General dental care helps maintain your smile’s health. Routine treatments are key to general dentistry; we offer dental cleanings and exams for the whole family. Our general dental services in Galveston, TX, supplement a good at-home oral hygiene routine and regular dental care.
As your dentist in Galveston, we aim to create functional, healthy smiles. Our Broadway Dental team has years of experience providing high-quality care with lasting results. Years of dental school and special training in different areas of dentistry allow our team to help you get the best care.
If you have a common dental concern, general dentistry can help. Treatments like cleanings, root canals, and tooth extractions can treat bacteria, infections, and damage. Your oral health care is our priority.
What is General Dentistry?
General dental treatment helps maintain your oral health and hygiene. At the same time, general dentistry can prevent further dental problems. Preventive care is a part of general dentistry, which includes routine cleanings and exams. Our general dental services serve as the foundation of our dental services. First, we want to ensure optimal oral health before recommending restorative or cosmetic treatment. Then, once you are healthy, you can receive other treatments if needed.
Regular dental treatments are integral to general dental care. However, our office understands that many patients may feel anxious visiting the dentist. Whether you have a past negative experience, a fear of pain, or general anxiety, we can help.
General Dentistry in Galveston, TX
Our general dental treatments can help prevent dental problems from progressing. These treatments can even prevent problems like dental injuries, infections, or tooth loss. General dentists provide a wide range of preventative services. Our general dentistry services include:
Custom Mouthguard
We create custom-made mouthguards for patients who play contact sports like hockey, football, and lacrosse. Unlike store-bought mouthguards, custom mouthguards stay in place without you needing to clench your teeth. Custom mouthguards help prevent injury to teeth, gums, jaw, head, and neck. A professional mouthguard can also prevent damage to braces and other treatments.
Family Dentistry
Our family-friendly dental office is here to meet your and your family’s needs. We can help you schedule visits so you and your child can receive care at the same visit. As your family dentist, we can care for children, teens, and adults. We offer cleanings and exams for all ages, along with services tailored to each age group. We provide family dental care services to patients in Galveston, TX.
Laser Dentistry
We use dental lasers for many treatments, from frenectomies to soft tissue grafting to crown lengthening. Lasers use light and heat to cut tissue in the mouth painlessly, making them great alternatives to surgery for some patients. Unlike drills, lasers do not vibrate, lessening the risk of teeth or gum damage. Additionally, because lasers use heat to treat the gums, they minimize bleeding.
Root Canals
If you experience toothaches, sensitivity, or swelling, you likely have an infected tooth. A root canal can remove a tooth infection that has reached inside the tooth.
Our root canal treatments can remove decayed nerves and tissue, called the pulp. Removing infected pulp can preserve the tooth’s structure, save natural teeth, and prevent the need for extraction. We will also fill the tooth following a root canal and provide a crown for large fillings or worn teeth.
Tooth Extraction
We will do everything possible to preserve your natural teeth. However, in some cases, we need to remove infected, overcrowded, or impacted teeth. Many patients are also concerned about pain during extraction treatment. Our office ensures you feel as comfortable as possible during dental extractions.
If you need a simple or complex extraction, we will numb your tooth for comfort. We will also replace teeth lost due to decay with lasting implants.
Emergency Dentistry
Do you need urgent dental care? We can provide emergency dental care in Galveston in the event of sudden trauma to the teeth or gums. If you have a toothache, a damaged tooth, or a knocked-out tooth, contact us as soon as possible for care. We often see patients on the same day for severe trauma or tooth loss.
The Importance of Preventative Dental Care
Caring for your teeth and gums is more than having a bright smile. Preventative dental care is vital in maintaining overall health, preventing serious dental problems, and saving time and money in the long run. Regular dental check-ups, cleanings, and healthy habits are key to preserving your oral health and avoiding more invasive treatments in the future.
Prevents Cavities and Gum Disease
Preventative dental care is your first defense against cavities and gum disease. Brushing and flossing daily, combined with professional cleanings, helps remove plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, can cause tooth decay and gum inflammation if not properly managed. Left untreated, these issues can escalate into cavities or periodontal disease, leading to pain, tooth loss, and costly treatments.
Regular check-ups allow your dentist to spot early signs of decay or gum disease and address them before they become more serious. Preventative care keeps your teeth and gums healthy, reducing the risk of major problems.
