After a thorough cleaning, your teeth will feel smooth and squeaky clean, and they will probably look a lot brighter too. But professional teeth cleanings aren't done for looks alone!
Professional Teeth Cleanings (Prophylaxis)
At Anderson Family Dentist, preventive teeth cleanings are often performed by a dental hygienist — a highly trained technician who uses a special set of tools designed just for this purpose. Because everyone's teeth are a little different, your cleaning will be tailored to your particular needs.
First, the dental hygienist will do an oral examination to evaluate the health of your oral tissues. Then, our team will use advanced dental tools to gently remove the plaque and calculus from the tooth surfaces. Finally, your teeth will be polished, leaving them smooth, shiny and refreshed.
To keep your teeth healthy in between appointments, Dr. Anderson recommends all patients receive dental cleanings at least twice a year to prevent oral disease and other oral health issues from arising. Depending on the current state of your oral health, he may recommend more frequent, targeted cleanings. While your teeth are being cleaned, it's also a good opportunity to take a close look at your overall oral health, ask any questions you may have, and check for a few specific concerns.
Oral Cancer Screenings
At Anderson Family Dentist, our team performs oral cancer examinations that are gentle, quick and painless. Its objective is to identify small changes in the lining tissues of the mouth, lips and tongue that may signify the early stages of this type of cancer. The screening is primarily a visual and tactile (touch) examination. If any abnormalities are noted, a small tissue sample can be retrieved for further testing in a laboratory.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are invisible plastic resin coatings that smooth out the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, making them resistant to decay. A sealed tooth is far less likely to develop a cavity, require more expensive dental treatment later on, or cause pain and discomfort.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease Treatment
Periodontal therapy (gum therapy) can take various forms, but the goal is always to restore diseased tissues to health. Gum (periodontal) disease can spread from the gums to the bone that supports the teeth, and may even cause tooth loss in the most severe cases. At Anderson Family Dentist, there are very effective therapies to combat this, including scalings (deep cleanings) that remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from beneath the gum line, to surgical repair of lost gum and bone tissue.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal treatment, also called endodontics, is a set of specialized procedures designed to treat problems of the soft pulp (nerve) tissue inside the tooth. While some mistakenly think of it as an unusually painful treatment, in most cases the procedure is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. It's actually one of the most effective ways of relieving some kinds of tooth pain!
Nightguards For TMJ Pain
If you experience teeth grinding (bruxism) while you sleep, this condition could lead to uncomfortable symptoms like headaches, TMJ, and uneven tooth wear. Dr. Anderson offers custom-made night guards to help correct the problem and allow patients to preserve their healthy teeth! Bruxism mouth guards help bite-related headache sufferers, too, using special orthotics and advanced treatments to correct bite function problems that cause painful headaches and migraines.
Mouthguards For Athletics
If you are involved in any type of sports, it's important that you protect your smile! One of your best pieces of insurance is a simple athletic mouthguard. Our mouth guards are customized to each and every patient, providing superior smile protection, and further protection against concussions.
Desensitizing Treatments for Sensitive Teeth
Do you avoid certain foods and drinks because of your tooth sensitivity? Our team can help determine the cause of this condition and offer a treatment designed to relieve the sensitivity for months. Dr. Anderson will also provide helpful tips on how to keep your teeth sensitivity at bay between your regular visits!
Schedule Your Next Dental Exam with Anderson Family Dentist
Dr. Anderson and his team are here to help every patient feel comfortable receiving dental care. Call Anderson Family Dentist today to schedule your next preventive exam or dental cleaning!