in preventive dentistry, such as follows:

• Remineralise enamel surface
• Slow down the loss of minerals from tooth enamel
• Prevents and reverses early signs of tooth decay

Fluoride treatments are particularly important for patients with a history of dental caries, those with higher risk for cavities and those with dental crowns or bridges.

While fluoride is found in water and toothpaste, topical fluoride treatments provide a higher concentration of fluoride for enhanced protection. However, it’s important to apply fluoride appropriately, as excessive use can lead to dental fluorosis or toxicity.

Your dentist at Atwell Smiles Dental will recommend a sufficient fluoride amount and treatment frequency for you.

Visiting a dentist regularly is important, even if you don’t have any apparent dental problems. Many dental conditions, including early stages of decay and gum disease, can develop without the patient noticing. This means you might not feel any pain or discomfort until the condition has advanced.

Regular check-ups allow your dentist to catch potential problems before they worsen, and you can receive preventive dental treatment in no time.

Moreover, the condition of our teeth can change as we age due to factors like medication, dry mouth, and natural wear and tear. Seeing your dentist can help manage these changes as they can provide preventive measures to keep your teeth and gums in good condition.

It is generally recommended to visit your dentist every six months for preventive care. However, this may vary depending on your oral health and risk factors.

Routine visits allow your dentist to perform professional cleanings, which is crucial for removing plaque and tartar and preventing dental problems. According to research, individuals who receive preventive care regularly tend to have fewer dental problems.

Individuals with specific conditions or higher risk factors, like smoking or diabetes, may need more frequent visits, while those with good oral hygiene might not need to go as often.

At Atwell Smiles Dental, we assess your individual circumstances to determine the optimal schedule for preventive dentistry needs.

Cavities, also known as dental caries or tooth decay, are damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. While they are largely preventable, cavities are one of the most common dental health problems affecting people globally.

Here are some practical steps you can take at home to prevent cavities:

• Maintain good oral hygiene.
  Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride remineralises dental enamel and can prevent cavities from forming. Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.
• Use fluoride products.
  Your dentist might recommend additional fluoride treatments if you’re at high risk of developing cavities. This can include over-the-counter or prescription fluoride mouthwashes and high-fluoride toothpaste.
• Limit sugary foods and drinks.
  Sugar is a significant contributor to dental decay. It interacts with bacteria in your mouth to form acid, which attacks the enamel. Try to minimise your intake of sugary snacks and beverages, and if you do consume them, rinse or brush your teeth shortly afterwards.
• Eat tooth-healthy foods.
  Foods high in calcium and phosphorus are essential to help remineralise your tooth enamel. Dairy products, nuts, and lean proteins are good choices. Crunchy vegetables and fruits with high water content can help clean your teeth and dilute sugar.
• Stay hydrated.
  Drinking plenty of water can help wash away food particles and bacteria. It can also help maintain saliva production, which is your mouth’s natural defence against cavities.

Incorporating these practices into your daily routine can significantly reduce your risk of developing cavities. Remember, while these home care tips are an alternative for preventing new cavities and slowing the progression of existing ones, they do not replace the need for professional dental care. Regular visits to Atwell Smiles Dental are essential for maintaining optimal oral health.

Electric toothbrushes offer a step-up in oral hygiene. They are generally considered more efficient than manual toothbrushes for several reasons:

• Mechanism of action.
  Electric toothbrushes have rotating or oscillating heads that help remove plaque and bacteria more efficiently than the manual brushing motion.
• Efficacy.
  An 11-year cohort study has shown that electric toothbrushes are more thorough and efficient at reducing plaque and stains, potentially leading to longer retention of teeth and a brighter smile.
• Customisable experience.
  Electric toothbrushes provide different settings and modes to cater to various needs, such as gentle modes for sensitive teeth or specialised designs for cleaning around braces.
• Ease of use.
  They are particularly beneficial for people with limited dexterity, children, and older adults, as they require less manual effort and can clean more thoroughly.
• Built-in timers.
  Many electric toothbrushes feature timers so you can follow the recommended two-minute brushing of teeth.
• Improved brushing patterns.
  Electric toothbrushes promote more focused brushing patterns, which is essential for cleaning your teeth.

Your diet plays a crucial role in the health of your teeth and gums. Establishing good dietary habits in childhood sets the foundation for lifelong oral health. Encouraging your kids to eat healthily and avoid sugary snacks can prevent dental problems later in life. Here’s how what you eat and drink affects your oral health:

• Sugar and tooth decay.
  Tooth decay is a diet-related dental disease primarily caused by sugar consumption. Bacteria can convert sugar in foods and drinks into acids that attack your teeth and lead to decay.
• Acidic foods and erosion.
  Acidic foods and drinks can erode tooth enamel, even if they’re sugar-free. This erosion can increase the risk of dental decay and tooth sensitivity.
• Water intake.
  Drinking plenty of water, particularly if it contains fluoride, helps wash away food particles and bacteria. It can also counteract the acid produced by bacteria in your mouth after eating.

At Atwell Smiles Dental, we believe in the importance of preventive care, which includes a healthy diet. Regular dental check-ups allow us to provide personalised advice on how to adjust your diet to maintain a healthy smile.

For better oral health, it’s advisable to avoid certain foods that can increase the risk of tooth decay and damage. Here’s a list of foods to be mindful of:

• Hard candies.
  Excessive exposure to hard food and sugar can be harmful. These can weaken your teeth and cause it to break.
• Ice.
  Chewing ice cubes can damage your tooth and result in dental emergencies.
• Citrus fruits.
  Oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits are beneficial for your health. However, frequent exposure to acidic foods can erode enamel, making your teeth more prone to dental decay.
• Coffee and tea.
  These beverages can dry your mouth and stain your teeth.
• Sticky foods.
  Foods like dried fruit can get lodged in the grooves of your teeth and cause tooth decay.
• Crunchy snacks.
  Potato chips and similar snacks are filled with starch, which can get trapped in your teeth and lead to plaque build-up.
• Soda.
  Bacteria in plaque metabolise sugar from soda and produce acid that can gradually attack your enamel.
• Alcohol.
  It can cause dehydration and dry mouth, increasing the risk of decay and other oral infections.
• Sports drinks.
  Sports drinks also contain high amounts of sugar. Hence, when consumed frequently, they can harm your dental health.

You may still enjoy these foods in moderation and maintain a diligent oral hygiene routine. Practise brushing and flossing your teeth daily and have regular dental check-ups at Atwell Smiles Dental to manage any potential risks to your oral health.