Routine and general dental treatments are essential to maintaining teeth and gums. Preventative dental care is also a part of general dentistry in our Flower Mound, TX, dental office. Regular dental care can prevent problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. We also provide comprehensive dental services to our patients in and around Flower Mound, Texas.
General Dentistry in Flower Mound, TX
Root canals eliminate an infection in a specific tooth by entering the root and removing the cause of the infection or inflammation. After decontaminating the root, it is filled and returned to its original state. Fillings are used alongside root canals to repair cavities or cracked and broken teeth.
The resins that create the filling mimic your tooth’s natural look and feel. Fillings can even be used to repair teeth worn down by clenching or grinding. Overall, they are a great, simple option for restoring your smile.
We also offer family dental services as a part of general dental care. Visiting a family dentist helps every member of your family meet their oral health needs. Dental care is especially important for children, as they can be more prone to problems like cavities. It’s also essential that parents help their children care for their smiles when they aren’t in the office.
Routine care in our office can include:
- Exams: A comprehensive dental exam is essential to boost overall health, and your dentist will perform one at your initial dental visit.
- Cleaning: Your home care and daily routines play an important role in achieving a beautiful, healthy, winning smile that lasts a lifetime.
- X-rays: Dental radiographs are essential preventative and diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam.
- Gum Disease Therapy: If you have periodontal disease or gingivitis, several treatment options are available, including deep gum cleaning.
- Oral Cancer Screening: An oral cancer screening is a simple procedure to detect early signs of mouth/oral cancer. Talk to us during cleaning to get your screening.
The Importance of Preventative Dental Care
Preventative dental care is about keeping your teeth and gums healthy and avoiding problems before they start. This care includes regular check-ups, cleanings, and practicing good oral hygiene at home. The benefits of preventative dental care are numerous, and it can save you time, money, and pain in the long run.
Prevents Cavities and Gum Disease
One of the biggest benefits of preventative dental care is that it helps prevent cavities and gum disease. Regular visits to the dentist for cleanings can remove plaque and tartar, which can build up on your teeth and lead to decay and gum problems. By getting these cleanings every six months, you reduce the chances of developing cavities or gum disease. Additionally, a dentist can spot early signs of these issues and treat them before they become serious problems, saving you from more expensive and painful treatments later on.
Saves Money on Future Treatments
Preventative dental care is an investment that can save you money in the long run. By catching problems early, you can avoid expensive treatments like root canals, crowns, or tooth extractions. For example, a small cavity found during a routine check-up can be treated with a simple filling, while an untreated cavity might require a root canal, which is much more expensive. Regular dental visits allow your dentist to detect issues early, meaning you’ll spend less on complex dental procedures.
Keeps Your Smile Looking Great
Regular cleanings and check-ups help keep your teeth looking healthy and bright. When plaque and tartar are not removed, they can lead to yellowing teeth and bad breath. By visiting the dentist for routine cleanings, you can maintain a bright smile and avoid needing professional teeth whitening treatments. Preventative care also helps keep your gums healthy, preventing gum recession that can affect the appearance of your smile.
Improves Overall Health
Your oral health is closely linked to your overall health. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to several serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Practicing good oral hygiene and visiting the dentist regularly helps lower the risk of developing these conditions. Preventative dental care helps keep your mouth healthy, which in turn helps protect the rest of your body from potential health issues.
Helps Prevent Tooth Loss
Tooth loss is often the result of untreated dental problems, like severe cavities or gum disease. You can reduce the risk of losing a tooth by taking care of your teeth with regular check-ups and cleanings. Preventative care can also help detect issues like tooth decay or gum disease in their early stages, which means they can be treated before they cause permanent damage. Keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible is important for maintaining your ability to chew properly and speak clearly.
Boosts Self-Confidence
When you take good care of your teeth, you’re more likely to feel confident about your smile. Regular dental check-ups help you keep your teeth looking their best, which can improve your self-esteem. Preventative dental care also helps prevent bad breath and other oral health issues that could affect how comfortable you feel when talking to others. A healthy smile can make you feel more confident in personal and professional situations.
Establishes Healthy Habits Early
Preventative dental care is an important way for children to establish good habits early on. When children visit the dentist regularly and learn to brush and floss properly, they are more likely to maintain these habits throughout their lives. Early dental care also helps children get used to visiting the dentist, which can reduce fear and anxiety about future dental appointments.
Reduces the Risk of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a serious condition that can be detected early through routine dental exams. During your dental check-up, your dentist will examine your mouth, gums, and throat for signs of oral cancer. Early detection is key to successful treatment, and regular dental visits increase the chances of finding it early. Preventative care gives you peace of mind and helps ensure that any potential health problems are caught early.
Diet and Oral Health
Your diet plays a crucial role in the health of your teeth and gums. What you eat can either help protect your smile or contribute to dental problems like cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. You can maintain a bright, healthy smile by making healthier food choices.
Foods That Help Your Teeth
Certain foods are great for your teeth and gums. These foods contain nutrients that help keep your teeth strong and your gums healthy.
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Calcium-Rich Foods: Calcium is essential for strong teeth and bones. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are great sources of calcium. If lactose intolerant, look for calcium-fortified alternatives like plant-based milk (soy, almond) or leafy greens (kale, spinach).
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Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, carrots, and celery are great choices for snacking. These foods help clean your teeth by scrubbing away food particles and plaque while you chew. They also promote saliva production, which helps neutralize acids that can damage your teeth.
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Vitamin C-Rich Foods: Vitamin C is important for healthy gums. Citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers are packed with vitamin C, which helps prevent gum disease and keeps your gums strong.
