One of the main reasons people typically visit a family dentist is to get a cavity check. The American Dental Association states that 91% of adults in America over the age of 20 have had at least one cavity. Generally included in each six-month wellness examination, a cavity check can help both identify areas where cavities may be forming and monitor existing cavities that may be too small for a filing. Here are some things to expect during this type of appointment.
Unfortunately, many people wait until they have tooth pain before going to the dentist. Under these circumstances, any existing cavities are usually obvious without using any probing instruments. While certain cavities are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, others can only be identified upon closer examination using more sophisticated tools.
Dental professionals frequently use probing tools to poke at tooth enamel and determine whether it is hard or soft. A sickle probe is a tool used by dentists to check for cavities until more modern methods were developed. This probe made it easier for a dental professional to locate soft spots on the enamel that had been weakened by decay and worn down by erosion. A briault probe is curved, has sharp points on both ends, and is useful for locating soft spots in between the teeth. A dental hygienist may still use these probes during a cleaning to determine if further examination is needed in a specific area of the mouth.
A cavity can be easily identified in an X-ray by a family dentist. It will show up as a dark spot in a white tooth. X-rays can pinpoint the location and depth of cavities, including those in between the teeth. Because of this, most dentists recommend having imagery taken regularly. In certain cases, especially in areas between the teeth, cavities may start to form that are not visible to the naked eye. Getting an X-ray can identify these areas so a dentist can keep a close watch on them. Although less common, cavities can also form underneath previous fillings. When this happens, the only way to see the new decay is with an X-ray.
There are patients with tooth decay that starts out underneath the enamel instead of on the surface of the tooth. In these cases, neither probing tools or X-rays are effective at identifying the damage. Subsurface cavities can only be located with the help of lasers. During this cavity detection method, the laser that is directed at the teeth will pass through healthy enamel but reflect back off of any decay.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp:
Family Dentist in Mountain View, CA
Far from being an unnecessary nuisance, getting frequent cavity checks from a family dentist can help prevent further decay and damage to teeth. Identifying areas to watch or fix can allow the teeth to stay healthy and last as long as possible. A dentist may use one or all three of these methods to look for cavities to make sure undetected decay does not exist.
Request an appointment or call Smiles Dental Care at 650-563-1180 for an appointment in our Mountain View office.
One of the many things that a family dentist does is detect and treat tooth decay. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90% of adults in the United States have had a cavity at some point in time. Even though this issue is quite common, it does not mean that…
Routine dental checkups are just as important as brushing and flossing when it comes to oral health. Visiting a family dentist is a smart and convenient option that can provide a number of important advantages for the whole family and help to ensure you all maintain healthy teeth and gums.Some people may assume that there…
Oral cancer occurs inside the mouth and is so often called mouth cancer or oral cavity cancer, and a family dentist will usually check for this disease during routine dental visits. However, if you are experiencing abnormal mouth pain, lumps, or lesions before your next exam, it may be a good idea to schedule an…
Tooth and gum contouring are popular cosmetic dental services that reshape the smile. They achieve this through two different approaches, however. One involves reshaping the appearance of the teeth, while the other corrects gummy smiles. In other words, they correct cosmetic imperfections for good oral health patients.Tooth contouring is a painless procedure in which a…
Dental crowns are often costly and require that a dentist remove a significant amount of the tooth's structure to place them. Read on to learn about dental crown alternatives. Other treatment alternatives are sometimes available that are either less expensive or significantly less invasive. Dental crowns are frequently used to restore severely damaged teeth.The following…