GENERAL DENTISTRY in WINSTON-SALEM, NC
Dr. Bottoms provides complete general dental services to help you maintain the health of your teeth and gums. Routine dental exams and cleanings are the foundation of our general dentistry in Winston-Salem. When you visit with us on a regular basis, our team can provide personalized care. We can address your unique risk factors for common dental health concerns.
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is essential for your overall health and well-being. We take the time to check your smile and look for common problems like gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer.
Preventive Dental Care in Winston- Salem
Our general dental services can help you maintain your smile for a lifetime. They include many of the treatments associated with your dental care visits, including conservative treatment of common problems that most patients will face during their lives.
Dental Exams & Cleanings
Routine dental exams are performed when you come in twice a year for your “dental checkup.” Dr. Bottoms will look for signs of developing problems and discuss any related medical conditions or lifestyle habits that can impact your smile.
Routine dental cleanings and exams are critical to maintaining oral hygiene. Our hygienists use a combination of hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers to remove stains and tartar from your teeth. We will also evaluate the health and condition of your gums, making recommendations as needed to address signs of disease.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings treat areas of decay or tooth cavities, restoring the integrity of a tooth. Dr. Bottoms offers natural-looking white fillings for a seamless result supporting long-term dental health.
Composite fillings allow us to restore decayed teeth to their natural beauty. Unlike older silver/amalgam fillings, composite resins create a strong, durable bond with the tooth.
Dental fillings can be placed at any age and are completed in one visit with minimal discomfort.
Dental Sealants and Fluoride Treatment
We recommend sealants once the permanent back teeth with multiple cusps have erupted. We typically place sealants for children around the age of 10. Sealing the deep grooves in your back teeth can prevent cavities. Adult patients who are prone to cavities can also get dental sealants to support better dental health.
Fluoride is another treatment that helps to remineralize and strengthen your enamel. We can provide fluoride treatment after your dental cleaning.
Root Canals
When a cavity gets deep enough to reach the center of a tooth, it can cause pain. In many cases, a root canal is needed to treat the problem and save the tooth. Dr. Bottoms recommends a root canal whenever possible to keep your natural tooth and protect your bite.
Thanks to modern dental care, root canals are now easier and less painful than before. A local anesthetic helps keep you comfortable during the procedure. After the root canal, most patients need a dental crown to strengthen the tooth and prevent further damage.
Family Dentistry
Dr. Bottoms is a family dentist in Winston-Salem, providing comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages. Dental care is an essential part of overall health and wellness care from the very young to patients enjoying their senior years.
While dental care is essential at every age and stage of life, good oral health habits start with early visits to the dentist. We recommend that patients visit us twice a year and that children have their first dental care visit once the primary (baby) teeth begin to erupt.
Our team is committed to your patient experience. We make every effort to provide age-appropriate care for our young patients.
As a family dentist, Dr. Bottoms strives to meet all your oral health needs in one convenient location. We emphasize the benefits of routine preventive dentistry so you can enjoy a healthy and comfortable smile.
Dr. Bottoms offers age-appropriate dental services that meet the needs of growing and changing smiles. Our dental care team makes patients of any age feel welcome and informed when they visit us for dental care.
General Dentistry FAQs
Learn more about our office and general dentistry in Winston Salem, NC, with answers to these common questions:
What is a general dentist?
A general dentist is a dental care expert who helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. They provide regular checkups, cleanings, and treatments to prevent and fix common problems. A general dentist can treat cavities, gum disease, and tooth pain.
They also offer other treatments to repair damaged teeth. A general dentist can refer you to a dental specialist if you need special care. Seeing a dentist regularly helps keep your smile strong and healthy. Dr. Trenton Bottoms is your Winston Salem general dentist.
How does diet affect my dental health?
What you eat and drink impacts your teeth and gums. A healthy diet can help prevent problems like cavities and gum disease, while a poor diet can harm your oral health.
Foods and drinks high in sugar (like candy or soda) or acid (like citrus fruits) can damage your teeth. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and make acid, which weakens tooth enamel and causes cavities.
Eating healthy foods with vitamins and minerals, like calcium in milk and cheese and vitamin C in fruits and vegetables, keeps your teeth strong and your gums healthy.
A balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins supports good oral health. Drinking water instead of sugary drinks can also wash away food particles and harmful bacteria.
What is preventative dental care?
Preventative dental care is all about keeping your teeth and gums healthy so you can avoid problems like cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. It includes regular dental checkups, cleanings, brushing, and flossing.
Dentists also use treatments like fluoride and sealants to protect your teeth. By taking care of your mouth now, you can prevent bigger dental problems in the future and keep your smile strong.
How often should I visit the dentist?
In addition to home care, seeing a dentist for regular cleanings and checkups is esesntial. Dentists can catch small problems early before they turn into bigger ones. During these visits, your dentist will clean your teeth, check for cavities, and look for signs of gum disease or other oral health problems. Most people should see a dentist twice a year, but some might need to go more often if they have certain conditions.
How can I prevent cavities?
You can prevent cavities by taking good care of your teeth every day. First, brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to brush for two minutes each time. Floss daily to clean between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach.
Limit sugary foods and drinks, like candy, soda, and juice, since sugar can lead to cavities. Drink water, especially if it has fluoride, to help keep your teeth strong.
Visit Dr. Bottoms regularly for checkups and cleanings. He can spot problems early and protect your teeth with treatments like fluoride or sealants.
How can general dental care help me save money?
Preventative dental care can save you money by helping you avoid costly treatments later on. For example, treating a cavity with a filling is much less expensive than treating an infection or replacing a tooth. When you take care of your teeth and gums now, you can prevent the need for more serious procedures in th future.
How do you ensure I feel comfortable during dental treatment?
Our dental office is designed to be a calming and welcoming space. Dr. Bottoms will explain what he is doing and check in with you to ensure you’re okay during treatment. If you’re nervous or feel any pain, let him know. He can adjust treatment so you feel comfortable.
Dr. Bottoms will work carefully and gently to minimize discomfort. Before any complex procedure, he will use local anesthesia to numb your teeth and gums so you won’t feel pain.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, Dr. Trenton Bottoms accepts dental insurance.
Our team will work with your insurance company to make sure you get the most out of your benefits. We accept and file claims for all dental insurance policies, so you don’t have to worry about the paperwork.
We also offer special financing options and low monthly payment plans to fit your budget. Our dental office accepts CareCredit, a popular healthcare credit card that lets you spread out payments over time.
We want make dental care affordable and stress-free for everyone! If you have questions about insurance or payment options, just ask. We’re happy to help.