Preventive Dentistry – Allen, TX
attaining Oral Health for Years to Come
At Allen Smile Design, we care just as much about helping you understand why preventive dental care is important as we do performing treatments themselves. When you know why you’re staying committed to routine dental exams and cleanings as well as other forms of care, you’re able to take much greater pride in your oral care habits. We offer everything you need under one roof, so don’t wait to contact us and schedule your next visit for preventive dentistry in Allen, TX!
Why Choose Allen Smile Design for Preventive Dentistry?
- Advanced Diagnostic Tools Available
- Sedation Dentistry for Nervous Patients
- Personable Dentist Provides You Plenty of Time
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
While your at-home brushing and flossing are very important to maintaining oral health outside of the dental office, you’ll still need to attend routine exams and cleanings so you can remove harmful tartar before it can cause cavities and wreak havoc. During the exam, we carefully look for underlying issues that might be invisible to the naked eye, including gum disease. We’ll also perform a detailed cleaning and carefully chipping away tartar, which can only be removed safely by a dentist.
Learn More About Dental Checkups & Cleanings
Nightguards for Bruxism
Many people find themselves waking up with jaw pain or teeth sensitivity, but they often don’t know why. During your exam, we can confirm if you suffer from chronic teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, which can erode tooth enamel and put stress on your jaw’s joints. With a custom-made nightguard designed using our digital impression system, you can protect your teeth from future damage throughout the night and reduce stress on your jaw.
Customized vs. Store-Bought Nightguards
While they may look similar, customized and store-bought nightguards greatly differ. The former are almost always superior to the latter.
Customized nightguards are custom-made, being based on impressions of your teeth. They thus match your smile’s overall shape, contours, and more, fitting your mouth perfectly. Such a result is far better than what you could expect from a store-bought model. Unlike nightguards sold by markets, a custom one will better prevent damage from bruxism.
In contrast, store-bought nightguards take a generic, one-size-fits-all approach. The consequence is that they often fit unevenly, irritate your gum tissues, and fail to protect you effectively from bruxism.
The Process of Getting a Nightguard
Getting a mouthguard from a dentist isn’t instantaneous. On the contrary, the process involves some matters that can take some time.
Dr. Lewis follows several steps to create and provide your nightguard. First of all, she assesses your smile through an oral exam to confirm your mouth’s health and shape. She then takes impressions of your teeth (or “dental impressions”) and sends them to a local dental lab. (It’s this lab that’ll create your final nightguard.) Once our team receives the completed device, we’ll have you return for a fitting and make some last-minute adjustments.
We may have you attend a follow-up visit after you’ve adjusted to your nightguard. At that time, we’ll confirm how (or whether) your appliance has “worked out.”
The Benefits of Getting a Nightguard for Bruxism
A customized nightguard from our practice offers the following perks:
- Smile Protection – By keeping your teeth from grinding, a nightguard reduces the wear and tear of your enamel.
- Relief from Pain – A nightguard will greatly reduce the pressure on your jaw’s muscles. In doing so, it’ll lessen (or even eliminate) your jaw pain.
- An Easy Fit – Since it fits better than store-bought models, a customized nightguard offers a more comfortable experience.
- Cost-Effectiveness – Bruxism can lead to costly oral health issues when left untreated. Fortunately, a nightguard saves you money by stopping such problems from cropping up.
Caring for Your Nightguard
All things considered, it’s fairly simple to care for a nightguard. Simply adopt these habits:
- Before and after each use, rinse your device with room-temperature water.
- Air-dry your nightguard in its case regularly.
- To prevent accidents, keep your nightguard’s case in a secure location.
- Put your nightguard in its case when you aren’t using it.
- After using it, clean your nightguard with a soft-bristled toothbrush and hand soap.
Oral Cancer Screenings
While oral cancer can be difficult to catch on your own, you’ll have a professional by your side to confirm if any symptoms are present when you visit. Oral cancer affects 54,000 people every year and over 11,000 people die annually, but early detection ensures that you can seek treatment sooner rather than later. During your exam, our dentists will stay vigilant of any symptoms and get you scheduled with a physician moving forward if they believe signs are present.
Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer
In addition to attending professional cleanings twice per year, you should be aware of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer. This way, if you notice that something doesn’t feel quite right, you can bring it up with your dentis.t Here are some signs to be on the lookout for.
- Persistent sore throat
- Vocal changes
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- New lump or bump
- Sensation that something is stuck in the throat
- Sores or lesions that don’t heal within 10 days
What Does a Dentist Look for During an Oral Cancer Screening
During your oral cancer screening, we will be on the lookout for asymmetrical bumps, swollen areas, red or white patches, ulceration, or tissue that is thicker than normal. We will also go over your medical history to identify any of the following risk factors of oral cancer.
- HPV Infection: Up to 30% of oral cancer cases are attributed to human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Tobacco: Nearly 80% of patients diagnosed with oral cancer either smoke or chew tobacco.
- Alcohol: Thos who frequently drink heavily are more likely to develop oral cancer.
- Sun Exposure: Oral cancer concentrated on the lip area is often developed by those who have outdoor jobs, and therefore prolonged UV exposure.
What Can I Expect During My Screening?
Oral cancer screenings are quick, painless, and easy. You have probably already had many oral cancer screenings in your life without even noticing. During your routine cleanings and checkups, we will thoroughly examine your oral cavity. We will take several minutes to look at your lips, the back of your throat, and your tongue. We will also check your cheeks and jaw for abnormalities. If we find anything notable, we will either diagnose it and take further action or refer you to a specialist to look at it closer.
At-Home oral Hygiene Products
You need to have the right products at your disposal if you want to protect your oral health moving forward. Whether you’re looking for the right brand of toothpaste that works for you, a new toothbrush that fits your lifestyle, or additional products to compliment your current oral care routine, our assistants and hygienists are happy to provide their recommendations. At our dental office, we use and recommend Colgate products, which you’ll see when you leave with your complimentary care package.
Family Dentistry
Family dentistry is something our team at Allen Smile Design is pleased to offer. As a more convenient way for patients to get the care they need without having to drive all over town, parents, children, and even seniors can expect to receive the same great care all under one roof. Providing family-friendly services to patients of all ages, we look forward to building lasting relationships with families across all generations.