108 La Casa Via, Suite 102 | Walnut Creek, CA 94598

(925) 930-8465

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General Dentistry

General dentistry services are the gateway to protecting your oral health, and for many patients, such preventive care may be the only reason to ever make a visit to our office. If you get adequate routine care, you’ll greatly reduce your risk of developing issues that require more involved treatments.

At Kwon and Jabbour Dental, we recognize that our patients are unique individuals with unique needs. As such, we tailor plans for our patients that include the basics – cleanings and exams – along with additional preventive services that may be beneficial in your case.

If you are looking for a dentist who cares for the entire person, not just the smile, we encourage you to schedule your next semi-annual cleaning and exam with our team at Kwon and Jabbour Dental.

General Dentistry: An Overview

Professional dental cleanings and dental exams are the keystones of general dentistry services. Patients should schedule such routine care at least every six months, and some patients may benefit from getting professional cleanings even more frequently if they tend to accumulate plaque and tartar quickly.

Dental cleanings are valuable because it’s tremendously difficult for you to reach every nook and cranny of your smile with your brush and floss alone. Using professional instruments, our experienced dental hygienists can take a different angle to clear away any plaque or tartar accumulation.

Likewise, periodic dental exams are priceless in terms of preventing major issues. By thoroughly examining the teeth and gums for signs of oral diseases every six months, we stand a much better chance of being able to intervene earlier in the disease process when such issues do arise.

In addition to exams and cleanings, we may recommend other preventive services, such as sealants and fluoride treatments, to ensure that your teeth and gums stay as strong and healthy as possible.

Comprehensive Exams

Child Comprehensive Exams

CBCT

Our Approach to General Dentistry Care

Our dental exam goes far beyond a cursory inspection of your teeth and gums. Drs. Kwon and Jabbour believe in a comprehensive evaluation that assesses the many factors that contribute to your oral health.

This thorough exam includes:

  • Examination of the condition of the teeth and gum tissue
  • Oral cancer screenings
  • Assessment for TMJ disorders
  • Assessment for bite dysfunction that could result in premature wear and tear on the teeth
  • Assessment for conditions that may contribute to sleep apnea
  • Review of all systems related to oral health
  • Review of the patient’s medical history
  • Identification of any particular oral health risks that need to be managed or addressed.

In children, we will look for signs of mouth breathing, which can have a cascade of effects and cause breathing problems in adulthood. We will also look for evidence of “tongue-tie,” which means that the movement of the tongue is restricted by the tissue connecting it to the bottom of the mouth.

We use a variety of tools in completing these exams and rely heavily on the most advanced technology to spot signs of oral diseases, including:

DiagnoDent

A system that uses lasers to identify areas of decay that might be obscured from view or too small to detect otherwise

Digital x-rays

Offers interior images of the teeth and jaws while reducing the patient’s exposure to radiation

Intraoral camera

Useful for taking images inside of the oral cavity to both diagnose issues and plan for treatment

Common General Dentistry Questions

Why should I go to the dentist regularly?

To protect your oral health and limit the likelihood that you will develop oral diseases like tooth decay and gum disease, it’s essential for you to see your dentist every six months. Getting routine exams at such short intervals gives your dentist the best opportunity to monitor for changes regularly and identify any problems that arise in their earliest stages, when such problems can be treated most easily. If you delay getting your exams and cleanings, you may end up with bigger problems that can range from small cavities all the way to tooth and bone loss.

How often should I brush and floss?

Patients should brush and floss daily. In fact, you should be brushing twice each day, in the morning and in the evening. Brushing and flossing alone may not be sufficient, however, if you’re using tools that are in poor condition or technique that does more harm than good.

You should be brushing with a soft-bristled brush and change to a new brush every three months. Brush for two minutes at a time. Use a firm enough touch to clean your teeth, but don’t be overly aggressive, which can actually harm your teeth and gum tissue. Be sure to angle your brush along the gumline to disrupt tartar formation. If you have any questions about your home oral hygiene routine, don’t hesitate to ask Drs. Kwon or Jabbour or any of our excellent hygienists.

What if I have a dental emergency?

If you have a dental emergency that doesn’t rise to the level of warranting a trip to your local ER, call us as soon as possible. Our schedule is able to accommodate same-day appointments for urgent issues. Even if you experience a dental emergency outside of our normal business hours, you can still speak to our 24-7 answering service, and the dentist on call will get back to you to advise you how to manage the issue or symptoms until you can be seen in our office.

How often should I have a cleaning?

Patients should have their teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist at least every six months. Even if you are diligent about brushing and flossing, you may not be able to keep your smile entirely free from plaque and tartar, particularly in areas of the smile that it’s difficult for you to reach on your own. Our hygienists use professional grade instruments to remove any calculus (tartar) buildup, which can’t be addressed through brushing and flossing alone. Keep in mind that each patient has a unique biochemistry and some people may be prone to more rapid accumulation of plaque and tartar. These patients may want to consider shorter intervals between cleanings, around three or four months.

What is gum disease?

Gingivitis, also known as gum disease, is the inflammation of the gums and is often the first stage of periodontal disease. Untreated gingivitis can progress to early, moderate, or severe periodontal disease, in which the gums, bones, and connective tissues that support your teeth are permanently destroyed.

To determine if you have gingivitis or a more advanced form of periodontal disease, our dentists will examine your mouth and look for symptoms such as bleeding, inflammation, and bone loss. Because gingivitis can advance to periodontal disease, we may take x-rays to check the level of the bone around each tooth.