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Preventive Care
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Preventive dental care is important at every age and one of the best ways to protect the investment you’ve already made in your smile. Because you only get one set of natural teeth, preventive care is especially important.” Regular cleanings, exams and appropriate x-rays can help prevent new problems, while allowing us to catch small concerns early—when they’re often faster, easier, and less expensive to treat. Preventive care is even more important if you have fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, or other dental restorations. These restorations are an investment and never as strong or protective as your natural teeth and enamel, so keeping them clean and your surrounding teeth and gums healthy can help them last as long as possible. A little prevention today can go a long way toward protecting your smile and your wallet in the future.
A few simple habits can make a big difference in keeping your smile healthy:
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Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to gently brush your tongue!
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Clean between your teeth daily with floss or another interdental cleaner. Mouthwash can also be helpful for reducing bacteria and freshening your breath.
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Enjoy a balanced diet and try to limit frequent sugary and processed snacks and drinks. Foods like vegetables, cheese, plain yogurt, and fresh fruit can be great choices for your teeth.
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Keep up with regular dental visits. We generally recommend checkups and professional cleanings every six months, although your individual needs may vary.
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Ask about dental sealants if you or your child may benefit from extra protection on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
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Talk to us about grinding or clenching. If you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or sore teeth, a nightguard may be helpful to prevent teeth from chipping, cracking and breaking.
If it's been six months since your last dental checkup, then it's time to contact our practice and schedule your next appointment!
Brushing & Flossing Instructions
Step 1
Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum.
Step 2
Brush gently in a circular motion.
Step 3
Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Step 4
Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.
Step 1
Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and the other finger takes it up as the floss is used.
Step 2
Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth.
Step 3
Holding the floss tightly, gently saw it between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums.
Step 4
Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.
Exams & Hygiene
Regular dental exams and professional cleanings are an important part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. During your regular visit, we will:
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Check for cavities, tooth decay, and other concerns
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Examine your teeth and gums for signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease
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Take X-rays when recommended to check for problems that may not be visible during a physical exam
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Look for issues that may not be visible or causing symptoms yet
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Provide a thorough professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar
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Polish and rinse your teeth, leaving your smile feeling clean and fresh
Your regular exam will take about 1 hour. Each regular exam includes a detailed teeth cleaning in which we will clean, polish, and rinse your teeth to remove any tartar and plaque that have built up on the teeth surfaces.
Visiting our office every six months gives you the chance to talk to the doctor about any questions you may have about your oral health. Regular exams are offered by appointment only, so please contact our practice today to schedule your next visit!
Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. It works by making teeth more resistant to the acids produced by bacteria in plaque, which can lead to tooth decay. It is an effective preventive treatment that helps strengthen tooth enamel, reduce the risk of cavities and tooth decay, and protect against plaque buildup and hardening on the tooth’s surface. A professional fluoride treatment performed in your dentist’s office typically takes only a few minutes.
Following treatment, patients may be advised to avoid rinsing, eating, or drinking for at least 30 minutes to allow the teeth adequate time to absorb the fluoride.
Depending on your individual oral health needs and your dentist’s recommendations, fluoride treatments may be recommended every 3, 6, or 12 months.
Sealants
Sometimes brushing is not enough, especially when it comes to those hard-to-reach spots in your mouth. The deep grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of your back teeth can trap food and plaque, increasing the risk of tooth decay. Sealants give your teeth extra protection against decay and help prevent cavities.
Dental sealants provide an additional layer of protection against cavities. Sealants are thin, protective coatings made from dental resin that bond to the grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of teeth. Once applied, the sealant fills these hard-to-reach areas, creating a smoother surface that is easier to keep clean and less likely to collect plaque and bacteria.
Sealants are typically recommended for children and teenagers shortly after their permanent teeth erupt, but adults with healthy, cavity-free teeth may also benefit from sealants. Your dentist will evaluate your individual risk for tooth decay and determine whether sealants are appropriate for you.
Sealants can last for several years, although their longevity varies depending on factors such as oral hygiene, diet, chewing habits, and normal wear. Think of sealants as an extra layer of protection for the teeth you want to keep for a lifetime. Since you only get one set of natural permanent teeth, preventing cavities before they start can help protect your teeth for years to come.
Digital X-Rays
We use advanced digital X-ray technology to help us diagnose dental problems accurately, plan treatment, and provide you with safe, efficient care.
