Dental patients seek advice and assistance from dental professionals if they develop cavities or tooth damage. Dental professionals examine the patient’s teeth and present them with an appropriate treatment plan. Dentists focus on repairing the damage and making the teeth more aesthetically pleasing.
When addressing oral health, the patient must ensure they brush and floss at least twice a day. If they don’t, they are at a greater risk of tooth loss and gum disease. Dental professionals provide patients with advice on what oral hygiene products to use and how to get the most out of their oral care. They also perform services to eliminate conditions that affect the patient’s teeth and gums negatively.
Table of Contents
Better Management of Cavities
Cavities develop when the tooth has been compromised and decay develops. If the patient doesn’t get the cavity repaired, it will continue to increase in size and spread to surrounding teeth.
Cavities can develop at any time and for a variety of reasons. Dental professionals make recommendations for avoiding cavities in the future, and they will complete fillings to correct the cavities. Patients can learn more about managing cavities by contacting Foothills Family Dentistry right now.
Recommendations for Improving Oral Care
Dental professionals make several recommendations about improving oral care. For example, they will recommend different oral care products such as toothpastes, mouthwash, and toothbrushes. If the patient wants to get rid of discoloration, the dental professionals recommend whitening products to lift and remove the stains. If the patient is experiencing sensitivity to heat and cold, the dentist recommends toothpastes that decrease tooth sensitivity.
Protection for Molars
As adult molars erupt through the gum line, children will need additional protection for these teeth. To prevent molar damage, the dental professionals apply dental bonding to the molars to strengthen them and prevent damage related to teeth grinding or foods and beverages the child consumes.
The added protection gives the child stronger molars, and they can reduce the repairs they will need as they get older. After all the baby teeth are gone, the child will have stronger teeth and won’t have to worry about tooth loss after the dental bonding treatments. They will last throughout childhood, and the dentist can reapply the dental bonding at any time.
Extracting Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth present the risk of alignment problems after they erupt through the gum line. If the teeth become impacted, they increase the risk of pain, infections, and abscesses. Typically, dentists recommend the removal of the wisdom teeth in early adulthood. By removing the wisdom teeth before they erupt through the gum line, the dentist prevents serious risks for the patient.
Oral surgery is often required to remove the wisdom teeth even if they have erupted through the gums. For most patients, the teeth do not erupt through the gum line straight down, but they often come through at an angle or completely sideways. This presents discomfort, and the wisdom teeth will push against surrounding teeth and move them out of alignment.
Completing a Root Canal
A root canal procedure is often the last resort for a patient when a tooth is too damaged and develops infections frequently. The tooth will cause excessive pain and discomfort for the patient, and they will need to undergo the root canal to alleviate their pain and protect the tooth.
The dentist drills into the tooth and removes the pulp and nerve. Next, a composite resin is injected into the tooth, and it is sealed. Some dentists install a crown over the tooth for extra protection, but this is not a standard practice for all dentists.
Mitigating Further Damage from Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a gum disease that can lead to tooth loss and destroy the gums. Patients with the gum disease develop pockets around their gum line that collect bacteria and debris that increase the risk of infections. The gums begin to recede from the teeth, and the teeth can become loose.
The dental professional completes cleanings to remove damaged gum tissue and remove debris from the gum pockets. They will follow steps to keep the teeth in place, but they could still lose their teeth because of the gum disease.
Cleaning and Polishing the Teeth
Semi-annual cleanings are important for all patients to remove debris from the teeth and gums. Dental professionals recommend that the patients get at least two cleanings each year, but they may recommend more cleanings if the patient needs more frequent services.
The dental hygienist uses specialized dental tools to remove plaque, bacteria, and tartar from the teeth and gums. They will also polish the teeth at the end of the cleaning to make them more aesthetically pleasing. If the hygienist discovers any tooth damage or issues, they will report them to the dentist, and the dentist presents a treatment plan to the patient.
Correcting Tooth Loss
Dentists perform a variety of services to correct tooth loss. When the patient loses one tooth, the dental professional could replace it with one dental implant. If the patient has lost a section of teeth, the dentist may provide a removable or permanent bridge. If they have lost all of their teeth, the patients have the option to get dentures or dental implants that are attached to a full plate for each row of teeth. The dentist provides information about each replacement option and offers pricing for the replacement options. Some dental professionals offer financing for the installations.
Dental patients evaluate all the great dental services available to them and set up an appointment with their preferred dental professional. They undergo annual examinations and cleanings to improve their oral health. Dentists test the patients for oral cancer, and they connect their patients with specialists if cancer is found.
They offer cosmetic services to improve the way the smile looks and eliminate discoloration and any elements that diminish the patient’s self-confidence. Dental patients get incredible benefits by visiting a dental professional, and they avoid tooth loss and gum disease by keeping their teeth healthier.
