General Dentistry Specialist

What is general dentistry?

General dentistry is a branch of dentistry focused on the general maintenance of your teeth and oral health, as well as the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw area.

General dentists offer a wide range of essential services, including:

• Routine teeth cleanings
• Routine dental exams
• Orthodontics
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Nutritional counseling
• Root canal therapy
• Gum care

The general dentistry team at Maryland Smile Center provides individualized, comprehensive dental care to every patient.

How often do I need a general dentistry checkup?

In general, you should schedule a routine dental checkup every six months. By regularly attending your dental checkups, you not only ensure that your teeth look and feel healthy, but you also prevent or catch new issues such as:

• Cavities and tooth decay
• Gum disease and bone disease

During your exam, your team promotes your oral health by performing X-rays, cleaning your teeth, checking your bite and jaw, checking for signs of oral cancer, and looking at the general condition of your teeth and gums. 

They also make sure you’re brushing and flossing correctly at home. At the end of your visit, your dental team takes the time to discuss your oral health with you and inform you of your risk for problems like gum disease, if applicable. 

If they find any pressing issues, your dental team can schedule you for a follow-up visit. They typically dedicate visits like these to tasks like filling cavities, repairing damage, or setting you up with braces or other orthodontic tools. 

Why is general dentistry important?

Some people believe that they only need to visit the dentist when they have a toothache or another problem. This approach, however, puts you at risk for more than just a toothache.

General dentistry is important because it promotes not only healthy teeth, but also neck, jaw, tongue, salivary gland, and gum health. 

On top of that, when you visit your dentist regularly, the team can detect early warning signs in the mouth that indicate disease elsewhere in the body. 

Your mouth is just as important as the rest of your body. Don’t neglect it. To schedule an appointment for general dentistry with the compassionate team at Maryland Smile Center, call the office or use the online booking tool today.