General dental care is preventative. Anything from routine dental appointments to sports mouthguards can help prevent the development of future oral health problems. For example, pediatric dental care for our younger patients helps set them up for healthy future smiles. We provide comprehensive general and routine dental services in Bensalem, PA for all ages. General dentistry is the foundation of a healthy smile and supports your long-term oral health and wellness.
At Perfect Smiles, we want all of our patients to be aware of their current oral health condition, risk factors for disease, and any changes in the appearance or function of their teeth and gums. Our general dental services help keep patients on track to maintain beautiful and healthy smiles.
The Importance of Preventative Care
Preventative care provides the base of your oral health. It must occur both during regular visits to the dentist office and while you’re at home. Our dental staff provides patient education to ensure you have the best tools to care for your smile. If you’re prone to certain conditions like gum disease, we’ll recommend beneficial products for prevention. We can offer the best brushing and flossing techniques and tips for a diet that’s beneficial to your oral health.
Even if you’re taking the best care of your teeth at home, you must visit the dentist regularly. Our staff uses specialized dental tools to clean the areas where your toothbrush and floss don’t necessarily reach. This is especially true if you have cramped or crooked teeth, which are harder to clean. Without regular dental visits, plaque and tartar build up in these areas, making you more likely to develop tooth decay or gum disease.
We’re also trained to notice things you probably wouldn’t notice alone. Problems like gum disease and oral cancer have early warning signs that aren’t painful and may not seem super out of the ordinary. We do a thorough oral examination at each dental visit to check for signs like this. With x-rays and other digital diagnostic tools, we monitor how your mouth changes each visit. We want to help you take care of problems in the early stages, where treatment is less expensive and less invasive.
General Dentistry Services in Bensalem, PA
Our general dental treatments help maintain the smile and prevent future oral health problems. Regular visits allow our team to spot developing dental problems and provide timely treatment, which is often conservative. Discover more about these preventative treatments below:
Custom Mouthguard
Do you or your child play contact sports? You need a custom sports mouthguard. Our professionally made mouthguards are customized to each patient for a proper fit. Compared to store-bought mouthguards, our customized mouthguards are comfortable and do not fall out during games.
Emergency Dentistry
Call our office in the event of a dental emergency. We can treat patients with toothaches, lost permanent teeth, broken dental restorations, and more. However, if you have had an accident and require medical care, receive treatment in a hospital first. We can provide dental care after you are treated for physical injuries.
Family Dentistry
As a family dental office, we offer dental care to patients of all ages. Our dentists work with parents and their children to ensure that their children are receiving the best treatments for their stage in life. Perfect Smiles offers pediatric to geriatric care and serves all patients in between.
Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common type of sleep disorder that affects many Americans. Several symptoms, including snoring, mood swings, insomnia, and chronic migraines, are common warning signs. We offer oral appliances as an alternative to CPAP machines for a more comfortable and quieter way to treat sleep apnea.
Tooth Extraction
Many patients may think that dental extractions are painful. However, tooth extraction treatment removes pain caused by impacted or infected teeth. We use local anesthesia and may offer sedation for more complex procedures. Our dental team ensures that patients feel comfortable during their treatments and healing process.
Diet and Oral Health
What you eat plays a big role in your oral health. A healthy diet can help keep your teeth strong and your gums healthy and prevent dental problems like cavities and gum disease. On the other hand, a poor diet can lead to tooth decay, gum inflammation, and even tooth loss. You can support your oral health and avoid expensive dental treatments by making the right food choices.
Foods That Are Good for Oral Health
Certain foods can help protect teeth, fight bad bacteria, and strengthen enamel. They also provide nutrients essential for maintaining a healthy smile.
1. Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber that support oral health. Crunchy fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, and celery are especially good because they help clean your teeth while you chew. They also stimulate saliva production, which is important for washing away food particles and neutralizing acids in the mouth. Vitamin C-rich foods like oranges and strawberries help keep your gums healthy and prevent gum disease.
2. Dairy Products
Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, are excellent for your teeth because they are high in calcium and phosphorus, which help strengthen tooth enamel. Cheese, in particular, is good for increasing saliva production, which can help neutralize acids in your mouth and protect your teeth from decay. Yogurt is also beneficial because it contains probiotics, which promote the growth of good bacteria in your mouth.
3. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and lettuce are full of vitamins and minerals important for overall health, including oral health. They are high in calcium, which helps strengthen teeth, and they also contain folic acid, which has been shown to improve gum health. These veggies are also low in sugar and fiber, helping keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy.
4. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds, like almonds and sunflower seeds, are packed with healthy fats, protein, and minerals. These foods provide a good amount of calcium and magnesium, which help maintain strong teeth and bones. Chewing nuts can also help clean your teeth by stimulating saliva production and washing away food particles.
