Preventive Care

At York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet, Surrey, we believe prevention is always better than cure. Preventive care focuses on stopping dental problems before they become painful, complex, or costly. With regular check-ups and simple protective treatments, you can often avoid fillings, root canals, extractions, and dental emergencies.

Think of preventive dentistry as routine maintenance for your smile—just like servicing a car keeps it running safely, these visits keep your teeth and gums healthy for life.

What Preventive Care Includes

• Routine Check-ups: Early detection of cavities, gum issues, or oral cancer signs.
• Professional Cleaning & Polishing: Removes plaque and tartar that brushing misses.
• Fluoride Treatments: Strengthen enamel and prevent decay, especially in children.
• Sealants: Protective coatings on back teeth to stop cavities in hard-to-brush grooves.
• Children’s Dentistry: Gentle care, education, and habit-building from a young age.
• Mouth Guards & Night Guards: Protection from sports injuries and teeth grinding.
• Advice & Coaching: Brushing, flossing, and diet guidance tailored to your needs.

Procedure Steps

1. Consultation & Examination – gums, teeth, bite, and oral tissues checked.
2. Cleaning & Preventive Treatments – scaling, polishing, fluoride, or sealants.
3. Protection Advice – mouth guard fitting if needed.
4. Long-Term Plan – follow-up and recall schedule set for maintenance.

Duration

• Most visits last 30–45 minutes.
• Extra time may be needed if advanced cleaning or additional treatments are required.

Cost Factors

• Basic check-up and cleaning are usually the most affordable.
• Added services like sealants, fluoride varnish, or night guards vary by need.
• Preventive care is always less expensive compared to crowns, implants, or root canals later on.

Types of Preventive Care

• Adult Preventive Care: Hygiene maintenance, gum disease prevention, bite monitoring.
• Children’s Preventive Care: Fluoride, sealants, growth checks, habit coaching.
• Special Care Preventive Dentistry: For patients with implants, orthodontics, or high decay risk.

Ideal Patients

• Families wanting to prevent problems for children early.
• Adults looking to avoid gum disease, decay, and emergency visits.
• Patients with braces, crowns, or implants needing extra maintenance.
• Anyone who prefers routine, low-cost prevention over complex treatment later.

Patient Reviews

• “I used to get cavities often. Regular fluoride and cleaning fixed that.”
• “My son hasn’t had a filling since starting sealants here.”
• “Visiting every six months means no big surprises—just healthy teeth.”

Possible Side Effects

• Mild sensitivity after cleaning or fluoride treatment.
• Slight odd taste from fluoride varnish or polishing paste.
• Temporary gum tenderness from stubborn plaque removal.
  (These are minor and short-lived compared to the benefits.)

Benefits of Preventive Care

• Prevents decay, gum disease, and dental emergencies.
• Saves money by avoiding complicated procedures later.
• Helps children develop strong, lasting dental habits.
• Keeps breath fresh and smile brighter.
• Supports overall health since gum disease is linked to conditions like heart disease and diabetes.