What is Preventive Dental Care?
Preventive dental care starts in the home. But you’ll also need to see one of our dentists every 6 months for your teeth cleaning, oral examination, X-rays, and oral cancer screening. As the name suggests, focus on preventing illness, injury, and disease.
Here are some of the services we offer to better protect your oral health.
- Teeth Cleanings
- Oral Cancer Screenings
- Dental Sealants
- Sports Mouth Guards
- Night Guards
- X-Rays
Teeth Cleanings
Plaque is a sticky, invisible film of bacteria that lives inside your mouth. Over time, this plaque will harden into tartar.
While we encourage you to brush and floss your teeth at home, practicing good oral hygiene only helps to remove plaque. Once you have tartar buildup, only a dental professional will be able to remove it. This is why we also recommend regular dental visits.
Oral Cancer Screenings
The American Cancer Society estimates that over 53,000 Americans will get oral or throat cancer this year. That’s why it’s more important than ever for you to get routine oral cancer screenings.
During your appointment, one of our dentists will examine the inside of your mouth for red or white patches. They’ll also use a gloved hand to feel inside your mouth for lumps or other abnormalities.
It’s no exaggeration to say that oral cancer screenings help save lives. This is because they allow our dentists to detect oral cancer in its early stages, giving you the best chance of survival.
Dental Sealants
Dental plaque loves to hide where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This is why our dentists may recommend sealants if you have deep grooves or divots in your molars (back teeth).
A sealant is a clear, plastic coating that our dentists paint onto the chewing surfaces of your teeth. While you’ll still need to , dental sealants help reduce your risk of getting cavities.
Sports Mouth Guards
Do you play a contact sport? If so, you should ask our dentists about getting a custom sports mouth guard. All it takes is one tackle on the football field to knock out a tooth. But a sports mouth guard will help cushion the blow so you don’t have to schedule an emergency visit to our office.
During your appointment, one of our dentists would take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab. From these dental impressions, the lab would then create a mouth guard that fits well against the contours of your teeth and gums.
Unlike the mouth guards sold at sporting good stores, our mouth guards fit comfortably so you can focus on the game. They also allow you to breathe normally, which will help you give your all.
Night Guards
Do you grind or clench your teeth at night? Many patients are unaware that they’re even doing this until they start to experience symptoms of bruxism. These symptoms include waking up with jaw pain, worn tooth enamel, and unexplained drowsiness during the day.
If you suspect you may have bruxism, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists. Our office can create a custom night guard for you to wear while you sleep that provides a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth. This stops teeth grinding so you can protect your smile and get a good night’s sleep.
X-Rays
X-rays help us see what’s going on beneath the surface. For example, our dentists may be able to spot a small cavity that’s starting to form between your two back teeth. If you have missing teeth, they may also be able to detect bone loss in the jaw.
With this information, our dentists will be able to recommend the best course of treatment to help you regain your oral health as soon as possible.
Request an Appointment
Our dentists in Shelby Township, MI, would be more than happy to help you maintain a healthy smile for life! To request an appointment, call Frank P. Ruffino DDS at (586) 799-4240. We hope we hear from you soon!
