Preventative Dentistry
Our entire team at Shire Dental are passionate about preventative dentistry. We know gum disease and tooth decay are preventable with the right oral care. You can maintain healthy teeth and gums by following a simple routine combining professional preventative dentistry and an excellent oral care routine at home.
Looking after Your Teeth and Gums at Home?
A good oral care routine takes 10 minutes or less each day. It is essential to brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and good-quality fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth for at least two minutes each time. If you use an electric toothbrush, it will time you automatically, but if you prefer a manual toothbrush, use the timer on your phone or keep a small timer in your bathroom to ensure you brush for long enough. Pay attention when you brush your teeth, and it’s useful to think of your mouth as split into four areas. Aim to spend at least 30 seconds cleaning each area thoroughly, concentrating on cleaning all tooth surfaces.
It is also essential to floss every day. Many people make the mistake of breaking off a short length of dental floss when you need about 45 cm to floss your entire mouth. Winding the ends around your middle fingers makes the dental floss easier to manipulate between your index fingers and thumbs. Gently slide the dental floss between each tooth, wrapping it around it and sliding it up and down several times to remove all the plaque and food debris. Use a fresh section of dental floss for each tooth.
If you are interested in improving your oral care routine, please ask us for help and advice. We can review your brushing and flossing techniques and recommend suitable tools to try that may make this task easier so you will brush and floss like a professional.
Professional Preventative Dentistry in Sutherland Shire
Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential to your preventative dental care routine.
You will only need to visit our practice for an hour or so, typically every six months. During these visits, we can check your oral health carefully, clean your teeth professionally and discuss any potential problems that might be developing.
We also review your medical history as sometimes medical conditions can impact oral health, and we may need to adjust your preventative dental care plan accordingly.
