General dentists are primary care providers and focus on preventing oral diseases. These professionals help patients avoid the progression of oral conditions. Your general dentist can refer you to a specialist depending on your situation. Unlike specialists who focus on one dental field, general dentists provide a wide range of treatments. Family dentists attend to patients of all ages. Most family dentists are trained to deal with children, but not as much as pediatric dentists. Your Fairfield, CA family & general dentist aims at restoring your dental appearance, function, and health. General and family dentists perform many dental procedures, including:
Dental checkups
Regular dental exams with your general dentist are essential to maintaining good oral health. They can help to prevent or reduce the severity of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues. Research in the Journal of the American Dental Association shows that patients who visit general dentists at least twice a year are less likely to suffer from dental caries, gum disease, and periodontal disease than those who do not have regular visits. Regular checkups enable your general dentist to diagnose and treat these conditions early on before they become severe.
Dental cleaning
Regular dental cleanings are beneficial for overall oral health. During a dental cleaning, your dentist removes plaque, bacteria, and tartar from your teeth and gums, which can cause periodontal disease. Your dentist also applies fluoride for teeth protection. Cleaning also helps your provider identify potential problems, such as cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer, making treating them earlier and preventing further damage easier. Dentists recommend you have dental cleaning after every six months.
Dental fillings
A dental filling is one of the most commonly used restorative dental treatments. Dental fillings repairs and restore damaged teeth. Dentists mostly use dental fillings to treat decayed teeth. The treatment can also repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth damaged by misuse like biting nails or bottle caps. Fillings are made of strong materials like porcelain, making them durable. To ensure your fillings last longer, observe correct dental hygiene, get regular dental checkups, and avoid biting hard materials.
Tooth extraction
Tooth extraction involves your dentist removing your tooth and its root completely from its socket. Your family dentist can recommend tooth extraction if you have severe gum disease, tooth fracture, extreme tooth decay, an impacted tooth, or tooth luxation. Tooth extraction helps alleviate tooth pain, eliminate bacteria, and restore oral health. Tooth extraction can be traumatizing in kids, but family dentists are trained to handle children during treatments.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dental procedure that involves your general or family dentist using special bleaching agents to eliminate stains on your teeth. There are various teeth whitening procedures depending on your condition and goal. Your dentist can do in-office teeth cleaning or prescribe whitening toothpaste or strips. During the process, your dentist educates you on taking care of your teeth to maintain your results and prevent further staining.
General and family dentists offer dental services to patients of all ages. These dental professionals provide many services, including preventive care and restorative and cosmetic treatments. Schedule an appointment at Freedom Dental for general and family dentistry services to improve your overall health.