General dentistry covers many treatment options and basic procedures to protect and maintain good oral health. Treatment is done to keep your mouth, gums, and teeth healthy and pain-free. General dentists are often viewed in the same way as a general practitioner, and their primary goal is to prevent and diagnose disease. The main services that general dentists provide for your oral health include: 

Routine examinations

Regular check-ups are essential to creating your own dental plan. It allows your dentist to better understand what treatments are needed to maintain your oral health. Sometimes called a “dental exam,” this routine exam will provide a thorough examination of the tissues of your head and neck, jaw, mouth, teeth and gums. Identify any underlying oral health problems such as infection, tooth decay and cancer. Regular testing can detect early signs of abnormalities and treat them before they progress further. 

This is very important because many oral health problems are silent and go unnoticed. Most regular checkups will not only involve your general dentist physically examining your mouth, but will also take pictures using x-rays to monitor your oral health. This includes checking the size of your teeth when you chew, checking the gaps, checking the position of all your teeth and gums, and checking for any abnormalities, including bone loss. X-rays will allow you to better assess your condition.

It is important to note that regular check-ups will not prevent oral problems. It assesses your personal situation to develop strategies to prevent problems and improve your overall oral health.

Restorative therapy 

Restorative dentistry is the term given to treatment that aims to restore broken or damaged teeth to better health, function, restore your smile and prevent other oral health problems. If you have a missing tooth and severe damage, you may be referred for professional treatment. However, for minor repairs and minor cosmetic changes, your general dentist will be able to provide you with the necessary treatment. Common restorative treatments include: 

Fillings

Fillings are used to treat dental caries and cavities, which are holes in the teeth. Damaged teeth often have an overgrowth of bacteria and if not treated quickly, other problems such as infection and tooth loss can occur. Most cavities will not show any symptoms until they are enlarged. Your general dentist will be able to detect early signs of cavities and treat them before they become a problem. 

In most cases, a cavity can be treated and restored the same day your general dentist diagnoses it. Receiving a filling is a routine, painless procedure that usually takes about half an hour. 

Canal treatment 

When a tooth has severe disease in its center, a procedure known as a root canal (endodontic treatment) may be performed to remove the disease and restore the tooth. This can be done by your general dentist and is a painless procedure. Even if the symptoms of tooth decay appear, an x-ray is the only way to know if the disease is between the teeth and affects the soft tissue called the pulp. When the pulp becomes infected, it cannot heal itself and delaying treatment can lead to tooth loss. This results in a complete loss.

The crowns

When you have a tooth that is damaged or at high risk of fracture, a traditional filling may not be enough to last long. In these cases, your general dentist may recommend a dental crown to restore the affected tooth. While the filling will fill the cavity in the tooth, a crown is created to cover the damaged tooth, protecting it from decay and further damage. 

Crowns are also used to treat cracked teeth and restore the tooth after root canal treatment. If a crown is recommended, your general dentist will prepare the tooth for the crown which will be done by the dental laboratory. 

Tooth extraction 

When a tooth needs to be removed completely from the mouth, a general dentist can do it quickly, in a painless session. Although it is a common procedure, many dentists only remove teeth when absolutely necessary. 

Of course, a missing tooth can lead to other problems later in life. Like teeth falling out of place. The tooth will then be replaced with a dental prosthesis such as an implant, bridge or crown. You may be referred to someone who is particularly interested in doing this, such as an implantologist.

Preventive treatment

Antibiotics are there to help you take care of your oral health and prevent diseases before they happen or become serious problems. Tooth loss is often caused by decay and gum disease, which can be prevented with proper treatment. Services include regular exams and hygiene treatments as well as professional cleaning and sanitizing.

A professional cleaning will involve your dentist removing any tartar buildup. This is often called "scaling and polishing". A build-up is often the result of poor oral hygiene or a poor diet, and will need to be addressed. You'll learn proper brushing techniques, tips for a better toothbrush, and how to brush properly to remove plaque yourself. This will allow you to maintain your oral health at a good standard and hopefully reduce the need to visit the dentist from time to time. Preventive medicine is only successful when the patient works closely with their dentist.

Cosmetics care and treatments

Many general dentists can offer cosmetic treatments to improve the beauty of your smile. Cosmetic dental restorations such as bonding, veneers and crowns can be performed by many dentists and can give you a smile to share with the world. Any dentist registered with the General Dental Council can also carry out tooth extractions and prescribe that this is done by other dental professionals, such as dental therapists and dental hygienists. 

How often should I see my dentist?

General thumb routine at least twice a year or every six months. However, this is not the case for everyone. During your regular checkup, your dentist will tell you how often he or she will need to see you based on your condition. It is always important to see a dentist if you have tooth decay or persistent pain.