General dentistry helps prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease. General dentists are the most common types of dentists, and they spend most of their time performing preventative treatments.
Many patients have oral health questions for general dentists. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked ones:
A general dentistry rule is to brush the teeth at least two times per day. This limits how long acids made by oral bacteria get to attack teeth surfaces. It also slows down tartar accumulation on teeth.
The most important time that a person can brush their teeth is right before going to bed. Teeth are more vulnerable during sleep because saliva production slows down. Saliva helps protect teeth by washing away bacteria and acids in the mouth. The mouth dries up during sleep, so removing acids and bacteria that have built up on teeth during the day provides significant protection.
Flossing is just as important as brushing. It gets rid of plaque and food particles in the tight spaces between teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach. Brushing without flossing is the equivalent of varnishing only the front and back surfaces of a piece of wood. The wood can still rot when exposed to the elements if its sides are not also painted.
The American Dental Association set that standard. Plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria and the acids that they contain. Germs create the acids from food particles left in the mouth after meals. Plaque calcifies into tartar when left on teeth for over a day.
Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and flossing, so regular teeth cleanings are needed to remove tartar deposits. Tartar also contains bacteria and the acids that they make. It promotes tooth decay and gum disease.
The first stage of tooth decay is its de-mineralization stage, and it can be reversed with fluoride treatments. However, the decay can no longer be reversed once cavities begin to form. A dentist can slow down the decay by closing up cavities, though. Untreated tooth decay can lead to the total loss of teeth.
A chipped tooth requires dental care regardless of how minor it might seem. The outer layer of teeth is called the enamel, and it protects the more delicate inner layers. It is the strongest part of the body, and it is often damaged when a tooth is chipped. Enamel being compromised leaves the rest of the tooth vulnerable to tooth decay.
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Our general dentist can help diagnose and treat any dental issue that you are dealing with. Give us a call or visit our Federal Way clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment or call Smile Center Dental Care at 253-336-0023 for an appointment in our Federal Way office.
General dentistry recommends brushing twice daily and flossing once per day to protect your teeth against common dental problems like gum disease and tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth can cause both issues.Oral bacteria feast on sugars left in the mouth after meals, forming plaque and acids that damage teeth. Plaque is the film that…
If the dentist has discovered decay on the tooth, there are general dentistry treatments to repair it and prevent new ones from growing. A cavity or tooth decay is a hole in the tooth that develops over time. Cavities begin slowly and become more prominent if they are not addressed. Since you may not feel…
When patients visit the general dentistry office, the goal is to keep their oral health excellent. The appointment may be nothing more than a professional dental cleaning and getting instructions on proper oral health so long as there are no oral issues. If dental problems are to be addressed, the dentist will recommend the appropriate…