What Is General Dentistry?
Technically, general dentistry is a term that describes any dentistry performed by a general dentist, not a specialist. However, when we refer to general dentistry, we mean procedures that aren’t cosmetic dentistry or neuromuscular dentistry. This usually means procedures focused on preserving or restoring the health and function of your teeth and gums at our Rochester, MI dental office.
People sometimes confuse preventative dentistry and general dentistry because they most often see their general dentist for preventative dentistry. However, the difference between general and preventative dentistry is that preventative dentistry is only part of general dentistry. General dentistry includes preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry, and other dental procedures.
Preventative Dentistry
Preventative dentistry protects your teeth and gums from damage. The most common preventative dentistry procedures are oral hygiene-related. Cleaning your teeth removes plaque, which contains harmful bacteria, food particles, and goo the bacteria secrete to cling to your teeth and avoid saliva (which is harmful to them). You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss every day to keep this plaque from building up.
However, even if you do your best to brush and floss, there is likely some plaque that remains. This plaque absorbs minerals from your saliva and turns rock-hard. It’s a process similar to fossilization, and it turns plaque into tartar. You can’t remove tartar safely on your own, which is what professional cleanings are for.
Preventive visits also include checkups. This allows us to search for oral health problems that are developing, like the beginnings of gum disease or cavities. We may use digital x-rays, Diagnodent, intraoral cameras, and other advanced dental technology to assess your oral health and help you understand any developing problems.
Sometimes you can address these problems just by changing your hygiene routine and/or diet. Other times, developing problems might need additional treatment.
Fluoride Treatment
To better protect your teeth against cavities, your regular preventive dentistry treatments may also include a fluoride treatment. Our hygienist will apply fluoride to your teeth to provide extra protection against cavities. Fluoride is always included in children’s treatments, and adults can have it upon request.
Sealants
One way we protect teeth from cavities is with sealants. Sealants are a protective coating that we apply over the 1st and 2nd molars. The coating fills in the grooves in the teeth so that food and bacteria cannot get trapped. In the past, sealants were mostly used on children’s teeth. However, there is increasing interest in them for adults, especially for adults who had sealants applied as children and want to maintain their protection.
Preventive Dentistry Tips
If you’re searching for new ways to improve your oral health and prevent oral health problems, we offer a number of tips that can help.
- Brush twice per day
- Floss once per day
- Use a fluoride toothpaste
- Consume added sugar in moderation
- Don’t use teeth as tools (biting nails, opening packages, etc.)
- Visit your dentist at least twice per year
- Quit smoking
- Stay hydrated
- Wear your oral appliances recommended by your dentist
- Chew sugar-free gum
- Eat lots of crunchy fruits and vegetables
By incorporating these tips into your daily life, you can further improve your oral health and prevent serious dental problems from occurring.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry, also called reconstructive dentistry, repairs damaged teeth.
For your teeth, there are three main sources of damage that require restorative dentistry. First, your teeth might be damaged by acid from oral bacteria and/or foods and drinks you consume. Second, your teeth might be damaged by gradual wear from biting and chewing. Third, your teeth might be damaged by trauma.
For minor cavities caused by oral bacteria, we use dental fillings. Small fillings are composite plastic, but larger fillings might be made of advanced ceramic, which is both attractive and strong, even stronger than your natural teeth. More serious damage might be treated with dental crowns. Even when badly damaged, teeth can be preserved with crowns, though in some cases they may also require root canal therapy.
Teeth that need to be removed can be replaced with dental implants.
Restorative dentistry can also help your gums. If your gums are badly infected, we will recommend gum disease treatment. Deep cleaning removes bacteria from your tooth roots. It also makes your tooth better suited to adhere to your gums. If your gums have receded and won’t grow back, we can restore them with the Pinhole Surgical Technique.
We Take Patient Comfort Seriously
We understand that not everyone enjoys visiting the dentist. For some, intense anxiety can prevent them from getting the care they need. To ensure all patients have a positive experience, we offer a wide range of amenities to help make your visit more comfortable. These include:
- Massage Chairs
- Video Goggles
- Neck pillows/blankets
- Nitrous Oxide
Please let us know if you suffer from dental anxiety and if so, please tell us what we can do to make your visit more comfortable. We are happy to provide you with any of the amenities listed above in addition to taking breaks throughout your treatment, communicating heavily to ensure you feel comfortable, and more. We are happy to help accommodate you in any way possible, including minimal sedation dentistry.
Keep Your Teeth for Life in Rochester, MI
Although risk factors vary, most people can keep their teeth for life with a smart combination of preventive and restorative dentistry. General dentistry is a great investment in your oral and overall health.
To learn more about the general dentistry procedures we offer, please call (248) 656-2020 today for an appointment at Rochester Advanced Dentistry.
