We believe in a preventive approach to dentistry, so we can help your family avoid common oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease. But our preventive approach also includes care for kids, and even noninvasive solutions for TMJ disorder and sleep apnea. In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX, dentist talks about how we safeguard smiles with preventive dentistry.
Starting with a Checkup and Cleaning
A checkup and cleaning visit is a key component of preventive dentistry. With the checkup portion, our team examines the smile closely with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, so we can identify problems, often in the earliest stages, and treat them before they threaten smile stability. Our team can also screen for oral cancer and conduct a cleaning in the same visit. The cleaning portion enables us to remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth to lower the risk of bad breath, teeth stains, gingivitis, cavities, and even gum disease.
Treatment for Little Smiles
Our team can conduct checkups and cleanings for kids too. Not only do these improve oral health, but they can help kids become accustomed to seeing the dentist and gain a better understanding of the importance of good oral hygiene. They may even be more likely to seek dental care on their own as adults! Along with these preventive options, we can also offer fluoride treatments and dental sealants to help lower the risk of tooth decay, keeping little smiles bright and healthy.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Do you have trouble staying asleep, experience difficulties with daytime exhaustion, or have issues with chronic snoring? If so, then we can help with a custom oral appliance. Our team will custom-fit the device based on detailed digital images and measurements we take of your smile. When worn at night, the device will gently reposition the jaw to prevent the collapse of soft tissues that accompanies sleep apnea, and will help you stop snoring. The device is easy to use and clean, and can travel with you as needed. Treating sleep apnea not only helps you rest easier, but also prevents stress on your cardiovascular and immune system.
Treating TMJ Disorder and Bruxism
Our team can also employ custom oral appliance solutions for issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism. TMJ disorder occurs when the jaw undergoes excessive strain, leading to discomfort and even issues speaking and closing the mouth. Bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, can damage your smile. But we can help prevent these issues with a custom oral appliance, which repositions the jaw to ease strain. As with the sleep apnea appliance, this is easy to maintain and use.
If you have any questions about how we treat poor oral health with a preventive approach, then contact our team today.
Schedule Your Next Visit Today
Our team wants to help your whole family maintain strong and beautiful smiles. For more information on our approach to preventive dentistry, schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith and our team by calling Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX, today at (972) 262-5111.
