Dentistry covers everything to do with oral health and well-being. This can include the reparation of cavities, the replacement of teeth, teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding. It is the duty of the dentist to ensure that the oral health of the patient is optimised, and that they are fully satisfied with their dental health. Northern Beaches Dental in Mackay has a comprehensive range of general dentistry services, and will be able to offer all forms of general and preventive dental work.
General Dentistry
General dentistry covers everything essential to oral health. This can be anything from cavities, to repairing physical damage to the teeth. It will also involve check-ups on your general oral health and will work to measure and prevent things such as gum disease.
Dental Hygiene
Dentistry is as much about preventing problems, as it is about solving them. All dentists will be able to advise you on the proper hygiene routine, and how to maintain the best oral health in your own home. A scale and polish is also recommended, to ensure that your teeth are as clean as they can possibly be. Treatment against bad breath, or halitosis, is also available, and your dentist will be able to provide tips on how to combat this.
Cavities
Cavities are created due to acids created by bacteria on the teeth. The bacteria will thrive if the teeth are not carefully brushed and cleaned regularly. One of the main sources of food for the bacteria is sugars, hence why sugary food and drink can be extremely harmful to your dental health. If left untreated, the cavity can develop and can cause severe pain and eventual tooth loss. It can also lead to an infection of the root canal, which will result in further pain.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment, or endodontics, is something that many people have heard of but may not understand what the treatment entails. The pulp of the tooth is the living tissue inside a tooth, which a cavity may reach if it becomes deep enough. Therefore, to solve this issue, the pulp is removed, and replaced with an artificial material to cover up the hole in the tooth and prevent further infection. This will remove any form of bacterial infection from inside the tooth, and strengthen the tooth, essentially saving it from total decay.
Fissure Sealants
Another way of preventing tooth decay is with fissure sealants. These can be an extremely effective way of protecting the teeth against cavities, with a fast and efficient treatment. Fissure sealants work by covering the chewing surfaces of the teeth, specifically the molars, with a plastic material that protects deeper grooves of the teeth from decay, where it may be more vulnerable than other areas. This treatment is pain free, and only needs one appointment. It can also be administered on adults as well as children, and due to the speed of the process, can be done with a very small amount of planning.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified practitioner.
