Preventive and general dentistry

X-rays let your dentist see inside and between your teeth and below your gums. They can show decay hiding between teeth or under an old filling, an infection at the tip of a root, bone loss from gum disease, and teeth that haven’t come in. Many of these problems can’t be seen or felt until they’re much bigger.

You don’t need X-rays at every visit. Your dentist decides which ones you need, and how often, based on your age, your health, and your risk of cavities and gum disease. New patients often need a full set, so there’s a starting point to compare against later.

Having them taken is quick. You bite down on a small holder while the X-ray arm rests near your cheek, and you hold still for a moment. If the holder makes you gag, slow breathing through your nose helps. Dental X-rays use a very small dose of radiation, and if you’re pregnant, tell us before any are taken.

Fluoride is a mineral that helps enamel (the hard outer layer of your teeth) resist the acid that causes cavities. It can even help repair very early weak spots before they turn into holes. The fluoride in toothpaste helps every day, and a treatment at the dental office is stronger and stays on longer.

It’s often suggested for children, and for adults with a higher chance of cavities: people with dry mouth (often from medicines), gums that have pulled back from the teeth, many fillings or crowns, or braces or aligners. Your dentist will tell you whether it’s worth it for you.

The treatment takes a minute or two, right after your cleaning. A sticky varnish or gel is painted onto your teeth. It may taste a little sweet and feel slightly fuzzy. You’ll usually be asked to skip hot drinks, hard foods, and brushing for a few hours so the fluoride can soak in.

The chewing surfaces of back teeth have deep grooves. Food and germs settle into them, and toothbrush bristles often can’t reach the bottom. A sealant is a thin plastic coating that flows into those grooves and seals them off, so cavities are less likely to start there.

Sealants are most often placed on children’s back teeth soon after the adult molars come in, usually around age six and again around age 12. Adults with deep grooves and no fillings in those teeth can have them too.

Placing a sealant is quick and needs no numbing or drilling. The tooth is cleaned and dried, a mild gel roughens the surface, and the sealant is painted on and hardened with a blue light. Sealants can last several years, and your dentist checks them at each visit.

During a routine exam, your dentist checks your mouth for early signs of oral cancer. It’s a quick, gentle look and feel. Your dentist checks your lips, cheeks, gums, and tongue, the floor and roof of your mouth, and the back of your throat, then presses lightly along your neck and jaw to feel for lumps.

Oral cancer can affect anyone. The risk is higher with tobacco, heavy drinking, a lot of sun on the lips, and some types of HPV (a common virus). Found early, it’s usually easier to treat.

A screening isn’t a diagnosis. If your dentist sees something unusual, they may ask you to come back in a couple of weeks to check it again. They may also suggest a biopsy (a small tissue sample).

Between visits, see your dentist or doctor about any sore, lump, or red or white patch that hasn’t healed in two weeks. The same goes for hoarseness or trouble swallowing that won’t go away. Most of these turn out to be harmless, but they’re worth checking.

A mouthguard cushions a blow to the face, so your teeth, lips, tongue, and jaw are less likely to be hurt. It’s worth wearing for any sport where you might fall or be hit, such as football, basketball, soccer, hockey, martial arts, or skateboarding. That goes for adults as well as children.

There are three kinds. Stock guards come ready to wear, and boil-and-bite guards soften in hot water so you can shape them at home. Custom guards are made from an impression (a mold or scan) of your teeth, so they usually fit more closely and make it easier to breathe and talk. A guard that’s comfortable is one you’ll actually keep in.

Getting a custom guard usually takes one visit for the impression and another for the fitting. Rinse it after each use, keep it in a vented case, and bring it to your checkups. Children need new guards as their teeth and jaws grow. If a tooth is knocked out during a game, see emergency dental care right away.