Dental Disease Prevention
Some people think it strange that as a dentist trained to repair teeth that my focus is so strongly on prevention. But that's how I am. I love it when patients have great checkups and come back visit after visit with beautiful, perfect teeth. I'll do my part to accomplish that, and I'll try to teach you what to do to accomplish your part of that task.
Some patients also have the attitude that, whatever damage they have in their mouth, the dentist will fix it and they will be "as good as new." Nothing could be further from the truth. No dentist or machine has ever been able to duplicate or replace that which nature has provided us, when it comes to teeth. Beautiful, healthy enamel has yet to be cloned.
So our best option is to be able to prevent problems before they start, or, failing at that, to intercept at the very earliest stages of disease, remove the causes and keep them from coming back forever. And here is how we do that.
Preventing tooth decay
There are 3 main types of decay, based on the part of the tooth that is affected. The first is biting surface or occlusal decay. Preventing this type of decay is pretty straightforward. A simple application of dental sealants generally takes care of it.
Decay between the teeth is called interproximal decay. This is prevented by flossing and other devices such as tiny brushes and rubber tips that are used to clean between the teeth.
The third type is root surface decay. This tends to occur in older people. What happens is that there is gum recession which exposes the root surfaces of the teeth. These softer surfaces are more susceptible to decay than the hardened enamel, so it may take a fair amount of effort to prevent this. Careful cleaning of the teeth at the gumline, the use of topical fluorides, and carefully watching the frequency of eating are effective preventive measures for root surface decay.
The Use of Fluoride
Fluoride is a great preventive agent. The most effective use of fluoride is internal. The best all-around way to prevent cavities is with the use of fluoride. And the most effective way to use fluoride is internal. If a child is given fluoride in the form of drops, vitamins, or drinks fluoridated water during the time period when the permanent teeth are developing (from birth to about age 13), that child's teeth will be 40-60 percent stronger than if they had no fluoride. When this happens, the fluoride is incorporated into the structure of the tooth, making the entire tooth more resistant to acid attack, and helping prevent all three types of decay.
After teeth are already erupted, the fluoride is most beneficial when it is administered topically. Fluoride treatments at the office cause fluoride to be incorporated into the outer layers of enamel, making it stronger. It has also been shown to remineralize early decay lesions. Fluorides in toothpaste and in rinses, as well as prescription and over-the-counter fluoride gels, also accomplish the same thing, though not as much because their concentration isn't as strong.
Other Preventive Measures
We also can run caries susceptibility tests which help determine how high your personal risk is to tooth decay, and help us tailor a preventive program that will work for you.
Preventing Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is the cause of most adult tooth loss in the United States, so it is something to take very seriously. We screen for periodontal disease at checkups.
You can read more about this by consulting our gum disease page, but it is basically caused by bacteria and other microorganisms that live in the protected environment between your teeth and the gums. They form plaque, a sticky film that keeps them attached to the tooth. Left undisturbed for more than a day at a time, plaque hardens into calculus. The plaque, the calculus, and the bacterial waste products, create an inflammatory response that gradually destroys the supporting structures of your teeth. Eventually they get loose and fall out.
The cornerstones of preventing periodontal disease are professional cleanings to remove accumulated calculus, and your flossing, that helps remove the plaque before it turns into calculus.
More Prevention Means Less Treatment
The more prevention and less repair you need, the better your long-term outlook for having and keeping a beautiful, healthy smile for a lifetime. So there is no time like the present to get going on a strong and effective preventive program. Give us a call today at 
, or visit our make an appointment page.