Dental services prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other health issues. They also help diagnose problems you may only notice once they become more serious.
During an exam, your dentist will check the condition of your teeth and soft tissues in your mouth (gums, tongue, lips, cheeks, and palate). They might also take x-rays.
Dental Hygiene
Dental hygiene is a set of behaviors that can positively impact oral health. These include brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist for dental services Montgomery, TX, such as cleaning every six months.
Maintaining good oral health and avoiding developing tooth decay and gum disease is essential, as these conditions can lead to serious issues in the mouth. In addition, they can cause many other problems, including infections, bone loss, tooth loss, and cancer.
Dental hygienists are licensed primary care oral health professionals who work to prevent and treat oral diseases. They are required to complete a college education and pass a licensure exam.
Oral Cancer Detection
Oral cancer detection is a crucial part of your dental visit. The dentist uses their fingers (palpate) to feel for lumps, bumps, and sores around the face, neck, and jaw.
They also shine a special light into your mouth to highlight abnormal tissues. These cells are then removed and tested for oral cancer.
Oral cancer screenings are performed during routine dental examinations, often leading to additional tests. These additional tests may include X-rays, blood work, or a biopsy of an abnormal area.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a restorative solution for missing teeth that provide strength and durability. They are also an important component of maintaining a healthy smile.
Implants replace a missing tooth’s root, providing a stable foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth.
They comprise a post made of titanium that is surgically placed into the jawbone beneath the gum line. The implant fuses with the surrounding bone, stimulating and preserving it for years.
Dentures often shift as you chew and speak, making them uncomfortable. Missing teeth can also interfere with eating the food you love, especially hard and cold foods that can get crunched into the exposed root of a missing tooth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dental care that centers on the appearance of your teeth and smile. It is a good option for patients who want to improve their appearance and self-esteem.
Besides improving the looks of your smile, cosmetic procedures can also improve your oral and overall health. They can improve your bite, make it easier to floss and eat and reduce decay and plaque.
There are many cosmetic dental treatments, including porcelain veneers and teeth whitening. These can correct crooked, misaligned, stained, or chipped teeth.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a dental specialty that diagnoses and treats tooth alignment problems. This includes crooked teeth, overcrowding, gaps between teeth, and jaw misalignment issues such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.
People without properly aligned teeth are at higher risk for oral health problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, jaw injury, and more. They may also suffer from lower self-esteem and feel self-conscious about their smiles.
Orthodontists specialize in treating orthodontic problems and can correct them at any age. They receive training both in the classroom and the field of orthodontics.
