CHECKUPS AND ORAL HYGIENE

Even though many of us might think that our teth are in good shape, regular visits to the family dentist are very important. Regular care and prevention of diseases in the mouth are the best possible care you can give your teeth. Tackling problems early on will save a lot of bother in the long run - it might save your tooth from an extraction or root canal therapy. It is important to visit your dentist twice a year to get your teeth checked and cleaned.

Some non-dental conditions have symptoms that appear in the mouth. A dental examination can reveal signs of vitamin and iron deficiencies, osteoporosis, or more serious conditions such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, potential for stroke and glandular fever, to name but a few.

By taking children to the family dentist, problems such as crowded, missing, and crooked teeth as well as problems associated with diet, dental hygiene, and the jaws can be addressed. The earlier a dentist discovers these problems, the less difficult and expensive the treatment becomes. The dentist may also recommend a mouthguard for those children who play sport where a tooth can be damaged or knocked out.

Fissure sealants, which are small plastic fillings, can be placed in deep fissures (grooves) in the tooth. These are placed to prevent tooth decay in these deep fissures, which are often not easily cleaned by a toothbrush or mouthwash. Fissure sealants can be recommended at a dental check-up. Once the exam is complete, the dentist can give you advice on what is required next. Treatment can be discussed to repair stained, chipped, crooked, and missing teeth, as well as those teeth with tooth decay and gum disease.You can discuss special treatments to whiten teeth and consider coatings made of plastic or porcelain to improve the shape and colour of your teeth (Veneers). It is important to remember that these are the last step in treatment; the most important part of a beautiful smile is a healthy smile, so tooth decay and gum disease must all be controlled before even thinking about these options.