Longview Dental CenterPreventive Dentistry Protecting Longview Smiles
Keeping smiles whole and healthy is essential to every patient’s treatment plan. During six month checkups, the Longview Dental Center team will carefully examine the oral and facial structures, screening for dental health concerns. We’ll provide guidance for best practices in at home hygiene, and our team partners with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan. If it’s been six years or six months since your last dental checkup, give our friendly dentistry team a call.
Checkups & Cleanings
During every dental checkup, we screen for common oral health conditions. This includes looking for weakened areas of tooth enamel and cavities. We also measure the depths of the pockets between teeth and gums as this is one of the best way to diagnose gum disease in the early stages. We are also screening for signs of teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism), temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and oral cancer. One of our skilled hygienists will thoroughly clean teeth and provide guidance for at-home hygiene.
Dental Sealants
Fast, easy, pain free protection from tooth decay and cavities is available at Longview Dental Center. With one application, dental sealants protect teeth from decay-causing bacteria and plaque for years. The process is simple. We coat the teeth with liquid sealant material. It seeps into even the smallest pits and grooves in patients’ smiles. Then, we use a curing light to harden the material into place. Once it hardens, dental sealant material is completely clear.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Patients who suffer from nighttime teeth grinding or clenching, sometimes called bruxism, may think that it’s impossible to kick this unconscious habit. However, we have a simple solution – nightguards. These custom crafted oral appliances are completely comfortable, and they place a physical barrier between the rows of teeth. That means when patients grind or clench, their tooth enamel will not be chipped, damaged, or wear away unevenly. Worn during sleep, nightguards protect teeth and relieve associated symptoms like morning headaches or jaw pain.
Oral Cancer Screening
All patients receive thorough screening for oral cancer. Many of those who visit us think that only tobacco users are at risk for oral cancer, but as much as 25% of those diagnosed don’t engage in any high-risk behaviors. This process is fast and painless, and it might save your life. One person dies every hour from oral cancer in the US alone, and our goal is to provide early diagnosis that protects our patients from becoming just another number.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a nutrient found in foods and drinks that helps patients develop healthy teeth and bones. In most cases, topical fluoride in toothpaste is adequate to maintain the strength and durability of tooth enamel. However, there are some patients who are more prone to decay that may need to receive professional grade fluoride treatments. We simply paint a coating of fluoride onto teeth at each six month checkup, and patients’ smiles are fortified against daily wear and tear.