Oral Health Services Provided by Your General Dentist

Your general dentist is a healthcare provider who provides diagnosis, treatment and management of short and long-term oral health needs. They conduct regular checkups, dental examinations (which may include diagnostic images such as x-rays) and professional teeth cleanings to meet those needs.best dental clinic in jeddah

General dentists offer cosmetic treatments and preventive education to their patients. Unlike specialists, general dentists possess all of the skills needed to perform all kinds of dental procedures.
Dental Exams

An annual dental exam is essential in developing an oral health treatment plan. Your dentist will review both your medical and dental histories, such as medications, supplements, natural healing remedies and allergies as well as any chronic or ongoing conditions that could impede on your oral wellbeing.

Your dentist will evaluate any changes since your last appointment and look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease and any damage from harmful habits like teeth grinding. A thorough oral exam often includes using diagnostic imaging such as x-rays to reveal hidden issues hiding between existing fillings, between teeth or under the gum line - possibly uncovering problems under existing fillings, in between teeth or beneath gum lines that have not yet surfaced.

Members of the Academy of General Dentistry have pledged their continued education and research in order to remain at the forefront of oral care innovations, using this knowledge to provide patients with comprehensive solutions that promote optimal oral health.
Teeth Cleaning

Regular dental cleanings remove the sticky white film known as plaque from teeth to help prevent cavities. General dentists or dental hygienists will scrub with high-grade professional toothpaste and an electric brush before using an ultrasonic scaling device to break up plaque and tartar deposits. They may also floss between your teeth using traditional dental floss in order to remove food that could cause infections or tooth decay.

General dentists usually advise their patients to come for an oral exam and professional cleaning every six months for optimal oral health and hygiene. This helps decrease bacteria populations and avoid complications like gum disease, tooth decay and infection. Most dental insurance plans cover preventive visits including dental cleanings; for those without coverage they can make payments using health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts.
Cosmetic Treatments

General dentists commonly offer cosmetic dental procedures, including teeth whitening or porcelain veneers, while more complicated cases may require the services of specialists such as oral surgeons or periodontists.

Regular visits to your dentist are one of the best ways to protect against serious dental problems. Missed cleaning appointments could allow tartar and plaque build-up to accumulate, which could eventually lead to tooth decay, gum disease or even oral cancer.

General dentists work to minimize risks for their patients by encouraging good oral hygiene practices, diagnosing existing issues and working towards prevention. They can also offer advice regarding overall health concerns like obstructive sleep apnea - which increases risk factors for other diseases.
Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer and oropharyngeal cancer can be life-threatening if left undetected for too long, so screening is the only effective way of early detection for these head and neck cancers.

Your dentist will conduct an oral cancer screening by visually inspecting the inside and exterior of your mouth as well as jaw area to detect discolored or abnormal tissues, and feel around for hard lumps of tissue in both areas.

Upon seeing any of these indicators, they will use special mouth rinse or fluorescent lighting devices to more closely inspect your tissues. These devices shine a safe blue light that illuminates tissues so your dentist can determine whether they are precancerous or normal; additionally, he may perform painless biopsy of these areas to confirm the results.
Dental Implants

Dental implants provide a permanent solution for tooth loss. Your general dentist may utilize 3D X-rays and digital jaw scans to ensure there is enough healthy bone available for an implant (or implants, in case multiple are necessary). Sometimes an extra bone graft may need to be performed prior to your procedure -- known as bone augmentation.

Your general dentist offers root canal therapy as a treatment option to save severely damaged or infected teeth. They will remove infected pulp from within the tooth, clean and disinfect it thoroughly before filling and sealing it back up again.

During the recovery process, it's best to consume soft foods and use nonabrasive cleaning products around the surgical site. Your doctor may suggest medications to relieve any postoperative discomfort such as pain or swelling.