subject: General Dental Work Available At Your Local Dental Office [print this page] The majority of dentists are general dentists, and will often have the letters D.D.S. (doctor of dental surgery) after their name. General dentists tend to carry out a wide range of treatments aimed at servicing the majority of the public. These include offering professional cleanings with dental hygienists, wisdom teeth extraction and dental extractions. In addition they deal with cavities and replace fillings, fit crowns, dentures, and veneers and carry out preventative treatments such as fluoride treatment and sealants. Most people will find this range of dental work sufficient for their needs, but sometimes it may be necessary to seek out specialist help.
Having a Specialist Do Dental Work
This is especially true for anyone looking for a smile makeover and who requires cosmetic surgery. The very best cosmetic dentists combine artistry with dental expertise to create naturally perfect smiles. And those unlucky enough to suffer from periodontal disease (gum disease) may need periodontal therapy. At the very least it may be necessary to have a full assessment from a periodontist who specializes in this disease as it is vitally important to treat this condition as effectively as possible. Luckily a lot of people won't require this type of specialist treatment and will be able to stick to seeing their local dentist.
Preventative Dental Work Can be Well Worth the Effort
Obviously prevention is always better than cure, and the local dental office is likely to offer several treatments that can help preserve teeth and keep them in the very best of health. Nowadays children and teenagers are likely to be offered dental sealants. These sealants are a type of protective covering that is painted onto the chewing surfaces of bicuspids and molars, helping to prevent decay. These areas are especially susceptible towards cavities as it can be quite tricky to clean all the little fissures and grooves in these teeth.
Sealants can be painted on to any teeth that are free from disease and decay, although sometimes they can be painted on to teeth that have very small areas of decay as they help to seal in the bacteria, effectively killing them. Although this treatment is generally carried out on children, there's no real reason why it can't be carried out on the healthy teeth of adults. Sealants tend to last quite a few years, but their condition is checked at every appointment and renewed whenever necessary. The actual process for sealing the teeth is pretty quick and straightforward and can be completed in just one visit.
Fluoride Treatment Can Help Strengthen Teeth
Fluoride treatment is one of the most popular methods of helping to protect teeth from cavities and decay, and is very effective. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in a lot of foods and many public water supplies, and plays a vital role in strengthening tooth enamel. Teeth come under attack every time we eat or drink something sugary or which is full of carbohydrates.
This is because the plaque bacteria present in the mouth feed off the remains of the food, and in doing so create acid. This acid attacks the tooth enamel, weakening and softening it. Having fluoride treatment helps to re-harden it. Fluoride treatments can be administered at the local dental office, but it can also pay to use products containing fluoride such as toothpaste and mouthwash to help give a little extra protection.
