For many people, a general dentist is someone who fixes cavities. Everyone from a young age has had them and learned they can be quite painful if brushing and flossing has been inadequate. Cavities remain the second-most-common disease, next only to the more common cold.
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GENERAL DENTISTRY IS ALL-ENCOMPASSING
But “general dentistry” at Wilshire Smile Studio can mean a much wider range of services than most practices, since we have not only specialists, but general dentists with extensive experience in many fields, as well as advanced digital technology.
The most important role a dental practice should play is helping patients prevent every kind of oral illness, which would enable them to avoid both pain and bills to heal problems that develop. The American Dental Association strongly recommends having a full dental exam twice a year, so that we can look for early signs of cavities and check the health of your gums to avoid periodontal disease (which will eventually result in teeth falling out). Your dentist will also check for growths that might be oral cancer and need to be biopsied.
EARLY TREATMENT IS IMPORTANT
If your dentist sees symptoms of advanced gum infection, such as loose teeth, a digital-X-ray or a CT Scan may be advised to get a better look at the health of the roots and the jawbone. Without doing this, a patient can suffer significant bone loss that would require a bone graft to be able to do a dental implant, the best way to replace missing teeth or those that need to be extracted.
Your dental hygienist plays a vital role in helping you keep your gums and teeth free of plaque (the sticky bacterial film that forms around food particles that have not been adequately cleaned off). If neglected, it can harden into tartar, which only a hygienist can remove with special tools and techniques, especially for reaching areas most difficult for an individual to clean at home. If you are uncertain about exactly how to brush and floss properly, ask her to show you (few of us learned this growing up and both are challenging). She may recommend that you add an electric toothbrush, a small bristle brush to clean tight areas, a Waterpik, or a dentist-grade oral rinse.
General dentistry can also include many other issues, such as:
- Addressing gum recession due to infection.
- Invisalign oral trays to straighten teeth without traditional braces.
- Dental bonding for cavities that are larger than fillings can cover and other cosmetic purposes.
- Repair of the surfaces of teeth damaged by grinding during sleep.
- Whitening that enables removing up to eight layers of shading in one hour.
- Dental veneers that can cover chipped teeth, misshapen ones, and those that are severely discolored.
- TMJD (temporomandibular joint disorder) which can making it difficult to open and close the mouth.
- Sleep apnea, a disorder of unconscious blocking of the airway, for which your dentist can customize an oral appliance to keep it open.
Whatever you believe your dental needs are, if you have not had a full exam in the past six months, call today to set an appointment and start on your journey of better oral health.
