If you have avoided dental visits or want personalized care, contact our Lansdale dental office. Routine dental care is an essential part of overall health and wellness. Patients who schedule regular appointments benefit from in-depth dental cleanings and exams. Our dental team also provides routine screenings for various dental problems at these visits. At Brookwood Dental Associates, we provide general dentistry services in Lansdale, PA.
We offer general dentistry through routine and preventative treatments. Because general care is preventative in nature, we can spot developing concerns and prevent them from becoming complex issues.
General Dentistry in Lansdale, PA
Our general dental services help prevent the development of future oral health problems:
Emergency Dentistry
If you have a dental emergency, contact our office for prompt care. We can treat patients who are experiencing excessive bleeding or tooth pain. Our dentists can also repair or replace broken restorations, injured teeth, or lost permanent teeth. We recommend that patients call us immediately so we can provide them with immediate treatment.
Dental Sedation
Our office uses nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Dental sedation relaxes patients and allows us to provide pain-free care. Sedation also benefits patients with dental fear or anxiety.
Please let us know if you or a loved one have dental anxiety and need accommodations. We will work with you to help you get the dental treatment you need.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extractions are often essential to improve the health of the teeth and gums. Patients may think dental extractions are painful, but we use local anesthetic and/or dental sedation for patient comfort. In addition, dental extractions can relieve tooth pain caused by impacted or infected teeth. If you notice any changes in the comfort of your smile, contact our office for treatment.
Sports Mouthguard
If you or your child play contact sports like soccer, basketball, or lacrosse, they need a sports mouthguard. Our custom-made sports mouthguards help prevent damage to orthodontics and tooth injuries or loss. Store-bought mouthguards can easily fall out during a game. Our mouthguards are meant to fit patients precisely.
Family Dentistry
As a family dentist office, we can see patients of all ages. Our dentists encourage parents to schedule visits for their children so they can learn the best ways to care for their smiles. Early dental care in a warm and friendly environment also helps prevent dental anxiety in patients as they grow.
Why Preventative Care Is Essential
Preventative care provides the foundation of your oral health. You must properly care for your smile both at home and with regular visits to our office. Even if you only do one portion of oral healthcare, you still risk developing oral health conditions.
At home, brush at least twice daily and floss at least once daily. You can also brush and floss your teeth after every meal. This prevents food particles and bacteria from building up. We provide thorough dental cleanings at regular checkups, but twice-yearly deep cleans aren’t enough to keep your smile healthy all year round.
Regular trips to the dentist provide deep cleanings for your teeth every six months. Even if you brush and floss at home, some areas of your mouth can’t be cleaned properly with over-the-counter dental tools. Plaque and tartar build up in these areas and increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
However, we don’t only provide cleanings at regular dental visits. We also perform oral examinations. Some serious oral health problems, like oral cancer and gum disease, have early signs that are hard to pick up on.
Many adults have gingivitis because the signs don’t hurt, so they don’t realize they have it. If gum inflammation progresses to the other stages of gum disease, it’s more difficult to manage.
Our dental team has advanced training to detect early signs of conditions. We also have advanced diagnostic technology to ensure you get the correct care. Technology can detect problems before they are visible to the naked eye.
Your Diet and Oral Health
Your diet plays a big part in the health of your smile. Certain nutrients are needed to keep our mouths as healthy as possible. You should also avoid certain things in the best interest of your oral health.
Nutrients
Calcium and Vitamin D are two of the most essential nutrients for your smile. Calcium strengthens your bones and tooth enamel, making you less susceptible to tooth decay. Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium better. Dairy products and leafy green vegetables are good sources of these. You can often find milk and other dairy products fortified with Vitamin D.
Vitamin C promotes collagen production, which is crucial for healthy tissue. Vitamin C also helps boost your immune system to fight infection and reduce inflammation, another component of gum disease. Citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries are all good sources.
