Regular dental care can help you to maintain permanent teeth for a lifetime. A low-sugar and low-acid diet, regular dental checkups, and good oral hygiene can all reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Modern techniques also help to reduce the pain of dental procedures. Despite all these benefits, some health conditions and medicines can have an adverse effect on the mouth and need to be addressed by a dentist.
Preventive dental care
Preventive dental care involves the proper care and maintenance of your teeth and gums. It involves education and regular cleanings at a dentist’s office. It can be initiated at any age to ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy. It also includes the practice of daily brushing and flossing.
The benefits of preventive dental care are several, including: the ability to monitor the state of your oral health and help prevent the onset of dental disease. Regular checkups allow the dentist to detect problems before they become serious and can save you time and money. Also, a preventive dental treatment can strengthen a weak tooth before it becomes cracked or breaks. A crown or ‘onlay’ can be performed to help prevent further damage to the tooth.
Root canal treatment
If you are experiencing pain from a deep cavity, your dentist will likely recommend root canal treatment. This procedure removes infection and saves the tooth. In some cases, if left untreated, infection will spread and lead to an abscess, which can affect the jawbone and cause a large amount of pain and discomfort. Fortunately, modern dental technology makes root canals a relatively painless procedure.
Following root canal treatment, you will need to take a few days off from your normal diet and refrain from hard food. You should also avoid eating hot and cold foods, which may cause pain after the procedure. Lastly, you should practice good oral hygiene to keep the tooth from decaying further.
Resin fillings
Resin fillings are a form of dental care treatment in which synthetic resins are used to replace missing teeth. These resins are a stable, insoluble material, and they have a tooth-like appearance. They are easy to work with and relatively inexpensive. In addition to their durability and attractiveness, resin fillings also provide a beautiful, lifelike finish for the teeth.
The process of applying a resin filling involves several steps. First, the dentist will remove dead tissue and disinfect the tooth. Next, they will apply a composite resin that matches the color of the tooth enamel. The composite resin is then hardened with a special light, which helps it blend in with the surrounding tooth enamel. Finally, the dentist will polish the tooth to restore its natural appearance.
Fluoride treatments
Fluoride treatments can be beneficial for a variety of dental problems. These treatments prevent cavities by hardening tooth enamel and making teeth more resistant to decay. Fluoride also improves the remineralization process, which can stop the development of small cavities. Fluoride can be applied to the teeth topically or administered systemically through the bloodstream.
Fluoride treatments are usually provided by a dentist in their office. The treatments can last between one and four minutes, and the patient is instructed not to eat or drink for 30 minutes afterward. Fluoride can also be used in combination with other dental treatments.
Dentures
If you have lost all of your natural teeth and are considering dental care treatment with dentures, you have several options to consider. This treatment is an affordable way to replace missing teeth. Dentures are made of various materials that mimic your natural teeth. Your dentist will choose the best type of material and color for your dentures based on your needs and preferences. Your dentist will take impressions of your mouth to use in creating your new dentures. The impressions are then sent to the lab. There, they will create a model of your teeth and gums. You may try on several different dentures to determine which ones fit the best. If you don’t like the one you choose, your dentist can make adjustments to the cast to make it a more comfortable fit. Your new dentures can then be made and installed.
When you wear dentures, you should visit the dentist for regular checkups. If your dentures start to feel loose, you may experience irritation in your mouth and sores on your gums. Most dentists can repair your dentures the same day, but more complex repairs may require a special lab.
Smokers
A regular dental visit for smokers is essential to keeping their mouths healthy. Smoking causes a variety of diseases, including oral infections. As a smoker, your risk of getting these infections doubles. Your dentist can recommend a smoking cessation program that can help you maintain a healthy mouth.
Tobacco use is also a risk factor for mouth cancer. The amount of cigarette smoke and the duration of smoking increase the risk. Smokers are six times more likely to develop mouth cancer than non-smokers. Smokers also have a harder time recovering after dental procedures and may experience increased pain. They may also develop dry socket, a painful condition that often requires additional time to heal.
Adults
Keeping your teeth in good health is important for your overall health, and it is crucial to visit the dentist on a regular basis. Although more adults are keeping their teeth, there are still many adults who need dental care treatment. This number is higher for those of Hispanic and non-Hispanic ethnicity and lower-income groups. You should also visit a dentist if you’re going through chemotherapy, because this disease can cause dry mouth, pain, and impaired taste. You can prevent these side effects by rinsing with baking soda and water after chemotherapy, which will wash away the stomach acid and protect the tooth enamel.
Most adult Medicaid programs offer dental benefits, but coverage varies. Many states have a cap on how much the Medicaid program will spend per person, and they may only cover emergency services. Other states offer a more comprehensive plan that covers dozens of dental procedures for adults.
