Family Dentistry
Dentist Winston-Salem, NC
At Gibson & Bartholomew Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry, we believe that in order to truly perform exemplary dental care, we must treat the entire family from birth through senior care dental services. This means we strive to prevent dental issues before they occur rather than waiting to treat dental issues once they happen. Preventative family dentistry is our primary objective. Because family is so important to us, it was inevitable that we practice family dentistry. Here is additional information you need to know about our family dental practice.
Our Family Dentistry Services
Dental Exams
Because we believe in family dental service for our community, we provide many important preventative dental techniques. Perhaps the most important service we provide is your twice-yearly dental checkups. At each checkup, you will have your teeth cleaned of plaque and tartar buildup, which cause tooth decay and periodontal disease. While you are in for your checkup, we also look for any problems you have with your teeth, gums, and mouth structures.
We provide dental exams for all of our patients from infancy through senior adulthood, and they are always tailored to your needs. For example, if you have a baby who just cut their first tooth, their dental exam is going to look much different than a dental exam for a senior patient. You may need advice on how to care for baby teeth, while a grandparent may need to have an oral cancer screening, for example.
Preventative Care
Because we believe that preventative care is the key to dental health, we may recommend dental sealants for you or one of your family members. Dental sealants layer your molars and premolars with a very thin layer of plastic that protects those biting surfaces from tooth decay. While anyone from children through adults can get sealants on their back teeth, the sealants are most effective for children and teenagers because their molars and premolars have deep lines, grooves, or pits on their biting surfaces that make them difficult to clean. Because molars are located in the back of the mouth, they also can be tough for younger people to reach. Molars get more cavities than any other teeth, so it is essential to protect them from tooth decay.
Meet Our Team of Family Dentists
We have been privileged to have two amazing dentists in our practice. Both Dr. Bartholomew and Dr. Edens, along with our dental assistants and hygienist, are focused on caring for your teeth in a gentle, family-centered atmosphere. Our dentists are both Tar Heel fans who grew up in North Carolina and wanted to remain here to serve our community. Here is additional information on our dental practice.
Comprehensive Dental Care for Every Family Member
Here are some of the many services we provide for our patients. First, if you have a child, no matter their age, we can provide pediatric dental services. Our pediatric dental services begin when your child gets their first tooth or around their birthday. We love to see young children because it means they are on their way to excellent teeth and gum care for life. We would love to discuss any concerns you have about their teeth, brushing habits, and orthodontic care.
In addition to pediatric dentistry, we provide ongoing care for other members of your family. These care options may include oral cancer screenings if you are at risk for oral cancer. While we examine the mouth of each patient each time they come in for a dental checkup, you may need additional oral cancer screening if you use tobacco or consume alcohol. Oral cancer screenings consist of an examination and testing with blue dye or light sources to make sure you do not have cancerous lesions. The earlier any cancer is discovered, the easier it is to treat.
Many of our adult patients need ongoing periodontal care and maintenance. Periodontal (or gum) care is vital for dental health. Gum disease is the biggest reason people lose their permanent teeth in the United States. Because gum disease is an infection, it can spread to your adjacent teeth, gums, and even your jawbone. Periodontal disease is easy to treat and cure if you have gingivitis, which is the mildest form of the disease. However, if you have periodontitis, you have a more severe problem.
People with moderate or advanced periodontal disease need more intensive gum cleaning, called scaling and root planing. In this deep gum cleaning, our dentists and dental hygienists will clean your gums above the gumline and below it to prevent pockets of infection. If you continue periodontal maintenance, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Creating Healthy Smiles for Generations
Part of our ongoing dental practice is trying to prevent dental damage or disease before it happens. For that reason, we offer patients sports mouthguards to help prevent injuries to their mouths and teeth. If a family member plays a contact sport, such as football or basketball, you should wear a mouthguard. We also can provide you or a family member with a nightguard that protects your mouth from the damage of bruxism. Bruxism happens through clenching or grinding your teeth at night while you are sleeping. Bruxism can not only ruin your natural teeth, but any orthodontics, prosthetic teeth, or veneers can be damaged as well.
Perhaps you do not like your teeth because you think they are crooked or poorly spaced. If you have crooked or crowded teeth, we may be able to fix them using dental aligners. Dental aligners can fix many tooth or bite issues without braces. Our dentists recommend Invisalign clear dental aligners for our patients.
Why Choose Our Family Dentistry Practice?
If you are new to the area or you are looking for a new dental practice, we urge you to give our practice a try. We are a family-centered dental practice that believes in caring for the whole family. We promise to hear and respond to your questions or concerns. We know how difficult it can be to find great dental care for everyone, and we urge you to come in for a consultation. You can reach out to Gibson & Bartholomew Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry at (336) 283-2593 today to schedule an appointment. |
