Prevention

Cavities, bleeding gums, bad breath, broken teeth, these are just a few of the problems that can cause us pain, time and money! But there is good news, actually GREAT news!! Nearly every single dental condition is 100% preventable! It is true that some people have to work harder than others to maintain the same level of oral health but if you follow a few SIMPLE habits and routines you can avoid nearly every major dental problem.

Dental Cleanings

Dental cleanings (i.e. dental prophylaxis) are the most standard dental procedure in the office. Performed by your dentist or hygienist, it is the removal of all the plaque and tartar (i.e. calculus) that is on your teeth and in between your teeth. Most people have 2 cleanings performed per year; although, depending on the individual’s needs, some may have to get 3 or 4 cleanings per year.

Low-radiation digital X-rays

Using the latest technology, we take extremely low dose radiation x-rays. X-rays allow the dentist and hygienist to see between the teeth, through the teeth, under the gums or any other place that can’t be seen through a visual exam. We can see if you have cavities, how big the cavities are, if there are any gum and bone problems and a myriad of conditions.

Gum therapy

Gum therapy also know as “deep cleaning” or scaling and root planning is needed when there are signs of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is happening at epidemic levels across the globe. Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.

Plaque and tartar need to be removed from the teeth. When someone has periodontal disease the gums become puffy and the plaque and tartar can get under the puffy gums. When the plaque and tartar get under the gums far enough, it is impossible for someone to clean it off at home. When this happens, a dentist or dental hygienist need to clean the area out in order to remove the infection that starts in the gums.

Cavity prevention

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” -Benjamin Franklin.

The best cavity is the one that never forms! At Love Your Smile Dental Center, we stress the importance of cavity prevention. Dr Weber goes through extensive lengths to help patients understand why cavities form and how to prevent them. Education, proper oral hygiene and diet are paramount, but for some people it is still not enough. We follow the ADA’s (American Dental Association) recommendation that: moderate to high-risk patients should benefit from in-office Fluoride treatment. Fluoride varnish applications provide the highest therapeutic dose of Fluoride directly to the teeth. Study after study show how effective Fluoride varnish is.

Protecting teeth

Enamel is the hardest substance in the body and even that can break down. With people living longer and longer, our teeth have to hold up longer than nature originally intended. Clenching (squeezing the teeth together), grinding (rubbing the teeth together) and sports-related injuries are major causes of tooth damage. The following are ways to protect your teeth to help ensure you can enjoy corn on the cob into your 100’s!

Nightguards

A nightguard is a carefully designed appliance that is worn in your mouth at night. At Love Your Smile Dental Center, we fabricate specialized nightguards which serve to prevent damage on the teeth from clenching and grinding, decrease the amount of grinding (this allows the jaw muscles to relax), protect the jaw joint and act as a retainer too! We custom fit the nightguard to either your bottom or top teeth. Then we further customize it to the bite and the way you move your jaw. This creates a comfortable appliance that is easy to wear, easy to sleep with and helps preserve your smile!

Dayguards

While nightguards are meant to be worn at night, dayguards are worn during your waking hours. A surprising number of people grind their teeth during the day. Some people are aware of this, but many are not. If you are damaging your teeth during the day, a dayguard may be the right choice.

Brux Checker

Are you a night time grinder or a daytime grinder? That is the $1,000,000 question and up until a breakthrough invention, it was extremely hard to know. With an appliance called a “Brux Checker” we can find out much more information and make the appropriate recommendation for you. A very thin appliance worn for one night, the Brux Checker will show 1. if you are currently grinding/clenching at night and 2. which teeth are you rubbing together.
These are vital pieces of the puzzle and once they are known, it gives you the confidence to know that your nightguard/dayguard is necessary and doing its job.

Sportsguards

Concussions, teeth breaking, teeth being knocked out! As our awareness of the damage caused by head trauma grows, we need to think about the long-term effects of our sports programs. A properly formed and fit custom sports mouthguard protects significantly better than stock or boil and bite mouthguards.

“It has been estimated by sports medicine experts that up to 80% of currently worn athletic mouthguards are ineffective or that they may be more dangerous than not wearing a mouthguard at all” – Dr Gordon Christensen.

There are many costs associated with high-impact sports such as football, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, wrestling and hockey. The risk of not wearing a proper sportsguard can end up costing thousands of dollars in dental expenses alone. Protect your child’s head and their mouth with a customized sports mouthguard.