Preventive Dentistry – Fresno, CA
Protecting
Fresno Smiles
Prevention is a crucial aspect of a healthy, long-lasting smile. We want to help you enjoy optimal oral health for a lifetime to come — and that’s why we recommend patients of all ages visit our dental office for a checkup and cleaning at least every six months. When you come in to see us, we can remove plaque and tartar buildup and evaluate your need for additional preventive or restorative treatments to keep your smile looking beautiful and feeling great. Keep reading to learn about all the ways we can safeguard your smile with preventive dentistry in Fresno, CA!
Why Choose the Fresno Family Dental Office of Byron L. Reintjes, DDS for Preventive Dentistry?
- Multitude of Dental Services Available
- State of the Art Dental Technology
- Variety of PPO Insurance Plans Accepted
Dental Checkups
& Teeth Cleanings
Checkups and cleanings give us the opportunity to remove all of the plaque and tartar that has had the chance to build upon your teeth and also check for the presence of decay, gum disease, and other oral health hazards. Attending these visits twice annually is the best way to avoid the need for costly, complex care later on. And if you have dental insurance, checkups and cleanings should be completely covered under your plan.
Nightguards
for Bruxism
Whether it is caused by stress, a misaligned bite, facial trauma, or another factor, people who grind their teeth at night (a condition known as bruxism) are at a higher risk of experiencing chipped, cracked, and broken tooth enamel as well as headaches and neck pain. We can use a custom-fitted nightguard to cushion the teeth from the impact of unconscious teeth grinding. And, because each one is created specifically for every patient’s unique smile, a customized nightguard is always highly comfortable and maximally effective.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is well-known for being beneficial to oral health — so much so that most tap water sources are treated with the mineral in the US. Fluoride remineralizes the tooth enamel, strengthening weak areas, and helping you avoid cavities and other oral health issues. Having a topical fluoride treatment applied to your teeth at the end of a checkup and cleaning will protect your smile from the plaque, acids, and bacteria they will encounter in the time between appointments.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Routine checkups and cleanings allow Dr. Reintjes to monitor your dental health and catch areas of concern, such as cavities and gum disease, early enough to treat them before they progress.
But these aren’t the only potential problems. Sources report that in the United States, about 60,000 new cases of oral cancer are reported annually, accounting for an estimated 3% of all cancer diagnoses. Our team offers standard screenings to help catch this condition as early as possible to improve patients’ prognoses. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect from this part of your visit!
Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Early signs of this disease are often mistaken for other, more common dental problems because they present with similar symptoms. Thankfully, Dr. Reintjes knows what to look for and can help identify serious concerns before they worsen.
Some indicators of oral cancer can include:
- Mouth sores or ulcers that don’t heal after a week or two.
- Persistent sore throat, hoarseness, or change in your voice.
- Red or white patches on the soft tissues inside your mouth.
- Difficulty moving your jaw, chewing, or swallowing.
- Numbness or bleeding in the tongue, lips, or mouth.
- Loose teeth or discomfort when biting or chewing.
- A lump in the soft tissues of your mouth or throat.
If you’re exhibiting these symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have oral cancer. Our team can examine your mouth to determine the underlying cause and potential treatments.
What Does a Dentist Look for During an Oral Cancer Screening?
Dr. Reintjes will visually assess the soft tissues of your mouth, including your tongue, gums, lips, the insides of your cheeks, and the floor and roof of your mouth, as well as the back of your throat, for any tissue changes. He might also feel along your jaw and neck to check for enlarged lymph nodes, which can be an early indicator of disease, infection, or other concerns that might be spreading.
If he notices red or white lesions, asymmetry, unusual or irregular textures, thickening tissues, or sores or ulcers, he may perform additional testing or imaging, or schedule follow-up visits, to identify what’s causing it and discuss potential solutions.
What Can I Expect During My Screening?
It might sound like a long process, but this part of your appointment usually only takes a few minutes. Not only that, but because it follows your standard exam and cleaning, you don’t have to do anything special to prepare.
If everything checks out and there are no issues, our team can wrap up your appointment and send you home with a happy, healthy smile.
I Need a Dentist for My Child I am Worried About Bleeding Gums I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I am Unhappy with My Smile I Want a Straighter Smile I am Interested in Sleep Apnea I am Scared of the Dentist I Have Pain in My Jaw I am in Pain & Need Help I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed View Our Services