General dentistry includes a patient's primary dental care provider. A general dentist diagnoses and treats overall oral health care needs, including the care and health of the gums.
Most procedures to encourage gum health also encourage the general health of a patient's teeth. The following procedures should ultimately lead to healthier gums.
During an oral examination, the dentist can spot plaque buildup, cavities, forms of oral cancer, and other abnormalities of the gums. To ensure healthy gums, an oral examination is necessary.
During an examination, dentists chart chipped, broken, decayed, and missing teeth and any previous restorations. Dentists also take gum measurements to check for gum disease. Along with a physical examination, general dentistry includes the use of X-rays to spot deeper problems.
During a dental cleaning, the dentist uses a scaler to remove plaque and tartar around the patient's gumline and between the teeth. While regular brushing and flossing help stop plaque from hardening into tartar, only a dentist can remove tartar through cleaning once it does harden. After using the scaler, the next step is to use gritty toothpaste on the patient's teeth. The grit scrubs and polishes the teeth, removing any tartar left behind.
Regular dental cleanings focus on the gum line and tooth's surface, whereas a deep cleaning removes colonies of bacteria and tartar from the teeth roots. For those with periodontal disease, gum and tooth cleaning has a critical role in keeping the disease from worsening. Those with gum disease tend to have weaker teeth and may be more susceptible to infections.
Without deep cleaning, patients could suffer from a bacterial infection in their gums. Dentists use a scaler to remove tartar beneath the gum line and an ultrasonic device to remove plaque from the surface of teeth.
In a deep cleaning, dentists also conduct root planing. Root planing removes rough spots on the root to prevent gum infections. Rough spots can trap bacteria. A deep cleaning encourages healthy, clean gums and helps the gums reattach to the teeth.
A dental abscess is a painful condition that affects a patient's bite and sensitivity to hot and cold, and can also cause fever, a feeling of unwellness, swallowing difficulties, and insomnia. There are three types of dental abscesses to worry about:
Abscesses occur due to bacterial infections caused by plaque, saliva, and food. The bacteria and the resulting infection can damage the gums.
To treat an abscess, dentists generally prescribe antibiotics and a root canal. Root canals clean the canals inside the tooth's root and remove the infected and damaged pulp.
General dentistry concerns itself with the health of a patient's gums as well as their teeth. To maintain and encourage gum health, dentists perform examinations, cleanings, and root canals to treat and prevent problems from arising.
Request an appointment here: https://www.ashleysmiledental.com or call Ashley Smile Dental: Winifred Dike, DDS at (281) 990-3009 for an appointment in our Houston office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry Services in Houston, TX.
General dentistry refers to routine oral health care, whether that be oral hygiene or preventive measures, such as keeping bad breath at bay. Nobody wants to have bad breath, and more often than not, it is easily preventable. General dentists often recommend a few different things, which can go a long way in maintaining a…
Proper oral hygiene is an often-overlooked but important part of a person's dental health, as well as overall health. In general dentistry, routine dental exams are a crucial aspect of oral healthcare that maintains healthy teeth. However, there are many myths surrounding exams.The following are three of the most common myths about dental exams, as…
Tooth extraction may seem like a scary or daunting procedure. However, it is relatively safe and common, with a few potential complications. This guide will walk you through all the major steps to help put your mind at ease and make you more comfortable about any upcoming procedures.First, the dentist will administer an anesthetic. They…
An oral cancer screening does not require any special preparation. However, preparation can help patients who are nervous about the visit or simply would like to know more about what to expect and how they can get the most out of the visit. This review offers insights into how you can prepare for an oral…
Tooth extraction may seem like a scary or daunting procedure. However, it is relatively safe…
One effective way to prepare for an oral cancer screening is to learn more about…
Whenever patients notice a change in their gums, they should see the dentist right away.…
Dental veneers are coverings that sit on the front, visible surfaces of the teeth.
Partial dentures are not designed to last forever and are prone to damage over time.…
Nobody wants to have bad breath, and more often than not, it is easily preventable.…
