General Dentistry

Most dental problems start small. A little sensitivity when you drink something cold, or a rough edge you keep catching with your tongue. Left alone, small problems rarely stay small for long.

What Is General Dentistry?

General dentistry is the routine care that keeps your teeth and gums healthy over time. It covers checkups, cleanings, fillings, extractions and the digital X-rays that help catch problems before you can feel them. Most patients at Refresh Dental start here, whether they are booking a first appointment or coming back for a regular cleaning. It is also the foundation that cosmetic and specialised treatment tend to build on, since healthy gums and stable teeth make later work more predictable.

Who Is This For?

Refresh Dental sees patients aged twelve and older for general dentistry, as part of its family dentistry offering. Whether you need a routine cleaning or have been putting off a check-up for longer than you would like to admit, this is the right place to start. Teenagers moving from a paediatric dentist, adults who have relocated to Centurion, and long-standing patients due for their six-month visit are all welcome.

Checkups and Cleanings

A checkup gives Dr Malunga a chance to look for decay, worn enamel and early gum disease before any of it becomes painful. A professional cleaning, recommended roughly every six months, removes the plaque and calculus that a toothbrush cannot reach on its own. If you have searched for dental cleaning near me in Lyttelton Manor, this is the appointment you are looking for.

During the cleaning, the team will also show you where your brushing routine might be missing a spot, so the results last longer than the appointment itself.

Fillings and Everyday Repairs

When decay reaches a cavity, a filling restores the tooth and stops the damage from spreading further. Fillings are usually straightforward, completed in a single visit, and are often the difference between a small repair now and a root canal later. Dr Malunga will show you the affected area on an X-ray before recommending a filling, so you can see for yourself what is being treated and why.

Extractions

Removing a tooth is generally a last resort, used when a tooth is too damaged by decay or infection to be saved with a filling or root canal. Refresh Dental carries out straightforward adult extractions, and talks you through aftercare before you leave, including what to eat and how to manage any discomfort over the following days.

Surgical removal of impacted teeth, such as impacted wisdom teeth, is not offered at this practice. Patients needing that procedure will be referred to an oral surgeon, with the relevant X-rays and notes passed along to make that referral as simple as possible.

Digital X-Rays and Diagnosis

Digital X-ray equipment allows Dr Malunga to see what is happening below the gumline and between teeth, areas a visual check alone cannot reach. This helps catch decay, bone loss and other issues early, often before you notice anything is wrong. X-rays also form part of the paper trail if you are ever referred elsewhere for treatment Refresh Dental does not provide.

Gum Health

Gum disease often develops without much warning, starting as mild inflammation and progressing to something more serious if it is left unchecked. Bleeding when you brush or floss, gums that look redder than usual, or breath that does not improve with brushing are all worth mentioning at your next checkup. Caught early, most gum problems respond well to a more thorough cleaning and some changes at home.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Arrive a few minutes early for your first visit so you can complete any paperwork. Bring your medical aid details if you have them, along with a list of any medication you are taking. Most general dentistry appointments run between thirty minutes and an hour, depending on what is needed, and the team will let you know beforehand roughly how long to set aside.

Realistic Expectations

Every mouth is different, and the right treatment depends on what Dr Malunga finds during your checkup rather than a fixed formula. She will talk you through your options and the reasoning behind her recommendation before any work begins, and will say plainly if something needs monitoring rather than immediate treatment.