How a General Dentist Can Help Protect Your Teeth

A key part of a general dentist's job is helping patients protect their teeth from damage, wear, and decay. Preventing dental problems can help patients save time, trouble, discomfort, and money. Here is a closer look at how general dentists help patients keep their teeth in good condition.

Procedures and services to help protect your teeth

General dentists may provide the following preventive services and procedures to protect teeth.

Checkups and Cleanings

Everyone should have a dental appointment once every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. At these appointments, the dentist will thoroughly clean the teeth, removing tarter that is not possible to remove through brushing and flossing alone. These cleanings can help keep tarter and plaque from building up, leading to cavities and other dental issues. In addition to cleaning the teeth, a general dentist will examine the teeth for any potential problems, such as signs of wear from teeth grinding, early cavities, and chips or cracks. The earlier a dentist identifies a problem, the easier it is to treat.

Dental education

A general dentist is an important source of information on dental care. They can guide their patients on the best dental hygiene practices and products. A dentist can also advise the patient on avoiding bad dental health habits that can harm their teeth. They can suggest beneficial dental services based on their patient's age and lifestyle.

Flouride treatments

Flouride treatments are especially beneficial for children; however, adults can benefit from them too. Typically, flouride treatments come in the form of a varnish painted on the surfaces of teeth. The fluoride helps keep teeth strong and less susceptible to dental damage and cavities. Regular fluoride treatments are recommended for kids and teens. However, adults with a high risk for tooth decay due to conditions such as dry mouth should also consider fluoride treatments.

Dental sealants

Dental sealants are another effective way to protect teeth from tooth decay. Though these treatments are also primarily recommended for children, some adults may wish to consider them. When molars first erupt, they often have deep grooves and pits where plaque can easily collect and lead to cavities. To guard against this, a general dentist can paint the tops of the molars with a thin plastic coating. This coating fills in the deep gorgeous and pits, helping to keep plaque and bacteria out.

Sports mouthguards/nightguards

These treatments are custom-made mouthguards that can either protect the teeth from damage during contact sports or from wear and damage caused by bruxism (teeth grinding). The dentist takes a mold of the patient's mouth and sends it to a dental lab, where a technician constructs the custom-fit guard. Nightguards refer to the mouthguards worn at night to prevent the teeth grinding that often happens while people sleep. Those active in sports can also wear mouthguards to prevent dental injuries during play.