Understanding General Dentistry

At Gentle Family Dentistry, our professional family dentist has the skills and experience necessary to take care of the oral health care needs of you and your family. We provide a wide range of services including preventative care, restorative treatments, pediatric care, and emergency services. Call our trusted team today for everything from pediatric visits for your child, to annual teeth cleanings, oral cancer screenings, and much more. Our family, pediatric & emergency dentists serve Augusta ME, Madison ME, and Winslow ME, and the surrounding communities.
Whether you’re due for a check-up or have a specific concern, our goal is simple: to keep your smile strong, healthy, and confident—for life.
What Is General Dentistry?
General dentistry covers the everyday dental care most people need to maintain a healthy mouth. It’s all about preventing problems before they start, catching small issues early, and treating concerns quickly and comfortably when they arise.
Think of your general dentist as your smile’s primary care provider—your go-to partner for everything from cleanings and exams to fillings, gum care, and more.
Why General Dental Care Matters
Your mouth is the gateway to your body. That means what happens in your mouth can impact your overall health. Cavities, gum disease, and even bad breath can be signs of deeper issues—or lead to bigger problems if left untreated.
Here’s what routine general dentistry helps prevent:
- Tooth decay and cavities
- Gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis)
- Tooth loss
- Oral infections and inflammation
- Costly or complex dental treatments down the road
A little prevention now goes a long way toward avoiding discomfort and bigger bills later.
Our Core General Dentistry Services
We offer a full range of general dental treatments for patients of all ages. Here’s what’s included under general dentistry at Gentle Family Dentistry:
Routine Dental Exams & Dental Cleanings
Routine cleanings and checkups with your dentist are the best ways to maintain your overall dental health. Beyond just having a cleaner, whiter smile when you leave the office, routine dental checkups are also able to screen patients for cavities, infections, and more that may go unnoticed otherwise. Even if you take exceptional care of your teeth by brushing and flossing daily, dental professionals still agree that patients should be seen by their dentist every six months. Fortunately, Gentle Family Dentistry offers cleanings for patients spanning from pediatrics to adult dentistry, and we are accepting new patients!Digital X-Rays
Modern digital X-rays help us spot hidden problems—like decay between teeth or bone loss—quickly, safely, and with minimal radiation.Tooth-Colored Fillings
If you’ve got a cavity, we use composite materials that blend perfectly with your natural teeth—so no one ever knows it’s there.Gum Disease Treatment
Early gum inflammation? We’ve got you. We offer deep cleanings, scaling and root planing, and guidance on how to improve your home care.Night Guards & Bite Protection
Grinding your teeth at night? We custom-fit protective mouthguards to protect your enamel and relieve jaw tension.Oral Cancer Screenings
Every exam includes a quick, painless screening for signs of oral cancer—because early detection saves lives.
General Dentistry For All Ages
We’re proud to treat everyone in your family—from toddlers with their first teeth to seniors keeping their smiles strong. We know how to tailor our care to your specific age, stage, and comfort level. That’s the beauty of general dentistry—it grows with you.
What To Expect During Your First Visit
If it’s been a while since your last appointment (no judgment—we get it), here’s what happens during a typical first visit:
- A thorough exam and dental cleaning
- Digital X-rays (if needed)
- Review of your medical and dental history
- Personalized care recommendations
- A relaxed, judgment-free experience
No pressure. No lectures. Just clear guidance and supportive care.
The Power Of Prevention
Brushing and flossing daily is certainly the best way that you can individually help improve oral hygiene, but this is unmatched by a professional dental cleaning. Gentle Family Dentistry employs a staff of caring and dedicated dentists and hygienists who ensure that every dental checkup is better than your last!
Our state-of-the-art equipment and tools are used in preventive dental work to help combat cavities, gum disease, and other common dental issues. Each patient who comes in for cleaning will have all plaque and buildup removed from their teeth and gums while also having a full mouth brush and floss. A quick visit to one of our three locations for a checkup and cleaning can help prevent oral health issues and leave you with a whiter smile in only an hour’s time!
Skipping dental checkups may seem harmless—until a small issue becomes a big one. With consistent visits, we can catch and treat problems early, often before you even notice symptoms.
Plus, regular cleanings help prevent the kind of damage brushing alone can’t fix.
Schedule Your Next Appointment Today
Semi-annual dental cleanings and checkups are the best way to maintain a healthy smile while simultaneously ensuring that you are not fighting any undetected oral health problems. Here at Gentle Family Dentistry, we pride ourselves not only on our extensive dental knowledge but on the quality of our care and keeping patients comfortable and informed during each and every visit to our office. Staff encourages patients to raise any questions or concerns, allowing us to check for any pains, infections, or other issues patients may have experienced since their last checkup. If you are in need of a family dentist offering checkups for pediatric patients all the way to adults, contact Gentle Family Dentistry at one of our three offices in Augusta ME, Madison ME, and Winslow ME today!