General dentists diagnose, treat and prevent a range of oral health concerns, including dental cavities, oral infections and gum disease. They also offer services to address orthodontic and cosmetic concerns as well, which allows patients to get all of the treatment they need from one dentist rather than having to visit several dentists.
The following is a review of the services general dentists offer. Of course, every general dentist has their own list of services they offer depending on how they choose to specialize and help patients. Nevertheless, most general dentists offer most or all of the following types of services.
Diagnostic services such as comprehensive dental exams, dental X-rays and oral cancer screenings ensure patients are able to identify any oral health concerns in the earliest stages possible. This allows for more effective treatment and preventive care. All too many assume they are in good oral health if they do not notice symptoms, but regular visits to the general dentist are the only way to know the status of your oral health for sure.
For patients who are in good oral health and visit the general dentist regularly, the focus is on preventive dental care. This includes procedures such as regular dental cleanings, fluoride treatment and dental sealants, along with a good oral care routine at home and smart dietary choices to reduce the risk of gum disease, teeth damage and dental decay.
General dentists can also restore damaged teeth, decayed teeth and treat gum disease. They do this through procedures such as dental crowns, dental fillings, scaling and root planing (deep dental cleaning) and root canal therapy. Teeth replacement procedures such as dental implants and removable dentures are also helpful for oral health. This prevents any issues from worsening and require more extensive treatment.
Many general dentists also offer cosmetic treatment procedures such as teeth whitening and dental veneers. This is helpful for patients that have teeth stains, chips, cracks and mild misalignments.
Many general dentists also offer orthodontic treatment or work directly with orthodontists. Treatments may include traditional braces, lingual braces, ceramic braces and clear aligners. The goal is to achieve proper teeth and jaw alignment and improve oral health and the appearance of the patient’s smile.
General dentists also educate patients on how to care for their oral health at home. This includes brushing properly, flossing in an ideal way, using mouthwash and sticking to a consistent schedule, along with helpful dietary choices and lifestyle choices to ensure good oral health long-term.
We encourage you to call our general dentist team if you have gone more than six months without a dental visit or have a specific oral health or cosmetic concern you would like to address. During your first visit, we can put together a treatment or prevention plan to keep your smile healthy and looking great.
Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistofvisalia.com or call Visalia Care Dental at (559) 975-1213 for an appointment in our Visalia office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Visalia, CA.
Oral appliances provided by a general dentist are an effective treatment option for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a severe disorder in which patients repeatedly stop breathing for a few seconds while sleeping. When the airways are clogged, airflow is momentarily limited, reducing the brain's oxygen level. The condition has physiological and emotional consequences for…
General dentists spend a significant portion of their time performing preventative dental treatments. These treatments reduce the odds of common dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, from developing in the future. Preventative care saves patients time and money by making it less likely that they will develop severe dental problems that call for…
Going to the general dentistry office may not excite you, but you can reap the benefits. Putting off dental appointments can disrupt good oral health habits and lead to serious problems. The next time you come to see your dentist, you will have a dental cleaning. This is much more than a formality. General dentistry…
A general dentist shared some ways to help prevent bad breath. This is a topic no one wants to discuss. Bad breath happens to everyone at one point or another. If you take proper precautions, you can avoid having bad breath. We should openly talk about this taboo topic. The more we talk about it, the…