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General Dentistry
All Your Dentistry Needs in One Place

Seeing your general dentist multiple times a year not only improves your oral health but also your overall well-being.

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General Dentistry in Tampa, FL

Did you know that the one health care provider you should see multiple times a year is your dentist in Tampa, FL?

That's because general dentistry services can prevent multiple diseases; in fact, most dental procedures are diagnostic or preventive. Routine visits to Dr. Bellegarrigue in Tampa can save your smile and teeth. In some instances, it can even save your life.

Patients who listen to their dentist and practice good oral health/hygiene at home can often prevent oral and general disease. Left untreated, these oral disorders can cause:

  • Tooth & jaw pain
  • Cost money and time from work
  • Possibly result in tooth loss

General dental services can provide comprehensive oral care to family members of any age.

During your regular dental visit with Dr. Roberto Bellegarrigue, you will receive a complete examination of your mouth and surrounding areas. If your dentist or dental hygienist observes signs of tooth infection or decay, they will be able to treat the issue that day immediately.

Contact North Tampa Dentistry to keep up with your regular dental schedule.

What Does Your General Dentist Do?woman smiling and pointing to her teeth while sitting in the dental chair

General dentists provide a wide range of dental services geared towards preventing oral health issues, improving the appearance of your smile, and restoring missing or damaged teeth. Your Tampa general dentist not only examines the condition of your teeth, but he also shows proper techniques for brushing your teeth, the best kind of toothbrush for you, and tips on proper oral hygiene, including diet and nutrition guidance.

At North Tampa Dentistry, Dr. Bellegarrigue is trained in different areas of dental service, including cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry. He can fit patients for porcelain veneers, dental crowns, bridges, dental implants, orthodontics, dentures and partials, and more. He can also carry out oral surgery, full mouth reconstruction, and root canal therapy. Dr. Bellegarrigue's responsibilities include:

Preventing Gum Disease

Dr. Roberto Bellegarrigue looks for early signs of periodontal disease, which is a progressive gum disease with few symptoms.

The beginning stages of gum disease is known as gingivitis; at this point, the gums are inflamed and bleeding. This stage is easily reversible if diagnosed and treated by Dr. Bellegarrigue. If untreated, it will lead to periodontitis—infection of the teeth and gums. Periodontitis can impair your jaw bone, which often leads to tooth loss; infection in your oral cavity can be dangerous to your heart.

How does periodontal disease happen? When bacteria clings to your teeth and gums, it creates a film known as plaque. Food debris and bacteria release acids that lead to gum inflammation and swelling. Even daily brushing cannot avoid plaque; there are always places your toothbrush cannot easily reach. Only a dental professional can remove plaque altogether.

Periodontal disease can cause irreversible damage to your gums, tissue, and bone. Your North Tampa general dentist will always check for oral cancer during your dental cleanings.

Your regular dental check-up could save your life.

Routine Dental Services at North Tampa DentistryDentist in Tampa, FL looking at digital x-rays

General and preventive dentistry keep your smile and general well being strong, vibrant, and healthy. When dental health issues like gum disease, infection, or tooth decay are left undiagnosed and untreated, your entire body could be put at risk.

General dentistry services are vital to protecting your oral and general health.

Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry maintains your oral health by eradicating disease and decay before it gets worse and requires surgery. Regular exams, which can consist of diagnostic tools like digital and panoramic x-rays-and professional dental cleanings, are the keystone to preventive dental care.

Dr. Bellegarrigue is happy to provide accurate and precise directions on proper at-home oral care and may recommend healing treatments like sealants or dental bonding as necessary.

Do you play sports? Your Tampa dentist may fit you with a custom-fabricated sports-guard or mouthguard to protect your teeth.

Do you grind your teeth at night? This can lead to enamel erosion and tooth fractures; Dr. Bellegarrigue can recommend a nightguard to protect your teeth and dentistry.

Restorative Dentistry

If preventive dentistry doesn't catch an oral issue, or if it's been a while since you've seen your dentist, you may need restorative treatment. One of the most common forms includes removing tooth decay and sealing the tooth with a filling.

