Smile Maintenance: Common Services Offered by a General Dentist

A general dentist offers numerous smile maintenance services to help patients be confident and proud of their smiles. Some treatments require dentists to change the structure of the teeth, such as treating areas of decay, while others focus more on boosting the teeth’s resilience or keeping the gums healthy. No matter how long it has been since the last time you went to the dentist, scheduling a checkup is always a smart choice.

What a general dentist can do

General dentists spend their days performing a wide range of treatments and procedures, all in service of keeping people’s smiles healthy and vibrant. The most common services that a patient can expect when visiting the dentist include the following.

Cleaning the teeth

Perhaps the task that the dentist is most known for, a tooth cleaning is a standard part of a dental checkup. They will use specialized tools, such as polishers and scalers, to remove plaque and tartar on the teeth. This buildup cannot be removed at home with a normal toothbrush, which is why visiting the dentist is crucial.

A tooth cleaning removes bacteria on the teeth and helps keep them smooth, so new bacteria will have a harder time clinging to them. It can also preserve their color to keep the smile bright.

Treating gingivitis

Almost all adults will either experience gingivitis at some point in their lives or know someone who has it. Gingivitis, also called gum disease, occurs when the gums become inflamed due to bacteria in the mouth. Most often, this arises due to insufficient oral hygiene habits.

General dentists treat gingivitis through regular tooth cleaning and potentially, more targeted procedures, such as scaling and root planing. They may clean gum pockets or provide antiseptic mouthwash to assist patients in overcoming their gum disease.

Fixing cavities

Cavities present as weakened areas of enamel on the teeth. A general dentist can fix a cavity by drilling away the decayed tissue and replacing it with a strong, hard filling made of materials like composite or amalgam. When caught early, most cavities can be fixed with minimal effort and without compromising the health of the tooth.

Identifying oral cancers

During a regular checkup, general dentists typically use their fingers to gently feel the patient's neck and tongue or probe around the cheeks. This process aims to detect early signs of oral cancers. The earlier that the dentist notices an issue, the more likely the patient is to make a full recovery.

Administering fluoride treatments

After the general dentist has finished the tooth cleaning process, they may apply a fluoride treatment, usually by coating the patient's teeth in a special liquid for a minute or two. The fluoride helps strengthen the teeth and keep them strong against decay. Once the treatment is over, the patient only needs to rinse their mouth before going on their way.