Brushing and flossing your teeth every day is one of the most important things you can do to keep your oral health in good shape. Another very important part of keeping your pearly whites looking healthy not just while you are young, but when you are 100 years old is through preventative dental care! That’s right, tooth loss isn’t a symptom of old age, it’s a symptom of poor oral hygiene over an extended period of time. If comprehensive family dentists like Drs. Arora and Patel are able to monitor the state of your oral health, they will be able to pinpoint issues and fix them before they turn into major issues down the road that could possibly lead to tooth loss. The best way to keep your teeth looking like your prom photo your whole life is through preventative dental care!

Routine Exams & Cleanings

Even with routine brushing and flossing day in and day out, it’s possible that you are missing certain areas on your teeth. The grooves and crevices on your back molars can be hard to reach, and there could be some unsuspected plaque build-up. When you have a routine professional cleaning from a dental hygienist, they will thoroughly reach every nook and cranny on your teeth and remove any lingering plaque that may have hardened onto your teeth.

Routine examinations allow your Palos Heights dentists to get to know you and your teeth, which gives them a leg up against fighting cavities and other issues. The American Dental Association recommends a dental examination twice a year (every 6 months) for optimal dental care.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a natural mineral that promotes positive enamel growth. Fluoride is added to toothpaste in small doses, but the treatment that we provide at Palos Heights Family Dental has a much higher amount of fluoride in it. It is applied to your teeth after your other treatments are finished, letting it stay on the enamel.

Digital X-Rays

Digital X-rays give us a look at the inside of your jaw and gums. Sometimes dental issues cannot be seen by the naked eye, and are only visible through X-rays. Digital X-rays emit a much lower amount of radiation compared to conventional X-rays, and are safe for just about everybody!

Arestin Treatments

Sometimes bacteria can form on your gums and cause them to become irritable and sore, sometimes even bloody. If this bacterium goes on untreated it will become much worse and will eventually lead to tooth loss. Arestin is an anti-bacterial medicine that we will apply to your gums to combat any future growth and kill off the bacteria currently causing irritation.

Dental Sealants

Your molars are the teeth that are most prone to cavities because they are harder to reach when you clean; they also have deep grooves that are sometimes missed while brushing. To help plaque from forming on your molars, we can apply a thin sealant that effectively covers your tooth. Dental sealants are a very popular method used by dentists all over the country.

Nightguards (for bruxism)

Some people grind their teeth at night subconsciously while they are sleeping. This bad habit can cause damage to your teeth and the muscles surrounding your jaw. To prevent this, we can prescribe you a small and comfortable nightguard that will protect your teeth from damage and keep your smile in good shape!

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer is highly treatable as long as it is found early. We perform oral cancer screenings at Palos Heights Family Dental that thoroughly search for any abnormalities in your mouth. We will check your gums, tongue, neck, lips, and all areas that are at risk for oral cancer. The peace of mind knowing you are fully healthy is worth every examination!