General Dentistry
Your dentist in Fort Lauderdale and Lighthouse Point, FL is your partner on the road to good oral health. To have healthy teeth and gums, visit your dentist regularly. Good dentists provide helpful advice, can spot dental problems before they become serious, and can provide dental cleanings to keep your teeth healthy.
The professionals at Florida Smiles Dental provide general dentistry services to patients of all ages. We’re experts in dental health, and we can help you avoid problems that can lead to tooth loss, painful infections, and more.
Why Is General Dentistry Important?
General dentistry is a basic dentistry service that can help keep your teeth clean and healthy. Seeing a general dentist for exams and general cleanings can keep plaque and tartar off your tooth enamel and gums. This plaque and tartar can cause problems including cavities, gum recession, periodontal disease, stains on your tooth enamel, and more.
When you visit the dentist to have plaque and tartar removed, you’re taking important steps to make your teeth healthy.
What is plaque? Plaque is a sticky yellow substance that attaches to tooth enamel. Plaque contains bacteria, saliva, and leftover food particles. Plaque development is normal. Everyone develops plaque over time. When you brush your teeth, you may remove some plaque but not all. Your dentist will remove plaque when you come to their office for teeth cleanings.
What is tartar? Tartar is a hardened plaque. It cannot be removed by brushing your teeth. Tartar can cause gum recession. Only the dentist can remove tartar from your teeth.
General Dentistry Services At Florida Smiles Dental
At Florida Smiles Dental, we provide general dentistry services to help our patients maintain healthy teeth and gums. When you come in for your two appointments each year, here’s what you can expect:
Dental Exams
During a typical dental exam, the dentist will use tools like a mirror and a dental probe to look at your teeth. The dentist will look for problems such as:
- Tooth enamel cracks
- Dental decay or cavities
- Missing cavity fillings
- Broken tooth enamel
- Partially erupted wisdom teeth
- Gum recession
- Signs of cancer or periodontal disease
If the dentist finds any indications of a problem, the dentist will talk to you about your options and coach you through preventive measures to avoid future issues.
During the dental exam, this is your opportunity to talk to your dentist and ask questions you may have about your dental health. Do you need toothbrush recommendations or have questions about the discomfort you’ve been experiencing? This is the perfect time to ask. Your dentist can even provide a tutorial to show you how to brush your teeth and floss.
Dental Cleanings
Dental cleanings usually take up most of the time at the dentist’s office. When the dental professional cleans your teeth, they’ll eliminate plaque and tartar that may have built up on your tooth enamel. The dentist or hygienist may use many tools to get the work done, including scalers, mirrors, and polishers.
The dental professional will polish your teeth when the cleaning is over to prevent food from building up on your tooth enamel. Polishing your teeth makes them easier to clean.
Dental X-Rays
Your dentist is unlikely to take dental X-rays every time you come in for a checkup. However, when your dentist does take X-rays, the process is likely to be fast and painless. Some people have concerns about the safety of dental X-rays. There’s nothing to be worried about, as the amount of radiation that you absorb from a dental X-ray is comparable to the amount of radiation you might absorb from your phone or television.
The dentist uses X-rays to see inside your teeth and gums, to find problems they can’t see with their eyes. For example, the dentist may use X-rays to find out if your wisdom teeth are just beneath the surface. The dentist may also reveal problems like infection and areas of bone loss. This helps the dentist make decisions as they recommend treatments and preventive care.
How Often Should You See the Dentist?
Unless your dentist has recommended otherwise, see your dentist twice yearly for cleanings. You should also make an appointment to visit the dentist if you’ve noticed signs of a problem.
Signs You Need to See the Dentist
Not sure whether you need to see the dentist? Here’s what to watch for:
- Sudden tooth sensitivity or pain in your teeth
- Swelling around your tooth
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away when you brush your teeth
- Loose teeth
- Cracked or broken tooth enamel
If you’re in extreme pain, don’t put up with it. Your dentist can help.
Why Do Patients Choose Florida Smiles Dental?
Patients choose Florida Smiles Dental because we offer the best dental care in Fort Lauderdale and Lighthouse Point, FL. We provide a range of services and have a dental team that you can trust. Here’s what you can expect when you come for a dental cleaning and examination:
- Excellent patient care. We prioritize patient care. Each patient matters, and we want your experience in our office to be a good one.
- Efficient visit from beginning to end. Your time is important to us. We’ve spent years streamlining our processes and scheduling to ensure patients enjoy the quickest and most satisfying visits possible.
- Modern, state-of-the-art equipment. Our dental office is located in a comfortable facility where we use state-of-the-art equipment. This is important because it allows us to take good care of our patient’s teeth.
Benefits of General Dentistry
There are so many benefits to seeing us for general dentistry services:
- We’ll help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.
- Our dental professionals will spot dental problems when they’re just beginning, and we’ll help you address them quickly.
- We’ll help you maintain beautiful teeth that you can be proud of.
Don’t forget that maintaining healthy teeth isn’t just about avoiding cavities: it’s also important for preserving your smile. We know that having good breath and a beautiful smile matters to you. When you visit the dentist at Florida Smiles Dentistry, we’ll take steps to help you avoid bad breath, tooth enamel stains, and more.
Dental Advice That Makes a Difference
Sometimes our patients ask for dental advice that can help them take care of their teeth at home. We’ve got your back! This is what we say to patients:
- Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time.
- Floss once per day.
- Replace your toothbrush every three months.
- Brush gently – don’t push too hard!
- Avoid sugary snacks. Eat less candy and more healthy foods!
- Make appointments with the dentist twice annually for dental cleanings.
Contact Florida Smiles Dentistry Today
When was the last time you went to the dentist for teeth cleaning? Your dentist in Fort Lauderdale and Lighthouse Point FL can help. Call Florida Smiles Dentistry today to make an appointment for your next dental exam and cleaning. Our dental professionals are here to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.
We’re also polite and efficient! This makes us the go-to choice for the people of Fort Lauderdale and Lighthouse Point FL. We provide all the general dentistry services you need to maintain long-lasting, healthy teeth.