Digital X-rays offer several advantages over traditional film X-rays. They produce clear, detailed images quickly and use significantly less radiation than conventional film X-rays. Your safety is always a priority. We take X-rays only when they are clinically necessary and use the lowest radiation exposure needed to obtain a diagnostic-quality image.
For cases that require more detailed imaging, we also offer Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) using our Sirona 3D CBCT scanner. CBCT creates a three-dimensional view of your teeth, jawbone, and surrounding structures, providing information that may not be visible on traditional dental X-rays. CBCT is not needed for every patient or every procedure. When appropriate, it can help our doctors evaluate your unique anatomy and plan treatment with greater precision and confidence.
Mouthguards
Whether you wear braces or not, protecting your smile while playing sports is essential. Mouthguards help protect your teeth and gums from injury. If you participate in any kind of full-contact sport, the American Dental Association recommends that you wear a mouthguard.
Choosing the right mouthguard is essential. There are three basic types of mouthguards: the pre-made mouthguard, the “boil-and-bite” fitted mouthguard, and a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist. When you choose a mouthguard, be sure to pick one that is tear-resistant, comfortable and well-fitted for your mouth, easy to keep clean, and does not prevent you from breathing properly.
Your dentist can show you how to wear a mouthguard properly and how to choose the right mouthguard to protect your smile.
Nightguards
If you often wake up with jaw pain, earaches, or headaches, or if you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, you may have a common condition called “bruxism.” Many people do not even know that they grind their teeth, as it often occurs when one is sleeping. If not corrected, bruxism can lead to broken teeth, cracked teeth, or even tooth loss.
There is an easy, non-invasive treatment for bruxism: nightguards. Nightguards are an easy way to prevent the wear and damage that teeth-grinding causes over time. Custom-made by your dentist from soft material to fit your teeth, a nightguard is inserted over your top or bottom arch and prevents contact with the opposing teeth.
Snore Guards (EMA and TAP)
While snoring is a common problem for many people, it can also be a sign of other major health complications. It is estimated that more than 80 million people in North America snore while sleeping, which not only affects the quality of sleep of the person snoring, but also the quality of sleep of their loved ones and other family members. Luckily, there is a way to treat chronic snoring.
What causes snoring?
Snoring can be the result of several factors. Typically, snoring is caused by the relaxing of the muscles and soft tissues in the throat and mouth, making the air passage smaller. The decrease in space through the airway makes it harder for each breath to get through, and when it does get through, it moves over the soft tissues in the mouth and throat and causes a vibration that results in the snoring sound.
Other causes of snoring may include:
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Excess body weight
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Alcohol consumption
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Certain sleep aides or sedatives
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
What is an EMA Device?
The EMA (Elastic Mandibular Advancement) oral appliance is a customized removable appliance created for the noninvasive treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The appliance is designed to both advance the mandible and open the bite to allow for less restricted airflow during sleep.
EMA devices help promote a deeper, more restful sleep by preventing snoring and relieving the symptoms of OSA. The EMA does not interfere with breathing through the mouth, even in cases of congested nasal passages. It has many options for advancement with nine strap lengths (13 mm–21 mm) and four different elastic tension options, indicated by color. The shorter the strap, the farther the mandible is advanced. The 36 different straps allow for the most effective repositioning of the jaw with maximum comfort. Due to the varying elastic bands, non-restricted lateral/protrusive movement is possible while wearing the device.
What is a TAP Device?
If you snore at night, then a Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) may represent a solution and a better night's sleep! The TAP device is a specially designed dental device that gently helps keep the lower jaw, or mandible, in a forward position, increasing the space between the airway passage and helping you breathe better so you can get a full, quiet night's sleep.
Some devices also stop the tongue from falling back over your windpipe. Your dentist will fit these special appliances to meet your individual condition.
Is a TAP device comfortable?
The answer is simple — YES! A TAP device is made to be comfortable, so that you can sleep without even noticing you're wearing it. It does not prevent you from breathing with your mouth open and will even eliminate snoring for patients with sinus congestion or allergies. You may experience some slight stiffness of the jaw for the first few mornings after wearing the device, but this feeling is only temporary, and will go away after you wake up and remove the device.
To learn more about a mandibular advancement device, contact our practice and schedule an appointment and consultation.
