Preventive Dentistry Waco

Dental Checkups & Cleanings

Many oral health problems don’t present any symptoms during their early stages, meaning that most patients don’t notice something until an issue is already quite advanced and difficult to treat. To save you from this kind of headache, we recommend that you get at least two dental checkups and cleanings each year. These appointments will enable our dentists to find and treat any dental decay or damage as early as possible, and a dedicated teeth cleaning will remove harmful plaque and tartar from those hard-to-reach areas in your mouth to stop cavities before they even start.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is actually very easy to miss during its early stages, and without quick detection and treatment, it can be extremely hard to treat and even survive. Nothing gets past our team’s trained eyes, however, which is why we perform an oral cancer screening at every routine checkup. We’ll look for any suspicious sores or growths in and around your mouth, and if we find something, we’ll help you get the follow-up care you need right away.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is all around us if you look hard enough. You’ll find it in many foods, toothpaste, and even community water sources. That’s because regular exposure to this mineral has long been shown to strengthen the teeth and lower a person’s risk of developing tooth decay. To give you an extra weapon in the fight against cavities, we can provide a topical fluoride treatment during your regular checkups. It only takes a minute, is completely painless, and will go a long way in keeping your teeth happy and whole between appointments.

Dental Sealants

Your teeth come in many different shapes and sizes, and the back teeth, with their wide and pitted surfaces, are by far the most vulnerable to developing cavities. The deep grooves can easily trap plaque and tartar, and they can be quite tricky to adequately clean while brushing (especially for young children who are still learning). Fortunately, a dental sealant can give these teeth the extra protection they need. We simply apply a clear, plastic-based liquid to the teeth, and it quickly hardens into an invisible barrier that cavity-causing plaque, bacteria, and acids cannot cross.

Nightguards for Bruxism

Does your jaw always feel sore in the morning, or do your teeth look like they’ve been worn down flat? If so, then you might be unconsciously grinding your teeth while you sleep, which is called bruxism. This exposes the teeth to forces far exceeding normal chewing and biting, and over time, it can severely damage and even break the enamel. To keep your smile safe, we can have you wear what is called a nightguard to bed. This small oral appliance fits comfortably over the teeth and places a barrier between the top and bottom rows to prevent any harmful contact during the night.