How a General Dentist Can Help Protect Your Teeth

Be sure to see a general dentist before a toothache or other dental emergency. It benefits you to be proactive with your dental care and take advantage of all the ways a general dentist can help protect your teeth and overall oral health. A dentist does more than just treat dental problems. Preventive dentistry is an equally important part of their job. In this article, we will examine services aimed at keeping teeth healthy.

Treatments for protecting your teeth

Dental Checkups

Everyone should see a dentist at least twice a year, more if the dentist recommends it. These regular appointments allow the dentist to clean off the plaque and tartar that lead to gum disease and cavities. In addition to thorough teeth cleanings, a general dentist will examine teeth and sometimes take X-rays to locate small dental problems before they become big ones. With this information, the practitioner can make treatment recommendations for keeping the mouth healthy.

Flouride treatments and sealants

These are two treatments that general dentists often recommend for children. However, adults can benefit from them as well. Flouride treatments typically involve a paint-on varnish or biting down on trays that contain a flouride solution to strengthen tooth enamel and help prevent cavities. Sealants guard against cavities as well but in a different way. For this procedure, the dentist paints a sealant material that hardens and fills in the deep pits and grooves on molars so they do not trap cavity-causing plaque and bacteria.

Scaling and root planing

If it has been a while since a patient has seen a dentist, they may need a deeper cleaning. Scaling and root planing allow the dentist to clean both above and below the gum line. This procedure can help reverse gingivitis so it does not progress into periodontal disease.

Mouthguards and nightguards

Mouthguards and nightguards are similar in that they both protect the teeth from harm. A dentist will recommend a night guard for patients who grind their teeth at night. Teeth grinding can wear away enamel and make teeth vulnerable to damage and decay. A general dentist may recommend a mouthguard for those who play contact sports. This appliance helps to protect the teeth and gums from injury during gameplay.

Oral cancer screenings

For patients in a high-risk category, oral cancer screenings can help catch the disease earlier, making it easier to treat. The dentist will do a visual and physical exam of the mouth and look for suspicious red or white patches, lumps, sores, and other abnormalities. They may also examine the throat and neck. Younger adults should be screened every three years, while adults over forty should be screened yearly. Those at increased risk for oral cancer include people over 45, especially men and those who smoke. People who drink heavily or have a family history of the disease are also at increased risk.

Dental Education

The dental checkup is not only an opportunity for an exam and teeth cleaning but also a chance to learn about keeping teeth healthy. Patients are encouraged to express their concerns or ask any questions they may have. The dentist can help with hygiene advice tailored to the patient's needs and even recommend dental care products.