Preventive Dentistry – Waldorf, MD
Ready for Your Next Dental Checkup?
Prevention is a major aspect of dentistry. Identifying minor dental issues and treating them as early as possible is often the key to avoiding tooth decay, gum disease, and other common problems. It is highly recommended that you visit the dentist every six months for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning. If it is about time for your next dental appointment, we encourage you to call our dental office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Akinwande for preventive dentistry in Waldorf, MD.
Why Choose Open Smiles Dental for Preventive Dentistry?
- Majority of Dental Procedures Kept In-House
- Highly Accommodating Dental Team
- Highly Trained, Experienced Dentist
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
During your dental exam, we will take your blood pressure and may capture X-rays of your mouth in order to identify any oral health issues that might be hidden from the naked eye. We will then closely examine your teeth and gums for signs of decay and disease, and we will remove any plaque or tartar that might be present. Once our examination and cleaning are complete, we’ll explain our findings to you and explain what follow-up treatments, if any, might be necessary.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Over 53,000 people are newly diagnosed with oral cancer every year, and those that have the disease identified at a more advanced stage have a significantly lower five-year survival rate. It’s therefore critical that we catch oral cancer as early as possible, which is why a brief oral screening is performed as part of your regular examination process. We can check for lumps, discolored patches, and other symptoms that might call for a biopsy to see if cancer is present. That way, you can get the care you need as promptly as possible.
Fluoride Treatments
Do you know why fluoride is typically added to public drinking water and toothpaste? Simply put, it’s because it can significantly reduce your risk of cavities by strengthening your enamel and making it less vulnerable to bacterial attacks. If we find that your smile could benefit from a bit more fluoride exposure, a brief fluoride treatment can be performed at the end of your next routine cleaning. We’ll simply take a bit of fluoride varnish or gel and apply it to your teeth to strengthen it until your next visit.
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is a thin layer of plastic material that’s placed over the chewing surfaces of specific teeth (mainly the molars and premolars near the back of the mouth). It acts as a barrier against bacteria and food particles that could otherwise get trapped in the crevices of the tooth. Dental sealants can greatly decrease the risk of cavities, particularly in younger patients who might have a harder time brushing their molars and premolars properly.
Athletic Mouthguards
An athletic mouthguard is an extremely important piece of safety equipment for any contact sport. If you take a blow to the mouth or jaw, the mouthguard will protect your teeth and gums from the worst of the damage. Unlike store-bought mouthguards, the mouthguards that we provide are made based on impressions of your smile. This gives them a much more comfortable fit and allows them to provide even better protection for your entire mouth.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Bruxism is a term that describes unconscious clenching and grinding of the teeth. This often occurs while you’re asleep and have no control over your actions, and if the problem isn’t dealt with quickly, your enamel could become severely eroded and more prone to damage. A nightguard can be worn to keep the teeth safe from bruxism by keeping the upper and lower arches separated throughout the night. Each nightguard is made specifically to fit inside each patient’s mouth comfortably.