Three Ways a Trip to the Dentist Can Improve Your Oral Health
Taking care of your teeth and mouth is one of the important elements of caring for your overall health. Part of your dental health will include visiting the dentist at least once a year to receive an exam and dental cleaning. During those examinations, the dentist may discover you have a cavity or a damaged tooth. When this occurs, dentists have several options for restorative dental treatment.
According to Healthline, one of the most common methods for the restoration of a tooth is a dental filling. Most people are familiar with dental fillings, but may not be aware that the material used for them is silver amalgam or resin. Other types of dental restorations include dental implants, crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Although your insurance may not cover the cost of tooth restorations, many consider these procedures to be smile restorations – and, therefore, an investment in your mental health. Clients whose teeth are stained may decide they want brighter teeth. In those cases, the dentist may use veneers: tooth-colored shells that fit over the top of your teeth. Clients with broken or chipped teeth can receive dental bonding, which applies resin to the cracked surfaces to restore a natural appearance.
Eighteen percent of people say that they will usually conceal their teeth when taking a photo and 31 percent of people surveyed said that they are insecure about the appearance of their teeth. A dentist can give you the dental care you need to enhance your smile and keep your mouth and teeth healthy.
Cleanings and Preventions
A trip to the dentist is intimidating for most people. Dentists recommend coming in for a cleaning and checkup at least once a year, but the average person tends to come in once every three years. It’s understandable to be nervous about going to the dentist if you have had painful experiences in the past, but one of the best ways to avoid cavities and tooth removal is to consistently visit your dentist for a basic dental care cleaning and checkup.
A standard dental care procedure will involve taking x-rays, an oral cancer screening, and a deep cleaning. This simple, yearly procedure can help prevent cavities and serious diseases.
Cosmetic Dentistry
It can be difficult to find confidence in your smile when you have missing or broken teeth. A simple cosmetic procedure can help put confidence back into your smile.
A big part of cosmetic dentistry is filling crowns and replacing broken teeth. Many people are worried about getting a cavity filled because they don’t want to have a silver or gold filling that distracts from the rest of their smile. Luckily, the way that technology has advanced for dental care procedures has made it possible to replace a tooth or filling with a porcelain filling that matches the shade of your teeth.
Some people seeking cosmetic dental care may need multiple teeth replaced but do not necessarily require dentures. These types of situations call for dental implants or fixed bridges. Both procedures are permanent solutions to large gaps of missing teeth.
Oral Exams
One of the biggest benefits of going to the dentist every year is getting a routine oral exam. During these oral exams, your dentist will run tests to look for any signs of oral cancer and give you the information needed if the tests turn out to be positive. This can be a life-saving exam that you don’t want to miss.
Remember the trick to having a healthy smile comes down to what you are doing before your yearly check-up. Make sure to brush and floss twice a day and stay away from sweets and acidic foods to keep your teeth strong and healthy year-round.
