General dental care consists of cleanings, fillings, and similar treatments that keep patients in good oral health. Preventative dentistry is a part of this care because routine dental treatments can stop the development of future dental problems. Oral health complications often stem from problems that have not received prompt care.
At Groesbeck Family Dental, we provide general dental services in Groesbeck, TX, to ensure that our patients maintain good oral health.
General Dentistry Services in Groesbeck, TX
We provide various general dentistry services to keep up with your oral health and avoid future problems. General dentistry is all about preventative care and maintaining oral health.
Emergency Dentistry
A dental emergency can happen to anyone at any time. Examples include tooth pain, tooth breakage, or a tooth being completely knocked out of your mouth. It’s always better to play it safe if you aren’t sure if something is an emergency. If you’re experiencing something needing immediate attention, call our office to be seen as soon as possible.
Laser Dentistry
Dental technology continues to modernize and advance over the years. One of the best examples is laser dentistry. It replaces a scalpel for many dental treatments, including periodontal disease treatment and gum contouring. Using a concentrated beam of light energy, lasers are extremely precise, virtually painless, and limit your downtime and recovery process. We use laser dentistry whenever possible to make treatment more comfortable for patients.
Family Dentistry
At our office, we provide care for patients of all ages. Family dentistry makes it convenient for the entire family to care for their dental needs in one visit. We can schedule appointments for children and their caretakers for fewer visits to the dentist office. Our team has training to ensure your children feel safe and comfortable at our office. They can also watch you get treatment so they know it’s nothing to worry about.
Sedation Dentistry
Many patients suffer from a fear of the dentist, which can make it difficult to come into the office for regular care. Sedation dentistry can relax patients so that they can get care comfortably. We can also use sedation for various other types of patients, such as those who need multiple procedures in one sitting or ones that are more invasive. Our priority is the comfort of our patients.
Tooth Extraction
We practice conservative dentistry at our office, but tooth extraction is sometimes necessary for your overall oral health. One of the most common extraction reasons is wisdom teeth removal. Often, our mouths don’t have room for this extra set of molars. They can shift your other teeth out of position or get stuck under the gums. Other reasons include teeth that are severely decayed or broken.
Custom Mouthguard
Mouthguards protect teeth during sports or if you grind your teeth at night. While there are many over-the-counter options, you can rarely customize them to fit correctly. A custom mouthguard is designed to fit the wearer’s teeth perfectly, so you don’t have to worry about it shifting or falling out.
The Importance of Preventative Care
Preventative care is the foundation of your oral health. It needs to take place both at home and in regular visits to our office. If you’re only taking care of it in one of these places, you’re still at high risk for oral health problems.
At home, brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss at least once daily. We recommend brushing after every meal if possible. These actions dislodge food particles and prevent bacteria buildup on your teeth. Twice-yearly deep cleanings aren’t enough to keep your smile healthy. Without regular brushing and flossing at home, you’re more likely to develop plaque and tartar buildup, which is harder to remove.
However, you must still visit our office regularly for a deep cleaning. There are areas of your mouth that you can’t effectively clean with a traditional toothbrush. Our staff has specialized dental tools to get into every nook and cranny of your mouth. We also have a polishing toothbrush to restore the beautiful sheen on your teeth. Even if you take care of your mouth diligently at home, you’re still at high risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
Regular dental visits aren’t just cleanings, either. Many oral health problems, like oral cancer and gum disease, have early warning signs that are hard to notice. Many adults have gingivitis because the main symptom isn’t painful, so they brush it off. We’re trained to notice these early warning signs. We also have advanced dental technology that can detect problems in your mouth that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Diet and Oral Health
The things you eat and drink have a big impact on your oral health. Your smile needs certain nutrients to ensure that it stays strong and healthy. There are also things you need to avoid for your oral health.
Things Your Smile Needs
Some of the most important nutrients for your smile include calcium, Vitamin D, and phosphorus. Calcium is essential for keeping your tooth enamel and jawbone strong and healthy. Vitamin D allows your body to absorb this mineral properly. Phosphorus remineralizes the tooth enamel when things start eroding. The main source of Vitamin D is sunlight, while calcium and phosphorus are found in dairy and meat products.
Vitamin C and antioxidants are crucial for gums. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, which keeps gum tissue strong. Both of these also contribute to fighting infections and inflammation, which are both issues associated with gum disease. You can find these things in citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, apples, and berries.
Fresh, fibrous fruits and vegetables act like natural toothbrushes when you eat them. Their fibers can often get around teeth and dislodge food particles that may be stuck. They also require a lot of chewing to break down, increasing saliva production. Saliva is very important for your mouth. It neutralizes acids and washes food particles and bacteria away from your smile.
Limit These for Oral Health
Sugars and acids are the two most harmful things to your oral health. Sugar is the favorite food of harmful oral bacteria. When they feed on this, they emit an acidic byproduct that burrows through tooth enamel, causing cavities. Sugar doesn’t only come in sweet foods, either. Starches like potato chips and crackers break down into sugars when consumed. Salty snacks can cause problems, too.
Acids increase the rate at which enamel erodes. Soda and sour candy contain high levels of both sugar and acid, making them especially bad for teeth. With acidic things, you also have to postpone when you brush your teeth. Typically, you should brush right after eating, but this can increase damage unless you wait 30 minutes after consuming acid. Be cautious of how you’re eating throughout the day, too. If you’re frequently snacking, you constantly expose your teeth to acid.
General Dentistry FAQs
General dentistry provides the foundation for a healthy smile. Reading the answers to these frequently asked questions can help you learn more.
How often should I visit a general dentist?
The American Dental Association recommends visiting a dentist at least twice yearly for routine check-ups and cleanings. Regular visits allow your dentist to catch potential issues early, such as cavities or gum disease, before they become more serious. However, some individuals, like those with a history of dental problems or certain medical conditions, may need more frequent visits.
What is the importance of regular dental check-ups?
Regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining good oral health. During these visits, your dentist can identify and treat problems like cavities, gum disease, or oral infections before they worsen. Routine cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that brushing alone cannot eliminate, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, check-ups include screenings for oral cancer and other systemic health issues that may manifest in the mouth.
What is the role of a dental hygienist in general dentistry?
Dental hygienists play a vital role in general dentistry by focusing on preventative care and patient education. They perform professional cleanings to remove plaque and tartar, apply fluoride treatments, and provide guidance on proper brushing and flossing techniques. Hygienists also assist dentists during exams by taking X-rays and recording oral health issues.
How can I prevent cavities and tooth decay?
Preventing cavities involves maintaining good oral hygiene and adopting healthy habits. Brush twice with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and limit sugary or acidic foods and beverages. Drinking plenty of water and chewing sugar-free gum can also help. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are crucial to catch early signs of decay and prevent cavities from forming.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Yes, dental X-rays are safe and use very low levels of radiation. They are an essential diagnostic tool that helps dentists detect hidden issues like cavities, bone loss, or impacted teeth. Modern digital X-rays use even less radiation than traditional ones, and protective measures, like lead aprons, ensure patient safety.
What should I expect during a dental cleaning?
During a dental cleaning, a hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth using specialized tools. They will then polish your teeth to remove surface stains and apply fluoride to strengthen enamel. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums for signs of decay, disease, or other issues and may recommend X-rays if necessary.
Schedule an Appointment
Get the best oral healthcare possible for you and your family. Call us or schedule an appointment online.