Are you nervous about dental treatment?
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Are you nervous about dental treatment?

Are you one of the many people who put off visiting the dentist? Maybe you associate the dentist with painful experiences in the past, or perhaps you think that your teeth will look after themselves. Whatever your reasons may be you must overcome them and take your place in the dentists' chair. The dentist plays an important role in maintaining your dental hygiene and preventing gum disease or tooth decay. If you would appreciate help finding the right dentist to care for your teeth and help you feel comfortable while undergoing treatment the articles here will help you do that.

Are You Nervous About Dental Treatment?

A Range of Services Offered By A Family Dentist

Felecia Brewer

Family dentistry deals with oral health and hygiene. Family dentists mainly focus on the unique needs of children, but they also treat adults. Here is a look at the primary services offered by family dentists.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is found in food and water. Minerals such as fluoride are lost from your tooth's enamel when plaque attacks the enamel. Fluoride and other minerals are re-deposited to your teeth when you consume food. However, you might not get sufficient fluoride to protect your teeth.

Fluoride helps make your teeth resistant to acid from plaque and sugars in your mouth. It also helps reverse early decay. One of the essential services you will get from your family dentist is fluoride treatments.

Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease is caused by several factors, including poor oral hygiene. Failing to brush your teeth regularly or adequately can cause plaque to accumulate on your teeth. This build-up of plaque results in gum disease, which eventually leads to tooth loss. The main risk factors of gum disease include smoking, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, stress, and pregnancy.

To treat gum disease, your family dentist will scale and polish your teeth. Root planing and periodontal surgery may be used for severe cases of gum disease. In advanced cases, the dentist may have to extract the affected tooth.

Regular Cleanings

Another vital family dentistry service is a dental cleaning. Many people loathe these cleanings because of the prodding and jaw discomfort. However, these procedures are relatively painless. It is advisable to get a dental cleaning regularly.

Your family dentist will first perform an exam to check for gum conditions such as gingivitis. Next, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar. Afterwards, your dentist will apply a gritty toothpaste with an electric toothbrush. Your dentist may also employ professional flossing. The last step in this process is the application of fluoride treatment.

Orthodontics

Another form of treatment sometimes offered by a family dentist is orthodontics. Orthodontics corrects teeth that are wrongly positioned. When you have crooked teeth, you have a hard time cleaning them and stand the risk of early tooth loss because of decay or periodontal disease.

Some of the conditions treated using orthodontics include underbites, overbite, crossbite, misplaced midline, crowding, and spacing. A family dentist can offer orthodontic treatment to promote healthy teeth. This treatment may also be used to improve your appearance. Orthodontic treatment also helps prevent periodontal disease and TMJ syndrome.

Look for a dental practice near you if you need any of these treatments.


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