The objectives of preventive odontology are:

 Para un uso correcto del Maintain bucco-dental health
 Reduce causal risk factors
 Establish health requirements
 Try to avoid, impede and limit disease

From here arises the importance of developing a programme for prevention, maintenance and revision.

The preventive programme has the following phases:
1. Reduction of causal factors:
     Caries
              Plaque control
              Fluoridation and Sealants
              Diet
     Education, motivation and promotion of bucco-dental health
              Periodontal Disease
              Dental trauma and erosion
              Carcinoma
2. Treatment of the disease
3. Health maintenance and supervision

Sealants: putting a stop to caries

       They are resins that are applied upon the masticatory top side of the teeth.
       They reduce the probability of suffering from caries in the treated teeth
       They act as protective barriers, stopping food remains from lodging in the ridges of the teeth.
       They convert the masticatory top sides of the teeth into flat, easy to clean surfaces.
       They tend to be applied to children of 6 or 7 years of age, when the definitive teeth start to come through.
       Although the sealant facilitates cleaning, brushing should not be overlooked, if the correct hygiene is not maintained caries may surface close to the sealant.
       The insertion of sealant does not damage the enamel, does not require anaesthesia, the dentist brushes the tooth and paints it with a cream, which hardens upon the application of a special light.
       Sealants last quite a long time, but regular check-ups with the dentist are required to control their condition.

4. The greatest advantage of preventive treatment is that by implementing it you can avoid the necessity of performing more complex interventions.

PREVENTION

1. Our treatments are aimed primarily at preventing caries, periodontal disease (pyorrhoea) and malocclusion (alteration in the position of the teeth).
2. The most usual treatments are:

       Periodic control of Bacterial plaque.
       Fluoridations, to reinforce the enamel in healthy teeth.
       Sealants, to protect the permanent teeth from caries.
       Detect caries in its initial stage
       The advantages of these treatments are their short duration, minimal discomfort and more economical end result for the patient.

Fluoride: looks after our enamel.

        Fluoride is an element that reinforces enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks, which kick-start caries.
       Fluoride is present in tea, water and fluoridated salt and also in fish, eggs and shellfish. Extra provision is recommended in areas where the drinking water has low fluoride content.
       Fluoride can be used directly on the teeth at home (mouthwashes, toothpastes), in the dental surgery (gels, varnish) or can be applied in the form of drops of tablets.
       If you use fluoride at home it must be placed out of the reach of children, so that it may not be accidentally ingested by them.
       If a small amount of Mouthwash is swallowed by the child when rinsing, it is recommended they drink a glass of milk to neutralise it, delaying the absorption.
        Fluoride mouthwashes or rinses are for either daily or weekly use.
       It is advisable to use the mouthwash just before bed, as you must not ingest food or drink for up to an hour afterwards.

For the correct usage of a fluoride mouthwash:

1. If the child is 6 he/she should place 5ml of the liquid into his/her mouth and 10ml if the child is older.
2. The use of mouthwashes is not advisable in children under six.
3. The rinsing/gargling should last for 60 seconds and the liquid then spat out, avoiding eating or drinking for the following 60 minutes.

       In our clinic we will prescribe the appropriate amount of fluoride.
       The application of excess fluoride can stain and weaken the teeth, even causing intoxication.
       If the patient has dental implants the use of fluoride mouthwashes is totally contraindicated.