Maintain Your Healthy Smile with Preventive Dentistry
Dr. Joseph Kelly and our team at Great Impression Dental put a lot of energy into preventive care. Why? Because it’s much easier to avoid a dental problem than treat it later. Our preventive treatments are some of the best ways we make your smile healthy and keep it that way. Many patient, with just two appointments a year, can have a smile you never have to worry about. Read more about how we do this below and then contact our office to schedule your next appointment today.
Check-Ups & Cleanings
Your entire oral hygiene routine consists of three parts, and you actually take care of two of them at home every day: brushing and flossing. The last piece consists of regular checkups and cleanings with us. They take care of the things your home routine simply can’t and are two of the most essential ways to protect and preserve your smile.
A dental cleaning, performed by one of our highly-skilled hygienists, is used to eliminate built up plaque and bacteria on your teeth. This service cleans your teeth much deeper than you can with your brush and floss and is great for reaching those difficult spots most people miss on their teeth.
Dr. Kelly will also perform an exam where he’ll check for a variety of dental issues. He’ll then use his observations to come up with both a long-term and short-term treatment plan to make your smile truly shine. Dr. Kelly, along with the American Dental Association, recommends that patients of all ages should have at least two of checkups and cleanings a year.
Oral Cancer Screening
According to the American Cancer Society, about 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and a large percentage of that amount will already be in advanced stages. This is unfortunate because one of the keys to being treated successfully is early detection. Dr. Kelly always includes an oral cancer screening during regular checkups to ensure his patients’ long-term health. He uses loupes and a light to examine the mouth, cheeks, and throat for any signs of the disease, and he can guide patients on what to do if he finds something that causes him concern.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a type of mineral that has been used to fight tooth decay for generations. When plaque breaks down a tooth, it is actually taking away the minerals that make up the tooth’s structure. After enough time, this can develop into a cavity that needs to be filled. Fluoride helps prevent this because whenever it is consumed, it helps replace these vital minerals. This is why it is often included in toothpastes and public water sources. As part of your regular checkup, you may receive fluoride treatment to give your teeth extra protection from decay.
Toothpastes/Mouthwashes
It can be tough to know which dental products are right for your particular teeth. Each one on store shelves claims to be “the best” or “the only one you’ll ever need.” Of course, this is just marketing, but how can you figure out which products you should use? Just ask Dr. Kelly and our team! After your exam, we’ll know just what you need to take care of your smile at home, and we can even provide you with prescription strength fluoride toothpastes.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Do you wake up with a sore jaw and sensitive teeth? If so, you make be suffering from bruxism, a condition where a person unconsciously clenches their jaw and grinds their teeth at night. In order to treat this, Dr. Kelly can supply you with a custom-made nightguard. It is a small, comfortable mouthpiece you wear each night that provides a protective barrier between your teeth and prevents them from becoming damaged from grinding.
Mouthguards/Sportsguards
If you or your child participates in sports, you probably never take the field with your protective gear. One thing many people forget to shield is their smile, and that’s why dental injuries are very common. Fortunately, we can make you a completely custom sportsguard. Our sportsguards are more comfortable and effective than generic store-bought mouthguards, and they help patients stay fully focused on the activity ahead.
Sleep Apnea Therapy
Sleep apnea is a serious condition where a person stops breathing periodically throughout the night. Symptoms include loud snoring and chronic exhaustion, and it can develop into serious health issues over time. Dr. Kelly can help alleviate sleep apnea using oral appliance therapy. These devices gently shift your jaw forward and help keep your airway in a more ideal position. This will help you breathe normally and rest comfortably the entire night.