General dental care helps patients maintain healthy smiles, and preventative dentistry prevents further tooth and gum damage. Dr. Michael Sesi, a general dentist in Clarkston, MI, helps his patients discover the right treatments for their oral health problems.
With Dr. Jordan Rabban, Dr. Sesi delivers dental treatments that maintain oral health and prevent future issues. From urgent dental care to dental extractions, these solutions keep patients happy and healthy. We also provide comprehensive dental services to new and existing patients in Clarkston, Michigan.
General Dentistry in Clarkston, MI
General dentistry focuses on the prevention and treatment of common dental problems. The main part of our general dentistry services focuses on prevention. This includes visiting Dr. Sesi or Dr. Rabban twice yearly for a routine dental appointment. As your general dentists, they aim to help you maintain and improve your overall oral health. Sometimes, they may need to refer you to a specialist for complex problems.
General dentistry is a broad field of dental care that focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral health issues in patients of all ages. General dentists are primary dental care providers who offer services to maintain optimal oral health. The key aspects of general dentistry include:
General Dentistry Services
Our list of general dental services prevent dental problems and keep the teeth and gums intact:
Custom Mouthguard
We provide custom mouthguards for patients who play contact sports. Wearing a custom sports mouthguard protects the smile and prevents breaks, chips, and cracks in the enamel.
Patients who wear a mouthguard over their braces protect their oral appliances. Mouthguards are typically required for many contact sports, such as hockey, football, and soccer. To learn more about the benefits of wearing a custom mouthguard from a dentist versus buying one from a store, see Custom Mouthguard.
Emergency Dentistry
Call our office if you require urgent dental care. We offer emergency dental services for our patients. Our team can treat patients with lost permanent teeth, toothaches, broken restorations, and more.
Contact us as soon as you notice changes in your smile. Patients should receive prompt treatment before their dental problems worsen. Waiting for care can make dental issues more complex over time. For information about what you should do in a dental emergency, see Emergency Dentistry.
Family Dentistry
As a family dental office, we offer dental treatments for patients of every age. For younger patients, we offer sealants and fluoride treatments. Patients may require restorative and cosmetic care for their smiles when they age. We know fitting dental visits into busy schedules can often be challenging. Our office staff works with patients to schedule dental care that works for them. For more information on our preventative dental treatments, please see Family Dentistry.
Tooth Extraction
We provide extraction services for patients with overcrowded, infected, or impacted teeth. Many patients will need their wisdom teeth removed to prevent crooked or damaged teeth. Removing impacted wisdom teeth makes room for other natural teeth.
Our tooth extractions can also address severely crooked and overcrowded teeth and tooth infections. After we remove infected teeth, we offer dental implants and implant-supported bridges or dentures for our patients. To learn more about the tooth extraction process, see Tooth Extraction.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Many patients with sleep apnea experience snoring, insomnia, and headaches. Sleep apnea obstructs the airway, leading to patients waking up and trying to breathe. We can provide sleep apnea screenings to examine the teeth and airway to determine if patients have sleep apnea and will benefit from treatment.
Oral appliances offer an alternative to CPAP machines for patients with mild sleep apnea symptoms. Like nightguards, oral appliances cover the teeth and move the lower jaw forward, preventing airway blockage. To learn more about sleep apnea symptoms, see Sleep Apnea.
The Importance of Preventative Dental Care
Taking care of your teeth and gums is essential for a healthy smile and overall well-being. Preventative dental care helps avoid serious problems like cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. It involves professional care at the dentist’s office and good habits at home. By keeping up with regular dental visits and daily oral hygiene, you can protect your teeth and prevent costly and painful dental issues.
Preventative Care at the Dentist’s Office
Visiting the dentist regularly is one of the most important steps in maintaining oral health. We recommend checkups and cleanings every six months to catch problems early and keep your teeth in great shape.
During a dental visit, we remove plaque and tartar, which, if left untreated, can lead to cavities and gum disease. We also check for early signs of tooth decay, infections, or oral cancer. If we spot any issues, they can treat them before they become more serious. Professional fluoride treatments and sealants can also strengthen teeth and prevent decay, especially in children.
Another benefit of seeing the dentist is learning proper oral care techniques. Dr. Sesi or Dr Rabban can show you the best way to brush and floss and recommend products suited to your needs. If you grind your teeth or have other habits that harm your oral health, they can provide solutions to protect your smile.
Preventative Care at Home
Daily habits at home play a huge role in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste helps remove plaque and bacteria that cause cavities. It’s also important to floss once daily to clean between teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach. Mouthwash can add extra protection by killing germs and strengthening enamel.
The diet also affects oral health. Sugary foods and drinks can lead to cavities, so limiting them is a smart choice. Instead, eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and protein helps keep teeth strong. Drinking water throughout the day also washes away food particles and keeps your mouth hydrated.
Avoiding harmful habits like smoking or chewing tobacco is another key part of preventative care. These habits can stain teeth, cause bad breath, and increase the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. Wearing a mouthguard while playing sports or grinding your teeth at night can also help prevent damage.
