9 Ways How A General Dentist Improves Your Oral Health
A general dentist is the provider of your basic dental care. Besides regular checkups and treatments, They have a role in every dental procedure. They preserve the overall oral health of an individual along with restorative procedures, periodontal care, root and pulp treatments, and orthodontics. A visit to a general dentist serves all your dental needs in one go. Let’s talk about the services a general dentist can provide to deliver complete oral health care.
General functions
- Regular checkups
A dental visit is recommended for every individual at least twice a year according to many dental researchers and associations. Even babies who develop their first tooth are suggested a dental checkup. Regular dental checkups mean being thoroughly examined by the dentist and counseled on dental problems. A general dentist is a hygienist. They examine the mouth with x-rays which you don’t need to fear as their radiations are harmless. The x-rays aren’t harmful to children, nor even pregnant women. They suggest treatment according to the diagnosed problems in your mouth.
Cleaning includes removal of the plague and food stuck in the ridges of the back teeth after harsh chewing. The plaque gets accumulated around the gums or on the teeth, and is scraped off with special tools. The plague gets inhabited and multiplied by bacteria and decays the teeth. The enamel engulfs the cavities, infects the pulp, and inflames the gums. Hence the dentist removes the plague at regular checkups. Though it may seem strange, children can develop tooth decays even in milk teeth. The dentist will suggest brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, using fluoride toothpastes, scraping your tongue often, and a mouthwash on every visit. Apart from that a general dentist notices our cleaning habits and corrects them to preserve our natural oral health.
2) Tooth decays and cavities
Decaying of teeth and complications of cavities are things that can be prevented by the dentist before the situation worsens. Decay is progressive destruction caused by a spread of the plaque. It happens at all ages and is mainly caused by poor oral hygiene. The plaque formed by bacteria starts destroying the tooth enamel, forming cavities. The roots of the tooth get invaded by bacteria, and that leads to gum diseases. The gums may bleed, inflame, and the root may rot. The bacteria may infect broken fillings forming decays and cavities.
Cavities are formed by invasion and multiplication of infection in the tooth. The sensitive tooth lets in food particles and bacteria, forming a cavity that deepens into the pulp. Infections of the pulp cavity may lead to tooth extractions, fillings, and root canals. Though general dentists restore teeth, their priority is preventing damage and preserving natural teeth. They do their best to do so by regular cleaning. When dental damage progresses, they have wide options to restore the damage depending on the patients, their damage, and performance.
Restorative care
3) Fillings and dental veneers
The dentist will provide both of these restorative treatments. Fillings preserve or restore natural functioning and appearance of damaged, lost, or treated teeth. Teeth treated by a root canal need filling of the pulp cavity to stop further infections. The dentist also fills implanted teeth after accidents and trauma. A general dentist does two types of restorations: one where fillings completely build up the tooth and the other where crowns are used to cover the treated tooth. Crowns protect discolored or broken teeth. Dentists suggest porcelain or resin veneers, crowns, and inlays made to match the teeth. A general dentist is an endodontist in restoring our natural teeth in various treatments.
An implant is a tool of an orthodontist, but a general dentist installs implants to support bases, crowns, and dentures when needed. The dentist suggests care for the implants after treatment. Further complications can easily be reverted.
5) Cosmetic dental care
A general dentist also provides the cosmetic care that includes whitening of the teeth. The need for whitening arises when the teeth are stained, yellow, or discolored by harsh foods and poor cleaning. Many of us empty our pockets at the cosmetic dentist in a desire to make their teeth shine. A general dentist with deep knowledge of cleaning can whiten your teeth without removing the layers of their enamel. Whitening kits available in stores for use at home may have side effects.
6) Periodontal care
Periodontal care is the most required dental service. Bleeding gums, their inflammation or recession, the inflections that catch on the underlying bone tissue, the plaque deposits, periodontal pockets, abscesses, etc. are serious periodontal issues. Cleaning provided by a general dentist includes deep periodontal cleaning, scraping off the plaque from the enamel, gums, and roots of the teeth. The soft tissue of the gums is regularly checked for abscesses, inflammation, and bleeding. Grafting, surgical removal of damaged tissues, bone surgeries, and cleaning preserve the health of the gums. Regular visits and following the instructions of the general dentist can prevent periodontal diseases.
7) Orthodontics
When you want your crowded teeth, crooked teeth, or bite to be corrected, you don’t have to rush to an orthodontist. A general dentist can efficiently correct your teeth and provide braces and supporting implants if necessary. The general dentist is also qualified to repair your braces. And they deal with emergency orthodontic or traumatic cases on the same day.
8) Root canal treatment
As we have mentioned, a dentist always does his best to prevent damage or destruction attacking the teeth. Our oral habits are not proof of cavities and decays. Regular cleaning generally blocks or prevents them. When we do not visit regularly, bacterial invasions and toothaches efficiently progress into traumatizing cavities that infect even the pulp of the teeth. This brings on the need for root canal treatments. A general dentist cleans the infections from the pulp, prepares the teeth, sterilizes them from further infections, and fills and seals them. This prevents the teeth from being extracted and preserves their natural appearance. The dentist places veneers and crowns on the fillings if necessary.
9) Overall health care
Damaged dental health does not stop at the mouth. Damage and infection in the mouth influence other vital organs. ThThe heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, etc. are no exceptions. A general dentist’s job is to maintain overall bodily health by protecting dental health. Research has shown that some patterns of losing teeth also affect the heart, though it cannot be controlled. The bacteria that infect the mouth multiply invading the cavities, gums, and broken fillings. Like food that passes through the oral cavity into the stomach, the bacteria from periodontal diseases and damaged teeth enter the bloodstream and reach the heart. This blocks the valves of the heart, creating cardiovascular and coronary artery diseases.
The lungs and the periodontics are connected. The bacteria get inhaled into the respiratory tract directly from the mouth. This causes pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Poor dental health affects the stomach and is affected by the stomach. Inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract shows in the mouth as sores, inflammation, and bleeding of the gums. The stomach acids regurgitated into the mouth by vomiting or morning sickness erode the enamel and acidify the mouth. Although the kidneys are not directly affected, patients on dialysis or with kidney transplants can acquire inflammation due to poor oral hygiene. Research has shown that the brain develops Alzheimer’s disease and the periodontal disease kills brain cells. The gingival bacteria are responsible for it.
Hence the general dentist strongly emphasizes the need for good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. They relax anxious children and seniors, develops tools for controlling sleep apnea, and provides nutritional counseling. They treat diabetics and pregnant women with special care to keep them calm.
Conclusion
A general dentist performs all-inclusive dental procedures that preserve our overall dental and bodily health. Careful following of his suggestions and recommendations enables us to keep our oral health sound and of high quality.
Dr. Sonal Bhoot is one of the top dentists in Lee’s Summit. Dental Expressions welcomes you to the rich, fulfilling dental experience you deserve, amidst friendly dental staff and comfortable surroundings. Whatever oral treatment you need- you name it, we offer it, and we deliver on our promises. Click here for more details
