Preventative dentistry

Regular six monthly dental appointments are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. It identifies any issues before they become a bigger problem and thus more expensive to treat. Therefore, we recommend that our patients adopt the six monthly preventative approach for both health and financial reasons.

During your preventative care appointment, we will evaluate the health of your gums, look for any signs of decay, vitamin deficiencies and other health concerns. We may also examine your face, bite, saliva and proper movement of your lower jaw joints.

Benefits of six monthly preventative care

Maintaining your six monthly visits will assist in preventing serious dental problems. Six monthly preventative care can avoid or reduce the effects of: 

- Cavities

- Gingivitis (causes bad breath)

- Enamel loss

- Periodontitis (gum inflammation)

- Dental emergencies

- Tooth wear and facial, head and neck pain

There are also some secondary health problems that may be linked back to poor oral health:

- Diabetes

- Heart disease

- Premature birth and low birth weight

- Facial, head and neck pain

Even if you have dental insurance, the costs associated with poor oral hygiene can add up. While preventive dentistry may not completely eliminate your need for fillings, root canals, or dental implants, it can go a long way in significantly reducing your overall need for costly treatments.

What you can do

In addition to attending your six monthly preventative care appointments, it is recommended that you maintain your oral health by regular at-home care such as brushing, flossing and the use of piksters. We have a wide range of products to help you maintain your oral health. Watch out for the following signs of oral health problems:

- Bleeding gums whilst brushing or flossing your teeth

- Red, sore, swollen gums

- Buildup of calculus (tartar)

- Bad breath or bad taste

- Gums that have receded from teeth and in between teeth

- Mobility of teeth

If you notice any of the above, let our clinic know as soon as possible and we can advise you on the best approach to managing your concerns. Together with brushing, flossing and your scheduled six monthly preventative care visits, you are on your way to reducing your long-term dental costs, avoiding pain and maintaining great oral health.

Time saving tips

It is more efficient to use an electric toothbrush. It does a much better job for the same amount of time. If you are really time-poor, piksters can be used on alternate days with floss saving you time, unless recommended otherwise by our clinic.

Helping your children develop good habits

Visits to UFS Dental Care are made fun for your child. We suggest the first visit be at 3 years of age - once all the baby teeth have emerged. It may include taking a ride in our chair or having their own baby teeth counted and polished. Also, bringing your children to your own check-ups will help them learn that this is a routine task.

We will teach your child about the benefits of a healthy diet, the correct way to brush and reinforce the importance of brushing morning and night. Regular dental examinations also help to confirm your child’s permanent teeth are emerging correctly and promptly treat any irregularities. This could prevent major orthodontic problems in the future.

If you have children involved in contact sports, our custom-fitted mouthguards are very comfortable and provide better protection against injuries or loss of teeth compared to off-the-shelf mouthguards.