Dentists - What Can They Do For You?
A dentist is the figure that comes to mind when we think about the health of our teeth. Of course, we brush (and sometimes floss) at home each day (hopefully), but dentists recommend that we have a cleaning once every six months. Beyond that, if we have some kind of pain in our mouth, we are very likely to schedule an appointment with a dentist.
How did you discover your dentist? Often,
they are discovered through one’s family or one’s network of friends through word of mouth (no pun intended). Some people stay with the same dentist for years, but for whatever reason, some people do decide to leave their dentist and seek out a new one. When going through this process, one may ask him or herself the question, “What exactly is it that I want out of a dentist?” A quality dentist will make his or her patient completely comfortable throughout any procedure. Many dentistry patients have anxiety about being in the dentist’s chair because of they fear pain, as the mouth is an area that is extremely sensitive to pain. Patients often also experience anxiety about being judged on their self-care of their teeth. It is important to find someone who will give you an honest assessment about your self-care without making you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. Often, a dentist’s personality is as important as all of the other factors one usually considers when choosing one.
What kinds of services do dentists provide, in detail? In general, a dentist can care for any general oral health issue. Regular cleanings are a part of this, but dentists are trained to do so much more than that. Oral diseases vary, and they train to understand and care for each one on an individual level. A dentist is trained to restore diseased or damaged teeth as well as gum tissue. A diseased tooth may require a root canal and/or a crown. In some cases, dentists remove teeth that cannot be saved, but they also have a variety of techniques for replacing teeth, such as bridges and implants.
When it comes to pain, many patients worry, as mentioned earlier. Dentists have several ways to reduce the pain of their patients, including local anesthetic, sedation, and even nitrous oxide, which you have likely heard referred to as “laughing gas” in movies and television. All of these tools are there to give you the most comfortable experience possible, and you should be able to discuss these freely with your dentist to come to a joint decision about which pain management tools will work best for you.
The work of a dentist is complex and involves many processes, people, and tools to give the best possible care to every patient. You should consider asking some questions about what technology and care the office can provide you will help you select the right one for you. You will likely have specific needs and concerns about your oral health, so assessing those needs and concerns by asking questions will help you find the right dentist for you in your area.