Why It's Important For A Dentist To Pay Attention To Details

Dentists are in and out of several mouths a day. They see a lot of teeth, a lot of problems, and a lot of bad breath. Yet, it is still important that your dentist be detail-oriented. Here are several reasons why.

Six Months Between Visits Is a Long Time

If your dentist misses the tiniest pinprick of a cavity (which is possible if x-rays do not catch it and your hygienist and dentist miss it during the exam), it can become a major problem in six months. You would be surprised to learn how quickly a cavity can develop, especially if you are older or have a weakened immune system and cannot fortify your teeth with proper diet and extra fluoride. It is important that your dentist catches these little dark spots (smaller than a grain of black pepper) sooner.

Small Cracks and Small Chips Can Turn into a Fractured Tooth

If you grind your teeth at night, or you chew tough and hard foods, you probably have small cracks and chips in your teeth. This is usually how a dentist can tell that you have bruxism, or nighttime teeth grinding. Any new food habits, like chewing ice or constantly crunching hard candies, can also contribute to these issues.

Chips in your teeth should be corrected and restored promptly, while cracks in your teeth need added protection. Some cracks need a very close inspection to verify that they are indeed cracks. A bright dental exam light and magnifying dental mirror will shed light on these fine details in your teeth. Your dentist should take note of these and then recommend a crown, a sealant, a filler, or a nighttime mouth guard to keep your teeth safe. 

Certain Types of Bad Breath Indicate Major Health Problems

Many people in the U.S. have diabetes and do not even know it. However, if your dentist is paying attention, he or she would know it right away. People with diabetes tend to have a special kind of bad breath odor. It smells like slowly rotting fruit when your blood sugar is high.

You may feel slightly dizzy at these times too. Because it is not diagnosed and treated, you may just think you are lightheaded with halitosis and use a mouthwash and lay down to treat your symptoms. An experienced dentist can smell the difference between dental halitosis and diabetic bad breath. He or she will recommend that you get treatment or see your general physician right away. Visit a site like http://www.accentdentalnwi.com/ for more information.

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