Are you searching for an experienced dentist in Owings Mills?
Our dentist office provides comprehensive and personalized dental care to patients in all stages of oral development. Owings Mills Dental Care helps patients maintain their natural smiles through proactive preventive dental care and conservative treatment planning for addressing concerns. Our Owings Mills dentist is family-focused and offers a uniquely welcoming and compassionate dentist office environment. Patients feel comfortable and at ease when they visit us for general dental care.
Our dental care team is committed to providing high-quality modern dentistry. We use general dentistry to protect the health and function of patients’ teeth, gums, and jaw. We encourage patients to take a proactive approach to preserve their natural teeth through routine dental check-ups and at-home oral hygiene.
Our dental check-ups are thorough and personalized to your unique needs and risk factors. We give patients time to ask questions and become engaged in learning more about their oral health and how to maintain their smiles for the long term.
General Dental Services
Our general dental services are designed to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy for a long time. They encompass a range of preventive, diagnostic, and treatment procedures to maintain oral health. Our doctors build personalized treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each patient depending on their oral health, age, and personal goals so they may enjoy their optimal oral health.
Dental Cleanings
Teeth cleanings are professional procedures performed by our licensed dental hygienists to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from teeth. They contribute to oral health by preventing cavities and gum disease. You should have your teeth cleaned twice a year to contribute to optimal oral health. To learn more about why dental cleanings are important, see Dental Cleanings.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are a necessary, routine dental treatment that we use to repair teeth damaged by decay, chips, or cracks. After removing the damaged portion of the tooth, your dentist will fill the cavity with a composite resin material. This will restore your tooth’s structure and prevent further decay while promoting oral health and functionality. To learn more about the dental filling procedure, see Dental Fillings.
Inlays & Onlays
Dental inlays and onlays are alternatives to traditional fillings and dental crowns. Inlays fit within the tooth’s cusps, while onlays cover one or more cusps. They are fabricated from materials like porcelain or composite resin. They will restore your tooth structure, providing durability and aesthetics for moderately damaged teeth while preserving natural tooth structure. To learn more about when it is necessary to use an inlay and onlay, see Inlays and Onlays.
Root Canal
A root canal is a dental procedure we use to treat infected or damaged tooth pulp. Your dentist will remove the pulp, clean, disinfect, and seal the root canal. This prevents further infection, alleviates pain, and preserves the tooth’s structure. Following a root canal, we typically place a dental crown on the tooth to protect and restore its functionality. To learn more about the root canal procedure, see Root Canal.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is a dental procedure involving the removal of a damaged, decayed, or problematic tooth. Your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth before gently loosening and extracting the tooth. Extractions are performed for various reasons, including severe decay, infection, crowding, or impacted wisdom teeth. To learn more about aftercare, see Tooth Extractions.
Pediatric Dentistry
Our pediatric dental services focus on the oral health of children from infancy through adolescence. We provide children with preventive care, diagnosing and treating dental issues unique to children, and educating both parents and young patients on proper oral hygiene practices. As a family dentistry office, Owings Mills Dental Care provides dental care to children as well as adults. To learn more about the family dental services we offer, see Pediatric Dentistry.
Mouthguards
Custom mouthguards from a dentist office are personalized to fit your teeth and inside of your mouth. Unlike store-bought ones, custom mouthguards offer superior comfort, protection, and durability. They provide optimal support for teeth during activities like sports, reducing the risk of injury, and are less likely to impede breathing or speech. To learn more about the benefits of custom mouthguards, see Custom Mouthguards.
General Dental Exams
During a general dental exam, your dentist will assess your overall oral health during. This includes checking for cavities, gum disease, and signs of oral cancer. X-rays may be taken, typically about once a year. The dentist examines existing restorations, like dental fillings or dental crowns. Your dentist will also offer preventive advice on oral hygiene, diet, and lifestyle for optimal dental health.
The Importance of General Dentistry
General dentistry services are essential to maintaining your overall oral health. When it comes to issues with the health of your gums and teeth, it’s much easier to prevent them than to have to cure them later. General dentistry and preventative care can help to ensure that things are caught quickly and your oral health is maintained.
