How much do you know about general dentistry? Many people know that they should go to the dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and checkups to take care of their dental health. But, most individuals are unaware of important details related to a general dentist. Keeping this in mind, we have come up with five common facts about general dentistry.
What is General Dentistry?
General dentistry can be defined as a range of treatment options and procedures that are performed to protect and maintain oral health. These treatments are effective ways to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy and pain-free.
5 Great Facts About General Dentistry
Going through the sections below will also give you a clear idea of why consulting a general dentist is a wise choice.
Eighty percent of dental professionals are general dentists
The majority of dental professionals are general dentists. The other 20% of dental practitioners are experts who have chosen to concentrate on one particular area of dentistry. Some examples of dental specialties include periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, and dental public health professionals.
General dentists are very versatile
General dentists have general knowledge about almost all areas of dentistry. Despite their lack of the same level of expertise as a dental specialist, they can still offer simple procedures that save patients the trouble of looking for a specialist. This implies that general dentists can provide a variety of dental procedures to treat dental problems for their patients.
They perform Preventive, Cosmetic, and Restorative procedures
As mentioned before, general dentists usually aim to maintain the health of your teeth and gums with preventive dental care. However, they are also capable of restoring your dental health with restorative operations and improving the appearance of your smile with cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Restorative dental treatments include crowns and bridges, composite tooth-colored fillings, dental implants, dentures, and root canals. Examples of cosmetic dental treatments include veneers, laminates, and teeth bleaching or whitening.
Most of their work is preventive in nature
Although dentists are usually associated with restorative dental treatments such as root canals and fillings, the major percentage of their daily work revolves around preventive dental care. Preventative dental care attempts to maintain overall oral health by controlling oral microbial activity, avoiding tooth decay, and instructing patients on basic oral hygiene practices that can be followed at home. Dental cleanings, exams, x-rays, dental sealants, and fluoride treatments are examples of preventative dental procedures.
They will know you in and out
General dentists can learn a lot about your habits, nutrition, and oral hygiene regimen by simply examining your teeth. They can identify whether you floss regularly or only on the days before your appointment. They can also tell what you eat and whether you clench or grind your teeth.
Therefore, being open and honest with your dentist is preferable. Everyone makes oral health blunders because nobody is perfect. Your general dentist is aware of this and merely wants to assist you in maintaining or improving your oral health in the best possible manner.
As you can see, patients have a lot to gain from visiting a general dentist. Along with maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, make it a point to never skip your dental appointments in the days to come.