GENERAL DENTISTRY

Great Oral Hygiene Through Prevention And Intervention

general dentistry

General Dentistry includes the diagnosis, treatment and management of your overall oral health care needs, including preventive dental exams and cleanings, preventive treatments, periodontal treatment and root canals. Dahlgren Dental aims to keep your teeth, gums and overall oral health in good condition and fix any problems you may develop.

Dahlgren Dental wants to help you achieve the smile of your dreams, and we are equipped to do so. Using state-of-the-art technology and expertise, our dental team can tackle even the toughest of problems. Dr. La and her team know how stressful visits to the dentist can be, and we will work with you to ensure your experience with us is as comfortable as possible.

Regular Exams and Cleanings

Having good oral health is vital for living a healthy lifestyle. Having regular dental exams and cleanings can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues that affect your teeth. Visiting Dahlgren Dental every six months gives you the chance to talk to the dentist about any questions you may have about your oral health.
Regular exams are an essential part of maintaining your oral health. During a general dentistry exam, we will check for cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, tooth damage caused by trauma or an accident. We will also look at your teeth to determine if any treatment is required to improve your oral health.
Each regular exam includes a detailed tooth cleaning, in which our hygienists will remove plaque and tartar buildup from the tooth’s surface and the gumline and polish the teeth.

Preventative Dentistry

The goal of preventative general dentistry is to stop dental disease before it starts. To do this, patients must receive routine exams and cleanings, as well as education about healthy dental practices. For example, using proper brushing techniques is important for preventing gum disease, as well as avoiding the consumption of sugary food products.

Besides everyday brushing and flossing and dental cleaning, two of the best tools for preventing tooth decay are dental sealants and fluoride varnish. Both preventive measures have great benefits, and their effectiveness has been proven in general dentistry. Dental sealants and fluoride treatments have been used for decades to combat childhood tooth decay but can also be used by adults.

Fluoride is a mineral commonly found in toothpaste and US drinking water. It is effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay and in preventing plaque from building up and hardening on the tooth’s surface. Dentists also provide fluoride treatments that can be applied to the surface of teeth. These treatments are most commonly provided for children but can also be used for adults.

A fluoride treatment in your dentist’s office takes just a few minutes. Depending on your oral health, your access to fluorinated water and your dentist’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months.

Sometimes brushing is not enough, especially when it comes to those hard-to-reach spots in your mouth. It is difficult for your toothbrush to get in-between the small cracks and grooves on your teeth. If left alone, those tiny areas can develop tooth decay. Sealants give your teeth extra protection against decay and help prevent cavities.

Sealants are materials applied to the chewing surfaces of back molars, where most cavities are found, to prevent tooth decay. The most common sealants used are resin-based. Dental sealants harden in the deep grooves on your tooth’s surface. When a tooth is sealed, the tiny grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. With sealants, brushing your teeth becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay.

Sealants are typically applied to children’s teeth as a preventive measure against tooth decay after the permanent teeth have erupted. However, adults can also receive sealants on healthy teeth. It is more common to seal “permanent” teeth rather than “baby” teeth, but every patient has unique needs, and your dentist will recommend sealants on a case-by-case basis.

Root Canals

The tooth structure consists of an external hard enamel layer, layers of porous tissue called dentin, and the innermost part of the tooth called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves and supplies nutrients to the teeth. If a tooth’s enamel and dentin are damaged due to decay or injury, bacteria can invade through these openings into the pulp. The bacteria in the pulp then release toxins that can cause toothache.

If left untreated, the infection will spread, and the patient may have swelling and pain in their gums and pus draining from their affected tooth. A root canal is a treatment performed when patients have an infection in one or more teeth. If root canal treatment is not performed, bacteria can invade the body through the bloodstream or directly through damaged tissue around the teeth, causing severe health problems.

Root canal treatment involves one to three visits. During treatment, your dentist removes the affected tissue, and the inside of the tooth will then be cleaned and filled with a dental composite. In more severe cases of tooth decay, your dentist may also recommend a crown. As long as you continue to care for your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.

