Preventative Care
Diligent oral hygiene at home and in our office helps keep your smile bright and healthy throughout your life. Eating a balanced diet and limiting highly processed foods and drinks will be the foundation for good oral health. To avoid the buildup of plaque, we recommend you brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss at least once a day. Brushing the top surface of your tongue and using mouthwash will remove extra food particles and help keep your breath fresh. Remember to replace your toothbrush every 3 months!
Your hygienist will carefully clean and floss your teeth to remove any mineral buildup, use a polishing compound, apply fluoride, and discuss your oral hygiene habits with you. They will also perform a periodontal exam to check if any periodontal disease or bone loss may be occurring. Cleanings usually aren't painful, but if you have anxiety about your dental exam, be sure to let your hygienist know.
Factors like pre-existing conditions, heredity, stress, and lack of good oral hygiene can cause periodontal disease. Periodontal disease causes deep pockets to form in the gums that trap bacteria and cause teeth to deteriorate more quickly. Scaling and root planing is a therapeutic dental treatment performed by one of our trained hygienists, going tooth-by-tooth to remove the deep plaque trapped in the gums. While our hygienists are very careful, the procedure is quite thorough, and you may need to take some extra measures to take care of your teeth. Once the therapy is completed, we can move forward in your treatment on a more regular basis.
If you often wake up with jaw pain, ear/headaches, or find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, you may have a condition called bruxism. If not corrected, bruxism can lead to broken or severely worn teeth, cracked teeth, damaged restorations, or tooth loss. Night guards are an easy, non-invasive treatment for bruxism. A night guard sits over the top or bottom arch of your mouth and prevents contact with the opposing teeth. We can discuss any questions at your next appointment!
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops periodically during sleep and wakes you up. If symptoms show or you have questions, our office can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist, and per their recommendation, we can custom create an oral device that reduces symptoms of sleep apnea, helping you have a more restful sleep!
Our office is not only dedicated to your smile, but also to your overall wellness. Our team is trained in a quick, simple screening that examines your mouth as a whole to detect cancerous and/or precancerous conditions. Along with a visual examination, we will feel the tissue of your mouth and neck to detect any present abnormalities. The best way to prevent oral cancer is to avoid all tobacco products, only drink alcohol in moderation, maintain a healthy, balanced diet, and always wear UV-A/B-blocking, sun-protective lotions on your skin and lips.