General dental treatments focus on disease prevention and are also used to treat dental injuries, infections, and more. A key aspect of general dentistry is preventative dental care, including routine dental cleanings and exams. Oral health problems like gum disease, missing teeth, and cavities can often be treated conservatively in the early stages with routine dental care.
At Gwaltney Dental, our dentists and dental hygienists provide tooth cleanings, examinations, and screenings for all ages at regular biannual appointments. During these regular dental office visits, we focus on patient education and disease prevention. Our comprehensive dental services ensure patients receive the care they need to maintain strong, healthy teeth for life. Healthy smiles start with early dental care and good oral habits.
We can also help parents of young children learn the best methods of caring for their child’s growing and changing smile.
General Dentists in Suffolk, VA
Dr. Steve Gwaltney, Dr. J. Ryland Gwaltney, and Dr. Whitney Gwaltney are members of the American Dental Association and Virginia Dental Association. With years of experience treating patients of all ages, Drs. Gwaltney are able to provide high-quality, long-lasting dental care. General dentistry can include routine dental treatments for tooth decay or solutions for dental fear or anxiety.
Custom Sports Mouthguards
Mouthguards worn during contact sports help protect teeth from injury and tooth loss. Comparatively, store-bought mouthguards do not fully conform to teeth and can fall out. With custom sports mouthguards, patients do not need to clench their teeth to keep their mouthguards.
Emergency Dental Care
Contact our office if you have a dental emergency. We work to schedule dental appointments for all of our emergency patients as soon as possible. The most common dental emergencies we treat include toothaches, knocked-out teeth, and broken dental restorations. We can treat dental trauma with cosmetic care, restorations, extractions, repairs, and more.
Family Dentistry
We offer family dentistry to patients of all ages. Our dentists help parents care for their child’s primary teeth and educate younger patients about the importance of oral health. Scheduling regular dental visits for you and your child helps to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Sedation Dentistry
Dental sedation helps keep patients relaxed during procedures. Patients with dental fear or anxiety benefit from sedation dentistry because they often do not remember the procedure and may even fall asleep during their care. During our procedures, we offer nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide provides pain-free and comfortable treatment for all patients.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extractions are needed when patients have severely decayed or damaged teeth. Painful, impacted wisdom teeth also need to be removed. Wisdom teeth are considered impacted when they are not fully erupting properly. We can also replace infected or damaged teeth with dental implants.
Diet and Oral Health
What you eat every day has a big effect on your teeth and gums. Just like your body needs good food to stay healthy, your mouth does too. The foods and drinks you choose can help protect your smile or increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Foods That Are Bad for Oral Health
Some of the most harmful foods for your teeth are high in sugar. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and create acid as a result. That acid wears down your enamel—your teeth’s hard, protective surface. Over time, this can lead to cavities, tooth sensitivity, and even gum problems.
Candy, cookies, cakes, and sweet cereals are all full of sugar and are bad for your teeth. Sticky sweets like caramels, gummies, or dried fruit are especially harmful because they stay stuck to your teeth longer. That gives bacteria more time to produce acid and cause decay.
Sugary drinks are also a big problem. Sodas, sports and energy drinks, and fruit juices contain high sugar levels. Every sip bathes your teeth in acid, especially if you drink them slowly over a long time. This can wear away enamel and lead to cavities.
Acidic foods and drinks can also harm your teeth. Things like lemons, oranges, tomatoes, and vinegar-based dressings can weaken your enamel if you eat them often. Even though many of these foods are healthy in other ways, too much acid can slowly break down your tooth structure. If you eat acidic foods, rinse your mouth with water afterward and wait 30 minutes before brushing.
Foods That Are Good for Oral Health
The good news is that some foods help protect and strengthen your teeth. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are excellent choices because they are high in calcium and phosphorus, which help rebuild enamel. Cheese also helps balance the acid levels in your mouth, reducing the risk of decay.
Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, celery, and cucumbers are great for your teeth. They make you chew more, which increases saliva production. Saliva helps wash away food particles and bacteria and controls the acid in your mouth.
Leafy greens like spinach and kale are packed with vitamins and minerals that support gum health. Foods high in vitamin C, such as strawberries and bell peppers, help strengthen the tissues in your gums and can reduce inflammation.
Nuts and seeds are also tooth-friendly. They contain healthy fats, protein, and important minerals that support oral health. Chewing nuts, like crunchy vegetables, helps clean teeth and encourages more saliva.
Drinking water—especially tap water with fluoride—is one of the easiest and best things you can do for your teeth. Water helps rinse food, bacteria, and acid, keeping your mouth moist and healthy.
General Dental FAQs
Patients often have questions about what to use for at-home dental care, including:
What kind of toothbrush should I use?
Adults should use a small or medium toothbrush with soft-to-medium bristles. Patients with sensitive teeth benefit from using soft-bristled toothbrushes that are gentle on the teeth. Children should use small toothbrushes with soft bristles.
How often do I replace my toothbrush?
Adults should replace their toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months as the bristles can wear down with each use. Children need their toothbrushes replaced more regularly than adults, typically every three months.
What is the best type of toothpaste to use?
We don’t recommend any specific toothpaste. However, fluoride toothpaste helps build tooth enamel and prevent decay or infection.
How long is too long without dental cleaning?
Going more than two years without a dental cleaning is too long. Most dentists recommend regular cleanings every six months. These routine cleanings are crucial for removing plaque and tartar that daily brushing and flossing can’t eliminate. Skipping regular cleanings can cause you to develop gum disease, cavities, and other dental problems. If it’s been a while, scheduling a cleaning with us is a good idea to keep your oral health on track.
Can the ER take out a bad tooth?
No. Only a dentist or oral surgeon can perform an extraction. ER doctors, on the other hand, do not have the training or equipment for tooth extractions. They can, however, provide temporary relief if you are experiencing tooth pain. Moreover, ER doctors can prescribe you medications to manage infection or pain.
How long after a tooth extraction can I eat?
After a tooth extraction, it’s best to wait until the numbness from the anesthesia wears off before eating anything. It usually takes a few hours. After this, you can start with soft foods like yogurt, soup, and applesauce. You’ll want to avoid hot foods and drinks for the first 24 hours to prevent irritating the extraction site. Also, steer clear of chewing directly on the extraction site until it has healed sufficiently.
Request a Dental Exam Today
Are you in the Carrollton or Suffolk, VA area? Are you looking for a new dentist? Try Gwaltney Dental. Call our dental office for comprehensive treatment at 757-982-8467 or request an online appointment with our dental team. Please let our staff know if you have any questions about your treatment options. We will gladly help you find the best treatment to meet your needs.