While there are many dental specialists out there today, general dentists are the dentists that most people still see today. The majority of the work that these dentists do primarily revolves around addressing dental concerns before they can develop into full-blown problems that are expensive to treat. This is called preventative oral care.
Read along to find out what a general dentist can do to help prevent dental problems in your family.
They Perform Regular Dental Cleanings
If you're like the vast majority of people, you know that regular brushing and flossing of the teeth helps to keep your mouth clean and healthy. But do you know that daily oral care at home should be complemented with regular visits to the dentist for professional dental cleanings?
General dentists perform regular dental cleanings to help get rid of the plaque and tartar that tends to accumulate in the mouth over time, creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that cause infections and disease.
Daily brushing and flossing of the teeth at home doesn't remove all the food particles from the mouth. Going for regular dental cleanings will help keep your mouth as clean and healthy as it can be.
They Conduct Dental Examinations
Aside from cleaning your mouth, a general dentist can also examine your mouth to check for any issues that require corrective action.
For example, tooth decay is quite common in young children because of their liking for sugary foodstuffs. General dentists can visually inspect their teeth to look for signs of decay to provide the proper treatment.
These dentists can also perform dental x-rays to help detect problems that may not be visible to the naked eye.
They Provide Oral Health Education
General dentists also give people advice and tips on how to maintain good oral health at home. They also educate families on the importance of proper at-home oral care. By improving people's knowledge and practice regarding dental health, they help in the prevention of most oral health problems.
Whether you like it or not, your oral health is going to affect your overall health in one way or another. Maintaining good oral health is an essential part of staying healthy. As general dentists attend to patients of all ages, they can address most of your family's dental concerns. However, it is important to note that these dentists have their limitations and may refer you to a dental specialist in certain circumstances.
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