Preventative Dentistry in Taupō
Care that helps maintain good oral health.
Regular check-ups, radiographs and honest advice. The cheapest dentistry is the treatment you never end up needing.
Taupō's preventative dentistry specialists
A healthy, functional smile is the goal, and prevention is how you get there. Most of the expensive, uncomfortable dentistry people go through started as something small that was not picked up in time. Regular examinations catch those things while they are still cheap and easy to fix.
Prevention is also the part you do at home. We would rather spend ten minutes showing you how to clean a tricky spot properly than fill the same tooth twice.
What a preventative visit includes
- A full examination of your teeth, gums, bite and soft tissues
- Radiographs where they are needed, to see decay between teeth and below the gumline
- An oral cancer check as part of the routine examination
- Fluoride application to strengthen enamel where it will help
- Fissure sealants for children and teenagers, sealing the grooves in back teeth before decay can start
- Advice on brushing, flossing, diet and anything specific to your mouth
For children and teenagers
Routine dental care is free for young people up to their eighteenth birthday. Getting children comfortable at the dentist early makes an enormous difference to how they feel about it as adults. Early visits are short, friendly and largely about getting used to the place.
Mouthguards
If you or your children play contact sport, a properly fitted mouthguard is one of the best preventative investments you can make. A custom guard fits better, stays put and protects far more effectively than a boil-and-bite from the chemist.
Grinding and clenching
Worn, flattened or chipped teeth, jaw soreness in the morning or frequent headaches can all point to grinding. We can check for it during your examination and discuss a night splint if it is causing damage.
Preventative dentistry questions, answered
The questions we get asked most often about check-ups and prevention.
Can't find what you're looking for?
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our team. We're here to help!
How often should I have a check-up?
Every six months for most people, and we will send you a text reminder so it does not slip. If your mouth is very stable we may suggest annual visits; if you are at higher risk of decay or gum problems we may want to see you more often.
Are dental radiographs safe?
Yes. The dose from a dental radiograph is very small, comparable to a day or two of ordinary background radiation. We only take them when they will tell us something we cannot see by looking, because decay between teeth and bone loss below the gumline are invisible otherwise.
At what age should my child first visit?
Early and low-key is the right approach. Bringing a young child along to your own appointment to sit in the chair and have a look around costs nothing and takes the mystery out of it. Routine care is free up to their eighteenth birthday.
What is a fissure sealant?
A thin protective coating painted into the deep grooves of back teeth, where toothbrush bristles struggle to reach. It seals the groove so food and bacteria cannot sit in it. Quick, painless and particularly worthwhile for children and teenagers.
Do I need a mouthguard for sport?
If there is any chance of a knock to the face, yes. A custom-made guard fits your mouth properly, stays in place and absorbs impact far better than a generic one. Replacing knocked-out teeth is a great deal more expensive than preventing the damage.
What happens at a check-up?
We examine your teeth, gums, bite and soft tissues, take radiographs if they are needed, and then talk through what we found. If treatment is required you will get a written plan with costs so you can decide what to do and when. Many patients book a hygiene appointment at the same time.
Request an appointment
Due for a check-up? Fill in your details below or give us a call and we will find a time that suits you.
New patients welcome
We look forward to caring for your smile!
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