Preventative Care

Preventative care
When was your last dental check-up and clean?

Making a habit of great dental hygiene and regular preventative care is the key to excellent dental health and avoiding long-term problems. First and foremost, brushing and flossing your teeth is imperative in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. No number of visits to the dentist will ever be a replacement for regular care at home.

Preventative dentistry is the foundation of good dental health, which is why Dr. Yen focuses on the prevention and early detection of problems and good dental health habits (including dietary and lifestyle habits), irrespective of age.

At your regular six-monthly check-up visit, we complete a thorough check of your whole mouth including your teeth, gums, tongue and soft tissue. We then perform a comprehensive scale and clean, tooth polish, stain removal, and fluoride treatment. This helps to ensure your mouth is in good shape until your next visit.

Why should I have my teeth cleaned by a dentist?

Having regular cleaning done by your dentist is important to your oral health. Even with diligent home-care, there are areas that cannot be cleansed sufficiently or thoroughly with regular tooth-brushing and flossing. A build-up of calculus (hardened plaque) over time can lead to periodontal disease and bad breath if left untreated.

A professional clean at the dentist effectively removes this build-up and restores the health of the gum tissues. A six-monthly clean is generally recommended for optimal oral health.

Digital X-rays

Tooth decay often occurs between your teeth and beyond visibility. To ensure a comprehensive check, we use digital X-rays to identify and analyse any potential problems so they can be proactively addressed.

Mouthguards

If you or your children play sport regularly, particularly contact sports, it may be prudent to consider having a mouthguard made. Even with non-contact sports, the occasional injury may result in trauma to the teeth. Customized mouthguards are inexpensive, easily fabricated and are an essential accessory when playing certain sports.

Gum disease

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is an infection of the tissues supporting and surrounding the teeth. It is a major culprit for tooth loss in adults.

Gum disease is mainly caused by a film of plaque which adheres to the surface of teeth and harbour bacteria. This bacteria produces toxins which can break down the gums. Red, swollen gums and bleeding while brushing or eating are typical signs of gum inflammation, known as gingivitis. At this early stage, these symptoms are reversible through diligent brushing and flossing everyday.

Periodontitis is an advanced gum condition where permanent damage has been done on the tissue and the bone supporting the teeth. In severe cases, one or more teeth may need to be extracted due to bone loss around the teeth.