Preventive Dentistry – Edmond, OK

Dental Checkups & teeth Cleanings

A checkup and cleaning appointment serves two important purposes. Firstly, it allows our hygiene team to remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup from trouble spots in someone’s mouth that they frequently miss while brushing and flossing. And, Dr. Smith has the chance to closely examine a patient’s teeth, gums, jaw, and bite so he can spot the earliest signs of decay or damage. By maintaining these appointments, he can find and take care of a problem well before a patient notices that anything is wrong.

Fluoride Treatments

Over time, our teeth wear down due to the bacteria and acids they are exposed to on a daily basis, but regular exposure to fluoride is an effective way to keep the enamel strong and cavity-free. That’s why Dr. Smith highly recommends patients use a fluoridated toothpaste and regularly drink tap water. For those who could benefit from even more fluoride, he can apply it topically as part of a dental cleaning, giving someone extra cavity protection that will last all the way until their next checkup.

Nightguards for Bruxism/ Teeth Grinding

For some people, stress causes them to snack a little more than usual, but for others, it results in nighttime teeth grinding during sleep that can cause severe dental damage and pain if left untreated. Thankfully, the solution to this problem is relatively simple. Dr. Smith can give a patient a custom-made nightguard to wear to bed that shields the teeth and relieves pressure from strained jaw joints, preserving the smile while also stopping chronic orofacial pain. 

Oral Cancer Screenings

While cavities and gum disease should never be taken lightly, another oral health problem we look for during checkups is oral cancer, a disease that can easily be deadly if caught too late. Should we find a suspicious sore or growth, we can organize for a patient to get a biopsy, and if needed, help them begin treatment right away. This increases the likelihood of survival dramatically and is the best way to guarantee a fast recovery.