General dental care provides preventative treatment against dental infections and injuries. Preventative care is the foundation for long-term dental health and minimizes the risk of common and complex dental problems. Routine dental cleanings, X-rays, root canals, and fillings are a regular part of general dental care that remove tooth decay and bacterial buildup from the smile. Finding and removing these oral health problems can save teeth and gums. At Gettysburg Smiles, Dr. Rita Tempel and our dental care team offer comprehensive general dentistry services in Gettysburg, PA.
Dr. Tempel helps patients enjoy optimal oral health and a comfortable smile. Regular dental care and general dental treatments at Gettysburg Smiles can help stop the spread of common oral health problems.
General dentistry is about preserving and protecting the smile. Our general family dentistry treatments also includes dental services for children and emergency care when an accident or dental trauma occurs. We strive to develop lasting relationships with our patients to provide dental care that is personalized to your needs.
General Dentistry in Gettysburg, PA
Dr. Tempel is passionate about helping patients maintain their oral health. She offers routine dental care and general dentistry services to supplement her patients’ at-home oral hygiene routines. General dental care is prevention-based, focusing on minimizing your risk for common dental health problems such as decay and gum disease. Regular dental care is the foundation of disease prevention.
Routine visits with our dental care team in Gettysburg can help you maintain your oral health and keep your teeth, gums, and jaw joints stable and healthy. Patients who visit the dentist regularly enjoy oral health benefits, which supports overall health and wellness. Minimizing decay and gum disease supports your immune system and enables you to enjoy your best quality of life.
Emergency Dental Care
A dental emergency can occur anytime, and prompt care can sometimes affect the outcome. If you experience sudden tooth pain, have lost a tooth or gotten one knocked out, or have broken a tooth or crown, contact our emergency dental office as soon as possible. Dr. Tempel will evaluate your immediate needs and provide same-day dental care. Our team can guide you in managing your symptoms at home.
Root Canals
A root canal can save your natural tooth that has become infected, helping you avoid tooth extraction and maintain the integrity of your bite. Your dentist will perform a root canal in the comfort of our office whenever possible and can coordinate care with a local endodontist in more complex cases.
Custom Night guards
We offer custom-made night guards for patients with bruxism due to their TMD. Teeth clenching and grinding, or bruxism, can pressure the temporomandibular joints connecting the jawbone to the skull. A custom-made night guard alleviates stress and pressure from the teeth, jaw, and facial muscles. Patients who wear a night guard during sleep can also prevent broken and worn teeth.
Sedation Dentistry
Dental sedation is a treatment method that helps patients receive comfortable, relaxing dental care. Our dental office uses nitrous oxide and oxygen so patients relax during lengthy procedures. Dental sedation also benefits patients with dental anxiety or a fear of the dentist. Sedation allows them to get the dental treatments they need.
The Importance of Preventive Dental Care
Caring for your teeth and gums is more than just having a nice smile. Preventive dental care helps keep your mouth healthy and can stop problems before they start. This means fewer cavities, less pain, and lower dental bills in the future.
Stops Problems Before They Get Worse
One of the biggest benefits of preventative care is that it helps catch small problems before they become big ones. When you visit your dentist for a checkup, they look for early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues. If something is wrong, the dentist can treat it early. This saves you from later needing more serious treatments like root canals or tooth extractions.
Keeps Teeth and Gums Healthy
Good daily habits, like brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, help remove plaque from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease. When you visit our dentist office, a dental hygienist can clean the spots you may miss at home, especially near the gum line and between teeth. Regular cleanings keep your mouth fresh and your gums strong.
Saves Money in the Long Run
It may seem like visiting the dentist every six months is expensive, but it can save you money. Preventive care is much cheaper than treating a serious dental problem. Filling a small cavity costs much less than a root canal or a dental crown. Catching problems early can help you avoid big bills later.
