Preventive Dentistry – Wylie, TX
Protect Your Smile Today and in the Future!
Avoiding the majority of dental issues, whether they be short- or long-term, is largely done through preventive care. A checkup and cleaning once every six months makes a huge difference, and Dr. Morton and his team are always exceptionally thorough, transparent, and prepared to meet your needs. Our team has been providing care for over a decade, so you can rest knowing that your visits are going to be consistent. Call our dental office today to have your next appointment completed!
Why Choose Wylie Family Dentistry for Preventive Dentistry?
- Comfortable Dental Office with Nitrous Oxide Available
- Consistent Visits with Dedicated Dentist
- Intraoral Cameras for Detailed Viewing
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Biannual checkups and cleanings allow us to confirm many aspects of your oral health. Not only can we determine if cavities, gum disease or other systemic issues are present, but we can also confirm if your at-home oral care is sufficiently keeping plaque and bacteria at bay. After giving your teeth and gums a thorough cleaning, we’ll closely examine all of your oral structures for any problems and recommend treatment based on these evaluations.
Learn More About Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Nightguards for Bruxism
Bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, can detract from your dental health in a few different ways. For instance, constantly clenching your arches together can wear down your enamel, cause chips or cracks, cause misalignments, or contribute a stiff, sore, or locked jaw.
Dr. Morton can alleviate your symptoms and help protect your smile by providing a custom-fitted nightguard. Continue reading to learn more about these oral appliances to help determine if this treatment is right for you!
Customized vs. Store-Bought Nightguards
You’re not alone if you’re concerned about your subconscious teeth grinding habit but are afraid you can’t afford a custom-fitted, professional-grade nightguard. Many patients feel tempted to purchase store-bought options, which are often cheaper upfront.
However, these options often rely on a “boil-and-bite” mold that leaves plenty of room for error, which can result in a poorly fitting, bulky, or unstable device that might slip out of place while you sleep, defeating the purpose of wearing it in the first place. Meanwhile, Dr. Morton can provide a custom-fitted guard made from more accurate dental impressions for improved outcomes.
The Process of Getting a Nightguard
If you’re feeling anxious about getting a nightguard or are worried the process might cause discomfort, you can safely set your concerns aside because the steps involved are usually straightforward.
First, you must consult Dr. Morton to determine that a nightguard is the best way to meet your unique needs. This involves an examination of your teeth, biting patterns, and discussion of your symptoms. Then, our team will take accurate impressions of your teeth to ensure your appliance fits and functions correctly. You’ll have another appointment once your nightguard arrives at the office so we can check the fit, provide directions for proper use, and offer cleaning instructions to help keep it in good shape.
The Benefits of Getting a Nightguard for Bruxism
There are several advantages of getting a customized nightguard, including:
- Preserve your dental health. These devices cushion the arches to prevent damage from grinding and can also help keep the upper and lower teeth aligned correctly to reduce the risk of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.
- Improved fit. We use updated impression systems to provide a one-of-a-kind appliance made just for you.
- Quality materials. They are crafted from resilient, high-grade polymers and are shaped to the right thickness based on your grinding patterns.
- Ease aches. These devices reduce pressure placed on your teeth and jaw to help soothe associated tension or discomfort in the mouth, jaw, neck, ears, head, and face.
- Better durability. Our nightguards tend to last longer than store-bought options because of higher-quality materials and an enhanced fit.
Caring for Your Nightguard
Proper care helps you enjoy your nightguard's benefits longer. You can help maintain it by:
- Rinse your guard under cool or room-temperature water before and after each use helps keep it clean.
- You should also scrub all of its surfaces when you remove it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear hand or dish soap that won’t abrade the material to remove bacteria, plaque, or other residue buildup.
- Let it air dry in its case when it’s not being used to avoid misplacing or accidentally damaging it.
- Store your appliance and its case in a safe place where you can easily find it to avoid losing it.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is crucial to maintaining long-term tooth health as well as fighting against plaque-causing bacteria. This is why it’s been added to public drinking water and has become such an important mineral for your diet. Fluoridated toothpaste works to prevent future buildup of plaque in between your dental visits, but our dental office will also perform fluoride applications after your cleaning to protect your smile. It only takes a few minutes to complete and can be performed on patients of all ages.
Toothpastes
At Wylie Family Dentistry, we’re always prepared to recommend oral care products that best meet your needs. For example, those who struggle to remove bacteria from around the gum line and therefore suffer more from gum disease, as a result, can benefit from Crest Gum Detoxify toothpaste. This particular product targets bacteria around the gums, reducing the symptoms associated with gum disease. Our dental office is more than happy to go over your unique needs and recommend products that effectively address them.
Oral Cancer Screenings
With roughly 54,000 cases expected to be diagnosed this year alone, it’s crucial for patients to get an oral cancer screening regularly. Fortunately, Dr. Morton conducts one at every checkup! Quickly and painlessly, he can screen for lumps, red patches, and other common symptoms along your tongue, lips, throat, and the floor of your mouth. If he sees anything worrisome, he can bring it to your attention right away, helping you get the treatment you need in the early stages.