Welcome to Smiles on Jefferson, where our excellent dentist, Dr. Bunmi Adekugbe, works diligently to ensure the health of every patient’s smiles. With general dentistry in La Parte, Indiana, our team is devoted to providing the best care for everyone in our office. If you need dental care, whether it’s preventative, cosmetic, or restorative, general dentistry is there to help you get the procedures you need for you and your smile.
In this blog post, we’ll go over all the basics of general dentistry, the several benefits you can get from it, and frequently asked questions about general dentistry.
What is General Dentistry?
General dentistry is a branch that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental problems. General dentistry encompasses many services, from regular checkups and cleanings to more complex procedures like root canals and extractions. Essentially, anything that has to do with keeping your teeth and gums healthy is covered under general dentistry.
Services Under General Dentistry
Regular Checkups: Regular checkups and cleanings are the most common. During these appointments, Dr. Bunmi Adekugbe will examine your teeth and gums for any signs of decay or disease, clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup, and offer advice on maintaining good oral health at home.
Cosmetic Dentistry: Besides providing services to keep your teeth and gums healthy, general dentists can also offer cosmetic treatments. This includes veneers, dental implants, All-on-4s, and clear aligners to help discreetly straighten your smile. While these treatments aren’t always strictly necessary for dental health, they can help boost your confidence and self-esteem by giving you a brighter, more beautiful smile.
Restorative Dentistry: Restorative dentistry is another area of general dentistry that focuses on restoring your smile. This includes filling cavities, performing root canals, providing crowns and bridges, and performing extractions. If you have a missing or damaged tooth, your dentist can treat it with these procedures to restore the function and appearance of your natural teeth.
Preventative Dentistry: In general dentistry, preventive measures are taken to prevent oral diseases or conditions before they occur. This includes recommendations on brushing and flossing techniques, the use of fluoride, oral cancer screening, and more. Preventive measures are more effective and affordable than treating oral diseases or conditions, so Dr. Bunmi Adekugbe emphasizes preventative care.
Patient Education: General dentistry also includes educating patients on the importance of oral care and maintaining good oral hygiene. We will help our patients know how to brush and floss correctly to avoid plaque buildup and gum disease. We will also teach patients about the adverse effects of smoking and excessive consumption of sugary foods and beverages on their oral health. We can help patients make informed decisions about their oral health with patient education.
Is General Dentistry Important?
Going to the dentist might not be the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s essential. Keeping up with regular dental appointments can help prevent many common dental problems, like gum disease and cavities. In addition, your dentist can catch any potential issues early on before they become more severe and require more intensive treatments. This can save you both time and money in the long run and prevent unnecessary pain or discomfort.
Benefits of General Dentistry
1. Prevents Dental Issues Regularly
Regular dental checkups with your dentist can help prevent dental issues like cavities, gum disease, and enamel wear. Your dentist can detect oral health problems early on and take preventive measures before they turn into severe cases that may require expensive treatments. During your checkup, your dentist will also perform a comprehensive examination of your mouth, including essential oral cancer screening.
2. Provides Customized Dental Treatments
A general dentist provides various dental treatments catering to each patient’s needs. For example, your dentist can recommend particular toothpaste or fluoride treatment if you have sensitive teeth. If you grind your teeth, your dentist can make a customized mouthguard to prevent further damage. A general dentist will also provide detailed information on your oral health and recommend the best treatment options.
3. Helps You Maintain Proper Dental Hygiene
Routine dental checkups with your dentist will allow you to learn and maintain the proper dental hygiene practices. Your dentist will inform you of the correct brushing and flossing techniques and recommend oral care products. Regular dental visits will ensure you’re brushing and flossing correctly and help you prevent dental issues from improper oral care.
4. Saves You Money In the Long Run
Regular visits to your dentist can save a lot of money in the long run. By detecting and treating oral health issues early on, you can avoid extensive procedures such as root canals, tooth extractions, or gum surgeries that cost you a lot of money. Routine dental checkups can also help you maintain good overall health and prevent you from getting other systemic illnesses associated with poor oral health, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
5. Promotes Overall Wellness
Good oral health means good overall health. Regular visits to a general dentist support your overall wellness, not just your oral health. Besides addressing dental needs, your dentist will advise you on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and approach that creates a healthy body and healthy-mouth mindset.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a general dentist do?: General dentists like Dr. Bunmi Adekugbe provide a wide range of oral health services, including routine cleanings, fillings, crowns, and preventative education. Dr. Adekugbe strives to ensure the best care for each patient, helping prevent any oral concerns from occurring.
- How often should I visit a general dentist?: You must visit Dr. Adekugbe for a checkup and cleaning twice a year unless stated otherwise by your dentist based on your oral health. Checkups are vital to help ensure the health of your teeth and gums and to prevent oral health concerns from occurring or worsening.
- At what age should my child start seeing a general dentist?: Children should begin to visit the dentist around their first birthday or within six months after the first tooth appears. However, when looking for a general dentist, make sure they accept young patients, as some dentists do not take in patients under six.
- What should I do if I have a dental emergency?: Experiencing a dental emergency is never a good feeling and can even cause stress and anxiety to occur. However, it is essential that if you are going through a dental emergency, you contact our office immediately, as Dr. Bunmi Adekugbe proudly provides emergency dentistry for patients in need of immediate dental attention. So call our office directly, and we can help you through the situation and get you in presently so we can help save your smile.
- Do general dentists treat gum disease?: Dr. Bunmi Adekugbe can diagnose and treat the early stages of gum disease. If the condition is severe, he may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist in gum disease treatment.
- Can general dentists perform cosmetic procedures?: While general dentists primarily focus on preventative and restorative treatments, our dentist also offers cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening and veneers.
- Is it necessary to floss every day?: Flossing once daily is essential for maintaining good oral health as it helps remove plaque and food particles from between teeth and the gum line.
- How can I prevent tooth decay?: Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet, limiting sugary and acidic foods and drinks, and visiting Dr. Bunmi Adekugbe will help prevent tooth decay from occurring.
General Dentistry in La Porte, IN
General dentistry is the cornerstone of dental health. Regular checkups, cleanings, and more complex treatments, like fillings and root canals, can help keep your teeth and gums healthy and prevent more serious issues from developing. Be sure to see a dentist before you have a dental emergency. Please schedule an appointment today with our fantastic dentist to get your smile’s care.