Teeth are small calcified structures in a person’s mouth that assist in eating, drinking, and speech. Teeth also provide support to the bones of the face to help a person’s have more natural appearance for enhance aesthetic value. The major components of a tooth consists of:
* enamel
* dentin
* pulp
* cementum
Most adults have 32 teeth, but some have less due to loss of teeth and congenital absence. A person can also have more than 32 teeth due to hereditary or congenital factors. For a normal adult, the 32 teeth include 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 molars, 8 premolars, and 4 wisdom teeth.
To keep these teeth in optimal condition, it’s necessary see a dentist on a regular basis. Being established with a regular dentist will avail you of the opportunity to work with a professional who is familiar with your dental health. However, if you don’t have a dentist, visiting one for the first time can be stressful. To rectify this, learn what to expect so your visit will be more productive.
Many dentist in Appleton perform comprehensive examinations on patients the first time they see them. These inspections involve a clinical examination of the teeth. By looking at every visible surface on a tooth, a dentist can check for tooth decay. Tooth decay, or dental caries, is a bacterial infection that affects the enamel, dentin, and cementum of a tooth. A dentist will use a special mirror to view the back sides of teeth and will use an explorer to help identify cavities.
A test that is often performed during a dental visit is to check the temporomandibular joint. A regular person has two of these joints, one on each side of his head. The function of this joint is to properly open and close the jaws. A dentist will ask a dental patient to open and close his mouth several times and move his lower jaw from side to side.
Many dentists in Appleton also check for mouth cancer during an initial visit. Early detection of this cancer can help save the life of a patient and save him for deformities.
