The Realm of General Dentistry

A majority of dental procedures are either for the diagnosis of a disease or for its prevention. Keeping at par with oral health and hygiene, a general dentist can help you avoid an oral disease to a large extent. If you leave a dental problem untreated, it can eventually lead to pain, discomfort, and expense worth several dollars. Under general dentistry, a dentist provides dental care to men, women, and children of all ages. During a routine visit to a general dentist, you will have your teeth and gums thoroughly examined. Sometimes, you may also undergo routine cleaning of your mouth, along with a discussion regarding your overall dental health. If tooth decay is diagnosed during a general dental exam, the dentist may prescribe you the needed procedure to avoid any further damage. While these procedures are commonly provided by general dentists, let’s have a detailed look upon this stream of the profession.

General Dentistry

What does General Dentistry Involve?

Unlike specialists, general dentists provide a huge array of general dental services, including the following:

• Wide range of dental care: General dentists help in giving you a sparkling smile by providing a wide range of dental procedures. Such services include cosmetic bonding, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, etc.

• Preventive dental services: General dentistry involves the maintenance of oral health by preventing any dental disease before it takes a toll on your mouth. With regular exams and teeth clean-ups, they prevent any oral diseases in general. Your dentist instructs you in detail about how to improve your oral hygiene, how to take care of your teeth, and also suggest preventive treatment procedures for the health of your mouth, such as dental sealants, etc. They may also fit a customized mouthguard to keep your teeth protected from braking and other diseases.

• Restorative dental services: If a dental flaw is found, a general dentist will ensure the appropriate treatment to fix it in time. The most common of such restoration services include removal of tooth decay, placement of fillings in the affected teeth, placing crowns, fitting dentures, etc. Some general dentists also offer advanced dental treatments like orthodontics, dental implants, root canal therapy, and others. If you have undergone a dental trauma like broken, knocked out or loosened tooth, they may also refer you to a specialized dentist to get the needed treatment done.

• Overall health services: It is a fact that the health of your mouth affects your overall health to a great extent. Some problems in your teeth may be signs of problems in other parts of your body. For instance, an untreated oral infection may result in uncontrollable blood sugar levels. General dentistry involves the identification of such issues and provides appropriate treatment as and when needed. For instance, sleep apnea is a serious condition that can be effectively treated with a special oral appliance. A general dentist will also give you general wellness information, and provide you counseling on tobacco cessation and nutrition.

General Dentistry

When it’s Time to See a General Dentist

Since general dentistry is used for prevention and general oral health, you should see a general dentist at least once in every 6 months. If you are not following such a regular maintenance schedule, you should see a general dentist whenever you see a symptom in your oral condition, such as a bleeding gum or toothache. You may also see an expert if you want to undergo a cosmetic procedure or want to improve the condition and look of your teeth and gums. Take advantage of general dentistry to keep your oral health in optimum condition always and enjoy your beautiful smile.