General dentistry |3 min read

What Does a General Dentist Do?

General dentist, Dr. Boig Larkum, with a patient.

So, you’re looking for a good dentist!

If you’ve been doing some research, you’ve likely seen that there are multiple types.

And you’ve probably seen that there are thousands of results for “general dentists.”

But what does a general dentist do?

In this blog, we’ll answer that very question.

You’ll also learn:

  • What services they provide
  • Why you should have one
  • And more

Keep reading to find out.

What is a general dentist?

A general dentist is your primary dental care provider who focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing your overall dental health care needs.

To become a qualified dental practitioner, dentists must have rigorous education and examination.

All general dentists are required to have at least four years of dental school to earn a degree in Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS).

What does a general dentist do?

General dentists wear many hats within their position, including:

  • Preventing health issues
  • Educating you and your family on maintaining excellent oral health
  • Improving your physical and emotional health
  • Getting you out of pain

They offer a variety of treatments to carry out these roles as your primary dental health provider.

What are general dental services?

Some of the most common services include:

  • Comprehensive exams
  • Regular cleanings
  • Periodontal care
  • Crowns and bridges
  • Sealants
  • Teeth whitening
  • Cosmetic bonding
  • Dental implants
  • Emergency dental care

These services have an array of benefits, such as:

  • Enhancing your smile’s aesthetic
  • Improving your bite’s function
  • Preventing further damage or infection
  • Boosting your self-confidence

And ultimately, general dentistry treatments will improve your quality of life!

Why should you see a general dentist?

Maintain optimal health:

Regularly seeing a general dentist is a wonderful way to stay on the ball with your oral health and wellness.

Experts highly recommend visiting your dentist every six months or twice a year… This text opens a new tab to colgate.com….

Why you should see your dentist twice a year:

Biannual checkups are highly recommended because your dentist will:

  • Evaluate your mouth’s condition
  • Address any concerns
  • Make any professional recommendations

Maintaining these regular visits could even save your life!

Your dentist can catch certain health issues like gum disease or cavities in the earliest stages.

They’ll screen your mouth for warning signs of oral cancer.

And:

Your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned during these appointments. The dentist or hygienist will remove tartar and built-up plaque on your smile.

If these acidic, bacteria-laden substances aren’t removed, you could suffer from tooth decay or tooth loss.

So squeezing regular dental visits into your schedule can make all the difference.

Convenience:

General dentists can provide care to you and your whole family under one roof!

Bringing your child in for visits will help set them up for a lifelong, healthy smile.

This will also help instill a positive association with the dentist, which will benefit them for the rest of their life.

Additionally, you’ll spend less time and gas money in the long run because you won’t have to drive anywhere else for your child to get dental care.

Looking for a general dentist in West Springfield?

Our team at Elm Family Dentistry would love to welcome you into our dental family!

Your compassionate dentists, Dr. Cole Archambault and Dr. Betsy Boig Larkum, use the latest technologies and methods to provide you with the best experience possible.

To make the most of your time in our care, we’ll give you our undivided attention.

We also offer extended hours so you can come in after work and school.

Schedule a consultation for general dentistry today!

Request an Appointment

Or:

Elm Family Dentistry is located in West Springfield, MA… This text opens a new tab to our Google listing…, and proudly serves the surrounding communities of West Springfield, Springfield, Agawam, Westfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, South Hadley, and beyond.