Welcome to the General Dentistry category at James River Family Dentistry

We offer a full spectrum of dental services designed to maintain and enhance your oral health. From routine cleanings and exams to pediatric care and periodontal maintenance, our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate care for patients of all ages. Led by Dr. Marci Guthrie, our practice combines advanced technology with a patient-centered approach to ensure a comfortable and effective dental experience.

Bruxism: Recognizing the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

2026-09-24T16:24:45-04:00August 1st, 2023|Categories: Blog, General Dentistry|Tags: , |

Millions of people unconsciously grind their teeth, an action formally known as bruxism. Although occasional bruxism is not likely to cause significant damage, many people are unaware that they have been clenching their jaw and grinding their teeth until worrisome symptoms develop. Recognizing the signs and understanding the treatment options available at James River Family [...]

A Look At The Anatomy Of A Tooth

2026-09-24T16:33:26-04:00July 1st, 2023|Categories: Blog, General Dentistry|Tags: |

A tooth is a lot more complicated than just the hard enamel exterior. Most of us don’t really know the components of a tooth or what each part does. Understanding the anatomy of a tooth and how the parts work together is an important part of your general dental health.   Working from the top down [...]

A Dentist’s Guide To Preventing Cavities

2026-09-24T16:56:44-04:00January 1st, 2023|Categories: Blog, Featured, General Dentistry|Tags: |

Preventing cavities is important. Left untreated, cavities can damage your teeth, cause pain in your mouth, and lead to bigger oral health problems. By following the steps below, you can protect your teeth and avoid cavities. How do you get a cavity?  Cavities are holes in a tooth's outer surface (called the enamel). Also known [...]

Fluoride Treatments: Do I Really Need Them?

2026-09-24T20:42:15-04:00October 1st, 2022|Categories: General Dentistry, Blog|Tags: , |

What Are Fluoride Treatments? At James River Family Dentistry, dental problems like tooth decay and cavities are a result of bacteria that builds up into plaque. Plaque is acidic and will build up around the teeth and gums, which causes tooth enamel to wear away. When tooth enamel wears away, our teeth become more vulnerable [...]

Reducing Dental Anxiety

2026-09-24T20:45:06-04:00August 1st, 2022|Categories: Blog, General Dentistry|Tags: |

The idea that dentists are scary is one played on by media of all types and is passed down from generation to generation. But that stigma doesn’t have to exist. Reducing dental anxiety in your children--and yourself--is quite doable. Still, it might still take some effort on your part. Below are some tips for reducing [...]

Dry Mouth: Symptoms and Treatment

2026-09-24T20:51:53-04:00July 1st, 2022|Categories: Blog, General Dentistry|Tags: |

Do you have a dry or sticky mouth? A sore throat, especially in the morning? Bad breath? At James River Family Dentistry, all of these may be indications of dry mouth or xerostomia. Xerostomia is when your salivary glands stop making enough saliva. What Causes Dry Mouth? There are five common causes of dry mouth: [...]

Know the Symptoms of Gum Disease

2026-09-24T20:59:05-04:00June 1st, 2022|Categories: Blog, General Dentistry|Tags: , |

Symptoms of gum disease can occur in any person of any age. When we think about keeping our mouths healthy, we most often focus on preventing cavities. Cavity prevention is important, but it's equally important to prevent gum disease. We provide education about the symptoms of gum disease, the treatment and causes during every patient [...]

Interpreting Common Dental Terms

2026-09-24T21:03:52-04:00May 1st, 2022|Categories: Blog, General Dentistry|Tags: |

Common Dental Terms - What Does it All Mean?  Just the thought of setting foot into a dentist's office is anxiety-inducing for countless people. Visions of intimidating dental tools being placed in the mouth while a dentist rattles off a laundry list of unfamiliar terminology often cloud the minds of nervous patients. An excellent way [...]

Why Oral Cancer Is So Dangerous

2026-09-25T10:37:53-04:00April 1st, 2022|Categories: Blog, General Dentistry|Tags: |

If caught early, oral cancer is very treatable with surgery and radiation therapy. The best thing to do is to visit your dentist regularly and be aware of any symptoms you might notice, like a sore throat or something unusual in your mouth! Oral cancer is one of the most deadly cancers in the world, [...]

Caring For Sensitive Teeth

2026-09-25T10:43:57-04:00March 1st, 2022|Categories: Blog, General Dentistry|Tags: |

Sensitive teeth can come and go over time, but over 40 percent of adults may experience a stab of pain when they eat or drink something hot or cold, sweet or sour, or breathe in a draft of cold air on a wintry day. Even brushing and flossing can cause sharp pain. The good news [...]

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