General dentistry procedures are designed to help keep the mouth healthy and functional for optimal oral health. Research has shown a connection exists between oral health and overall health, making it even more important to keep your mouth healthy and functional. Proper brushing, flossing, and rinsing on a daily basis can help to promote a healthy mouth, while regular dental checkups can help with the existing functionality of the mouth through a variety of general dentistry procedures, including regular exams and teeth cleaning, fillings, oral cancer screenings, and tooth extractions.
Hygiene and Teeth Cleaning
Proper oral care is important and should begin as soon as the teeth emerge. It should continue throughout a person’s lifetime in order to preserve the teeth and prevent unnecessary infections. A dental hygiene routine should include brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash once a day. It should also include regular visits to your Surrey-Guildford dentist for a dental examination and teeth cleaning. Keeping the teeth clean through regular brushing with fluoride-enhanced toothpaste is the best way to promote good oral health.
VELscope Oral Cancer Screening
A procedure that is being incorporated into more and more dental offices, VELscope oral cancer screening detects oral cancer in the earliest stages of its development. It allows patients to obtain treatment for their cancer before it reaches the stage where it can be seen by the naked eye. Using a hand-held device, dentists are able to identify mucosal abnormalities in their dental patients in a non-invasive manner through the use of a specialized blue light that clearly demarcates differences between healthy and unhealthy tissues.
Mercury Free Fillings
In recent years, many dentists have stopped using amalgam fillings due to the high mercury content contained within them. Mercury is a toxic substance, which has been linked to various medical issues. Mercury-free fillings pose no risk to dental patients and are safe to use. Mercury-free fillings are strong and durable. They do not expand in reaction to temperature changes experienced while eating hot or cold food or drinking chilled or heated beverages. One of the benefits of mercury-free fillings is that they blend in with the rest of your teeth, particularly since they can be matched to the existing shade of the tooth.
Composite Fillings
Changes in dentistry have led to the use of composite fillings in place of traditional amalgam ones. Direct composite fillings are provided by a dentist in the office. They are made from a formulation that uses both fine glass and plastic particles. Composite fillings can be used to fill large and small cavities. They are expected to last approximately five years, but can last longer for patients who practice good oral hygiene. One of the benefits of this type of dental filling is that it can be matched in colouring to the existing shade of the tooth.
Tooth Extractions
Teeth are extracted for a number of reasons, including severe decay, insufficient room in the mouth, orthodontic treatment, and impaction. Impacted and decaying teeth are extracted to prevent infection. Wisdom teeth (third molars) are removed when there isn’t enough room in the mouth to allow them to come in properly. Your dentist takes x-rays before extracting any teeth in order to assist him in determining how difficult the procedure is going to be and whether or not the patient should be referred to an oral surgeon. Tooth extractions can be accomplished using a local anesthetic or under sedation.
