Going to the dentist is usually a dreaded occasion for most people. It usually connotes a lot of pain and discomfort. What most people don\’t realize is that dentists strive to cause as least pain as possible. It is unfortunate that visits to the dentist carry this stigma because regular checkups are vital to ensure proper oral health.

The first thing you need to do is set an appointment with your dentist. You should pick a time of the day that is most convenient for you. It is ideal to set an appointment after lunchtime because after some procedures, you might not be able to eat solid food for some time due to the discomfort experienced. It is also important to schedule your appointment so you can prepare yourself psychologically if you are feeling apprehension.

During the checkup itself, the first thing your dentist will do is to check the state of your teeth. This involves checking for any cavities or caries for adults and for children, the growth and development of their permanent teeth. This is the part where your doctor will determine what treatment you may need for your teeth.

Usually, the your doctor will perform cleaning with a special tool which emits a fine jet of water. This enables him to remove dirt between your teeth. For children, a special fluoride paste is applied to prevent dental caries. However, cleaning also abrades the surface of your teeth. If this is done too much, it will cause more harm than good.

If there are cavities present, they must be cleaned and filled. Drilling and scraping is done first to remove the diseased part of the tooth and then filling with a special material which hardens after exposure to ultraviolet light. You may experience pain during the drilling but this is only temporary. The pain experienced is similar to the discomfort felt when eating extremely cold food such as ice cream.

Sometimes, tooth extraction is necessary in some cases. For children, sometimes their milk teeth are so loose that little effort is needed to extract them. For adults, however, it is necessary for a local anesthetic. First, a topical anesthesia is rubbed on the gum area of the tooth to be removed. Then a local anesthesia is injected into the area. When the area is completely numb, the tooth is pulled with pliers.

Dentists may also specialize in specific areas of care such as prostheses and orthodontic appliances. Prostheses include dentures and tooth replacements. You need to get special molds cast for these to fit properly and all these are done in the dentist\’s clinic. Orthodontic appliances are devices that correct misaligned teeth. Orthodontic treatment takes a lot of time and require frequent visits to the clinic.

Before leaving, your dentist will usually provide you information about after care. He will instruct you on what to avoid after certain procedures and how long you must avoid eating. Proper oral hygiene practices are also reinforced. A schedule for a follow up visit is also agreed upon.

Author Bio: Oakville dentist providing essential general and cosmetic dentistry services such as Invisalign Oakville and dental implants to help enhance each patient’s oral health.

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