5. Water
Water is essential for good oral health. Drinking plenty of water helps wash away food particles, neutralize acids, and hydrate your mouth. Water also promotes the production of saliva, which is your mouth’s natural defense against cavities and gum disease. Avoid sugary drinks, which can increase your risk of cavities and decay.
Foods That Are Bad for Oral Health
While some foods help protect your teeth, others can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. Here’s a look at some of the worst offenders.
1. Sugary Snacks and Drinks
Foods and drinks high in sugar are among the biggest contributors to tooth decay. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and produce acids that attack your tooth enamel. Candies, cakes, cookies, and soda are all examples of sugary foods and drinks that can lead to cavities. Even sugary drinks like fruit juices and sports drinks can harm your teeth, especially when consumed frequently or over long periods.
2. Sticky and Chewy Foods
Sticky foods like caramel, taffy, and gummy candies can get stuck in the grooves of your teeth, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. These foods can also pull out dental work like fillings or crowns. The longer the sugar stays in contact with your teeth, the higher the risk of tooth decay. Chewing gum or sticky foods too often can also wear down enamel over time.
3. Acidic Foods and Drinks
Foods and drinks that are highly acidic, like citrus fruits, soda, and vinegar-based dressings, can erode tooth enamel. While these foods are healthy in moderation, consuming them in excess can weaken your enamel and make your teeth more susceptible to cavities and sensitivity. Drink acidic beverages through a straw to protect your teeth and rinse your mouth with water afterward.
4. Starchy Foods
Starchy foods like chips, bread, and pasta can also contribute to tooth decay. When you eat starchy foods, they break down into sugars in your mouth, which can feed the harmful bacteria that cause cavities. These foods can also get stuck in the grooves of your teeth, making it harder for saliva to wash them away. If you eat starchy foods, brush your teeth afterward to remove any leftover particles.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol can have several negative effects on your oral health. It can dry out your mouth, reducing the saliva that protects your teeth and gums. A dry mouth makes it easier for bacteria to thrive, leading to bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Additionally, drinking alcohol can lead to staining of the teeth and increase the risk of oral cancer.
General Dentistry FAQs
If you have any remaining questions about our general dental treatments, read answers to common questions many of our patients have here:
Do I have sleep apnea if I snore?
Sometimes, snoring is an isolated problem. Although snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, it is not an immediate indicator of a sleep disorder. However, if you experience any other signs of sleep apnea, including insomnia and mood swings, please contact our office.
How often do I need to replace my sports mouthguard?
We often recommend that patients replace their mouthguards every sports season. If the fit changes, or if patients receive braces, they will need a new sports mouthguard. Our team ensures that mouthguards are durable and fit comfortably against the teeth.
Does your office provide treatment for seniors?
Yes, we offer our older patients restorative, general, and cosmetic options. Aging can lead to changes in the smile, whether it’s tooth wear, discoloration, and even loss. Common treatments we offer seniors include dental implants, dentures, dental bridges, porcelain veneers, tooth bonding, and teeth whitening treatment. Our office can help patients improve their aging smiles’ look, feel, and health.
Why should I have a family dentist?
A family dentist can establish a long-term relationship with a patient. This long-term relationship enables the dentist to effectively identify and address potential dental issues at an earlier stage. Moreover, a family dentist knows your family’s dental history. It is easier for parents to keep up with their children’s oral health when visiting the same family practice. Finally, a family dentist can provide same-day or after-hours appointments.
Can a general dentist pull a tooth?
Yes, a general dentist has the qualifications to pull a tooth. If you’re dealing with a seriously decayed or damaged tooth, your dentist might recommend removing it. A dentist will always try to save a tooth if possible. However, sometimes an extraction is the best course of action. Complex tooth extractions may require your dentist to refer you to an oral surgeon.
What kind of X-rays does a dentist use?
Dentists use X-rays to diagnose and treat dental problems. The types of X-rays dentists use are bitewing, intraoral, occlusal, panoramic, and periapical X-rays. Bitewing X-rays provide an overview of the upper and lower teeth in a single image. Dentists take Intraoral images inside the mouth to capture details of individual teeth.
Occlusal views show how teeth interact when biting down. Panoramic shots create a wider view that includes an entire jawline. Finally, periapical images identify decay, cysts, or abscesses around the root of each tooth. Your dentist will determine which type of X-ray is necessary for you.
Request a Dental Appointment
Our friendly dental team looks forward to seeing you at your next appointment at our Bensalem office. Schedule a dental consultation with us on our website. You may also call our office at 215-770-1081. We see patients from Bensalem, Trevose, and the surrounding areas.