Dental treatment
Permanent teeth can last a lifetime with proper care. The risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss can be reduced with good oral hygiene, a low-sugar diet, the use of a mouthguard when playing a sport, and regular visits to the dentist or other oral health professional. It is recommended that everyone, including young children, visit the dentist at least once every six months. Modern techniques mean that dental treatment can be carried out with no, or very little, discomfort.
When you go for a dental check-up, your dental professional will start by asking questions about your general health and medications. Many health conditions have an effect on your oral health and vice versa. And some medicines can affect your mouth or need to be taken into consideration before treatment.
Your dentist will inspect each tooth using small instruments inserted into your mouth, such as a mirror and probe (a fine, pick-like tool). The dentist looks for issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and other conditions.
Soft tissues (gums, tongue, lips, cheeks, and palate) are also routinely inspected and screened for oral cancer and other possible problems. In some circumstances, your dentist may also inspect your jaw joints and the lymph nodes in your neck.
Dental treatment – scaling and cleaning
Scaling and cleaning involves the removal of built-up debris from the teeth. This may include food particles, soft plaque (bacterial growth) or hard calculus (caused by the continual accumulation of plaque and minerals from saliva, sometimes called tartar). Plaque and calculus are the main causes of gum disease.
The dentist or hygienist then cleans and polishes your teeth using a rotating brush with a polishing paste. This helps treat and prevent gum disease.
You will be given tailored instructions on how to keep up your oral hygiene between appointments, as this is important to help maintain healthy gums.