Dental and oral care is significant for your health. A dentist is a professional who helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. A dentist provides numerous services, including dental implants near you to help replace a missing tooth and have a great smile. Here, we will explain how dental services work to improve your oral health.
What Does a Dentist Do?
A dentist is trained to check the health of your mouth and to identify problems before they get worse. A dentist cleans your teeth, repairs cavities, and teaches you to better care for your oral health. When you go to the dentist’s clinic, their job is to examine your entire mouth. The dentist checks and reviews your gums, tongue, teeth, and inside your cheeks. A dentist performs a thorough mouth exam in an effort to detect issues early.
Regular Dental Checkups: The Foundation of Good Oral Health
Most dentists suggest visiting them every six months. When you see the dentist every six months, they generally do the following:
- Dental Cleaning: The dentist removes plaque and tartar. Tartar is hardened plaque on your teeth, and plaque is largely composed of species of bacteria that can cause diseases and infections if ignored.
- Oral Examination: The dentist checks each tooth for signs of decay (cavities). They also examine your gums for signs of gum disease, which is an infection that can damage your gums and the bones that hold your teeth.
- X-rays: Sometimes, a dentist might take photographs of your teeth using special machines. These x-rays will help the dentist see problems that they cannot see during the general examination of your teeth.
Common Dental Problems Dentists Fix
Cavities (Tooth Decay)
If you eat sugary foods, the bacteria in your mouth will consume that sugar and damage your teeth—cavities. When a dentist fixes cavities, they will remove the affected part of your tooth and then fill in the missing part with materials like composite resin, amalgam, or other.
Gum Disease
This dental case starts when plaque grows on your gums. Your gums will start getting irritated, and they can become red and swollen and can bleed when you brush your teeth. A dentist fixes this problem with a deep cleaning of your teeth and educating you about better hygiene.
Tooth Loss
Sometimes a tooth can be too decayed to fix or has fallen out due to injury. Dentists will, of course, replace the missing teeth with dental implants near you or other options like dental bridges or dentures.
Oral Health Tips From Dentists
Here are the most important oral health tips from dentists that can help you maintain a healthy mouth
| Daily Habit | Why It Helps | How Often |
| Brushing teeth | Removes plaque and food particles | Twice daily |
| Flossing | Cleans between teeth where brushes can’t reach | Once daily |
| Using mouthwash | Kills bacteria and freshens breath | Once daily |
| Drinking water | Washes away food and bacteria | Throughout the day |
Proper Brushing Technique
Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth for at least two minutes. Use fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles. Make small circles with your toothbrush, and remember to include your tongue.
The Importance of Flossing
Flossing is important, yet many people skip this in their routine; however, dentists insist it is very important. Flossing cleans the food and plaque between your teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach. This is extremely helpful to prevent cavities and gum disease.
Advanced Dentist Services
Modern dental clinics offer many services to improve your oral health:
- Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride is a mineral that helps your teeth become stronger and can keep a tooth from decaying. During your visit, dentists can apply fluoride gel or foam to your teeth.
- Dental Sealants: Sealants are thin plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. Sealants will provide a protective barrier for your teeth against bacteria, acid, and other damaging substances in food.
- Periodontal Treatment: In cases of gum disease, dentists will provide deep cleaning methods called scaling and root planing to remove bacteria and tartar below the gum line.
- Cosmetic Procedures: Some dentist in Lethbridge services focus on making your smile look better. This includes teeth whitening, veneers, and orthodontic treatments.
How Dentists Use Technology
Dentists want to provide the best care and use many forms of technology to provide better care. You’ll find the following technology in most dental clinics today:
- Digital x-rays: Most digital x-rays reduce the amount of radiation with fewer exposures, and you’ll receive clearer images.
- Intraoral cameras: Dentists can take detailed pictures of your mouth using small cameras.
- Laser therapy: These lasers are used to treat gum disease with greater ease and significantly
The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health
Dentists know that problems in your mouth can affect your whole body. Poor oral health in adults has been linked to diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and much more. Regular dental care is important.
When bacteria from gum disease enter your bloodstream, they can travel throughout your body, causing inflammation everywhere. Therefore, dentists know good oral health means better overall health.
Making Dental Visits Comfortable
It is common to be nervous about going to the dentist. Good dentists are familiar with this, and they also want you to be comfortable. Good dentists will take the time to talk to you about what they are going to do and each step of the procedure. They will also use various techniques to help reduce discomfort.
Bright Smiles Begin With Regular Dental Care!
Stafford Family Dental offers quality care to individuals of all ages, including children, teens, and adults. Our dentist in Lethbridge uses modern dental tools and procedures to help make your visit as safe and comfortable as possible. Our services include dental checkups, cleaning, dental implants, and many treatments needed to keep your teeth as well as gums healthy.
Call Stafford Family Dental today and book your appointment!