Preventive Medicine

In addition to treating teeth that have lost their health, it is to prevent the occurrence of possible problems in the teeth.  It is possible to say that preventive medicine forms the basis of dentistry.

From the day the teeth first appear in the child’s mouth, the doctor and the parents should be in cooperation.

• 6-month periodic dental check-ups should evaluate the growth and development of the mouth and teeth. Detection and treatment of habits such as developmental and skeletal anomalies, finger sucking, mouth breathing, nail biting, improper swallowing, etc., which are detected early, will help prevent bigger problems in the future.
• Proper nutrition and dietary habits are important. For strong and caries-resistant teeth, a balanced diet containing calcium, phosphorus and the right levels of fluoride is essential. Carbohydrate-rich foods are known to increase the risk of caries, but their negative effects can be avoided by consuming them at the right time and in the right amounts. 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, hazelnuts and almonds at snacks. Effective oral care becomes even more important especially after consuming foods that stick to the teeth.
• Teaching children the habit of regular tooth brushing and flossing at an early age ensures a lifelong good oral care discipline. Brushing should be done with the help of the family at an early age. Afterwards, motivation and follow-up are necessary. Good oral care is essential in preventing caries and gum problems.
• Application of fluorine preparations

Two other preventive treatment methods are “topical fluoride” applications applied to increase the resistance of decay in deciduous teeth. A protective effect of 40-60% is achieved with various superficial fluorine applications. This application has become very important especially in cancer, diabetes and dry mouth diseases, in individuals with inadequate hygiene and in children.

• Fissure sealant applications

Research shows that 90% of dental caries starts from small, deep and narrow indentations (fissures) on the chewing surfaces of the molars.  Around the age of 6, sealants applied to the first permanent teeth that erupt are applied by the dentist to the indented and protruding areas of the tooth and prevent decay by creating a barrier, it is an extremely easy and painless application.

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.

The level of caries risk, familial predisposition to gum problems, systemic diseases, functional habits, diet, and even lifestyle are of great importance when planning personalized preventive applications. All these should be taken into consideration. Routine dental check-ups every 6 months or at a frequency determined by the physician should not be neglected.