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If It Is Time For A Dental Check Up Make An Appointment With A Portland Or Dentist


If your mouth or teeth are troubling you a Portland Or dentist will be able to bring you relief. A definition put out by the WHO (World Health Organisation) is that dentistry is ' the science and art of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws and mouth'. With such a range of conditions to manage, dentists need to be highly trained and very skillful. Dental caries (tooth decay) and pyorrhoea (gum disease) are the most common disorders of the mouth.

Dentists look after the health of the entire oral cavity. They are supported by hygienists, therapists, technicians and dental assistants. If the mouth and gums are diseased, it can have a profound effect on the overall well-being of an individual. Lower socio-economic groups are most affected by oral diseases.

There is now a range of professions each of which specialises in a particular area. General dentistry mostly concerns itself with the prevention of dental disease and the treatment of non-specialised oral disorders. Prevention includes encouraging clients to come in for regular check-ups. At these times the teeth will be cleaned and scaled. Any build-up of tartar will be removed and fluoride may be painted on the teeth as an added precaution. Minor decay will be treated with fillings.

If part of a tooth is missing through decay or trauma, an implant or crown may be recommended. Crowns and bridges are also used for aesthetic purposes. If root canal treatment is indicated, a patient may be referred to an endodontist. It may be necessary to extract a tooth if it can't be saved. X-rays are often used to give a dentist more information about the exact area of decay and/or the arrangement and alignment of the teeth.

As well as X-rays, impressions of a client's mouth will allow a prosthodontist to carry out the manufacture of dentures. These may be either partial or full. If the gums and soft tissue areas are causing problems, a periodontist will be able to help.

Orthodontists are concerned with the correct alignment of the teeth. This may be done by the fitting of braces or other dental appliances which will gradually coax the jaw and teeth into a more correct position. This not only allows the better mastication of food but enhances the appearance. Straight teeth made a smile much more attractive and some orthodontic work is carried out purely for its aesthetic value. Where the bite and chewing is inefficient, correction can actually improve overall health as digestion is improved.

If you need specific or specialist treatment, your dentist will refer you to the person best able to help. Other specialists include oral surgeons, paediatric dentists or oral pathologists. These practitioners will have undergone some years of training over and above that required for general dentistry.

It is important to visit your dentist regularly. The onset of osteoporosis and diabetes both cause changes in the oral cavity. Gum diseases are also believed to increase the risk of premature births, diabetes and heart disease. If you have not had a dental check-up recently, it would be a good idea to visit a Portland Or dentist.




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