Preventative Services from a General Dentist

General dentists' primary aim is to ensure optimal oral health, meaning the entire mouth. Therefore, they recommend various services to ensure the longevity of your natural teeth and surrounding structures. Take a look at the five preventative services we offer.

Evaluations

Routine evaluations are recommended for all individuals, regardless of age. The American Dental Association, or ADA, recommends visiting a general dentist every six months or biannually. During these evaluations, the dentist will check for any abnormal signs that threaten the integrity of the patient's oral health. With oral health, early detection is the key to staving off more intricate procedures and irreversible damage. Therefore, the general dentist will check for signs of disease and decay and how well the patient performs their oral hygiene routine.

Cleanings

Typically, professional cleanings are the next step after an evaluation. This helps the general dentist garner a better view of the patient's teeth and determine whether or not plaque has caked on them or the gum line. While plaque may seem harmless, it is a host of bad bacteria and can eat away at each tooth layer, causing decay and gum disease. Both threats can lead to tooth loss and gum or jawbone deterioration. Therefore, if plaque or tartar (hardened plaque) is present, the dentist will remove it before damage occurs.

Dental sealants

Dental sealants help protect the back teeth or molars. The molars are naturally etched with grooves, making it incredibly easy for food debris to become stuck. Therefore, patients who do not thoroughly clean their back teeth may be more susceptible to cavities. In this case, the general dentist will employ dental sealants. The process involves painting a protective coating on the back teeth, preventing debris of any kind from becoming stuck. Patients can care for their teeth like normal and will not notice the coating's presence.

Fluoride treatments

Fluoride strengthens the enamel, which is the first defense against decay. Fluoride is in many things, such as food, water, and oral care products; however, it is only in low doses. Fluoride treatments from a general dentist are delivered in concentrated solutions, providing stronger, longer-lasting results. The general dentist will apply a garnish, spray, or liquid to the patient's teeth, which is in every biannual appointment.

Oral cancer screenings

Oral cancer can happen to anyone at any age. Also known as mouth cancer, the general dentist will check for abnormal discoloration, lesions, sores, or bruising on the tongue, cheeks, and throat. If there is cause for concern, they will recommend the patient seek the counsel of a specialist who focuses on cancer or diseases in the mouth. These professionals may be a periodontist, an otolaryngologist, or an oncologist. This is because general dentists can only screen for oral cancer but not provide a formal diagnosis or treatment.