Preventive dentistry
See all treatments
Preventive dentistry
Hamille Tokyo Dental Office
Preventing tooth decay and periodontal disease is how you keep healthy teeth for life.
About preventive dentistry
Preventing tooth decay and periodontal disease is how you keep healthy teeth for life.
Features of preventive dentistry
Professional care
Professional care is treatment carried out at the clinic. It mainly covers cleaning the areas that are hard to reach with home care, along with brushing guidance.
Tooth decay and periodontal disease are also considered lifestyle-related conditions. Because everyone’s mouth and habits are different, we tailor our advice and brushing guidance to you. For early detection and early treatment, we recommend professional care at the clinic around 3 to 4 times a year.
Care at the clinic
Oral examination
We check the condition of your teeth and gums, and take photos inside your mouth to explain what we find.
Scaling
We use specialist equipment and instruments to remove tartar.
PMTC
We use specialist equipment and instruments to remove plaque and biofilm, cleaning your teeth.
Brushing guidance
Based on the condition of your mouth, we show you the correct way to care for your teeth at home.
Fluoride application
We apply a high concentration of fluoride to the surface of your teeth to help prevent tooth decay.
Oral examination
Oral examination and diagnosis
We check the current condition of your mouth.
・The type and fit of your crowns and fillings
・Whether you have tooth decay, and how far it has progressed
・How loose your teeth are
Checking your oral hygiene
・The build-up of plaque and tartar, and the level of bad breath
The inside of your mouth beyond your teeth, such as your tongue and cheeks
Periodontal (gum) examination
We check for gum disease and how far it has progressed.
・Measuring the depth of the gum pockets
・Checking your gums for bleeding or discharge
X-ray examination
We check what cannot be seen with the naked eye.
・How far periodontal disease has progressed, and how well past treatment has held up
・The condition of the bone supporting your teeth
・Your bite
Photographs of your mouth
We take photographs to record the current condition of your mouth.
This lets you see areas that are otherwise hard to check yourself.
Scaling (removing tartar)
Removing plaque is the most important part of treating periodontal disease and tooth decay. Tartar, which forms when plaque calcifies, has a rough surface that plaque sticks to easily, and once attached it is hard to remove.
Scaling helps prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease and improves the condition of your mouth. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing alone, and more than 90% of people have some.
Even after it is removed, it forms again over time, so it needs removing regularly at the dental clinic. Scaling is usually needed roughly every 3 to 6 months, though this varies with the condition of your mouth. Your own care at home matters just as much as scaling at the clinic.
PMTC
PMTC = Professional Mechanical Tooth Cleaning
A dental hygienist uses specialist cleaning equipment and instruments to remove the plaque, tartar (calcified plaque) and biofilm that cause tooth decay and periodontal disease, then polishes the surface of your teeth so plaque is less likely to stick.
It also removes plaque from areas that are hard to brush thoroughly yourself, or that should not be brushed hard, and clears stains that brushing cannot remove. Beyond its role in preventive dentistry, it is also recommended for improving the appearance of your teeth.
Care at home
Care at home means putting the brushing guidance you receive from a dental hygienist into practice yourself, every day. Professional care means little if you neglect your own care afterwards — it is the daily habit, over time, that keeps your teeth healthy.
Professional care and home care work best together. What matters is keeping up the right method for you, every day. Learn the essentials of preventive dentistry at the clinic, and make correct home care a habit.
Key points for care at home
Keep fluoride in your mouth
Use a fluoride toothpaste and brush so it covers your whole mouth, then rinse just once, with a small amount of water, for about 5 seconds.
Remove plaque
Plaque is a mass of bacteria that sticks to the surface of your teeth and keeps growing. Try brushing in front of a mirror at first, to check for any plaque left behind and any spots you are missing.
Control bacterial growth
Once bacteria multiply in your mouth, they form the plaque and tartar that lead to problems such as tooth decay and periodontal disease. Make use of the various care products available to help keep bacteria in check.
The oral examination and cleaning process
Booking
Please book using the booking form.
An oral examination by a dentist or dental hygienist
We start with a discussion about your daily care and prevention routine, to check whether you have any concerns. We then examine your mouth to see how well you are brushing and check for tooth decay. * If we find any tooth decay, we treat that first.
Care guidance and cleaning from a dental hygienist
After the examination, a dental hygienist advises you on brushing technique and diet based on the condition of your mouth, then cleans your teeth, removing the fine deposits that everyday brushing cannot fully clear.
Maintenance
Please come back to the clinic every few months for another examination, care guidance and clean. The condition of your mouth changes daily, so adjust your home care each time based on what we find, to keep your mouth in good condition.
Book or contact us
