Preventive Dentistry – Cary, NC

Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

Even patients who brush every day could still have plaque and tartar accumulate in the spots they’ve missed without realizing it. Our hygienists can find and clean these areas thoroughly before they start to suffer from gum disease or decay. Your biannual appointments are also a chance for us to look for early-stage dental problems that you might not have noticed yet; that way, we can get you started on a treatment plan to prevent the worst of the damage.

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Nightguards for Bruxism

Take a look at your teeth; do they seem unusually worn down? That could be due to bruxism, a common condition where you clench or grind your teeth at night. If you ignore the problem, you could be at risk for serious dental damage. Luckily, we can help you keep your smile safe while you slumber with a nightguard. Your appliance will be custom-made so that it fits comfortably in your mouth and acts as a barrier between your upper and lower arches.

Athletic Mouthguards/ Sportsguards

About 5 million Americans lose teeth while playing sports every year. Even if you’re participating in an activity with a low risk of impact, it usually pays to take preventive steps to keep your smile safe by wearing a mouthguard. You can buy such appliances over the counter, but since they won’t be pre-fitted for your mouth, they may not be as effective; Dr. Singh can provide you with a specially made mouthguard for maximum comfort and protection.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Certain risk factors make oral cancer more likely, but almost everyone has a slight chance of getting it. You should watch out for the condition and have it treated (if present) as quickly as possible. With that said, Cary Dental Rejuvenation performs oral cancer screenings during each dental checkup. These sessions monitor your mouth for possible signs of cancerous activity, ensuring you remain safe. For more details about them, please keep reading or call our office.

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Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Being marked by abnormal cell growth, oral cancer always shows telltale signs. The most common (and notable) of these include the following:

• Discolored or splotchy patches of skin
• Lumps, bumps, or cold sores that don’t heal after a week or two
• Firm, raised areas of oral tissue
• Difficulties swallowing
• A lump in the throat
• Unexplained oral bleeding or numbness
• Loose teeth
• Discomfort while eating
• Sudden changes in voice or a persistent sore throat

If you show several of these symptoms, you may well have oral cancer. Still, you’ll ultimately want to see a dentist; their training and education allow for more thorough checking.

What Does a Dentist Look for During an Oral Cancer Screening?

An oral cancer screening – per its name – checks you for signs like those above. More specifically, it looks for odd tissue changes that you wouldn’t expect from a strong and healthy mouth.

Though cases can differ, the screening mostly relies on visual confirmation. The dentist will directly assess your lips, mouth, tongue, and throat for oral cancer signs. However, they can also rely on advanced diagnostic technology to assess you for otherwise invisible symptoms. (Whether the dentist believes complex tools are needed will depend on your situation.)

If the dentist finds something concerning, they’ll report it to you once the screening is over. They’ll also suggest whether certain signs require more monitoring, as the latter may be benign and fade naturally.

What Can I Expect During My Screening?

A screening for oral cancer may sound complex, but the process is straightforward. It generally takes less than five minutes to perform.

The head dentist carries out several steps for an oral cancer screening. Aside from the already-noted visual checks, they’ll likely touch suspicious areas to see how firm or sensitive tissues are. There’s also a good chance that they’ll gently palpate your neck to check for throat lumps.

If your dentist takes odd measures or requests a follow-up exam, please don’t worry. Such actions don’t entail that you have oral cancer; they just show a need for further investigation. For example, the dentist may refer you to a specialist for testing and diagnosis that they can’t perform themselves. A dental team could also want follow-up exams to see how certain symptoms behave over time.

Fluoride Treatments

You’ve probably heard that fluoride – a naturally occurring mineral found in most drinking water – can strengthen your teeth and help protect them against cavities. Fluoride intake is especially critical for children under the age of 16 who have yet to receive all their permanent teeth. At Cary Dental Rejuvenation, we strongly believe in the benefits that fluoride can provide adults and children alike. If you or your little ones aren’t receiving enough fluoride, we can apply it topically to your teeth in order to lower the risk of decay.

Children’s Dentistry

From the eruption of their baby teeth to the possible need for orthodontic care, it’s essential for your little ones to receive high quality dental care at every stage of life. We’ll do everything we can to make treatment as comfortable and enjoyable for your children as possible; after all, a good experience with the dentist at an early age means they’re more likely to seek dental care on their own once they’ve reached adulthood.

Dental Sealants

The plaque that leads to cavities tends to build up on the molars, which are located at the back of the mouth where it’s harder to brush. Young children tend to have a particularly hard time cleaning this area. Luckily, we can give them a little extra help by applying dental sealants to vulnerable teeth. Sealants are thin, plastic coatings that can prevent bacteria and food particles from getting caught in the various grooves that tend to be on the surface of the molars and pre-molars.