At Huntsville Family Dental, we want to do everything possible to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. Some of the best ways to maintain your oral health are through regular dental hygiene appointments, checkups, and preventative programs biannually. Our preventive program is a cooperative effort by the patient, dentist, and dental staff to preserve the teeth’s natural dentition and supporting structures for a lifelong healthy, beautiful smile.
In addition, Dr. Keyshla Escobar offers general dentistry services in our Huntsville, TX, office to ensure that patients maintain good oral health.
General Dentistry Services in Huntsville, TX
Preventative dental care is a part of general dentistry and helps keep the teeth and gums healthy. We combine simple preventive measures to keep the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions at bay. Regular visits will include:
- Custom Mouthguard: Custom mouthguards offer a precise fit for individuals participating in amateur or professional sports. They protect against injuries like tooth fractures and jaw damage.
- Emergency Dentistry: Dental emergencies usually include severe tooth pain, a broken tooth, or a knocked-out tooth requiring immediate attention. In these instances, you should see an emergency dentist as soon as possible to save a tooth, prevent further damage, and alleviate extreme pain.
- Family Dentistry: Family dentistry focuses on dental care for the entire family through preventive care, routine check-ups, and tailored treatment plans. It is beneficial for patients of all ages. Our office provides routine exams, X-rays, and basic cleanings and fillings for adults and children.
- Sedation Dentistry: Dental sedation refers to dentists using sedative medications to help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable during dental procedures. We use sedation for patients who experience anxiety, fear, or discomfort with dental work. Sedation dentistry also allows dentists to complete necessary dental procedures more efficiently.
- Tooth Extraction: Tooth extraction involves removing a tooth through a simple procedure for visible teeth or surgically below the surface. We recommend extractions when a tooth is beyond repair due to damage, disease, or overcrowding. Patients often require tooth extractions for severe tooth decay and impacted wisdom teeth. Some patients may also want an extraction to create space for orthodontic treatment.
- Exams: A comprehensive dental exam is essential to boost overall health and is performed by your dentist at your initial dental visit.
- X-rays: Dental radiographs are essential, preventative diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. We use X-rays to ensure that patients have good oral health and help plan treatment.
- Cleanings: Your home care and daily routines are essential in achieving a beautiful, healthy, winning smile that lasts a lifetime. Our hygienists use specialized dental tools at routine appointments to remove bacterial buildup from the mouth.
- Oral Cancer Screening: An oral cancer screening is a simple procedure to detect early signs of mouth/oral cancer. Talk to us during cleaning to get your screening.
Diet and Oral Health
Your diet plays a big part in the health of your mouth. Your smile needs certain vitamins and minerals to thrive, and some things you consume can be very detrimental.
Beneficial Foods and Drinks
Calcium and Vitamin D are two of the most essential things for your smile. Calcium strengthens your tooth enamel, protecting your smile from bacteria. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium better. Fortified dairy products give you a good dose of both of these minerals. Leafy greens, nuts, and fish also provide calcium, while fatty fish and egg yolks contain Vitamin D.
Another important mineral for tooth development and strength is phosphorus. It works with calcium to ensure your teeth remain strong and resistant to decay and bacteria. Milk, meat, and fish are all good sources of phosphorus.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants are crucial for gum health. Since it aids the body in collagen production, it strengthens the gums and soft tissues around the teeth that keep it in place. It lessens inflammation, reducing your chance of bleeding gums and gum disease. Foods like berries, citrus fruits, broccoli, and peppers all have solid levels of Vitamin C.
Vitamin A is one of the most important vitamins for your oral health. It maintains and repairs soft tissue and helps with saliva production. Saliva washes food debris and bacteria away from your smile so that they don’t build up and neutralizes the acids in your mouth caused by bacteria byproducts. Spinach, carrots, and sweet potatoes are all good sources.
Fibrous fruits and vegetables act as natural toothbrushes when you eat them. The fibers get in between the teeth, scraping away food debris. Because they require a lot of chewing to break down, they also help your mouth produce more saliva.
Foods and Beverages to Avoid
Sugar and acid are the two big things that cause harm to your smile. Harmful bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar as their main food source. They emit an acidic byproduct that wears through the tooth enamel and causes cavities and tooth decay. The more sugary foods you eat, the more those bacteria will feed on them. Eating them multiple times throughout the day constantly attacks your teeth, and they get no break.
Eating sugary foods with acidic ones is the most harmful thing you can do to your teeth. Acidic foods increase the rate at which the enamel erodes. While brushing your teeth is usually recommended to get rid of sugar and bacteria, wait for at least 30 minutes after consuming something acidic to brush your teeth. Brushing too soon after can do more harm to your teeth than good.
Why Preventative Care Is Essential
General dentistry focuses on maintaining the health and function of your smile. Preventative care is the main way we do this. If you brush and floss your teeth regularly and routinely visit the dentist, you’re less likely to incur more severe dental problems in the future. However, you have to be diligent about your oral health at home as well as visiting the dentist.
At home, you should brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss at least once daily. Preferably, you should do both after every meal. This reduces the debris left behind by your meals and helps prevent plaque and tartar from building up. Plaque and tartar lead to tooth decay and gum disease. The longer it’s left on your teeth, the harder it is to get it off. Tartar is a harder substance that shields the bacteria feeding on your teeth.
But even if you’re taking great care of your teeth at home, you can still be at high risk for these conditions. Certain areas of the mouth are more difficult to reach for the tools you have available at home. We have specialized dental tools designed to get into these hard-to-reach areas. Without regular cleaning with these tools, you’re still prone to plaque and tartar buildup in those areas, and you may not even notice it.
We also do a comprehensive oral examination every time you’re in our office. The early warning signs of certain oral health problems, like oral cancer and gum disease, aren’t painful and may be hard to notice on your own. We have extensive training in these signs and know what to look for. Our office also utilizes advanced diagnostic equipment. Finding issues at the early stages ensures that treatment remains less invasive and more affordable.
Schedule an Appointment
Contact our dental office for preventative and routine treatment today at (936) 220-3158. You may also request a dental appointment with Dr. Escobar online. We are proud to serve the communities in and surrounding Huntsville.