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Water: Water is the best drink for your oral health. It helps rinse away food particles and bacteria, keeping your mouth clean. Drinking water after meals can also help neutralize acids in your mouth that may lead to cavities.
Foods That Harm Your Teeth
Conversely, some foods and drinks can damage teeth over time, leading to issues like cavities, enamel erosion, and gum disease.
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Sugary Foods and Drinks: Sugars are a major cause of tooth decay. When sugar mixes with the bacteria in your mouth, it forms acids that attack your tooth enamel. Candies, cookies, soda, and sweetened juices are high in sugar and can contribute to cavities if consumed in excess.
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Acidic Foods: Acidic foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and pickles can weaken tooth enamel over time. While these foods are healthy in moderation, frequent exposure to acids can lead to enamel erosion, making your teeth more sensitive and prone to decay.
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Sticky Foods: Foods that stick to your teeth, like caramel, dried fruit, or fruit snacks, can be particularly harmful. These foods stay in your mouth longer, allowing bacteria more time to feed on the sugar and produce acids that cause decay.
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Sodas and Sports Drinks: These drinks are often high in sugar and acid, which makes them double trouble for your teeth. Even sugar-free versions can be harmful, as they often contain acids that can erode enamel.
The Link Between Diet and Gum Health
What you eat also affects the health of your gums. A poor diet lacking essential nutrients can weaken your gums and make them more prone to inflammation and infection, leading to gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can cause symptoms like bleeding gums, bad breath, and even tooth loss.
- Foods Rich in Omega-3s: Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon and seeds like flaxseeds, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the risk of gum disease.
- Avoiding Excessive Sugar: As sugar feeds harmful bacteria in the mouth, a diet high in sugar can increase the risk of gum disease. A balanced diet that limits sugary foods can help protect your gums.
Tips for Better Oral Health Through Diet
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Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on eating various foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These nutrients support teeth and gums and help keep mouths healthy.
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Limit Sugary Snacks: Reduce the amount of sugary snacks and drinks you consume. Opt for healthier alternatives like nuts, yogurt, or fresh fruit.
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Drink Water After Meals: Drink water to help wash away food particles and neutralize acids in your mouth. This can help prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay.
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Chew Sugar-Free Gum: Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can stimulate saliva production, which helps clean your teeth and neutralize acids.
General Dentistry FAQs
We welcome you to learn more about general dentistry in our Flower Mound, TX, dental office with answers to these common questions:
How often should I visit the dentist?
You should visit the dentist every six months. We recommend dental visits twice a year for a tooth cleaning and exam. However, if you have problems like gum disease, we recommend that you visit our office more often. That way, we can keep track of your gum and tooth health. We often recommend deep gum cleaning to keep your gum infection at bay.
How can I maintain good oral hygiene at home?
Follow these tips to care for your dental health at home:
- Brush: When you brush your mouth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. If you have a manual toothbrush, brush in a circular motion. Do not brush too hard, leading to bleeding gums or tooth wear. We recommend that you use a non-abrasive toothpaste. Brush your teeth, gums, and tongue to keep your breath fresh.
- Floss: You can floss before you brush your teeth. Flossing helps remove leftover food and plaque from between teeth, allowing the active ingredients in your toothpaste to reach the gums.
- Use Mouthwash: We may recommend antibacterial mouthwash if you are prone to gum disease. However, we will not recommend alcohol-based mouthwash. Alcohol can dry out your mouth and increase your risk of harmful bacteria building up in it.
Can regular dental visits prevent cavities?
Yes, regular dental visits can help prevent cavities. During your visits, the dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth. They remove plaque and tartar, sticky substances that can cause cavities. We will also check for any signs of cavities or other dental problems. Catching issues early can help prevent them from getting worse.
Fluoride treatments and sealants are also routine at regular visits. We apply fluoride treatments to strengthen your teeth and make them more resistant to cavities. Sealants are great for younger patients. We place these protective coatings on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to help keep out bacteria and food particles.
What should I do if I have bad breath?
If you have bad breath, brush and floss twice a day. Good oral hygiene helps remove food particles and plaque that can cause it. Bacteria can build up on your tongue, so gently brush it or use a scraper. Staying hydrated helps wash away food particles and increase saliva production. A dry mouth can lead to bad breath. Foods like garlic and onions can cause bad breath. Try to avoid them if possible.
If your bad breath doesn’t go away, contact our dental office. We can check for underlying issues, like gum disease or tooth decay, that cause bad breath.
What is the difference between a dentist and a general dentist?
A general dentist provides routine care for patients, including cleanings, fillings, and extractions. Alternatively, a dentist can provide multiple types of dental care, including general, cosmetic, and restorative treatments. Our Flower Mound dentist office offers all types of dental services to meet the needs of our patients.
What happens during a dental exam?
During a dental exam, our dentist examines your teeth and gums. They also examine your oral cavity to find signs of gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer. Our dentist will also examine your bite and how your teeth come together. Regular dental exams are part of our preventive treatments.
Why do you need dental X-rays?
Dental X-rays can reveal problems that a quick visual exam cannot. They also help us monitor oral health and find early signs of problems before they worsen. Our office uses digital X-rays to obtain a clear picture of teeth, gums, and jaw. This allows us to see the mouth’s soft tissues and within each tooth.
We also use X-rays to plan treatment. This technology allows us to find the right treatment for your needs.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Yes, modern dental X-rays are safe. We use digital X-rays, which emit less radiation than traditional X-rays. When we take your X-rays, you will wear a lead apron to protect you from radiation exposure. We take every precaution to ensure your safety.
Request a Dental Appointment Today
Call Flower Mound Family Dentistry for general dental treatment at 972-848-8745. You can also schedule a dental appointment with our team online. If you have more questions, please let us know and we will be happy to help you.