• Home
• About Us
  • Meet Dr. Jamie Sands
  • Meet Dr. Jason Sands
  • Meet Our Team
  • Full Service Solutions
  • Our Facility
  • Technology
• In the Media
• Cosmetic Solutions
  • Smile Makeover
  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Porcelain Fillings
  • White Composite Fillings
  • Porcelain Crowns
  • Dental Bonding
  • Tooth Whitening
  • Dental Implants
  • Sedation Dentistry
• Invisalign
  • Invisalign Questions
  • Is Invisalign right for me?
• Patient Gallery
• Financing
  • Cost Considerations
• Family Dentistry
  • Babies and Oral Hygiene
  • Children and Oral Hygiene
  • Teaching Dental Hygiene
  • Your Child's First Visit
• General Dentistry
  • Dental Crisis Treatment
  • Endodontics
• Testimonials
• Blog
• Contact Us
  • Map and Directions

General Dentistry Questions

Studio City, California

Behind every beautiful smile is a set of healthy teeth and gums. At Smiles by Sands in Studio City, California, we offer both general dentistry as well as advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures to help our patients obtain and maintain a healthy smile. The following are some commonly asked questions that will help you understand why seeing a general dentist regularly is so important.

Why should I see a dentist if I’m not having dental problems?

Problems with tooth decay and gum irritation happen gradually. Months or even years of plaque build-up can lead to cavities and extreme gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Even if a person faithfully brushes and flosses every day, other activities can lead to an invisible build-up of plaque, such as:

• Eating an unhealthy diet, like foods that are sugar or starch-laden
• Smoking or using other tobacco products
• Brushing or flossing improperly
• Snacking on foods throughout the day

It is recommended that adults and children visit a dentist every six months for a dental check-up to detect problems and keep teeth free from harmful plaque.

What types of services do general dentists offer?

General dentists provide a wide range of services and procedures, including:

• Plaque removal and teeth cleaning
• Oral cancer screenings
• X-rays
• Porcelain or silver cavity fillings
• Gum disease treatment for any stage of the disease
• Root canals, also called endodontics
• Oral surgery
• Dental implants, crowns and bridges
• Instruction on the proper ways to maintain good oral health

What if I’m afraid to visit the dentist?

It is no surprise that most people are not thrilled to visit the dentist. If the fear of going to the dentist prevents you from making an appointment, thereby disregarding the health of your teeth and gums, our sedation dentistry options may help you overcome those fears. At Smiles by Sands, we offer:

• Oral sedation
• Inhalation sedation
• IV sedation

How do general dentists differ from cosmetic dentists?

General dentists are focused on the health of your teeth and gums, while cosmetic dentists work to make the smile as aesthetically pleasing as possible. At Smiles by Sands, we are fortunate and proud that Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands are trained and experienced in both areas of dentistry. We can help make your smile healthy and beautiful from the inside out with our safe and effective general and cosmetic dentistry techniques.

If you have additional questions about general dentistry and live in the Studio City, California area, please contact our office today for a free consultation to discuss your dental issues.