Preventive Visits In Fort Wayne, IN

Oral Examination –  At Family Dentistry & Aesthetics, we use both traditional and diagnostic imaging tools to take a good look at your teeth and gums. A small camera is used to capture and magnify the contours of your teeth and gums, so we can see the inside of your mouth in greater detail. This helps us ensure no detail is missed, so we can make sure any oral health issues are addressed appropriately.

Dental X-Rays – Digital x-rays are faster and easier than traditional radiography, and let us see if there are any problems below the surface of the gums. If you have been experiencing any discomfort in a tooth, an x-ray can show us right away whether a cavity or infection has developed. X-rays are also important for monitoring children’s facial growth and tooth development. They can show us when wisdom teeth have begun to develop, so we can monitor their growth and determine the optimal time for extraction, if needed.

Teeth Cleaning– Professional dental cleanings are an important piece of the cavity prevention puzzle. No matter how well you brush and floss your teeth at home every day, most people occasionally develop patches of calcified plaque (tartar). When these are not removed promptly by brushing, they can calcify or harden to the point in which only dental tools can remove them from your tooth enamel. Without dental cleanings, tartar can result in enamel demineralization and the formation of cavities.

Preventive Treatments – Fluoride gel is an excellent treatment for strengthening and protecting tooth enamel. If we have found any spots of demineralization on your enamel, we will apply fluoride before your visit is over to make sure tooth decay does not develop.

Another preventive treatment we provide is dental sealants. Many people think of sealants as being a treatment for children only, but sealants are helpful tool in preventing decay at all ages. Cavities often start in the deep ridges and crevices of the molars, especially. Sealants provide a physical barrier that keeps those small spaces safe from the bacterial acids that cause cavities.

Oral Cancer Screening – During your check-up, we will examine all the oral tissues for signs of precancerous growths. This includes the gums, inner cheek, tongue, lips, and throat. Oral cancers rarely cause pain in the earliest stages, so a visual exam is the best way for us to determine whether any lumps, sores, or thickened patches should be monitored or tested.

Patient Check-in and Education – Routine visits are the ideal time to let your dentist know what’s going on in your life and with your bodily health. For example, many people don’t realize the profound effect that pregnancy and new medications can have on your oral health. When you keep your local dentist and hygienist updated on your health situation, you give us the chance to provide you with useful information that can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy.

This is also an excellent time for us to inquire about whether you have experienced any symptoms that may suggest TMJ disorder, bruxism, or other related oral health concerns. For example, if a patient has recently started a new sport, we can provide customized mouthguards to protect the teeth and gums from injury.