Here at Dardenne Dental Arts, we place an emphasis on preventive care for our patients of all ages. Preventative care is so important to your overall oral health for many reasons.
At home, brushing and flossing daily can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. We recommend regular six month hygiene appointments to have your teeth professionally cleaned by our dedicated hygiene staff. At these appointments, you will also have necessary x-rays that are periodically taken and will always have an exam by Dr. Reyering in order to determine the status of your oral health. Many dental emergencies can be prevented by making your routine preventative care a daily priority.
Mouthguards
Mouthguards are a wonderful option for those who play any kind of sports. Mouthguards help to cushion blows to the face and neck and offer added protection to the teeth and mouth. At Dardenne Dental Arts, we have the ability to create your custom mouthguard to protect you when you’re in the game. Mouthguards are especially important if you have a dental bridge or braces.
The mouthguards that we provide, unlike ready-made mouthguards that you can buy at a sporting goods store, are custom-made to fit your mouth perfectly. They provide optimal protection and fit and don’t inhibit your breathing or speaking. If you would like to learn more about how to protect your teeth with mouthguards and preventive dentistry, give us a call soon.
VELscope® Oral Cancer Screening
At Dardenne Dental Arts, Dr. Reyering and staff are dedicated to staying up to date with the latest dental technology and techniques. Some of the most recent advances in dental technology are in oral cancer screening devices. We are pleased to offer VELscope® oral cancer screening to ensure that we identify the signs of oral cancer as soon as possible. The VELscope® oral cancer screening device is a non-invasive, handheld tool that allows us to quickly and painlessly screen for oral tissue abnormalities, including cancer. By emmitting a bright blue light, the VELscope® oral cancer screening device causes the soft tissues of the mouth to naturally fluoresce. The natural, distinct patterns of fluorescence in healthy tissues are visibly disrupted by tissue that is diseased or damaged. In addition to cancerous tissue, VELscope® can identify tissue that is affected by fungal, viral, or bacterial infections.
When you visit us at Dardenne Dental Arts for a regular dental cleaning and exam, you can choose to have us use the device to screen for oral cancer. The earlier oral cancer is detected, the more effectively it can be treated. For more information on VELscope® oral cancer screening, we invite you to call or visit our dental office.
Occlusal Guards for Bruxism
Bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching, can cause several painful and damaging conditions. Many people who suffer from bruxism do not realize that they grind and clench their teeth because it often occurs during sleep. Bruxism is more common in young children, and it often goes away by adolescence; however, people of all ages may suffer from bruxism. You may grind and clench your teeth if you notice the following symptoms:
- Very worn, flattened, cracked, or chipped teeth
- Worn tooth enamel, exposing the inner layers of the tooth
- Chronic facial pain
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Tension headaches and migraines
- Tired jaw muscles
- Painful and tight jaw muscles
- Earaches
Dr. Reyering provides occlusal guards for bruxism to treat teeth grinding and clenching and alleviate the painful symptoms. An occlusal guard, which is also referred to as a bite guard, prevents teeth grinding and clenching during sleep. Dr. Reyering will ensure that the occlusal guard fits comfortably over your teeth so you can sleep peacefully. If you suspect that you may grind and clench your teeth, we encourage you to contact us at Dardenne Dental Arts. We are dedicated to improving your smile and helping you find relief!