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PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
LEARN ABOUT PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
At Vancouver Pacific Family Dentistry, our goal is always to help patients keep their smiles whole and healthy for life, and one way we achieve this goal is to prevent major oral health issues by scheduling preventive dentistry exams every six months. During these dental checkups, our hygienists remove plaque and tartar buildup, and the dentist carefully examines patients’ smiles screening for signs of common oral health issues. Before you leave, we’ll create an ongoing dental care plan to help you keep your smile healthy.
PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
FLOSSING & BRUSHING
The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth daily with an interdental cleaner (like floss). Cleaning between your teeth may help prevent cavities and gum disease. Cleaning between your teeth helps remove a sticky film called plaque. Plaque contains bacteria that feed on leftover food or sugar in your mouth. When that happens, it releases an acid that can eat away at the outer shell of your teeth and cause cavities.
DENTAL CHECKUPS & TEETH CLEANINGS
Through a routine cleaning, Vancouver Pacific Family Dentistry makes sure to remove all plaque and tartar, ensuring no cavities or decay develops in your teeth. During the exam, she carefully reviews all the areas of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, tongue and throat for any concerning symptoms. She will also pay close attention to your bite and jaw as well as ask if you are experiencing any discomfort or sensitivity. From there, she can recommend a personalized treatment plan.
FLUORIDE TREATMENTS
Fluoride is found in foods, your neighborhood’s public drinking water, and in most cases the oral care products you use. Routine fluoride application is essential for keeping teeth strong and healthy, which is why we provide treatments with it following your cleaning. In most cases, we will apply fluoride once every six months, which is typically often enough to keep decay and cavities at bay, especially for children who are still learning their brushing and flossing.
PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS
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According to the American Cancer Society’s recent estimates, approximately 51,540 people in the US will be diagnosed with oral cancer and 10,030 people will die of these cancers each year. That is about 6 people diagnosed every hour, and one life taken every hour. And according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, "Historically the death rate associated with this cancer is particularly high not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development."
When diagnosed in its early stages, oral cancer is highly treatable. A simple and painless oral cancer screening could literally save your life! You can expect an oral cancer screening to consist of a thorough visual and physical examination to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth, including abnormal patches of white or red, or certain lesions.
Vancouver Pacific Family Dentistry are actually in a unique position to catch the early signs of oral cancer largely because routine dental visits are conducted more often than doctor’s visits. If you have oral sores that simply will not go away or you have red or white patches of tissue in your mouth, we will connect you with a doctor so you can confirm the presence of oral cancer and get you treatment.
SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY
Every patient is in a unique situation. We know this, and we are always prepared to take extra steps to deliver high-quality dental care for you and your loved ones. Our team can care for patients with physical and mental handicaps, ensuring that they can stay calm and comfortable during treatment. Common conditions that require special consideration include dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Down’s Syndrome and more. Be sure to describe your own circumstances and concerns in detail when you first set up your treatment.
PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
NIGHTGUARDS FOR TEETH GRINDING & TMJ DYSFUNCTION
Grinding and clenching your teeth is quite common, but that does not mean you should ignore it. Not only can teeth grinding and clenching (or bruxism) lead to damaged enamel, but it can also cause stress to your jaw joints. This can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. With a customized nightguard from our dental office, we can protect your teeth and your jaw with relative ease, remove chronic discomfort, and improve your quality of life.