General dentistry covers the everyday care most people need: regular examinations, professional cleaning, treatment of decay with fillings, root canal treatment when the pulp inside a tooth is inflamed or infected, and removal of teeth that cannot be restored.
A general dentist is usually your first point of contact for anything to do with your teeth and gums. They diagnose problems, help you prevent them, carry out routine restorative treatment and keep your dental records over the years, so small changes can be spotted early. When a case needs care beyond general practice, a general dentist typically refers you to a specialist such as an endodontist, periodontist or oral surgeon.
A family dentist is a general dentist who sees every age group, so children, parents and grandparents can be looked after by the same practice. All of our dentists are DHA-licensed general dentists and Invisalign Certified Providers; there are no specialists on staff.
Early tooth decay and gum disease often cause no symptoms. A check-up lets your dentist find them while they are small: early decay can often be managed with a small filling or preventive care, whereas decay that reaches the nerve may need root canal treatment and a crown, which takes more visits and usually costs more. Your dentist also examines your tongue, cheeks, palate and the floor of your mouth for any changes that need a closer look.
How often you need a check-up depends on your risk of problems. The NHS says the time between check-ups can be as short as 3 months or as long as 2 years, or up to 1 year for under-18s, and your dentist will suggest the interval that suits you. Read about what a dental check-up includes.
Medical and dental history
Your dentist asks about your general health, any medicines you take, and any pain, sensitivity or bleeding gums you have noticed.
Examination
Each tooth, filling and crown is checked, along with your gums, bite, jaw joints and the soft tissues of your mouth. Gum pocket depths may be measured to look for gum disease.
X-rays, if needed
Dental X-rays are usually taken according to your risk and history rather than at every visit. They show decay between the teeth and problems below the gum line.
Cleaning
If a scale and polish is booked for the same visit, plaque and tartar are removed and the teeth are polished.
Findings and next visit
Your dentist explains what they found, talks you through any treatment options, and suggests when your next check-up should be.
A check-up on its own typically takes 20 to 30 minutes; allow up to about 45 minutes more when it is combined with a scale and polish. Indicative fees are on our price list.
A scale and polish removes plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) that brushing and flossing cannot shift, especially along and just below the gum line. Scaling is usually done with an ultrasonic scaler and fine hand instruments, and polishing then removes surface stains. Most people feel vibration, pressure and some scraping, and teeth can be sensitive for a day or two afterwards. A cleaning typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
When decay or a small fracture damages a tooth, the dentist removes the affected part and rebuilds the tooth with a filling. A tooth-coloured composite filling is bonded to the tooth in layers and hardened with a curing light, and it can be matched to the shade of your teeth. A filling is usually done under local anaesthetic and typically takes 20 to 60 minutes, depending on its size and position.
Root canal treatment is needed when the pulp, the soft tissue inside a tooth, becomes inflamed or infected, often after deep decay, a crack or a knock. Under local anaesthetic, the dentist cleans and shapes the canals inside the root, disinfects them and seals them. It usually takes one or two visits. Back teeth often need a crown afterwards to protect them from breaking, and complex cases may be referred to an endodontist.
A crown is a cap that covers a tooth weakened by a large filling, a fracture or root canal treatment. A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by attaching false teeth to crowns on the teeth either side of the gap. Both typically take two visits: the teeth are prepared and temporaries fitted at the first, and the final restoration, made in a dental laboratory, is fitted at the second.
A tooth may need to come out when it is too decayed or broken to repair, loosened by gum disease, or impacted. After the area is numbed with local anaesthetic, the dentist loosens the tooth and removes it; most people feel pressure rather than sharp pain. Some teeth need a surgical extraction, where a small cut is made in the gum. Your dentist will also discuss whether and how to replace the tooth, for example with an implant, bridge or denture.
Gum disease starts as gingivitis, with red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush, and can progress to periodontitis, in which the gum and bone supporting the teeth are gradually lost. Gingivitis is usually reversible with a professional clean and better home care. Periodontitis is typically treated with deep cleaning below the gum line, known as scaling and root planing, followed by regular maintenance visits. Advanced cases may be referred to a periodontist.
If you grind or clench your teeth, often during sleep, a custom night guard made from impressions or a scan of your teeth can help protect them, and any fillings or crowns, from wear and fracture. Signs of grinding include worn or chipped edges, an aching jaw on waking and morning headaches. A custom sports mouthguard does a similar job for contact sports, helping protect against broken and knocked-out teeth.
A family dentist sees patients of every age, and the focus of a visit changes as you grow older.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) advises a first dental visit when the first tooth appears, and no later than the first birthday. Early visits focus on prevention: checking how the teeth are developing, advice on brushing and diet, fluoride varnish, and fissure sealants on the back teeth once the adult molars come through.
Many teenagers have an orthodontic assessment for crowding or bite problems, which may lead to braces or clear aligners. A custom-fitted mouthguard is usually advised for contact sports, and your dentist will start keeping an eye on wisdom teeth, which typically come through in the late teens or early twenties.
For most adults, care centres on keeping teeth and gums healthy: regular check-ups and cleaning, repairing decayed, worn or broken teeth with fillings or crowns, and watching for signs of gum disease such as bleeding gums. If you grind or clench your teeth, your dentist may suggest a night guard.
Many medicines can reduce saliva, and a dry mouth makes decay more likely. Receding gums can expose the roots of the teeth, which decay more easily than enamel. Check-ups also cover the fit of any dentures and the health of the gums beneath them.
Wait until the numbness wears off before eating or having hot drinks, so you do not bite your cheek or tongue or burn your mouth. Tooth-coloured fillings are set hard before you leave. Some sensitivity to cold for a few days to a couple of weeks is common; contact the clinic if your bite feels high, or if the sensitivity gets worse or lasts beyond about two weeks.
Teeth can feel sensitive and gums a little tender for a day or two, especially after a lot of tartar has been removed. A toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help. Keep brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth, even if your gums bleed slightly at first.
Bite on the gauze for as long as your dentist advises to help a blood clot form. For the first 24 hours, avoid rinsing and spitting forcefully, and for at least 72 hours avoid smoking, vaping, drinking through a straw and strenuous exercise, all of which can dislodge the clot and lead to a painful dry socket. Eat soft, cool food, and contact the clinic if bleeding does not stop or pain gets worse after a few days.
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