Dental visits should never be treated as optional, but something that your family cannot afford to neglect. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a person’s first dental visit should be at the age of two or three, and then   continued regularly from then on for the rest of a persons’ life. The health of your teeth is directly related to your overall health.

You may think that you can keep your teeth healthy by simply maintaining good oral hygiene at home. The truth is brushing and flossing twice a day is just half the job. The other half, which no at-home tools can handle, is best left to a professional general and cosmetic dentist like Holly B. Sletten, DMD, FAGD in Parker. Here’s what a general and cosmetic dentist can do for you and your oral health.

Preventive Care

 

The mouth is one of the dirtiest parts of the body. Scientists at Harvard School of Dental Medicine say more than 600 different types of bacteria can live in the mouth, each of which can cause severe diseases. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that your mouth requires special attention from a dentist.

During a dental check-up, your dentist will inspect your soft tissues and teeth for possible dental issues. Using a mirror, probe, and x-rays, they can diagnose decay or gingivitis and provide the necessary treatment to prevent those issues from spreading. Decay is usually treated by removing the damaged portion of the tooth and sealing up the hole with a filling, while gingivitis is treated overtime with proper oral hygiene.

X-rays are extremely important when diagnosing other more serious dental conditions, such as periodontal disease, infections, or abnormalities. Generally, all oral examinations come with a dental cleaning to remove plaque, food particles, and stains that might serve as a breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria.

Advanced Services

Upon ensuring that your oral cavity is free of potential risks, your dentist will start performing methods that can further enhance your smile. Depending on your teeth structure, condition, and appearance, they may recommend the following procedures.

 

• Crowns.

  Heavily worn teeth can be an ugly sight and may affect function, including digestion. Crowns are installed to replace the missing portions of the teeth to restore both their appearance and functionality.

 

• Dentures, Bridges, and Partials.

  When the whole tooth is missing, the remaining teeth start leaning toward the vacated region unless it is filled with a replacement tooth. That’s where dentures, bridges, and partials come in. Dentures are recommended when the teeth are missing from an entire arch. Partials are used when teeth are missing more randomly on a single arch. For example, if an individual is missing a tooth on the top right, the center, and the top left, a partial would be constructed to replace all three teeth. Lastly, a bridge can be used when one or more teeth are missing, and is cemented into place.

 

• Cosmetic Dentistry.

  Teeth whitening, veneers, dental implant restoration, and other methods designed to improve an individuals’ smile are all cosmetic dentistry procedures. These treatments have to be performed by a licensed dentist who is experienced in cosmetic dentistry.

 

Hopefully, this article has provided sufficient reasons for why it is so important to visit your dentist at least twice a year. After all, the oral cavity plays a crucial role in your overall health. Not only is it where digestion begins and is the most effective tool for communication, but it’s also the first impression of an individual. You never know what opportunities can arise by simply having a perfect set of pearly whites.

 

Sources:

When To Take A Child To A Dentist For The First Time, Colgate.com

8 Dirtiest Parts Of Your Body, boldsky.com