Preventive Dentistry
Oral health
Hygienists & Therapists
Interdental Brushing
Fissure Sealants
Gum Disease
PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY FOR A HEALTHY MOUTH
Preventive dentistry aims to reduce the amount of dental treatment you need to maintain a healthy mouth and help keep your teeth for life.
Tooth loss primarily results from gum disease (also known as periodontitis) and decay. By encouraging you to take a proactive approach to your oral health, we aim to help you develop healthy dental habits with the goal of avoiding issues in the first place.
Our clinicians follow the latest guidance from the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), one of Europe’s foremost dental organisations and a global force in the field of Periodontology research and treatment.
As a signatory to the EFP Manifesto on Perio and General Health, TDP is committed to act in the prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment of periodontal disease to combat its devastating effects on oral and general health.
Meet your preventive dentistry team
GEMMA BEALEY
HYGIENE THERAPIST
Kim Durk
Oral Health Education team
NICOLE WHITEAR
Oral Health Education team
ORAL HEALTH
Did you know?
- Tooth decay is the most common reason 6–10-year-olds are admitted to hospital in the UK
- 25% of adults don’t brush twice a day
- 84% of adults have one or more fillings
- 1 in 3 people have never flossed or interdentally cleaned
- 8 out of 10 people aged 35 and over suffer from mild to severe gum disease
Source: Oral Health Foundation and European Federation of Periodontology (EFP)
Good oral hygiene is vital for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. It is also important for your overall health and wellbeing, with increasing evidence of a link between gum disease and stroke, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
The earlier you adopt preventive dentistry and good oral hygiene habits — such as brushing, interdental cleaning, and limiting your sugar intake — the easier it is to avoid costly dental procedures and long-term health issues. That is why we put so much emphasis on preventive dentistry at Torrington Dental Practice.
Oral health education appointments
A 30-minute appointment with one of our Oral Health Education Team, can set children up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, and significantly reduce the adult health risks associated with gum disease.
The team goes back to basics with lots of practical tips on how to clean your teeth, what kind of toothbrush offers the best results, dietary information, and more.
You might also be offered a disclosing session involving chewing a tablet for 30 seconds. The tablet contains a harmless vegetable dye which then shows up any plaque on your teeth – the results can be quite a surprise! Call reception today on 01805 623657 to book your oral health check-up.
Oral health care in the community
As part of our preventive dentistry commitment to promoting effective oral hygiene in the local community, The Oral Health Education Team also pays regular visits to local infant and junior schools where early intervention can have the biggest impact on maintaining healthy teeth and gums for life.
They also attend care homes to instruct care staff on oral health and hygiene for the elderly, who are particularly susceptible to pain, disturbed sleep and health problems caused by gum disease and tooth decay. From fun ways to engage children with teeth cleaning to brushing aids for those with dexterity problems, the team has a wealth of expert practical advice to impart. For more information call reception on 01805 623657.
Visit EFP’s Oral Health and Gum Hub for expert preventive dentistry information on checking the state of your gums, and what you can do to improve your oral and overall health.
You can also find a wealth of oral health tips and advice at the Oral Health Foundation.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
DENTAL HYGIENIST & therapist
Hygienist
Dental hygienists are mainly concerned with ‘preventive’ dental health and treating gum disease – showing you correct home care and helping you to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
This includes professionally cleaning your teeth by removing plaque and tartar (usually called a ‘scale and polish’ or a prophylaxis). However, perhaps their most important role is showing you the best way to keep your teeth free of plaque.
Plaque is a sticky coating that forms constantly on your teeth. Hygienists give advice about diet and preventing tooth decay.
The hygienist will work with your dental team to give you the best preventive dentistry care that is tailored to your needs. Combining regular hygienist appointments with your own home care is the best way to maintain a healthy mouth and give you fresher breath. Our dental hygienists Sabina and Gemma work closely with our Oral health Education Team to help you establish an effective hygiene routine.
What is the dental therapist’s role in the practice?
As well as doing all the work that a dental hygienist does, our dental therapist Gemma can also carry out some preventive dentistry procedures that patients are more used to a dentist doing. A dental therapist can do fillings, apply fissure sealants, extract ‘baby’ teeth, place preformed crowns on baby teeth, and perform treatments using all the materials a dentist would use.
