General Dentistry: What You Need to Know

Similar to medicine, dentistry also has several specialties that focus on addressing specific dental problems. However, you don’t just walk into a dental specialist like a prosthodontist or orthodontics. In most cases, you are referred to these specialists by your family or general dentist.

Who is a General Dentist?

A general dentist is your first line or primary dental health provider. They do not focus on any procedure, in particular, but offer comprehensive dental procedures.
Your general dentist diagnoses, treats, prevents, and manages various dental issues. They also double up as your emergency dentist in Palm Coast.

When and How Often Should You Visit a General Dentist?

There is no specific time you should visit a general dentist in Palm Coast. However, if you have children, it is recommended you take them to a dentist when the first tooth comes out or before the first birthday.

It is important to visit a dentist regularly, at least twice a month. This allows the dentist to monitor your oral health and prevent any problems.

What Kind of Services Can You Get?

General dentists offer a range of treatments that include:

• Dental exams and x-rays

The secret to having healthy teeth and gums is to get regular dental exams, apart from brushing and flossing. Professional dental exams prevent dental problems from developing or getting worse. With routine dental checkups, the dentist can identify and treat the problem in the early stages.

The routine checkups are not painful or time-consuming. The dentist will do a visual exam, where she will examine the condition and color of the gums. An x-ray may also be done during the dental exams to check the jaw and root of the teeth.

• Teeth cleaning

No matter how you brush or floss, plaques can still build up on the teeth. Professional teeth cleaning is the most effective way to remove the plaque and tartar buildup. Dr. Trejos can use traditional cleaning, advanced laser, or ultrasonic cleaning. This teeth cleaning process uses an ultrasonic scaler is used to remove plaques, kill microbes, and eliminate bacteria.

At times deep cleaning may be done if you have excessive tartar buildup below the gum line. The procedure helps to prevent gum disease and restore the tissues.

• Oral cancer screening

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer affects more than 50,000 Americans annually. Furthermore, it accounts for 30 percent of all cancer cases. The problem with the high oral cancer cases is the late detection of the disease. Mouth cancer is a silent disease that develops without symptoms. The best way to prevent or survive oral cancer is to get screening regularly.

Oral cancer screening takes a few minutes and is pain-free. The dentist near you will do visual and physical tests to check the gums, teeth, and oral cavity for abnormal tissues growth or lacerations.
The screening is not a diagnostic tool, so if the dentist notices any abnormal or immobile tissues, she will recommend further testing like a biopsy.

The frequency of the oral cancer screening will depend on your risk level; if you are at risk, you may require regular screening.

• Cosmetic dental procedures

Over time, your teeth will weaken, wear out, and discolor, which will affect your smile and dental appearance. If your smile is damaged and you want to fix it, general dentistry near you will come in handy.

Dental crowns and veneers are the commonly used cosmetic procedures. They help change the color, shape, size, and appearance of the teeth.

The crowns and veneers follow a similar procedure, and you will require at least two dental visits.

• Restorative procedures

When you have minor decay, the teeth fillings will repair the damage and restore the function of the teeth. However, as the infection progress, it can affect the inner part of the teeth. A root canal therapy is done to stop the spread of infection. But, for severely damaged teeth, tooth extraction will be ideal.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Palm Coast Family Dentistry for more information about our general dental services.