General dental care is key for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Dr. Melvin Benson and his team will help you find the best solutions to your dental issues. Our goal is to make sure you have a positive dental experience and that we maintain the long-term health of your teeth.
Dr. Benson offers full preventive care, which is essential for maintaining your long-term dental health. Routine care, including biannual cleanings, check-ups, and digital X-rays, is an important part of general dentistry. We also offer a range of dental services for both new and existing patients in Sarasota, FL.
Routine Dental Care Is Important For Your Health
Routine dental care is important for both your oral and overall health. General dentistry aims to prevent, diagnose, and treat various dental issues. Dr. Melvin Benson is here to help you keep your mouth healthy.
We suggest visiting Dr. Benson twice a year. Regular check-ups help us prevent problems and catch them early.
While professional cleanings and treatments help keep your smile looking great, good dental care starts at home. Use fluoride toothpaste to fight tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
What to Expect During Each Dental Appointment
Dr. Benson will do a thorough check of your oral health. He’ll look at your teeth, mouth, face, and tissues for any swelling, color changes, or other issues that might need more attention.
- Screening of All Teeth: Dr. Benson will examine each of your teeth for decay, cavities, cracks, or chips. He’ll also check any dental work you have, like fillings or crowns, to make sure they’re in good shape.
- Assessment of Your Gums: Dr. Benson will check your gums for signs of gum disease, such as redness, swelling, bleeding, or gaps between the teeth and gums. Finding gum disease early can help prevent more damage.
- Oral Cancer Screening: Dr. Benson will look for early signs of oral cancer by examining your tongue, throat, cheeks, and other tissues in your mouth.
- X-rays: We may take X-rays based on your oral health and any current issues. X-rays help us find problems not visible during the exam, like cavities between teeth or jawbone issues. We usually take preventive X-rays once a year if your insurance covers it.
- Teeth Cleaning: One of our dental hygienists will clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar, especially from hard-to-reach spots. They’ll then polish your teeth with a special paste to remove surface stains and any remaining plaque..
Root Canals and Dental Fillings
You need root canal therapy when a cavity gets deep enough to reach the tooth’s inner pulp. If the tooth is severely damaged, it can get an infection in the nerve. Since the tooth can’t heal on its own, the infected pulp must be removed to prevent further problems.
Signs of an infection include pain, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, swelling, or a bad taste in your mouth. Sometimes, people don’t know they have an infection until their dentist finds it during an exam or X-ray.
Dr. Benson will remove the infected pulp and clean out the tooth’s canals. After cleaning, he’ll fill the canals with a special material to keep out future infections and help the tooth heal. We use a composite filling to fix decayed or cracked teeth, and it matches the color of your natural teeth.
In just one visit, we can remove the decay, clean the tooth, and fill it so it blends in with the rest of your teeth. In some cases, we might need to add a core build-up and place a crown to restore the tooth’s strength and function.
General Dentistry in Sarasota, FL
Preventative care is important to make sure your mouth is in good shape for any other dental treatments you might need. Here’s what we offer to keep your oral health in check.
Custom Mouthguard
If you play contact sports, a sports mouthguard is a must. It protects your teeth, prevents tooth loss, and keeps your orthodontic appliances safe. To learn more about our sports mouthguards, see Custom Mouthguards.
Emergency Dentistry
For dental emergencies, contact our Sarasota office right away. We handle issues like tooth pain, knocked-out teeth, and broken dental work. Quick action can prevent more serious problems and complications. To learn more about what to do during a dental emergency, see Emergency Dentistry.
Family Dentistry
As a family-friendly dental office, we take care of both kids and adults. We offer sealants and fluoride for children to help protect their growing teeth. For adults, we provide restorative and cosmetic treatments to handle any dental issues that come up over time. To learn more about our family dental services, see Family Dentistry.
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation keeps you calm and comfortable during dental procedures. It’s also great for patients who are nervous or scared about dental visits. If you or someone you know has a fear of the dentist or dental treatments, let us know! We can discuss sedation options to make your visit easier.
For more information on our sedation options, see Sedation Dentistry.
Tooth Extraction
Sometimes, a tooth may need to be removed if it’s too damaged to save with a root canal. We make sure you’re comfortable with local anesthesia and/or sedation during the extraction. For details on dental extractions, see Tooth Extraction.
Request a routine dental visit in Sarasota, FL, by contacting our dental office at 941-270-9755. You can also request an appointment with our team online. If you have any dental concerns, let us know so we can set up an exam. We’re here to help with all your oral health needs.