You should visit a dentist as a part of your routine health checkup, at least twice yearly. Waiting for a toothache to visit a dentist is not ideal as the disease process may have significantly progressed before then.

Routine checkups are advised by all dentists as they are the ideal way to maintain good oral health. Most dental diseases can be avoided if they are intercepted early. Regular dental visits ensure that measures are taken to avoid the incidence of cavities or other dental diseases in the future.

A typical first dental visit entails a thorough examination of your oral cavity, an explanation of the various findings of your oral cavity, and coming up with a suitable treatment plan for your needs. Your first visit is also aimed to orient you to the clinic surroundings and make you comfortable so that dental care of the highest level can be administered to you.

Taking care of your oral health at home can solve most of your future dental problems. Things which you can do at home to maintain your oral health include: Brushing teeth twice daily with a toothpaste that contains fluoride and using floss for cleaning between teeth. Cleaning your tongue thoroughly. Heavy deposits in the tongue can harbor bacteria. They also contribute to bad breath. Avoid habits like drinking and smoking as they harm your oral health. These habits also tend to cause cancer. Modify your diet to include more healthy foods. Phase out sugar from your diet. If you want to have sweets, have them at once rather than eating sweets throughout the day.

The best approach to treating a cavity is a filling. The cavity will first be cleaned of all the decay and debris. After the cavity has been thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with a filling. There are various filling materials you can choose from like composites, gold, ceramic, etc. You can consult your dentist regarding which filling will be best suited to your case. If the cavity is too deep and has affected the pulp of the tooth, you will have to undergo a Root Canal treatment followed by a crown placement on the tooth.

Yes, Bleeding gums is a sign of bacteria, plaque and calculus buildup. They irritate the gums and cause bleeding if not treated early. You should visit the dental clinic as soon as you notice bleeding for the first time. Cleaning the debris off the teeth and reducing the bacterial load is the treatment of choice while dealing with gum diseases. Gum disease left untreated can progress and even cause bone loss in severe cases.

Pulling teeth or extraction of a tooth is the last option if the tooth can't be saved by restorations. Today a major portion of dental care is focused on saving natural teeth. However, if early intervention is not done, much of the tooth structure is lost leaving us with no option other than to extract the tooth.

Yes, anesthesia is administered to all patients who have been advised to undergo extractions. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area from where the tooth is to be extracted. This reduces discomfort and pain and ensures a smooth extraction procedure.

Absolutely! Orthodontic treatments like braces and SureSmile are valuable options to straighten teeth as an adult. If these are not suitable, porcelain veneers and crowns can also be used to alter the shape of the teeth and give you the perfect smile.

Teeth in the back region of your mouth are known as premolars and molars. These teeth have many grooves which can act as retentive sites for bacteria leading to cavities. To prevent this sealants are applied in these grooves. Sealants are plastic-like coatings that prevent the ingress of bacteria in these grooves thus preventing cavities.

Teeth whitening is done with teeth whitening pastes under the supervision of a dentist. Teeth whitening involves multiple visits since teeth tend to return to their original shade.

Selecting the right toothbrush and toothpaste is essential as they are the main tools that keep your mouth healthy. Your toothbrush should be soft-bristled and it should be changed periodically after 3 months. The toothpaste you use should be fluoridated. Along with that, you can also use mouthwashes to improve your oral health.

Yes, they are. Dental X-rays may be advised by the dentist before certain treatments. They help the dentist to analyze changes happening in the tooth and its vicinity. This helps the doctor to understand the condition better and improves the quality of treatment rendered.

Patients with tooth sensitivity are sensitive to foods or drinks that are hot or cold, sweet, or acidic. This condition occurs when the white portion of the tooth that is the enamel is thinned due to the acidic exposure and temperature of the oral cavity. This thinning of the enamel causes the underlying dentin to get exposed to the oral cavity causing sensitivity. Dentists usually recommend patients use specialized toothpastes that are well equipped to tackle sensitivity. In severe cases, restorations are done to build up the thickness of the enamel.