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Planning and Preparing for Dental Procedures: Your Questions Answered


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Planning and Preparing for Dental Procedures: Your Questions Answered

Making decisions about your smile can be confusing. Should you have a tooth pulled or get a root canal? Should you get adult braces or stick with a retainer? Should you use at-home whitening remedies or have your teeth professionally whitened? If questions like these are keeping you up at night, you've come to the right place. I used to stress out over routine dental procedures, and as a result, I did loads of research on everything dental-related. To help others, I'm using this blog as a place to collect, review and share what I've learned through the years. I hope you can use the information here to help you plan and prepare for your next dental appointment.

The Services You Can Expect From Your General Dentist

Many people see their general dentist more than they see any other medical practitioner. This is because a general dentist is a primary oral healthcare provider whose work is mainly preventive. They also possess the skills and expertise to attend to patients of all ages. This means that all the routine oral check-ups find their way into their portfolio. Some of the typical services that a general dentist offers are as follows:   

Preventive Oral Healthcare   

General dentists help to notice and take care of oral health issues before they worsen. For example, they provide dental exams and take diagnostic images using X-rays. They also perform professional teeth cleanings to remove plaque and tartar, which eliminates issues of tooth decay. Patients can also access plenty of information and instructions about at-home oral hygiene practices, which are necessary for preventive care.   

Restorative Oral Healthcare

These practitioners can also offer corrective dental procedures when they detect a problem. The most common treatments usually address tooth decay, which may require an extraction or a filling. They can do dental bonding, crowns and root canals. If your tooth is loose or broken, then your next option should be to restore normal tooth function. 

Another standard treatment that these practitioners offer is for early gum disease and teeth cleaning.  Usually, scaling and polishing is part of the cleaning process. Also, your general dentist can provide maxillofacial treatment procedures, which focus on problems of the jaw, face and mouth.     

Cosmetic Dental Procedures  

General dentists can also help improve your smile. The most common procedures which they can perform are tooth whitening, veneer installing and dental bonding. If you suffer from teeth stains and discolourations that never seem to go away with general teeth brushing, then these things are a quick and safe option.   

Other Oral Health Concerns   

Some oral issues can cause further problems to other parts of the body. For example, tooth complications can affect the throat and ear. The dentist can detect these issues and offer the best treatment.  

A general dentist is a professional oral healthcare provider who has a wealth of knowledge on a wide range of dental issues. They are your go-to practitioner when you need help with any problems concerning your teeth, including regular dental check-ups. They can also perform tooth-whitening and other procedures to help your teeth in a number of ways. Talk to your general dentist today to learn more.