We believe that prevention is better than cure and we know that long-term dental management feels a whole lot better than emergency repairs!
So, in addition to keeping up with your dental checkups, dental hygiene visits, daily brushing with Fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing, avoiding snacking before bedtime and avoiding foods and drinks that are high in sugar, especially soft drinks, sweet cereals, desserts, and sticky foods, you can also consider the following for extra protection of your teeth:
- Fissure Sealants (also called Dental Sealants)
Fissure sealants are resin coatings that cover the grooves (fissures) and pits of teeth to prevent tooth decay. They are placed on the chewing surface of the teeth to protect the grooves and pits which are prone to decay. These grooves are so small that bacteria and food can easily get trapped in them, at the same time the bristles of a toothbrush are too large to properly clean them.
Fissure sealants are different from fillings as they are preventative and are not used to treat existing decay. They are placed on both children and adult teeth. Recent research shows that adult teeth benefit as much as children teeth from the application of fissure sealants in prevention of tooth decay and dental cavities.
Make sure to talk to us about those fissure sealants can protect and benefit your teeth.
- CAMBRA (CAries Management By Risk Assessment )
Caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA) is an evidence-based approach to preventing or treating dental caries at the earliest stages.
Historically, dentistry has approached dental caries disease management through a surgical-restorative approach, by way of filling the decayed teeth, that can lead to several lifetime replacement of the filling, resulting in an increased restoration size or more invasive procedures over time. Although the decayed tooth was repaired, the dental caries disease itself was not fully treated, because the actual cause and risk factors were not adequately resolved. Current science has determined that the key to dental caries treatment and disease prevention lies with modifying and correcting factors to favour oral health. This can be accomplished through a best-practices approach that decreases caries risk factors, increases caries protective factors and is the basis for caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA).
Our dentist Kamil Tinawi has an interest in CAMBRA and will be happy to see you for a an assessment. Once Dr. Tinawi has identified your caries risk (low, moderate, high or extreme), a therapeutic and/or preventive plan will be implemented.
You have a great part to play in adhering to the recommendations given as it is a very important aspect in achieving successful outcomes in caries management.
Please note that this is a separate service than a routine dental check-up or examination. If you are interested, please ask Kamil the next time you see him about it.