General Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale & Lighthouse Point, FL
Florida Smiles Dental provides general dentistry for patients at our Fort Lauderdale dental office and our Lighthouse Point dental office. Regular dental visits can help support healthy teeth and gums through preventive care, professional cleanings, exams, and early identification of dental concerns.
The professionals at Florida Smiles Dental provide general dentistry services for patients of all ages across our two South Florida locations. Our team focuses on preventive and routine dental care designed to help patients maintain their oral health over time.
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
Florida Smiles Dental provides comprehensive general dentistry in Fort Lauderdale and Lighthouse Point, with convenient care available at both of our South Florida offices. Patients can visit our Fort Lauderdale location or our Lighthouse Point location for routine dental exams, professional cleanings, preventive care, and ongoing support for healthy teeth and gums.
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:
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:
If you’re in extreme pain, don’t put up with it. Your dentist can help.
Why Do Patients Choose Florida Smiles Dental?
Florida Smiles Dental provides general dentistry at our Fort Lauderdale dental office and our Lighthouse Point dental office, giving patients access to preventive care, routine exams, professional cleanings, dental X-rays, and personalized treatment recommendations. Our team focuses on making each visit comfortable, clear, and centered on maintaining long-term oral health.
Benefits of General Dentistry
There are so many benefits to seeing us for general dentistry services:
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:
Contact Florida Smiles Dentistry Today
Ready for your next dental exam or professional cleaning? Our general dentistry team welcomes patients at our Fort Lauderdale location and Lighthouse Point location. Choose the office that is most convenient for you to learn more about the dental team, office information, and available appointment options.
Florida Smiles Dental provides routine exams, professional cleanings, preventive care, dental X-rays, and general dental services designed to help patients maintain healthy teeth and gums. Contact the location that works best for you to schedule your next visit.