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Family Dentistry
Florence, AL
Visiting the dentist can sometimes cause nervousness and anxiety in children and adults alike. Familiarity with one dental office and one dentist through the years can be reassuring and make visits to the dentist a more positive experience.
That is why at Singing River Dentistry, we specialize in family dentistry. At our Florence, AL location on Hough Rd, our family dentistry practice offers on preventive services and procedures for the whole family. We offer an anxiety-free dental experience as much as possible.
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Dental Exams and More
Our team can help keep your family's teeth in great condition through regular exams and cleanings. These procedures are designed to monitor the health of your teeth, the development of your child's teeth, as well as provide feedback on your home oral hygiene practices. Any potential concerns can be identified early and corrected in the least invasive means possible.
When Should My Child Get an Exam?
Dentistry for kids is an important part of family dentistry. Your child should get their first dental exam by the time they turn one year old or no more than six months after their first birthday.
If your child has already passed this milestone, it is important to get them in for a dental exam as soon as you can. Your child's baby teeth are important for their speech development and oral health and regular exams help to protect them.
What Is Done During a Cleaning and Exam?
Cleanings are a very simple process, especially for young children. During the visit, our professional will gently clean any teeth that you may have to ensure they are free from plaque and tartar. If your child has developed adjacent teeth at the time of the exam, then our team will also floss between these teeth to remove any debris.
After the cleaning process is complete, our team will review good oral hygiene practices with you and answer some common questions about dental care. They will discuss which toothbrush and toothpaste are most appropriate for your child based on their age and oral health. If any abnormalities are observed, they will discuss potential treatment options, such as fluoride or dental sealants and help you decide the course of action that is best for your child.
While our team provides great preventative dental care for you and your kids, home care is equally important to avoiding tooth decay. It is important that you and your family are brushing your teeth twice per day for at least two minutes per session and that your kids are using an age-appropriate toothbrush. Developing these practices early will give your child skills that they will use for a lifetime.
Oral Cancer Screenings
During your dental exam, the dentist will also check your mouth for any signs of oral cancer or other problems. Over 14 million new cases of cancer are being diagnosed yearly. Prevention is key. An oral cancer screening simply involves the dentist looking at your head and neck, and inside of your mouth for any abnormal signs such as lumps, bumps, or spots. Be sure to let the dentist know if you have spotted any of these signs.
The Importance of Periodontal Care
Gum disease is a common oral health condition that affects a large number of Americans every single year. It involves inflammation in your gums that stems from a build-up of bacteria and can result in serious consequences, including tooth loss. Our professionals at Singing River Dentistry are highly trained in all forms of gum disease treatments to help you protect your smile.
These treatments range from minimally invasive non-surgical procedures to advance surgical repairs. The type and number of treatments will depend on the specifics of your case and what treatments best serve you. If you are suffering from gum disease that is still in its early stages, you can be treated with milder non-surgical treatments that are highly successful. The primary non-surgical treatment method is called root planing and scaling.
Once gum disease has progressed and the pockets have surpassed a depth of roughly 5mm, our team will be unable to adequately plane and scale your teeth with handheld tools. When this occurs, pocket reduction surgery is usually recommended. This simple procedure involves making a small incision on your gum line at any location where the pocket depth is extreme.
Regular brushing and flossing is crucial to preventing gum disease.
Read More Here About Periodontal Care
Protecting Your Teeth
Sleep apnea is a severe condition that involves repeatedly stopping breathing during sleep. It can cause hypertension, heart disease, and even sudden death. Bruxism refers to teeth grinding throughout any time when there are no activities requiring jaw movement (such as chewing or talking). Although it does not pose the same health risks as sleep apnea, bruxism has been shown to damage tooth enamel over time.
The first step with bruxism is to identify the underlying cause. Stress is a major cause of bruxism. Sometimes, no matter how many treatments you try on your own, it can be complicated for you to stop grinding your teeth at night without proper identification. At Singing River Dentistry we create custom-made mouth guards for our patients with bruxism to protect their teeth and jaw at night while they sleep. We also make mouth guards to wear during sports, to protect teeth from damage in contact sports.
Sleep Apnea and its Effect on Your Health
People with sleep apnea stop breathing for periods of 10 seconds or longer, sometimes over 100 times each night. This can lead to more serious conditions like high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and even heart disease, which is also connected to dental health. Many individuals with this condition can experience tooth cavities, gum infection, and decay if the condition is not taken care of early. This is because sleep apnea results in teeth grinding, leading to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and many other problems.
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, Singing River Dentistry is here to help. Call us today to schedule an appointment . We offer a variety of treatments for sleep apnea and oral appliance therapy.
Schedule a Family Dentistry Service in Florence, AL Today!
If you are ready to establish care with a team of skilled dental professionals, then you should come to see our team at Singing River Dentistry. If you live near or around the Florence, AL area, call us at 256-712-3549 to schedule an appointment.
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