PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY

At King Ritson Dental we believe in preventative dentistry. That means providing cleanings and check-ups, as well as fluoride, breath treatments and sealants to keep your teeth healthy, and to detect small problems before they become larger ones. Early detection and correction of a problem when it is just starting saves you both time and money.

Fluoride is an important tool in maintaining dental and oral health. Studies consistently show that a moderate but consistent exposure of teeth to fluoride helps strengthen and rebuild tooth structure, and helps prevent future decay.

During Your Check-Up

During your regular dental check-ups, one of our dental hygienists will remove plaque from your teeth, especially from places where your brush can’t, such as underneath the gum line and in-between teeth. We will then clean your teeth and may apply dental sealants or fluoride to help protect your
teeth once you leave the office.

One of the most important services we can offer is education, so we will also review your brushing and flossing technique, offer any advice you may need and answer any questions you might have. We will also recommend any cosmetic, orthodontic or other dental service you may need.

If you are due for your dental cleaning, please call us directly to schedule an appointment or complete the online appointment form here.

SEALANTS

The grooves and depressions that form the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are extremely difficult (if not impossible) to clean of bacteria and food. As the bacteria reacts with the food, acids form and break down the tooth enamel, causing cavities. Recent studies indicate that 88 percent of total cavities in school children are caused this way.

Tooth sealants protect these susceptible areas by sealing the grooves and depressions, preventing bacteria and food particles from residing in these areas. Sealant material is a resin typically applied to the back teeth, molars and premolars and areas prone to cavities. It lasts for several years but needs to be checked during regular appointments.

 

Preventative Dentistry

FLUORIDE

Fluoride is a natural mineral that occurs in many foods and water. These minerals are naturally added and removed from your tooth’s enamel every day.

The origins of fluoride begin in the early 20th century when one dentist relocated his practice to where he would discover something different about the smiles in his new found home. This dentist would be the first to discover that something in the drinking water was likely the culprit of the cavity-free and healthy smiles.

In 1951 fluoridation became an official policy of the U.S. Public Health Service. You can now find fluoride in approximately 70% of the drinking water across North America as well as the active ingredient in most toothpaste.

How Does Fluoride Work?

Fluoride is added (mineralized) and removed (demineralized) naturally from your teeth every day. Too much demineralization without enough mineralization leads to tooth decay. The fluoride acts as a topical preventative of tooth decay. Fluoride strengthens the enamel of your teeth (mineralization), and when this happens it becomes more resistant to the acids that attack your teeth and cause tooth decay. Your body can also store fluoride that has been ingested, however, these reserves will only last a few days so regular exposure to small amounts of fluoride is necessary.

What is the Difference between Ingested and Topical Fluoride?

Fluoride can be ingested through common foods and water and then incorporated into your teeth when the tooth itself is formed, strengthening it from within. This takes place when you live in an area within which the water supply has small amounts of fluoride. Topical surface application is the second way your teeth can become strengthened by fluoride, it is also the most effective.

How Much Fluoride Do I Need?

If necessary, your dentist will recommend fluoride treatments during your regular visits. Fluoride treatments for children are typically recommended between the ages of 6 and 16 during your regular visit to the dentist twice a year.

How Is Fluoride Applied?

Fluoride can be applied in a number of ways, the most common is through toothpaste or a fluoride mouth rinse. It is recommended to brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Most toothpaste now has a small amount of fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel during daily hygiene routines.

Mouthwashes with low amounts of fluoride can be bought over-the-counter, however, stronger concentrations require a doctor’s prescription and can be applied by varnish, gel or foam treatment. Fluoride supplements both tablet and liquid can also be prescribed by a doctor when necessary.

Your doctor will recommend the most appropriate fluoride application for you. If you feel that you could have a higher risk of tooth decay, speak to your dentist about your concerns upon your next visit.

Is Fluoride Healthy?

Fluoride is a natural mineral that can be found in food and water. Small doses of fluoride are considered completely healthy, as well as recommended by the center for disease control as a necessary preventive of tooth decay.

The only known side effect of fluoride intake is when you ingest too much. This can lead to Fluorosis which is the streaked appearance or discoloration of adult teeth. It is difficult to reach hazardous levels of fluoride given the low levels contained in home-based products and most water supplies. As well, it is known that the benefits of fluoride greatly outweigh the possible side effects, as lack of fluoride can lead to greater consequences, cavities and a larger restorative cost.

How Much Fluoride is in Toothpaste?

A fluoridated toothpaste cannot exceed a concentration of 1100ppm.

When brushing children’s teeth, it is important to only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

PREVORIA

Prevoria is a compound which provides preventative measures against tooth decay. It was developed as an alternative preventive measure that minimizes the problems of staining and bad taste that are associated with other disinfectants. It is a means of killing problem bacteria, specifically Streptococcus mutans, which are the prime causes of caries and are responsible for approximately 95% of tooth decay.

Prevoria treatments can be completed during your regular visits to the dentist. Prevoria is applied externally to the tooth, it is painted on and then sealed so that the treatment will not wash away. The treatment will last for up to six months before another application is needed.

Contact Us!

Are you interested in one of our many treatment options? If you have any questions, please contact us by phone at (289) 275-4050 or by completing our form below! We will have someone get back to you shortly.

We are open 6 days a week (closed Sundays), including evenings, with ample free parking.