Dentistry is a field that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders affecting teeth, gums, jaws, mouths and associated structures. In addition, dentistry also addresses restoration of these parts and maintaining oral health.

Pierre Fauchard published the first book dedicated exclusively to dentistry in 1728. This landmark publication distinguished dental surgery from general medicine.
Definition of Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene is a preventive practice that includes brushing, flossing and regular dental visits for X-rays, exams and cleanings with your dentist. This practice helps keep teeth and gums healthy by detecting problems like tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath (halitosis) before they become serious issues.

Dental hygienists must obtain licensure from the state where they operate. Licensure typically requires at least two years of schooling and passing both a written board exam called National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as clinical exams to become licensed.

Dental hygienists use their skills to provide clinical, educational, and research-based therapeutic services that support overall health by promoting optimal oral health. Their process of care entails assessing patients' oral tissues and overall health conditions before developing a dental hygiene diagnosis and implementing an evidence-based treatment plan. In certain states they may even administer medications and perform basic life support functions.
Dental X-rays

Dentists use X-rays to take an inside view of what's happening inside your mouth, helping spot cavities, assess gum health and locate any impacted or unerupted teeth.

X-rays expose patients to a small dose of radiation but are generally safe. Their frequency depends on your age and risk for disease; dentists use clinical judgement when deciding when and how often X-rays should be done.

Digital X-rays offer less radiation exposure and are more comfortable for you, plus your dentist can instantly view and manipulate images on their computer screen.

Occlusal X-rays reveal both the roof and floor of your mouth, providing an accurate representation. Occlusal X-rays can detect anything from a cleft palate or jaw fracture to supernumerary teeth, impacted or unerupted teeth or hard-to-find cysts or abscesses - as well as help doctors make diagnosis with confidence.
Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are plastic resins that harden when placed into deep grooves on the biting surfaces of back teeth (molars and premolars). Once hardened, their surfaces become smooth and any narrow pits or fissures filled in, preventing food from getting caught and decreasing risk for decay. It must be noted that dental sealants only remain effective on healthy teeth for an extended period of time; otherwise they will wear off over time; therefore it's essential to brush and floss regularly to keep their effectiveness.

Installing dental sealants is quick and painless. Your dentist first cleans and dries your tooth, before applying an acidic gel that roughens up its surface to provide better contact between sealant and enamel. Following that step, they rinse, dry and clean before finally applying liquid sealant to complete the process.jeddah dental clinic

At an early age (no later than age 7), children should have their permanent molars and premolars sealed to help protect against cavities forming in hard-to-brush grooves and pits on these rear teeth, which pose an increased risk for decay than other types. This will also protect children's oral health more generally.
Dental Cleanings

Most dental insurance plans cover routine preventive services such as professional teeth cleanings. To learn more, contact your provider and inquire further into their coverage details.

At a dental cleaning, hygienists will remove hardened plaque from your teeth known as tartar which serves as a breeding ground for oral bacteria that attack teeth and gums resulting in cavities and gum disease. Routine dental cleaning also allows dentists and hygienists to check for signs of gum disease, tooth decay or any other problems which might require further examination by specialists.

Prophylaxis is the most frequently utilized dental cleaning treatment, often performed as part of regular maintenance regimens for most patients. It involves using either a scaler or water stream to remove plaque and tartar buildup on front, back, and sides of your teeth with scaler or water stream tools. If there is significant buildup that needs clearing away more heavily-duty methods may need gross debridement to break through larger deposits using electric tools to loosen larger deposits.