General Dentistry
General Dentistry covers a variety of dental care needs including teeth cleaning, routine oral hygiene and tooth care, cavities, crowns and root canals. The regular exams we offer at Culebra North Dental Care can prevent costly and often, complex dental procedures in the future.
Regular Check-ups and Teeth Cleanings
Every six months, we recommend our patients visit for a routine teeth cleaning. Teeth cleaning can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your teeth’s condition. A dental hygienist on our staff will conduct teeth cleaning.
Tiny metal tools are used to remove plaque deposits on the surface of your teeth and in hard-to-reach places between your teeth. Throughout the plaque removal procedure, the dental hygienist will use a jet-stream of water to rinse off plaque particles. After plaque is removed, the hygienist applies an anti-cavity, fluoride treatment to a tooth polisher to protect your teeth and buff the tooth appearance.
Dental X-rays
Each year, we’ll take x-rays to make sure no cavities have developed between visits. If a tooth is very decayed and cannot be fixed with a filling, you may be a candidate for a root canal. A root canal is a procedure that saves the tooth by removing the nerve ending and pulp, while maintaining your tooth’s normal function. Root canals are not a painful procedure; the pain that accompanies the decayed tooth prior to treatment is more uncomfortable than the root canal itself.
If the x-rays reveal a weak or broken tooth, the dentist may recommend a crown. Crowns are a cap that fits over the tooth’s surface that is made from porcelain, resin or all ceramic. It not only improves the tooth’s appearance but provides strength.
Comprehensive Oral Examination
After your cleaning, a dentist will perform the final inspection and evaluation of your teeth and gums. If your teeth are cavity prone, the dentist may apply a thin sealant to your tooth surface which fills the crevices of health teeth, protecting them from future decay.
Cavities
If you have a toothache, one reason for your pain may be a neglected cavity. A cavity is caused by acids in plaque that erode and decay the tooth enamel. Sometimes cavities manifest as gray spots in the teeth and other times, they are not visible to the naked eye. X-rays may show cavities forming inside the tooth. Consuming a lot of sugary foods and starchy foods may increase your risk of developing a cavity.
If you have a cavity, our dentists will remove the area of decay in the tooth and replace it with a filling material to match the natural appearance of your tooth color. This way, it blends in with the rest of your teeth.
Early detection of decay is the best method to prevent cavities fillings from turning into crowns and root canals. During cavity fillings patients do not feel any pain since we provide Novocaine to numb the area being treated. As the Novocaine wears off after the procedure, patients may feel a little discomfort only for a few hours.
Preventative Care
In between teeth cleaning visits, we encourage patients to brush twice a day and floss once daily to keep their mouth free of plaque and bacteria. Here are some at home dental care tips to keep in mind:
- Use a toothbrush with soft, rounded-end bristles and a head that is small enough to reach all of your teeth and mouth.
- Every 3-4 months replace your toothbrush.
- An electric toothbrush has been shown to be even more effective than other toothbrushes.
- Use fluoride toothpaste.
- Place the brush at a 45-degree angle to where the teeth meet the gums. Press firmly and gently rock the brush back and forth with circular movements.
- Brush all teeth surfaces and tongue.
Contact Culebra North Dental Care today to set up a check-up with one of our friendly dental hygienists and dentists.
