Question 1

What is preventive dental care?

Accepted Answer

Preventive dental care comprises all clinical procedures, personalized instructions, and dietary strategies aimed at maintaining oral health and preventing cavities, gum disease, and enamel erosion before they require invasive restorative treatment. It focuses on keeping your natural teeth healthy for life.

Question 2

What does 'biological & fluoride-conscious care' mean at your practice?

Accepted Answer

At Dr. Piet Slabber's practice, we believe in individualized, biocompatible dentistry. We recognize that many patients prefer natural, fluoride-free, or fluoride-conscious alternatives. We offer gentle, evidence-based remineralizing options and carefully discuss materials so you are empowered to make the best decisions for your health.

Question 3

What are dental fissure sealants and who needs them?

Accepted Answer

Fissure sealants are ultra-thin protective coatings bonded into the deep grooves and pits of back teeth (molars and premolars). These narrow anatomical crevices are often narrower than a single toothbrush bristle, making them the primary site where 80% of childhood and teenage cavities develop. Placing sealants forms a physical barrier that bacteria cannot penetrate. They are fast, completely painless, and require no drilling.

Question 4

How does diet and acidic beverages cause tooth erosion?

Accepted Answer

When you consume acidic items—such as citrus fruits, sodas, kombucha, wine, and sports drinks—the pH level in your mouth drops below 5.5. At this critical acidity, the calcium and phosphate minerals in your tooth enamel begin to dissolve (demineralization). We help you identify dietary acid sources and recommend simple habits (like rinsing with water and timing your brushing) to protect your enamel.

Question 5

Can an early cavity heal without being drilled and filled?

Accepted Answer

Yes! When tooth decay is detected in its earliest, non-cavitated stage (known as an 'incipient white spot lesion'), the enamel has lost minerals but the surface has not yet collapsed into a physical hole. With targeted remineralization therapies, improved hygiene coaching, and dietary adjustments, this early decay can be arrested and re-hardened naturally without drilling.

Question 6

How often should my family visit for preventive check-ups?

Accepted Answer

We generally recommend a preventive consultation and examination every 6 months for both children and adults. For patients with active orthodontic braces, dry mouth (xerostomia), or a high historical rate of cavities, 3 to 4 month check-ins ensure that potential problems are caught immediately.

Question 7

What is the correct way to clean between teeth?

Accepted Answer

While traditional dental floss is excellent for tight contact points between front teeth, interdental brushes are far more effective for the concave spaces between back molars. During your visit, we measure the precise gaps between your teeth and provide the exact colour-coded brush sizes you need for effortless, trauma-free daily cleaning.

Question 8

Do you offer mouthguards or nightguards as part of preventive care?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Protecting your teeth against mechanical trauma is an essential pillar of prevention. We provide custom-fabricated sports gum guards for athletes in contact sports (rugby, hockey, martial arts) and custom nightguards / biteplates for patients who grind or clench their teeth at night (bruxism).

Question 9

What should I do if I notice early signs of gum sensitivity or tooth wear?

Accepted Answer

If you notice sensitive tooth necks, bleeding when brushing, or morning jaw tension, we recommend booking a check-up early. Catching mild enamel wear or early gum inflammation allows us to address it with gentle, non-invasive adjustments before any discomfort progresses.

Question 10

How do I book a preventive appointment with Dr. Piet Slabber?

Accepted Answer

You can book easily via the appointment form on this website, call our Helena Heights practice at 021 855 1654, or send a WhatsApp message to 071 673 2834. Our team looks forward to welcoming you.

Factor	Proactive Preventive Care	Reactive Dentistry (Waiting for Pain)
Primary Focus	Proactive preservation of natural enamel & gum attachment	Fixing teeth only after severe pain, decay, or infection occurs
Overall Investment	Manageable, predictable routine maintenance that protects your teeth	Substantial (emergency procedures, root canals, or extractions)
Patient Comfort	Completely pain-free, gentle, and relaxing visits	Often accompanied by toothache, emergency swelling, or surgery
Natural Tooth Preservation	100% of original biological tooth structure preserved	Permanent removal of healthy tooth structure during drilling
Time in Dental Chair	Quick 30–45 minute bi-annual maintenance check-ins	Multiple lengthy appointments across several weeks

Preventive Care.
Somerset West.

The 5 Pillars of Our Preventive Philosophy

1. Personalized Hygiene Coaching

2. Biological & Fluoride-Conscious Care

3. Protective Fissure Sealants

4. Acid Erosion & Saliva Optimization

5. Early Digital & Microscopic Screening

Proactive Prevention vs. Reactive Dentistry

Related Services in Our Practice

Scale & Polish

Nightguards, Biteplates & Sports Guards

Teeth Whitening

Preventive Dentistry for Families Across Somerset West

Preventive Care Frequently Asked Questions

What our patients say.

Protect Your Teeth for a Lifetime

Preventive Care. Somerset West.