Preventive Dentistry

What is preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry is caring for your teeth to keep them healthy. This reduces the risk of cavities, enamel wear, gum disease and more. Apart from daily brushing and flossing, it is recommended to visit the dentist regularly to maintain optimal dental health. These practices ensure that your teeth remain healthy, strong and clean.

Who benefits from preventive dentistry in Singapore?

Everyone in Singapore, especially children, benefits from preventive dentistry. By keeping teeth and gums healthy as kids, you avoid the need for expensive dental work down the road. Establishing good oral hygiene habits early on will help encourage lifelong practices.

Preventive dentistry can minimize the risk of decay in children and help adults preserve their natural teeth for as long as possible.

Types of preventive dentistry in Singapore

Dental Scaling & Polishing in Singapore

Calculus is a contributing factor to gum disease. Its rough surface retains plaque which causes irritation to the gums. Scaling removes calculus and polishing can remove unsightly extrinsic stains. This will help to keep the gums and teeth clean and healthy, reducing the possibility of gum disease. 

Scaling and polishing needs to be done on a regular basis. Dentists recommend that it be done at a six-month interval or twice yearly. This can help to prevent gum disease which can lead to gum swelling, recession, tooth mobility, and eventual tooth loss.

Apart from keeping your teeth and gums clean, routine scaling and polishing visits also facilitates screening for oral diseases and cavities.

With regular professional cleaning, a positive attitude and good oral hygiene habits, you will have a clean and healthy mouth and will be able to smile confidently.

Gum Treatment Singapore

Our teeth should last us our lifetime. One of the major causes of tooth loss is Periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease is a common but largely preventable disease. It is usually the result of poor oral hygiene and irregular dental visits. It is recommended to visit your dentist routinely, every 6 months. Your dentist can check the condition of your gums, take x-rays to help diagnose periodontal health and give your teeth and gums a professional clean every 6 months or less.

Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes more severe. It involves the deep cleaning of a tooth surface below the gum line and is normally done under local anesthesia. The removal of calculus and smoothening of the root surfaces provide a clean surface for the gums to reattach back, promoting healing.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride, a natural mineral is found in many foods and also in water. Fluoride is lost through demineralization where the tooth’s enamel layer is attached by acids in the food and drinks that we consume. These acids are formed from plaque bacteria and sugars. From the food and drinks consumed, minerals are also replenished in the form of fluoride, calcium and phosphate in a process called remineralization.

A dentist can also apply fluoride directly to the teeth in the form of a gel, foam or varnish. This method allows for a much higher concentration of fluoride to be applied to your teeth than toothpastes.

Balanced diet

Many often overlook this, but a balanced diet is essential for dental health. Food high in sugar and refined carbohydrates feed the bacteria that cause dental plaque, and low-calcium diets increase your chances of developing gum disease and jaw deterioration. It is encouraged to consume a balanced diet filled with plenty of fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, and adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals.

Avoid smoking and drinking

Smoking and alcohol consumption can negatively affect your oral health. 

Excessive alcohol intake and smoking greatly increases the risk of mouth cancer.

Smoking also causes staining and increases the risk of gum disease which can in turn lead to tooth mobility or tooth loss. Treating gum disease in smokers is also more difficult as tobacco significantly reduces blood flow in gums, hindering the healing process.

How often should I see a dentist?

You should have at least twice a year check-up with your dentist to detect early signs of gum disease, decay, drifting of teeth and other abnormalities present in your oral structure.

Early detection ensures that your time and money is saved in the long run. Neglect or postponement of dental visits until there is pain usually requires more complicated forms of treatment and will cost more too.

Gum disease is caused by bacteria that accumulate around the teeth and gum margins. These bacteria produce toxins and acids that cause dental decay, gum swelling, bleeding and sensitivity. If left long enough, deep decay as well as weakening of tooth support will result. Drifting of teeth, gum bleeding, discomfort on chewing and loose teeth are usually signs of gum disease.

"Bad" breath or halitosis is most commonly caused by oral neglect. Decayed teeth, infected gum and purulent discharge, defective filings all contribute to this condition. Other causes of "bad" breath include medical conditions such as tonsillitis, throat infections, sinusitis, long standing lung infections or gastro-intestinal disturbances.

When the cause of "bad" breath is determined from poor oral health, thorough dental tratment coupled with regular six-monthly visits will help reduce the severity. Your dentist may also recommend special mouthwash or tooth paste to combat these problems.

There are usually four of them which erupt in a person's mouth in his/her early or late 20's. Some are buried within the bone, others may be impacted and require removal.

Problems commonly associated with impacted wisdom teeth are infection, gum problem, decay, crowding of the front teeth and pathology.

Your dentist will take the necessary x-rays and advise you on the appropriate treatment.

There are many factors which cause people to be dissatisfied with their smile. This can be due to defective fillings on the front teeth, discolouration, staining, crooked and/or protruding teeth, malrelationship of the jaws, etc.

Treatment options depend on the cause of the problems and this can range from replacement of the defective fillings to veneer, tooth whitening, bonding or orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist will advise you on the treatment options available to improve your smile, the treatment duration and the costs involved.