Preventive Dental Treatment

Preventive dentistry encompasses preventive procedures and treatments that can be applied to both children and adults with the aim of protecting oral and dental health. Preventive treatments aim to ensure that soft tissues and teeth are kept healthy in the mouth. Many potential health issues can be prevented through preventive dentistry applications, and possible problems are detected early and treated. This allows the individual to maintain their natural and permanent teeth healthily for many years. Expert Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan, who serves patients in Adana, explained what preventive dental treatments are.

What is Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dentistry primarily aims at the early prevention of common oral and dental diseases such as gingivitis and tooth decay. Visiting the dentist for check-ups in six-month periods makes it possible to detect and intervene in potential health problems that may occur in the future.

For example, a cavity beginning to form between teeth in an adult can be eliminated with a single-surface filling treatment. However, if the decay progresses and treatment is delayed, root canal therapy or even tooth extraction might be necessary. Therefore, preventive dentistry applications are of great importance for both children and adults. Preventive dentistry practices in adults and children are evaluated under three main headings. These are:

• Performing necessary treatments
• Informing the patient about oral care and hygiene
• Routine check-ups and examinations

What are Preventive Dentistry Applications in Children and Adults?

We must point out that not every application may be suitable for children. The dentist determines and applies the most appropriate treatment methods based on the patient's needs. The most frequently used preventive dentistry applications are as follows:

Fissure Sealant

Fissure sealant application is a procedure used for the protection of natural permanent teeth. It is primarily applied to molars due to their indented structure. It is used to prevent food particles from accumulating in the grooves of the molars and generating bacteria there. 

It is applied to minimize the risk of decay. Fissure sealants ensure the closure of the grooves in the molars and reduce the likelihood of decay formation. They are beneficial for children whose oral care and hygiene habits are not fully developed. However, fissure sealants are also a preventive treatment that can be applied to adults.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Professional dental cleaning is utilized to remove plaque and tartar accumulated on tooth surfaces. Professional dental cleaning is essential for cleaning areas that are difficult to reach when brushing or flossing. Having a professional dental cleaning once a year prevents the accumulation of bacteria and plaque, and the long-term formation of tooth decay.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a mineral naturally produced in our mouth under normal conditions. Fluoride ensures that our teeth are stronger and more resistant to the danger of decay. It is a powerful enough mineral to even allow incipient cavities to reverse and heal spontaneously. However, if the fluoride required by our teeth is not secreted in sufficient amounts, the dentist may decide to apply fluoride treatment. With fluoride treatment, which is a quick and easy procedure, teeth are protected against the danger of decay. This treatment can be used in both children and adults.

Dental Sealant Application

Dental sealants are a thin coating layer applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. They are usually applied to the back teeth. The filling material seeps into the natural cracks and pits on the tooth surface. This prevents the formation of bacteria. In this way, potential cavities can be prevented.

Cavity Diagnosis

Technological innovations in dentistry allow for the early diagnosis of dental cavities. Cavities can be diagnosed early easily and quickly using laser technology. Thanks to preventive dentistry applications, cavities diagnosed early can be intervened, and oral and dental health can be protected.

Space Maintainers

The most important function of children's milk teeth is to act as space maintainers for permanent teeth. If milk teeth are lost earlier than they should be due to trauma or decay, space maintainer appliances are used to ensure the permanent tooth erupts at the correct angle.

X-Rays

Dentists can diagnose dental problems invisible to the naked eye by using X-ray technology. X-rays can assess what is happening beneath the tooth surface and the health of the patient's jawbones.

You too can benefit from preventive dentistry applications by visiting the dentist for a check-up every six months to protect your oral and dental health, and you can get treatment before problems progress.