Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry helps protect your teeth and gums before problems become more complex. At our Serangoon clinic, care may include dental examinations, scaling and polishing, fluoride treatment, fissure sealants and custom mouthguards, depending on your individual risk and clinical findings.
Cleaning (Scaling & Polishing)
Why Cleaning May Be Recommended
Plaque builds up on teeth every day and can harden into tartar that cannot be removed fully with brushing alone. Bleeding gums, persistent bad breath and visible deposits may indicate that a professional dental assessment and cleaning are appropriate. See our guide to scaling and polishing prices in Singapore.
What Treatment Involves
Scaling removes plaque and hardened tartar, while polishing may reduce selected external stains. The treatment and recall interval are tailored to your gum health and level of buildup.
Scaling and Polishing FAQs
The appropriate interval for scaling and polishing depends on your oral health, plaque and tartar build-up, gum condition and individual risk factors. Many patients are reviewed around every 6 months, while some may benefit from a different interval. Air polishing may also be used where appropriate to help remove certain surface stains.
Bleeding gums are commonly associated with gum inflammation caused by plaque and tartar. During or after scaling, inflamed gum tissue may bleed more readily as deposits are removed. Persistent or significant bleeding should be assessed together with your overall gum health and oral-hygiene routine.
Topical Fluoride
Who May Benefit From Fluoride
Topical fluoride may be considered for children or adults with a higher risk of tooth decay, exposed root surfaces, dry mouth, orthodontic appliances or a history of repeated cavities. Suitability is assessed individually.
How Fluoride Helps
Fluoride can strengthen enamel and improve its resistance to acid attack. The form and frequency used depend on age, decay risk and other sources of fluoride.
Professional fluoride treatment is applied directly to the teeth after assessment. It complements daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and dietary measures; it does not replace them.
Fluoride Treatment FAQs
- Helps strengthen enamel and make it more resistant to acid attack.
- Can support remineralisation of early enamel changes before a cavity has formed.
- Can reduce the activity of decay-associated bacteria.
After topical fluoride, follow the instructions given for the specific product used. Where applicable, we may advise waiting about 30 minutes before eating, drinking or rinsing.
Fissure Sealants
When Fissure Sealants May Help
Some back teeth have deep grooves that retain plaque and food even with careful brushing. In selected teeth, these grooves may carry a higher risk of decay, particularly soon after the tooth erupts.
How Sealants Help
A thin protective material is placed into suitable grooves to make the surface easier to clean. Sealants require review because they can wear or chip over time.
Fissure sealants are preventive rather than restorative. The tooth is assessed first to confirm that sealing is appropriate and that no existing decay requires a different treatment.
Fissure Sealant FAQs
The deep grooves are thoroughly cleaned with an air polisher known as a Prophyjet. We then chemical prepare the tooth and place a liquid sealant material and shine a light to harden it. We then trim and smoothen the sealant accordingly.
Mouthguards
When a Mouthguard May Help
A custom mouthguard may be considered for contact sport, nighttime grinding or clenching, depending on the pattern of tooth wear, symptoms and clinical findings. Jaw discomfort and tooth wear can have several causes, so assessment is important.
Custom-Fitted Protection
A dental impression or digital scan is used to make a mouthguard that fits your teeth. The design differs for sport and for managing selected grinding-related concerns.
A mouthguard can provide a protective barrier, but it may not address every cause of jaw pain or tooth wear. We will discuss its role, limitations and maintenance after examining your teeth and bite.
Mouthguard FAQs
Off-the-shelf mouthguards may fit differently from custom-made appliances. For patients using a guard for tooth grinding or clenching, fit, comfort, retention and the bite should be considered. A dental assessment can help determine which type of appliance is suitable for you.
Orthodontic retainers and mouthguards are designed for different purposes. If you grind or clench your teeth, your dentist can assess whether your current retainer is adequate or whether a different appliance may be more appropriate.