As long as an adult tooth does not need treatment to the nerve of the tooth, a dental therapist can fill or restore any part of the tooth that needs treatment. They are able to see patients for emergency appointments (if patients have no pain), offering a temporary solution or permanent fixture where possible to lost fillings, broken teeth or lost crowns, this will be decided in your appointment.
Interdental Brushing
Even with regular brushing, your toothbrush will only be able to clean the front, back and biting surfaces of the teeth, and will not reach those tight spaces between teeth. This means food and plaque can build up in these narrow gaps and lead to gum inflammation, tooth decay or bad breath. In order to remove any debris, we recommend you clean between your teeth once a day, either in the morning or evening.
There are a number of ways to keep those normally inaccessible spaces clean including:
- Interdental brushes – these are thin brushes of varying types that are suitable for cleaning all but the very tightest of gaps.
- Dental floss – a soft, thin thread that comes in different widths and can clean below the gum line.
- Dental tape – thicker than floss and can be easier to use.
- Dental sticks – these are made from wood or plastic and have pointed ends for quick and easy cleaning.
- Oral irrigators – these use a pressurised stream of water to dislodge debris.
Don’t be put off if your gums bleed when you clean between your teeth.
Regular cleaning, using the correct technique, is a preventive dentistry measure which can help improve your gum health and the bleeding should subside as your gums become healthier.
Fissure Sealants
The fissures on the biting surfaces of the back teeth are very narrow, so it can be hard to keep clean, which means bacteria and food particles can stick around and start to damage the enamel. The application of fissure sealants is a preventative dental treatment that involves applying a plastic coating to these grooves that are difficult to reach, protecting teeth from possible decay.
Fissure sealants are normally applied to permanent teeth as they start to emerge (usually between 6 and 7 years), and further applications can be made as other teeth begin to show. The process is quick and easy and usually only takes a couple of minutes per tooth.
Treatment steps
- The tooth is cleaned, prepared with a special solution and then dried.
- The sealant (in liquid form) is then applied with a brush and hardened with a special bright light.
Sealants can last for years but will need regularly checking to ensure the protective coating is still intact, and although treated teeth are much better protected, they will still need regular brushing and flossing.
Read more in our guide to how fissure sealants protect your children’s teeth.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss in the over 45s. It starts as gingivitis, where plaque bacteria cause red gums that bleed when you brush. At this stage it can be reversed with effective daily cleaning. If it is ignored, it can progress to periodontitis, which destroys the bone holding your teeth in place. Periodontitis can’t be reversed, only managed, so catching it early matters.
If your dentist or hygienist finds signs of gum disease, they will talk you through a treatment plan. You can find out about the condition, our specialist team, treatment and costs on our periodontal and gum disease page.
Preventing Gum Disease
The best way to prevent gum disease is to make sure plaque is removed effectively and regularly.
This means having a good home care routine with plenty of brushing and interdental cleaning, regular dental check-ups to alert you to early signs of disease and visiting the hygienist so your oral health is continually assessed.
Other ways to reduce your risk of developing the disease include stopping smoking, reducing stress, and eating a well-balanced diet.
Treating Gum Disease – What to Expect
The first step of treatment is to undergo an oral examination so that we can assess your mouth and diagnose the extent of your periodontal disease. This may include the need for x-rays. At your appointment, your hygienist will record your plaque levels, bleeding sites, measure around each tooth to assess bone loss (pockets) and record tooth mobility. She will then propose a tailored course of treatment and the number of appointments necessary to bring your gum disease under control.
Preventive Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an inflammatory condition caused by the build-up of plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms around your teeth. It can affect the gums and the bone that holds your teeth in place. Read our full guide to periodontal and gum disease.
Should I stop cleaning between my teeth if my gums bleed?
No. Don’t be put off if your gums bleed when you clean between your teeth. Regular cleaning, using the correct technique, helps improve your gum health and the bleeding should settle as your gums become healthier.
How often should I see the hygienist?
It depends on your mouth. Your dentist or hygienist will recommend how often to come in, based on the health of your gums and how well you are keeping plaque under control.
What is the best treatment for gum disease?
Mild gum disease can usually be treated by an effective oral health regime, including brushing your teeth twice a day and cleaning between your teeth regularly. Ask us for advice if you are unsure about your cleaning techniques and come for regular dental check-ups. If necessary, our hygienists will be able to remove any hardened build-up of plaque (tartar). More advanced cases of gum disease will require an extended course of hygiene treatment, tailored to your specific needs. In severe cases surgery may be required, for which you would be referred to a specialist periodontist.