General Dentistry: Can Visiting a Dentist Help Prevent Cavities?

One of the top priorities of dentistry is to fight cavities. Your teeth are essential for eating your favorite foods and showing off a bright smile, and cavities put you at risk of losing your pearly whites. Fortunately, regular visits to your dentist can keep your teeth healthy.

Dentists can clean your teeth more thoroughly

You can take care of your teeth at home, and you absolutely should; flossing and brushing are a huge part of maintaining good oral hygiene. However, no matter how attentive you are or how effective your electric toothbrush is, there is bound to be a spot you miss. Dentists can clean these areas, ensuring they do not develop cavities there.

Prevent tartar

Tartar is the name for built-up plaque that has hardened. It is much tougher to remove, even if you use a toothbrush with firmer bristles. In many cases, dentists have to scrape away tartar with metal tools.

Of course, it is easier to prevent tartar than remove it. Dentistry can help with this by cleaning plaque before it hardens.

Reach molars and behind teeth

Even if you use an electric toothbrush, some areas are difficult to reach on your own. For example, you cannot see how thoroughly you cleaned the backside of your teeth, and it can be difficult to get back molars. Dentists have special tools, such as small mirrors, to help them clean these areas.

Dentists can spot problems early

Just like dentists can reach spots you cannot, they can also see warning signs you may miss. A crucial part of any dental visit is a thorough exam with X-rays. These allow your dentist to spot problems long before you have symptoms, ensuring issues are treated before they become expensive, painful, and inconvenient.

Bleeding gums

If your gums are bleeding, you probably have gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Bleeding may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Redness

Gingivitis is a serious concern, as it can develop into periodontitis if not immediately addressed. Fortunately, a dentist can help you reverse the issue with a thorough cleaning and instructions on how to better care for your teeth.

Nerve issues

Dental X-rays say a lot about the internal health of your teeth. All teeth have nerves at their centers; the outer layers protect this sensitive part. However, the nerve can be damaged, "killing" the tooth. When this happens, bacteria starts eating the tooth from the inside out, causing a serious cavity. X-rays let your dentist know if there is a problem with the nerve before bacteria can gain a foothold.