Just like the doctor's appointment, your periodic checkups at the dentist will ensure optimal oral health. These will help to reduce the risk of potential problems, such as tooth decay, gum problems, dental cracks, tooth loss and pain.

During the dental examination, the
dentist checks carefully: 

Early-stage cavities and small, defective restorations can be treated conventionally with composite (white) or amalgam (grey) fillings.

Generally, applying a dental sealant is often recommended as soon as kids permanent molars start to come in. Sealants create a barrier on the tooth's chewing surface by reducing the ability of sticky food to adhere to it, which makes it easier to properly brush teeth. Protected teeth show a lower incidence of cavities.

Sealants are beneficial when:

Crowns and ceramic restorations (inlays and veneers) are durable and increase the strength of a weakened tooth, all while being aesthetically pleasing.

Ceramic restorations have the advantage of:  

The benefits of these treatments during adolescence are important:

Dental extractions are necessary when a tooth is considered impossible to restore, either because of significant periodontal health problems or extensive cavities. The purpose of the procedure is to prevent infections and their related pain. Our team will be happy to speak to you about the possible replacement solutions.
To prevent complications related to a lack of space when wisdom teeth erupt completely, the dentist may strongly recommend to extract the wisdom teeth. To ensure optimal bone regeneration, this procedure is usually performed during adolescence.

A number of complications can arise when the impacted or semi-impacted wisdom teeth are left in place for an extended period of time:

A root canal is necessary when the pulp (nerve) of the tooth is dead or behaves erratically following a shock, due to extensive decay, a deep repair or a pulp problem. 

Although sometimes asymptomatic, damage to the tooth nerve can manifest itself as an infection or swelling. When a pulp infection occurs, you have two options: have the tooth extracted or undergo a root canal to preserve the tooth. 

At the first appointment, the dentist disinfects and removes the problematic pulp from the tooth. At the second appointment, the practitioner performs the root canal filling which allows the tooth to heal.

Some signs can lead to a diagnosis of bruxism:

Have you noticed a premature wearing down of the enamel on your teeth in the last few years?
Bruxism (teeth grinding) and clenching of the teeth might explain this loss of enamel.

Wearing a device known as an occlusal plate is indicated for bruxism and nocturnal clenching. Occlusal plates are custom-made to help relax the temporomandibular muscles, preserve the integrity of your teeth and restorations, and protect the joint. 

Mouth guards are worn during contact sports to protect teeth against shocks and reduce the risk of concussions.

Periodontal disease (gum disease) is the main cause of tooth loss in adults. Nearly 75% of adults suffer from gum problems to varying degrees during their lifetime. The human body is a systemic entity in which the mouth plays a crucial role, which is why damage to bone and gum health can result in cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease, for example. Periodontal diseases are caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar over a long period of time.

Causes:

Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is the first stage of the disease and only affects the gums. 

When the inflammation spreads to the bone, the disease progresses to a more advanced stage and turns into periodontitis, which is an inflammation of the supporting tissues, including the gums and bone. These diseases can affect the bone that supports the teeth and eventually lead to tooth loss.

Periodontal diseases are caused by plaque. Over time, plaque calcifies and turns into tartar, a hard, granular substance that can no longer be removed by a toothbrush or floss. It must be removed through a scaling procedure done by a oral health professional.

Plaque is harmful because it causes tissue inflammation. This is the start of periodontal problems. If the disease is left untreated, the consequences can be harmful and lead to the loss of one or more teeth and repeated infections (abscesses).

The main signs of periodontal disease: