General Dentistry San Antonio, TX

Good oral habits are vital for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Without proper oral care, bacteria can multiply in your mouth and cause serious oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease.

You should not just consult your dentist when you have an issue that needs to be addressed. Prevention is better than cure, so we recommend visiting your dentist every six months to maintain oral health.

At Advanced Dental Associates, our experienced dentists help treat and prevent oral complications with general dentistry treatments in San Antonio, TX. We also offer comprehensive dental services to patients in San Antonio. 

General Dentist in San Antonio, TX

The Importance of Preventative Dentistry

Preventative dental care is the foundation of your oral health. You can’t just take care of your mouth at home and avoid dental visits and vice versa. You have to be dedicated to your oral health in both arenas.

At home, you should brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss your teeth at least once daily. This removes food particles and bacteria, preventing buildup that leads to plaque and tartar. Using toothpaste fortified with fluoride strengthens your tooth enamel, while an antibacterial mouthwash controls the harmful bacteria inside your mouth.

But you can’t only take care of your teeth at home. Even if you brush and floss diligently, there are areas where your toothbrush can’t reach. Our office has specialized dental tools designed to get into your smile’s hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. You could be doing everything right caring for your mouth at home, but still be at high risk for developing tooth decay and gum disease.

Cleanings aren’t the only reason for regular office visits. We also perform a thorough oral examination. There are certain oral health conditions where it’s hard to notice the early warning signs. Many adults have the early stages of gum disease because the early signs aren’t painful. With our training, we know what to look for. We also utilize modern technology so that we can see and diagnose issues that aren’t yet visible to the naked eye.

Preventative care is cheaper than dealing with intensive procedures in the future. Intensive procedures are costly and take long hours in the dentist chair. Keeping your mouth healthy is also vital to your overall health and wellbeing. Poor oral health is related to various systemic health conditions. Regular oral healthcare helps your entire body.

Diet and Oral Health

Your diet plays a big part in how healthy your mouth is. There are certain nutrients your body requires to keep your mouth healthy, while other things are detrimental to your smile.

What Your Smile Needs

Nutrients like calcium, Vitamin D, and phosphorus are essential to keep your teeth healthy. Calcium keeps your tooth enamel strong, while phosphorus assists in remineralizing the teeth. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus adequately. These things can be found in food like dairy and leafy greens, while sunlight is the main source of Vitamin D.

When it comes to the gums, Vitamin C and antioxidants are essential. Vitamin C assists in the collagen process and ensures the gum tissue is strong and healthy. It helps boost immunity and fight against disease-causing bacteria. Antioxidants are anti-inflammatories that protect against the inflammation component of gum disease. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers, while broccoli, carrots, and potatoes are all antioxidants.

Fresh, fibrous fruits and vegetables can act like natural toothbrushes when you chew them. They get around the teeth and clear away bacteria and food particles. Since they take so much time to chew and break down, it increases saliva production. Saliva is extremely important in your oral health. It neutralizes acids in your mouth and washes away bacteria and food particles. This is why staying hydrated with water is also important.

Things to Avoid

The two biggest things to avoid for your smile are sugars and acids. Sugars are the main thing that harmful oral bacteria want to feed on. When they eat sugars, they emit an acidic byproduct that eats through your enamel. While it’s easy to think that only sweet foods are an issue for sugar, salty snacks are too. Carbohydrates and starches break down into sugars. Snacks like chips and pretzels meet this criteria.

Acids also eat through your tooth enamel, making it more vulnerable to bacteria. Things like citrus fruits, vinegar-based foods, and tomatoes are all acidic. Usually, we recommend brushing your teeth right after consuming things so they don’t stay on your teeth. However, you should avoid it for at least 30 minutes after consuming something acidic, as it can increase the damage the acid is doing to your teeth.

General Dentistry in San Antonio, TX

Learn about the general dental treatments that we provide patients in our office: 

Custom Mouthguard

If you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth or often indulge in athletic activities, your teeth may get broken, chipped, or cracked. Mouthguards or sports guards cushion the impact on your face as you play sports. They minimize the chance of broken teeth and injuries to the lips, face, tongue, or jaw.

