Regular visits to the dentist can ensure healthy teeth and gums for years to come. This is also true for emergency procedures, and even cosmetic procedures. It’s important to understand when is the right time to visit the dentist for different procedures.

The Importance of General Dentistry

General dentistry is necessary for the overall health and maintenance of your teeth. During a general dentistry appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth, and will clean them professionally—helping to ensure your oral health until your next visit.

General Dentistry Services

There are two main procedures that your general dentist will perform during your regular visits.

These procedures are:

Cleanings

An important part of a regular trip to the dentist is a cleaning. During a dental cleaning, your dentist will use special instruments to remove any plaque, tartar and debris. This will help to protect your teeth and gums from decay and infection.

Checkups/Exams

Dental exams are extremely important for your overall oral health, as they allow the dentist to check for a variety of issues that may be affecting the health of your gums, teeth, tongue, cheeks and jawbone. During these checkups, your dentist may take x-rays to get a better look at your teeth and jawbone. If you haven’t been to the dentist for a while, or if your dentist
suspects that there is something wrong with your teeth or jawbone, they may decide to take x-rays.

Cleanings and checkups are absolutely necessary for your overall oral health. Even with proper at-home maintenance, regular cleanings are required to remove any plaque that has built up, and to ensure the health of both the teeth and the gums.

Emergency Services

There are times in between regular visits to the dentist where things go wrong. You may fall and crack a tooth, or you may experience pain while chewing or biting. Whenever there is any pain, swelling, pressure, sensitivity or damage to the teeth, gums or jawbone, it is important to set an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible. If the issue is severe, set an appointment with an emergency dentist. They should be able to schedule you for an appointment within 24 hours of calling them.

Cosmetic Services

Cosmetic dentistry includes any procedures that improve the look of the teeth or gums. Some of these services can be provided at the patient’s leisure, while others may need to be addressed immediately. This depends whether or not the procedure is needed to avoid further damage or decay.

When to Visit the Dentist

If you have a dental emergency, schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as possible. If it is severe, speak with an emergency dentist for immediate treatment. For general dentistry, make sure you have an appointment scheduled every six months to ensure your overall oral health. For non-essential services like teeth whitening, you can schedule an appointment at your leisure.

Make sure you have your next regular checkup and cleaning scheduled.

Lansdowne Dental Care in Leesburg, VA

If you’re looking for a new dentist, or even a second opinion consider Lansdowne Dental Care, conveniently located in Leesburg, VA.

Interested in reading more about general dentistry? Here’s some general information on what a dentist does!