Symptoms That May Indicate You Need A Root Canal:

  • Pain and/or swelling

  • Discoloration

  • Drainage from the affected tooth

  • Loose tooth

  • Sensitivity to cold

general dentistry

Mouthguards and Nightguards

Mouthguards and nightguards protect teeth from cracks, chips, pain and other injuries. Mouthguards protect the teeth during athletic activities where teeth might be damaged. Nightguards offer protection of the teeth and their surrounding structures during sleep.

Whether you wear braces or not, protecting your smile while playing sports is essential. Mouthguards help protect your teeth and gums from injury. If you participate in any kind of contact sport, the American Dental Association recommends that you wear a mouthguard. Choosing the right mouthguard is essential.

Custom mouthguards are created by taking a digital impression of the patient’s teeth. The impression is used to create an exact duplication in soft plastic material to cover the teeth. This custom mouthguard is then trimmed, smoothed, shaped, and polished to be ready for use.

If you often wake up with jaw pain, earaches or headaches, or if you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, you may have a common condition called “bruxism.” Many people do not even know that they grind their teeth, as it often occurs when one is sleeping. If not corrected, bruxism can lead to broken teeth, cracked teeth or even tooth loss. It can also cause serious damage to one’s bite, gums, jaw joints, and related facial muscles. Bruxism can also result in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues.

There is an easy, non-invasive treatment for bruxism: nightguards. They are an easy way to prevent the wear and damage that teeth-grinding causes over time. A nightguard is inserted over your top or bottom arch and prevents contact with the opposing teeth while you sleep. If you grind your teeth at night and experience pain or discomfort, you should consult your dentist about custom nightguards.

Periodontal Therapy, Deep Cleaning And Periodontal Maintenance

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that occurs due to the accumulation of plaque on the tooth surface and periodontal tissues. A periodontal pocket forms when the gums start to pull away from the teeth. The depth of these pockets is determined by probing with a periodontal probe. These pockets are perfect for bacteria to grow and further infect the gums and possibly damage the teeth and jawbone.

Periodontal therapy is a dental technique aimed at improving oral health by preventing and treating conditions that affect the supporting structures of teeth, in particular gingivitis. The main treatment objectives are to reduce inflammation, control plaque and remove or reduce calculus deposits. There are different procedures to accomplish these goals; however, they all work towards improving the health of your gums.

The first step in periodontal therapy is diagnosing the condition that needs to be treated. You should expect an examination by your dentist followed by various tests to identify the specific problem. Once this is done, your dentist can determine the best treatment plan for you, including specific procedures and the length of time required. If your gums are severely diseased, you may need more intensive therapy involving several appointments over an extended period.

Deep cleaning is a technique in which the dentist removes plaque and calculus deposits that have accumulated in deep pockets between teeth and below or around your gums. It is recommended for patients with gingivitis or periodontitis.

Deep cleaning can be done in two ways: manually or with ultrasonic or sonic scalers. Manual cleaning instruments include hand scalers, curettes and periodontal brushes. Ultrasonic scalers vibrate at a very high frequency to remove tartar thoroughly and quickly.

After deep cleaning, your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics to fight any residual infection and anti-inflammatory medication to relieve pain and swelling. This cleaning will usually be enough to completely restore gum health while allowing the gums to heal, but you may also need other treatments such as an antimicrobial mouth rinse or topical gel.

Symptoms Of Periodontal Disease:

  • You bleed when brushing or flossing your teeth

  • You have pockets between your teeth and gums that cannot be reached by a toothbrush or dental floss

  • Your dentist has detected deep pockets around some of your teeth

READY TO GET STARTED?

If you are looking for stress-free and comprehensive dental care with a long history of excellence, we are here for you.

Find Us

5212 Kings Wood Lane
King George, VA 22485

Visit Us

Monday – Thursday
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Call Us

(540) 663-2221