If you've had an accident and have a chipped, broken, loose, or knocked-out tooth, your general dentist at North Tampa Dentistry can restore your smile to its previous glory. Dental emergencies can be treated the same day, depending on the urgency of oral trauma. Your Tampa general dentist can restore missing teeth with dental implants, full and partial dentures, dental crowns, and dental bridges.

Patients who have gum disease can see their general dentist to treat their infection and maintain regular dental check-ups to keep an eye on your oral health. Dr. Bellegarrigue can perform root canal treatment to save an infected tooth, or orthodontics to straighten overcrowded or crooked teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry

You maintain perfect dental attendance at the regular intervals suggested by Dr. Bellegarrigue, but you still aren't satisfied with how your smile looks. Your Tampa general dentist can offer a comprehensive range of beautifying services like professional teeth whitening with Zoom!, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, dental crowns, and more to give you the dazzling Hollywood smile you've always wanted.

Options to Replace Missing TeethClose up of patient's smile at dentist near me Tampa

Many adult Americans experience tooth loss at least once in their lives; there are many reasons why this can occur. Regardless of why your tooth is missing, it's crucial to replace it as soon as possible. When a gap is left in your smile, it can cause a misaligned bite; neighboring teeth tend to shift towards the space and disturb the peace. This often leads to further tooth loss. 

Not to mention that your jaw bone isn't being stimulated when you chew; without a tooth root, it will start to recede. This can create a sunken look to your appearance, and unfortunately, age you. 

On the surface level, it can be embarrassing to have a gap in your smile. People can make unfair assumptions about you that don't reflect your true spirit. Not to mention that eating and speaking are compromised, they take more effort. 

Give North Tampa Dentistry a Call Today

In many ways, your oral health is a reflection of your general health.

For example, untreated dental infections can affect diabetes, lead to an increase in heart disease, and create complications during pregnancy. Your general dentist is trained to spot these and other health issues, as well as screen for oral cancer.

If you have a hard time sleeping, experience jaw pain, or have any concerns or health issues, Dr. Bellegarrigue can offer appropriate treatment or referral, nutritional advice, help with quitting smoking, and provide oral wellness information.

Even if it's been a while since you've scheduled a dental visit, it's not our job to scold you. We are here to serve you and your family, provide the best in oral health care, and administer honest dental advice and options.

Call North Tampa Dentistry at (813) 968-5368 to schedule a dental appointment. You can find our office by Lake Magdalene near the Hamlet, Brentwood, and Carrollwood communities.

  • Free Second Opinion Consultation

    Free Second Opinion Consultation. In order to receive a Free 2nd opinion consultation the patient MUST bring ALL the current information to our office. This means ALL CURRENT X-RAYS and TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS from the 1st opinion office. Without this information we cannot do a Free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your dental health directly can affect your overall health. The most common connection is untreated Periodontal disease with cardiovascular disease. Gum disease and heart health go hand-in-hand for some people.

Yes! Brushing three times a day is highly recommended. According to the American Dental Association, you should clean your teeth at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. We can provide a few tips on the best time to brush and how long you should brush.

The Best Time to Brush Your Teeth

Our dentist in Tampa, FL, recommends brushing your teeth after every meal to remove any bacteria that might be growing. Wait to brush immediately, especially if you've had an acidic meal or anything with citrus. The acids can weaken your enamel, which can be damaged if you brush your teeth soon after eating. It's good to wait an hour after eating before you practice good oral hygiene.

Should I Use a Manual or Electric Toothbrush?

Electric toothbrushes will always be better than manual ones, especially if the toothbrush head oscillates. Electric toothbrushes are beneficial for people who have issues with arthritis or manual dexterity problems.

However, you can brush your teeth thoroughly using a manual toothbrush; just be sure to gently brush for at least two minutes each time and use a soft-bristled brush. Plus, using fluoride toothpaste helps protect tooth enamel and fight cavities. 

