Faqs about preventative dentistry
When was the last time you saw a dentist? Many of us avoid the dentist like the plague … until we face an attack by plaque. If we visited our dentist for routine check-ups, our appointments would be far more fruitful. It’s recommended that you see a dentist twice a year. Preventive dentistry saves time, money, and dental agony, and a lot of it is covered by your dental insurance plan. Here are answers to common dentistry questions.
What does preventive dentistry involve?
Your dentist will check for any potential problems and give you a professional clean, removing the build-ups that brushing and flossing can’t get rid of. You may get fluoride gel supplements to reduce your risks of a cavity, especially if your home water isn’t fluoridated. We can develop a personalised dental plan for you, showing you the right way to brush and floss. We can also spot any misalignment risks or wisdom teeth matters.
Impacted wisdom teeth are caused by narrow jaws and tight spacing so we can see these early and begin pre-emptive measures like braces, alignment, or extraction if needed, creating more room in your mouth for safe, painless eruption. Dental x-rays can identify potential cavities before they cause chronic pain and repair them with sealants or crowns. We can also save teeth before they need to be pulled out, implanted, or replaced.
What are night guards?
It’s easier for parents to discover that their kids grind their teeth, and if you have a live-in partner, they may alert you to your bruxism. But, if you live alone, you might never know you’re a grinder until your dentist tells you. S/he can spot it by inspecting the pattern of wear on your teeth. A night guard or occlusal splint is a device you wear at night to prevent you from further damaging your teeth. Grinding is an unconscious habit, so it’s not easy to stop.
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Occlusal splints protect your tooth surface so that your grinding doesn’t erode them any further. They can be used in conjunction with holistic de-stressing habits. You can buy a mouth guard at a pharmacy, but it’s not advisable. Your dentist will measure your teeth, take a mould, and design occlusal splints that fit the exact shape of your teeth, jaw, and gums. They’ll be more comfortable, won’t chafe, and you can wear them up to ten years.
Why do dentists make mouth guards?
Most parents (and athletes) think Mouth guards are bought at sporting goods stores. They’re surprised to learn you can buy them over the counter at a pharmacy. However, these commercial mouth guards are ill-advised. They come in standard sizes that don’t consider the shape or your mouth, teeth, or tongue. They affect your speech and can rub your cheeks, gums, and tongue raw, potentially causing infections.
When you visit a dentist, your mouth guard will be made to measure. You may need a new one every few years – more frequently for kids and teens whose teeth are still growing. However, it’s worth the effort because it prevents tooth damage like cracks and intrusions that are far more expensive to repair, and can sometimes be irreparable. Mouth guards are also believed to cut down the risk of concussions, so they protect more than just your teeth.
To get more of your dental questions answered, call Dental Avenue Maroubra today on 02 9344 8822 and book your consult.