Preventive Dentistry

Regular checkups and cleanings allow us to catch decay earlier when it’s more easily treated, prevent gum disease and tooth loss, and support your overall health. Cleanings help to remove plaque and tartar, which can wreak destruction in your mouth when left unchecked. During checkups, we can keep an eye out for signs of oral cancer as well as systemic diseases that can present symptoms in the mouth.

Fluoride treatments use fluoride concentrations that are much higher than those than found in over-the-counter toothpastes and rinses. Fluoride can safely provide extra protection from decay, especially for patients who are at higher risk for dental caries. Treatments take only a few minutes to apply in the dentist’s office and are typically done following a cleaning.

Anderson Dental Group works with board-certified sleep physicians to properly diagnose and treat sleep apnea. We can create a custom oral appliance to treat your sleep apnea without the hassle and cords involved with a CPAP machine. SomnoDent is a custom-fitted device that was developed specifically to treat obstructive sleep apnea and associated snoring. It works by moving the lower jaw forward, allowing tissues at the back of the throat to relax, preventing the tongue from obstructing the airway, and letting you get a quieter, safer night’s sleep.

Occlusal guards (also known as night guards) fit over the teeth to keep them from wearing down as a result of clenching or grinding. For problems that persist throughout the day, they can also be worn during the daytime. While you can purchase a night guard over the counter, guards that are made by your dentist will be less bulky and much more comfortable to wear.

Sealants are barriers that the dentist places over vulnerable tooth surfaces to prevent cavities. While regular brushing and flossing can effectively clean the smooth surfaces of teeth, these tools miss particles that get trapped in grooves and depressions. Sealants are typically placed over the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars, where decay is most common, to seal out contaminants.

• Root Planing & Scaling: Cleaning between the teeth and gums, down to the roots, is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease. Combined with good dental care following treatment, root planing and scaling can halt the progression of gum disease.
• Full Mouth Debridement: If you’ve gone a long time between professional cleanings, a full mouth debridement may be a necessary step to remove enough buildup to allow for a thorough exam and an effective cleaning.
• Periodontal Maintenance: This thorough dental cleaning is performed after periodontal treatment to combat the progression of periodontal disease.