Saves Money on Future Dental Work
One of the most significant benefits of preventative dental care is cost savings. While regular cleanings and check-ups may seem expensive, they are far more affordable than treatments for advanced dental problems. For example, a small cavity caught early can be treated with a simple filling. If left untreated, it could progress where you need a root canal, crown, or extraction.
Preventative care also helps you avoid emergency dental visits, which can be both expensive and stressful. By staying proactive, you invest in your oral health and save money in the long run.
Protects Overall Health
Your oral health is closely linked to your overall health. Research shows gum disease is associated with several systemic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues. Periodontal disease inflammation can contribute to chronic conditions or worsen existing ones.
Regular dental care helps reduce the risk of these complications by maintaining healthy gums and addressing infections before they spread. During check-ups, dentists can also identify signs of other health problems, such as oral cancer, vitamin deficiencies, or autoimmune disorders, allowing for early intervention.
Helps Preserve Your Natural Teeth
Preventative dental care focuses on keeping your natural teeth strong and healthy for as long as possible. Routine cleanings and fluoride treatments help strengthen enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth. Sealants can also be applied to molars to prevent cavities in hard-to-reach areas.
By catching small issues early, dentists can avoid needing extractions or complex restorative treatments. Preserving your natural teeth not only maintains your ability to chew and speak but also prevents the bone loss that can occur after tooth loss.
Builds Healthy Habits
Consistent preventative care helps you establish and maintain healthy habits that benefit your oral health. Regular visits to the dentist provide an opportunity to learn proper brushing and flossing techniques and tips for a diet that supports strong teeth and gums.
Dentists and hygienists can also provide personalized advice, such as addressing teeth grinding, using mouthguards, or quitting smoking. These habits protect your oral health and improve your overall well-being.
Reduces the Risk of Dental Anxiety
For many people, dental anxiety stems from fear of pain or invasive procedures. By focusing on preventative care, you minimize the need for extensive treatments that might feel intimidating. Routine visits are typically quick and painless, helping you build a positive relationship with your dentist. This consistent care makes you feel more comfortable in the dental chair, reducing stress and anxiety over time.
Improves Your Confidence
Preventative dental care helps you maintain a healthy, attractive smile, which boosts your confidence. Regular cleanings remove stains and plaque, leaving your teeth polished and bright. Addressing issues like bad breath or early gum problems also improves how you feel about your oral health. A confident smile can enhance your personal and professional interactions, making you feel more self-assured.
Diet and Oral Health
What you eat plays a critical role in the health of your teeth and gums. A balanced diet not only nourishes your body but also profoundly impacts your oral health. Poor dietary choices can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss, while healthy eating habits can strengthen teeth, protect enamel, and support oral wellness.
How Sugar Affects Oral Health
Sugar is one of the leading dietary causes of tooth decay. When you consume sugary foods or drinks, bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar and produce acids. These acids attack tooth enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth, causing it to weaken and eventually lead to cavities.
The more frequently you consume sugar, the greater the risk of tooth decay. Sugary snacks, sodas, and even fruit juices can create a constant acid attack on your teeth, especially if you sip on them throughout the day. Choosing water, unsweetened beverages, and snacks like vegetables or cheese can help reduce this risk.
The Importance of Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium and vitamin D are vital for strong teeth and bones. Calcium strengthens the enamel and supports the underlying structure of your teeth, while vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium effectively. A diet rich in dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt, as well as leafy green vegetables and fortified foods, provides the calcium your teeth need to stay strong.
Without adequate calcium, teeth can become weak and more susceptible to decay and damage. Vitamin D deficiency can also lead to issues like gum inflammation and bone loss, which can compromise the health of your jaw and teeth.
Hydration and Saliva Production
Staying hydrated is another key aspect of maintaining oral health. Water helps rinse away food particles and bacteria, keeping your mouth clean between brushings. It also promotes saliva production, which is critical in protecting your teeth.
Saliva neutralizes acids in the mouth, washes away debris, and helps maintain a healthy balance of bacteria. Foods high in water content, like cucumbers, celery, and watermelon, can also help keep your mouth hydrated. In contrast, consuming too much alcohol or caffeine can lead to dry mouth, which increases the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Foods That Strengthen Teeth
Certain foods actively promote oral health. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, like apples and carrots, stimulate saliva production and help scrub your teeth naturally. These foods also contain essential vitamins and minerals that support gum health and enamel strength.
Cheese and other dairy products are particularly beneficial because they are high in calcium and phosphate, which help restore minerals to your enamel. Nuts, seeds, and fatty fish like salmon are also excellent choices because they provide nutrients like omega-3s, magnesium, and phosphorus, all of which contribute to healthier teeth and gums.
