Preventative Services

Teeth Cleaning, Gum Disease, Sensitive Teeth, TMJ, Canker Sores, Halitosis

Take Great Care of Your Smile

Preventative dental care is the key to holding on to the smile you love for as long as possible.

Taking a Proactive Approach to Your Oral Health

Good dental care begins with regular teeth cleanings and examinations, and continued home oral health routines. We are here to help you achieve your best dental health and to guide you along the way for a lifetime of proper dental care. A healthy mouth helps lead to a healthy body. Your dental health can make an impact on your overall body health. Our goal is to help you achieve the best health possible.

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Gum Disease

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a common dental condition that can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Because gum disease is often painless in its early stages, many patients may not realize they have it. We carefully check for signs of gum disease during every dental exam.

Early-stage gingivitis can often be reversed with professional cleanings, brushing, and flossing, while advanced periodontitis may damage the gums and supporting bone. Our team provides personalized periodontal care to help protect your oral health and keep your smile healthy.

How to Treat Gum Disease

Halitosis (Bad Breath)

Halitosis is also known as having consistent bad breath. Daily brushing and flossing helps to prevent the build-up of food particles, plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Food particles left in the mouth deteriorate and cause bad breath. While certain foods, such as garlic or anchovies, may create temporary bad breath, consistent bad breath may be a sign of gum disease or another dental problem.

If brushing, flossing, and brushing of your tongue do not alleviate halitosis, please contact the office so we can check for any other causes including early signs of gum disease.

Ways to Prevent Bad Breath

Teeth Cleanings

The American Dental Association recommends that you have your teeth cleaned and examined at least once every six months beginning at age 1. During this visit, a licensed dental hygienist will remove plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth. We will screen the health of your gums and teeth looking for any signs of gum disease and tooth decay.

The teeth are also polished to remove stains and fluoride is applied to help strengthen your teeth and prevent tooth decay. Routine dental x-rays are taken as needed and the Dr. will perform an oral exam at each teeth cleaning.

Benefits of Regular Teeth Cleanings

Sensitive Teeth

Teeth expand and contract in reaction to temperature. Hot and cold food and drink can cause pain or irritation. For some, tooth enamel can be worn down, gums may recede or teeth may develop microscopic cracks, exposing the interior of the tooth and irritating nerve endings.

Just breathing cold air can be painful for those with extremely sensitive teeth. We can help sensitivity by prescribing prescription strength toothpaste, placing coatings or even covering areas of the teeth that are causing sensitivity. Call today so we can help your teeth feel comfortable when eating and drinking.

How to Prevent Sensitive Teeth

Canker Sores

Canker sores (aphthous ulcers) are small sores inside the mouth that often recur. Generally lasting one or two weeks, the duration of canker sores can be reduced by the use of antimicrobial mouthwashes or topical agents.

A canker sore has a white or gray base surrounded by a red border. Canker sores can be caused by stress, trauma, or from certain foods. Please call if the sore persists for longer than 14 days.

Orthodontic Problems

A bite that does not meet properly (a malocclusion) can be inherited, or some types may be acquired. Some causes of malocclusion include missing or extra teeth, crowded teeth or misaligned jaws.

Accidents or developmental issues, such as finger or thumb sucking over an extended period of time, may cause malocclusions. Call for an evaluation. We are able to perform Invisalign in some cases to straighten crowded teeth.

TMJ

The “Temporomandibular Joint,” more commonly referred to as the “jaw joint,” assists in the basic opening and closing movements of the jaw. Unfortunately, this joint is a common area for recurring pain.

We offer a TMJ exam that evaluates the joint tissue in the “hinge” of the jaw. Possible problems include swelling, deterioration of the joint tissue or damaged joint tissue, which cushions the jaw bones during the opening and closing movement of the mouth.

Velscope Screening

To screen for oral cancer or pre-cancerous spots, our office uses the technology of VELscope VX. It is a hand held device that emits a safe blue light into the oral cavity.

The VELscope makes visualization possible by enhancing the contrast between normal and abnormal tissue. The VELscope offers a way to accurately find an area of abnormal tissue at a stage that is more easily treatable. We believe that early detection saves lives and truly hope that VELscope VX will make a mark in the world of oral cancer.