Our team offers advanced dentistry and personalized care for patients of all ages and their families! From checkups and cleanings to treating bruxism and even addressing sleep apnea, we can help improve your oral health and quality of life. In today’s blog, your Londonderry, NH, dentist talks about family dentistry, focusing on the treatments we use to help patients of all ages.
Starting with a Checkup and Cleaning
Regardless of your age or the state of your smile, care starts with an initial checkup. During your exam, our team will employ advanced digital x-rays and intraoral camera technology to gather images of your smile from multiple angles. We then complete a diagnosis and create a treatment plan to address any concerns we discover, so we can improve your smile and help you maintain good oral health.
In the same sitting, we will also conduct a dental cleaning, in which we remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick. The process only takes a few minutes and helps lower the risk of cavities and periodontal concerns, while also fighting bad breath and teeth stains.
Children’s Dentistry
For kids, we can look for concerns like cavities or issues with baby teeth erupting and falling out on schedule, which can complicate alignment later in life. We also take time to help kids understand the importance of good oral hygiene and how to care for their teeth and gums. Our team also wants to make sure they enjoy their time and look forward to seeing us again! Along with exams and cleanings, we can offer kids preventive treatments like fluoride and dental sealants to lower the risk of cavities and protect their smiles. Fluoride is applied in a varnish form as part of the checkup, and can help strengthen the outer enamel to lower the risk of tooth decay. Sealants are an acrylic layer applied to the rear molars, which are hard to reach when kids brush and floss, to prevent food and drink particles from being trapped between them.
TMJ Disorder and Bruxism
For teens and adults, jaw joint strain and bite imbalance could lead to serious disorders that cause discomfort and increase the risk of dental damage. TMJ disorder means imbalance upsets how you open and close your mouth, and can cause discomfort in your face and jaw, as well as a popping or clicking sensation. Bruxism means you grind your teeth regularly, which damages the outer structure and increases the risk of cavities and infection, and also changes the appearance of your smile. For both, we can offer relief with an oral appliance, a device that fits like a mouthguard and is custom-made for your smile. The appliance helps reposition the jaw and places a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to preserve damage.
Athletic Mouthguards
Summer is a time for sports and outdoor activities, and many of these could lead to chipped, cracked, or even knocked out teeth! But with a custom mouthguard, we can provide a greater layer of protection more substantial than a simple boil-and-cite option from a sporting goods store.
Sleep Apnea Solutions
Sleep apnea means that while you rest at night, the collapse of soft tissues in the throat and mouth block airflow. You stop breathing until the brain registers this and wakes you, which can interrupt your REM sleep multiple times a night and leave you feeling exhausted. Chronic snoring is also a common warning sign. Again, we can offer relief with an oral appliance, a device that is designed to fit comfortably and shift the jaw and tongue forward to keep airways open and free of infections, so you can rest without interruption throughout the night. The device is easy to use and clean, and can travel with you as needed. A simple alternative to the loud and cumbersome CPAP machine!
Nitrous Oxide
If you have dental anxiety or special needs, this could impact how you receive treatment and make even minor appointments a difficult process. Likewise, if you are undergoing more extensive treatment options, we want to ensure you feel relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure. With nitrous oxide, we can offer sedation to help you enter a calm and relaxed state, with little to no memory of the procedure afterward. This is administered through a mask over your nose. You inhale the gas and instantly enter a state of calm and euphoria. The effects can be adjusted during treatment and wear off once the procedure ends, so you can return to work or school and even drive yourself home!
Schedule a Visit for Family Dentistry!
Family dentistry can help patients of all ages enjoy good oral health and a smile that looks beautiful too! Give us a call at My Dentist in Londonderry, NH at (603)965-3407 today.
