Preventive Dentistry – St. Albans, VT
Safeguarding St. Albans Smiles
In addition to brushing and flossing every day at home, getting regular checkups and cleanings is also extremely important if someone wants to avoid the most common oral health issues. Combined together, diligent oral hygiene at home and our preventive services can help patients of all ages enjoy happy, problem-free smiles for many years at a time. We recommend coming to see us at least once every six months for a preventive dentistry in St. Albans, so if it’s time for you or your child’s next visit, be sure to give us a call!
Why Choose St. Albans Dental for Preventive Dentistry?
- Team Led by 2 Highly-Experienced Dentists
- Appointments Always Start on Time & Are Never Rushed
- Friendly & Relaxed Atmosphere
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
At these appointments, patients receive both a thorough oral exam as well as a meticulous cleaning performed by a hygienist. Dr. Aten, Dr. Davico, or Dr. Cone will look at your teeth, gums, and jaw so they can find any indications of decay or damage during its earliest stages, enabling them to treat it before it can cause you any major headaches. For the cleaning, special tools will be used to remove plaque and tartar deposits from those hard-to-reach corners of your mouth, ensuring your entire smile remains strong and healthy.
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What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is a condition which causes you to clench your jaw or grind your teeth. It is sometimes done as a response to stressful situations, or it can also be done unconsciously while you sleep.
While it may seem harmless, it can often cause premature tooth wear, damage, pain and sensitivity. It could even increase your risk of cavities and tooth stains, too.
Customized vs. Store-Bought Nightguards
Although there is certainly no shortage of storebought options for nightguards in St. Albans, a customized version from your dentist is generally more effective than those boil and bite retail varieties. Because storebought nightguards could cause your bite to rest unevenly while you sleep, they can sometimes make jaw pain worse. Custom nightguards are safer for your entire mouth and jaw, and most patients find them more comfortable, too.
The Process of Getting a Nightguard
Getting a nightguard is an easy process. First, you’ll meet with your dentist for a consultation. At this visit, they’ll perform a thorough examination and check the severity of any wear to your teeth. After a discussion of your symptoms, they’ll take impressions of your mouth and send them off to a dental laboratory for fabrication.
Once we receive your customized nightguard here at St. Albans Dental, we’ll have you return to the office for a fitting and make any necessary adjustments. In most cases we will schedule a follow-up visit so we can check the progress of your nightguard and make sure it’s working properly.
The Benefits of Getting a Nightguard for Bruxism
There are many incredible benefits to protecting your smile with a nightguard for bruxism, including:
- Nightguards cushion your teeth, protecting them from premature wear caused by bruxism.
- They alleviate jaw pain, especially when associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.
- May also alleviate headaches and/or muscle tension related to bruxism.
- May help realign your bite to a mild degree.
Caring for Your Nightguard
Caring for your nightguard is easier than you might think! Here are a few steps to ensure it stays clean and lasts as long as possible:
- Rinse off your nightguard before and after each use with room temperature water.
- Let your nightguard air dry in its case.
- Be sure to store the case in a secure location out of the reach of pets and small children (If its not in your face, it should be in its case!).
- When you are done using it for the night, brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and hand soap and rinse it well.
Children’s Dentistry
Practically every member of our team is a parent, so we understand the importance of early-age dental care more than most! Routine checkups and cleanings are essential for everyone’s oral health, but especially children since their enamel hasn’t fully hardened and their oral hygiene habits are still being formed. Here, we’ll treat your child like one of our own as we use a gentle touch to protect them from cavities as well as quickly fix any issues that pop up along the way.
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Dental Sealants
The place where most people will develop their first cavity is on one of their back teeth, and that’s because their location makes them particularly difficult to brush, plus their deeply textured surfaces easily trap plaque. Thankfully, dental sealants enable our team to place an invisible protective barrier over these teeth using a clear dental plastic. Applied in just a few minutes, this treatment can prevent plaque, bacteria, and food particles from damaging the enamel for up to 10 years.