We offer general dentistry so we can help you avoid common oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease, and treat serious concerns like sleep apnea or even TMJ disorder. We even offer general dentistry for little smiles too! In today’s blog, your Shrewsbury, MA, dentist looks at our approach to general dentistry.
Your Initial Checkup and Cleaning
General dentistry often begins with a checkup and cleaning. Your checkup is an examination that occurs every six months for patients of all ages. The exam allows us to look closely at your smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, so we can make a diagnosis with precision and identify any areas of concern, and plan treatment for them in detail. In the same visit, our team can conduct a dental cleaning that also helps patients of all ages, from kids to adults. A cleaning involves using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to remove all plaque and tartar buildup from the surfaces of the teeth. The process takes a few minutes and is crucial for avoiding the onset of cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and even teeth stains.
Pediatric Dentistry
General dentistry also includes pediatric dentistry, so we can help babies, toddlers, and kids of all ages enjoy good oral health. Our approach includes checkups and cleanings every few months, and we take time to help them better understand their smiles and to instill good oral health habits. But we also have treatments designed to help kids avoid the onset of cavities. For example, our team can offer fluoride to coat the teeth and strengthen the enamel, applying this in seconds during each checkup visit. This helps lower the risk of tooth decay, and is also a good reason to use a toothpaste with fluoride. We also have dental selenates, which are a thin acrylic layer we add to the rear teeth. The molars are often hard for kids to reach when they brush and floss, so the sealants keep food and drink particles from being trapped there, lowering the risk of cavities. The application takes seconds and can stay in place for up to ten years!
Emergency Dental Care
General dentistry also includes treatment for dental emergencies. When you have a chipped or cracked tooth, or one is knocked loose or out completely, then you need to see us right away. The same goes for unexplained pain in a tooth or an object caught between them. You also need emergency care if a restoration or prosthetic is damaged or missing. Even if the issue happens outside of normal business hours, please contact us so we can reach out with a time to see you quickly and repair your smile.
Our Sleep Apnea Treatment
If you often struggle with exhaustion due to sleep apnea, we can help. Instead of a loud and cumbersome CPAP machine, our team will offer a custom oral appliance that is worn while you sleep. The device fits like a mouthguard, and helps shift the jaw to keep airways open and free of obstruction, so you breathe without interruption and wake up feeling refreshed. The oral appliance is easy to use and clean, and can go on the road with you during the holidays.
Stopping TMJ Disorder and Bruxism
TMJ disorder means that imbalance and other factors have strained the jaw joints, causing a disorder linked to pain and even difficulty opening and closing your mouth. Bruxism means that you grind or clench your teeth at night, placing serious pressure on your smile. These disorders are often linked, and can cause painful symptoms during the day, like toothaches, jaw pain, and facial aches. With a custom oral appliance, we can help reposition the jaw to ease stress and strain. The appliance also prevents further bruxism-related damage by putting a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth.
A Younger Appearance with Botox and Dermal Fillers
Do you wish you could have a more youthful appearance? With Botox and dermal fillers, we can administer medication to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and deep lines around your nose and mouth. The results can last for months to come. These also help ease the strain of TMJ disorder and bruxism too.
Schedule Your General Dental Treatment with Our Shrewsbury Team!
General dentistry can allow our team to help your whole family maintain good oral health! To learn more about general dentistry, or to schedule your next appointment, give us a call at Modern Dentistry Of Shrewsbury at (508)842-8838 today!
