In addition to the treatment of unhealthy teeth, preventing the occurrence of possible problems in the teeth, in short, ‘preventive medicine’ is the basis of dentistry.
From the first day the teeth begin to erupt in the mouth, the dentist and the parents should be in co-operation.
- With 6-month periodic dental check-ups, the growth and development of the mouth and teeth should be evaluated. The detection and treatment of habits such as developmental and skeletal anomalies, finger sucking, mouth breathing, nail biting, incorrect swallowing, which are detected early, helps to prevent bigger problems in the future.
- For strong and caries-resistant teeth, a balanced diet containing calcium, phosphorus, and fluoride at the right levels is required. Carbohydrate-rich foods are known to increase the risk of caries, but the negative effects of these foods can be avoided by consuming them at the right time and in the right amount. For example, it would be better to prefer these foods at main meals and to prefer foods that keep the pH of the mouth high, such as cheese, nuts and almonds at snacks. Effective oral care becomes even more important, especially after the consumption of foods that stick to the teeth.
- The habit of regular tooth brushing and flossing at an early age ensures a good oral care discipline throughout life. Brushing should be done with the help of the family at an early age. Good oral care is essential in the prevention of caries and gingival problems.
Application of fluorine preparations
Two other preventive treatment methods are “topical fluorine applications”, which are applied to increase the caries resistance of deciduous teeth. A protective effect of 40-60% is obtained with various superficial fluorine applications. This application has become very important especially in cancer, diabetes and dry mouth diseases, individuals with inadequate hygiene and children.
Fissure sealant applications
Researches indicate that 90% of dental caries starts from small, deep and narrow recesses (fissures) on the chewing surfaces of the molars. Around the age of 6, sealants applied to the first permanent teeth that come out around the age of 6 are applied by the dentist to the indented-protruding areas of the tooth and prevent decay by creating a barrier, which is extremely easy to do and no pain is felt.
Night plaques prepared in cases of bruxism are of great importance in protecting the health of existing teeth.
Thanks to the protective trays prepared for athletes, the damage to the teeth in case of trauma is largely prevented.
Caries risk level, familial predisposition to gingival problems, systemic diseases, parafunctional habits, diet, and even lifestyle are of great importance when planning personalised protective applications. All these should be taken into consideration. 6-monthly or routine dental check-ups, the frequency of which is determined by the physician, should not be disrupted.
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