We want to help our patients and their families enjoy good oral health, avoiding the onset of issues like tooth decay and periodontal disease when possible. When was the last time you saw us for a preventive visit? In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist talks about how we help smiles with preventive dentistry.

Starting with a Dental Checkup

Our preventive approach to dental care starts with a dental exam once every six months. During this visit, we will carefully examine your smile for signs of trouble, so we can plan treatment to prevent minor issues from becoming threats to smile stability. For example, our team will look for signs of tooth decay, infection, gingivitis, and gum disease. We also screen for oral cancer and watch for the indicators of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). Our team can also discuss better oral hygiene habits and other tips to keep smiles whole and intact for years to come. Remember, these visits are for everyone in your family, from kids as young as age two to seniors.

Dental Cleaning

In the same visit, our team will help clean the teeth to lower the risk of cavities, gingivitis, bad breaths and teeth stains. Over time, as harmful oral bacteria consume the foods and drinks we consume, this could create plaque and tartar buildup, which could weaken enamel and inflame the gums with time. While brushing and flossing can help limit the severity of plaque and tartar in between your six-month visits, only a professional dental cleaning, using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool, can completely rid the smile of buildup. The process only takes a few minutes, and our team will polish the teeth to brighten them and make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate in between your visits.

Children’s Dentistry

Our team also offers children’s dentistry to help protect little smiles from serious oral health concerns. We offer kids checkups and cleanings just as we do for adults. We also take time to instill good oral health habits, so they better understand the how and why of caring for their teeth and gums. They may have a lowered risk of dental anxiety too, and could be more likely to see the dentist as adults. But we also have preventive treatments to help lower the risk of cavities!

With fluoride treatments, we will apply this unique and naturally-occurring mineral to the teeth directly in the form of a varnish. Fluoride then strengthens the outer enamel, including the weakened portions that could become cavities. This helps protect your child’s smile! Applying it only takes a few seconds, and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour as it cures.

We also have dental sealants! Since kids have trouble brushing and flossing the rear teeth, the molars are more likely to develop painful cavities. But we can help with dental sealants. We apply a special acrylic material to the rear teeth, which only takes a few seconds. When the material cures, it will prevent food and drink particles from being caught where kids cannot reach with a toothbrush or floss. This lowers the risk of cavities, and the sealants can stay in place for up to ten years in many cases!

Bruxism Appliances

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, could damage your teeth. The constant pressure could wear down outer structure and even crack or chip the tooth, so the risk of cavities and infection is much higher. Warning signs could include headaches, migraines, jaw and facial pain, and aches in the teeth. This could be brought on by high stress levels, misalignment, tooth loss, injury to the face or jaw, or even issues with the growth and development of your jaw or the eruption of your teeth. Our team could offer relief with a custom oral appliance, a device that will look and fit like a mouthguard. When in place, this device will help shift the jaw to ease your joints of pressure. The appliance also places a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to avoid further damage. The appliance will be easy to use and clean, and can travel with you whenever necessary.

If you have any questions about preventive dentistry, then contact our team today.

Schedule An Appointment for Preventive Dentistry

We want to help you enjoy good oral health and a smile that makes you feel confident! Schedule an appointment with Delightful Dental in Kansas City, MO, today at 816-942-7669 today.