Preventive Dentistry – Chesapeake, VA

 

Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

To have a healthy smile, we recommend coming to see us at least twice a year for regular dental cleanings and exams. These visits are important because they give us the chance to diagnose common oral health problems and quickly create a treatment plan for them. When we can address a problem early, we’re able to provide more comfortable and less invasive care.

Our goal is to always provide customized help built around your specific needs. If we find anything that needs to be treated, we’ll talk to you about your situation and your options. If you have any questions or concerns about what we recommend, we’re always happy to address them.

 

Nightguards for Bruxism

Do you routinely wake up with a stiff, sore jaw, or do your teeth appear to be worn down? If so, you may be suffering from bruxism, a condition where a person unconsciously clenches their jaw and grinds their teeth while they are asleep. Bruxism can be caused by a misaligned bite, stress, or even trauma to the face, and it’s believed that as many as one out of every three people suffers from it. Left untreated, it can severely damage tooth enamel, eventually causing it to fracture, and even strain the muscles and joints in the face and jaw.

 

To combat this sneaky problem, we can provide you with something called a nightguard. This is a custom-made oral appliance you’ll only need to wear to bed, and it works by placing a protective cushion between your teeth to prevent them from grinding together. Each one is specially designed to comfortably fit every patient’s unique smile.

 

Fluoride Treatments

A mineral that occurs in nature and can be found in many fruits and vegetables, fluoride has been proven to reduce the risk of tooth decay by strengthening the enamel. That’s why it’s commonly added to toothpaste, mouthwash, and even public drinking water. If Dr. Troisi determines that you could use a little help preventing cavities, then our team can apply an extra-strength fluoride gel after your cleaning.

 

Oral Cancer Screenings

Cavities and gum disease are far from the only oral health issues we look for during your routine visits. Dr. Troisi also takes a few minutes to thoroughly screen your mouth for signs of oral cancer, such as unexplained lumps or sores. If any tissues in your mouth appear precancerous or cancerous, she’ll arrange for you to get an official diagnosis. Since many cases of oral cancer aren’t caught until the advanced stages, regular screenings could end up saving your life!