Avoiding serious dental issues starts with smart oral hygiene habits and a positive relationship with a professional, thorough dentist. While every person is different, the American Dental Association recommends that most people see a dentist every six months for a checkup and routine teeth cleaning. Not only do bi-annual dentist visits help keep your teeth extra clean and shiny, they also help your doctor treat dental issues before they become more critical problems. Call the friendly staff at Vacendak Dentistry today at 757.609.3510 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation.
A Healthy Mouth Starts at Home
Help prevent plaque buildup, cavities, gum infection, and the like by incorporating these dental hygiene habits into your daily routine.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft or medium bristled brush. Using wide, gentle strokes, make sure to brush all tooth surfaces. Experts recommend brushing for about two minutes.
- Don’t forget to brush the tongue!
- Floss daily.
- Consider using an anti-microbial mouth wash after brushing and flossing for fresher breath and a cleaner mouth.
- Replace your toothbrush every three to four months (or after having a cold).
Vacendak Dentistry’s goal is to only see a patient twice yearly to clean their teeth and send them off with a good bill of oral health, so in addition to routine teeth cleanings, we offer a number of special preventative measures to lessen the likelihood of cavities, chipped and broken teeth, and other oral problems.
X-Rays
With cutting-edge Panorex digital imaging technology, we are able to take a full mouth X-ray series with five times less radiation than traditional methods. This is safer and more convenient for our patients and helps the doctors make sound oral health recommendations.
Oral Cancer Screenings
The American Cancer Society expects to have seen 36,000 new cases of oral and oropharyngeal cancers in 2013. Of those 36,000, it predicts, 6,850 people will die of cancer and related complications. It’s no mystery why Vacendak Dentistry takes early detection of oral cancer seriously; so serious, in fact, that we make an oral cancer screening an important part of every appointment. Using a handheld device called the VELscope, our doctors are able to check for early signs of cancer that are invisible to the naked eye.
Sealants
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that act like a “shield” for teeth. Usually applied to the molars and premolars, sealants help protect the hard-to-reach teeth from the build-up of plaque and subsequent decay.
Children with recently acquired molars are the best candidates for sealants, but adults without fillings or significant decay can benefit too.
Diode Laser
One of our newest tools, a diode laser is used to kill bacteria that are in areas where traditional instruments are unable to reach. The diode laser treatment is a tool for overall dental hygiene and can reduce single, free-floating bacteria, preventing the destruction process that can lead to oral health decline.
Fluoride Therapy
Think of fluoride as the teeth’s mineral best friend. It protects teeth from the buildup of plaque, tartar and decay and though fluoride occurs naturally, it is gradually eroded by eating and drinking acidic substances.
Along with the use of fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses, we recommend that people with vulnerable teeth (children, adolescents, those with tooth decay) receive fluoride treatments to remineralize their teeth. Vacendak Dentistry uses a fluoride solution that is much more potent than fluoridated over-the-counter products but that is still very gentle. Restore your teeth’s natural plaque protection by opting for fluoride therapy.
Night Guards
Do you wake up with headaches or a sore jaw? Has your partner complained about you grinding your teeth at night? Nighttime teeth grinding or bruxism is a common habit that left alone can lead to chipped and irreparably worn down teeth, serious jaw problems like Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ) and even hearing loss.
The good news is that Vacendak Dentistry can help correct nighttime teeth grinding with a custom-made night guard. If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth at night, set up an appointment with Doctors Sheila or Daniel Vacendak to discuss your options.
Individual Protocols
We have a plan to help individual patients avoid future dental problems based on established risks for hard and soft tissue disease.
Let Vacendak Dentistry partner with you and your family to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Call us today at 757-609-3510.