GENERAL & PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
At The Village Dental Center, we offer many options for general and preventive dentistry to patients from Sun City West and Surprise, AZ. You can come see one of our amazing doctors for a cleaning, oral cancer screening, tooth fillings, or other dental procedures to help you maintain strong dental health. We have all of the necessary equipment in the office to screen and check your teeth to help you take preventative measures for your oral health.
REGULAR DENTAL CHECK UPS & TEETH CLEANINGS
We encourage all of our Sun City West and Surprise, AZ, patients age four and up to schedule regular dental checkups for several reasons, including:
- To diagnose problems you might not see or feel
- Find early signs of tooth decay
- Treat oral health problems early, while they are still manageable
When you come in for your regularly scheduled dental checkups, they will normally last about 45 minutes to an hour. Each regular dental exam will include a detailed cleaning of your teeth. This will include: cleaning your teeth, polishing your teeth, and rinsing your teeth to remove all tartar and plaque that might have built up on the tooth’s surface.
In order to keep your mouth healthy and your smile bright, we recommend visiting our office and seeing your dentist every three to six months. To schedule an appointment to meet with your dentist, please contact our practice to set up an appointment for your regular dental exams. Dental checkups and dental exams are available by appointment only.
ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS
We are here to make sure you have a healthy smile. To help you get and keep that healthy smile, we are dedicated to helping you have a healthy life. One way we prove our dedication to our patients is by conducting oral cancer screenings during your regular dental checkups. Like every form of cancer, oral cancer can be life-threatening if it is not diagnosed and treated early.
Signs of Trouble
Though some of the potential signs of oral cancer might be caused by less serious problems, this short screening will help us understand if there are additional steps that need to be taken. The most common symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Red or white spots or sores throughout your mouth
- Sores that bleed and do not heal
- A lump, thickening, or rough spot
- Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
ORAL CANCER PREVENTION
In addition to the oral cancer screening during your regularly scheduled dental checkup, there are several things you can do to prevent oral cancer:
- Abstain from using any tobacco products
- Consume alcohol in moderation
- Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet
- Limiting your lips exposure to the sun and always wearing UV-A/B-blocking sun protective lotions on your skin and lips
Asking your Sun City West dentist to perform an oral cancer screening.
DENTAL FILLINGS
Dental fillings are used to prevent further damage to your teeth when a cavity is detected. It is important to find cavities quickly, so you can get them filled in order to stop the damage from worsening which could lead to needing a root canal.
AT-HOME PREVENTATIVE DENTAL CARE
Preventative dental care is important for patients of all ages. Regular brushing and flossing is vital in maintaining the best oral health possible. Here are a few tips and tricks you can implement into your daily life to help maintain strong oral health.
BRUSHING
You should be brushing your teeth with a soft bristled brush at least twice a day. If you want to achieve the best results, use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste helps to remove plaque and food particles from the surface of your teeth, helping you achieve a better clean. It is recommended that you always brush the top of your tongue as well to remove further bacteria that can cause bad breath.
FLOSSING
In addition to brushing and using mouthwash, you need to floss in between your teeth at least once a day. Flossing and using mouthwash daily can help you remove plaque and food particles that are often missed by the toothbrush.
Outside of brushing and flossing, here are three other preventative measures you can take to maintain good dental and oral health.
1. Avoid Excess Sugary Sweets
You should avoid eating too many sugary sweets, as this will help you keep your bright, cavity-free smile. Sugar combined with bacteria and saliva can create excess plaque that leads to tooth decay.
2. Schedule Regular Dental Visits
Regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist will help keep your smile bright and healthy. Your dentist has extra tools to help prevent cavities and other dental problems from spreading or worsening.
3. Wear a Mouthguard
Lastly, wearing a mouthguard at night or during physical activity can keep your teeth safe. Many people grind their teeth at night, which can weaken them. A mouthguard can protect your teeth from being knocked out, grinded down, or chipped.
HYDRO FLOSSING
Flossing, along with brushing, is an essential part of dental health. Hydro floss is an alternative to thread floss, but it easily cleans between teeth, under gums, and around dental appliances like braces or permanent retainers. The hydro flosser only uses water and magnets to achieve positive results for reducing plaque and calculus. Hydro floss is especially useful for those who already have inflamed gums and need something more gentle than thread floss.
ORAL B ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH
Brushing your teeth can help prevent periodontal disease and keeps your teeth healthy and white. Oral B electric toothbrush is an innovative brush designed to effectively remove more plaque, whiten, protect gums, and make sure that you never miss a spot. The bluetooth technology even notifies you if you are brushing your teeth too hard. If you have problems with brushing your teeth, this brush will make it easier and will get the job done better than a standard brush.
