Visiting the Dentist
Visiting a dentist on a regular basis helps maintain dental hygiene. Visit your dentist every six months (twice a year) to check for cavities and to get a regular cleaning.
Teeth Cleaning
During a regular check-up, you will first see a dental hygienist, who will clean your teeth. A teeth cleaning is a much more intense version of brushing your teeth and flossing all mixed up in to one. Your hygienist will remove all excess plaque, and its more permanent cousin, tartar, from your teeth. Even with regular brushing and flossing, this build up still happens and cleanings are recommended twice a year. If tartar is not removed, it can cause gingivitis and eventually full-blown gum disease.
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X-Rays
Just like any other bone in your body, x-rays can be taken to check for cracks in teeth, monitor the growth of teeth and see if any diseases are developing.
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Cavities and Fillings
After your teeth are cleaned and x-rays are taken, the dentist will check your teeth for cavities. A cavity is a continually decaying hole in the tooth. To correct a cavity, the dentist drills around the cavity to remove the decaying parts of the tooth and fills the hole, a procedure known as getting a filling.
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Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are an extra precaution against cavities and can be given during a regular check-up. The sealants protect teeth that are more susceptible to cavities, such as your back molars that are harder to reach with a toothbrush, and act as an extra block against the acid formed when plaque and sugar are mixed. Dental sealants are made to withstand normal chewing but are not permanent and are not a replacement for brushing. If you don't already have sealants, it's a good idea to ask your dentist about them. There is no age limit at which a person can no longer get dental sealants, and even adults can benefit from them.
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Gingivitis
One of the earliest signs of gum disease is gingivitis, an irritation of the gums, causing sensitivity while eating. Gingivitis can also cause your gums to look red and to bleed easily while brushing. If you feel like your gums are sensitive, talk to you dentist to see what precautions you should take to reverse the effects and prevent further harm.
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Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last of your teeth to grow in and they are usually removed because they grow in separate from the rest of your teeth. There are many problems with the direction in which these teeth will grow. Talk to your dentist and have X-rays taken early so they can determine if you need yours removed.
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College Student Intern
Special thanks to our guest reviewer Brian C. Quo, DDS, at Peninsula Pediatric Dentistry