The foundation of maintaining a lifelong smile is the experienced, personalized dental care offered at West Ashley Family Dentistry in Charleston, SC. Dr. James Dickert and Dr. Agatha Lynn lead a team of caring, dedicated, and highly trained professionals. Every day, we strive to meet the oral health needs of our patients with custom dental care. General dentistry involves the treatments and procedures necessary to prevent disease and maintain oral health.
You should visit our Charleston dental practice every six months for optimal oral health. At these visits, we will be able to identify early signs of decay or diseases. Identifying these problems in the early stages will allow Drs. Dickert and Lynn to recommend the most conservative treatment. We will utilize the following treatments and procedures to help you maintain optimal oral health:
- Family Dentistry
- Dental cleanings
- Periodontal therapy
- Dental fillings
- Root canals
- Tooth extractions
- Dental Sedation
“Dr. Lynn was very thorough and spent more with me than any other dentist I have visited. She was comprehensive and thorough in the initial consultation and very willing to answer any questions I had. The rest of her staff is fantastic as well. It is noticed that they train their staff very well.” -Mary S.
Personalized Smile Care in Charleston
The team at West Ashley Family Dentistry strives to make your dental care as individualized as possible. We take the time to get to know you and understand your oral health needs. The most important thing we do is identify your risk factors for tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental-related concerns. It is important to treat these issues since they can affect your overall health.
Dr. Dickert and Dr. Lynn emphasize the importance of preventive care for your dental health. They want patients to enjoy the best possible quality of life afforded by a functional smile. This kind of one-on-one care is what sets us apart from other local dentists. It is important that we develop a relationship with you built upon mutual trust and respect.
Drs. Dickert and Lynn, as well as our dental team, are committed to improving your patient experience and the integrity of your results through continuing education in all areas of dentistry. We use advanced technology and high-quality materials to provide a solid foundation for oral health care.
Our state-of-the-art dentist office utilizes the Cavitron ultrasonic dental scaler. This handheld device can remove plaque and tartar that build up along the gum line and tooth roots, often leading to gum disease or tooth decay.
Family Dental Office
Drs. Dickert and Lynn are family dentists who provide complete dental care to patients of all ages. We highly recommend bringing your child in for their first dental visit as soon as their first tooth erupts. By doing this, your child will become comfortable in our dentist office.
We want our youngest patients to be confident and comfortable when they visit us. Bringing your children in for routine dental care at least twice a month allows us to teach them about proper oral hygiene. This and proper at-home oral care will ensure they have a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime.
The Importance of Preventative Dental Care
Taking care of your teeth and gums is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health. Preventative dental care helps free your mouth from cavities, gum disease, and other serious problems.
Preventative Care at Home
Good oral hygiene starts with your daily routine. Brushing and flossing properly removes plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens your enamel, making it harder for bacteria to cause decay. Flossing once a day removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, where your toothbrush cannot reach.
A healthy diet also plays a big role in keeping your teeth strong. Sugary foods and drinks feed harmful bacteria in your mouth, increasing your risk of cavities. Instead, choose calcium-rich foods, such as milk, cheese, and leafy greens, to keep your teeth and bones strong. Drinking plenty of water also helps wash away food and bacteria while keeping your mouth hydrated.
The Role of Regular Dental Visits
While at-home care is essential, visiting the dentist is just as important. Dentists can spot problems early before they become painful or require serious treatment. Most people should visit the dentist at least twice yearly for a professional cleaning and check-up. During a cleaning, a dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar buildup that cannot be brushed away. This helps prevent cavities and gum disease from developing.
A dental check-up also includes an examination of your teeth, gums, and mouth. Your dentist will look for early signs of decay, gum disease, or other oral health issues. They may take X-rays to check for hidden problems, such as cavities between teeth or issues with your jawbone. If they find any concerns, they can treat them before they get worse.
Diet and Oral Health
What you eat has a big impact on your teeth and gums. A healthy diet can strengthen teeth, prevent cavities, and reduce your risk of gum disease. On the other hand, poor eating habits can lead to tooth decay, bad breath, and even tooth loss.
How Diet Affects Your Teeth
Your food interacts with the bacteria in your mouth every time you eat. Some foods help protect your teeth, while others feed bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Sugary and starchy foods, such as candy, cookies, and white bread, break down into simple sugars. Bacteria in your mouth feed on these sugars and produce acid, which weakens your enamel and leads to cavities. The longer these foods stay on your teeth, the higher your risk of decay.
Acidic foods and drinks, like citrus fruits, soda, and sports drinks, can also damage your enamel. While fruits like oranges and lemons contain important vitamins, too much acid can erode the protective layer of your teeth. Eating acidic foods in moderation is best, and rinse your mouth with water afterward to reduce acid exposure.
Foods That Strengthen Teeth
A diet rich in vitamins and minerals helps keep your teeth and gums strong. Calcium is one of the most important nutrients for healthy teeth. It strengthens your enamel and protects against decay. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are excellent sources of calcium. If lactose intolerant, you can get calcium from leafy greens, almonds, and fortified plant-based milk.
Phosphorus, found in eggs, fish, and lean meats, is also key in keeping teeth strong. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus, making it essential for oral health. You can get vitamin D from sunlight, fatty fish, and fortified dairy products.
Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery naturally clean your teeth by scrubbing away plaque. They also stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Saliva is important because it neutralizes acids in your mouth and prevents cavities.
The Importance of Hydration
Drinking enough water is another key part of maintaining good oral health. Water helps wash away food particles and bacteria, keeping your mouth clean between brushings. If you drink fluoridated water, it also strengthens your enamel and protects against cavities. Unlike sugary drinks that promote decay, water is the best choice for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
General Dentistry FAQs
General dentistry provides the foundation of your oral health. Read the answers to these frequently asked questions to learn more.
What is general dentistry?
General dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of dental problems. Preventative care is included in general dental treatments; these treatments can help prevent common dental problems from worsening over time.
Will I need a dental crown after root canal treatment?
We will recommend a dental crown for you if your tooth is weakened or worn. During a root canal, we rmoeve any portion of th tooth affected by decay, meaning you may need extra support for your treated tooth. A dental crown fully covers your tooth like cap and adds structure to the tooth.
What are the benefits of visiting a general dentist?
Visiting a general dentist office can help you detect and treat these common problems:
- Cavities
- Gingivitis
- Gum Disease
- Oral Cancer
We recommend visiting a general dentist for routine dental care for your whole family. General dentists easily coordinate treatments, detect early oral health issues, and improve your oral health.
When do I need to replace my dental filling?
If you break or crack your dental filling, if your filling feels loose, or if you have sensitivity in your dental filling, you will need a replacement. Bacteria can easily enter your filling if it is damaged or loose, so it’s important to replace it to prevent further decay or discomfort.
Why do you need to remove wisdom teeth?
We will need to remove impacted wisdom teeth. Impaction occurs when the wisdom teeth do not have enough room to emerge properly. If you feel pain when your wisdom teeth emerge behind your back molars, you will need to visit our office so we can evaluate your wisdom teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to chronic tooth pain, crooked and overcrowded teeth, and damage other teeth.
Do I have gum disease if I have sensitive gums?
Gum sensitivity can be an early sign of gum disease. Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is also accompanied by sensitive and painful gum tissue. As gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, or gum disease, you will still feel gum sensitivity in addition to receding gums.
Schedule An Appointment
West Ashley Family Dentistry welcomes new patients to our Charleston dentist office. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you and provide a wonderful dental experience. Our goal is to help each patient maintain, restore or enhance their smile with the highest standard of dental care. To schedule an appointment, contact us at (843) 371-5480 or use our online request form.