Preventive Dentistry: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

If we do not take proper care of our dental hygiene we will be prone to developing dental disorders like enamel erosion, gum diseases, tooth worms, accumulation of plaque or tartar etc. Preventive Dentistry revolves around the taking care of our teeth. This includes brushing the teeth daily, regular flossing, getting regular check-ups at a dentist, avoiding frequent snacking and maintaining a balanced diet. With Preventive Dentistry one can lessen the chances of developing diseases like cavities, gingivitis, enamel loss, periodontitis. The best candidates for preventive dentistry are children. At this stage the teeth develop and if they take proper dental care, the teeth become strong and healthy at a later stage. If a child has developed plaques or cavities in the teeth then preventive dentistry will curb the growth of cavities by implementing fluoride treatment and dental sealants.

Young adults can also benefit greatly from preventive dentistry. It keeps the enamel of the teeth strong, thereby reducing the chances of teeth erosion. Our oral health is directly related to our overall health. If we keep our mouth clean then we will be able to resist the accumulation of bacteria within our body. Through preventive dentistry we can resist other disorders like diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, respiratory diseases and even cancer.

Some of the common dental disorders are cavities, gingivitis, enamel loss and periodontitis. When we snack frequently and eat a lot of starchy or sugary foods, the residues get accumulated on the upper layer of the teeth. This invites bacteria which in turn feed on the residue and multiply there. When bacteria attack our teeth, in the beginning, the enamel of the teeth gets eroded. After that the bacteria attack the middle layer of our teeth, which is also called dentin. The last stage is characterized by the bacteria attacking the pulp of our teeth under which we have our blood vessels and nerves. This is the final stage of cavity formation and is accompanied by pain as well as teeth erosion, which also goes by the name of gingivitis. Periodontitis is a condition in which the gums are severely infected (due to the same bacteria) thereby leading to tooth loss. In order to avoid such adverse effects, it is an imperative to maintain our oral hygiene, which is what preventive dentistry does. By brushing our teeth daily, flossing our teeth and visiting the dentist to get regular check-ups we reduce the chances of the accumulation of bacteria and give our teeth a long and strong life.

Anybody who wishes to maintain proper oral hygiene can go for preventive dentistry.

Preventive dentistry will not help a person who already has had a tooth loss, or severe gingivitis. In that case other treatment such as root canal, dental filling or the taking out of the infected tooth, need to be implemented.

There are no known side effects of preventive measures. However, too much flossing can lead to the wearing off of the tooth enamel. Also, too much flossing can affect the soft gum tissues and cause them to bleed.

One has to maintain oral hygiene. For example one should brush and floss the teeth regularly, avoid frequent snacking (especially starchy and sugary foods). To get better results one can use fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes.

It is a preventive measure which exists to reduce the chances of the development of dental disorders such as cavities, gingivitis, teeth erosion and periodontitis.

In India the treatment price should not exceed more than INR 1500 per session.

If preventive dentistry is taken seriously and continued throughout, the oral as well as overall health will improve considerably.

Some of the natural products that make the teeth strong and fight against bacteria include coconut oil, clove oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon or orange peel, baking soda. If you can brush your teeth with one of these products, you will give your teeth a long life.