Oral Health Protection – A Shared Responsibility

Looking at the roles of patient and dentist in oral health care.

Although our teeth take up quite a small part of our body; when toothache strikes, it seems to consume our every thought and blocking it out is almost impossible.

Although this is one very good reason to look after our teeth, our overall oral health is increasingly being linked with serious health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Whilst research is not yet conclusive, it is naturally better to be proactive about this than leaving things until it is too late. To this end, we will take a look at the roles of both the patient and our team at the Smile Dental Practice in Bromley.

Care begins at home

As prevention is better than cure, it makes sense that much of this responsibility falls upon the patient. This obviously involves ensuring that the teeth are brushed regularly twice a day, but also that, if not already included, flossing should be added as this offers major benefits in the prevention of gum disease. Lifestyle too, plays a role in good oral health care. Smoking and excess consumption of alcohol are harmful to your teeth and gums, as well as your general health, so quitting, or at least reducing these, offers a significant benefit.

Our diet too can be changed. Generally, we consume far too much sugar in this country, often hidden in foods and drinks. Through a conscious effort, we can certainly reduce the amount consumed. Finally, patients should ensure that they visit us at our local Bromley dentist at least twice a year .. and that is where we come in.

Our role

Although some people are nervous dental patients, we have no desire to inflict any discomfort on you at all, and, in fact, by ensuring regular visits to our Bromley dental practice, there is a far better chance that fewer procedures will be necessary over a lifetime. Our initial role is to examine your mouth. As well as looking for signs of dental decay and even oral cancers, we also check for early indications of gum disease (gingivitis). Through early detection, we can usually reverse gingivitis using minor scale and polishes and by suggesting improvements that can be made in the daily care of your teeth and gums.

Minor procedures may occasionally have to be carried out. The most common of these is the dental filling. This is necessary to prevent further deterioration of the tooth and can now even be completed with a cosmetic, tooth coloured filling to make it almost invisible. Root canal procedures may also be necessary where the internal part of a tooth has become infected. The chances of this happening though are minimised through maintaining regular appointments at the Smile Dental Practice.

In addition to our full range of general dentistry, we will also be pleased to discuss our modern cosmetic dental procedures, for those patients wishing to make the best of their smile.

For more information about our dental services, or to make an appointment with our dental team, please call us on 020 8462 2473.