At East Quarter Dental, we put your oral health first. While brushing and flossing at home are essential, nothing beats the care you receive from visiting a dentist. Regular cleanings and exams at our Dallas dental office every six months are key to maintaining a healthy smile.
Brushing and flossing are great daily habits, but they can only do so much. That’s why professional cleanings and exams are necessary. At East Quarter Dental, our skilled dental hygienist takes extra steps to help your mouth stay healthy. Along with preventive care, we offer a full range of dental services for patients in Dallas, Texas. Keep reading to learn more about the services we provide to keep your smile in the best shape.
Comprehensive General Dental Services
We offer a variety of preventive and restorative treatments to support your oral health. These include routine cleanings, dental exams, fillings, extractions, fluoride treatments, emergency dental care, and sedation dentistry. Each service will help you maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.
Teeth Cleanings
Professional cleanings are an essential part of your oral care routine. Even if you’re diligent about brushing and flossing, some plaque can be difficult to remove at home. Over time, this sticky substance can harden into tartar that only a dental professional can remove. That’s where we come in.
During your cleaning, our dental hygienist will carefully remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. This helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. The cleaning also includes polishing your teeth, leaving them smooth and making it harder for new plaque to stick.
So, what exactly is tartar? It forms when plaque stays on your teeth for too long and hardens. Tartar provides a place for bacteria to thrive, turning sugars from your food into acids. These acids can weaken your enamel and lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
If it’s been a while since your last cleaning, don’t worry. Our dentist in Dallas, TX is here to help and our team will not judge you. We’ll remove any tartar buildup and guide you on how to better care for your teeth at home. Regular cleanings every six months can help you avoid serious dental problems down the road.
Dental Fillings
Fillings are a simple, effective way to treat cavities and restore damaged teeth. At our downtown Dallas office, we use fillings to repair teeth affected by decay, fractures, or wear. If you’ve never had a filling before, there’s no need to worry. The process is quick, straightforward, and designed to make your tooth as good as new.
Cavities happen when acids from plaque or sugary foods break down your enamel. Without treatment, cavities can grow larger and even destroy the entire tooth. Our dentist will begin by numbing the area with a local anesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable. Then, they’ll remove the decayed portion of the tooth and clean the area thoroughly.
Next, your dentist will place the filling material to restore the tooth. We offer different types of fillings, including composite resin, which matches the color of your teeth for a natural look. Composite fillings are a popular choice because they blend seamlessly with your smile.
After the dentist places your filling, you may notice some temporary sensitivity to cold or sweet foods. This is normal and should fade within a few days. Contact us right away if you feel any discomfort after two weeks so we can adjust the filling or address concerns.
Proper care is essential to maintain your filled tooth. Brush and floss daily, and continue visiting us every six months for checkups and cleanings. With the right care, your filling can last for many years and protect your tooth from future decay.
Preparing for Your Visit
To get the most out of your appointment, it’s helpful to brush and floss beforehand. This allows our hygienist to focus on removing stubborn tartar and addressing any problem areas. During your visit, we’ll provide a comfortable experience and explain each step of the process.
Our hygienist will begin by placing a protective apron over your clothes. Then, they’ll use special tools to remove tartar from your teeth, followed by a thorough polish. Polishing not only leaves your teeth feeling smooth and clean but also helps prevent plaque from building up again.
If you opt for a fluoride treatment, our dentist will apply a fluoride gel or varnish to your teeth. Fluoride strengthens enamel and protects against cavities for months. After the treatment, avoid eating or drinking for about 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to fully absorb.
The Importance of Preventative Care
When it comes to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, preventative dental care is one of the most important things you can do. It doesn’t just help you avoid cavities or gum disease—it also protects your overall health and saves you time and money in the long run. Preventative care means stopping problems before they start, like brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly.
Helps Avoid Cavities and Gum Disease
Good dental care habits can often prevent the most common dental problems—cavities and gum disease. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to remove food and plaque from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum infections if not cleaned.
Regular dental cleanings help remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing can miss. Your dentist or hygienist can also spot early signs of gum disease, like red or swollen gums, and treat it before it becomes more serious.
Saves Money Over Time
Some people skip dental visits to save money, but skipping care often leads to more expensive problems. For example, a small cavity can usually be fixed with a simple filling. But if it gets worse, you might need a crown, a root canal, or even a tooth pulled—all of which cost a lot more.
Preventative care helps you avoid costly treatments down the road by catching problems early. Regular checkups and cleaning are much cheaper than fixing major dental issues.
Protects Overall Health
Your mouth is connected to the rest of your body, so caring for your teeth can protect your overall health. Gum disease has been linked to serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and infections. When you keep your gums healthy, you reduce your risk of these other health issues, too.
Your dentist can also check for signs of other problems during a regular visit. This includes spotting signs of oral cancer, vitamin deficiencies, and infections. Catching these problems early can make treatment easier and more effective.
Keeps Your Smile Strong and Functional
Preventative care keeps teeth strong so you can eat, speak, and smile confidently. Losing teeth or dealing with pain from untreated problems can make everyday activities harder. Taking care of your teeth helps you enjoy your meals, speak clearly, and feel good about your smile.
General Dentistry FAQs
General dentistry provides the foundation of your smile. Read the answers to these commonly asked questions and learn more about it.
How often should I visit a general dentist?
It’s generally recommended that you visit our office at least twice yearly for routine checkups and cleanings. These visits help detect early signs of dental issues, such as cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer, and prevent problems from worsening. Your dentist may suggest more frequent visits if you have specific oral health concerns, such as gum disease or a history of cavities.
How can I prevent gum disease?
Gum disease prevention involves maintaining good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing daily, and visiting your general dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. It’s also important to avoid smoking, which increases the risk of gum disease, and to eat a balanced diet that supports oral health. If you notice signs of gum disease, such as bleeding gums or bad breath, you should visit us promptly to prevent the condition from worsening.
How can I treat tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is often caused by worn enamel, gum recession, or cavities. We may recommend using a special toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth to treat sensitivity, which helps block pain signals. A fluoride treatment or dental sealants may sometimes be applied to protect the teeth. If the sensitivity is severe or persistent, we will assess the underlying cause and recommend more advanced treatments like dental fillings or gum treatments.
Can general dentistry treat bad breath?
Bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by various factors, including poor oral hygiene, gum disease, dry mouth, or certain foods. We can help identify the cause of your bad breath and provide treatment options, such as professional cleanings, fluoride treatments, or recommendations for better oral care. If gum disease is the underlying issue, we may suggest treatment to address the problem and eliminate the source of the bad breath.
What is an oral cancer screening?
An oral cancer screening is a routine examination conducted by one of our dentists to check for signs of oral cancer. During this screening, they will look for unusual lumps, bumps, or lesions in your mouth, throat, and jaw. Early detection of oral cancer is crucial for successful treatment, which is why regular screenings are recommended, especially if you use tobacco or drink alcohol frequently.
What causes tooth decay, and how can I prevent it?
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth break down sugars from food, producing acids that erode the tooth enamel. This leads to cavities, which can cause pain and tooth loss without treatment. To prevent tooth decay, maintain a good oral hygiene routine, brush and floss regularly, limit sugary foods and drinks, and visit our office for regular checkups and cleanings.
Don’t wait to take charge of your oral health. Whether it’s time for your six-month cleaning or you have a specific dental concern, our team is ready to help. Call East Quarter Dental at 469-529-5401 or request an appointment online. We’re excited to serve the Dallas community and look forward to helping you achieve your healthiest smile!