Visiting our general dentist blog is a great place to start if you have any questions about what a general dentist does or are just looking for information on oral health and hygiene. We tend to focus a lot of our attention on the healing side of dentistry, providing ways to understand what we do every day and how they can avoid some of the challenges our patients face.
Since much of our focus is on preventative medicine, we educate patients on topics such as oral health and hygiene, gum diseases, great brushing habits, tooth decay, cleaning, and more. There are a lot of places on the internet where patients can get false information that can mislead patients. Thus, we offer basic information in this blog and are happy to answer any other questions over the phone.
As a general dentist, we know that there are all kinds of oral health problems that people face. Some are rare while we see others virtually every day. Since the vast majority of what we deal with are similar challenges, we decided to talk about two of the most common reasons why people seek out the aid of a dentist. Cavities and bad breath.
A cavity is a small hole that forms in the enamel of the tooth due to decay. Bacteria, which resides perpetually in the mouth, colonize the teeth. Often one will see a thin film-like substance on the teeth (plaque). When the plaque builds up, the bacteria secrete an acid which starts to erode the enamel of the teeth.
Eventually, the acid will eat a small hole or a cavity into the tooth itself. Left unchecked, cavities can cause discomfort, spread, and can lead to conditions such as gum disease. The good news it is not difficult to avoid cavities. Simply brush twice a day, learn to rinse the mouth after eating a meal or a snack, floss regularly and have general dentist visits at least twice per year.
Bad breath is another problem that plagues many people. With someone who has bad breath, there is typically an underlying health cause that requires dental treatment. While it is natural for people to have bad breath after certain foods, think eating garlic, chronic bad breath can be much worse. This type of bad breath can include bacteria on the tongue, cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer. If brushing frequently, using anti-microbial mouthwash, and having good eating habits does not get rid of the bad breath, then patients definitely need to call our general dentist office.
We can examine your teeth and gums to determine if you have a health condition that needs to be addressed or if you simply need a deep cleaning. Our dentist office in Huntsville can assist with both issues to restore you to good health and fresh breath.
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…
General dentistry commonly handles toothaches among other dental concerns. While this is a routine issue that is easily treatable, it is common for patients to have several questions about it and what they should do if they experience it. Here we will answer some commonly asked general dentistry questions and advice on the best ways…
Dentists recognize many types of toothaches. Each tooth pain carries a different intensity and meaning, and each type is caused by a different dental issue. You may not know what kind of ache you have right now. Understanding it, and getting in touch with a licensed dentist to alleviate your pain, are important steps in…
Dental professionals typically recommend visiting the general dentistry office for checkups regularly. Those who visit the dentist are less prone to developing a serious oral condition that may need extensive procedures, and that is just one of the many benefits of routine dental checkups. Continue reading to find out more about the importance of visiting…
For many patients, Invisalign® treatment is a good alternative to traditional braces. Treatment time is often shorter, and patients can maintain better oral hygiene during the process. This type of orthodontic treatment uses a series of clear aligners to straighten teeth. The patient wears the trays for 20-22 hours a day, only removing them for…
Wear and tear make denture repair inevitable in the long run. This is why a general dentistry practice that deals with dentures should have in-house facilities for minor and moderate repairs. The practice should also have quick access to a dental lab in case a patient needs major repairs for their dentures. Knowing when to…