Fresh, fibrous fruits and vegetables are like natural toothbrushes for your teeth. When you chew them, the fibers get between the teeth to dislodge stubborn food particles. They also require a lot of chewing to break down. Chewing triggers saliva production, which is essential for your oral health. Saliva washes away food debris and neutralizes acids in your mouth.
Limit These Foods
Sugar and acid are the two biggest enemies of your smile. When you eat sugar, harmful bacteria in your mouth consume it as their favorite food. When they process this, they release an acidic byproduct that eats away at your tooth enamel and can reach the inner layers of your teeth. This becomes a dental cavity and can also lead to the need for a root canal or other procedures.
While you may think only sweet things are sugary, starches also break down into sugars. A salty snack can be just as bad as a sweet one. Snacks like pretzels and potato chips can also collect between the teeth or in your molars.
While sugar is already bad for your smile, adding acid to the mix is even worse. It increases the rate of enamel erosion and can weaken the outside of your teeth. This makes it easier for bacteria to eat through the enamel.
If you consume acidic foods, rinse your mouth with water afterward. Water helps neutralize the acids in your mouth. While you can brush right after you eat, wait at least 30 minutes after you eat acidic foods.
General Dentistry FAQs
Do you want to know more about your general dental options? Learn more with these answers to these frequently asked questions:
When should my child begin to visit the dentist?
We recommend that parents schedule their child’s first dental visit after the child turns one year old. Pediatric dental visits are important because they create a foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
At routine dental visits, we will examine the child’s smile and may provide a dental cleaning. As children grow older, we will also recommend treatments that prevent cavities like dental sealants and fluoride.
What are the signs of tooth decay?
The most common symptoms of a dental infection often include:
- Tooth sensitivity
- White tooth stains
- Visible holes in the teeth
- Tooth pain
Tooth decay is caused by harmful bacteria that irritate and eventually eat away at the tooth enamel. Patients can prevent decay by brushing and flossing twice a day. We encourage patients to schedule dental appointments bi-annually or twice a year.
Is dental sedation safe for children?
Yes, nitrous oxide is a safe sedation method in our office. We can use this mild sedative for complex procedures that include tooth extractions or dental fillings. Our office also uses sedation for patients of all ages.
What’s the most common general dentistry problem?
Tooth decay is the most common problem we face in our dentist office. By age 34, over 80% of US adults have had at least one cavity. Many people have at least three dental fillings due to cavities. A big part of general dentistry is informing patients on diet and hygiene practices to try and avoid cavities.
How does general dentistry compare to cosmetic dentistry?
General dentistry keeps your mouth healthy and protects your teeth and gums from damage and disease. Common treatments include emergency dentistry, custom mouthguards, and tooth extractions.
Cosmetic dentistry can improve how your teeth look. It includes treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, and Invisalign. The goal is to improve your smile by fixing stained, chipped, or uneven teeth.
Should I use a manual or electric toothbrush?
Both are effective if you use them properly. An electric toothbrush may be better if you have a movement disorder and it’s hard to make the necessary cleaning motions. Electric toothbrushes can also be helpful for children. Many have timers so kids know how long they must brush their teeth.
How do I get rid of bad breath?
Bad breath is usually caused by poor oral hygiene. But you can brush, floss, and visit our dentist regularly to maintain a healthy mouth and fresh breath. If you do everything right, there’s a chance that it’s not a dental problem. Sinus issues and stomach problems can also impact your breath.
If bad breath persists, contact our office for a cleaning and exam. We can help determine if you have bad breath because of your oral health.
Is fluoride treatment for all ages?
Yes, fluoride treatment is good for people of all ages. It helps make teeth stronger and can prevent cavities. Fluoride is essential for children because their teeth are still developing. It helps protect their teeth as they come in and can lower the risk of cavities.
For adults, fluoride can help strengthen teeth, especially if you have fillings or crowns or are at higher risk of cavities. It can also help prevent decay around these dental work areas.
Call Our Dental Office Today
Do you need a new professional dental office? Call 267-651-7247 to schedule a consultation. You can also request a dental appointment online. We serve patients in Chalfont, Lansdale, and the surrounding areas.