Nearly all Americans are concerned about the health of their teeth, and every year, millions of Americans will visit their local dentist’s office for exams, cleaning, and checkups, among other services. After all, a mouth of healthy teeth means a great smile and fewer cases of painful or expensive dental issues. Dental options are many, and an adult may have a regular dental office to visit while taking their children to a dedicated pediatric dentist. Or, in some cases, they may visit family dentists, who can handle patients of all ages. Cosmetic dentists also prove popular, and they can provide care that alters the appearance of their patient’s teeth.
Looking For a Dentist
When is it time to look up local dentists offices for care? Most often, a person will look up dental options nearby if they moved to a new city or county, or if their child first becomes old enough to need the dentist (age two). In this case, the client may enter a relevant search phrase to find dental offices of the type that they want, such as “cosmetic dentist” or “family dentist” or “top rated pediatric dentist near me.” It may also help to enter the client’s city name and ZIP code to keep the results local, and a search may bring up a whole list of local dental offices. The client can strike out offices that they won’t want (such as those deemed too far away) and compile a list of promising candidates.
Now, the client can visit each of these dental offices in person to get a fair impression of what each one is like. While visiting, the client may consult the staff there to see which healthcare insurance policies are accepted, and review the credentials of each dentist and dental assistant working there. If the client is looking for a pediatric or family dentist for their child, it’s a good idea to find a dentist‘s office where the child feels comfortable and get along with the staff. The client may visit a number of dentists this way, and weigh each option, before choosing one and signing up as regular patients there.
Typical Dental Care
When it comes to the health and aesthetics of teeth, patients can visit their dentist for nearly any procedure. For the most part, Americans are visiting their dentist for routine cleanings and checkups, and the same is true for their child, too. A young patient may also have sealant put on their teeth to strengthen them, and a pediatric dentist may give the child free toothbrushes and toothpaste while instructing them on proper tooth-brushing habits. A child should brush their teeth after every meal or eating or drinking anything sugary. Also, children might even use floss or mouthwash with adult supervision, and children are also advised to never chew on hard items. Wearing a mouth guard while playing sports is also a good idea.
Older patients may often visit their dentist for cosmetic dental work, to enhance the shape and appearance of their teeth. Most beauty standards in both men and women call for straight, white, correctly shaped teeth, and many people today are embarrassed about the color of their teeth. Fortunately, dentists offer tooth whitening services, such as applying tooth whitening gels or even porcelain veneers that fit over the teeth. Tartar buildup and tobacco use are common ways that teeth become stained and discolored.
Cosmetic dentistry can also replace missing tooth material. A cracked or worn down tooth may have an artificial crown fitted over it, and this will protect the real tooth’s enamel while restoring the tooth’s shape and function for eating and speech. If an adult tooth is missing, it will not grow back, but a dental bridge can fill in the gap. This is a replica tooth molded from the patient’s real teeth, and this replica will be fitted into the gap and held in place with covers that slip over the real teeth flanking the gap. Finally, elderly patients at the dentist’s office may have entire rows of teeth, or the entire mouth’s worth, replaced with dentures. These are false teeth and gums that can fill the mouth for speech, eating, and general appearances.
