General dental care consists of cleanings, fillings, and similar treatments that keep patients in good oral health. Regular dental check-ups help prevent future teeth problems. Oral health complications often stem from problems that have not received prompt care.
Groesbeck Family Dental provides general dental services in Groesbeck, TX, to ensure 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 when your tooth hurts, breaks, or gets completely knocked out.
It’s always better to play it safe if you aren’t sure if something is an emergency. If you need immediate attention, call our office. We’ll see you 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.
Laser treatment uses focused light to work precisely with little pain and faster healing. 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 patients who are getting several treatments at once or for more involved procedures. 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 reasons for extraction is the removal of wisdom teeth.
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 fits 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. If possible, brushing after every meal dislodges food particles and prevents bacteria buildup on your teeth.
Twice-yearly deep cleanings aren’t enough to keep your smile healthy. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, plaque and tartar build up and become harder to remove.
However, you must still visit our office regularly for a deep cleaning. There are areas of your mouth that a traditional toothbrush cannot effectively clean. Our staff has specialized dental tools to reach every nook and cranny of your mouth.
We also have a polishing toothbrush to restore your teeth’s beautiful sheen. Even if you diligently care for your mouth 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 use special tools to spot hidden dental problems you can’t see.
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 you can get calcium and phosphorus in dairy and meat products.
Vitamin C and antioxidants are crucial for gums. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, which keeps gum tissue strong. These also contribute to fighting infections and inflammation, 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 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 isn’t only found in sweet foods, either. Starches like potato chips and crackers break down into sugars when consumed, and salty snacks can also cause problems.
Acids increase the rate at which enamel erodes. Soda and sour candy contain high sugar and acid levels, making them especially bad for teeth. With acidic things, you also have to postpone when you brush your teeth.
Brush after meals, but wait 30 minutes if you’ve had acidic foods or drinks to protect your teeth. Be cautious of how you eat throughout the day, too. If you frequently snack, 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 checkups help your dentist spot problems like cavities or gum disease early, when they’re easier to treat. Some people may need to come more often, especially if they have dental issues or certain health conditions.
What is the importance of regular dental check-ups?
Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining good oral health. At checkups, your dentist finds and fixes problems early—like cavities, gum disease, or infections—before they get serious. Professional cleanings remove tough plaque and tartar that regular brushing can’t, helping prevent decay and gum problems. Additionally, checkups 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 clean your teeth, apply fluoride, and show you the best ways to brush and floss. 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. Today’s digital X-rays are safer than older ones—they use very little radiation. Plus, we use lead aprons for extra protection.
What should I expect during a dental cleaning?
During a dental cleaning, a hygienist will use specialized tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. They will then polish your teeth to remove surface stains and apply fluoride to strengthen enamel. Your dentist will check your teeth and gums for any problems and may suggest X-rays if needed.
Schedule an Appointment
Get the best oral healthcare possible for you and your family. Call us or schedule an appointment online.