General Dentist in Huntsville, AL

You and your family’s smiles are important to us. That’s why Dr. Brian Cook, our Huntsville, AL dentist, provides multiple preventive and general services to keep your teeth healthy for as long as possible. Our Huntsville office makes it easy to schedule routine checkups before work or school and fit in gentle care when something extra is needed.

If you have not scheduled an exam in a while—and if you’re overdue for your teeth cleaning in Huntsville—contact our dental office to schedule your next preventive exam.

Also, continue reading to learn more about our approach to preventive and general dentistry.

Preventive and General Dentistry Services in Huntsville, AL

For all our patients, we recommend preventive care appointments twice yearly. During these visits, we perform essential dental services to help decrease your risks for gum disease, cavities, and unnecessary tooth wear.

We protect your teeth with options such as:

• Regular cleanings
• Comprehensive exams
• Oral cancer screenings
• Low-radiation digital x-rays
• Protective mouth guards and bite splints
• Dental sealants
• Oral hygiene instruction
• Fluoride treatments

Our Huntsville, AL dentist also provides the services that help you reverse dental issues such as cavities, root infections, and tooth breakage.

Dental fillings are designed to close cavities. Endodontic therapy (or root canal therapy) is designed to save a root infected tooth. We also offer custom mouth guards in Huntsville, AL to help with grinding and clenching. 

The American Dental Association recommends two dental exams and teeth cleanings per year. This schedule has been shown to help maintain your oral health and prevent dental conditions like periodontal disease and cavities.

If you have a specific condition—gingivitis, for example—your Huntsville dentist may recommend a more customized tooth cleaning schedule.

Dental checkups help your dentist find emerging oral health issues before they turn into time-consuming and costly problems. Regular teeth cleanings clear away all that your toothbrush leaves behind—the very ingredients that cause gingivitis and cavities.

To complement your twice-yearly dentistry, it is critical to adopt an excellent oral care routine at home. Ideally, you should brush and floss your teeth at least twice per day—more if you indulge in sweets or acidic foods and beverages.

A member of our friendly dental staff can provide tips to help you get the most out of your at-home regimen, and your dentist can provide nutrition counseling as well.

Remember, your long-term oral health is a partnership between you and your dentist. We always have time to answer your questions and help you make the most out of your brushing and flossing sessions.

Children's Dentistry in Huntsville

Your dentist in Huntsville has a lot of experience treating patients of all ages, and we love seeing children in our dental office.

We provide the services children need to keep their smiles healthy, and we work hard to help kids take pride in their smiles and play active roles in their oral care.

Early appointments—typically around the first birthday—may include teeth counting and familiarizing your child with our dental setting.

Of course, we add services as needed, and our dentistry is designed to evolve as your child ages. Early tooth counting, before you know it, becomes professional teeth cleanings and fluoride treatments. 

If you’re looking for a family dentist or a new dentist for your child, we would love to welcome you and your little one into our dental family.

Cavities affect people of all ages, including children, senior adults, and everyone in between. Preventive dentistry and a good oral care routine at home can help reduce your risks, but if you do have a cavity, our Huntsville dentist can help! 

In our dental office, we offer tooth-colored fillings to treat tooth decay aesthetically. These fillings are made of composite resin, a white material that is colored to match your teeth. With this material, it is unlikely that anyone will notice you've been to the dentist. You'll probably forget as well!

The dental filling process is straightforward. Your dentist near me numbs the tooth and gums at the site of the cavity. Then we gently clear the decay and bond our composite resin to your tooth. This is a strong material that restores your tooth without drawing attention to treatment. 

Custom Mouth Guards

People who are involved in sports or grind their teeth are usually at a higher risk for broken teeth or dental emergencies, which could lead to tooth extraction. Our custom-fitted mouth guards stay in place when you need them the most, preventing traumatic injuries or chipped teeth.

Root Canal Therapy in Huntsville, AL

Sometimes filling a tooth or putting a crown on it just isn’t enough. But instead of having to pull the tooth, we can take an extra step to extend its function for several more years by performing a root canal.

If you suffer from dental anxiety, or if you would like a little extra reassurance, ask your dentist about our sedation dentistry in Huntsville.

Root canals are like fillings that extend into the chamber inside the middle of the tooth, through the root. They seal out bacteria and infection after a diseased nerve has been removed. Dr. Cook recommends doing this when we see evidence of nerve damage, such as:

• Abscesses along the gum lines
• Darkening of the enamel on an individual tooth
• Accidental trauma, such as a fall or sporting injury
• Deep cavities or cracked teeth
• Severe pain or sensitivity

Do you think you might have gum disease? Quick action can prevent the infection from causing tooth loss and destruction of your bone.

Here’s what to be on the lookout for:

• Gums that bleed easily
• Swelling or discomfort of the gum tissues
• Problems with food packing under your gums or between teeth
• Persistent bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth
• Excessive tartar buildup
• Receding gum lines (“long” teeth)
• Loose teeth

Even if your parents had gum disease, we can take steps to combat periodontal disease so that you don’t have to lose your teeth. The key is catching symptoms early.

Periodontal Screenings

The examination process involves a full mouth series of x-rays and a detailed periodontal exam. Dr. Cook or one of our registered dental hygienists measures the attachment levels of your gums across six points of each tooth. This data will be used in conjunction with x-rays to pinpoint areas of tissue detachment and bone loss.

Deep Cleanings

If the pockets under the gums are any deeper than three millimeters, some form of gum infection is present. Pockets that are 5-6 millimeters or deeper will need “deep cleaning” to remove the bacteria and facilitate healing.

During the deep cleaning, we may need to numb your mouth to prevent discomfort. A slim, ultrasonic device is used to thoroughly clean the root surfaces of all calcified tartar as it rinses away plaque biofilm. In most cases, we will clean half of your mouth and have you return to do the second half about a week later—especially if local anesthesia is needed.

After your deep cleaning, it is essential to visit our office every three months until symptoms of the disease are no longer prevalent. We will also provide you with the information you need to care for your teeth between visits.

Straight teeth are healthier teeth and much easier to brush and floss.

Dr. Cook is a certified Six Month Smiles provider. This type of orthodontic treatment allows us to straighten your front teeth in less time than conventional braces. In most cases, the entire process is completed in just six to nine months.

Six Month Smiles relies on clear brackets and white wires so that the appliances blend in with your smile. This teeth-straightening therapy is ideal for adults who want to straighten their smile line.

Ask a member of our team about our free Six Month Smiles evaluations.

Contact Our Dental Office to Schedule an Exam in the Huntsville Area

If you’re looking for quality dentistry for yourself—or yourself and your family members—contact us today.

We serve patients in Huntsville, Madison, Meridianville, Moores Mill, New Market, New Hope, Lacey's Spring, Arab, Hazel Green, Gurly, and all surrounding locations.