General dentistry is the cornerstone of our dental services and the foundation of lifelong oral health and wellness. At Stone Creek Dental, we want to do everything possible to keep your teeth healthy. The primary way in which we do this is through regular dental hygiene appointments, checkups, and preventative programs twice per year.
Our preventative program is a cooperative effort by the patient, dentist, and dental staff to preserve the teeth’s natural dentition and supporting structures for a lifelong, healthy, beautiful smile. We combine simple preventative measures to keep the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions at bay.
What to Expect: General Dentistry in Denton, TX
We thoroughly clean and provide a complete oral exam at each preventative care appointment. Even if you brush and floss your teeth at home, you may not be able to reach all of the nooks and crannies. Our specialized dental tools are designed to reach all the difficult places with a simple toothbrush. We also thoroughly floss your teeth to ensure that we’re removing any debris and food particles left between them.
For younger patients, we may recommend dental sealants. We paint them onto the teeth most susceptible to tooth decay. Usually, it’s the molars because of their cusps. You also use your molars the most when you chew and bite food. Sealants provide an extra layer of protection between bacteria and the natural tooth structure.
During your oral exam, the dentist examines every area of your mouth. We’re looking for early warning signs of more severe dental issues, like gum disease, oral cancer, or if orthodontic treatment will be necessary. Diagnostic tools like X-rays allow us to view things we can’t see with the naked eye. We’ll take action or refer you to a specialist for necessary care. Conservative dental care allows us to manage the condition to avoid more invasive and expensive treatment needs.
We strive to be your oral health resource so that you can properly manage your oral health at home. Preventative care has to take place outside our office. We can recommend the best oral healthcare products for your unique needs. You may require toothpaste targeted toward gum care, for example. We also advise on the best dietary choices to maintain oral health.
We offer the following general dental care services:
How Diet Impacts Your Oral Health
You probably know that a balanced diet is optimal for your body. But it’s especially important for your oral health, too. You can’t continue to eat an ideal diet if you aren’t able to chew and break down certain necessary foods.
Eating various fruits and vegetables is essential to maintaining a healthy smile. They contain many vitamins and minerals that can contribute to reducing inflammation in the mouth, preventing cavities, and strengthening your enamel. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain high fiber, helping clean your teeth and promoting saliva production. Saliva helps to wash away the bacteria in your mouth.
Dairy products are also beneficial to oral health. They contain high phosphorus and calcium levels. Both of these things help to strengthen your teeth and fortify the tooth enamel. The stronger your teeth, the harder it is for tooth decay to work through the layers of your tooth. Eat a few servings of dairy daily to keep your teeth and bones strong.
Sugary and acidic foods and beverages are the two things you should avoid the most. Foods and beverages like soda, candy, acidic fruits, and other sweets increase problems in the mouth. Sugar is an ideal food for bacteria, causing them to emit an acidic byproduct. This erodes the tooth enamel in certain spots, forming cavities and allowing them to penetrate deeper. Limit foods like these to only one or two times a week.
Too many carbohydrates, starches, and processed foods can harm your smile, too. When you’re eating certain carbs, like white bread or crackers, they break down into sugars as you digest them. While you may think you don’t have to worry about salty snacks, they can still impact oral health. With all these problem foods, try to rinse your mouth out with water after you’re done eating them.
The Mouth-Body Connection
The mouth and the rest of your body have a very close relationship. The mouth is the entrance to your digestive system. It’s at the top of a chain of organs and processes essential to daily life and function. The mouth is an entrance to your respiratory system as well. It’s not a stretch to believe that the mouth and any conditions impacting it can have a far-reaching outcome on the rest of your body.
Plaque and tartar contain bacteria as they build up on your teeth. But because the mouth is such a prominent part of your body, the bacteria there can impact things around your body. If you have an infection, just had a nasty cavity filled, or have openings in your gums caused by gum disease, the bacteria enter the bloodstream, bringing infection and inflammation throughout the entire body.
When bacteria are present, the body’s natural response is inflammation. When this is constant over time, it causes problems. Conditions like cardiovascular disease, strokes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s all show connections to oral health conditions. Since the mouth is such a crucial part of the body, it can impact other parts you never assumed you were connected to.
General Dentistry FAQs
General dentistry provides the foundation of your oral health. Read the answers to the following commonly asked questions to learn more.
How often do I need to visit the dentist?
No matter your age, you should visit the dentist at least once every six months. This allows us to provide deep cleanings in areas where your toothbrush at home can’t always reach. We also use diagnostic tools to see areas of the mouth that aren’t visible to the naked eye. We can catch issues early on, like determining if wisdom teeth will cause problems or if you have an abscess. Preventative care helps to avoid more costly and intensive procedures in the future.
Should I use a manual or electric toothbrush?
Both are effective if you’re using them properly. However, we recommend an electric toothbrush for patients who have restricted movement. It can be hard to maneuver a manual toothbrush so that it hits all of the right spots. An electric toothbrush removes some needed movement from the patient, transferring it to the toothbrush instead.
Why do I need to floss?
A toothbrush can’t reach every area in your smile. The bristles can’t get between your teeth when brushing your teeth normally. When food particles remain there, they attract bacteria. The bacteria emit an acidic byproduct that erodes the enamel of your teeth, causing tooth decay. Since it’s between the teeth, this decay can be hard to notice until it’s a serious issue. Flossing helps to prevent this.
Are X-rays safe?
Many patients find the thought of radiation worrisome. But it’s important to realize just how far X-ray technology has come. Digital X-rays are both more comfortable for patients and emit very little radiation. You don’t have to worry about any harmful effects from getting dental X-rays. X-rays are crucial for seeing between teeth and into the jawbone.
Why is fluoride important for my smile?
The white layer on the outside of your teeth is called enamel. It protects your teeth’s sensitive inner layers, like the dental nerves. Fluoride keeps enamel strong and helps it remineralize. If you drink tap water in America, you likely get some fluoride in the water system. We often recommend extra fluoride treatments for children to help their teeth develop well. Children are also more likely to experience tooth decay, and this helps protect the teeth from that.
How do I get rid of bad breath?
Everyone experiences bad breath. If you eat certain foods, you’ll have bad breath after them until you use mouthwash or brush your teeth. Poor oral hygiene also causes bad breath as bacteria build up in your mouth, emitting an odor. If diligent oral hygiene isn’t helping, it can possibly be gum disease. This causes a specific, distinct smell. There are various treatments for it depending on the severity of the case.
Schedule an Appointment
Our practice is family-friendly, and our dentist would love to become your go-to dental care provider in Denton, no matter where you are in your oral health journey. Schedule an appointment at our dentist office today.