Your general dental exams and cleanings do a variety of things. First, you get a deep dental cleaning that you can’t get with your normal toothbrush and floss at home. It can reach plaque and tartar buildup in the hardest to clean places. We also check the health of your gums, use x-rays to look for any cavities developing in your teeth, and check for warning signs of oral cancer.
With pediatric dentistry, we also perform services that are beneficial for children specifically. We use techniques to make sure that your child knows the importance of maintaining oral health. They also get used to dental care and avoid dental anxiety in the future. Mouthguards also protect their teeth from damage as they’re enjoying themselves by playing contact sports.
Caring For Your Toothbrush
Toothbrush maintenance is an important part of your oral hygiene. If your toothbrush is riddled with bacteria or worn out, it isn’t helping you take care of your teeth and gums. Patients often neglect properly caring for their toothbrushes, not realizing how it can affect their oral health.
At Owings Mills Dental Care in Owings Mills, MD, our dental care team are committed to helping each of our patients achieve a healthy smile. A healthy smile is attainable through excellent oral hygiene and preventive dental care visits. A toothbrush is a vital part of your oral hygiene routine so it is important to be informed of the proper ways to maintain your toothbrush.
- Store your toothbrush in an upright position to allow for proper drainage. If the toothbrush isn’t properly stored, it can cause mold growth and bacteria growth.
- Store your toothbrush away from the toilet.
- Do not store your toothbrush in an enclosed container for a long period of time.
- Periodically rinse your toothbrush with an antibacterial mouthwash.
- Make sure you properly rinse the toothbrush after use to remove debris from the bristles.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.
- Do not share your toothbrush. Sharing a toothbrush may transmit certain illnesses.
General Dentistry FAQs
How often should I brush my teeth?
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. It is also a good idea to brush them after you eat. Regularly doing this helps remove plaque and food that can cause cavities and gum disease. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to protect your gums while cleaning your teeth.
What type of toothpaste is best?
A toothpaste with fluoride is best thing for your oral health because it helps prevent cavities by making your teeth stronger. There are many types of toothpaste you can choose from. There are toothpastes for sensitive teeth and for whitening teeth. Choose one that fits your needs just be sure it has fluoride for the best protection against tooth decay.
How often should I visit the dentist?
Most dental professional agree that visiting twice a year for check-ups and cleanings is the best thing for your oral health. These visits help catch problems early, like cavities or gum disease, before they become serious. If you have severe dental issues, your dentist might suggest more frequent visits to keep your mouth healthy.
What happens during a dental check-up?
During a routine check-up, the dentist will look at your teeth and gums to see if you show any signs of dental problems. The most prevalent dental issues we see are cavities and gum disease. We take X-rays to see beneath the surface of your teeth twice a year. The dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup.
How can I prevent cavities?
To prevent cavities, simply practice good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, if not more. Also, floss daily to remove food from between teeth. Limit or avoid sugary snacks and drinks that increase your risk of tooth decay. Regular dental visits are also important to detect early signs of tooth decay so we can treat them fast.
What causes bad breath?
Bad breath is mostly caused by bad oral hygiene. However, you can get bad breath from certain foods or medical conditions. To combat it on your own, brush regularly, floss daily, and also clean your tongue to help reduce bad breath. If it persists, see your dentist to check for other causes like gum disease or tooth decay.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-rays are safe because they use very low levels of radiation to get images of your teeth and jaw. They help dentists find problems that aren’t visible during a regular exam, like cavities between teeth or issues with the jawbone.
How do fillings work?
Fillings repair cavities by filling the space left after decay is removed from a tooth. The dentist cleans out the decayed area and fills it with materials like composite resin or amalgam to restore the tooth’s shape and function.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an oral infection in the gums. Most people get gum disease from plaque that build up on the teeth. It starts as gingivitis, which makes gums red and swollen but can be reversed with good oral care. If you fail to get treatment for it, gum will progress to periodontitis, leading to tooth loss and other health issues.
Schedule Your Dentist Appointment Today
If you are looking for a general family dentist in the Baltimore area, contact Owings Mills Dental Care at 410.697.6290 or request an appointment online. Our dental care team provides compassionate, modern, preventative dentistry in a comfortable environment. We welcome new patients from Owings Mills, Pikesville, Reisterstown, Randallstown, Windsor Mill, Woodlawn, surrounding Baltimore communities.