Dentist - Provides Necessary Medical Care If You Go to Him

Dentists can seem scary and make many feel uncomfortable. It doesn't have to be this way. If you understand the need for proper dental care you can assuage your fears and prevent the need for serious treatments.

If you are like most Americans you don't like the dentist. Almost nobody likes going and having their mouth probed and poked. But it is important for everyone to remember to go annually for a checkup in order to maintain good oral health. They do more than just clean your teeth.

They are the primary care givers of both preventative care and treatment of your mouth. Remembering to go regularly allows the doctor to identify and treat potential problems before they become major procedures. A lot of people don't realize the dangers associated with poor oral care can be quite severe. Tooth loss and infection are just the beginning of what could become serious health concerns including heart disease, cancer and others.

The best way to prevent any of these things is to visit regularly. They are there to teach prevention through proper hygiene. They will demonstrate the proper way to brush and floss. They will even provide you with a brush and floss if you are in need of them. Besides just educating people on how to prevent cavities and gum disease they will give you a thorough and deep cleaning of your teeth. They use a tooth polish to clean your teeth as well as fluoride treatment to help strengthen enamel.

Sometimes if you have neglected to maintain good oral hygiene there will be cavities, or caries, that must be filled. A cavity occurs when bacteria eats away at the surface of the tooth causing damage to the structure of the tooth. There is no way to heal a cavity and so it is important to practice good oral hygiene, which includes seeing the dentist regularly. If teeth become decayed the doctor must excise out the damaged tissue and seal it with one of a variety of compounds that restore the area.

Another important function provided by dentists is that they can refer you to a specialist in case of more serious issues. In the case of children and some adults their teeth have come in crooked or overlapping. In this case a referral to an orthodontist is in order; other times there is a need for extraction of one or more teeth and the dentist can send you to an oral surgeon. Many causes of serious problems can be quickly caught and corrected with regular dental checkups.

Additionally, the pain and discomfort many people fear is caused by irregular visits. If you see a dental professional before your problems get severe enough to require invasive techniques, every visit will be easy and conducive to your continued well being.