Family Dentistry

Our family dentistry services will benefit the whole family, including young children. The earlier children start having regular dental checkups, the better oral health they can enjoy. Routine checkups help prevent cavities and gum disease, which can result in pain, difficulty concentrating, and other medical issues.

Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry is a popular treatment for tooth decay, gum disease, lesion removal, and teeth whitening. As technology advances, laser treatments are becoming more prevalent in the dentist’s office. Here at Advanced Dental Associates, we provide laser dentistry to ensure our patients have the best care provided.

The Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) Protocol is a substitute for traditional periodontitis or gum disease surgery. It involves less pain and easier recovery. It also facilitates gum tissue revival, reattachment, and growth of new bone.

Root Canals

Root canals are a last-ditch effort to save a tooth from extraction. We may recommend a root canal if an infection has spread to the “pulpy” center of the tooth that contains nerve endings and other connective tissues.

Once the infection has been removed, we fill the canals with a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha. A tooth that has received root canal treatment must typically be capped with a crown.

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry treatments ensure patient comfort and relaxation through dental procedures. Sedation can also benefit patients with dental anxiety or a fear of dental treatments or the dental office. 

Tooth Extraction

There are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. We perform a simple extraction on a tooth that has already erupted above the gumline.

We perform a surgical extraction on a tooth that has become impacted or has yet to erupt, such as wisdom teeth. Extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection and other complications.

Dental Fillings

Cavities are prevalent. A vast majority of people need at least one filling during their life. Cavities can still happen even if you take good care of your teeth. Moreover, when one does develop, treatment is needed as soon as possible. Advanced Dental Associates can provide therapy for cavities with fillings.

Why Do I Need a Filling?

A filling is meant to treat a cavity. A cavity occurs when decay destroys a part of your tooth. Without treatment, bacteria can get stuck inside the cavity. This can lead to more decay, causing the cavity to grow larger. This can compromise the tooth, leaving it susceptible to breaking or an infection.

Unfortunately, the cavity remains even if the decay is removed from the tooth. This hole can cause many problems. A filling is meant to fill the cavity left behind by decay. It is designed to restore the tooth, protecting it as well as the health of your mouth.

What Types of Fillings Are There?

The most common types of fillings are amalgam and composite resin. Amalgam is the most affordable. It is also one of the strongest. It is made from a mixture of different metals and is often recommended for treating cavities in back teeth. Amalgam fillings are also called silver fillings because of their color.

While strong, the color can cause aesthetic concerns. Composite resin fillings, made of plastic material, are metal-free. They are also tooth-colored. Using a color guide, we can choose the right composite shade to perfectly match your natural tooth color. These fillings are not nearly as strong as amalgam, but they are ideal for front teeth.

These are not the only types of fillings. Some fillings are made of gold, ceramic, and glass ionomer. These fillings, like amalgam, are incredibly strong. However, they can be more expensive. Ceramic fillings are tooth-colored and stronger than composite.

Glass ionomer fillings are a good option for children. They do not last very long, which is fine for baby teeth because these teeth fall out eventually anyway. In addition to treating a cavity, these fillings release fluoride, which helps to protect the tooth from new decay.

Are Fillings Permanent?

Fillings are meant to last a long time but are not necessarily permanent treatments. Over time, your filling could begin to wear out. When this happens, it will need to be replaced.

If you notice cracking or wear around your filling, or if it has become damaged, you must schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If you do not promptly address a worn-out filling, it could lead to severe issues, including new decay and infections.

Is There an Alternative to a Filling?

Fillings are the most common treatment for cavities. They are effective in numerous cases. However, there are some situations in which they may not be the best solution. Inlays and onlays provide an indirect alternative for certain types of fillings. In cases of significant decay, a dental crown may be necessary.

Maintain Your Oral Health

Call Advanced Dental Associates for treatment at 210-361-6847. You can also request a dental appointment with us on our website.