Preventive Dentistry – Ellicott City, MD
We Stop Dental Problems Before They Start
Out of everything our dental office provides, our preventive services are probably the most important and effective. Why? Because with them, we can help you completely avoid dental problems so that we don’t have to fix them later. This not only saves you needless time and expense in the dental chair, but it’s also better for your long-term oral health as well! Below, you can learn more about all the ways we can make sure your teeth stay healthy and whole for decades to come. To schedule an appointment for preventive dentistry in Ellicott City, MD, please contact us today.
Why Choose Ellicott City Smiles Dental Group For Preventive Dentistry?
- Dental Insurance Welcome
- Advanced Technology for Early Diagnosis and Maximum Comfort
- Dedication to Outstanding Customer Service
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
When you come in for a standard preventive appointment, it will typically consist of a cleaning and oral exam. During the cleaning, one of our excellent hygienists will use sophisticated tools to break up and clear away plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gum line.
Then, one of our doctors will examine your mouth looking for common dental problems such as tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and much more. By coming in for these appointments every 6 months, you’ll enable our team to catch and treat any issues you might have before they can really affect your smile.
Learn More About Dental Cleanings and Checkups
Nightguards for Bruxism
Nighttime teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is an extremely common condition that affects about 1 in 3 people worldwide. Over time, it can severely wear down the teeth and even damage the sensitive jaw joints. Fortunately, we can provide our patients with something called a nightguard to protect their smile while they sleep. It is a simple custom-made mouthpiece that places a comfortable cushion between the teeth to prevent them from grinding together.
Dental Sealants
Cavities are most likely to develop on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth simply because they are harder to completely clean, and this is especially true for children. To give these teeth a little bit of extra protection, we can apply something called a dental sealant, which is a clear, thin layer of a plastic resin. This will establish an invisible barrier on the teeth that will prevent food particles and plaque from accumulating on them, effectively stopping both tooth decay and cavities.
Fluoride Treatment
Although your tooth enamel is irreplaceable, fluoride is a mineral that strengthens it and helps it resist decay. That’s why it’s often added to public sources of water and an important ingredient in toothpaste. To help your teeth even more, we can apply a coating of concentrated fluoride after we’ve removed all plaque and tartar. This process only takes a couple of minutes to complete, but the protection can last clear until your next visit six months later!
Oral Cancer Screening
Fatalities related to oral cancer are currently on the rise here in the U.S., especially among healthy adults who do not engage in typically risky behaviors like tobacco or excessive alcohol use. Why? Because all too often, the disease isn’t detected until it is in its more advanced stages. As a result, the American Cancer Society recommends that everyone should have at least one oral cancer screening each year. We can perform one during your regular checkup. It only takes a few minutes, but it could be the few minutes that ends up saving your life.
Mouthguards / Sportsguards
Did you know that 40% of all sports injuries are actually dental injuries? That number is even higher for children! So for yourself or your kids, you should always make sure that the teeth are protected when playing sports, whether they involve contact or not. Rather than using an uncomfortable, generic mouthguard from the store, our dental office can offer a completely custom-made one that will fit AND defend the smile better from unexpected collisions.