General dental care is about more than just cleanings and exams. While regular check-ups are important, general dentistry also focuses on preventing problems before they start. Preventative care helps protect your smile and keeps you from facing serious dental issues down the road.
For example, wearing a mouthguard during contact sports, visiting the dentist in an emergency, or removing an impacted tooth can help lower the risk of more complicated issues. We encourage patients to check out our dental care services in Nashville, TN.
Why Preventive Care Matters
General dentistry aims to keep your mouth healthy through regular care. Staying on top of your dental visits makes it less likely you’ll face bigger problems later. Preventative care catches issues early before they need expensive and invasive treatments.
You need to take care of your teeth both at home and at the dentist’s office. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day keeps plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth.
Plaque and tartar not only lead to cavities but also raise the risk of gum disease. Gum disease is a serious condition that can become permanent and even affect your overall health.
Even if you’re brushing and flossing well at home, it’s still important to see your dentist. Some areas of your teeth are hard to reach on your own.
Special tools are needed to clean those tricky spots. Without a professional cleaning, plaque and tartar can still build up there.
At every appointment, we also do an oral exam. Some dental issues don’t show clear signs at first. Oral cancer and gum disease may not cause pain early on, so they can be easy to miss. Our training helps us spot these issues early, which saves you from needing more costly and invasive treatments later.
More Affordable Care
Most dental insurance plans cover preventative care. In many cases, your twice-yearly visits come with no extra charge. If you don’t have insurance, we offer financing options to make preventative care affordable. It’s one of the least expensive services a dentist offers.
Without general dentistry care at our Nashville, TN, office, you may end up facing more complex health issues. While insurance may cover part of it, you might still have out-of-pocket costs.
For example, gum disease often requires more frequent and deeper cleanings. Dental implants involve surgery and multiple visits to ensure healing goes smoothly. Preventative care helps you avoid these costly problems.
What are Dental Fillings?
If you have a cavity or a damaged tooth, we may suggest a dental filling to protect your tooth. Fillings are made from metal or composite materials and are used to restore missing parts of a tooth. We often use them after a root canal, which removes the infected part of the tooth.
Sometimes, we use fillings even without a root canal if a tooth is very worn down. Metal fillings are great for back teeth because they help strengthen your bite. We can also color-match composite fillings for a more natural look.
General Dentistry in Nashville, TN
Our general dental treatments keep your mouth healthy and prevent common dental problems. We offer:
Custom Mouthguards
Do you play a contact sport like basketball, hockey, or lacrosse? Get a custom sports mouthguard from our office. Wearing a mouthguard can help you avoid the need for cosmetic or restorative dental care. A custom mouthguard can protect you from knocked-out, chipped, or cracked teeth, and even gum injuries.
We make sports mouthguards for patients of all ages, and they are specially designed to fit your teeth.
Emergency Dentistry
If you have a dental emergency, call 615 Smile Design. We offer urgent dental care for toothaches, lost teeth, broken restorations, and more. Treating a dental emergency quickly can prevent further damage or tooth loss.
Family Dental Care
We can help schedule dental appointments for the whole family. Our family dental services include cleanings, exams, and both restorative and cosmetic care for patients of all ages. Bringing your child to the dentist early helps them feel comfortable and reduces fear of dental visits.
Root Canals
If you have a toothache or cavity, you might need a root canal. Our team can perform this treatment in our Nashville office to restore your oral health. A root canal can save your natural tooth after trauma, decay, or infection.
Dental Extractions
We work with an oral surgeon to remove impacted, infected, or damaged teeth. Sometimes, removing a tooth is the best choice for a severely damaged or infected tooth.
After a tooth is removed, we may recommend dental restorations. We also partner with oral surgeons to provide dental implants when needed. If we remove wisdom teeth, you won’t need replacements.
Sedation Dentistry
Oral sedation helps patients stay calm and relaxed during dental treatments. Patients take a pill before their procedure. While you stay awake, you won’t feel pain. Sedation is helpful for longer treatments or for patients who have anxiety.
General Dentistry FAQs
Do you have questions about general dentistry in our Nashville, TN office? Read answers to these common questions:
Do I only need sedation if I have anxiety?
No, sedation isn’t just for anxious patients. It’s also helpful for those who need longer or more complex treatments. Sedation can also help if you have a strong gag reflex or trouble sitting still.
How do I know if I have a dental emergency?
Call your dentist if you have a sudden or severe dental problem, like a lost tooth or bad toothache. If you have an injury to your mouth or soft tissues, get medical care first. We can treat your dental injuries once you’re stable.
When should I bring my child for their first dental appointment?
You should bring your child to the dentist when they turn 12 months or after their first tooth appears. We can give you tips on how to care for their teeth as they grow in.
Schedule a Dental Consultation Today
Need a new dentist? Contact our Nashville office today at (615) 637-2878 or schedule an appointment online. We see patients from Dickson, Nashville, and nearby areas. Feel free to reach out with any questions about your treatment. We’re happy to help!