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://bcdentalneedham.com or call Brede Ciapciak Dental at (781) 443-8134 for an appointment in our Needham office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry Services in Needham, MA.
Not everyone has perfectly aligned teeth, but thanks to the teeth straightening treatments available from the dentist, you can correct dental misalignments. The first step is to visit the dental office to discuss the available options. Then, the general dentist will perform an examination and provide professional guidance so you can get the most appropriate…
General dentistry practices that cater to children often focus on creating a relaxing, playful environment that helps kids of all ages learn to care for their teeth, gums, and oral health over their lifetimes. These dental providers understand the importance of establishing a positive relationship and forging healthy habits early to last a lifetime. Consider…
A teenage boy or girl who deals with a crooked smile or uneven bite could be able to use Invisalign® for teens as a corrective treatment. The adolescent and high schools years are often filled with social pressure and a desire for acceptance, and any problems or concerns with a teen’s smile could create self-confidence…
Like many young people, your teenager may have crooked teeth or bite problems that need correcting. Your dentist may recommend Invisalign® as a treatment option for your teen. Maybe you are familiar with traditional braces — perhaps you wore them yourself when you were younger. However, Invisalign can correct your teen's orthodontic issues while offering…
A teenage boy or girl who deals with a crooked smile or uneven bite could be able to use Invisalign® for teens as a corrective treatment. The adolescent and high schools years are often filled with social pressure and a desire for acceptance, and any problems or concerns with a teen’s smile could create self-confidence…
Like many young people, your teenager may have crooked teeth or bite problems that need correcting. Your dentist may recommend Invisalign® as a treatment option for your teen. Maybe you are familiar with traditional braces — perhaps you wore them yourself when you were younger. However, Invisalign can correct your teen's orthodontic issues while offering…