Did you know your oral health affects your whole body? Regular visits to the dentist and good oral hygiene can lower your risk for serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Routine general dental services at our Tampa, FL office can also help with issues like bad breath and deep stains on your teeth. Our general dental treatments support patients in caring for their smiles and keeping their dental health strong.
Why is Preventive Dental Care Important?
Our general dental services focus on preventive care, which means they keep your teeth and gums healthy and stop future dental issues. Regular dental check-ups can prevent tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. If you don’t treat these issues, they can lead to bigger issues that make daily life uncomfortable.
Oral health and overall health are linked. For example, bacteria from gum disease can cause inflammation that spreads through your bloodstream and affects your heart. People with gum disease who have heart problems may face more complications.
General and preventative dentistry offers many benefits, including:
- Early detection of dental issues
- Improved mouth function
- Ongoing oral hygiene care
Routine treatments are part of general dentistry. Regular dental visits keep you healthy, and we encourage patients to ask questions. Dr. Rebecca Benedict can also give you tips for caring for your teeth at home.
General Dentistry Treatments in Tampa, FL
We offer various general dental treatments to keep your oral health in check and prevent more issues:
Family Dental Care
Our family-friendly dental office cares for patients of all ages. We provide routine services like sealants and fluoride treatments for kids, as well as help for adults as they age. Most patients need regular cleanings and exams, but some may have unique issues over time.
Emergency Dentistry
If you have a dental emergency, contact our office right away. Common emergency treatments include fixing broken teeth, replacing lost permanent teeth, and dealing with damaged restorations. We can help you decide if you need urgent care or can wait for a later appointment.
Dental Lasers
We use Waterlase dental lasers to treat many problems. Lasers can help with lip and tongue ties, prepare teeth for fillings, and shape gum tissue. Lasers are often more comfortable than traditional tools, causing less bleeding and no need for stitches.
Mouthguards
Custom mouthguards and night guards protect your teeth from damage. Sports mouthguards keep athletes safe during contact sports, preventing tooth loss and injuries. Night guards help people with dental issues, like TMJ disorders, by preventing teeth grinding while they sleep.
Tooth Extraction
We perform tooth extractions when necessary, whether simple or complex. Simple extractions remove teeth above the gum line, while complex ones involve teeth below the gum line. Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure for many patients who have infected, crowded, or impacted teeth.
Diagnostics and Routine Care
During regular dental visits, we can help diagnose, treat, and educate you about your oral health. Routine visits include:
- Comprehensive Evaluations: These exams include checking for oral cancer, taking X-rays, and charting gum health. The dentist will look at each tooth to find any concerns.
- Dental Cleanings: The cleaning you receive is based on what we find during your comprehensive exam. We’ll remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line to prevent gum disease. Cleanings also include polishing to remove surface stains and giving you tips for care at home.
- Oral Cancer Screening: We check for unusual growths, lesions, or tumors in your mouth. Early detection of signs of cancer or precancerous conditions allows us to treat them quickly. We look for red or white patches and sores in your mouth.
- Educational Services: Your dentist and hygienist will show you how to brush and floss effectively. They’ll also create a personalized plan for controlling plaque at home. This plan helps reduce harmful bacteria in your mouth, especially if you have gum disease. We also offer counseling to help you quit using tobacco products.
Radiographic Examination
We use X-rays to find dental problems that might not be visible during a regular exam. They can show:
- Tooth decay between teeth
- Bone loss
- Infections in the pulp of teeth
- Misalignment of the bite
- Impacted teeth
- Developing teeth
- Tumors or abnormal growths that could indicate oral cancer
While we don’t take X-rays at every visit, we do so often to monitor your oral health. We typically take X-rays before starting any treatments.
Visit Our Tampa Dental Office
Learn more about the importance of preventative care for your oral health. Contact Historic Hyde Park Dentistry for general dentistry services in Tampa, FL, at 813-733-6981. You can also schedule an appointment with us online. We’re here to help you keep your oral health and overall health in great shape!