Helps You Keep Your Natural Teeth
Preventive care helps you keep your teeth for life. Tooth loss often starts with gum disease or untreated decay. When you take care of your mouth and see your dentist often, you can avoid these issues and keep your natural teeth healthy and strong. Having your own teeth makes it easier to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
Improves Overall Health
Your oral health is closely linked to your overall health. Gum disease has been linked to problems like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. By taking care of your mouth, you may also lower your risk of these serious health problems. A healthy mouth is an important part of a healthy body.
Builds Healthy Habits for Life
Starting good dental habits at a young age sets the stage for a lifetime of good health. Kids and teens learning to care for their teeth are more likely to keep those habits as adults. Regular dental visits also help build trust with your dentist and reduce fear or anxiety about dental care.
Diet and Oral Health
What you eat doesn’t just affect your body; it also plays a big role in your oral health. A healthy diet helps keep your teeth and gums strong, while poor food choices can lead to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can make a big difference in the health of your smile.
Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth
Certain foods can help protect your teeth and keep your gums healthy. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals that your mouth needs to stay strong:
- Dairy Products – Milk, cheese, and yogurt contain calcium and phosphorus, which help build strong tooth enamel. Cheese also helps lower acid levels in your mouth.
- Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables – Apples, carrots, and celery help scrub your teeth as you chew and increase saliva flow. Saliva helps wash away food and bacteria.
- Leafy Greens – Foods like spinach, kale, and lettuce contain vitamins and minerals that strengthen teeth and support healthy gums.
- Nuts and Seeds—Almonds, sunflower seeds, and other nuts are full of nutrients that support oral health and are low in sugar.
- Water – Drinking water helps rinse your mouth and keeps saliva flowing. Fluoridated water can also help protect your teeth from decay.
Foods That Can Harm Your Teeth
Some foods can do more harm than good regarding oral health. These foods can feed bacteria, wear down enamel, or stick to your teeth:
- Sugary Snacks and Drinks—Candy, soda, cookies, and sweetened drinks feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay. These bacteria make acid that eats away at enamel.
- Starchy Foods—Chips, crackers, and white bread can turn into sugar once they mix with saliva. These sticky carbs often get stuck in teeth and cause cavities.
- Citrus Fruits and Juices—Oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are healthy in small amounts, but their acid can wear down enamel if you eat them too often.
- Sticky or Chewy Sweets—Gummy candy, dried fruits, and caramel stick to teeth and are hard to clean off, making them more likely to cause cavities.
- Sports and Energy Drinks often have high sugar content and acid, which can erode enamel and cause decay over time.
General Dental FAQs
Learn more with answers to common questions about general dentistry in Gettysburg, PA:
How will I feel under nitrous oxide?
Many patients will feel a light tingling sensation when we administer nitrous oxide and oxygen. Patients will also feel numb, calm, and relaxed. Under nitrous oxide, patients can still communicate with us and will not fall asleep.
Are night guards and mouthguards the same?
Although night guards and mouthguards may look similar, they offer different treatments for patients. Mouthguards cover the front of the teeth and prevent dental injuries. They are also typically made of flexible, rubber-like plastic. Night guards are hard acrylic oral appliances that can cover the upper or lower row of teeth.
Why do I need a professionally made nightguard?
Boil-and-bite nightguards you can find at the store can worsen TMD symptoms. These nightguards are highly flexible plastic that encourages patients to bite and chew on the appliance. Our nightguards offer a custom fit and are made of hard acrylic. This material can prevent patients from clenching and grinding their teeth.
What do I do if I have dental fear or anxiety?
At Gettysburg Smiles, we welcome patients with dental anxiety or a fear of the dentist to call our practice. We can accommodate fearful or anxious patients with dental sedation. Sedation allows us to perform regular dental care for patients who would otherwise avoid visiting the dentist. Regular dental visits are important in preventing problems like cavities and gum disease. We want all of our patients to get the chance to receive the dental care they need in our office.
Contact Our Dental Office
Are you looking for professional dental care? Get complete general dentistry services in Gettysburg, PA. Request a dental appointment at Gettysburg Smiles on our website. You can also call Dr. Rita Tempel’s office at (717) 853-1552.
Please let Dr. Tempel know if you have questions about your dental concerns at your next dental visit; she’ll help you get the right care.