General Dentistry

If you've ever been to the dentist, you likely have some experience with general dentistry; it focuses on all the regular maintenance procedures - anything from addressing sensitive teeth to daily hygiene issues to toothaches. It is recommended that everyone visit a general dentist twice a year. Even when patients require a more specialized dentist or an oral surgeon, they must usually visit a general dentist to first acquire a referral.

Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive teeth are often assumed to be caused by a severe problem with roots, but in actuality can be caused by gum disease, dental procedures, or simply outer tooth damage. It may be treated with a desensitizer, special rinses or improved dental hygiene.

Preventative Dentistry

Preventative dentistry encompasses all the regular practices that keep your teeth and gums healthy. It includes procedures done at home - such as brushing and flossing, and procedures done at the dental office, such as a thorough cleaning and fluoride application.

How To Choose A Dentist

Picking the right dentist involves consideration of many issues. In regards to the dentist, inquire about accreditation, education, number of years practicing and his or her capabilities. Also discuss an individual plan for your teeth, take measure of your comfort level and ask about price.

Diet and Dentistry

Diet plays an important role in dental heath. For example, too much sugar and acids (as found in citrus drinks) wears down tooth enamel. Food that’s left between teeth creates pockets of rot within gums. Eat healthy foods and practice good dental hygiene to combat these problems.

Dental Specialities

There are nine dental specialties: dental public health, pedodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, and oral and maxillofacial radiology, surgery and pathology. Each focuses on a particular area of need. The type of dentist required depends entirely on the condition of your teeth and mouth.

Wisdom Teeth

Because they often cause complications like crowding, gum disease and bone loss, wisdom teeth are typically removed in early adulthood. Best performed by an oral surgeon, the removal is a common one, followed up with pain medication and a special soft-food diet.

Toothache

A toothache is any pain in the tooth area, usually caused when damage or decay exposes the sensitive nerves of the mouth and jaw. Frequent causes include cavities, abscesses and severe gum disease. Most aches are treated with tooth removal, root canals or dental fillings.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder characterized by a sudden lack of oxygen that causes suffers to choke and gasp in their sleep, is sometimes corrected through oral procedures, such as via application of a dental device, the removal of throat tissue, or even weight loss.

Oral Surgery

Oral surgery is surgery that deals with the mouth, jaw and throat areas. Surgeons in this field must be accredited by the proper authority and are usually recommended by a regular dentist. One of the most common oral surgical procedures is the removal of wisdom teeth.

Dentures

Dentures, which are basically sets of replacement teeth, come in a variety of forms, including complete sets (replacing all teeth), partials (replacing only some), upper and lower sets. While common, they can be expensive and require as much care as natural teeth.

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is designed to overcome the common trepidation and fear many face when considering dental work. Patients are relaxed through a combination of medication and atmosphere-control. Patients are put in a state of semi-consciousness during the actual dental work.

Dental Hygiene

In order to maintain good dental hygiene (and a clean, healthy mouth free of gum disease and cavities), you should brush and floss regularly - at least twice a day, make regular visits to your dentist and maintain a healthy diet.

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are a moldable substance - amalgam or composite resin - used to fill in areas of tooth decay. The former is mercury-based and appears gold or silver; the latter is a more discreet tooth-colored substance that is more expensive but increasing in popularity.