faq - Smile Square

What Types of Treatments Do General Dentists Provide?

September 5, 2021May 15, 2021 by Admin

General Dentists provide services to diagnose, treat, and maintain your oral health. Our office specializes in general dentistry, and this includes preventative, corrective, and restorative treatment for patients. Our general dental care services allow us to remove any decay or disease from your teeth and gums. We preserve your natural teeth and keep you looking and feeling great.

Visiting our office regularly to maintain your oral health is important. Starting out good habits at an early age can create a good foundation for taking care of your teeth. Preventative treatment helps to keep teeth and gums healthy, and stop decay. During your exam in our office, we will evaluate your teeth and mouth, and develop a customized treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.

What Treatments Are Included in General Dentistry?

Our office has many general dental services to help keep you looking and feeling great. We provide consultations to discuss any concerns you have with your smile. Our consultation includes a detailed exam to determine what procedure is needed.

General Dentistry Services

Cleanings
Oral Exams
Fillings
Oral Cancer Screenings
Dental Implants
Extractions
Root Canals
X-rays
Fixed Bridges and Crowns

What Can I Expect During a General Dentistry Appointment?

Our general dentistry appointments begin with a visual exam of your teeth and mouth. If needed, x-rays are taken so we can take a closer look at the health of your teeth, gums, and jaw. We will discuss any prior health history, and review any prior x-rays if the patients had them sent over to our office.

Next, our team will perform a thorough dental cleaning. This removes plaque from the teeth and gums and polishes the teeth. We also check any existing restorations to ensure they are all stable and in great condition. This includes fillings, implant, bridges, and crowns. Our team will also do an oral cancer screening of the mouth and tongue.

If there are any areas of concern, we will discuss those details with you and create a customized treatment plan. Our staff will discuss next steps if you require further treatment. Patients may have to return to our office for another appointment depending on what is required.

Interested in Scheduling an Appointment?

Attending your regular exams twice a year in our office is an essential part to our oral health. We can help maintain your teeth and gums and keep them looking and feeling great. Exams allow our team to get in front of any potential complications or decay, and prevent serious complications. Let us help you take charge of your oral health, and call our office today!

If you are interested in scheduling your cleaning and exam with us, please contact Smile Square, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!

Can Small Cavities Heal By Themselves?

May 24, 2021May 1, 2021 by Admin

If you have a cavity and are reluctant to call your dentist, you may be hoping the cavity will just heal itself. A cavity is tooth decay that causes a hole in the tooth. If cavities are not treated more serious issues can develop. At Smile Square, it is important to take care of your oral health and practice good habits at home. Attending your regular cleanings and exams in our office can identify if you have any cavities, and make sure they are addressed promptly.

How Will My Small Cavity Be Treated?

If you have a large cavity, you will most likely need a filling. If the cavity is small and is causing you no pain or discomfort, we may be able to watch the cavity by comparing x-rays to determine if the cavity is active or arrested. Small cavities that are caught early on can be stopped with good oral hygiene. Taking care of your teeth with brushing, flossing, and using fluoride can help strengthen the enamel, and stop a cavity in its tracks.

Treatments for a Cavity

Fillings
Inlays or Onlays
Crowns
Root Canals
Extractions

What Can I Do To Reverse Decay and Prevent Cavities?

Brush and floss at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste.
Increase your fluoride intake to help stop the cavity from further decay. Our office provides fluoride treatments, and fluoride can be found in toothpaste or mouthwashes.
Sealants can be applied to molars to prevent cavities from forming. This is a clear plastic protective coat that can help halt or reverse current decay on a tooth if the cavity is small enough and in the early stages.
Limit eating and drinking foods that have a high sugar content. These types of foods and drinks contribute to tooth decay. If you do consume these foods, make sure to brush right afterwards.
Visit our office twice a year for your regular cleaning and exam.

Interested in Scheduling an Appointment?

If you have a cavity that needs to be filled, or is causing your issues please do not hesitate to call our office. Leaving a cavity untreated can cause more serious issues if the cavity is not addressed promptly. Our flexible hours and schedule allow you to be seen right away. Your health is our priority and we welcome new patients to our office.

To schedule your dental exam or cleaning contact Smile Square, and our staff will be happy to assist you!

Do Oral Piercings Cause Infections?

March 24, 2021March 1, 2021 by Admin

Oral piercings are popular among young adults and adolescents. Piercings are the cool thing to have, and they give people a way to express themselves. Piercings can interfere with your speech or your ability to chew and swallow. Many people also wonder if their choice to have a piercing can lead to infection.

Can My Oral Piercing Cause an Infection?

Oral piercings are considered trauma because they involve breaking the surface of the skin or tissue in the mouth. This does involve a risk for infection because the piercing gives bacteria an area to gather. Our mouths have larger amounts of bacteria, and piercings that are on the lips have a greater risk for infection. This is because they are towards the skin surface.

Even though oral piercings pose a risk for infection, oral tissue has the ability to heal quickly. This decreases the chance for bacteria to cause an infection. In addition, piercings can increase the risk for contracting a viral infection depending on where the piercing is located. Choosing a clean and reputable facility for your piercing is important. Sterilization and good hygiene is necessary with any type of piercing.

How Can I Avoid an Infection if I Have an Oral Piercing?

The first thing to consider is your oral hygiene. In order to keep your teeth, mouth, and the piercing area clean at all times you must have proper hygiene. This also helps to keep your risk of infection lower. Keeping the area clean after meals is important. Brushing and flossing as well as using an antiseptic mouthwash can help avoid bacteria from collecting around the piercing area.

Watching for signs of infection can help you get in front of an issue. Symptoms of an infection include fever, chills, and redness or swelling around the piercing area. We encourage you to contact our office immediately if you think you may have an infection, or notice unusual swelling in your mouth or tongue.

How Do You Treat an Infection From an Oral Piercing?

An infection from an oral piercing can be treated by a dental professional. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect you may have an oral infection. Catching the infection early is important, and the infection can be easily managed. Typically antibiotics will be needed, and in some cases depending on the severity of the infection the piercing may have to be removed. This will help the infection heal quicker.

Concerned You May Have an Infection?

If you are concerned you may have an infection due to an oral piercing we encourage you to contact our office. Our staff is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Leaving an infection untreated can lead to more serious health issues. Treating an infection as soon as possible can help stop the infection in its tracks, and prevent the infection from getting worse.

Contact our friendly staff to schedule an appointment in our office. We are happy to assist you, and we accommodate all of our patients to ensure they can be seen right away. Let us help get you on the road to recovery.