The Dangers of Acidic Foods and Beverages
Acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits, soda, and vinegar-based dressings, can erode enamel over time. While occasional consumption of these items is fine, frequent exposure can weaken your teeth, making them more vulnerable to decay and sensitivity.
If you enjoy acidic foods, try to eat them with a meal to minimize their impact on your teeth. Drinking water afterward or chewing sugar-free gum can also help neutralize acids in the mouth. Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after consuming acidic foods, which can damage softened enamel.
The Role of Sugar Substitutes
Sugar-free alternatives and natural sweeteners like xylitol can be better options for your oral health. Xylitol, for example, has been shown to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth and lower the risk of cavities. Sugar-free gum can also stimulate saliva production, helping to keep your mouth clean and fresh.
While these substitutes can reduce the harmful effects of traditional sugars, it’s still important to consume them in moderation and maintain regular brushing and flossing habits.
Dietary Choices and Gum Health
Your diet affects not just your teeth but also your gums. Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers, is essential for gum health because it helps repair connective tissues and prevents gum inflammation. A deficiency in vitamin C can lead to bleeding gums and increase the risk of gum disease.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, also reduce inflammation and support healthy gums. Including these nutrients in your diet can help protect against periodontal disease and keep your gums strong.
How to Build an Oral-Healthy Diet
Focus on a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods to support your oral health. Limit your sugary snacks and drinks intake, and choose water as your primary beverage. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your meals, as these foods provide the vitamins and minerals your teeth and gums need.
If you indulge in sweets or acidic treats, try to consume them during meals and follow up with water or sugar-free gum to help protect your teeth. Practicing good oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing daily, will also enhance the protective effects of a healthy diet.
General Dentistry FAQs
How often should I brush my teeth?
Brushing your teeth twice a day, in the morning and at night, is vital to keeping your mouth healthy. Brushing helps remove food particles and bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease. Make sure you also floss once a day to clean between your teeth.
Do I really need to floss?
Yes, flossing is vital to the everyday upkeep of your teeth and gums. Flossing helps remove food and plaque that brushing can’t reach, preventing cavities and gum disease. If you don’t floss, bacteria can build up and cause problems like bad breath and tooth decay. Be sure to floss daily and brush to keep your smile bright and fresh.
Why do I need a filling if I don’t feel any pain?
Even if you do not feel any pain, you could still have a cavity. Getting a filling is vital to keeping your teeth healthy when cavities develop. Getting a tooth filling before you experience pain likely means your dentist caught it early. This common dental treatment helps prevent severe tooth decay, saving you money. It also saves you from having more pain or needing more serious dental work later on.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Yes, dental X-rays are safe. The X-rays we use only emit a small amount of radiation to take pictures of your teeth. The pictures an X-ray produces help your dentist see things they couldn’t see with a regular exam. The amount of radiation is very low and will not hurt you. This standard dental tool is vital to keeping your mouth healthy and catching any problems early.
Do I still need to brush if I have dentures?
Yes, even if you have dentures, you must brush your gums, tongue, and the top of your mouth. This daily routine helps remove leftover food particles and keeps your mouth clean and healthy. Brushing also helps prevent bad breath and other oral problems. Also, you need to clean your dentures daily to avoid plaque buildup and keep them in good condition.
What can I expect during a dental check-up?
During a dental check-up, your dentist will look at your teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy. They may clean your teeth and take X-rays to check for any problems. The dentist will also talk to you about how to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Regular check-ups are vital to your oral health and will prevent any big issues with your teeth in the future.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that will keep our teeth strong and protects them from getting cavities. This mineral can be found in some toothpaste and tap water. Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste or drinking water with fluoride helps fight off acid that can harm our teeth. Fluoride is crucial to keeping your teeth healthy and preventing dental problems.
How does the acidity of foods affect tooth enamel?
The acidity in foods can harm tooth enamel by weakening it and making it easier for cavities to form. When plaque on teeth comes in contact with acidic foods, it can wear down the protective layer of enamel. Over time, this breakdown of enamel can lead to tooth decay and sensitivity. You should limit acidic foods and drinks and practice good dental health to keep your teeth healthy.
Maintain Your Smile
Get in better oral health with general dentistry treatments in Galveston, TX. Contact our office for general dental care at 409-235-0789. You can also schedule an appointment with the team at Broadway Dental online.
Please let us know if you have questions about your care at your next visit. We will be glad to help.