Preventive dentistry is a very broad topic and will mean something different for each patient at different stages throughout their life – it is not just about good brushing and flossing.
Obviously preventing tooth decay and gum disease is largely dependent on developing good homecare routines but preventive dentistry also entails many other treatment modalities from fissure sealants in children’s molars, to orthodontics for destructive bites, nightguards for tooth grinders, crowns for weakened teeth and even dietary and medical advice for high risk patients.
As they say ‘prevention is better than cure’ – so the ultimate objective is to adopt the appropriate preventive measures which will ensure the minimum amount of treatment and thereby keep each mouth in the best possible condition for the entire life.