The Connection Between Diet and Oral Health
What you eat is important in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. A balanced diet strengthens teeth, prevents cavities, and helps fight gum disease. On the other hand, sugary and acidic foods can cause serious dental problems over time.
How Food Affects Your Teeth
Every time you eat, the food you choose affects your oral health. Some foods strengthen teeth, while others feed harmful bacteria that cause decay. Sugary and starchy foods, like candy, soda, and white bread, break down into acids that attack tooth enamel. If you eat these foods often, your risk of cavities increases. Acidic drinks like soda and citrus juices can also wear down enamel, making teeth more sensitive.
Conversely, certain foods help keep teeth strong and clean. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt contain calcium and phosphorus, strengthening enamel. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, help clean teeth by increasing saliva production, which washes away food particles and bacteria.
The Importance of a Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is essential for strong teeth and gums. Nutrient-rich foods provide the vitamins and minerals your mouth needs to fight infections and repair enamel.
- Calcium and Phosphorus: Found in dairy, nuts, and fish, these minerals rebuild enamel and keep teeth strong.
- Vitamin C: Found in oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers, this vitamin helps prevent gum disease by strengthening gums and reducing inflammation.
- Vitamin D: In fatty fish and fortified milk, vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, keeping teeth and bones healthy.
Drinking plenty of water also benefits your teeth. Water washes away food particles and bacteria, preventing plaque buildup. Many public water sources contain fluoride, a natural mineral that strengthens enamel and prevents cavities.
Foods to Limit for Better Oral Health
While some foods help your teeth, others can harm them. Limiting these foods can protect your smile:
- Sugary snacks and drinks: Candy, soda, and baked goods promote cavity-causing bacteria.
- Acidic foods and drinks: Citrus fruits, coffee, and soda can wear down enamel.
- Sticky or starchy foods: Chips, bread, and dried fruit can get stuck in teeth and lead to decay.
If you eat these foods, rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth after meals. This helps reduce the damage they can cause.
General Dentistry FAQs
Because general dentistry covers a lot of ground for patients of all ages, we get many questions. Topics range from preventive dental care and hygiene practices to addressing specific dental concerns. Here are some common questions people ask us about general dentistry. Call our dental practice if you have additional questions.
What is a root canal?
Root canals address tooth decay when it enters the inside of the tooth. When dental infections reach the dental pulp, it affects the tooth’s integrity. The dental pulp is the blood vessels, cells, and nerves that keep the tooth alive. Removing the pulp prevents the spread of decay and saves the tooth. We provide root canal treatment and dental fillings to seal cleaned teeth.
Do dental extractions hurt?
We always use anesthesia and nitrous oxide for complex tooth extractions. However, simple extractions may only require an anesthetic and may take minutes. Simple extractions remove teeth above the gum line, while complex extractions can remove teeth at or below the gum line.
Patients will not feel any pain during their tooth extraction with dental sedation and local anesthetic. We will also provide pain medication after extraction treatment for patients who undergo a complex tooth extraction.
Can I use a mouthguard if I clench and grind my teeth?
We offer nightguards for patients with bruxism. Patients cannot use sports mouthguards or other oral appliances to treat teeth clenching and grinding. Custom-made nightguards are specifically made to stop patients from grinding their teeth. Nightguards protect tooth enamel and relieve pressure on jaw joints and muscles. We also create nightguards out of hard acrylic to cover teeth’ chewing surfaces.
Why do I have to have my teeth cleaned every six months?
Professional dental cleanings are vital to maintaining oral health. Our highly skilled dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth in places a toothbrush cannot reach. This prevents cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. A regular checkup also allows for the early detection of dental problems.
How do I choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste?
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles that comfortably fits in your mouth. Opt for fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay. If you have questions about a specific kind, call our office for further help.
Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush and floss?
It is never normal for gums to bleed while brushing or flossing. This may indicate that you have gum disease or are not properly caring for your teeth. If you consistently bleed when brushing or flossing, please call our dental office.
What is the difference between a general dentist and a specialist?
A general dentist provides primary dental care, offering a broad range of services for patients of all ages. Specialists have additional training in orthodontics, oral surgery, or periodontics and focus on more complex treatments. General dentists often refer patients to specialists for specialized dental care if they need it.
What can I do to prevent tooth decay and gum disease?
Maintain a strict oral hygiene routine to prevent cavities and gum disease. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and use an antiseptic mouthwash. Visit our Clarkston, MI dentist office regularly for check-ups and cleanings. Limit sugary foods and drinks and eat a well-balanced diet for overall oral health.
Schedule your Dentist Appointment Today with a Dentist in Clarkston, MI
Do you need a new general dentist? Contact Clarkston Dental Care for high-quality dental treatment today at 248-985-2906. You can also request your next dental appointment with our team on our website. Our office welcomes new dental patients from Clarkston, Waterford, and the surrounding areas.