Contact our dentists in Tampa today to learn more about best oral hygiene practices. 

Dental sealants are thin layers of white resin filling material bonded over the chewing surfaces of molars. They are generally done on children to prevent cavities during the cavity-prone younger years on adult teeth. Dental sealants don't last forever, but that's ok; they don't have to. This barrier between your enamel and teeth is usually recommended if your child (or you) are susceptible to cavities. 

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

Cavities are areas of tooth decay that require your Tampa dentist's intervention. We gently numb the location, clear away the infection, and provide a filling. While these fillings are durable and aesthetically pleasing, we'd prefer that you have no cavities. 

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

Dental sealants typically last from childhood through teenage and into early adulthood before they wear out and disappear. They are not meant to last forever, just long enough to help prevent cavities during the most prone years.

Contact Our Tampa Dental Office

If you would like to learn more about dental sealants in Tampa, FL, or if you'd like to schedule your next exam and teeth cleaning, contact a team member to get started. We look forward to welcoming you to our dental office

Yes! We offer regular dental teeth cleanings and exams at our Tampa, FL, dental office. Preventive dental care is a big part of what we do. Preventive dental appointments help us ensure your teeth and gums are healthy, problem-free, and beautiful for many years to come. During exams and cleanings, we check for issues like tooth decay, gum disease, infections, oral cancers, and more. 

If your dentist finds any oral health abnormalities during your check-up, we can provide comprehensive dental services to help treat oral issues before they get worse or have a chance to progress. Since we provide multiple dental procedures, our patients won't have to seek different dental specialists to fix a dental issue. We don't want to make maintaining your oral health more complex or time-consuming than it should be; in fact, all of our services are offered in-house so patients can be fully treated in one location.

We Warmly Welcome New Patients

Dr. Belle has been providing excellent dental services since 2000 and has had many glowing testimonials––just check out our patient reviews! We love treating your family and friends, so let your favorite people know about us. 

Need a 'dentist near me'? Contact our office today to schedule an appointment! You can do so online or call our office at (813) 968-5368.

Oral cancer screenings in Tampa and routine examinations are essential aspects of the preventive dentistry we practice at our Tampa dental office. Dental exams in Tampa `allow Dr. Roberto Bellegarrigue, to monitor your oral health and identify any potential issues before they progress. 

Why Screen for Oral Cancer?

Many factors increase the risk of developing oral cancer, especially tobacco use. For those who use tobacco products, like cigarettes or chewing tobacco, it’s crucial you see a dentist regularly to make sure your mouth is cancer-free. 

What to Expect During an Oral Cancer Screening

During every examination, Dr. Belle screens all of his patients for oral cancer to ensure their mouths are healthy and disease-free. Dr. Belle looks for cell abnormalities, cancer, or precancerous conditions that affect the mouth’s soft tissues. These soft tissues include the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, palate, and throat. 

Dr. Belle also checks for lesions, lumps, sores, and white or red patches in the mouth. However, having one of these conditions doesn’t necessarily mean you have oral cancer. Only a dentist or medical professional can accurately diagnose and treat oral cancer.

If your dentist locates any abnormalities or areas of concern, he will refer you to a medical doctor who takes a biopsy and sends it to a medical laboratory for diagnosis. Your dentist will also want to see you for a follow-up visit to see if any changes have occurred and review the biopsy results when ready. 

Contact us today to schedule your routine dental examination in Tampa.  

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Robert Bellegarrigue

Dr. Roberto Bellegarrigue
Dentist

Dr. Bellegarrigue—also known as Dr. Belle—established North Tampa Dentistry so he could provide quality dentistry with honesty and compassion.

Dr. Roberto Bellegarrigue is a graduate of Tulane University with a B.S. degree in Molecular Biology. While at Tulane, his research on bone marrow cancer was published in several medical journals worldwide. In the spring of 2000, he obtained his Doctorate from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. Go Gators!

After graduation, he completed a Dental Residency Program with the Hillsborough County Dental Research Clinic; here he created a special ...

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