The world is full of options, and general dentistry is no different. But, if you’re not familiar with all of your general dentistry options, then you may not be getting the most out of your oral care. Luckily, our Dallas, TX, dentists are here to reveal little-known treatments that you can request at your next dental check up.
Lakewood Dental Group is your premier location for accessible and affordable dental care in a warm and inclusive atmosphere. If you’re ready to see what sets us apart from the rest, then schedule a new-patient appointment today at (214) 827-1885 or online here.
Meanwhile, let’s address five top-tier dental treatments to help you get a brilliantly healthy smile. You might be surprised to learn that even simple procedures can have a profound impact on your overall health and appearance for years to come.
What should I expect during a dental check up?
Before asking for additional treatments, it’s important to understand what patients can expect from a routine dental check up. Typically, a regular dental check up entails:
- A thorough dental exam
- Digital x-rays
- Oral cancer screening
Dental Exam
Data gathered by the American Dental Association (ADA) suggest that approximately 100 million Americans fail to see a dentist every year. But, yearly dental visits could prevent worsening oral health conditions that may, eventually, lead to complete tooth loss.
Subsequently, the ADA recommends visiting a dentist in Lakewood at least once a year for a routine dental check up. During these check ups, our team can expertly assess the health and strength of your teeth, gums, and jaw. Additionally, we can make recommendations about your oral care that are entirely unique to you.
Digital X-rays
In the past, dentists gathered information about the hidden structures of the mouth with film-based x-rays. These x-rays, however, use radiation to snap images of the teeth, jaw, and face. With enough exposure, the radiation from film-based x-rays can cause burns, hair loss, vomiting, and even cancer.
Today, however, our dentists in Dallas use patient-friendly digital x-rays. This advanced technology allows our team to collect crystal-clear images of our patients’ mouths using up to 90% less radiation. As a result, we can provide better oral care that doesn’t sacrifice our patients’ overall health.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer accounts for only 3% of all cancers, but these numbers do not diminish the disease’s threat to patients’ oral and overall health. Therefore, oral cancer screenings are, perhaps, one of the most beneficial components of a dental check up in Dallas.
Oral cancer screenings help our team pinpoint even the beginning signs of oral cancer. As a result, patients can receive swift treatment for a more favorable outcome and healthier mouth and body.
What treatments should I request at my next dental check up?
Your oral care should be tailored to your unique needs. That’s why our Dallas dentists make treatment recommendations based on your distinctive oral health needs at every dental check up.
Nevertheless, there are some beneficial treatments that patients may not be aware of (but should feel comfortable exploring!), such as:
- Sensitive teeth treatment
- Bruxism treatment
- Dry mouth treatment
- Neuromuscular treatments
- Orthodontic treatments
1. Sensitive Teeth Treatment
The protective enamel covering our teeth shields the nerve-dense dentin underneath. When tooth enamel erodes, it exposes patches of sensitive dentin. The result is persistent tooth sensitivity that is triggered by minor temperature changes and pressure. Unfortunately, many patients do not know that relief is within their grasp.
Our Lakewood dentists may suggest several ways to address tooth sensitivity, such as:
- Desensitizing toothpastes
- Silver diamine fluoride treatments
- Gum grafting
- Dental bonding
- Dental crowns
- Root canal therapy
If you’re experiencing increasing tooth sensitivity, then don’t delay–tell our Lakewood dentists at your next dental check up.
2. Bruxism Treatment
Often, tooth sensitivity is the result of teeth grinding (medically termed ‘bruxism’). And, unfortunately, many patients are completely unaware that they grind their teeth. This is because most patients with bruxism unconsciously grind their teeth at night while they are sleeping.
Luckily, a dental check up with our Dallas dentists can help patients address bruxism before it causes irreparable damage. And, with simple yet effective treatments, patients can protect their smiles for years to come (as with bespoke, anti-bruxism mouth guards).
3. Dry Mouth Treatment
Dry mouth (medically known as ‘xerostomia’) is a problematic condition that can result in difficulty speaking and chewing, as well as a range of oral health issues, such as:
- Halitosis
- Dental decay
- Periodontal disease
- Bacterial infections (like thrush)
Treating dry mouth doesn’t just offer relief–it offers protection against further oral health conditions, too. So, if you suffer from dry mouth, then don’t hesitate to ask our Dallas dentists about dry mouth treatments at your next dental check up.
4. Neuromuscular Treatment
Neuromuscular dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the alignment of the jaw. This particular branch of dentistry posits that oral dysfunction (like temporomandibular joint pain) is largely the result of malocclusions (or misaligned bites).
Our Lakewood dentists can improve patients’ occlusions by altering the contact surfaces of their teeth. By changing these surfaces, patients adapt to their new bites, which can alleviate jaw pain and prevent dental damage.
5. Orthodontic Treatments
Similarly to neuromuscular treatments, orthodontic treatments alter the way patients’ teeth interact in their mouths. The main difference, however, is that our dentists in Dallas can slowly shift teeth into proper alignment with straightening solutions, like Invisalign®.
At your next dental checkup in Dallas, don’t hesitate to ask our team about smile-correcting solutions. These treatments won’t just enhance your appearance–they’ll protect your teeth and smile for years to come, too!
Schedule a Dental Check Up in Dallas, TX
A routine dental check up with our dentists in Dallas can help you keep your teeth and gums looking as healthy as they feel. And, with plenty of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic solutions, our patients have numerous treatment options to explore at their next dental check up.
So, don’t wait–schedule your upcoming dental check up at Lakewood Dental Group today by calling (214) 827-1885 or by submitting a request here.
