Except in the case of an emergency, the first dental appointment is spent conducting a thorough examination. A complete health history, visual inspection of the mouth tissues and teeth, necessary x-rays, and diagnostic models when required, are all part of a complete dental examination. The findings derived from the above procedures will help the dentist diagnose your mouth's present condition, and recommend proper treatment. Once the appropriate services have been determined, the discussion of fees and financial arrangements can be more easily accomplished.
Regular check ups, usually at 6 month intervals, are then important if decay and other dental problems are to be controlled and prevented. When you see your dentist at regular intervals, he can:Find and treat decay and other dental diseases early while damage is minimal and corrective procedures are usually less expensive. Give instructions on brushing, flossing, diet and fluoride use. Apply fluoride or pit and fissure sealants which will help prevent decay. Periodically clean your teeth to remove stains and tartar.
Children should have their first dental examination around age 2, before all of the deciduous (baby) teeth are present in the mouth. This is important because dental problems may start very early, and the deciduous teeth are essential for the proper development of your child. Deciduous teeth:
Nutrition:
Please remember that it is you who is in charge of your day to day physical, mental and dental health. Of course, a properly balanced diet is one of the most important factors governing your health. A diet with large amounts of sugar may possibly cause health problems. In addition, each time you eat, the sugars in your foods combine with the acid producing bacteria in plaque to promote tooth decay or periodontal disease. Remember, the frequency of eating sugar-rich foods, along with the time the sugar remains in the mouth, and the physical form of the food are also important factors which affect the rate of decay. For your continued good health, eat selected foods that have high nutritional values, and eliminate sugary snacks that contribute to dental problems.
Fluoride:
The use of fluoride, whether dietary (ingested internally in water, drops or tablets), or topical (applied to the tooth surfaces in gels, mouth rinses and tooth pastes), may contribute to a significant reduction of dental decay. It combines with the tooth enamel to strengthen it, and make it more resistant to decay.
Since it appears that the greatest benefit of dietary fluoride use is derived during the period of tooth development, a child should receive adequate fluoride from infancy until at least 12 to 14 years of age. By this time, all the teeth but the wisdom teeth would be fully developed.
Brushing and Flossing:
Tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease start with plaque that remains on teeth for 24 hours or more. Therefore, you should thoroughly clean your teeth at least once a day. It is also advisable to brush after eating whenever you can, especially after sweet snacks. Cleaning your teeth just before you go to bed is always a good idea.
Dental Examinations: